Taylor Jay Photography

Taylor Jay Photography is my all time favorite photography company! A. Ogilvie is a very talented individual who started Taylor Jay Photography and has been our family's photographer for years. She is amazing and can always get a smile out of your kiddos. She is so creative in her editing and is incredible with candid shots. Her specialty is outdoor photography and she is known for taking the perfect picture the first time, no airbrushing required! If you are looking for the perfect photographer for any occasion, look up Taylor Jay Photography and you wont be disappointed!

Berry Fruit Pie Recipe

Berry Pie Filling

5 C. Frozen Berries (Thawed)

1 C. Sugar

Sprinkle with Cinnamon

1-2 TBLS Corn Starch (Opt.)

In a bowl, mix together (break up any chunks of berries that form), set aside. 

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Double Pastry Crust

                                                 

2 1/4 C. Flour

3/4 tsp. Salt

1 Tbls. Sugar

2/3 C. Shortening or Softened Butter

Whisk flour, salt and sugar together. Add softened butter or shortening and blend into mixture with pastry blender. Add 1 Tablespoon of water while mixing (kneading the dough with hands at this point) until dough sticks together and forms a dough consistency.  (Using 8 Tablespoons of water or less). Split the dough into two dough balls and cover in plastic wrap, refrigerate for 30min. On lightly floured surface, roll out one ball of dough to 1/4" thickness and layer bottom of pie tin or dish with the dough.

Add **filling**, then roll out second ball of dough to same thickness. Using a circle cookie cutter (mine has a fancy edge to it), and cut out 8-9 circles from the rolled out dough. Cut each circle in half and start forming the center flower. Roll one half of a circle into a cone shape, repeat this 5 times to make the base of the flower. Roll one half of a circle in a spiral shape (look at picture below), and repeat this 3 times. (This will become the center of your flower). Take two halves of a circle at a time, place them on top of the filling (close to the flower) to make the half circles look like leaves. Repeat this 4-5 times to complete the design. Gather the scraps of dough left on the floured surface and roll into another ball. Roll out the dough one more time. Using a pizza cutter or butter knife, cut the dough into long 1/4" strips. Take 3 strips off the counter at a time and pinch the tops of them together, then braid the 3 strips together. Repeat this step until all edges of pie are braided. Brush top of dough with milk. Cover edges of pie with tinfoil to prevent burning.

Bake @ 350 degrees F for 50min.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Recipe: (Double this recipe if you want it to last 2 years like it did for me :)

1 Box Borax
1 Container Oxi Clean (Regular Walmart size)
2 Bars Fels Naptha (Laundry aisle)
2 Boxes of Arm-n-Hammer Super Soda
1 Box Pure Baking Soda (this size box is only found in the laundry aisle - not the size you bake with)
2 Large Containers Downy Unstoppables (Any Scent)

Grate Fels Naptha bars completely, then put them in a food processor and pulse until they become a pea sized ball consistency. ***(Do not just blend - the grated fels naptha will simply cream together into one clump - NOT what you want for your laundry detergent).

Mix all ingredients in a very large tupperware tub or air tight container (makes alot)! (I like to double the batch, so I don't have to make it as often).

Use 1-2 Tablespoons per load of wash. ***Note: Always add water to your washer first, then the detergent, THEN your clothes. If you put your clothes in first and add the detergent on top, you will get detergent powder stuck in the wrinkles or pockets in your clothes. (I only know this from experience ;)

***I store mine in a 27 Qt. tupperware tub/container with a snap on lid.

***I doubled the batch and it has lasted me two full years! Think of how much you will save by making your own!!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

How to Grow and Herb Garden and Dehydrate Basil and Other Herbs

Growing Basil, Oregano, Mint

Herbs grow best in the soil, but can also be grown in containers. Aaron and I have found that our Basil has done fantastic in its location in our backyard for a few reasons; one, location: it gets sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon, two, watering: We water the herbs every day by spraying them with a hose gently from the top down, (for some reason our drip system or watering the soil below the plant just didn’t work as well as spraying them with a hose - thats how nature does it! Think of rain and how it hits  your plants - water them like that), three, TLC (tender loving care): Basil needs to be pruned on almost a daily basis here in Arizona. Basil produces small white flowers along the tops of the plant and they need to be removed often in order for the plant to focus on producing more leaves for you. If you pinch just below the white flowers and rip them off the plant, then your Basil will flourish. It also needs to be harvested fairly often as well. I pick Basil leaves a few times a week to keep the plant wanting to grow more leaves for me. I use fresh basil leaves on home made pizza, in Italian dishes and they are also great on chicken salad sandwhiches and other types of sandwiches, soups and salads. I have been focusing a lot lately on dehydrating my herbs, so that I can store them and add them to my food storage. 

Dehydrating Herbs:

Pick the lower under leaves of the Basil first. If you pick the leaves that are on top and bigger than the others, you have actually done a disservice to your plant. The top of the plant that has the bigger leaves, are there to serve as  an umbrella or source of shade to the rest of your plant. If you pick them, you are taking away the plants protection from becoming over heated. Simply pick one leaf at a time towards the middle of the plant, take them inside and give them a good rinse with water (be sure to be gentle and not bruise the leaves when washing them). Then you lay them flat on a dehydrating tray and space them out so they do not touch each other. You can do as many trays at a time as your dehydrated allows (mine has 5). Put the lid on and turn your dehydrator on. Leave them drying for anywhere between 2-6 hours. To test if they are done, take one leaf out and if it crumbles when you try to break it in half, its good to go. When the dehydrating process is complete, place all dried leaves in a food processor or blender, pulse until they look like little crumbs. (Same consistency as what you would see your herb in a store bought spice container - no big chunks or stems should be left. only tiny pieces). Put your blended herbs in a spice jar or other glass jar with a lid that seals well and you are finished! If you have any questions about herb gardening or dehydrating herbs, let me know. I am only a phone call away :0).

Below is another source of ways to grow an herb garden.

Herb Garden: http://www.tastefulgarden.com/store/pc/Herb-Gardening-for-Beginners-d19.htm