Pinterest. Been there pinned that.

Garlic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

2013-11-03T21:03:00.004-08:00

Today I baked the pumpkin seeds that came from my pumpkin. I searched on Pinterest for a recipe to use for my seeds. After a lot of search I found one that I liked. Since I only had a little under one cup I had to improvise with the recipe. Here is my version of Garlic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Seeds
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
2/4 Teaspoon Garlic Salt Seasoning

Instructions:

1. Soak the seeds in salt water over night.

2. Preheat oven to 375°F.

3. Stir pumpkin seeds, oil and seasoning until all seeds are evenly coated.

4. Pour seeds onto baking sheet (I use tinfoil to cover the sheet. Less mess.

5. Roast seeds for 25-30 minutes. Make sure to check them occasionally so they do not burn.

Once they are done take them out and let them cool down before eating them and enjoy:)

Pumpkin Carving

2013-11-03T15:49:00.001-08:00

Each year a tradition for many families during October is pumpkin carving!! For me, it has been about 5 years since I have carved my last pumpkin so at first I was unsure of what to do! Here are simple steps showing how to carve your very own pumpkin.

Step 1: First thing first, you have to pick out the perfect pumpkin! You can find one in your local pumpkin patch or supermarket. Make sure you pick one that will work well with what you have planned. Also be sure to look for a pumpkin with a nice stem. The stem with help when taking the top off and on to light the candle. We were unable to do that and had the task of lighting the candle from the outside.

Step 2: Find a pattern or be ready to draw your own! Here is a link including 3 patterns we found and even used one. For our pattern we used Jack Skellington.

Step 3: When your ready to carve your pumpkin make sure you have all tools needed to do so. The best thing to do is to buy a cheap Pumpkin Carving Kit that includes all you will need. Once you have all your tools use a knife to cut open the top of your pumpkin.

Step 4: Once you have cut open the top of your pumpkin empty it of the "guts." This includes the stringy parts and seeds. Be sure to save the seeds in a bowl for a special treat when you're done with your pumpkin.

Step 5: Once you have emptied out the "guts" and put them into a bowl you are ready to either tape or sketch your pattern to your pumpkin. We found it hard to tape our pattern to our pumpkin but after a few tries we were able to get it on exactly where we wanted it.

Step 6: Some of you may be able to skip step 6 depending on how you did your pattern. If you drew it on you can skip to step 7. For those of you who taped on your pattern begin poking holes in the outline of the pattern. Make sure to get all of it before taking off the taped pattern. This is probably the hardest step for me because it seems to take the longest.

Step 7: Once all holes have been poked and the pattern has been removed or for those of you who skipped step 6 you are ready to carve! Where you begin is up to you. It is best to start from the middle and make your way to the outside so there is not so much pressure on the middle while carving. I usually go from the top and work my way down.

Step 8: When you are finished carving you can now put a candle inside your pumpkin, light your candle and put the top back on to it. You may now place your pumpkin where you would like and enjoy!

Free Pumpkin Carving Templates

2013-10-31T13:01:00.003-07:00

Here are 3 free templates for Halloween and your pumpkin caving desires

Jack Skellington
Kermit the Frog
Wreck-It Ralph

21st Birthday Surprise

2013-09-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

So for my best friend's 21st birthday I searched everywhere for ideas as to what to get her or even make if I had to. I of course went to Pinterest for this and was having a hard time finding anything. After hours of searching for an idea I saw a picture of a decorated bottle of Smirnoff. So I came up with the idea to purchase 4 or 5 mini shot bottles and decorate them creating a mystery booze bottle. I also decided to decorate a shot glass just for her.

So for this craft you will need a few things:

Modge Podge (the homemade stuff works perfectly. Here is a link on how to make your own)
Mini shot bottles
Glitter
Jewels
Shot glass
Hot Glue Gun (be extra careful when using this. I burned myself a few times)

Mini Shot Bottles

I started out by decorating my mini bottles. The first thing I did was use the modge podge to put glitter on the tops of all the bottles. Make sure to do 2 layers of this.

Next once all the glitter was dried on the tops I began decorating the bottle itself in various ways. Some bottles I used glitter in between and others I did not. I also did a variation of just pink squared jewels, green and blue circled jewels, random colored squared jewels and also just random jewels.
Once you have decorated each bottle and they have all dried add a ribbon if you wish.

Shot Glass

In Sections, add Modge Podge to the outside of the shot glass and cover it in glitter. Make sure each section dries before continuing, otherwise you will smudge the glitter.
Do about 3 layers of glitter
Once you have added all the glitter it is now time to add the jewels to get your 21
With the hot glue gun very carefully add a small amount on to the back of the dot. In order to do this you have to plan out how you want your 21 to look. Place your first jewel where you desire. Continue the same process until you have finished.

You've done it! You have made your very own 21st Birthday Booze Surprise! Of course there are many different ways you can do this and it does not just have to be for a 21st birthday! Find creative ways to do it differently or do it just like us.

*Send us a picture of you doing this craft or any craft on our blog and we will include your picture on our blog! Email any and all pictures of you doing your craft or the finished product.*

DIY Modge Podge

2013-09-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

So I have been looking into buying some Modge Podge for some crafts I have been wanting to do that involve glitter! Well I finally went to the store to go buy some and saw that it was $10!!! Outrageous! So like any skilled Pinnner would do I took to Pinterest and began searching for a DIY version of Modge Podge. I was able to find a blog that explains how to make Modge Podge. It is super simple and fun to make.

What you will need:

A jar of any type (a empty water bottle works too)
water
glue

How to make it:

1. Empty the glue into your jar of choice.

2. Add equal parts water (just refill the glue bottle with the water). If you used one bottle of glue use one bottle of water. 2=2 3=3 and so on. I used hot water (this helps to dissolve and mix easier)

3. Shake!!!

4. You are ready to use to your hearts desire.

It is that easy and works just as well as the stuff you buy in store! AND it only cost me $3!!! ($2 for the jar and $1 for two bottles) Now go and make your own and start saving!

*Send us a picture of you doing this craft or any craft on our blog and we will include your picture on our blog! Email any and all pictures of you doing your craft or the finished product.*

No Dough Low Carb Pizza

2013-08-09T10:25:00.001-07:00

So this is by far the best Pizza I have ever had. My mom found it on Pinterest and made it for us and it is a family favorite. It is no dough and low carb! It is very easy to make and something everyone can enjoy (especially those crazy dieters like me;) ). It takes about 10 minutes to prepare everything and 40 minutes to cook it. It is a super easy meal to make if you are feeling lazy or not in the mood to make a huge meal. I included the link for any of you who would like to see where it came from.

A few things you will need:

(1) 8 ounce package of cream cheese
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder (I used fresh garlic)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pizza sauce (I use homemade pizza sauce but you can use whatever you want)
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (you can use any cheese you want)
Any other toppings you want

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix the cream cheese, eggs, black pepper, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese until they are fully combined. Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Spread the mixture into the pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Allow the crust to cool.

3. Once the crust is cool enough spread the pizza sauce on crust. Add cheese and any other toppings you want. Sprinkle pizza with garlic. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

4. Let it cool and enjoy!

*Send us a picture of you cooking this recipe or any of the recipe's on our blog and we will include your picture on our blog! Email any and all pictures of you doing your craft or the finished product.*

Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn

2013-07-22T21:59:00.002-07:00

So tonight I am going to talk about Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn. This stuff is heavenly! We tried it tonight for the first time and it is definitely a keeper. Imagine the way Downtown Disneyland smells with all the caramel popcorn that is there (I have never personally tried it but I imagine this is what it would taste like). This is exactly what this stuff smells like and it evens taste like it smells! So lets get started.

I got the idea from the link I have included here

First a few things you will need:

Popcorn
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
Marshmallows- The link I included says to use 9-10 we just eye balled it and used what we thought was good

First thing we did was add the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter in to a bowl and microwave it for about a minute. After that minute stir it up a little and do another 30 seconds. Once the 30 seconds is up add the marshmallows and stir them in with the other ingredients. Once you have stirred everything together pour it over popcorn and stir it all together. Make sure everything is completely mixed together, eat and enjoy! :)

No-Sew Fleece Blanket

2013-07-16T18:44:00.001-07:00

This is by far the best thing I have made so far. I saw a picture of a no-sew blanket on Pinterest but could not find any "how to's" about them so I made it up as I went. It has been very useful and we are constantly finding new things it can be used for or brought to. I have made two, the first one I made was for my wonderful boyfriend as a Christmas present. He absolutely loves it and uses it all the time. The second one I helped him make for his mother for Christmas as well. It is a fun and easy gift to make that can be used for anyone and it is something they will be able to use for many years to come.

Here are a few things you will need to get started:

Two 3 1/2 yards of fabric (either the same or two different types)
Rotary Cutter or Scissors (I used a Rotary Cutter)
Cutting Mat (You only need this if you use a Rotary Cutter)
Measuring Tape or Ruler
Quilting Pins

Once you have all the things you need clear off a big area and then get started. You can do it the way I did or find a way that makes it easier for you.

1. Lay your first piece of fabric out and cut off all the bad edges.

2. Lay out the second piece of fabric and cut off all the bad edges.

3. Lay both pieces out on top of each other and make sure they are the same sizes and everything matches up.
4. Pin the pieces together about 4 inches apart all the way around.
5. Cut a 4 inch square out of each corner.
6. Cut 4 inch strips into the perimeter of the blanket and make each strip about an inch in width.
7. Make sure to pin each strip so the blanket does not slip
8. Once you have made all your cuts tie each corresponding strip together.
9. Wash on delicate and do a low dry.
10. You are ready to use:)

This is a wonderful blanket that is great for any person!

*Send us a picture of you doing this craft or any craft on our blog and we will include your picture on our blog! Email any and all pictures of you doing your craft or the finished product.*

Ebates.com

2013-07-15T20:07:00.002-07:00

Tonight I am going to go a little more in depth about Ebates.com. Ebates is a great way to earn money back for shopping online (something we all do). Who wouldn't want to earn money after shopping online?! I love my Ebates account and use it all the time!

I recently received my first check from Ebates.com and was able to cash it in and put the money in my pocket! It is that simple! Ebates.com offers so many different online stores to shop from and each store has different percentage CASH back when you go through their website. Some of you may be thinking "there has to be a catch or hidden fees" THERE ARE NO CATCHES OR HIDDEN FEES!! You earn back the money you are spending and get to pocket it as extra spending money!! By clicking the link I have provided below, Ebates starts you out with $5 after your first purchase that you make through using them. $5 just for signing up and making a $25 purchase. So not only do you get a percent back for shopping but you get FIVE free dollars!!! Simple isn't it? Click the link below, sign up, earn $5, shop and earn more! Easy as that.

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=8GuqkG9yl6ee6%2BVcoGPwHQ%3D%3D

Ebates.com also provides you with the most current coupons that are available to use online while shopping. Many sites have hidden free shipping coupons or an extra percentage off your purchase and Ebates gives you it to help you out!

Ebates.com has hundreds of stores that you can earn money back from, some of which include:

Amazon.com

Bedbathandbeyond.com

Hottopic.com

Kmart.com

Kohls.com

Qvc.com

Sephora.com

Victoriassecret.com

Walmart.com

And so much more!

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=8GuqkG9yl6ee6%2BVcoGPwHQ%3D%3D

Atkins Friendly Beef Stroganoff

2013-06-25T19:18:00.001-07:00

Cooking for people on the Atkins diet can sometimes be a chore, but with recipes like this it honestly couldn't get any easier. This stroganoff recipe is super simple, and it comes out nice and creamy, and most importantly its acceptable for phase one of the Atkins diet. Here is what you will need:

Adapting a recipe found here, I've made a few changes of my own.

Ingredients:

1 lb steak (I use super-thin sliced top sirloin)
4 tbsp margarine
5 oz diced white onion
3/4 cup beef broth
1/2 cup sour cream
xanthan gum for thickening
(Optional) 8 oz mushrooms (none of us like them so we leave them out!)

Start by browning the onions, then add the steak (cut into strips) and cook it until its cooked through. If you are adding mushrooms, add them now. Otherwise, lower the heat and add the beef broth. Simmer it for around 10 minutes, and then cover with a lid and continue simmering for around 45 minutes. Stir occasionally during the simmering, and add a little bit of the xanthan gum to thicken the sauce until it gets to where you want it. Don't add too much or it will clump and that is NOT good eats. After its done simmering, turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream. Its ready to serve!

I personally like to serve this with garlic green beans. Take the green beans and steam them until tender, then sauté them in a little oil of your choice and about 2 tbsp of minced garlic. Dust them with a little garlic salt and you've got the perfect side for this meal.

Get Paid to Shop with Ebates.com

2013-06-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hello ladies and gentlemen! How many of you out there LOVE to shop online like I do? Now, how many of you would LOVE to get paid to shop?! I know I would and I do! Ebates.com is the perfect place to do that and the place I do all my online shopping. Each site you earn a different percentage back for going through Ebates to shop.

Here is what you have to do:
1. Click the link below
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=8GuqkG9yl6ee6%2BVcoGPwHQ%3D%3D
2. Sign up for Ebates (make sure to use all current information)
3. START SHOPPING and get paid!

By clicking the link that I have provided Ebates starts your account with $5 for free after you make your first purchase! So hurry up, Sign up and get paid!

Admit One Shadow Box

2013-06-10T20:29:00.003-07:00

Today I am here to talk to you about one of my own creations, an Admit One Shadow Box. This one was a lot of fun to make and now hangs on my wall where I am able to deposit each ticket stub into every time I see a movie or go somewhere a ticket is involved. I made it after my boyfriend and I started dating a year ago so I use it to put ticket stubs from things we have done together. I have seen pictures for it on Pinterest (which is how I got the idea) but have never actually looked at a blog or anything for it so I have no link for you all to look at today but, it is super simple to figure out.

Here are a few things you will need to get started:

Scissors
Pencil
A shadow box with a slit on top to put in tickets.
Scrapbook paper (2)

black
Your pick

Your ticket stubs

Total time: 30 minutes

I started out by buying a shadowbox with a slit at the top so I could add tickets when ever I wanted.

I then took the back of the shadow box off and using that to make an outline with my pencil to cut my scrapbook paper. For my paper I chose popcorn themed scrapbooking paper. Once I made my outline I cut what I had traced into a square to fit my box. After I cut it out I used the picture that came with the shadow box and glued my paper to the back of it in order to make it thicker and fit better in the box.

As soon as the paper was done drying I put the paper in the box and closed the back shut.

Once you have shut and hammered the nail into the wall you are ready to add in your ticket stubs and enjoy!

You may notice that I have not put the ADMIT ONE title in the box yet. I will be adding that soon but have to muster up the courage to get my Cricket out of storage. Once I have added the finishing touches I will post for all to see.

*Send us a picture of you doing this craft or any craft on our blog and we will include your picture on our blog! Email any and all pictures of you doing your craft or the finished product.*

Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

2013-06-05T22:02:00.003-07:00

So tonight I will be talking about my all time favorite recipes that I am dying to share with everyone. I absolutely love this one, Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup.

It is a tradition for my boyfriend and I to make this after a long day of hiking (usually an exhausting 6 mile hike to be clear) and so far it has been worth it every time (I feel less guilty about all the calories and carbs I eat haha). It has also been a favorite of everyone's in my family although, I am sure the high calorie and carb count discourages them sometimes! If you are on a diet and watching what you eat, go on a long hike before eating it, it will make you feel less guilty and make it that much better.

I have added the link for everyone so that you can see where it originally comes from and follow their recipe and ingredients. You’ll find that I have changed a few ingredients and the order that I put them in. I like to have a Chicken Caesar Salad with the soup as well.

My version of Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup:

Ingredients

2	whole large Cloves Of Garlic Minced
2	Tbl Olive Oil
2	10¾ oz Cans of Condensed Tomato Soup
¼	cup Sun Dried Tomatoes, chopped or 2 Tbl Of Sun Dried Tomato Paste
2	cups Greek Yogurt
2	cups Chicken Stock
1	tsp Onion Powder
1	Tbl McCormick Italian Seasoning
½	tsp Salt
½	tsp Pepper
1	whole 9 Oz Package Of Cheese Filled Tortellini
½	cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese, for garnish

Directions

Saute garlic with the olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat until golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get too brown or burnt.
When the garlic is done, add tomato soup, tomatoes, chicken stock and spices.
Bring to a simmer.
Once simmering, drop tortellini into the soup.Cook according to the package directions. After tortellini are cooked,turn off the heat and stir in the greek yogurt. Try not to let the yogurt curdle. Once you have added it all in ladle the soup into bowls and top with parmesan cheese.

Spring Cleaning/Organizing. GET ON IT

2013-06-03T21:18:00.002-07:00

TOTAL TIME: 1 Hour

This is a month long adventure of cleaning and organization that I will be discussing with you all. I will give you tips as to what helped me and to encourage you to GET RID OF STUFF!! Its okay to throw away the 10 year old lipstick or the post-its you just can’t live with out. I know I have a hard time getting rid of my stuff but it is time to de-clutter our lives and clean up!

BEFORE

Today I am going to start with my desks and drawers in my desk. I have a small desk in my room and that is where EVERYTHING goes. I have a horrible habit of piling things up on top of each other and not putting things away where they belong. Today, ladies and gentleman, we are going to go through all of our drawers. Not just in our rooms but throughout the whole house. Before we get started here are a few tips to remember.

Tip #1: Keep the main surface cleared. This one is for desks or tables. Like I mentioned I have a tendency to throw every thing on top of my desk then forget about it. I have two jobs so cleaning is clearly not my first priority. When you get home remember to put things where they belong, and if they don’t have a special place make one for it so that you know exactly where it goes each time. This also saves you the hassle of having to clear off your surfaces if you may need to use them. Its ok to have a picture here and there maybe a book but don’t put EVERYTHING you can think of on top. Put it in a drawer or somewhere else.

Tip #2: “Having nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” -William Morris. When going through your drawers if you find something that you have no idea what it is for or know you have not used it for the last 5 years TRASH IT!! Why hold on to something when you know it is not useful or that it is taking up valuable space? If it is not an item you use regularly, get rid of it. It will help you feel lighter.

Tip #3: If you can’t think of why you need it, you really don’t need it. If the thought doesn't come to your mind with in seconds you 1. haven’t used it for a long time or 2. NEVER used it to begin with.

Tip #4: IT'S OK TO GET RID OF STUFF!!! For the most part every one feels bad about getting rid of their stuff that's fine, but don’t become attached to it. If you feel bad about throwing it away donate it (that is if it is donate-able). If you have no need for it I am sure there is someone in the world who does. Take it to your local thrift store or Goodwill. If it is something you think you could sell yourself go for it! Ebay and Craigslist are great places to sell things.

Alright so lets get down to the dirty and start on these surfaces and drawers. I always start with my drawers when cleaning out my desk. If you begin with the surface first that’s fine. Do whatever you are comfortable with. I personally begin with the drawers because I empty everything on top to begin with. So now lets empty our drawers.

Once you have done that make sure to get out all the dust and particles that have accumulated from not being clean. Once I have cleaned all the dust begin putting stuff back. I know what your are probably thinking “I just took everything out! when does the getting rid of stuff start?!!” Well to answer your question it starts NOW. As you are putting each item back look at it and think to yourself these 10 following questions that I got from 10 Questions to Help You De-clutter (http://home.yourway.net/10-questions-to-help-you-declutter/):

Is this item something I use regularly?
If not, is it something I love?
Am I keeping this out of obligation or expectation?
Am I holding onto this because I think I should love it?
Am I saving this just in case?
Do I have multiples of the same thing?
Could something else I own do the same job?
Am I holding onto a broken item to fix one day?
Is this item worth the time I spend cleaning/storing it?
Could I use this space for something else?

If you can honestly say that it is something you need then keep it and make a new permanent home for it. Do this with all your items. If you can’t decide if the item is something you need to keep then put it off to the side in a pile of things you are not sure about. Once you have finished go back to those items and see where you could put it or if it truly is something to get rid of. Remember as you are going through your stuff to put it in its home. Some place you will keep it and remember to put it back when you are done using it.

Once you have cleared off a majority of the stuff from your surface and have put all that you want in the drawers we will begin working on the desk. These are things that either do not belong in or on the desk, you need to get rid of, or belong in a different room or place. The surface is the easiest to do because a majority of the junk is already gone. REMEMBER to always ask yourself those 10 questions.

Okay so your surface is cleared and you have wiped down everything of dust and dirt. Now is the fun part (at least I think so): DECORATING the surface!!! You are now free to add your own personal touches whether it be pictures, candles, a lava lamp, whatever you want. Just make it you. REMEMBER, don’t add a bunch of stuff to your desk or surface. The point of this was to DE-CLUTTER ;) There are plenty of other places you can sparkle and show off yourself just spread it out throughout your room or house.

One small step at a time you WILL have everything cleaned and organized. Just remember to stay motivated and take breaks when you want.

AFTER

Best Creamy Chocolatey Chocolate Frosting.

2013-06-02T20:07:00.001-07:00

For my boyfriends birthday I made him yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting. I wanted to be creative and not just give him cupcakes but make it into a cupcake cake. While searching Pinterest I found the perfect idea; make a glove and baseball cupcake cake. It was perfect because the next day I was taking him to a baseball game so it fit into the theme perfectly.

Creamy Chocolatey Chocolate Frosting (best chocolate ever)

I am constantly baking and looking for new frosting recipes. For a while I couldn't find the right chocolate frosting (I am really picky about my chocolate frosting) and had given up on finding one. The night before Valentines day I decided to look for one (my boyfriend LOVES chocolate frosting). I came across this link on Pinterest and decided to just go with it.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons butter
2 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup cocoa (I use Ghirardelli cocoa)
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla (I use a special vanilla that I get straight from Mexico, D'Lis pure vanilla. I got it while in Puerto Vallarta but I am sure you can find it elsewhere like Amazon)

Directions:

1. Melt butter to soften, place in large bowl and beat until creamy.

2. Slowly add the sugar and cocoa in portions. Be sure to mix well.

3. Stir in milk in portions, stirring each time.

4. Add vanilla (I add 1/4 of a teaspoon more than they say)

5. Spread on cooled cake or other items that need frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

I use this frosting for everything. It is by far the best buttercream frosting I have ever had. It is very simple to make and extremely addicting ;)

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
1/2 cup Crisco shortening
4 cups powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Food coloring if desired

Directions:

1. Cream shortening and butter, mix well
2. Add vanilla (I use D'Lis pure vanilla for this as well)
3. Gradually add powdered sugar- be sure to mix well with each portion added as it can become chunky
4. Add milk by the tablespoon. I usually add 3 tablespoons
5. Add food coloring if you desire.
6. Enjoy:)

Once you have made your frosting you are now ready to decorate (my favorite part). I use the Wilton Dessert Decorator Plus to help me frost my cupcakes. I received it as a christmas present last year and it has been the best gift I have ever received. I used the Star Tip that is included with the Wilton Decorator Plus. I also used the Round tip that was included for the baseball. For the lacing on the baseball I used a smaller round tip that I purchased at Michaels.

For the glove I organized the cupcakes to look like a hand, I was able to do this with 24 cupcakes. Starting at the one of the bottom cupcakes I decorated each cupcake using the Star tip. I started on the outside of the cupcake and followed it in for each one. The baseball was really difficult to do. I attempted to do it on a plate first to get an idea how to do it. It turned out great, obviously. Of course, when I went to do it on the actual cake I had issues. I had a hard time trying to center it and also trying to make it circular. Obviously looking at the picture it is a little lop sided (just be sure you are making it for someone who loves you and won't judge you). Once I put the frosting down for where I wanted the ball I used a knife to round it and help shape it. Lastly the lace. This was one of the easier parts. After cleaning my Decorator and filling it with red icing I googled a picture of a baseball and made the lacing to look exactly like a real one. Once you have it iced be sure to enjoy with milk or vanilla ice cream.

This is a perfect cake to make for a tailgating party before a baseball game, a birthday or even a end of the season party cake for a little league team.

Earn Money From Home

2013-06-01T23:41:00.001-07:00

For those of you out there that are interested in making a few extra bucks (i'm sure there's a few of you), I am constantly looking for ways to earn a little extra money by sitting at home doing nothing. No pants required. How awesome does that sound? There are a ton of ways to get paid through the internet by doing surveys, playing games or simply searching for whatever pops into your head first.

The easiest way to make these programs work for you is to make a new email address so that yours doesn't get a sudden influx of junk. You can do this through gmail or hotmail or whatever (if you don't know this by now you need electronics lessons). I like to make a folder for each thing i'm doing to keep it organized. When I have time, I go through each folder and start filling out as many surveys as I can and performing any tasks they ask of me. So far I have made over a hundred dollars from all of these programs combined in just a few months. Here are a few of my favorite sites with links included that pay in cash or even gift cards:

Swagbucks:
Swagbucks is a website that you can do searches, play games, watch videos, and so much more. With each task (polls, games, search and videos) you perform you earn points that can eventually be converted into gift cards or even money for paypal. Click the link below to earn extra swagbucks when you sign up.
http://swagbucks.com/refer/caitlino24

Bing Rewards:
Bing Rewards is another great site to use to earn gift cards or paypal money. Each day you log on and perform different tasks (searches, polls, and daily random tasks) in order to earn points. The more you do, the more points you earn and the quicker you can redeem your rewards.
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MindField online:
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Four-Cheese Baked Penne

2013-06-01T23:34:00.002-07:00

So my girlfriend and I are both certified pasta freaks, which, given our new-found devotion to eating healthy can obviously lead to some issues... When I found this recipe on pinterest it not only looked delicious but made claims of being healthier than it looked. So we gave it a try and it turned out awesome! Here's a link to the recipe and here's what you'll need:

1 1/2 cups small-curd fat free cottage cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded part-skim [or fat free] mozzarella
1 cup part-skim [or fat free] ricotta
1 pound whole-wheat penne
2-3 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes [or chili powder]
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil cooking spray
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

We followed the recipe almost exactly except using canola oil instead of olive oil. Its very straightforward, given that two clutzes like ourselves were able to make it turn out well. One thing worth noting is that instead of adding all of the cheese into the mix and baking, you need to save some for topping it later! We added all the cheese at once and it got a little clumpy, but it still tasted great. Overall, this is a keeper, and if you're looking for a tasty and easy pasta dish that's high in protein, this one is worth trying.