Crib or Rabbit Hutch?

So, if you have read my other blog you would know that we are the proud owners of two fairly big rabbits. Fudge and Domino. Nathan adores his "B's" and we are happy that he has some pets of his own. The only problem was... hutch? We got them for free and they came with a carrying cage but it was too tiny for them to stay in forever! They also were making a huge mess in my house (every morning was a cleaning job!) After we moved to Riverton last summer, Nathan's crib became very unsafe. It was old and the screws were getting stripped and so on. I was planning on using it for a bonfire or something when a brilliant idea hit me. Why not make it into a rabbit hutch? The frame is in good shape, it is just the right size and it would be really easy to make the bottom a few feet off the ground!! So that is is exaclty what we did with the help of my mom:).

So first we wired the corners so they would stay sturdy. Also so the drop side wouldn't try to fall (the inital problem making the crib unsafe!)

Then my mom cut some boards for slats and used zip ties to fasten wire around the bottom.

We used the crib bottom as a top that easily swings up and down thanks to the funky metal slats that held it in the bottom!

Ta Da! Rabbit Hutch!

Fudge enjoying the new life outside!

Domino chilling in the shade!

So, you never know what some craxy piece of furniture you have may become some day:)

Make your own Strawberry Syrup:)

This week Safeway had an awesome sale on strawberries ($1 a lb!) so consequently I bought about 5 or 6 lbs of strawberries got home and said, 'okay now what!'. What was I going to do with all the strawberries! Then a thought occured to me.. why not try making strawberry syrup for panacakes, waffles, ice cream, etc.? So I found myself a recipe, made a small sample batch (yummy!) and then decided to can some syrup for our family! Here is my recipe and pics of what I did... I am sure there are about a hundred different ways you could do this and I just did what I wanted and so feel free to do the same! To each thier own:)

Strawberry Syrup

8 cups strawberries (about 3 1/2 lbs.)

7 cups sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1. If you are going to can your syrup, make sure you get your lids, rings, and jars ready in thier boiling water before you start to make the juice:)

2. Wash and cut strawberries into fourths.

3. Puree the strawberries in a food processor (I found myself a little tiny one at Wal-Mart a few years ago for $3. Best thing I ever bought)!

4. Mix strawberries and lemon juice together in saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and bring to boil for 1 minute.

5. Remove from heat and scrape off any foam that may have aquired on top.

6. Ladle into you hot jars.

7. Wipe rim, put lid on and screw on rings until JUST fingertight. Replace in boiling water.

8. Make sure jars are covered with boiling water. Place lid on top of pot and let boil for 15 min. Remove jars from water bath and let cool for 24 hours. Check lids to make sure sealed. And you are done!!

This yields about 64 oz. of syrup

Okay so my experince had a few twists! I first burned my arm with a jar full of hot water. Then in a bizarre twist the lid off of my jar IN the water came off!! How that happened is still a mystery to me!! I don't know what happens when some boiling water gets into your jar of jelly/syrup? Any ideas? I replace the lid and ring after draining some of the water out so I canned it but would love to know if it is safe? Anyone had that happen to them? Hopefully I can get the jars out without any injuries:) Have fun canning!!

So the one on the left is the one with water (see the watery look...) but after a while you can't really tell so.....

Okay???

Indian Fry Bread

Soo sorry this has taken me soo long to post! Getting ready for our new baby and then we got rabbits (check out my other blog about that) I have just been running:) Okay, so here is a quick simple easy recipe for Indian Fry bread and there are soo many different things you can do with it and it really doesn't take all that long!! They are also really filling! Hope you enjoy!

Indian Fry Bread

3 cups flour (white, whole-wheat, half/half)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups warm water

Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add water until a good dough forms. Knead and roll out. Fry in REALLY hot oil. Serve warm with what ever you want!!

Topping Ideas:
Refried Beans, Taco Meat, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Sour Cream
Powdered Sugar
Honey

Sorry I don't have any picks they were gone before I could:)