Vinegar Wash to Keep Berries Fresh Longer

I love getting emails from my step-grandma. Most of the time they are forwards but I know if she took the time to send them on to me they are gonna be good! Just the other day she sent a great one about keeping berries fresh longer.


I was a bit skeptical but tried it and I think it's a great idea. All you have to do it mix 1 part vinegar to 10 parts of water, put the berries in, swish them around a little bit then drain and you are done! I rinsed my strawberries very quickly and didn't notice any vinegar taste. 


The vinegar kills any mold spores or bacteria that might be on your berries. I think mine just felt cleaner too. We have extra kids around here this week so I won't get to see how long they will last, but the email I received said berries have lasted up to 2 weeks!


Good luck, and happy berry eating!

Spring Break 2012

Just a little peak at what we've been doing here this week. My nephew and his girlfriend are staying with us until Thursday. (You'd never know she was here by the picture at the top. The boys have been playing a lot of video games!) 

The weather has been wonderful so we decided to go look for mushrooms tonight....still must be too early. Joey, Simon and I had a great time in the woods. Except for the snake we saw. Ek. Still gives me the heebie jeebies to think about it. Simon tried to tell me it was ok. It was just a "Gardner Snake" and that he was nice....but I wasn't buying it! In the woods we were in we came across an old barn that had collapsed and noticed a cool water pump. Joey (and Simon) pumped away and actually got water! Had a sip and it tasted just like well water. Even more amazing than that is that the pump came from Flint and Walling in Kendallville, Indiana...my last home was right down the road from that factory!

Little bit of ninja action, little bit of lego building, lots of sleeping in and just being lazy. Which if you ask me is the best way to spend Spring Break!

I have very quickly became addicted to Pinterest. If you have no idea what Pinterest is just click on the work Pinterest and be amazed. I have been debating on having a little get together once a month with some girl friends and we all try out our findings....but alas I am too busy through the week and often on weekends to manage something like that. So I thought I'd just share here some things I have tried and my recommendations. :)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes 

These were alright but took about a week to disappear... hence not wonderful. It took me a couple of times to get the peanut butter topping right, and the cupcakes were a little over cooked but overall they were ok. Probably wouldn't make them again though.

Strawberry Fudge

Very easy to make. Tastes good...how can you not love a whole tub of frosting?? But still sitting in the fridge after about a week. I would make these again but only if I had someplace to take them. Our family must just not be ones for sweets.

Heart Cinnamon Rolls

Very cute and perfect for Valentine's Day. I had to use my homemade recipe as we hadn't been to the store yet. A can/tube of store bought cinnamon rolls would have made this much easier. Just roll both ends in to make the shape of a heart and that's it. The boys loved 'em so I would definitely make them again.

If you click on any of the photos above it will take you to the instructions I followed to make each of these goodies. 

I am going to be making Valentine's for Simon from an idea I also found on Pinterest but the photos haven't came yet so hopefully they will be here tomorrow and I'll share those too. 

Have you made anything from Pinterest finds?