Turkey Breast Cooked in Crock Pot

How to Cook a Turkey Breast in the Crock Pot

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Instead of cooking an entire turkey for Thanksgiving or any other occasion, slow cook a turkey breast in the Crock Pot. Your meat will be juicy, flavorful and elegant enough for any dinner party.

Ingredients

• 3-1/2 to 7 lb. (1.5 to 3.1 kg) turkey breast
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper, freshly ground
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 1 apple, cored and quartered
• 2 cups white wine or chicken broth

Steps

Prepare the Turkey Breast for Cooking

1. Check the cavity of the turkey breast for giblets. Most turkey breasts don't come with them, but if yours did, then remove them. They will be inside a small paper bag.
2. Wash the turkey breast in a clean sink and dry it with paper towels. Don't remove the skin until after the turkey has cooked.
3. Baste the entire breast with olive oil. Sprinkle the turkey with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and parsley.
4. Place the quartered onion and apple into the turkey's cavity.[1]
5. Pour the white wine or chicken broth over the turkey, onion and apple.

Cook the Turkey in the Crock Pot

1. Spray a large slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the turkey into the slow cooker with the breast side facing up.
2. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast.
3. Place the cover on the slow cooker and turn it up to High. Cook the turkey for 3 hours and check to see that the meat thermometer has hit 140 F (60 C).
4. Cook the turkey for another 2 to 3 hours or until the thermometer reads 170 F (77 C).

Broil the Turkey and Serve It

1. Preheat your broiler to High. Spray a roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Remove the turkey from the crock pot using two large meat forks. Be very careful because the meat will be extraordinarily tender and ready to slip off of the bone.
3. Place the turkey on the pan breast side up.
4. Broil the turkey for 5 to 7 minutes or until the skin on the breast is nicely browned.
5. Remove the turkey from the oven. Allow the turkey to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before you carve it. Remove the onion and apple before you carve the turkey.
6. Carve and serve the turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce and other traditional holiday sides.

Tips

• If your slow cooker is large enough, throw in 3 red potatoes and a package of baby carrots. Check to see how tender the vegetables are when you check on your turkey, and remove them from the Crock Pot if they are done before the turkey is ready. Warm them up before you serve the turkey for some instant side dishes.[2]
• You can use the juices from the Crock Pot along with the giblets to make giblet gravy.
• If you have leftovers, leave them in the Crock Pot. Add your choice of vegetables, beans, potatoes, mushrooms and broth to cover. Add any seasoning you want. Cook until the potatoes and vegetables are tender and enjoy some turkey soup.
• Avoid removing the slow cooker cover and checking the turkey too often. You'll release too much heat from the slow cooker, which will significantly extend your cooking time.

Warnings

• Avoid serving your turkey until the internal temperature reaches 170 F (77 C) so that you don't spread foodborne illness.

Things You'll Need

• Baster
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Large slow cooker
• Meat thermometer
• 2 meat forks
• Roasting pan

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Turkey Soup
• How to Roast a Turkey
• How to Carve a Turkey
• How to Deep Fry a Turkey
• How to Defrost a Turkey
• How to Make Giblet Gravy

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-turkey-breast/
2. ↑ http://www.butterball.com/recipe/slow-cooked-turkey-roast-with-vegetables?filters%5Bnext_page%5D=3&filters%5Bproduct%5D=Roasts

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Cook a Turkey Breast in the Crock Pot. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Halloween Pumpkin Disco Ball

How to Carve a Disco Ball Pumpkin

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
A disco ball pumpkin is an unusual way to welcome those trick-and-treaters this Halloween––they're bound to stop and look again. The disco ball pumpkin is also a really neat addition to a party table, as a centerpiece or decoration in your home. This tutorial offers two versions, both of which are easy and look spectacular when completed.

Steps

Drilled pumpkin disco ball Just be sure you're comfortable using an electric drill before embarking on this epic (but simple) pumpkin carve!

1. Choose a suitable pumpkin. The pumpkin should be medium to large in size and as round as you can get it––think disco ball when selecting it!
   • Apply the usual pumpkin choosing requirements when selecting––choose a healthy, non-bruised pumpkin. Carve it just before your display date to avoid spoilage.
2. Cut the lid off the top of the pumpkin. Scoop out the flesh using a strong spoon or other implement. Discard the flesh (or make something vaguely tasty out of it if you're brave––the seeds can be roasted if desired).
3. Check the base of the pumpkin at this stage. The pumpkin should sit flat. This may necessitate removing some of the base but remember that if you do this, it'll affect where you can place the pumpkin for display or will require a surface for it to sit on (non-flammable surface if using real candles).
4. Mark the pumpkin drill holes. Work around the pumpkin from top to bottom (or bottom to top) placing dots at evenly spaced intervals in rows around the pumpkin. These are your markers for drilling the holes next.
5. Drill out the holes. If you want to be really fancy, there are drill bits designed to do this but really, any electric drill should do the job. The size of the holes is up to you––you can enlarge them by using a "carving" action with the drill as you make the initial hole and simply working at it until the hole is large enough.
   • The best look will come from trying to keep the holes the same shape all the way around. But don't despair if a few are lopsided––it'll still work.
   • Don't forget to also drill holes in the lid. It completes the look.
6. Place the pumpkin on the surface where it will be displayed. If using live candles, make sure the surface it sits on is non-flammable.
7. Add the lighting. Either use tea light candles with real flame or use battery operated versions (LEDs). Make sure it is well lit, as this is a disco ball pumpkin after all!
8. Finished.

CD pumpkin disco ball If you're not keen on drilling, try this even simpler version! There's no need to carve the pumpkin at all, so this is a quick fix for the last-minute pumpkin preparer.

1. Clean the pumpkin. Remove any dirt or marks from the surface and allow to dry before gluing.
2. Cut up the CDs into jagged pieces of different sizes and shapes. Wear eye protection and gloves when doing this, to avoid being cut by any potential shards.
   • Alternatively, if you have the time and patience, cut them more evenly to look like the real pieces of a disco ball but be aware that doing this will be time-consuming and potentially frustrating.
3. Glue the CD pieces to the pumpkin. Apply them all over the pumpkin, leaving small even gaps between the pieces but don't worry too much about making the pieces appear as if they fit together (unless you're doing the very finicky version).
4. Use the silver liquid glitter to make a ring around the base of the pumpkin stem.
   • If anywhere looks naked on the pumpkin, add a few squirts of liquid glitter to infill but this is optional.
5. Place the pumpkin on display. The CD pumpkin disco ball looks best when light is reflected off it, so place near other lit pumpkins or in the glare of some light, such as a lamp, room light or other light sources.

Things You'll Need

Drilled pumpkin disco ball

• Pumpkin
• Knife
• Scooping spoon/implement
• Electric drill (and optional drill bit made specifically for this purpose)
• Display stand/plate/surface, etc.
• Tea light candles and matches or battery operated tea lights/LEDs

CD pumpkin disco ball:

• Unwanted CDs––the amount depends on the size of the pumpkin; miniature pumpkins only require one CD, while a large pumpkin will require many
• Scissors for cutting CDs
• Eye protection (goggles or safety glasses) and flexible gloves
• Craft glue or hot glue gun
• Liquid glitter in silver

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Carve a Disco Ball Pumpkin. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Halloween Rising Zombie Cupcakes

How to Make Rising Zombie Cupcakes

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
You'd better beware, the zombies are out there. And they're trying to be cute when placed on top of cupcakes but watch out, it's just another way to snatch you! Here's how to add a few rising zombies to your Halloween cupcakes.

Ingredients

Rising finger zombie cupcakes

• Cupcakes, at least a dozen; make using your favorite cupcake recipe, although rainbow cupcakes have a certain panache at Halloween time
• Chocolate frosting
• Marzipan
• Sugar and water paste or clear frosting for edible glue

Rising hand zombie cupcakes

• Cupcakes (as above)
• Chocolate frosting
• Sugar paste, fondant or similar edible paste that can be molded

Steps

Rising finger zombie cupcakes

1. Make extra wide cupcakes using large cupcake papers or muffin pan holes. This will allow enough space on top of the cupcakes for the fingers to be attached, so that they appear as life-life as possible. If you would prefer smaller cupcakes, that's okay but the rising fingers won't be as realistic.
   • You can even use metal pie dishes to get the size right for these cupcakes.
2. Frost each cupcake. Chocolate frosting is best because it looks like the dirt of the ground the zombies will be rising out of. Dust thickly using cocoa. This is just more "soil".
3. Make the fingers. Roll the marzipan to the same thickness and length as your own fingers (an easy guide to follow). Pinch them in a bit more though––zombies have been stuck in the ground for a while and things have shrunk. You're after a "spindly" look to these fingers. And don't forget the shorter, broader thumb for each hand.
   • Some fingers should be a little bent over, to give the impression of grasping their way out of the soil, while other fingers can be reaching for the sky.
   • Score some of the back of the fingers with a knife, to give the impression of knuckles.
   • Make as many fingers as needed for four fingers and one thumb per cupcake.
4. Carefully slide a toothpick through the base of each finger in the center, about half way up the finger. This will help the fingers to stand upright when inserted into the cake.
5. Glue on the fingernails. Make an edible glue paste using water to which you've added a little sugar. Or use plain frosting. Glue each almond flake to the top of each finger to make the fingernails.
6. Using the base half of the toothpick, insert each finger into the cupcake soil. Space evenly to make it realistic. The thumb should be around the corner of the fingers, as is the case on your own hand.
7. Either leave things as they are, or pipe on a little red piping gel for added gore. Done.

Rising hand zombie cupcakes If you're not so keen on fiddling with a bunch of fingers but you're good at a little cake art sculpture, try making a single rising hand for each cupcake instead, as explained here.

1. Make the cupcakes following the recipe. These cupcakes can be normal size or large, depending on how large you intend to make the hand decorations.
2. Frost with chocolate frosting for the dirt. Dust with cocoa for the "soil".
3. Mold the hands from the sugar paste, fondant or other edible paste you're using. Note that this step may need to be done before making the cupcakes and frosting them, depending on how much time the hands need to dry before adding to the cupcakes. In most cases, it can't hurt to make these at least a day ahead. To make:
   • Roll enough balls for the amount of cupcakes (for example, a dozen balls).
   • Press the end of each ball to flatten into a cylinder.
   • Flatten one end into a rounded shape.
   • Carve out the thumb, followed by the fingers on the flattened round part.
   • Mold the fingers and thumb to look realistic. Use a knife and toothpick as molding aids.
   • Use a toothpick to create the impression of a fingernail on each finger and thumb.
   • Most importantly, aim for the entire hand to be bent to look like a claw.
   • Continue until you've made all the remaining hands.
   • Allow to dry.
4. Push a toothpick into the base of each hand, enough to stay embedded in the hand and enough to poke into the cupcake and be anchored. Push a hand into each cupcake. Sprinkle with more cocoa if needed.
   • At this point, add any further embellishments needed, such as candy insects, red piping gel for blood, etc.
5. Display and serve.

Things You'll Need

• Baking gear
• Cupcake cases (or pie pans, etc.)
• Toothpicks
• Display plate/stand
• Carving knife
• Non-stick surface to make hands and fingers on (for example, parchment paper, wax paper, silicon sheet, etc.)

Related wikiHows

• How to Bake Black Bat Cupcakes
• How to Make Saint Lucia Buns or Bread (Lussebullar)

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Rising Zombie Cupcakes. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Halloween is almost here!

Well, since it is close to halloween, I will be adding Halloween holiday recipes and crafts. There are Hallowen items if you can ignore the Christmas decorations that are already for sale! Unbelievable! Not even Halloween or Thanksgiving yet, and Christmas stuff out already. Ok here come the Haloween fun and yummie stuff! t.

Breakfast Banana Splits

How to Make Breakfast Banana Splits for toddlers

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Forget treating your little toddler out -- make this delicious and amazing dessert from your own kitchen.

Mimic a classic banana split with some of their favorite foods.

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• Prepared oatmeal
• Strawberry preserves
• Any of their favorite fruit
• Chocolate syrup and whipped cream (optional)

Steps

1. Cut the banana into slices, but be sure to retain the actual shape of the banana. Place it in a bowl.
2. Cover the banana slices with the oatmeal.
3. Drizzle the other "goodies" on the oatmeal.

Tips

• Cutting the banana into slices makes it easier when they scoop.
• Have them help you make this for them by asking how much they want in their banana split dish, but be sure that they can eat everything they ask for!

Related wikiHows

• How to Make a Banana Split
• How to Make a Breakfast Banana Split
• How to Make Banana Pops
• How to Make a Knickerbocker Glory

Sources and Citations

• Source of Information

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Breakfast Banana Splits (for Toddlers). All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make Battenburg Cake

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
This yummy and light sponge cake is a popular treat in England. When you slice open a Battenburg cake, the insides reveal a "checkerboard" pattern of alternating pink and yellow. It's a great party cake for all ages and a perfect afternoon tea treat.

Ingredients

• 5 1/4 ounces (150 grams) butter, softened
• 5 1/4 ounces (150 grams) white sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (extract) or 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out
• 5 1/4 ounces (150 grams) self-raising flour
• 1 ounce (30 ml) whole milk
• 1 drop of pink food coloring
• 2 3/4 ounces (75 grams) apricot jam
• Few drops of water
• 7 ounces (200 grams) ready-rolled marzipan or almond paste

To make almond paste:

• 2 cups ground almonds
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF, 200ºC, or gas mark 6.
2. Make the batter. Add the flour, 3 eggs, white sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla in a bowl. Use a whisk to beat everything together until it's smooth.
3. Create the "pink" batter. Get another bowl and pour half of the batter into it. Use a drop of pink food coloring in one of the bowls and mix it into that batter bowl.
4. Use extra butter or grease to grease the cake tin. Make a "barrier" with the aluminum foil by using a thick layer of it and then placing it down the middle of the pan so that it divides the tin into two equal parts. You may also use two separate rectangular cake tins of the same size.
5. Pour the colored batter into one side of the tin and pour the non-colored batter into the other side.
6. Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes or until it feels "springy". Set it aside to cool. Remove from the baking tin.
7. Cut the cake in half to divide the colors from each other. Place one on top of each other and skim/trim the edges so that both of them will be the same size.
8. Measure lengthwise and cut the cakes in half.
9. Add apricot jam and water to a pot. Heat both ingredients until the jam turns into a liquid.
10. Create the checkerboard effect of the cake.
    • Get a pink cake piece and use a brush to add a little amount of jam on one side of the piece.
    • Get a yellow cake piece and "glue" it to the jam side of the pink piece. Secure both cake pieces together gently.
    • Use jam and brush it on both connected pieces. Stack a yellow cake piece on top of the pink piece and then add a pink piece on top of the yellow piece.
11. Brush the entire outside of the cake with more jam.
12. Measure and cut the marzipan so it's a little bigger or longer than the cake. Use the marzipan as if you're wrapping a present and wrap it around the cake. Secure the ends with jam.
13. Use a knife or scissors to cut off the extra marzipan. Place the finished cake on a plate with the seal down.
14. Place the cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.
15. Serve. Place a sharp serving knife with the cake for ease of cutting slices. It helps to cut the first slice so that guests know the treat that's in store for them when they slice a piece of Battenburg cake.

To make homemade almond paste

1. Get a bowl and combine the egg, almond extract, lemon juice, almonds, and confectioners' sugar.
2. Mix and knead the mixture until it's a smooth paste. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a few drops to 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Half the "dough" into two equal parts.
3. Use confectioners' sugar to dust the paste and "working space". Roll each paste half to about 1/8 inch or so thick.
4. Finished.

Tips

• Serve with other afternoon tea treats in similar colors, such as strawberry fairy cakes, strawberry lamingtons and vanilla cupcakes.
• The Battenburg cake derives its name from the fact that it was originally created by the chefs of the British Royal household to celebrate the marriage of Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine and Prince Louis of Battenberg.[1]

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl
• 2 small or medium bowls
• 6 inch or 15 cm square cake tin
• Pot
• Pastry brush
• Sharp knife
• Rolling pin (if you're making your own almond paste)

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Cake in a Mug
• How to Make Hot Milk Sponge Cake
• How to Stop Sponge Rolls from Breaking or Cracking
• How to Make a Victoria Sponge Cake
• How to Bake an Orange Sponge Cake

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ Wikipedia

• BBC Battenberg cake recipe, http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/battenbergcake_88569.shtml – research source
• AllRecipes.com Battenburg cake recipe, http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Battenburg-Cake/Detail.aspx – research source
• Battenburg cake on Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battenburg_cake – research source

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Battenburg Cake. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make Vegetable LEGO Bricks

Having a hard time getting the kids to eat their veggies? Here's a great way to encourage them to enjoy doing what's good for them: transform their vegetables into neat little LEGO bricks!

Steps

1. Pick the right vegetables. Many veggies are suitable, including carrots, potatoes, squash, rutabagas, etc. You could also use firm tofu and add a food color to the water, which the tofu will soak up. You can do this with the veggies, too. Be bold!
2. Prepare your veggies. Boil or steam the vegetables so that they're soft but not mushy. Soak them for a couple minutes in salt water. This will make them a little firmer by drawing out some of the moisture.
3. Cut the vegetables into cube shapes. As with real LEGO pieces, you'll need to decide what bricks you'd like to make: a single stud square brick, the four stud square, or the six stud rectangle. ("Stud" refers to the little bumps on top of real LEGO bricks).
4. Poke a straw all the way through the vegetable. This will create a round hole and will push out the inside of the vegetable brick. Be sure to match holes with the LEGO stud arrangement you're creating.
5. Using a toothpick, push the stud from the bottom of the vegetable brick until it sticks out of the top. This ensures that it looks like a LEGO brick, complete with studs!
6. Check that the studs are evenly positioned across the top by looking at the brick sideways. If it's not, carefully press a stud back in, or poke one farther out.
7. Serve with a smile on a colorful plate. Your kids will be delighted!

Tips

• The time required for boiling vegetables is different for each type––use your own cooking knowledge to judge, or check in a vegetable cookbook.
• You can also use other foods such as broccoli, sausage and cheese, Japanese omelets, fruits, and firm jellies or Jello.
• If the straw gets stuck when inserted in the vegetable cube, cut off a small slit as shown in the photo and this should remedy the problem.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetables you'd like your kids to eat and that can be cut into cubes or rectangles (carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, squash, turnips, rutabagas, beets, pumpkin, etc.)
• Plastic straw.
• Pot, or microwave with bowl (heat resistant) for boiling.
• Salt.
• Toothpick, bamboo skewer, or chopstick for poking studs.
• Knife and cutting board
• Food coloring.

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Lego Eggs for Easter
• How to Present Food on a Plate
• How to Make Happy Face Sandwiches
• How to Hold a Funny Food Party for Kids
• How to Make LEGO Chocolate
• How to Sort and Store LEGO Toys

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Vegetable LEGO Bricks. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Neighborhood Beautifying Garden Project for the Whole Family

How to Start Guerrilla Gardening

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Guerrilla gardening is a term used to describe the unauthorized cultivation of plants or crops on vacant public or private land. For some practitioners, Guerrilla Gardening is a political statement about land rights or reform[1]; for others, it is primarily an opportunity to beautify and improve neglected, barren or overgrown spaces. Guerrilla gardening can be conducted either via secretive night missions or openly in an attempt to engage others in the idea of community improvement; regardless of which approach one takes, there are some basic steps that are important to successfully raise plants under the demanding conditions experienced by these gardens. Follow the steps below to learn how to start your own guerrilla garden.

Steps

1. Find an appropriate plot of land. In most urban and suburban areas, unused and uncared-for spaces abound. You can find them along sidewalks, on the sides of overpasses or freeway on-ramps, between buildings, on road medians and more. Plant near a water source if lack of water is a problem. You don't need a lot of land.
   • Can't find a planting site? Make one. Attaching containers to posts and railings can add a lush or colorful touch to an otherwise lifeless spot.
2. Take note of the condition of the land. It will almost certainly need some preparation before getting started. Will you need to remove weeds, trash or other forms of waste? Is the soil rocky, clay-like or more earthy?
3. Determine what plants to use in your garden. This is a critical step; your choice of plants has a huge effect on the likelihood of success or failure of your garden. Here are few suggestions:
   • Select hardy plants that can thrive with intermittent care. You probably won't be able to easily water, weed and fertilize your garden in the same way that you could if you were gardening around your home. Choose plants that can withstand variations in watering and other care schedules. Xeriscaping goes hand-in-hand with guerrilla gardening.
   • Choose plants that naturally grow in your area. Native plants are an ecologically sound choice, in that they won't tend to overcrowd other parts of the habitat. They will also be well-suited to the amount of sun and rain, temperature swings and other climatological factors.
   • Be aware of conditions the plot of land that you will be growing on. For example, is it heavily shaded or does it get a lot of morning or afternoon sun? Be sure to choose plants that are a good for your light, moisture and soil conditions.
   • Choose inexpensive plants. Save the pricey plants for gardens in protected areas. A guerrilla garden is subject to vandals, animals and more. Choose plants that you can easily afford to replace.
   • Select impactful plants, ones that will be green and bright and will make a difference for as much of the year as possible. [2] Also consider plants that create habitats for butterflies, birds, and other native species.
4. Plan your initial gardening mission. Determine when you will work, who will assist you, and what you need (plants, tools, water, fertilizer, etc.). Arrange a concrete day and time to do the work.
5. Gather your materials. Some of the things you will need:
   • Plants - Acquire a sufficient number of the plants you have chosen to cover your plot. You can buy plants from stores, or for a less expensive but more time-consuming alternative, start seeds at home. Transfer them to the garden site when they are well-established so that they have a better chance of survival.
   • Tools - Make sure you have the tools you need for the job: rakes, hoes, shovels, gloves, wheelbarrows, etc.
   • Water - Bring in some water to help your plants get started. Unused gasoline/petrol containers seal tightly, pack well and are easily transported.[2]
   • Fertilizer - You may want to add some fertilizer when planting your garden; be sure not to use any chemicals you would not want to get in the local water system.
   • Trash bags - You will probably need to remove trash and weeds and other waste from the site.
   • Transportation - Unless your garden is very close to your home, you need to be sure you have a vehicle or other means of getting everything to and from the site.
   • Signs - Letting people know what is planted there may make them more conscious of the site and less likely to trample on it (or allow their dogs to use it as a bathroom).
6. Start your garden.
   • Clear the land of weeds, trash and other undesirable things.
   • Prepare the soil for planting. Dig/aerate as needed.
   • Plant/water your plants.
   • Clean the area thoroughly before leaving. Don't leave trash, weeds or anything that reflects poorly upon you or other guerrilla gardeners.
7. Return to care for your garden. Planting the garden is only one small part of the job. It is your responsibility to water, weed and otherwise maintain your garden (though there is nothing wrong with encouraging others to help).
8. Spread the word about this unique, eco-friendly way to improve your community. Feel free to leave small signs or plaques in your garden encouraging others in the community to water and help care for it.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8WTlqiwYdQ&feature=player_embedded

Tips

• For hard-to-reach places, you can make seed bombs by combining seeds with clay and fertilizer. These can then be thrown to that location when conditions are favorable to help new plants to grow there.
• Consider the potential use of areas before planting unless you are just trying to make a statement and don't really care about your plants. The grape vine and fig tree near a military fence in the photo above, for example, will likely be destroyed due to security concerns as soon as they are large enough to inhibit the view or provide a hiding spot for a potential intruder (or sooner, as a part of routine maintenance designed to prevent that from happening).
• Consider installing bird houses for native bird species. They'll not only add life to the site, but the birds will also help keep insects under control.
• There are many communities online and around the world (particularly in the U.K., Europe and the U.S.) involved in guerrilla gardening. These communities can be an invaluable resource for information and a great way to interact with others who share the vision of a greener world.
• If you do not have much time to care for the plants, tulips are a great option. Purchase the bulbs in bulk from a local garden center. If you use a cordless drill with an auger bit, you can easily plant 100 bulbs in less than an half hour.
• Consider using native plants whenever possible. Many garden plants can naturalize and become unwanted invasive exotic weeds (i.e. kudzu, ivy, wisteria, bamboo, etc.)

Warnings

• Check local ordinances to see whether your garden is legal. In some municipalities it is against the law, while in others it is not.[3]
• Trespassing on private property is against the law. However, some land owners may not object to your gardening on their land. Try to get permission before taking an abandoned plot under your wing.
• It might not be a good idea to eat plants—or their products—that are planted in some public places. The soil may be contaminated. If food crops are your goal, soil testing can be done by most large universities and state colleges, or through your local cooperative extension service. These tests will ensure that you are not eating lead or worse poisons along with your produce, and are typically free or very inexpensive.
• Do not plant anything that is locally defined as a "noxious weed." Noxious weeds vary by area, and they include plants that are dangerous, invasive, or bad for local wildlife.

Related wikiHows

• How to Know What Gardening Tools You Need
• How to Grow Your Own Food
• How to Grow a TickleMe Plant
• How to Plant a Tree
• How to Xeriscape
• How to Grow Herb Gardens from Seed

Sources and Citations

• Reynolds, Richard. On Guerilla Gardening: A handbook for Gardening Without Boundaries

1. ↑ Wikipedia article on guerilla gardening
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Guerillagardening.org - Tips
3. ↑ LA Times, May 29, 2008

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start Guerilla Gardening. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Soap Carving for Fun!

This is a fun craft for parents and children. Even my grandma had little carved soap in the shape of flowers in a small basket in the bathroom. Here is how to make your own ddecorative soap carvings. Let your kids make animal, holiday, or other shapes they like for their (Or the guest) bathroom. Have fun! Teri

How to Make a Soap Carving

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Soap carving is a fun and easy way to create sculptures from a bar of soap. As opposed to wood carving, which is more dangerous and should only be done by skilled individuals, anyone––from young children, to adults––can enjoy carving creations from soap. The resulting sculptures can then be displayed, or used as soap.

Steps

1. Choose a bar of soap. Any soap will work, however, a larger bar is easier to hold and gives more material to work with.
2. Choose a knife to use. Soap is fairly soft, so a sharp knife is not absolutely necessary. Plastic knives, spoons, or Popsicle sticks would also work. This is especially important to note if younger children are doing this project, to prevent any accidents from using sharp knives.
3. Decide on what subject to carve. A turtle or fish are frequent choices for a first carving, as they are similar to the shape of most bars of soap. You can also choose other subjects such as birds, hearts, boats––anything that tickles your fancy.
4. Draw an outline of your carving on one side of the soap. You can either draw the outline first using a pencil, or directly use a knife, orange wood stick, or toothpick to scrape the outline into the soap.
5. Remove the soap outside the outline using small slivers or chips. Make sure to scrape away only small portions at a time, as it would be easier to remove than to put back an over scraped portion. Cutting off too much would cause the soap to break off into chunks.
6. Add detail to the inside of the outline to refine the design further. When the carving is finished, wet your finger and rub the surface of the soap to create a smooth finish. Allow it to dry and harden for a day before using.

Video

Tips

• Use a fresh bar of soap instead of an old dry bar. Dry soap is brittle and may crack or crumble.
• Ivory soap makes a good beginner bar. It is large, soft, easy to work with, and easy to obtain.
• Repair small cracks and rough patches by using a toothpick to slightly dampen the area, then smoothing over with your fingers.
• Keep your hands dry. If they are wet or damp, the soap will become very slippery.

Warnings

• Always carve away from hands and belly.
• If younger children are using sharp objects to do this project, ensure that they have adequate adult supervision.
• Soap carving and sculpting is not suitable for children under 3 due to the potential for swallowing the soap or other small pieces.

Things You'll Need

• Bar of soap
• Carving tool (knife, spoon, popsicle stick, etc.)

Related wikiHows

• How to Begin Woodcarving with a Utility Knife
• How to Carve an Egg
• How to Whittle a Ball in a Cage
• How to Make Your Own Soap
• How to Sculpt

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Soap Carving. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Lady Bug Home - Spring Craft Idea!

How to Build a Ladybug House

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Love the little red ladybugs that crawl across your hand in the spring? Not only are they beautiful but ladybugs eat hundreds of pest insects such as whitefly, mealy bugs and spider mites. Attracting them to your garden has lots of benefits! Now that this time is arriving, make a ladybug house out of simple materials to entice these cute little creatures to crawl on in!

Steps

1. Find a sturdy piece of cardboard in the form of a box or sheet. A shoebox is a good weight or thick cardstock.
2. Cut out five 5 x 5 inch (12.5 x 12.5cm) squares from the cardboard.
3. Tape the five pieces together to form a box shape. One side should be free of a cover; this will form the entrance.
4. Decorate the ladybug's little house of wonder. In case you didn't know, ladybugs are attracted to: light blue, pink and yellow. Here is one possible look you could try:
   • Paint or cover the box in light blue.
   • Paint or glue on pink and yellow flowers.
   • The inside doesn't have to be painted, unless you really want it to be.
5. Ensure that the little house dries completely before moving to the next steps.
6. Add a water source. Ladybugs are really attracted to water. They spend their entire lifespan searching for it. So, it's a good idea to also make a tiny pool that will accompany the ladybug house, alongside it. Out of tin foil, create a pool that is about 5 inches (12.4cm) long and very, very shallow, like half the size of a ladybug. If you have a small Styrofoam plate, all the better!
7. Prepare the water container.
   • Fill it with tap water.
   • Add rocks and leaves, but not too many or it will weigh down the house.
   • Also add a damp paper towel, folded up into the interior.
   • Throw in some tiny crumbs of cheese for good measure.
8. Place the ladybug's new house on a sturdy tree branch. Place the tiny pool right next to it. Spray the whole ladybug hotel with a sweet, fruity perfume, give it an hour or two, and you should see some ladybugs taking up residence!

Video

Tips

• Do this only during spring; it will probably not work during any other time.
• If you want your house to last for a long time, make it out of wood instead of cardboard, or laminate the cardboard.
• Ladybugs love nettle plants; grow some near the ladybug house.

Warnings

• It is almost guaranteed that ladybugs will swarm, but don't build up too many expectations in younger children; they might get too excited and cry if none come.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard (shoe box, cardstock, etc.)
• Pink, light blue, and yellow construction paper or paint to cover house, make flowers with, etc. Use non-toxic paints.
• Paper towel (optional)
• Water
• Cheese (optional)
• Perfume

Related wikiHows

• How to Keep Aphids Away Using Eco Friendly Methods
• How to Attract Butterflies
• How to Attract Honey Bees
• How to Take Care of Ladybugs
• How to Make a Bug Terrarium

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Build a Ladybug House. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
This soft cookie creates a banana bread taste combined in a chocolate chip cookie. Loved by all ages, especially kids. Here is how to make banana chocolate chip cookies. Makes 18 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup (100g) white sugar
• 1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar
• 2/3 cup (150g) butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed
• 2 cups (335g) semisweet chocolate chips

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC.
2. Sift and combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a medium bowl.
3. Use a mixer to cream the sugars and butter together in a large bowl.
4. Thoroughly combine the eggs, vanilla, and mashed bananas in the butter mixture.
5. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon and add the chocolate chips in last.
6. Place spoonfuls of the dough on a pre-greased or Parchment paper layered cookie sheet.
7. Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes.
8. Cool completely on a cooling rack.

Warnings

• Keep the little children away from the oven, to avoid being burned.

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl
• Medium bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Parchment paper
• Cookie sheet
• Hand mixer

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Bitter Chocolate Orange Peppermint Biscuits
• How to Add Oatmeal to Chocolate Chip Cookies
• How to Make Gluten Free Almond and Chocolate Chip Cookies
• How to Make Light Chocolate Cookies

Sources and Citations

• Original source of article, shared by Evelyn Brown, AllRecipes, Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-chocolate-chip-cookies/.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.