Somedays you just need fudge

This in our house in the perfect bad day treat it's quick and easy but tastes just right. Known as "Cheaters Fudge" no candy thermometer required. All you need is:

1 bag good quality semi sweet chips

1 bag good quality milk chocolate chips

1 can condensed milk

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp orange ectract

Melt everything in a heavy bottomed sauce pan until smooth pour into 8" square pan and chill until set. Store in airtight container.

Enjoy!

Jumping on the no shampoo bandwagon

I've finally worked up the courage to try the no shampoo thing, this on my part has taken a lot of consideration. I am one of those people who has to wash my hair everyday, it's very fine and gets oily faster than you would believe.  After a lot of looking around and taking in a ton of information this is the formula I've come up with to suit me.

First I washed out really well two old shampoo bottles and got to work.

 For the first mixture add:

1/4 cup of baking soda

+

3/4 cups of warm water

Into one of your bottles and shake really well (make sure to shake each time you use it)

This one I apply to my dry hair and work it in really well and let it sit for a couple minutes than rinse well.

For the second mixture add:

1/4 cup vinegar

+

1 cup water

+

1 Tbs vanilla extract

Into second bottle and shake well.

This one I apply after I've rinsed out the first baking soda mix, work it in really well and let it sit for a couple minutes and rinse.

So far this is seems to be working and the vinegar smell is completely covered by the vanilla ( my husband says it smells like I've been baking all day lol). To make application easier I put it in as you would when colouring your hair line by line right to the scalp. That seems to work the best for me, hopefully this sticks, we'll see I'm still on the fence.

Easy Peasy Valentine's Chocolate

In the search for Valentine's day gifts I decided to skip our local box store and make what I could in my kitchen. Besides whats better then homemade chocolate bark I ask you? Nothing. It's the perfect treat and one batch makes a lot of gifts.

I used a 250g block of Joe's milk chocolate and a 250g block of Joe's white chocolate, broke each into separate bowls and melted over a double boiler. Stirred until smooth and glossy and spooned the milk and white chocolate in a checker pattern onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. To finish just swirl the two together with a knife and let cool and set. Once completely cooled break into pieces, wrap in pretty paper, tie with a ribbon and add a handwritten note. Done, easy!


When it comes to holidays and gift giving I always have the urge to "bend" our budget, but in the end I know I can still give lovely gifts no matter how simple or easy they are. A little handmade love can mean a lot.

Take care all.