I (heart) Bakerella

Hello my friends.. I hope you are all doing well.  I just wanted to share with you these cupcakes I made for my son in law for his birthday.  I can always rely on finding something fun and unique on Bakerella's site and as soon as I saw these cute cupcakes I just knew that I wanted to make them.. 

They turned out sooo cute, I just love them.  Not quite as styling as Bakerella's but on the fly I thought they turned out pretty good.  I couldn't find the red gumballs she called for for the "cherry" so I used strawberry whoppers.. and since the cupcake is strawberry I thought it was kinda fitting.  These are so good.. strawberry, chocolate ganache.. buttercream icing and a whopper on top?!!  Heaven.  This is my new go-to birthday cake.. who's birthday is next?  lol  Just wanted to share.

On the crafty front I haven't done much lately, I've been going through all my stuff and getting rid of the junk so I can have some crafting room.  I've just been in a funk and couldn't seem to start/finish much of anything.  My sewing area is so crammed that I can't find anything and I know I have it and so I just give up looking and put everything away or shove it in a corner.  Hopefully when I clear my sewing/crafting area my brain will clear too and I can get back to it. 

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend and get plenty of sunshine!!

Love,

Let's hear it for some football!!.....

Well.. thanks to the great playoff games going on yesterday I was able to get some craftin going on...  I told myself I was not going to blog until I had something crafty to post and so I pulled out my fabrics.. searched a few tutorials and made a bag for all my rulers....it's huge!  Finally I'll have a place to store all my rulers instead of having them scattered all around my sewing room.. and while I was at it, I made 2.. the folded one in the corner I made for a buddy of mine that I owe a few presents to..  wonder who that could be  :)

It's hard for me sometimes to get going but once I started and got the ruler holders completed I wanted to sew more.. so I dug back into my fabrics and made these adorable lunch totes that I've been wanting to make.. they turned out so cute!  I only have one pictured because I still have to put the final touches on the second one but I was excited to show you. 

On Facebook a couple-three weeks ago there was a posting going around that said for the first 5 people to respond you would make something crafty and send to them some time over the course of the year... in return they had to post on their blog and keep it going...   well one of these is going to someone who responded to my post.  I hope she likes it..

It has an expandable liner so you can take taller containers..

and I used a vinyl tablecloth for the lining to make clean up easy... I really like how these turned out.  My original intention was to send both to two people.. but I think one is just going to have to stay here with me.. ya never know when a girl wants to pack a cute lunch.. lol.

I'm off to check your blogs to see what you've been up to and then finish the other lunch bag.  Have a great night everyone!

Hugs,

Giveaway at Freckled Whimsy!!

Don't you just love her blog name?  lol.. it's just too cute.  Anyway, she is celebrating her first anniversary of her blog and is having a fabulous giveaway.  Check her out..   http://www.freckledwhimsy.com/2011/01/happy-1st-birthday.html  it's an awesome blog!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hugs,

This is turning into a cooking blog..

Well, I haven't done much in the craft department today because my Gammy baby was here with me but I have to share with you these freezer biscuits I made today.  Oh my gosh.. they are soooo good.  I love a good biscuit in the morning with a little jam.. or the afternoon with a little ham.. or the evening with a little .....Spam?  ick.. no, maybe not the Spam (definitely NOT the Spam) but I couldn't think of anything else that rhymes.  Ok.. so I'm not a poet.. lol.  Anyway..  I found this recipe on the blog Real Mom Kitchen to make biscuits that you freeze so anytime you want one you just pop them in the oven.  I froze 18 and baked up the remaining 6.. I ate 2 before they had even cooled.. YUM!  Here they are as I put them in the freezer, after an hour I took them out of the dish and put 2 in snack size baggies and then put all the baggies in a gallon size freezer bag so I can cook as many as I want at any time.

The scaps I rerolled and cooked for my own pleasure.. not very pretty but that doesn't matter...

Here is the recipe...

• 4 cups flour
• 2 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp soda
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 (16 oz) container or 2 cups reduced fat sour cream
• 3-5 tsp water, if needed
• melted butter

      1.   In a food processor, add all of the dry ingredients and pulse a few times to get the ingredients mixed together.

2. Add butter to the food processor and pulse until butter is cut into pea sized pieces.  This will take a few minutes but don't overdo the dough.

3. Next, add the sour cream and and pulse until a soft dough is formed.  If the dough is too dry you can add some water.  (I didn’t need any water)

4. Remove dough from the food processor and knead a couple of times on a lightly floured surface.

5.  Roll out to 1 inch in thickness. Use a biscuit cutter or drinking glass to cut out into round biscuit shapes or cut into squares using a pizza cutter.

6. If freezing, place biscuits on a cookie sheet for about 1-2 hours, until solid. After they are frozen, place in a freezer bag to store. Use as needed.

7.  To bake biscuits whether fresh or frozen: Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and brush with melted butter. Bake at 400 for 15-17 minutes or until top is golden. Halfway through the baking process, brush the tops of the biscuits again with melted butter.  Makes 16-20 biscuits.

Now I need to find a good Buttermilk biscuit recipe to freeze.  Don't you just love a well stocked freezer?  I'm working on mine.  I use to be a random shopper.. a little of this.. a lot of that.. then throw it in the freezer and slowly it would sink to the bottom.  Not anymore, I am going through my freezer and making a list of what is in there so I can use it while I still know what it is.. lol.  I found one bag that I called a mystery dinner because I couldn't figure out what it was.. I set it on the counter and let it thaw (then I forgot about it until it was too late) but it was Chicken Cacciatore..  wasted!  Ok.. before I start rambling more I'm gonna get off here and go take a hot bath in my Sweet Pea bath salts..  a little bit of heaven! 

Have a great night all!

Hugs,

Making do on a cookie or two....

Hello my friends!  Well, I started cleaning out my pantry today and I came across 2 jars of Malted Milk that I wanted to get rid of.  I knew I had a recipe for Malted Milk Chocolate Chip cookies so I immediately started mixing it together.  Big mistake.. I should have looked or at least try to shake the malted milk because when it was time to add it to the batter I opened the container and it was rock hard..  I couldn't even chip any off with a knife.. same thing with the second container.  Well.. pooie... what to do..  I already had the shortening and sugar mixed so I decided to substitute Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix in it's place.  Mixed it in..  go to get the chocolate chips...   NO chocolate chips.  How can I be out of chocolate chips?!  I don't think I've ever been out of chocolate chips.  Ok..  poke around in the pantry some more and viola...   Heath English Toffee Bits and Ande's Creme De Menthe baking bits... Ya know what?  It all works.  Minty with a toffee crunch....  this goof might just be my new go to when I want something a little different in a cookie.  Want some?

Here is the recipe I used if anyone is interested...

1 c. butter flavored shortening
1 1/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. hot cocoa mix (not sugarless)
2 T. Hershey's chocolate syrup
2 t. vanilla extract
1 egg
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 package of both Andes mints and Heath Toffee bits (or to your taste)

With electric mixer, beat together the brown sugar, shortening, hot cocoa mix, chocolate syrup and vanilla until very creamy and smooth. Add the egg and mix again for about 30 seconds on medium. In a separate bowl mix together flour, soda and salt. With mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the creamy mixture until well blended. Give it another 30 seconds of a good beating. Hand-stir in the chips.

With a 2" scoop, place balls of dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet a few inches apart and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until very lightly golden. When finished move to a wire rack to cool. These won't last long, I promise.

Enjoy everyone!  I'm off to see what other trouble I can get into today  :)

Martha's Bath Salt Recipe

Hello my friends!  As I progress with my New Year, New Me I am also trying to become more frugal.  I had run out of bath salts and I remembered that years ago Martha Stewart had posted the recipe for a homemade Christmas gift, at that time I made it several times then filed it away totally forgetting about it until today.  It's super simple and pretty darn good considering I already had on hand everything that is called for.  She put food dye in hers to get some pretty seasonal colors but I prefer to leave mine clear.. I really would hate to get out of the bath and find myself a pretty sky blue  :)  lol.  Here are the ingredients...

1/4 cup baking soda
3/4 cup epsom salt
1 1/2 cups sea salt
10-15 drops EO of your choice (I had Sweet Pea)
20 ouce jar

It turned out so pretty and smells awesome.  The jar looks small in the photo but as you can see by the sea salt container behind it it really holds alot.  I hope you'll enjoy it.

I'm off to find something productive to do.. lol.. lord knows I have a lot I "should" be doing.  Have a great day all!!!

Hugs,

Clipping the day away....

Hello my friends!  Wow.. what a frustrating week it's been so far.  My hubby was suppose to fly to Charlotte on Tuesday for work but due to the weather he wasn't able to leave until late yesterday afternoon so we spent that time at our condo in Richmond.  I don't have a computer there so I had to use my Nook to read your blogs, but I was unable to post or comment.  BUT.. I did spend the extra time productively... as I am progressing with my New Year, New Me motto... I turned this...........

Into this...

Which fits perfectly into this...

This is how organized I USE to be.  Back when our kids were little and money was in short supply I lived for coupons.  I would clip every coupon I could get my hands on and plan my meals according to the weekly sales and my coupons.  I never bought anything full price unless it was a special occasion.  I never felt proud of my thriftyness at the time..  it was what I had to do to make ends meet back then.  As time passed and hubby was able to provide more and more I quit hassling with the coupons.  If I had just ONE penny for every time I could have used a coupon that I never bothered to clip in the last ten years our retirement would be set  :(   I have tried to use my coupons from time to time over the years and I've got about 5-10 of those little coupon holders you can pick up for a dollar but I get flustered with them because they never hold all my coupons and they are busting at the seams and then I have no place to put the coupons aside I am planning to use.  This is the system I found works for me.  For $1 I got this cute little box from Dollar Tree that I use to seperate my coupons into easy to find categories.  Yeah me!

I also got this planner for $4 at Walmart

Now hopefully I can remember to write things down so I remember where I'm suppose to be.. lol.  It's going slow, but I am going to make this year as productive as I can. If anyone has any tips I'd love to hear them!

I hope you are all having a wonderful week!  I'm off to catch up on your blogs.....

Blueberry Chocolate Squares anyone?

Hello my friends.  I knew that title would get some of you.. lol.  I know it did me.  I wanted to share with you the quilt I made over the weekend.  I purchased the kit for this quilt I saw on the Moda Bake Shop website. 

I had so much fun..  it's been awhile since I've just sat and sewed for a weekend.  I even pulled out my old Featherweight that I have had for about 6-7 years and have used maybe twice.  I don't know why I haven't used it.. it was so much fun.

And here it is all done!

I am so proud of myself.. lol.  One kit down and many, many more to go.  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I am off to find a backing for my quilt..

Blog Hopping pays off again...

Oh man..  I had so many plans to do today but ended up getting side tracked on blogs..  not complaining, but I can't get anything done while I'm sitting here clicking from blog to blog.. lol.  BUT.. I did find a blog that has some of best recipes I've seen.. and ya know I love me some recipes  :)   The blog is called "Jamie Cooks It Up"... check it out you can find her on my list of blogs on the right, there are so many recipes there I don't even know where to begin.  I did make her Chicken with Black Bean Quesadillas for dinner...  wow, they were so awesome!!  It was so easy.. as I sat here on my duff clicking away I stuck 3 large chicken breasts in the crockpot with water, oil and fajita mix.. let it cook for 4 hours..  shredded the chicken and then let it cook for another hour.....

The house smelled so wonderful...   after it was all done I placed a tortilla in a frying pan and put on some of the shredded chicken, corn and black beans.. topped it all with some mexican cheese..

folded it in half and fried till it was all golden brown............

plate it up with some sour cream.........

YUM!!!

 I think I'm caught up with the blogs for awhile.. so maybe tomorrow I can do something productive.. lol.  You'll be the first to know when I geterdone... Be well my friends!



Good morning! Wish you could join me at the kitchen table.....

Good morning my friends.  As I sit here enjoying my first sip of coffee it made me think of you and wishing that we were gathered at the kitchen table chatting about the day, the kids, hubby, laundry.. whatever.. oh how fun that would be.  When you see it written out it looks rather mundane but I enjoy sharing in your lives, sometimes I envy your creativity, but yet it brings out my own.  Even though I had quit posting I was still reading your blogs when I needed a pick me up.  I knew that if I blog hopped enough I would find a post that seemed to be made just for me.  When you were down, I joined you.. when you were elated, I virtually clapped for you.  Because you are.. my friends.

Today my plan is to dig out the new Accuquilt I got for Christmas and cut me out a new quilt (as if I need another one started...lol).  I am planning to drop off 3 quilt tops to be quilted with the longarmer (I have my own but have yet to set it up)..  see how messed up I am?!?  I own a longarm but it has been sitting in pieces for 4 years because I didn't have a place to set it up, but now that I do I'm too lazy.  Something has got to give this year.  New year.. new me.  By 2012 I will be using my own longarm and my sewing room will be pristine...   yup yup.. those who know me know I said that in 09', 10' and 11'..   but I mean it this time.... really I do  :)

Well... here I am again..

Hello my friends.  I hope you will let me call you friend.  I know some of you may be finding me for the first time but I've been blogging off and on for the past 3 years... I can't believe it's been that long.  It seems like just yesterday I started my blog but then as life will... it got in the way.  I found myself blogging less and less because I just didn't have anything I felt worthy of posting. So, I decided to start fresh and begin a brand new blog.. one devoted to my quilting and family/friends.  It's a brand new year and I've strapped on my big girl jeans and have vowed to myself to not let life get me down this year.  If you see my start slipping you have my permission to virtually slap me upsidethehead to get me back on track.. lol.  Last year I did very little sewing but somehow my fabric stash continued to build... ha..   I guess I wasn't feeling "that" bad..  but this year I am going to dig out my ufo's and all the kits/patterns I've accumulated and "geterdone".   You would not believe all the stuff I have..  I have dabbled in so many hobbies... I have bottles and bottles of paints, stencils, glues, stuff to cut/paint/stain/hang wooden items, tea stains, card making supplies, stamps, inks, embroidery supplies, threads, stabilizers, wreath makers, paper cutters, paper slicers, hole punchers, paper punchers, colored pencils, markers, fabric, more thread, hoops, I could go on and on but I'm sure you get my jist..  each of the things I listed I have every make/style/color I could get my hands on.  My husband says I am a hoarder.. but I just think of it as being prepared.. you never know when you might want to make a handmade card to send to someone (I have tubs of stamps and haven't made a single card yet)..  or you might want to make a wooden sign (I've done that twice) or embroider a nice kitchen towel for a friend (never)...  but..  should I ever want to... I can!!  Look at me.. I made a new blog to talk about quilting and I'm talking about everything but.. oh well.. there is always tomorrow!!  Be well my friends!