Saving Some Dough

In these hard economic times, it seems more important than ever to take steps to save some dough.  Luckily, I came across this play "dough" recipe in the "TODDLER BUSY BOOK" and this dough saves for 6 whole months--can't ask for much more saving than that!

I especially like this recipe because the stirring doesn't need to be done while the mixture is still on the stove like the recipe we've used in the past.  This is good because Amelia can be a more active participant in the process.  The BOOK has numerous recipes using peanut butter, oatmeal, kool-aid, and a variety of other ingredients that I hope to try in the near future.

We originally planned to whip up a batch for a friend of Amelia's as part of a little Valentine's Day gift and we decided to throw in a little glitter to give it some added bling.  After making her friend's pink batch, Amelia decided she wanted a sparkly blue batch for herself.  It REALLY doesn't get much easier than this!  (Well, unless you buy it at the store of course).

Colored Playdough:

1 cup water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup salt

1 tablespoon cream of tartar

food coloring

saucepan

1 cup flour

glitter (optional)

Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm.  Remove from heat and add flour.  Stir, then knead until smooth.  Add glitter if desired.  The cream of tartar makes this dough last 6 months or longer, so resist the temptation to omit this ingredient if you don't have it on hand.  Store this dough in an airtight container or Ziploc freezer bag.

And with a new batch of play doh in our hands, we decided to put it to good use.  Amelia especially loves playing with the play-doh ice cream shoppe--a Christmas gift from her cousins!

Almost looks good enough to eat, does it not??

This is Amelia's worm family!  It is difficult to tell at this angle, but they are gathering under the Christmas tree she is holding.  All her doing, of course!

Amelia's version of spaghetti and meatballs--yum!