Splendid Things

2012-02-04T21:38:00.000-06:00

Math Ball

2011-11-05T17:52:00.005-05:00

First let me say that I stole this idea from a 4th grade teacher at the school where I work.

This is probably Teacher 101, but I thought the idea was brilliant.

Zachary does not like math and finds sitting down to do math worksheets excruciating. Sports however he loves. So in a effort to make math more fun and engaging, I bought the kids a $6 kick ball and in permanent marker I drew a bunch of triangles with numbers 1-12 in each triangle. We went out and played catch and added numbers for over an hour and had so much fun! When the ball is caught, you add (or subtract, multiply, etc) the 2 numbers that your thumbs land on. Well worth the $6 investment plus the kids now have another ball to add to their collection. :)

2011-10-26T19:22:00.003-05:00

Caramel Apple Cupcakes from Yourcupofcake.com

So delicious and perfect for fall!

You'll want to check out other recipes on this site as well.

New in the Shop and SALE!

2011-10-11T15:47:00.003-05:00

New in the shop~

Enter this coupon code at check out and save 15% off the retail price of any item in my shop:

blogdiscount

Mailman play set

2011-09-05T19:28:00.006-05:00

Lucas's teacher has a wish list and some of the items on the list are occupation type dress up play sets for the kids to use during center time for pretend play.

I decided to make a mailman play set since I had lots of time on my hands this weekend.

It was fun to be creative with this set and it was actually pretty inexpensive since I used primarily felt.

You can open the little envelopes and in each one is a shape or pretend note.

Lucas has already had lots of fun playing with the set this weekend.

House pics~

2011-09-05T19:17:00.008-05:00

Ok....for those of you that aren't family, you may want to skip right over this post as you probably won't be interested.

If you are family you may not be interested either! ha! :)

These are picture of the interior of the new rent house.

View as you enter the front door ~ Josh's office area:

If you are standing in the entry way and look to the right...you see the formal living room (and Josh):

Looking to the right from Josh's office area is the kitchen/dining:

Another view of the office area:

Boys room:

Bathroom:

Looking down hall from boy's bedroom back to kitchen area:

Italian Cream Sodas~

2011-08-27T15:56:00.004-05:00

Fill glass half full with ice

Add 1/4 cup of simple syrup flavoring (I like Torani and the fruit flavors work best)

Add 1/4 cup of half and half

Add 1/2 cup of soda water

Stir

Top with whipped cream ( Redi-Whip in the can is easy)

Enjoy!

(The soda pictured above was made using Torani's orange flavored simple syrup. Tastes like a Dreamsicle!)

Back to School

2011-08-23T13:17:00.003-05:00

Lucas- Kindergarten / Zachary- 3rd grade

Well the day passed with only a few tears (mostly mine).

Shockingly, Lucas brought home the Gold Star for having the cleanest desk. I should have photographed it as that will likely be the last time he receives the award.

And in case you were wondering, apparently there are no cute girls in either class.

(Mom!!! uggh!!!)

Chili Chocolate Cookies

2011-08-14T15:16:00.005-05:00

My sister who lives in Albuquerque (and is possibly the only person who still actually reads this blog) was telling me about a local cookie bakery that she visited not long ago. One of the cookies she sampled included chocolate and chilies and she loved the unique flavor. Soon afterwards I came up with this cookie that I think is both out of the ordinary and delicious.

Chili Chocolate Cookies~

2 sticks butter, cold cubed and unsalted

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp Mexican vanilla (ok to use regular vanilla too)

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 tsp coarse salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ground chili peppers (SEE NOTE!)

1 bar chili chocolate, coarsely chopped (SEE NOTE!)

12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars. Mix in vanilla and eggs one at a time. In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, baking soda and chili pepper powder. Mix this flour mixture into the creamed mixture until just barely incorporated. You should still see some streaks of the cocoa/flour in the dough. Add the coarsely chopped bar and the chocolate chips in by hand. Bake at 350 on parchment paper lined baking sheet until just barely set. Allow to cool on pan for one minute and then remove to plate to cool completely.

Notes:

This is the Chili Chocolate bar that I used. You can find them on the candy aisle of the grocery store.

Don't use Chili Powder which incorporates garlic, onions etc. I found this ground chili pepper jar in the baking section aisle of the grocery store near the other spices. It is only chili peppers without added spices, etc. I use 2 tsp but you can used more or less to your taste.

New in the shop~

2011-08-06T14:08:00.002-05:00

Find them here

Just Stuff~

2011-08-03T12:49:00.007-05:00

We literally got all our boxes in the door of our new home and then left for vacation.

Tennessee was beautiful.

I would move there today.

It was so relaxing and we really needed a break from the chaos.

I have always wanted to see a bear in the wild and finally did.

Now we are knee deep in boxes, but so glad to be in the new house with several weeks of the summer left to unpack.

This week in Photos

2011-07-09T13:24:00.006-05:00

I found the easiest way to bathe the dog is in the shower.

Even easier.... have your 8 year old do it~

Happy 5th Birthday to Lucas~

Are my kids the only ones who bite their nails constantly?

Toenails that is~

This week in pictures~

2011-07-02T20:15:00.006-05:00

Don't let this fool you.

These two have been fighting non-stop all summer.

My ears are bleeding.

We are moving.

Again.

Uggh!!!!

In an effort to keep the kids ~~out of my hair and from killing each other~~ entertained, I've built a strange labyrinth around the living room floor with moving boxes and blankets.

It actually worked for awhile today.

Then they started fighting again.

Apparently I didn't make the entrance big enough for 2 kids to lay in at the same time.

Wow! I wish I got a nickel for every time I found a clip randomly attached to a bag of cereal.

I can't tell you how many lessons we have had on how to roll the bags down and then secure them with a clip.

I wonder what's going through their heads when they stick the clip on the side of the bag.

These are delicious.

I'm currently smiling just thinking about them.

I add 1/4 cup cream and 1/2 cup "chopped to almost nothing but powder" pecans to mine.

They're from my favorite cooking blog.

Ever.

Happy 4th everyone!!!!

New in Shop~

2011-06-21T13:42:00.003-05:00

DIY Vintage ornaments!

And a few finished:

Find them here

New in the shop...

2011-06-18T18:08:00.002-05:00

Find it here.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

2011-06-12T20:02:00.003-05:00

Super easy.

Not too sweet.

Delicious!

After an incredibly busy weekend, I was craving something "chocolaty" but not too much trouble to make.

These were perfect.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

6 squares (1 oz each) semi-sweet chocolate

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 2/3 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup mini chocolate chips (standard size work fine as well)

Preheat oven to 400.

Over low heat, melt chocolate squares with butter.

Let stand off heat about 10 minutes to cool. (Can put in refrigerator as well.)

Lightly beat egg.

Stir together the chocolate-butter mixture, buttermilk, sugar, egg and vanilla until well blended.

In another bowl, stir together the flour, salt and baking soda.

Make a "hole" in the center of the dry ingredients.

Add the wet ingredients until just combined.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill paper lined muffin cups about 3/4 full and bake at 400.

Cook until done using the toothpick test.

Day in Photos

2011-06-10T09:35:00.006-05:00

~My kids never miss their morning appointment with Mario.~

~The Ganache topped Bittersweet brownies are made for tonight's company.~

~Preparing to wash 1, 673, 986 dishes by hand.

No, we do not have a dishwasher.

Thank you paranoid landlord.~

~ May I join you, Opal?~

~Enjoying Snicker's Icebox Pie with friends~

Winner!!!!

2011-06-07T21:24:00.004-05:00

First, let me say thanks to all of you who entered

the contest for $20 worth of fabric from Fabrics Boutique!

And a BIG thank you to Mary of Fabrics Boutique for

providing the gift certificate!

And the winner is:

(Thanks to Zachary for drawing the name for me!)

Congratulations to PuffPastryShop!

I'll be in contact with you so you can pick out some

delicious fabric!

Please continue to shop at Fabrics Boutique for a great variety of fabric and patterns!

On another note, I just finished reading this:

HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!

(But have an entire box of tissue handy)

Cheers~

School's Out for Summer~ And a Giveaway!

2011-06-02T17:57:00.004-05:00

The kids got out of school yesterday which means the fighting began at 8 am sharp.

I think it had something to do with Lucas's feet finding their way onto Zachary's blanket.

I plan on doing a lot of sewing and cooking this summer.

I will probably do more refereeing.

If your Summer plans include crafting and sewing, have I got a giveaway for you!

Mary of Fabrics Boutique has GENEROUSLY offered one of you, my sweet readers, a gift certificate for $20 to her shop!

Which means you can get your hands on A LOT of fabric or supplies for your summer projects!

I'll be honest, several thoughts went through my mind when I found out about Mary's generosity:

*I wonder if it's unethical to enter your own giveaway?

*Maybe Josh would like to enter this giveaway.

Zachary and Lucas too. They like fabric.

I've decided to play fair.

However, if my sweet sister who does not sew would like to enter this giveaway I want to remind her that she is welcome to. I'm sure she could find a loved one to mail the gift certificate to. ;)

Ok~ Just let me know your favorite listing at Fabrics Boutique in the comments below. That's it. You each get one shot. I'll announce the winner late Tuesday.

Get to know Mary better:

Believe it or not my background is actually in science. I was an environmental toxicologist for over 11 years and for then taught secondary for seven years. Five years ago ago my youngest son was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy resulting from a prenatal stroke. What a blessing his condition was diagnosed early! However, it became increasingly difficult to meet my teaching obligations and take my son to his physical and occupational therapy appointments (twice a week, two hours round trip for each visit), doctor's appointments, etc. So in June 2006, I "retired" from teaching to be with my son. However, due to economic conditions I have had to return to teaching part-time. During all of this time I also owned two antique shops and a gift shop. So within a couple of months of retiring from teaching, I was looking for something I could do from home to stay busy and bring in some extra income. My mother taught me (and my daughter) to sew at an early age and I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. I collect handmade papers and fabrics--although I usually don't have a project in mind when I buy them. (LOL You sewers and scrapbookers with a stash that is taking over your living space understand what I mean! ) I also love vintage and antique linens, porcelain, china, flowers, tea time etc. So in October 2006 I opened Sew Graceful. Although my emphasis is on quilt shop quality fabrics and patterns, vintage linens, and handcrafted soft goods...every once in a while you will also find some estate sale treasures-- fine porcelain and china, tea time treasures, and romantic cottage decor and personal accessories.

Thanks again, Mary!!!!!

Photo Catch Up~

2011-05-31T15:00:00.008-05:00

There are several "Urban Farms" in our neighborhood.

I love buying farm fresh eggs from our neighbors.

It was 99 degrees today! Summer is HERE

and the boys have had plenty of "water fun" already.

Some new items in the shop ready for a (your) new home~

AND, FRIENDS.... There is a giveaway coming later this week!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to Me~

2011-05-08T18:51:00.007-05:00

As much as I love to cook, it was so nice to have a day off!

Josh grilled burgers for us and made homemade salsa.

Of course, he had some helpers.

My mother passed away in 1998.

Her favorite flower was a daisy.

Josh always makes sure I have daisies in my

Mother's Day bouquet in addition to my favorite flower, the carnation.

How lucky are we that a shaved ice stand moved in only 2 blocks from the house?????!!!!

Of course, we had to check it out.

Zachary gave the new stand a thumbs up.

Lucas gave it 150 thumbs up.

Josh gave it an "I like it."

(That's 150 thumbs up in Josh talk.)

The stand gave the kids stomach aches.

Happy Mother's Day!

Black Bean and Couscous Salad

2011-05-03T07:45:00.004-05:00

Recently we've been trying to eat more healthy, meat free dishes.

By trying, I mean we have talked about it a lot and have only done it once.

This is a great dish that I found on Allrecipes.com and changed up just a bit.

It was really good and super fast to throw together.

We ate it as a main dish but it would be a great side dish as well.

Recipe for Black Bean and Couscous Salad~

1 cup uncooked plain couscous

1 1/4 cup chicken broth (use vegetable broth to make completely meat free)

3 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp lime juice (about 2 juicy limes)

1 tsp red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp cumin

3 Tbsp dried minced onion (You could cut up about 1/2 of a REAL onion. You know I can't stand a REAL onion.... something to do with Grub Worms...)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 cup frozen corn

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

salt and pepper to taste

Boil broth and add couscous. Remove from heat, stir and cover. Let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together oil, lime juice, vinegar and cumin. Add onion, cilantro, corn and beans. Toss to coat. Fluff couscous with fork and add to mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Yield: 10-12 servings

In the shop~

2011-04-30T16:16:00.004-05:00

~Find them here~

Catching up~

2011-04-24T15:59:00.013-05:00

I just realized that I have about 136 food (sweets!) posts in a row (minus the shirt re-do),

so here's what has been going on in the Allday household:

The van got mistreated this week.

I'm sure the would be robbers were very dissapointed at what they found.

Or in this case didn't find.

Unless you're in the market for an old diaper bag, a broken soccer chair or boogery car seats, there's not much of value in there.

Except my Austin Entertainment Coupon Book.

I was so relieved that they left it.

Dumb criminals.

By the end of the day, Josh and Lucas had the van looking brand new.

Soccer season is in full swing

You can buy this here.

If you do I will give you 10% off. Just let me know you found it here.

Happy Easter everyone!!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-04-24T15:40:00.004-05:00

This is a great Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe because:

A. The cookies taste great

and

B. It is super easy to throw together and can be made by hand.

For those of you that keep your mixer on the counter top this is not a big deal. I have to store mine away in a closet so I like a recipe that can be stirred together entirely by hand.

It uses shortening (I know, I know) but the shortening actually lends to a crispy texture on the outer edges of the cookie and you can still have the soft chewy interior.

1/2 cup butter, softened but not melted

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix butter, shortening and sugars. Don't overmix~ use a heavy spoon and mix by hand. Mix in vanilla and eggs. Sift dry ingredients together. Add them to the wet mixture. Stir until JUST combined. You should still be able to see some flecks of flour in the dough. Add chocolate chips. Scoop large and equal size cookies onto parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 350 until just starting to brown on the edges. The interior of the cookie will look under baked. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes until the cookie is "set" enough to remove without falling apart.

Shirt Re-Do

2011-04-19T16:23:00.005-05:00

I bought this simple tank top to wear with some of my

summer skirts to soccer games, shopping, etc

but didn't like that it looked like a plain and manly undershirt.

So I hand sewed some "petals" on and made it a little more girly.

Super easy project that can be done while watching your fav. evening TV show.

(Let me know if you want a little tutorial on making the petals and I'll put one together. There's TONS on the internet, too.)

Butterfinger Blizzard Cupcakes

2011-04-14T17:52:00.006-05:00

I found a little gem of a recipe a few days ago on this great site... Butterfinger Blizzard Cupcakes. I made them today and they are seriously delicious and super easy to make.

You can even mix the cupcake ingredients by hand with a wire whisk and save your mixer for the frosting.

linked here:

http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/04/sweets-for-saturday-14_22.html#comment-form

catching up~

2011-04-12T15:32:00.005-05:00

Ha! I'm always "catching up!"

Opal escaped last week and apparently had the time of her life roaming the neighborhood. Rumor has it that she had traffic stopped coming and going on a major street near our house. The sweet lady that found her said Opal enjoyed some R and R playing with her dog and cat in her backyard. Meanwhile 2 little boys were beside themselves looking for her. It was so sad to see Zachary squeaking her little toy and calling for her!

Just made 12 of these cupcake toppers for a customer in California and love the way they turned out. There are just a few for sale in the shop, but I'm thinking of making more sets to list.

Speaking of cupcakes, when I purchased the above cupcake, there was a "tip jar" on the counter at the bakery. I was the only customer in the shop and the man behind the counter was just sitting and listening to his ipod. When we came in, he was super friendly to us, joking with the kids and carrying on. When I paid without leaving a tip he changed instantly. It was hilarious! I hate, hate hate tip jars. I never leave a tip in a counter-top tip jar. Never. Never-ever. But I'm thinking about bringing my own tip jar into shops from now on.

(confidential to my husband....please do not read any further.....)

When your 4 year old drops his sucker on the dirty parking lot, is it bad parenting to encourage him to "Hurry! Hurry! Pick it up and eat it before the germs crawl onto it?"

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

2011-04-04T15:20:00.004-05:00

Made these bars this weekend and they were so, so yummy! Josh says they may be the best dessert I have ever made. While you are visiting the recipe site, have a look around. Your tummy will thank you.

2011-03-26T18:32:00.004-05:00

This weekend 2 of my longtime friends got married.

{not Lucas :) }

And it was a match made in Heaven!

Go here to read about how they got together.

(p.s. don't overcook and enjoy by dunking in a glass of milk!)

For your review

2011-03-26T14:33:00.008-05:00

New in the shop~

(a few others there as well...)

Happy Birthday, Zachary

2011-03-22T15:53:00.008-05:00

I'm still trying to recover from the Friday night whirlwind that was Zachary's 8th birthday party/sleepover.

Actually, it wasn't bad. Really it wasn't.

(I'm serious!)

They had hotdogs, Pokemon, cake, Pokemon, football games, Pokemon, pillow fights, oh and Pokemon.

The kids were very polite and well mannered.

I even had one little boy ask permission before he whacked the dog with his pillow.

The worst part of the entire event?

No, not the dirt on the carpet.

Not straightening the couch cushions 118 times.

Not feeling like I was "right at work."

It was the entire crew waking up at 5:50 am....on a Saturday morning....on Spring Break.

I haven't been up that early since Lucas was a newborn.

My kids aren't even allowed to get up that early.

At least there was a nap for me and an early bedtime for my kids on Saturday night! :)

Happy birthday, Zachary! I love you!

It's that time of year again~

2011-03-14T15:34:00.003-05:00

And looks like Lucas will be easy to spot this season:

Hot Fudge Root Beer Floats~

2011-03-04T19:30:00.006-06:00

First, let me apologize for not including a picture of these. The lighting was poor, the kids were acting like this was their 1st meal in a month and I was trying to make the picture "pretty" despite the weird brown background that is our wood paneling and old wooden table. Needless to say the photos were less than appetizing. I hope to post a picture in the future.

So you'll just have to take my word for it that these were both pretty and delicious.

1. Make hot fudge sauce

2. Fill glasses with vanilla ice cream

3. Top with a ridiculous amount of hot fudge sauce

4. Pour IBC root beer over the top

5. Listen to your 4 year old say, "Mom, this is SO, SO Yummy!" at least 5 times.

I've included a wonderful recipe for homemade hot fudge sauce. It was given to me by my friend, Suzie, who was gracious enough to share it with me. Super easy and super yummy to make. Plus you can heat it to a thick consistency or take it off the heat when still very "liquidy."

(Suzie, are you out there???? I don't think so....

I realize there are only 3 of you who actually read this.

Maybe just 2.)

By the way, this is not Suzie. However, I'm sure this is Suzie Homemaker.

Catching up~

2011-02-23T13:55:00.009-06:00

Ok. While I realize you have thoroughly enjoyed looking at my "Triangle Wrapping Tutorial" for the last 20 days, the show must go on~

A few weeks ago, the kids got 2 days off school because of our "big" 1 inch snow storm!

If you live in central Texas then you already know that school

gets cancelled at the mere hint of snow.

If you live elsewhere, then don't ~~make fun of us~~ be jealous of us.

This may be one of the top 5 cookie recipes in the world.

Go make some.

Well, I'm actually employed now.

And while technically a "lunchroom monitor," it's easier just to refer to me as the lunch lady.

This may be the most romantic gift I have ever received for Valentine's Day.

Seriously.

Love it and love my husband's sense of humor.

I just love this new banner that is in the shop. It's made from vintage playing cards and handmade fabric "ribbon."

For those of you asking, " I wonder if it is worth the time and effort to make your own handmade ribbon?"

No. It is not.

Triangle Wrapping Tutorial

2011-02-03T20:51:00.012-06:00

I'm a sucker for cute gift wrapping.

So when I saw these little paper packets online, I knew I wanted to make some.

Here's how:

You can start with just about any size of paper. I used scrapbook paper for mine, but you can also use regular wrapping paper. I made a few Valentine packets (don't know what else to call these!) for the boy's teachers and used them to wrap little bags of candy. For the Valentine ones, I started with a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper.

Because my candy bag wasn't very big, I folded the left edge of the paper over a little. I suppose you could just cut it off, but if does make a nice "hemmed" edge.

Fold the right side of the paper about 3/4 (or a little more) over the candy (or whatever you are wrapping).

Now fold the left side over the top.

Sew across the bottom to secure the papers. I used a standard stitch length and backstitched at the beginning and the end.

Now pinch together the top side of the papers in the opposite way of the seam you just made.

And sew the papers together in the same way.

Clip the hanging threads.

For decorative purposes, use speciality scissors to make a nice border. Or use pinking shears.

Decorate with ribbon or other embellishments.

I am considering making some little rings for my Etsy shop.

If I do, I will package them in little packets like this to send to my customers.

You can make these little packets in any size.

Here is a tiny one I made that would perfectly hold a little ring.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you make any...would love to see them!

Seriously?

2011-01-26T20:59:00.004-06:00

You can find some great bargains on Craigslist as well as your local chapter of freecycle.

But you can also find a lot of junk.

Some of the ads I read just crack me up!

Recent ad on Freecycle:

I never chew gum, these packets have just appeared in my house after guests have been here. I've got one half-pack of Eclipse Breeze (Exotic Mint) and one nearly-full pack of Solstice 5 gum. Please email me to arrange a pick up!

Is someone going to even walk across the street to get these?

Recent ad on Craigslist:

Demolished 50' of sidewalk, so we have a bunch of "Urbanite". All shapes and sizes, colors and textures. Conveniently located next to the street, so easy to load on a trailer.

Translation:

I'm too lazy to haul off my broken up sidewalk, so if I make it sound

valuable enough, maybe you'll do it for me.

And last but not least,

found on Craigslist:

I have finally decided to go ahead and put my stuffed Opossum (possum) taxidermy up for sale. I have had this for quite a while and while I think it is one of the most awesome things ever, my wife is not the biggest fan. As you can see from the pictures that it is in its scary / attack pose. It is mounted on the branch and the branch has a metal loop to hang it on the wall. It is a bit older and while it is still in really good shape you can tell its age a bit in the ears. I would be willing to see about a deal for a different piece of taxidermy that maybe my wife might not be so freaked out by. Go ahead and email me with what you have and we will see what we can work out.

New in shop~

2011-01-25T20:41:00.004-06:00

I'm getting a little work done tonight

in an attempt to avoid listening to the background noise

that is the State of the Union Address~

This adorable bunting was just listed in the shop:

I plan on making more in the near future.

Have a great night!

Carmel Toffee Cake

2011-01-23T14:23:00.006-06:00

Easy to make? Check

Quick to assemble? Check

Delicious? Check

Healthy? Well, not so check

I found this recipe in a Taste of Home Magazine

and tweaked it only a little bit.

It's very easy to make and super dense and yummy.

The chocolate chip and toffee bar filling really makes this cake!

Happy eating~

Carmel Toffee Cake

8oz Heath or Skor bar, chopped

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

(combine all the above)

3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp Kosher salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

(combine all the above)

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1 /4 cups buttermilk

Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time beating well after each one.

Mix in vanilla.

Add the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk beating well after each addition.

Grease and flour a bundt pan.

Pour 1/3 of the batter into pan and top with 1/3 of the toffee mixture.

Repeat 2x.

Bake 350 for 50-65 minutes.

(Use toothpick test)

Cool 10 minutes and then turn out of pan to cool completely.

For icing:

1/4 cup butter, cubed

2 tsp flour

1 can (5 oz) evaporated milk

1 cup brown sugar

In saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth.

Gradually add evaporated milk and brown sugar.

Bring to boil and then cook and stir for 4-5 minutes until thickened.

Cool slightly. Drizzle over cake.

(12 servings)

On another note,

we have a container full of delicious, homemade marshmallows!

Here is the recipe that I used.

New in shop~

2011-01-12T17:22:00.003-06:00

Vintage bracelet in seafoam green~

In shop here

Kid Stuff~

2011-01-11T07:50:00.005-06:00

What does a 4 year old buy with some of his Christmas money?????

A neck tie of course!

He basically hasn't taken it off.

The first 2 nights he slept in it and was upset at me

the next day when he discovered I had removed it in the night

for fear that he would choke himself.

Poor Zachary had a bad case of pink eye last week and missed school on Friday.

I know he's really sick when he literally lays on the couch all day

and doesn't even have the energy to play video games.

(well, that and the fact that his eye looked like a golf ball!)

Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies~

2011-01-07T19:13:00.005-06:00

So one of my New Years Resolutions is to eat healthier.

And since I usually have some form of dessert after dinner every night,

just cutting back to a few nights a week is eating healthier for me.

I've decided to make a nice dessert for the family on Friday nights

and skip dessert on ~~almost all of the~~ other nights.

You can't imagine all the cravings I've had this week, just thinking about

this upcoming Friday night event.

At the top of the list?

This:

Blows Starbucks out of the water.

For tonight's dessert, I decided to make a cookie that I found on the Food Network.

The recipe is from Giada De Laurentis and I only tweaked it a little.

Wow! These cookies are so, so delicious.

I was afraid that my zeal for them might be some kind of dessert withdrawl,

but Josh and Zachary loved them as well.

They're a bit more work than a standard Chocolate Chip Cookie and a bit more expensive to make as well but really, really worth it for a change.

Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies ~

1/2 cup quick oats

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt (I used Kosher)

1 cup unsalted butter at room temp.

1 cup sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 oz chopped toffee bits

12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup hazelnuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 325. Toast nuts in oven and then chop into fine bits in food processor. Set aside. Run oats through food processor as well to a fine crumb. Combine oats with flour, powder, soda and salt. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture my hand until just combined. Add toffee, choc. chips and nuts and stir until just incorporated. Bake on parchment paper lined baking sheet until just starting to brown. The cookies will look and be underbaked. Allow to cool a few minutes on baking sheet until "set" enough to remove to plate to cool completely.

Scarf~

2011-01-01T19:55:00.007-06:00

If you love fashion tutorials, I encourage you to visit this website.

Disney (the blogger's name....not the wonderland!)

is an expert and has one of the most creative minds!

I saw this tutorial for a t-shirt to scarf months ago

and finally got around to making one of my own last month.

I used 2 white, x-large men's t-shirts and dyed some of the white fabric gray.

Remember the necklace from yesterday's post?

That's what I made from the left over fabric.

Let me know if you try one of your own or anything else from Disney's blog.

By the way, how do you like my lovely pictures?

This is what was really going on~

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T15:03:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year to each and every one of you!

Be safe as you celebrate tonight!

If you are like me and staying in tonight,

perhaps you would like to do some online shopping???

New in the shop:

New finds~

2010-12-19T13:57:00.003-06:00

Went garage sale shopping this weekend

and found a few vintage treasures!

They are both in the shop~

Bloomin' Onion Bread

2010-12-18T08:13:00.004-06:00

Well, guess who's been sick for a week now????

But the show must go on, so today I wanted to share a wonderful recipe with you. This may be just the thing you are looking for for a holiday appetizer.

I got the recipe from Your Home Based Mom.

It's super easy to make and taste really, really good.

I made it just like the original recipe, but it could be easily changed

to suit other taste. I think it would be great as well with some things like garlic, or rosemary

or different kinds of cheeses.

Be sure to use a good hearty and heavy sourdough so it won't fall

apart during the slicing stage.

Look at all this carb goodness ready to go into the oven!!!!

Bloomin' Onion Bread~

1 unsliced sourdough round loaf (use a good quality artesian bread)

1 lb Monterrey Jack cheese

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup finely diced green onion (include white part)

2-3 tsp. poppy seeds

Using sharp knife slice bread going both directions (think lattice pie crust). Place slices of cheese in between cuts. Mix together the butter, onion and poppy seeds and pour over bread. Wrap entire loaf in foil and place on baking sheet. Bake 350 for 15 minutes. Unwrap and bake 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

By the way, I spotted something as rare as a Sasquatch this week!

O Christmas Tree ~ In Pictures

2010-12-06T21:31:00.012-06:00

Josh teaching the kids what to look for when picking out a tree.

Josh: What does this one look like?

Me: Like an EXACT replica of the last 43 we looked at.

My job is always to plunge my hands into the sap encrusted tree and slowly spin it around so all sides can be viewed.

A Texas sleigh ride.

Each year I attempt to get a picture of these 2 characters in front of the tree~

OK, I'll take it~

Love to see their excitement~

Scrabble Tiles~

2010-12-04T15:39:00.002-06:00

Hey crafters~

If any of you do altered scrabble tile pendants (or anything else using scrabble tiles), I have some for sale in the shop. Check it out here. They are only about 10 cents each!

Easy and Unique Recipe Cards~

2010-12-02T08:10:00.005-06:00

Wanted to share an easy and unique way

to make cute recipe cards for your personal file.

(By the way, the above recipe is my favorite apple pie recipe adapted

from Allrecipes.com. SO, SO good!!!)

*1st- Take photo for a background.

I like to use a photo of the baked good itself as a background.

It's a great reminder of what the finished product looks like. :)

You can also use cute kitchen items, retro aprons, landscapes,

your kids sweet faces, etc.

*Load photo on Picnik.com. or photo editing site of your choice.

I love Picnik. It's very user friendly and it's free.

Once your photo is loaded, you can use various tools that the

website offers to edit the photo. You can choose to change

it to black and white, to soften it, to correct red eye, and on and on.

*Once photo is edited as you want it, add text (under the "create" heading at Picnik)

to write your recipe on the photo.

Save the final photo recipe card when finished.

*Load the image on to a photo printing site.

I like to use Walgreens.com because it is convenient, user friendly

and you can almost always find a coupon for cheap prints.

*Order your cute recipe cards! (At Walgreens.com you

can have them printed at a store of your choice or have them

mailed.)

You can have them printed in various sizes to fit your own recipe box.

I have many recipes printed this way in my personal recipe card box.

I have also printed these out in the past to enclose in a card

for a new bride. You could also attach them to a baked good

that you are giving to a friend or loved one.

Happy creating!

Weekend Pictures (and playing with Picnik)

2010-11-29T16:07:00.005-06:00

Mr. Tough Guy's 2 day mohawk~

(it's gone now....but I actually really liked it for a change!)

Lucas~

Using my favorite free photo editing website, Picnik.com

Look what I won~

2010-11-23T15:09:00.004-06:00

So a few weeks ago I entered a giveaway

for some adorable custom address labels....

and I won!!!!

Amy of Amyzo sent them my way and I absolutely love them!

They are adorable and my photo taken on this hazy day does not do them justice.

Amy customized them to match our family and even

created the owls with the same eye color as each member of our family.

I encourage you to check out her shop.

She also has sweet holiday cards and the cutest mommy calling cards!

Thanks, Amy!!!

Just random stuff~

2010-11-21T14:18:00.004-06:00

Lucas is starting to dress himself now.

This is how he went to preschool on Friday.

Thankfully, he decided to leave the bicycle helmet in the van before going in.

I had him change out of his "Mario" shoes when I realized they were at least 3 sizes too big for him.

Just finished this blanket last night.

It's in the shop now.

(By the way, I got the Sandi Henderson fabric from this shop.

She has great prices and will do custom cuts.)

For those of you looking for some holiday recipes (or regular recipes for that matter)

allow me to introduce you to THE BEST, and I do mean THE BEST food blog in bloggy land.

I realize that once you click over here, you will never return to me.

So I will miss ~~both of~~ you, but in the season of Thanks and Giving, I feel I must let you in on

this little secret.

Melanie is someone who I would like to meet in person.

You know to ~~have her cook dinner for me~~ talk and chat.

Cheers~~~~~

Holiday Gift Ideas~

2010-11-18T16:02:00.009-06:00

Well, I've been a little MIA lately!

Busy, busy, busy...but I wanted to check in and share a few holiday treats that I found on Etsy.

Love this card.

I have purchased cards from this seller before and her work is outstanding.

I think this holiday one is such a great idea.

Let me say, I would hang this in my kitchen in a second!

Actually, this is the way I have felt lately! :)

I think this shop is brilliant!

Wouldn't this be fantastic instead of using a traditional gift box?

Love it!

You can find it here.

Look at this adorable little girl!

This shop is filled with beautiful gifts!

Ok, now go browse!

I'm hoping to be back again sooner than later!

Girl's craft Night~

2010-11-08T13:41:00.007-06:00

Wow~ We had so much fun at our girl's craft night this weekend!

I wanted to introduce you to the attendees:

Meet Vicki~

Vicki is my sweet friend of 9 years.

Ironically, her mother-in-law was my husband's 1st grade teacher!

Vicki owns a music and dance studio for children that serves

the greater North Austin suburbs.

You can check it out here.

Meet Paige~

Paige is a new friend, but already I know she has

such a big heart and is just as sweet as can be.

She is a social work student at UT here in Austin

and enjoys making jewelry and cards.

She also won our Buzzword Bingo game!

Meet Ashley~

And Brittany~

They are sisters and such great friends!

So, so creative you can find some of their fantastic creations in

their Etsy shop here .

What you can't see in the picture is Brittany's newborn baby, Iris, next

to her on the couch or Ashley's soon-to-be-born

baby in her tummy!!!!

Thanks, girls, for making this night so much fun!

newest treasury~

2010-11-08T08:29:00.000-06:00

Cottage Chic Decorative Pi...
KenilworthPl...
$28.00 USD
Regal Yellow Dupioni Raw S...
bonzie
$79.00 USD
SALE Vintage Colors 5 x 7
dearmachine
$7.00 USD
Anthology Fabrics, High So...
FabricFlair
$24.00 USD
Modern Green Pattern Broke...
TheBrokenPla...
$40.00 USD
Egg Blue and Grey Heather ...
outofline
$128.00 USD
Madeleine Necklace
tamar
$54.00 USD
Reused /Recycled Box for y...
KalliaSuppli...
$2.50 USD
Violets and Pansy Garden a...
roselanijasm...
$240.00 USD
NEW--LA POMME DARK YELLOW ...
ikabags
$59.00 USD
Shabby Chic Milk Glass and...
TheArtofChic
$12.00 USD
Handmade Bookmarks - Corne...
seasonaldeli...
$5.50 USD
Fresh Rose Ring - FREE shi...
lizhutnick
$12.00 USD
Lady Guinevere Romantic Se...
bohemianhipp...
$46.80 USD
Spring flowers -- red popp...
RomanticColl...
$27.00 USD
Slice Of Soap Cake-Lavende...
MyNaturesArt
$7.50 USD

Just listed~

2010-11-04T16:48:00.006-05:00

New in the shop~

2010-11-02T13:03:00.004-05:00

I fell in love with this gorgeous Moda fabric from Kate Spain's Fandango line:

So it's now a baby blanket:

You can get it here.

Birthday weekend

2010-11-01T08:05:00.007-05:00

So this past Friday was my birthday (36!!!!).

And what's more fun on a mom's birthday than watching the children decapitate Mario?

(by the way, my kids dress like this constantly)

Josh also took me out to Lake Travis for a romantic birthday dinner~

sunset overlooking the lake

My goodness, I love this man! :)

Happy Halloween~

2010-10-31T21:14:00.006-05:00

I love Halloween. Love it!

And so do these 2 characters:

And once Ironman and Spiderman have gone to bed,

I get to rummage through the bounty.

Twix? Yes, Please.

White Chocolate Kit Kat? I'll have 2.

Reeses Pieces? Don't mind if I do.

Snickers? If you insist.

So glad my neighbors believe in chocolate!

Take a Look at this Sweet Shop!

2010-10-30T10:03:00.011-05:00

I was browsing through listings on Etsy when I came across this gorgeous shop, SGardner, and I just had to share it with you. If you know someone that's expecting, I think you will find something here that would make a beautiful gift.

Isn't this elegant???!!!

Perfect for winter or a Christmas photo shoot~

For a sweet baby girl~

Even diaper covers!

I love this one and it is currently on sale!

Can you imagine all the hours of hard work that go into each and every handcrafted item that Susan makes?!

Please check out her shop.

I just know you will not be disappointed!

The First (And Quite Possibly The Last)Time I Make Caramel Apples

2010-10-28T13:31:00.008-05:00

Today I made caramel apples for the very 1st time.

I got the recipe and tutorial here. (A great website by the way for recipes and party decorating)

The 1st hour was actually fun.

The last 5, 6 or 10 were not. (I think you get the idea)

I am pretty happy with the way they turned out.

In addition to these flavors I made Chocolate Apple Pie and Chocolate Sprinkles.

I made the Vanilla Bean Apple Pie by melting a Ghirardelli Vanilla Bean bar and drizzling it over the hardened caramel. I coated a Pillsbury pie crust with melted butter and cinnamon/sugar and baked it then crunched the crust up into tiny pieces and dipped the apple. Then I sprinkled more cinnamon/sugar on top. I think that one is my favorite.

(well, as far as looks....I have no idea how it taste and at this point I honestly don't care!)

What "fun" things are you making this fall?

By the way, I realize the Rangers lost last night,

but all fingers are still crossed!