Dry Erase Menu Board!

What did you make? A Dry Erase Menu Board!
http://pinterest.com/pin/99101187/

Refining Domestic Weekly Meal Planner

How did it turn out? Good! I have been wanting to get back to making weekly menu plans and something cute and new is just the way to motivate me. It was super easy to make.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I followed the directions  except that I used a different typs of frame, mine is plexiglass. Also, it is currently standing on the counter top as in the directions, but I am going to get magnets and hang it on the fridge. I don't have any counter space really, and being plexiglass it is light and safe to hang on the fridge instead and I would just prefer it there.

Would you make it again?  I think I just need one, but probably when I need an upgrade or as a gift for sure.

Any tips or advice? Only to use a grid under your glass when lining up your stickers like directed. I cheated and just eyeballed it. You can kind of tell, but I think it worked out anyway. :)

- Sierra

What did you make? Blueberry Muffins!

http://pinterest.com/pin/114874506/
Allrecipes To Die For Blueberry Muffins

How did it turn out? Good! I had never made real blueberry muffins before but had blueberries that had gotten smooshed so I decided to make a batch.They were easy and delicious. We are in the minority of blueberry muffin likers it seems as we don't like many blueberries in our muffins. So they were a little much for Rob, but our landlord that I gifted some to LOVED them. Also, my crumb mixture was a little chunky - I think the butter was too cold, but I just spread the coating out after baking to even it out a little.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I followed the directions exactly, except that I halved the crumb mixture based on other reviewers' advice.

Would you make it again?  Yep! I will just probably halve the blueberries next time to suit our family better.

Any tips or advice? I would recommend cutting the crumb mixture in half as I did, it was plenty. I would also recommend letting the butter in the mixture soften first so that it is more of an even crumb mixture, rather than chunks of butter and dry, powdery stuff just hanging out. Next time, I will also try other reviewers advice by using brown sugar instead of white in the crumb mixture. If you are not a fan of blueberries (or even if you are), I would try this recipe with mini chocolate chips instead - yum!

- Sierra

Squares Wall Decoration

What did you make? A canvas wall decoration using scrapbook paper!I was inspired by this:
http://pinterest.com/pin/82523384/

Making Wall Art out of Styrofoam  

How did it turn out? I love it!! I cannot wait to see how it looks on my wall in my new apartment!

Did you follow directions or make changes?  The original directions called for styrofoam, ribbon, and tacky glue. Instead, I bought a pack of art canvases (7 for $12.99 at Michaels) and covered them in black fabric, and then used spray adhesive to secure the scrapbook paper.

Would you make it again?  Absolutely!!

Here is a photo! My camera lens broke the 2nd week of camp, so this was taken on my phone, and in the dark- so it is not the best but you can get an idea of what I did. Soon it will be up on my wall rather than in the dining room floor!

-Leah

Frozen Banana Bites

(never home maker original picture)
http://pinterest.com/pin/70463452/
(never home) maker Frozen Banana Bites

How did it turn out? 

They were really good after being in the freezer about an hour, but staying in longer made them so hard (too hard for me to really enjoy them).  I tried to let them thaw a little, but that just made the chocolate begin to melt and they were a mess.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  

I followed all the directions. I did end up using a spoon to coat most of the bananas as the bowl of chocolate got closer to being empty.  
Would you make it again?  

Yes, but not as a make-ahead snack and in a smaller amount.

Any tips or advice? After being in the freezer about an hour, they still taste like banana, when you keep them in longer they loose the banana taste and are more like vanilla ice cream.  I guess it's all about preference :)
- Vanessa

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

What did you make? Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

http://pinterest.com/pin/90501830/

The Well Fed Newly Weds Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

How did it turn out? It was alright. Andy liked it more than I did. The beef was supposed to be in chunks with stroganoff "gravy" but I think the suggested slow cooker time was way too long, it fell apart into shredded beef and soaked up the liquid, it was difficult to stir into the egg noodles.

Did you follow directions or make changes? I didnt have onions, so I used a dry onion soup mix, and because that is pretty flavorful I skipped some of the called for seasonings.

Would you make it again? Maybe, I think I would rather ask for mom's stroganoff recipe. I remember growing up it was really good.

Would you make future changes? Tips? If I made again and still did the soup mix I think I would use half. I would also use half the sour scream it called for, it was nice and creamy but too sour. Lastly, I would cut down on cook time, it said 7-9 hours. I did the full time cause it cooked over night and it fell apart. I would stop it by 7 hours. 

Andy asked why I was taking a picture of him eating. :)

-Michelle