Make It From Scratch #41

Welcome to the 41st edition of Make It From Scratch! US readers, I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend. In this weeks' edition find ideas for the Thanksgiving leftovers, Christmas gifts and celebrations, and simple tips to make your life easier. Enjoy the carnival.

The Main Dish
There is nothing better than crockpot meals during these busy holiday weeks. Megan Crow recreated those pricey ready to go meals with her own Homemade Crockpot Meals posted at That's Swell.

I'm with mom & dad, chili is one of the best things ever! Using leftovers to make it is just plain smart! Making Chili With Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey posted at raising4boys.com.

Mrs. Micah presents Big Bowl of Burritos - Recipe posted at Mrs Micah: Finance and Life. These sound wonderful!

Brining seems to be the popular thing to do with turkey right now. I've never tried it, but Rebecca gives step by step instructions in Design a Brine posted at The Experimental Kitchen.

All the Fixings
A scientific approach to a common side that trips even the best of us up. Greg Laden presents Greg Laden's Blog : How To Make Gravy posted at Greg Laden's Blog.

Using extra sweet potato and pineapple from Thanksgiving, Lisa Knight made Pineapple Sweet Potato Bread posted at Lisa's Cookbook.

Suzanne presents Our Yummy Stuffing Dressing posted at :: adventures in daily living ::. A super easy and delicious sounding recipe.

For Your Sweet Tooth
Katy presents Classic Chocolate Tart posted at sugarlaw. Chocolate indulgence at its finest!

More chocolate delight from cookingfor5. Simply Cooking: French Silk Pie posted at Simply Cooking.

And a little more chocolate. . . Heather presents Cookie-a-day: Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies posted at Home Ec 101.

Heather L. presents Pumpkin Bars posted at The Fat Bottomed Girl. As she says, these would be a great alternative to pumpkin pie.

Leftover pie? How could it be?! Joanna found a delicious use for hers. Pumpkin Ice Cream posted at Sunflowers in my Kitchen.



Keeping You Warm this Winter
HowToMe shows us an easy and inexpensive project in How To Sew a Warming Scarf posted at HowToMe.

I love making my own cocoa mix. It also makes a great gift in a basket of goodies. Laura Williams presents Laura Williams' Musings: Hot Cocoa Mix posted at Laura Williams' Musings.

Christine presents Hot Orange Juice and Honey for the Holidays! posted at Me, My Kid and Life: An American Single Mom Living in France. A wonderful drink to warm body and soul.

Tea Party Girl presents Five Possible Themes and Decorations for Your Christmas Tea Party | Tea Party Girl posted at Tea Party Girl. What a perfect way to celebrate!

Warm the grandparents hearts with a "hand" made Christmas decoration this year. An Easy and Frugal Grandparent Gift posted at Stop the Ride.

Quick Helps Around the House
Cindy shares with us her latest recycled craft: a denim potholder made from old jeans.

Melanie Rimmer shares a quick way to get rid of those pesky fruit flies in Natural Fly Control posted at Bean-Sprouts.

A similar solution for ants. Alex presents How to Get Rid of Ants with Apple Cider Vinegar » Home Life Weekly posted at Home Life Weekly.

A treat for the pets. Sarah Ruszkowski tries her hand at Homemade Doggie Biscuits posted at To Motherhood And Beyond....

Thank you for joining us this week. We'd love to feature your made from scratch ideas in the next carnival. We also are looking for hosts in December and January. For more information about the carnival or about hosting see Make It From Scratch - the carnival. Next week's carnival will be right back here! Hope to see you then!