Bolamo Design Studio

Well, it's been 2 1/2 years since I've posted on this blog. A lot has changed...a lot of good changes!

To go along with the new change you can find me at my new quilting and sewing blog at Bolamo Design Studio . It's still pretty young, but I've got some pretty cool things planned in the near future. I hope you'll join me over there.

First Official Planting

So far in the ground we have planted:

• Potatoes (Red & Yukon Golds)
• Onions (Yellow & Red)
• Chiggia Beets
• Carrots
• Turnips
• No. 9 Sweet Peas

Yesterday was the perfect day to plant...becasue it rained today! Got to love free waterings! We leave town for a short bit this weekend, and while on the road I will be hunting for sweet potato starters and look forward to coming home starting our seeds and installing our rain barrels.

Planting last night, got me so excited for gardening and harvesting this summer. So, if you need a little encouragement go find any pictures of last year's harvest and remember how well you ate during harvest days!

Gardening Time is Knocking

So much is popping up already. I have horseradish, chives, garlic and cilantro all growing and thriving. I also have Sorrel. All of my sorrel is back (4) and I should have my first salad of the year in about one week. I am so excited!

Here is what to be done in March, so enjoy those warm days:

• Garden Wish List
• Draw out your garden map/plot
• Plant cold loving vegetables - potatoes, onions, broccoli, spinach, carrots, beets, etc.
• Start your seeds indoors - make sure you sterilize your pots from last year!
• Write yourself a garden chore list - We have tings on our with specific dates like set-up rain barrels, trim the bushes, empty compost, rototill garden, set out bird baths. Once you have your list you have your goals set for the weekends, and it's amazing how much quicker you'll get these done by already having a plan.

Off to play in the dirt and plant my peas and then pick up my potatoes and onions! Happy spring gardening!

Chewy Granola Bars

I haven't eaten enough out of my pantry/freezer to make room for my ice cream maker, however, I did find the time this week to make a new recipe for chewy granola bars from a client of mine. Let me tell you these are good! I think they taste like "Quaker Oats" without all the yucky stuff. Here is the original recipe and here is my adapted version....of course with what I had in my pantry.

Chewy Granola Bars

Yields 12-16 bars

2 cups oats

3/4 cup wheat germ

3/4 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup peanuts, crushed (optional)

1/3 cup flax seed

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup honey

4 Tbsp butter

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

8 oz. dried fruit

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a 9x13 cake pan with wax paper and spray with nonstick spray. Mix together peanuts, oats, flax seed, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds in a cookie sheet with sides. Toast them in the oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

In a medium sauce pan mix together brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, and salt and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.

Mix together toasted grain mixture, syrup and dried fruit in a mixing bowl. Pour mixture in prepared glass dish. Spread out the mixture with a wooden spoon or spatula. With wax paper press granola mixture into pan, ensuring even thickness. Let cool completely. Carefully turn granola onto cutting board and peel off wax paper. Cut granola bars into preferred size and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Store in an airtight container on counter for a week or in fridge for 2 weeks.

Notes: Peanuts are optional, either omit or add extra seeds or fruit.

I think my next batch might include some toasted coconut. Enjoy!

Chocolate Syrup

I've been having a serious craving for chocolate milk and wouldn't you know I don't have any Hershey's in the house. Since I'm on my eating from the pantry only kick, I challenged myself to find a way to make chocolate syrup. This recipe is so easy and I think it actually tastes better than store bought so I'm so excited to share it. Plus all the ingredients are everyday items in your pantry, so why spend the extra money and put those questionable ingredients in your body?

Chocolate Syrup
Yields 2 1/4 cups

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
2 cups sucanat sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. vanilla

In a saucepan over low heat, mix together cocoa and water until dissolved. Add sucanat and stir. Boil for 3 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add salt and vanilla. Mix well. Let syrup cool. Pour into sterile container/jar and store in the fridge up to 1 month.


Notes: This won't last a month, you'll consume it much quicker! The syrup thickens as it cools, so don't worry about it being too thin.

For more recipes and homemaking ideas check out Homemaker Monday, Mouthwatering Monday, and Slightly Indulgent Mondays

Frugal boycot

After taking a long hiatus from blogging during the busy summer, I look forward to posting many new recipes, experiments and knowledge that I have gleaned through the time.

After a long day out of the house, I was wondering what to cook and decided to run to the grocery store. I looked through my pantry and cabinets one last time to make sure I didn't forget to pick anything up that I needed and realized how much food we already have in the house! I mean we have grains, proteins, vegetables, fruits and the list could continue. You must consider how much, I have dehydrated, canned and still have fresh from the garden.

At that moment I felt slightly embarrassed for having this much food in the house for two people. How can I justify buying 50 pounds...yes fifty pound of wheat, if I wasn't going to make bread with it and instead buy bread at the store, that I think is always dry. So, as of Tuesday night I am boycotting the grocery store for 10 days. 10 days because I would like to cook Brian a killer meal for his birthday and will not forgo that. I do have three exceptions:

1. Meat
2. Milk - does a body good
3. Eggs

These exception can only be made when we are absolutely out of said item. Actually, there is one more exception being that I will need to go grocery shopping for clients but that list can not include anything for my personal household. So if you see me at the grocery store, please know I am not cheating. It's business.

So, we are actually on day four of no grocery shopping and I think I'm cooking my best meals yet. We are craving a few items that I will play with over the weekend and share recipes for next week. Most things being healthier when you make them yourself and cheaper to so I am really excited.

Next week's recipes include:
Chocolate syrup (you know like Hershey's)
Ranch (with Kefir)
Ice Cream (Brian has a craving for a new flavor)
Chewy Granola Bars

So, I challenge you take stock and clean out those cabinets and pantry's. Of course please do this responsibly and don't compromise your health or dietary needs. However, I know many of you have deep freezers:).

By utilizing what you have you might see a little surplus in your grocery bill this month. So, I want to hear what is your bulk guilty pleasure? I already confessed mine was the bag of wheat.


Check out more frugal tips here.

Look Ma!

Brian and I headed up to the vegetable auction last week and came home with some fabulous fruits and veggies. One I was so excited about was Elderberries. A friend of mine had just been talking about how much she loved elderberry jam and how she couldn't find any this year. So, when I saw them go up for auction and no one bidding on them, I quickly threw up my number and snagged them for a ridiculous price, already thinking of giving my friend homemade jam for Christmas. How excited and thrilled she would be.


So.......I'm sure you've guessed by now she isn't getting jam. More like elderberry brittle candy. I'm not sure what happened and won't go into the full detail of trying to get hard molten elderberry candy out of jars but let me tell you this, it is good! I think next time I'll use a recipe with pectin in it. All I'm saying is that the recipe called for you to cook it thick, well I did.