Creating the life we crave through food, crafts, family, faith, and fun!
A neighbor left this fun surprise on my doorstep. (Thanks Deborah!) It contained a roll of toilet paper, flowers, and chocolate eggs.
I wanted to share this photo in case you are looking for a fun way to brighten someone’s day in the midst of “social distancing.”
I have had a difficult time finding cake flour recently. I wanted to purchase a small bag to use for a picture in this post, but my local grocery store didn’t have any. I didn’t even see a place on the shelf for it.
If your recipe call for cake flour and you don’t have any in your cupboard,
Have no fear; the DIY version is here!
You can make just enough for your current recipe, or you can mix up a larger batch to have on hand when you need it. I’m going to give you the “recipe” for three different size batches: 1 cup. 4 cups, and 8 cups.
The instructions are the same for each recipe. You need a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, measuring cups, sifter, and a bowl. For the one cup recipe, you will also need a measuring spoon for one tablespoon.
When measuring the flour, make sure you spoon the flour into the measuring cup versus scooping the flour into the measuring cup. After you have filled the measuring cup, use a flat surface like the backside of a knife to level off the measuring cup of flour.
After measuring the flour and cornstarch, sift them together. This process should be repeated at least three times. I use a large strainer with small holes instead of a traditional sifter. I use a spoon or a whisk to stir things together and get the sifting process going. Notice the difference in the texture between the flour and corn starch mixture in the picture above and the picture of the completed cake flour below. I sifted this batch three times. Isn’t it beautiful?
Can you believe how simple this is? Now for the “recipes.”
1 CUP OF CAKE FLOUR
To make 1 cup of cake flour, begin with 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Remove 2 tablespoons of flour and replace the flour with 2 tablespoons of corn starch. Sift together and repeat this process, making sure you sift the flour and corn starch at least 3 times.
4 CUPS OF CAKE FLOUR
To make 4 cups of cake flour, you need 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup corn starch. Sift together and repeat this process, making sure you sift the flour and corn starch at least 3 times.
8 CUPS OF CAKE FLOUR
To make 8 cups of cake flour, you need 7 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 cup of cornstarch. Sift together and repeat this process, making sure you sift the flour and corn starch at least 3 times.
There you have it! As long as you have flour and cornstarch on hand you will never again have to make a trip to the store for cake flour.
Planner Pitfall #1 – FOMU
You have been anxiously waiting for the arrival of your new Erin Condren planner. Now that you have it in your hands you are “waiting” to start using it. Why? You have a bad case of FOMU. No, that isn’t a typo. I must tell you, I am incredibly impressed with myself for coming up with this. What is FOMU? Fear of Messing Up!
I can’t even count the number of times I have sat down to make notes in a new planner and felt paralyzed. I start thinking, “Maybe I should wait until I come up with the perfect system, find the perfect pen, etc.”
Rid yourself of FOMU and JUST GET STARTED! As you begin using your planner you will figure out what works best for you. That brings me to mistake #2.
Planner Pitfall #2 – Thinking everything must be consistent.
Once you finally get over the fear of messing up, stop thinking you need to do things the same way each week Try something this week and if you don’t like it, do something next week. It’s okay to figure out what works best for YOU! Your planner can evolve with your life and needs. You may need to use more space for appointments and commitments this week than your to-do list.
I use an Erin Condren vertical planner that has 3 boxes for each day. I have changed how I used these boxes many times. Just when I think I have figured out what works best for me another kind of obligation or activity enters my life that needs planner space. Or… seeing how someone else uses their planner sparks a new idea. Speaking of how others use their planner…
There isn’t one right way to use a paper planner, but by avoiding a few Paper Planner Pitfalls you will develop the style that works just right for you!
Planner Pitfall #3 – Comparing your planner style to the pictures you see online.
Don’t compare your planning style to someone else’s. It’s great to get ideas from others, but it’s too easy to get discouraged when we start thinking our pages need to look just the pages we ‘ve been admiring. Develop your own style. I go back and forth between using mostly pen and using a combination of Washi tape and stickers. Again… your style needs to meet your needs.
Conclusion
Avoiding these Paper Planner Pitfalls will give you the freedom to develop the personal planner style that fits your needs and your life.
Do you have other ideas to add to this list! Please share!
Download the Apple Pie Spice Mix gift tag!
Watch the video for complete instructions for making this cake stand!
December 4th is National Cookie Day! Celebrate by making these wonderfully soft gingerbread cookies.
Last week, I showed you how to make the perfect whipped cream. This is a great way to use leftover whipped cream. It’s also a great project to do with children.
Place a piece of parchment paper on a jelly roll pan.
Put whipped cream inside an icing bag. I used a Wilton 2M tip. You can also use a coupler with no tip, or a plastic freezer bag with a hole snipped in the corner.
Piping on parchment paper, create a circle of whipped cream. Add eyes, nose and mouth using chocolate chips, mini m&m’s etc.
Freeze until firm. Place on hot cocoa and enjoy!
I love the Erin Condren Surprise Boxes! The Winter 2019 is one of my favorites. The boxes are $40 and include $80 worth of PlannerLove! Watch the video for details on what’s inside.
Spoiler alert! The picture below includes contents from box!
