Christy

Teddy Bears and Tea Parties Shower Invitation

2012-02-11T09:00:00.000-06:00

Anyone that knows me well knows a few important details about me.....1) I love to throw parties for other people. I'll invent reasons to do so. 2) Invitations and Favors are my favorite detail....the bookend, if you will, to the event have to be a big deal to get people excited about coming, and sad to be leaving....so the cycle can begin again when I invent my next reason to pull out the address book and ship out invites.
Next up in the world of parties in my life is a shower for a friend of ours at work who is having a baby girl this May. The nursery is going to be shades of pink and brown, and Stephanie is also a Baylor Girl (Sic' Em Bears, not that I'm biased), so we decided to go girly. Actually, I was totally convinced she was having a boy and had a really fun theme in my head, and was thrown for a total loop when baby girl dared to defy my party plans, but I'm equally as happy with this concept, and I'll just save that other idea for someone else. I suffer. I suffer much. If I ever get rich I'm definintely hiring a violinist to accompany these sort of sad stories in the future.
Usually, I like handmade invitations, case in point, click on 'invitation' under the labels of this blog and it's pretty evident I like to deliver them in strange bottles, containers of cotton candy, boxes of fortune cookies, you name it, I've done it. The post office hates me.
BUT This time around I found these teddy bear shaped invites via Wilton in the clearance section of the craft store....uhhh....too perfect.
We jazzed them up a bit with a bow, and covered the top portion with a little card we created with the theme (instead of what the card has) to give everyone an idea of the theme to come.....

If it were me, I'd probably pass these out while serving tea with the queen, but there is a group of us in charge, and I'm being reigned in for my own good. I can't wait for the shower, and I can't wait to post pictures and blog the details in the first of three showers I'll be a part of this year at work. Ummm...yay for happy news to celebrate again and again with good friends!

Cotton Candy....In the Mail

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

It's pretty much my mission in life to tick off the postal service by seeing how weird packages can get....and what they will let me get away with sending. Postal service, meet plastic container of cotton candy for my lil' Valentine, Blythe. It came packaged up in a nice little plastic container. I added the address, and tape to make sure it remained shut. I printed off a postal sticker (less than $2 to mail), and sent this magical fluff to Blythe in sunny California as a little Valentine's treat. Then I sent off what is becoming a regular text to her Mom and Dad, 'Just sent something bizarre through the mail, let me know when and if it arrives.' Yup, it made it. Now....off to mail weird St. Patty's day stuff.....

A Tip for Arranging Flowers

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

I realize I'm far from an expert floral designer, BUT I did learn a couple of basic tricks from a friend of mine that went into the business. I used to go help her for free b/c A) I wasn't being sent a lot of flowers that that point in my life, and B) I like to do that sort of thing. I've been able to apply these tricks to put together some reasonably acceptable bouquets and arrangements for my friends as they got married, and more importantly, save them tons of money. I have a few more weddings coming up the pipe line, and so....I've decided to pass along all my knowledge. This should take about two post, and the second post is just because I'm wordy...not that I have more knowledge. BUT....if you have lived under my rock with me, and you were wondering how they get flowers to stay put in a vase b/c I'm sorry, just plopping them in doesn't work....this is a trick my friend taught me. They sell this tape, those regular tape would work OK, and you create 'squares' going back and forth. The bigger the vase, the more the squares. I also wrap a piece all the way around the vase to hold them all down long enough to arrange.

NOW start plopping the flowers randomly into the holes, and dispersing them evenly. I made these arrangments for a retirement party last summer....the colors were pink and burgandy....in case that wasn't totally obvious, I'm here to state the obvious one more time, it's really part of my charm.

Soda-Delighted You're Mine Sundae Bath Fun

2012-02-08T04:00:00.000-06:00

I've been totally in love with vintage valentine's....I won't go into this story again....because I already 'went there' yesterday when I shared the taffy/M&M sundae here. Today I'm taking the candy sundae, and the above bath salt sundae to share on Good Morning, Texas. The option to eat or relax....it's a win win. To start with, I googled 'soda shop' and vintage Valentine's Day cards and the computer shot out all sorts of cute printables like the one below.

I have seen some various bath sundaes on sale at Etsy, and I decided to try my hand.
I purchased a sundae cup for $2 at the super store, and I used some of these clear cellophane bags....I'm pretty sure I need to buy stock in these bags....I use them All. The. Time.

I went ahead and inserted it inside the cup so I didn't have to squish it in after I filled the bag. It took about a cup of the bath salt (recipe to follow) to fill this cup.

I mixed 2/3 c. espom salt, 1/4 c. baking soda, one drop of red coloring, and 1/4 t. of cherry scented oils.

I tied off the bag.

I inserted a little straw I made for decorations, and a pink spoon that can be used to scoop out the bath salt later.

A loofah rest on top for whipped frosting, and I found some heart shaped soaps for the cherry (also from the super store, the little gel balls they sell would work as well).

I'd Be 'Soda'-lighted...Valentine's Candy Bouquet

2012-02-07T00:28:00.000-06:00

I've been sort of, as in 12-step programish, obsessed with vintage Valentine's Day cards this year....and by this year, I mean....forever. I saw the cutest little card (photo to follow) that said "I'd be soda-lighted if you'd be my Valentine." Ummmm, why don't they make corny cards like this anymore? They are all sponge bobbed, and mickey moused out, and I'm all about those cute little characters too, but what if I want to give MY friends a card that is not currently running a show on the cartoon network? So, I've been hunting down vintage. I have seen approximately 8,546,345 versions of soda gifts. I saw this super cute version here at Kara's site I tried to emulate. Here's my version, not to be confused with version #2 I'll be posting about tomorrow.

The supplies needed are these little soda jars. You can grab them for under a buck at most thrift stores, or if you are already at a supercenter, they sell them individually for $2. I also grabbed a little strofoam ball from the craft store, Valentine's colored M&M's, a chocolate heart (foiled wrapped) candy, 25 pieces of taffy (which I learned the hard way was the exact number needed....after I ate two pieces), hot glue, syran wrap, a pokie stick, and a pixie stick 'straw.'

First....it took about half the bag to fill up my cup. I'm not going to promise you'll be seeing any future crafts with the other half of the bag because there was an accident that occured. In my mouth.

I covered the M&M's with syran wrap, then tripped the edges so no flakes of strofoam would join the candy. NOT that this would prevent me, but serving styrofoam is generally frowned upon in most social settings....

I then took a serated knife and cut the styrofoam ball in half.....man, half a bag of M&M's and half a bag of M&M's per project, it's almost like you could make two of these.....if you had any self control.

I then took hot glue and ran it along the rim of the flat side of the stryrofoam and popped it on top of the glass of syran wrap covered M&M's.

Here's where my pokie stick came in handy. I needed a hole for my 'straw', so....I used this plastic straw/stick to create it.

I yanked it out, and then popped in the pixie stick 'straw' I decorated with a little vintage Valentine picture on one side, and message on the other. I hot glued it into place.

I then began hot gluing the taffy onto the styrofoam ball. It took 25 pieces. Lesson learned. You could also use glue dots.

Here is the photo of the vintage Valentine I found.

I shrunk it down, and cut it into a heart shape and spiced it up with some crepe paper 'ruffle' along the edge.

I added the red heart candy to the top (glued it into place) for the cherry. You could also use a heart shaped sucker.

Hole-in-My-Heart Cupcakes

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

I saw this cute idea for cutting a heart out of a cupcake and I had to try it out with Valentine's Day right around the corner.
I baked up a chocolate cupcake....because it's my fav.

I had filled the liner with 1/4 c. batter so it would rise higher over the top, which I then cut off with a knife. I punched out a heart shape with a mini heart cookie cutter.

I took a really bad picture while trying to put the lid back on the cupcake after I hadded a little icing for 'glue.' I just used butter cream, another favorite of mine, and there is a very real possibility I'll be my own Valentine this year....so....I have to really pull out all the stops to please myself.

Pop that lid back on, and you can stop here, but....

When you are your own Valentine I like to go the extra mile and fill in the heart hole using a ziplock snipped on the edge.

I made some additional cupcakes....you know, just in case I need a last minute dessert for someone other than myself....or rather, breakfast tomorrow morning. I'm a giver.

Ladybug A Palooza

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

My friend's niece is turned one. Her sister-in-law contacted me last week about putting together a few snacks in honor of the big occasion. I have been known to throw together a ladybug project or two, so I got buzzzzy. My house was soon infested.
I made a ton of lady bug cupcakes for the guest, which I did one time in the past for a Very Hungry Caterpillar Cupcake Event.

Let me pause for a minute and say I love this cupcake holder, it's so deep that the icing actually stays in tact for cupcakes like this, thanks Taylor!

I also made a baby cake for the birthday girl. I decided to go with pink icing b/c I could see red icing being a problem if she ate with her hands, which most one year olds do....ahhh....those were the days!

I added one of the cake balls to the top that I posted about last week. I bagged these up for the favors they put together for the party.

Last up.....ladybug pretzels-I blogged about the process to making these here.

The one tip I'd administer, mostly to my future me, is to go ahead and buy chocolate covered pretzels. I didn't last time, but I was making fewer bugs on that occasion. This allows one less dipping (which can be a little labor intensive if given the time).

I was able to just melt the red chocolate, and a LITTLE milk chocolate to make the dots. I skipped the eyes this time....it just creeps me out a little when they are little eyes.

Raspberry Pinwheels

2012-02-03T10:29:00.000-06:00

I actually made these for Christmas, but December gets a little buzzzz-eeee around these parts, so I decided that raspberry filling screams Valentine's Day as well when it comes to dessert. Really, is there not a season or excuse to eat Raspberry filling? These really are tasty, and not only are they kinda cute, they also freeze well. Finding things that freeze well is sort of a hidden past time of mine. This recipe is originaly from Real Simple Magazine. I don't know if I'd add 'real' to the front of simple to describe the process...real simple is slice and bake, but these are easier than I anticipated! They also make a ton. Plus, when you add jam to a cookie, you can call it breakfast, I read it in the rule book. And without further ado.....breakfast cookies.

Raspberry Pinwheels Ingredients

Ingredients

1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, 8-oz bar cream cheese, at room temperatureClick to see savings, 1/2 cup granulated sugarClick to see savings, 1/2 t. vanilla extract Click to see savings, 2 c. flour, plus more for the work surface Click to see savings, 1/2 c. seedless raspberry jam , 1 large egg, beaten, 2 T coarse sugar

Preparation

With an electric mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla. Gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated.
Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and gently knead it 2 to 3 times, just to bring it together. Form the dough into two 1-inch-thick squares. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

On a lightly floured piece of parchment, roll one of the dough squares into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle.

Spread half the jam over the dough. Cut the dough crosswise into thirds, making three 9-by-4-inch rectangles.

Starting from the long side of each rectangle, roll into logs.

Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm, 30 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Heat oven to 350° F. Slice the logs into 1-inch pieces and space 1 1/2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush with the egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

To Freeze: Instead of refrigerating the logs, freeze them for up to 2 months. To bake, follow the recipe instructions, cutting and baking the dough from frozen, and use the upper end of the time range.

Onion Rolls

2012-02-02T00:00:00.000-06:00

I am a fan of the onion roll, except....they don't sell them in the stores around me like they used to....and since I'm single and can eat all the onions I want (which ensures I stay single...it's a vicious cycle, but at least I get to enjoy the rolls without problems)....I decided I need to do something about this little issue. So I googled the recipe to add to my collection for sandwiches and burgers and ta da....the perfect burger bun. And with football season wrapping up.....it's time for a good bye to football burger....
First up....gotta make those carmalize onions.
Carmalized Onion Recipe: Melt 1 t. of butter, 1 t. of olive oil, and an onion (sliced then) in a pan. Cook on med/high for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt. Add a dash of sugar. Cook for 30 minutes, stir occasionally, but not too much or it won't brown. Store in an airtight container for several days. One onion is enough for one recipe of the rolls.

Next up...the rolls. You can add all sorts of toppings (sesame seeds, poppyseeds, chocolate bars....whatever you feel like to the top....)
Onion Roll Recipe
Ingredients-
3 T. warm milk, 2 t. active dry yeast, 2 1/2 t. sugar, 2 eggs, 3 c. bread flour, 1/2 c. all purpose flour, 1 1/2 t. salt, 2 /2 t. butter (softened), carmalized onions
Instructions-
1. Combine 1 c. warm water, milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until yeast is foaming.
2. Whisk flour, salt. Add softened butter and blend together with hands until crumbly. Add yeast mix with plastic spatula. Add one egg. Stir until dough forms, it will be very sticky.
3. Place on a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes. Don't add too much flour or the dough will get tough.
4. Shape into a ball. Return to the bow, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled (about an hour).

5. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (I used a silplat). Shape into about 8 equal balls. Place 2 inches apart. Cover with plastic wrap lightly sprayed with cooking oil. Let rise an additional 1-2 hours.

6. Brush egg wash (1 T of water+1 egg) and carmalized onions on rolls.

7. Place a shallow bowl of water on the bottom rack of the oven. Heat over to 400 degrees. Place rolls on the top rack. Cook for 15 minutes total, turn the tray halfwaythrough the baking process. It's worth it. I promise!

Chocolate Chip Dip

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

I saw the recipe for this really easy, and delicious dip at Taste of Home's website a few months back. I had family over for dinner, and pulled it together to munch on while we played games. It's an easy, sweet, and yummy dip that would be fun at a Valentine's party....or any family dinner on any day of the week that ends in y.

Chocolate Chip Dip Recipe

Ingredients: 8 oz of cream cheese (softened), 1/2 c. butter (softened, 2 T. brown sugar, 1 t. vanilla extract, 1 c. (6 oz) mini semi sweet chocolate chips. Graham Cracker sticks....or for the really sophisticated pallets, like mine....teddy grahams.

Instructions: Beat cream cheese and butter together. Add sugarS and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Serve with graham snacks....and when you run out of those, animal crackers work too.

Football Dip

2012-01-31T00:00:00.000-06:00

This dip isn't going to win any beauty pageants, but trust me, it's all about what's on the 'inside.' Yum. I've seen a few versions of this floating around the net, this is what I like. Think queso, but easier, and....well, just yum. With football season wrapping up, I think this is just icing on the cake....or dip on the chip for those last few games. And without further ado...or rather, additional adjectives...

Football Dip

Ingredients

1 can of chili (15 oz), 2 pkg of cream cheese (16 oz total)-softened, 2 c. of shredded cheddar cheese, 4 green onions-chopped, 1 t. of red pepper flakes, Frito's.

Instructions

Mix chili, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and green onion. Bake for 20 min in a 350 degree oven. Sprinkle with red pepper. Serve with tortilla chips or Frito's

Lady Bug Cake Balls

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

I love cake balls. They are really simple to put together (though the 'decorating' part can be complex), and I think they are some of the tastiest forms of cake on planet earth....and I know my way about a good cake, trust me. I made some ladybug shaped cake balls for a lady bug themed party this past weekend...more pictures to come on a few other desserts, but....I thought I'd post these little gals along with the simple cake ball makin' steps....there are several different methods, but this is my favorite!

Step One: Bake up your favorite cake in a 9x13 pan following whatever directions your recipe calls for. I baked up red velvet. You can make homemade icing, or....just a can. I grabbed some cream cheese frosting a la Betty Crocker this go round.

As soon as the cake comes out, while it' shot, grab a fork and start shredding.

I mean, dig that puppy apart....

Until you have a pile of crumbs.....unfortunately I've had a few cakes do this when I tried to remove them from the pans....if I had only known there was a way to salvage them.

While it's still hot dump in the icing and just stir it until it's a big gooey pile of...

...icing infused....

...cake....

You can let it cool a bit at this point, or if you have pot holders for hands, now is the point to start rolling. I roll the balls about an inch in diameter.

I layer them up between wax paper, and then throw them in the freezer for an hour or a month.....whatever my needs need.

Once I'm ready to decorate, take white chocolate and melt it down at 30 second intervals between stirring. It takes mine about 1 and 1/2 minutes.

While the balls are still frozen I sometimes roll them around a bit more to try to make the balls a little more perfect. Drop them in melted chocolate.

I scoop them out with a fork so I can tap, tap, tap off the excess chocolate.

I usually use a butter knife to scrap them from the fork to the wax paper to dry...which happens quickly when they are frozen.

Decorate and dry.

Bag 'em up and bring 'em to a party.

Valentine's Day: Bear Hugs

2012-01-28T00:00:00.001-06:00

I saw the idea for combining Teddy Grahams and Gummy Bears on Pinterest. I had some left over jars from a Winnie the Pooh shower I hosted a few months back, and I decided to fill up these jars and mail them off to a few of my pint size Valentine's. Yes, these will actually make it through the mail, just slap a few stamps on the back.

I also bagged some up for an after school snack for a Staff Development my teammate and I had to put on....only in the teaching field, huh? And speaking of Teddy Bears....in a little over a month I'll be posting all about the latest baby shower I'm working on with some friends with this theme in mind....can't wait!

Chicken Enchilada Puffs

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-06:00

With the super bowl headed this way, I tried out this appetizer that I saw over at TidyMom. This was a really easy recipe to throw together, and a different way to serve up a favorite recipe.
Enchilada Puff Ingredients
1 pkg jumbo crescent rolls, 3 oz. cream cheese, 3/4 c. cooked chicken (shredded), 1/3 c. enchilada sauce, 2 t. taco seasing mix (I used the homemade recipe I posted yesterday).
Enchilada Puff Instructions
1. Preheat oven 375.
2. Place cream cheese and 1/2 c. cheese in the microwave for 40 seconds. Add seasoning, sauce, chicken and mix.

3. Divide onto the center of the rolls.

4. Fold over and place seam side down. Top with 1/4 c. cheese.

5. Cook for 15 minutes.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

I saw the recipe for making your own taco seasoning at smellslikehome. I had all but one spice, so I decided to try it out. I'm pretty sure they revoke your Texas license if the police come to your home and you aren't able to produce at least one packet of taco seasoning. My license is safe and secure a little longer. Since mixing this up, I can recommend the seasoning, but I do not recommend rubbing your eyes within about 27 days of making this....it might sting a little. ;o)
Taco Seasoning Mix
1/4 c. ancho chili powder, 1 t. garlic powder, 1 t. onion powder, 1 t. crushed red pepper flakes, 2 t. dried oregano, 2 t. paprika, 2 t. ground cumin, 3 t. sea salt, 1/2 t. black pepper

Mix.

Jar. I used these instructions for making my jar a little cuter. Cute is just an added bonus when the taco seasoning patrol swing through.

To use: Use 2 1/2 T. of seasoning instead of a packet of store taco seasoning. Combine 2 T. cornstarch with 1 c. water and stir to dissolve cornstarch. In a large pan set over medium-high heat, brown 1lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Add seasoning mix and simmer over low heat until liquid has thickened.

Crockpot Italian Chicken

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

I started on a journey to use my crockpot more last year. It was actually one of my 2011 New Year's resolutions. There are a lot of duds out there, but this one is a keeper. I cooked it quite awhile ago, but it'll warm your innards in the winter months. It's super easy to throw together, and tasty.
Crockpot Italian Chicken
Ingredients: 4 chicken breast, 1 pkg Zesty Italian Dressing seasoning, 8 oz cream cheese, 2 cans cream of chicken soup, noodles.
Instructions: Mix all ingredients except for the noodles. Cook on low for 4 hours. Add milk if it's too thick (I actually cooked it for about 9 hours b/c I was at work).

Serve over noodles. This safely makes 4 large servings.

Introducing....

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

My Goddaughter, Micah Colleen. This blog used to be about other stuff, crafts, and other....well, whatever....who cares. Let's just talk about Micah, the cutest little sugar booger, lady bug, punkin' face, little squishy bundle of cuteness that....OK....point made. I heart her so stinking much. Her mama loves the bow, so....expect lots of pink pictures and bows in the future. On a positive note for most, a super negative note for me, she lives a thousand plus miles away, so I won't be able to take as many pictures and post about this little gal as much as I would like....though her Mama sends me daily pictures. Anyway, to say that you'll see lots of crafts (and already have) in honor of my favorite bow head would be an understatement, but I'll leave it at this.

Mid January I flew up to Regan's parents house in Columbia, South Carolina for Micah's Christening.

This is my bff, Regan. We've been friends since 4th grade and we've made a lot of memories along the way and transitioned from friends, to family many moons ago.

This is the rest of the family God let me choose for myself. I claim her Mom and dad (on the right) as my own. They are such a blessing, I can't put the relationship into words except to say that I lost a lot as a little girl, but God had a plan for the people He placed in my life to take care of me, love me, and help me grow. Her aunt (right about Regan) is one of Regan's godmothers, and she was married to her uncle who entered heaven a few years ago. I had so many fun memories with the whole family, and he is greatly missed, but his spirit was present at the celebration, and I can't wait to tell Micah stories.

This is one of Regan's childhood friends, Liz. She is perhaps one of the sweetest people on planet earth. She left her twin two year olds in NC for the weekend to attend the ceremony. She has been present at all the celebrations in the past, and I look forward to seeing her again soon.

We spent the weekend together eating, talking, holding a very happy and laid back Micah (she doesn't get that from her mama or me), and catching up....and eating.

Leaving after two days was perhaps one of the hardest things I ever had to do because I had to leave a piece of my heart behind. I don't want Micha to grow up too fast, but I've got a lot of special plans for the years to come, and some pretty fun stories to share as little nugget grows.

Nacho Potato Soup

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

My extended family is really picky. About the only thing that is safe to make isthing involving cheese....and if it also involves any sort of vegetable...it better be well hidden within that cheese. Lauren brought this soup to work one day, and was kind enough to share the recipe via Taste of Home with me. I tried it out with the family awhile back, and it was a huge hit, not to mention, very easy to put together! So....if your family is like mine, or if you'd ever like to invite my family over for dinner...might I recommend this Nacho Soup? Kinda perfect for these winter months too.

Nacho Potato Soup

Ingredients: 1 pkg (5 1/4 oz) au gratin potato mix, 1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn (drained), 1 can (10 oz) rotel (undrained), 2 c. water, 2 c. 2% milk, 2 c. cubed velveeta, minced fresh parsley (I omitted this, my family is frightened by green things that might contain nutrition), tortilla chips.

Instructions: Combine potato package, corn, tomatoes, and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes (until potatoes are tender). Add milk, and cheese, cook until cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley. Serve with tortilla chips. I actually threw the soup in the fridge over night after I melted down the cheese, and heated it again the next day before serving with dinner. It was great, and saved me from having to figure out timing.

Valentine's Day: L O V E Banner

2012-01-22T00:23:00.016-06:00

I saw this banner here, it's something being sold on Etsy right now, and it's cu-ute. I made it last spring to go with a shabby sheek/beach themed shower.
I chopped some pennant shapes out of burlap, used my cricut to cut out letters on freezeer paper, and ironed them down.

I used a dabber and some white paint. That little circle dabber saves my sanity. I used to just use foam brushes to do this, but it's alwas seeped, the dabber....it's like the magic wand of projects.

The paper comes right off, and then I just hot glued these to a rope, and added those big satin ribbon (about 3 yards total). Burlap meets satin ribbon bows-they have these sort of banners in heaven.

Valentine's Day: Cherry Salad

2012-01-21T00:23:00.015-06:00

Where have I been all my life? Last year, I had this salad for the first time. My friend Jolene shared the 'salad' and the recipe. I mean, when you add sweetened condensed milk to a dish and call it a salad....could a dish BE anymore up my alley?

It's pink, so....excuse #2,345 to make this...Valentine's Day...sweet 'salads' to serve along side a romantic...or a not-so romantic dinner? Yes, please!

Here's the simple, and scrumptious recipe for..

Cherry Salad

Mix 1 can of cherry pie filling (21 oz), 1 large can of (20 oz) crushed pineapples (drained well), 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz), and 1 large container of whipped cream. Optional: Chopped Walnuts and Marshmallows. Chill and serve.

Valentine's Day: Cherry Cordial Cupcakes

2012-01-20T00:14:00.034-06:00

I love Cherry Cordials, all 99 cents of them, and when I saw this recipe for a Cherry Cordial Cupcake at Confessions, I know I had to try it out! I tried another recipe about a year ago that is similar with chocolate covered strawberries, but as a cherry lover, these are even better. :O) You start with 12 chocolate cupcakes (I actually just did 10, I find the icing to ratio cupcake is hard to conquer, and I'd rather end up with extra icing...I rarely do.
Since I'm, like, practically gourmet, I use a boxed mix. My pallet is so fine....I actually prefer box mixes....they are just so much moister than the 'real' thing. In other news, I love Kraft Mac and Cheese. Anyway, bake up your cupcakes. And then for the icing mix:
Cherry Icing: 2 sticks of butter (softened), 4 T. of juice from a jar of maraschino cherries, 4 c. of powdered sugar, and 1 t. of vanilla, beat for about a minute. Chop up about half of the cherries (about 10, more or less depending on your preference), and mix for about a minute or so until medium.

I filled a ziplock bag with icing, and I piped it high, and then I placed them in the refrigerator until chilled.

2. Dip chilled cupcakes into melted chocolate, and then press a chocolate covered cherry on top before the chocolate hardens. If you can't find the chocolate covered cherries, just plop a stemmed cherry on top.

Let the icing harden, and die of happiness. Then resuscitate yourself because there are lots of great recipes to try at Confession's website, and you don't have time to lie around being dead from delight!

Valentine's Day: Mr. Darcy Bag

2012-01-19T00:57:00.020-06:00

Pottery Barn was selling a really cute jewelry dish last year, and it launched a whole line of crafts on blogs, this is a plate I saw at the CSI Projects. I love Mr. Darcy. I love blogs. Book bags became my obsession last winter, and I decided to to make one of these for a friend who 'gets' the need to watch Pride and Predjuce one a week, every week, for the duration of our life-the BBC version with Colin Firth, of course.

I cut out the words with my cricut onto freezer paper, and ironed them down to a bag I snagged at the craft store.

I added some textile paint to the colors I was using, you mix it in, let it dry, and iron it down, and it's supposed to be washable.

I dabbed with a foam brush.

And then I peeled. Ironed. And gifted.

Valentine's Day: (New) Vintage Chocolate Boxes

2012-01-18T00:47:00.002-06:00

I saw some handcrafted 'vinatage' chocolate boxes last year on Kim's blog, and I fell in love. There are so many chocolate box critiques, but, I for one, miss these little guy's appearing. It was a yearly tradition to work through the whole box, taking one bit of each to determine the flavor. Caramals and Strawberries were eaten first. Orange was last on the list saved for desperate chocolate days. For years, I saved the lids of the boxes, but they just don't make 'em like they used to. I never thought about making my own, until now. I went through my house in search of a few supplies. Crepe paper...

Glued on for a 'ruffle.'

I added doiles, and scraps of paper, a dash of ribbon, and more crepe paper formed into flowers by just folded it in half, and rolling, rolling, rolling. I also found this super cute picture of a couple and their puppy here. I love the internet, because it helps me make new things old again.

Valentine's Day: Heart On-A-Stick

2012-01-17T00:34:00.030-06:00

My friend Mary told me that she used to buy peppermints on clearance, and she and her girl scounts used to create hearts out of two of the peppermints to deliver to nursing homes for Valentine's Day. I always wanted to try this, and I even bought candy canes anticipating this kind of project. Then, last year this was featured in Family Fun, the idea is originally from the blog The Idea Room. A lot of pals tried it out, including Erin from Making Memories, and I knew I had to do it now so I could get some rest.
How cute, how easy, and a stick? Yes, please.
A lot of the tutorials take two small candy canes, rest them down, and then pour white chocolate inside. I decided to use the larger candy canes, heat the oven on low for about 5 minutes, and then mold my hearts together, and snip off the excess.

Add a Stick...trust me, I have plenty of these on hand.

Add melted chocolate and sprinkles, another thing NOT in short supply at my house.

Wrap, and make friends.

Valentine's Day: Spread the Love-Homemade Garlic Butter

2012-01-16T00:02:00.027-06:00

Last year I made some homemade bread, and Valentine's Day wax paper to wrap it in. When I saw this cute little idea for jarring up homemade butter here, I had to add it to my bag o' tricks.

I decided to whip up some butter my pal Jennifer taught me how to make. Basically, you sprinkle garlic salt into a light butter (it's softer, and by the time you add seasoning, I can't really tell the difference).

Depending on your love of seasoing, add 2+...+...+++ T to the butter and mix to your taste.

I used jars from other products I had saved, and cleaned out with baking soda to eliminate any odor.

Make it pretty, add bread, and spread the love.