July 4th Bean-Bag Update

The glow-in-the-dark paint finally dried!  Today, I made the bean-bag.  Now remember, I cannot sew.  I really cannot sew, not even a button.  But, I made this bean-bag.  As you will see from the picture, the bag is not pretty.  I'm not worried.  It will be dark.  And I have to tell you, I threw this thing around and made sure that it stayed together.  It did.  If I can do this, you can do it better!

First, I had cut a rectangle of material.  I'm not sure what kind of material, I picked it from the "remnants" bin at the fabric store.  Then, I applied several coats of glow-in-the-dark paint.  I allowed drying time, in the light, in between each coat.  My son helped with this, and thought it was just great.
Today, I folded the painted material in-half and sewed two sides together.  I didn't do anything fancy, like turn it inside-out.  I folded the edges over and stitched. 
While I was looking for dried beans, I realized that we had none.  I know, I have been talking bean-bags for 4 days.  Well, onward and upward.  We used dried lentils.  It's a good thing I folded the material before stitching, lentils are REALLY SMALL. 
We poured the lentils into the bag (be careful, they run all over).  Then, I stitched together the open side of the bag.  We shook and threw the bag, and only 1 lentil fell out. 
Tomorrow night (July 4th), we will have a glow-in-the-dark bean-bag toss.  If we end up with lentils on the yard, then so be it (will they grow?)!

Not pretty, but it doesn't fall apart and it glows!

Please send me your success stories, and I hope you all have fun.  blog@klinecreative.com

July 4th Berry Biscuit Tarts

This super-easy recipe is great for a party, or for any weekday!

July 4^th Berry Biscuit Tarts

4 c. spelt flour (you can use regular flour, you might need to use a little more) + a little extra for the counter and the cup

2 Tbsp. Baking powder

1 tsp. salt

½ c. sugar + extra for sprinkling ( I use turbinado sugar, you can use any kind)

2/3 c. canola oil

1 ½ c. warm water

1 Tbsp. honey

1 16 oz. container strawberries, washed and sliced

1 11 oz. container blueberries, washed (we had extra blueberries, a smaller container would work)

* ½ c. heavy cream

Pre-heat oven to °375.

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.  In a smaller bowl, whisk together the canola oil, warm water and honey.  Save the cream for later.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir to combine.  Don’t overwork it, just stir until it comes together.

Put a little bit of flour on a clean counter.  Dump the dough onto the flour.  The dough will be really moist.  Fold and turn the dough around in the extra flour.  Press the dough out with your fingers, to about 1’’ thickness.  Dip the top of a cup, or mug, in a little flour.  Press the cup into the dough, and make biscuits.

**Take the biscuits, one at a time, and press out to about ½’’ thickness.  Place berries in the middle of the circle, leaving room around the edge.  Fold the edges of the dough over the berries. 

Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, brush the dough with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through.

These can be eaten warm, with a fork.  Or, let cool completely and pick them up (works better at a cook-out).

Makes 10 – 12 tarts.     

*- the heavy cream is optional

** - sometimes it’s easier to spread out the individual biscuits right on the parchment lined baking sheet

These are delicious plain, but they are also great with a little whipped cream or drizzled with honey. 

To make whipped cream just beat some heavy cream in a metal bowl.  When the cream starts to stiffen add confectioners sugar, to taste.  If you like you can also add vanilla, almond extract or even a little liqueur. 

By the way, if you stick the metal bowl and beaters in the freezer first, the cream will whip a little quicker.