Homemade Ice Pops and a Product Review

It's finally warming up enough around here to make frozen treats sound refreshing again. In the past, I've used these Tupperware popsicle molds from my own childhood. I'm just now realizing how retro these are! They're even being sold as "vintage" on Etsy.

Does anyone else remember these? Our mom made popsicles for us all the time, usually a very fancy-sounding flavor she called "Tutti Fruti". Little did I know that "Tutti Fruti" basically meant "mix of random juices". They were delicious, and still are when I make them for my own children.

The Tupperware molds have held up beautifully, even after at least a couple of decades of regular use.

I still plan to use these a lot, and I'll be posting recipes for different frozen confections using these molds throughout the summer.

Today, though, I want to share what I've learned from trying out a new type of ice pop mold. A few weeks ago I bought these:

                                         

Cosmos ® 10-Piece Pink/Light Blue/Violet/Green/Orange Food Safe Silicone Ice Pop Maker Molds

I was originally searching for something like this less for the ice pop factor and more because my kids really love yogurt that comes in a tube, especially frozen. I'm not much of a fan for a few reasons: 

• Many brands have ingredients that I don't think are necessary to satisfy my kids. There are certainly some brands that are more "natural" than others, but many are highly sweetened and artificially colored.

• They are too expensive. Yogurt tubes cost a lot more than yogurt in most other types of containers, and after having made my own yogurt for pennies per serving (though I don't do it regularly), it just doesn't make sense for us to buy them as often as we eat yogurt.

• They have too much packaging for daily use. While convenient for traveling or certain other occasions, I personally feel a little guilty about the amount of garbage that comes from these tiny portions. I wanted a reusable alternative.

So, here's what I learned about this particular set of silicone ice pop molds:

The set I ordered came in a simple yellow envelope, and the tubes were packed in a plain plastic bag.

No paperwork, no instructions! But I guess I can figure this out. 

They looked great, but as soon as I opened the bag, I noticed a strong plastic-y or chemical odor. That was making me nervous. They are intended to hold food, after all.

Secondly, I was a little surprised at how large the tubes are.

The top opening measures 1.5 inches in diameter, and the fillable space is 6.75 inches long. Each tube holds 1/2 cup of liquid or yogurt, but you will want to use slightly less if you plan to freeze the tubes.

Hoping to get rid of the strong smell of these, I first soaked them and their lids in hot soapy water.

 

That didn't help much. Some, but not enough to make these keepers for me. Next, I soaked them for about 15 minutes in a vinegar and water bath. That didn't do much either. At this point, I was thinking I'd have to return this product and look for something else.

My last idea was to put everything into boiling water. I did this in batches, and kept everything at a full boil for three minutes.

Success! After everything dried, that scary chemical smell was gone, and I felt totally comfortable filling these with food and serving it to children.

I made a smoothie with frozen strawberries, mango, pineapple, peaches, and enough grape juice to make the blender move. 

I filled the molds last night, popped the covers on, and could NOT believe it when they didn't leak! 

I even filled a tube with straight purple grape juice and laid it flat on my counter to see what would happen. That didn't leak either! So I'm confident putting these in the freezer pretty much any which way without risking a mess.

 

The kids ate the smoothie pops for breakfast. We had to run the outside of the tube under some warm water for a minute to loosen the frozen smoothie, but after that it was easy to push up and eat.

I think my favorite feature of these molds is that if someone can't finish their pop, you can put the lid on and put it back in the freezer for later. No waste!

So, to summarize my unsolicited and unprofessional review, I feel pretty good about my purchase. I think they will definitely work for my family, and I would recommend them. Here are my thoughts:

Pros

• The price was right. I got this set of 10 on sale for 12.99. They should be useful for much longer than it will take for them to pay for themselves, in my opinion.

• They don't leak, so you don't have to figure out how to stand them upright in your fridge or freezer.

•  The possibilities are endless for how to fill the molds. You can control the ingredients of your homemade healthy snacks or treats.

•  The molds and their covers are very easy to wash. I've read that people put them in their dishwashers successfully, but I think they might fly around in mine, so I plan to hand wash.

• For an adult or older kid, the pops are large enough to seem like a fair serving. I fit approximately 1/2 cup of smoothie into each mold.

• You can put the caps onto unfinished portions for later.

• Kids think they're really fun.

• No garbage!

Cons

• These smelled frighteningly toxic when I first got them. If I could not have removed the smell, I would not have used them.

• The tops are so large in circumference that I wouldn't be comfortable with a younger kid (say younger than 4 or 5) putting the whole pop in her mouth and then squeezing up. It might be a choking hazard.  

May in Wisconsin

A few months ago I shared photos of a beautiful February day here in northern Wisconsin. Perhaps you've been wondering about spring in our neck of the woods?

These photos were taken on May 3rd, the morning after a major snow storm closed schools in the area.

Very wet, very heavy snow still managed to drift severely here on the deck and in our driveway.

 Great for ninja punching, though!

 Two days later, on Cinco de Mayo, temperatures are warming, but there is still enough snow to build a whole family.

 Life size!

 The builder consults with the engineer....

 But now the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and these snow people won't last.

 

Maybe not even until tomorrow?

The Truth about Burlap

 I made a wreath for St. Patrick's Day:

 

I did it with strips of burlap, gathered and tucked into a wire wreath frame from Jo-Ann. (I know they are available at Michael's, too.) This wreath almost didn't happen, though, because of a disappointing discovery I made:

Burlap...is...terrible.

Have you worked with it? Burlap is EVERYWHERE right now, from wall hangings and lamps to pillows and bags. I was so excited to find a huge piece of bright green in my stash. I knew it would be perfect for a St. Patrick's Day wreath. So I cut a few strips about 5 inches wide, and began to gather and tuck and pull and perfect...and that's when I realized...I was covered in teeny tiny green specks of fiber.

I'm talking so small that it was basically dust. I didn't move. I called for my Dust Buster, and I called for my lint roller. Ugh. I stashed everything away for the night and decided to revisit the project in 100 years.

But I really could see this wreath in my mind, and I wanted it! So, armed with the vacuum and a large workspace, I dove into the green and came out with something I really love.

 

I had planned to add bows and baubles in green and gold to make it extra St. Patrick-y, but in the end I tied on a plain bow in a dark green velvety ribbon, and I love it.

So. Now you know the truth--everyone is using burlap in their projects, but no one is telling about the awful cleanup. Am I the only one? Is my burlap defective? Perhaps no one has mentioned it in their tutorials because they haven't encountered this problem.

But if this is the norm, then beware: If you want to get on the burlap bandwagon, be prepared to inhale the fibers and blink them out of your eyes. And then change clothes. And then shower.

And then hang up your wreath and enjoy it!

Gather Your Green and Gold

We are feeling very lucky around here:

Look at all those four-leaf clovers! This garland actually has 17 shamrocks, and I've hung it on the dining room wall.

I love how this project turned out, and I may keep this up year round to keep the luck flowing!

We are fortunate to have so much magic in our area: We've seen many fairy rings on the lawn, after a good couple of days of spring rain. 

Then, while watering the garden this past summer, I stumbled upon a patch of four-leaf-and-more clovers. I meant to mark the spot, so the kids could hunt for more, but I got excited and ran away with these:

So yes, there are very busy wee folk all around our house, and there is magic in the air. More on that later!

First, I'm off to make something happen with this stuff:

By the way, have you noticed that burlap is the new chevron? Lucky me, I just might be on trend this time.

New in the Shop

Well, like most of you, we're very busy decorating for Valentine's Day around here...

...just kidding! I don't actually have a lot of February decorations, but I wish I did. I will have to work on building a collection.

On that order, I have been crocheting dozens of tiny hearts and making garlands:

 

Visit the shop for more details, and happy decorating!

Snowflakes and Scenery

What is February like in northern Wisconsin?

This morning there was a pretty walk near the woods.

And sparkles.

I almost missed this vast layer of glitter, as I trudged across the yard.

Luckily, I paused long enough to discover that each of those sparkles was a delicate, individual snowflake. Just 30 minutes later, it was gone; glossed over and smoothed by the sun.

 

I managed to catch a few on black paper.

There was evidence of critters, 

handmade Valentines,

and the best way to warm up!

Major Surgery

I know that some of you out there have some soft little loved ones in your life (human) who have their own soft little loved ones (stuffed with fluff).

The Peterson house has several Very Precious favorites. One named Teddy, in particular, comes to mind as quite the adventurer.

Hello, Teddy!

Teddy is usually such a cheerful guy, but I think he's looking a little unwell today!

Okay, Teddy, speak up. What's the matt--

 

OH! Oh, Ted. Child accompaniment can be treacherous.

 

Don't worry! I know just the stitch to fix you up!

 Really! I'll have you back to normal in no time. Now let's show everyone what to do.