Sundae Nights
Temperatures have been holding steady in the 70’s for the past week, but that was not the case this weekend. A shift into the high 90’s with 100% humidity made it miserable to step outside. Nevertheless the weather created the ideal opportunity to savor summer with some old fashioned vanilla ice cream that would ultimately create the perfect sundae to enjoy during the hottest part of the day.
Snapshots
DIY Laundry Detergent
While in college I learned a lot of tricks, such as how to make the best fried chicken and create the perfect French braid. However my favorite trick was how to spend under $25 for a year supply of laundry detergent. In school I shared the detergent with two people and we each did at least one load of laundry a week, and still had some left over when the school year ended. Since college is starting up I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share this money saving recipe.
DIY Laundry Soap
Ingredients
2 tablespoons for a regular load
3 tablespoons for a large load
1 (4 lb. 12 oz.) box of Borax
4 lbs. Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
1 (3lb. 7 oz.) box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated (on a cheese grated)
optional: 1 (3 lb.) container Oxy Clean free – I liked to use it as an extra stain remover
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag. Be sure to securely close the bag and shake it back and forth until completely mixed. Scoop out into containers.
Notes: I like to add some Downy or Downy UnStopables to give my laundry more of girly scent. You could also add two containers of Downy UnStopables to your laundry soap mixture. HE washer friendly.
1950’s Pink Popcorn
Old-fashioned ice cream parlours use to be the “in thing” in metro Detroit. However overtime, many of these places faded out, but the memories remain. One of my parlours sold fresh popped popcorn coated with thick pink sugar, creating the ideal sweet and salty combination. Recently I was given a 1950’s cookbook, and one of the recipes in the book was old-fashioned pink popcorn. Immediately I had to give the recipe a try, and the result was pink perfection
1950\’s Pink Popcorn
Ingredients
2/3 cup popcorn kernels, popped (or two bags of popcorn)
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup half and half
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
pink food gel (a little goes a long way)
Directions
Place popped popcorn in a large bowl also lay out waxed paper on the counter.
In a large saucepan combine sugar, half and half, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Heat mixture to 230 degrees, stirring occasionally. Immediately remove from heat – add vanilla and food coloring. Drizzle mixture over popped popcorn and gently stir until popcorn is evenly coated. Pour mixture onto waxed paper and allow to dry for 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Note: pink popcorn is best when eaten the day it is made
Spicy Dream
Champagne Bubbles is a white/silver base with gold and silver glitter, and is my new Sunday brunch must have polish.
Crimson Tattoo is a vampy purple/red jelly. The color reminds me of OPI’s Linkin dark after dark but with a moodier tone.
Cinnamon Kiss is a vampy red over a blacked base with a subtle touch of simmer.
Brown Sugar is a hot chocolate brown with the subtlest silver simmer.
Fashion meets Food 