Overview of Custom Flash Cards on Zazzle

This is the third of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle. I'm going through them alphabetically.

When I went into private practice as a literacy tutor for adults, I looked around for various teaching tools that weren't geared towards kids. There was very little to choose from. I used to design worksheets for students, including word search puzzles and more, to help my students have something they could do to help reinforce their newly learned skills.

I had made a few basic flash card for learning basic words, for those that were more at the beginning level. After I left that, and started creating art and the like on Zazzle, I got the idea to design flash cards for reading, that were geared towards adult learners.

I included a photo or artwork on one side and customizable text on the reverse side.

Here are the categories in my Custom Flash Cards store on Zazzle.

Adjectives Reading Flashcards:

Adjectives are words that are used to describe a noun, a thing, such as a fuzzy peach.

Fuzzy Peach, Adjective Reading Flashcards
by CustomFlashCards

Adverbs Reading Flashcards:

Adverbs are words that are used to describe a verb, a type of action, such as how quickly the tiger turned towards the noise.

Adverb quickly, tiger themed reading flashcards
by CustomFlashCards

Alphabet Cards:

The Alphabet Cards are not flashcards, but are tutorial cards for the alphabet. It shows directional arrows on the letters, to help students to master the writing of each letter. The majority of students that I worked with already new the alphabet, but those who are true beginners can appreciate a tutorial that is geared for adult learners.

Alphabet Letter Tutorial Cards, Beach theme
by CustomFlashCards

Animal Reading Flashcards:

The Animal Reading Flashcards category features a variety of animals, from wildlife to domestic animals.

DIY Flashcards:

The DIY Flashcards category features basic instructions on one side of the flashcard, and a placeholder for the purchaser to upload their photo on the reverse side.

Floral Reading Flashcards:

The Floral Reading Flashcards features a variety of flowers, including a surprise of the word MOM spelled out with flowers. I do not have a Holiday category at this point, but that might be a good idea to do.

Food Reading Flashcards:

This category features a variety of food items including fruit, vegetables, a couple of entrees including pizza, and desserts.

Whole pineapple reading flashcards for adults
by CustomFlashCards

Insect Reading Flashcards:

This category features common insects in the United States. If you have a request for an insect that is unique to your area, do let me know in a comment below.

Love Cards:

The Love Cards are not flashcards, but offer a couple of options to students that want to express their love to someone, with something that is personal to them.

Personalized Love Flash Cards
by CustomFlashCards

New Products:

This category is automatically assigned by Zazzle, if a specialized category isn't already picked upon designing of the new product. This category is normally empty.

Number Flashcards:

These number flashcards feature artwork of an item that has something that can be counted, along with the numerical number and the word for that number, on one side, and just the word for the number on the reverse side. The text can be easily customized should the tutor want to use these flashcards for a different purpose.

Personalized Family Flashcards:

The Personalized Family Flashcards are to help the student recognize words that can describe a family member. The purchaser is to upload a different photo from the student, so that these cards can be personal to them. Any of these cards can be personalized with different text, and for relatives and or friends that haven't been already specifically made; i.e. any flashcard with a female photo on it can be used to make a card for an aunt.

Places Reading Flashcards:

This category represents common places, like a ball field; a well known place, like the Eiffel Tower.

Transportation Reading Flashcards:

These flashcards features different types of transportation, and even a drawing of a space shuttle for those who are interested in space.

Verbs Reading Flashcards:

Verbs describe a type of action, such as this flashcard for hand washing.

Verbs, Washing Hands Reading Flashcards for Adults
by CustomFlashCards

I had an adult student ask me to go over the various words that could be found on restrooms. I had never paid much attention to them before, but did do a search of this special request. On one restroom for women, the word used was Sheilas. Not at all what most people may expect when they're out an about and want to use the appropriate restroom for them.

So there you have it. If you know anybody who can benefit from these cards, whether they be tutors or learners, do pass this blog along to them. Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

 

 

Moist and Delicious Carrot Cake Recipe Review

Not all carrot cakes are created equal!

Many times I have heard people say they did not like carrot cake.  They tried a layered carrot cake from a grocery store or in a coffee shop that, while beautifully decorated, tasted dry and yucky.  Let me encourage all of you to try again, but make the cake yourself.  This recipe will change your opinion of carrot cake and totally rock your world of desserts.  You will never think of carrot cake the same way again.  

For many years, I have been making this carrot cake recipe.  Everyone loves it.  Even I, who normally hate nuts in anything, love this cake and the nuts don't bother me one bit.  Of course, I chop them up very fine with my nut chopper.  Therefore, we get the nut flavor without having to contend with chomping or choking on larger nuts. 

As for the "dry cake" issue, this single layer carrot cake is quite moist and delicious.  Plus, it has a glaze icing that soaks into the cake, as well as a cream cheese frosting.  We like to heat each individual slice in the microwave for 20 seconds before serving so the cream cheese icing melts slightly.  If it has been refrigerated for more than a day, the microwave heating takes about 5 seconds longer.  

 

Moist Carrot Cake Recipe 

This cake recipe takes longer to make than most cake recipes that I bake, but it is worth it!  The cake is baked, of course, but the glaze icing is cooked on the stove top.  The cream cheese frosting is spread on top of the cake after it is refrigerated for 2 hours or more.  So, it isn't quick, but as I said, it is well worth the extra time and attention.

One big tip I like to share, when using a hand mixer, I set my mixing bowl in my kitchen sink to eliminate the splatter across my counter tops.  It definitely makes for a faster clean-up.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups & 4 Tablespoons Swans Down Cake Flour (or all purpose flour: 2 cups)
• 1 Tablespoon baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup canola oil (plus more for pan)
• ¾ cup buttermilk 
• 3 large eggs  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained  
• 1 cup shredded coconut (I use Angel Flake shredded coconut)
• 1 cup finely chopped pecan pieces
• 2 cups grated carrots (4-6 carrots needed)
_____
• Ingredients for the Cake syrup (made separately - see recipe below)
  ½ cup buttermilk
  1½ sticks Unsalted butter  (6 ounces)
  1 cup sugar
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ingredients for the Cream cheese frosting (made separately - see recipe below)
  8 oz cream cheese
  1½ sticks Unsalted butter 
  2 cups confectioners sugar

 

Directions

 

1. Set out 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter to heat to room temperature even though it won't be needed until you make the syrup recipe
 
2.  Generously grease a 9x13-inch cake pan 
3.  Preheat oven to 325°  (Convection Bake 300°) 
4.  Grate Carrots & Chop pecans
5.  Combine cake flour, baking soda, sugar, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl & stir together 
6.  In a separate bowl & using a mixer, mix canola oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, chopped pecans and grated carrots
7.  Combine the wet ingredients with the flour mixture, mixing well 
8.  Pour batter into oiled pan 
9.  Bake approximately 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean  

_________ 

Start the syrup recipe (see below) 10 minutes BEFORE cake is out of oven so it will be ready when the cake is removed from the oven

 

Cake Syrup Recipe

• 1 cup sugar 
• ½ cup buttermilk 
• 1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Using a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. – Takes about 5 min. in my *Magnalite pan

1. While the cake is still hot, poke holes all over the top with a large fork
2. Pour the cake syrup over the top, allowing cake to soak up the syrup.  Use a spoon if needed to redistribute the syrup that gathers at the sides 
3. Refrigerate cake until completely cool (minimum of 2 hrs)
4. Set out 1½  sticks unsalted butter & Cream Cheese to heat to room temperature for frosting recipe below  

 

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• 1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 
• 2 cups confectioners sugar 

Combine ingredients - Using an electric mixer on medium speed, mix until smooth and free of lumps.  

Then frost the cooled cake

 

In the directions above, I mentioned using my *Magnalite pan to cook the syrup.  Wagnerware Sidney Magnalite (produced in the 1930's and only available through secondary markets like eBay or antique stores) is my preferred pan for cooking candy & glazes.  It is heavy and has superior heat conductivity.  Current day Magnalite is not the same as the Wagnerware Magnalite of the past that was made in Sidney, Ohio.  While I highly recommend Wagnerware Magnalite, any heavy stainless steel saucepan should work fine to make this simple glaze.  

 

 

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Carrot Cake Recipe Written by:

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Copycat Tate's Cookie Recipe Review

 If you are a Tate's cookie fan than you can spot the infamous green bag of Tate's from a distance at your favorite market (or white bag if gluten free). My local market first started carrying Tate's, the original Chocolate Chip flavor, known for its' crispy buttery flavor; the market now carries the entire line of cookies including gluten free. 

If you like your chocolate chip cookies on the crispy side then you will enjoy Tates! I came across a copycat recipe for Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies which I have tried quite a few times and found very enjoyable. Not exactly the same of course as the original Tate's but still yummy on its' own.

CopyCat Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup salted butter
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 tsp water
•  1 tsp vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Serving size is a medium to large cookie. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. 

1. Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
2. Cream softened butter and the two sugars in another bowl.
3. Then add vanilla and water to the sugar creamed mixture.
4. Add eggs, mix together. 
5. Stir flour mixture into bowl. 
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-16 minutes depending on your oven and how large you make the cookies.

Medium-Large cookie size is 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Adjust up or down to your preference and don't forget to adjust baking time.

History of Tate's

The idea and recipe behind Tate's is from Kathleen King from the Hamptons.  She has been creating desserts since 1980 and has two cookbooks: Baking For Friends and the Tate’s Bake Shop Cookbook still available on Amazon or used online book sites. As Tate's grew through the years with the inevitable ups and lulls business' encounter, Tate's rise and success of it's products was ultimately purchased in 2018 by Mondelez for a reported 500 million dollars.

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Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed

I enjoy cooking for my family.  Like most of us, I prefer recipes that are fast and easy.  Fortunately, I am surrounded by people who appreciate my effort, my recipes and seem to sincerely like the meals placed before them. 

I readily admit that I play in the kitchen.  I play with recipes by changing the ingredients to suit my families tastes.  I play with cupcakes, cookies, desserts, etc, because I enjoy decorating the food.  I mess around with it until I get the desired effect.  

I also enjoy the company of other family members in the kitchen. So much so, that I consider us playing in the kitchen. Since I began writing articles online, I have been periodically sharing highlights of our kitchen adventures so you and your family can be encouraged to "play" in the kitchen. In this article, I will provide links to the different easy recipes and fun articles that I have published. 

I consider that my Recipe for Making Memories in the Kitchen. So, without further ado, let the games begin!   

 

My Own Personal Roast Recipe

This recipe is the result of trial and error.  I just kept playing with different ideas until I found a tasty, tender way to cook a roast in the oven. 

It has become a family favorite and I have allowed it to be published in several charity cookbooks over the last 40 years, but it is still my own original recipe.  Although I was very young when I developed this recipe, I still cook my roast the same way today.

Published on Cooking for the Holidays

 

Having Fun in the Kitchen

I started cooking when I was a child and still living at home with my parents. My sister and I both helped in the kitchen and it was not unusual for us to have real, honest to goodness food fights with the leftovers. We frequently made mashed potato balls and hurled them through the air at each other or any unsuspecting individual who entered the kitchen. We flung spaghetti noodles against the wall and said we were testing it to see if it was done. By dinnertime, there would be 10 or 12 noodles hanging from the wall on spaghetti night.

While I still enjoy throwing pasta noodles against the wall, I have found that test does not work with pasta shells. No matter how many pasta shells I have thrown against the wall, none have ever stuck. Perhaps someday one will stick. I'll just have to keep testing them.

This easy pasta recipe is also shared on Cooking for the Holidays and, if you click it, the link will take you to that website. 

Easy Pasta Recipe - A Family Favorite for Dinner or Side Dish

 

More Easy Dinner Recipes featured on CookingForTheHolidays.com

Photos are Linked to Recipes

& 

 Easy Salmon Loaf Patties Recipe How to Bake Potatoes Chicken Enchiladas Recipe How to Bake a Turkey Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Instant Pot Recipe Homemade Barbeque Recipe for the Best BBQ Sandwiches

 

Click Here for More Dinner Recipes

 

Playing with Ingredients

Working in the kitchen with my sister was fun. We occasionally experimented with the food. Sometimes we would put a little extra pepper in one of our brothers' bowls of stew or add a little something extra to spice up their lives and the dinner table. Oddly enough, the boys consumed whatever we fed them and much to our distress, rarely noticed a difference. I only remember one brother gagging on hot barbecue sauce and believe it or not, we were not responsible.

Of course, there are the recipes from my mother and grandmother that I have never played with, never changed and never shared except on websites I own. My motto for this group of recipes is "you can't improve on perfection, so why try!" 

Directions for making the pizza pictured on right, can be found at Halloween Haven

 

Playing with Your Food Recipes 

These are some of my favorite recipes. They are really step by step instructions on decorating, so I call it playing with my food. Sometimes making these special treats can be messy, but they are always fun as you create your own original work of food art. 

Don't just make these treats alone to serve to your family. Grab your child, your husband, your sister, your mother or even your father and make these treats with your family!  

To see some of my favorite fun food articles, simply click the source link below each photo. That will take you directly to the recipe and tutorials for creating your own fun food.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

& 

 How to Decorate Panda Cupcakes How to Decorate a Snake Cake How to Make Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes 4th of July Party Flag Cake Recipe How to Decorate Snowman Cupcakes How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Castle Cake How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Train Cake How to Make a Cupcake Pumpkin Cake

 

Teaching an Old Dog, New Tricks

I am happy to say that I married a man who enjoys messing around in the kitchen too! The Breakfast Buddy featured below is his delicious creation and when I wanted to learn how to grill, I asked him to teach me. He has always made the most incredible steaks! In the article below, I share his secrets as I take you step by step through my own "grilling" education.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

& 

 Breakfast "Buddy" Sandwich How to Grill the Perfect Steaks Cooking Hamburgers on an Indoor Grill

 

Special Treat and Finger Food Recipes

My family loves fruit and chocolate so it only seems natural for me to dip fruit in chocolate. Once I started dipping fruit, it was impossible to stop! I think I dipped every type of fruit we had in the house, then ran to the grocery store for more. Of course, then I wrote an article about each one.

Here is my collection of dipped fruit recipes. Be very careful though. Chocolate dipped fruit can be very addictive!

Photo Linked to Recipe

& 

 Chocolate Covered Fruit DIY Recipes

Taking Care of the Cook 

Over the years, I have learned many things about cooking, about family and about fun. The most important thing I have learned, is that the three things go together. Have fun cooking with your family. 

I watched my grandmother and my mother work in the kitchen during every holiday for decades. Too often, they missed out on the fun simply because the party was happening in another room. 

I believe in bringing the party to the kitchen, enlisting help and taking care of the cook. Perhaps, I see it more clearly because now I am the cook, but I love to share ideas with others about how to have more fun with your family, instead of working alone in the kitchen. Believe me, you can create your own load of memories in the kitchen by simply letting others help in the kitchen. 

 

A Lot of Good Food and A Load of Memories 

I think it is because of my experiences and our experiments in the kitchen when I was a child, that I approach the kitchen with humor now. I still cook the old standards passed down from my great grandmother, grandmother and mother, but I enjoy creating new treats for my family too and it is even better when I get "help." 

Over the years, a lot of good food and a load of memories have been made in our kitchen! 

 

Easy Dessert Recipes 

Photos are Linked to Recipes

& 

 Easy Strawberry Trifle Easy Blackberry Cobbler

 

Candy Recipe 

I am not going to tell you this recipe is extremely easy. It seems easy to me because I have been making it for 40+ years, but making candy takes a bit of practice to perfect. 

While I try to walk viewers through the process with photos, I know this is something that is simply learned by trial and error because the outcome when making candy depends so much on the climate of the day, as well as the altitude of a region. 

Here is my mother's Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe. I could never improve on this recipe.  It really is delicious! 

Photo Linked to Recipe

& 

 Peanut Butter Fudge

 

Easy Beverage Recipes

Take time to relax!  While the food is in the oven, or after all of the work is done,  sit back with your loved ones and enjoy a cup of tea, hot chocolate or perhaps a cool glass of lemonade.  These are the moments you will want to capture and hold for as long as you can.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

& 

 Spice Tea Recipe Homemade Lemonade Recipe Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

 Chocolate Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe

 

For a Complete List of All of my Published Recipes
 Click Here to Visit the House of Sylvestermouse Recipes

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Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed Written by:

 

 

This recipe article was originally published by me in 2011 on a different site that no longer exists.
Unless otherwise noted with the individual photo, all Photos are mine and should not be used without written permission.
© Sylvestermouse 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing Protein Jelly or Protein Jello

 Before we review Protein Jelly we need to get our definitions sorted, as I refer to the picture below as jelly, but I know many of my friends refer to it as jello!

Whether you call it jelly or jello, there is a delicious recipe sometimes called protein jelly/jello, occasionally called 2 ingredient panna cotta and sometimes referred to as Jelly Whip/Jello Whip.

This is a low-calorie, high-protein snack/dessert that is really delicious and very reminiscent in flavour to what my late grandmother made, which she just called a quick mousse.

How to Make Protein Jelly

This recipe couldn't be easier. You need just three ingredients - boiling water, jelly crystals and Greek yogurt.

1. Take one cup of boiling water and pour it into a jug
2. Add one cup of Greek yogurt into the same jug
3. Pour in one box of jelly crystals (85g)
4. Use a whisk to beat all the ingredients together.
5. Pour into your container (I use several small containers to make individual servings) and pop in the fridge to set. I leave mine in there overnight.