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4/10/2010

Stoney's Crew: Back Door Guests Are Always Best!

Welcome to the Stoney's Crew Lab to all of our Back Door Guests and Ultimate Blog Party Adventurers! Won't you stay a moment and enjoy a cup of coffee and a Banana Nut Muffin with me?

How Stoney's Crew came to be is purely an accidental thing really. You see, I have children (The Princess now out on her own and The Kid now in college) that now that they really need to know how, they have asked to learn recipes and/or how to do things in order to survive on their own. I have picked up a friend here and there over the years that would ask for a helpful hint or two along the way, so rather than repeating myself, I opted for a blog and Stoney's Crew was born. Why the name Stoney's Crew? Because I am married to Stoney of course! That makes me The Crew! Careful there, I prefer "The Crew" to "The Shrew"!

In February of this year, Stoney's Crew began as a record to document how many meals could be made from a single chicken roasted in the crock pot. By the time February was over, Stoney was nearly clucking full time! Meander on over to the sidebar there, expand February and have a peek at all of the fabulous things I did with that bird (and yes, there was a documented FLOP! as well!) A cost analysis of the meals is captured in the recap. Occasionally I will post other recipes requiring chicken as we travel this road together.

March was a time of re-engineering to make my cooking style and Stoney's newly desired eating style mesh together in a re-engineering process and in April a new outlook and the spring cleaning and remodeling bug has bit--big time! So we are working on that and, of course, there are the Stoney's Crew Once-A-Month (OAMC) or Freezer Cooking hints and tips along the way. Some tried and true OAMC and Freezer Cooking enthusiasts will probably shake their head in amazement at the Stoney's Crew style. Not too many of them do things like package Microwave Popcorn or hard-boil 2 dozen eggs, but here at The Lab we do things to fit our lifestyle and if that is a little wacky to you, we don't mind because we think so too and that is what makes it fun!

If after you have a look around, you enjoy the visit, by all means, become a fan on Facebook here. That way you will always know what is happening at The Lab and you can visit often!

Oh, you like that creamer in your coffee? I made it and you can too! Here is the recipe!

Stoney's Crew French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

2 cups milk (what ever kind you like, I usually use Skim)
1 cup sugar
Bring to a boil in a heavy saucepan (about 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer)
Let this mixture cool slightly.
Add at least 1 tablespoon of Vanilla (I use about 2, we like vanilla!) and 3-1/2 cups of cold milk (again I use Skim) and pour into a pitcher or caraf and store in the refrigerator.

Making this will cost approximately half what buying it would and you know what is in it! Oh yeah, if you detect a hint of chocolate in the flavor...there is! I love Chocolate Truffle Coffee (purchased on sale with a coupon--doubled of course!) and mixing caffiene with chocolate, yes, that is bliss!

As a bit of added info...in response to Mrs. E's question...this will keep in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks...If I am feeling particularly ambitious and milk is on sale I will make a couple of batches and freeze one. Just make sure to leave enough "head space" in your container (like a 1/4-1/2") for expansion. Added bonus: Use 1/2 to 1 cup of this "creamer" as part of the milk required in a box of instant pudding. I like the chocolate with that vanilla background flavor OR the new Cheesecake flavor by Jell-o...with some strawberries on the side...oh yeah, now we are really talkin'!

This post is also linked to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday for April 13, 2010.

I enjoyed your visit, come again soon, and remember "Back Door Guests are Always Best!"

22 comments:

  1. Hi there Lori.
    I'm stopping by the via the Blog Party to say hello.
    This is so much fun!

    Have a great Saturday!
    http://harrietandfriends.com/

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  2. Hi, Lori! Dropping by from the UBP and wanted to say "hello".

    You had me at "a record to document how many meals could be made from a single chicken roasted in the crock pot". I'm a big fan of getting as many meals out of a single chicken as I'm able!

    Will be a new follower... So great to have found you and your blog!

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  3. Hi there!

    Visiting from the Blog Party! I became intrigued by you blog as soon as I read the crockpot/chicken sentence! LOL!

    Looking forward to reading more!

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  4. Hey! Dropping by from the UBP! Happy partying :D

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  5. Coffee lover deluxe here! And creamer junky! How long will that keep, do you know?? Can't tell you how excited I am to try it!! Glad I wandered over from the party!

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  6. Yummy! Count me in as a follower!

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  7. Yum. I'll have to try this. I'm visiting from UBP! Hope you can drop by my Party!!

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  8. thats a great recipe for coffee creamer! Thanks. One of my favorite websites is the Hill Billy Housewife because of all the great recipes she has that are money saving and great. So I'll be visiting here often to get some of your recipes too. Thanks!!!

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  9. Stopping by from the UBP. I love the idea behind your blog. Very creative.

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  10. Super fun post! I have always wanted to get into OAMC so I've added you to my reader. Hope you're enjoying the party!

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  11. Oooh thanks for sharing this as a recipe!! I had no idea I could make my own creamer... so I could totally make it sugar free, fat free and NOT pay $4 a bottle? awesome. I'm following you now! :o)

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  12. Sunday afternoon blog hopping ....This is such a FUN party.
    A random prize drawing for tonight (SUN) and then a $100 Gift basket for the GRAND PRIZE. I am amazed at all the different and creative blogs and having so much fun meeting new friends...Stop by for a visit...nothing you have to do but leave a comment on either of my blogs. Happy Sunday..
    http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
    http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/

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  13. Hey there, Visiting from the UBP!

    Thanks for the recipes. I'm in college myself and cooking is something I'm working on learning too. Looking forward to reading your posts!

    Hope you had a great weekend. :)

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  14. Happy Blog Party - you had me at coffee!
    I will try that vanilla creamer recipe for sure and be back for more JO!

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  15. I'm stopping by from the UBP! I LOVE your blog. Happy Blogging!

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  16. Hi ~ Just stopping by from the UBP. What a wonderful idea for a blog! Great recipes!

    Happy Ultimate Blog Party 2010!
    Alicia
    www.kramercottageschool.blogspot.com

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  17. stopping by to toss some confetti from the UBP! Hope you get a minute to visit me too :-)

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  18. Oh wow! This awesome and will be trying this soon. I just love that you know whats in this creamer. I am really trying to give up high fructose corn syrup and this will totally help in that mission!! :)

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  19. I came by from the UBP to say hi!

    Blessings,
    Georgiann

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  20. your blog sounds really helpful. gonna take a look around.

    ubp 10

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  21. Hello...stopping by for the UBP...nice to meet you! My grandmother had a sign haning on her back door that said "Back Door Guests are Always Best". I always entered through the back door! Enjoyed your blog...have a great weekend!

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