Up – Cycle Project 1 April 24, 2012

Good afternoon!

I have to say that the weather has been absolutely amazing the past few days here in the South.  We do not get many real Spring days and nights but this past weekend has been just perfect. So perfect,  that I have been working on some little projects.  The one I am sharing with you today is an Up-Cycle project. I came across it on a site I happened upon here on the world-wide web.  I have seen it shared on Facebook I think.  Anyway, I thought it was a great idea and it will help to keep my pantry a bit more organized.  It is almost time for the seasonal pantry makeover. I  am really looking forward to it!!

So any way with this project I used my Silhouette SD to cut my vinyl words.

  I saved my coffee creamer containers and took the labels off, washed and dried them then filled them with a few staple items from my pantry.

I need to get a few more of various sized for smaller items. but there you have it.

A simple, handy and cheap up-cycle project.

I also made a label for my popcorn jar. I eat popcorn almost every night and have a ton of it in my kitchen. I thought it was a cute touch to the glass jar.

Until Then,

Wende

Tiramisu? Yes Please! April 10, 2012

What a beautiful day.

I have been enjoying the cool mornings and mild evenings having coffee in the back yard.  It has been wonderful. I really hope that this weather lasts a while.

So I found this recipe the other day and I really wanted to try it.  This was my first attempt at tiramisu and I have to say it was a complete success!

Tiramisu

2 Tbsp Instant Coffee/ or strong coffee

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 cup boiling water

2 pkg. (3 oz. each) ladyfingers, split, divided

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened

½ cup sugar

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping

1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Make It

Combine coffee granules and 1 Tbsp. sugar in boiling water. Arrange 1 pkg. ladyfingers on bottom of 13×9-inch dish. (I used a strong cup of coffee from earlier that morning)

Brush with 1/2 cup coffee.

Mix cream cheese in large bowl with coffee mixer until creamy. Add 1/2 cup sugar; mix well.

Whisk in COOL WHIP.( I added whipped til I liked the consistency, did not use all of it.)

Spread half the cream cheese mixture over ladyfingers in dish; top with remaining ladyfingers.

Brush with remaining coffee mixture; cover with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Sprinkle with cocoa powder. Refrigerate 4 hours.

My Husband really liked this dessert, and it did not take long at all.

You can soak the ladyfingers for a stronger coffee flavor. I will do this next time I make this delicious treat.

Until Then,

Wende

Outdoor Chandelier! March 26, 2012

Top O’the Mornin to ya,

I know St. Patrick’s Day is over but I did not get a chance to tell you on the actual day. I was out of town on a girls trip/wedding adventure.  My Sis In Law and I took a road trip to Tallahassee Florida for our Cousin’s Wedding celebration.  We had a blast getting away from our everyday lives, if only for a few days.

So when I came home I set my crafting sights on an out door lighting project. I do not have much light in my back yard and I love having coffee, beer, wine and crawfish. . .  out back any time possible! So I made an outdoor chandelier.

So easy and very cute.

Here we go!!

What you Need!

1 hula hoop ( I got the smallest one I could find.)

I had no idea they came in different sizes.

2 pieces of craft twine cut to 4 1/2 inches long.

2 strands of icicle lights.

Take the 2 pieces of twine and fold in half. tie a loop. You should have 4 single strands.

Now tie each strand in a knot to the hula hoop.

Wrap the first strand of lights around the hula hoop.

Now add the second strand and make your way up the strands.

I used zip ties to

attach the light to the strands so I could adjust them later.

Now you can hang your light from a tree limb.

Again I used a zip tie so I can take the light down and move it to another location if I want to.

My Husband and I ate dinner outside for the first time this season. It was soooo nice!!!

The entire time we were putting the light together Daisy Mae wanted to play! She waited so patiently. She is a funny puppy!!!!

Now go on and hit the store to get your supplies. You know you want one of these!!

Until Then,

Wende

Cookie Cups! March 13, 2012

Howdy and how ya been?

It is slowly turning into spring here in my part of the world. Spring does not last long so I have to enjoy it as much as possible before Summer creeps into full force. Saint Patrick’s Day is only 4 days away and I will be celebrating at a wedding! Yay, how fun will that be??? I guess you will just have to check back and see. I will post photos of the event as soon as get back to town on Sunday afternoon.

Well I was craving something a little sweet the other day so I decided to make some chocolate chip cookies. Then on a whim, I thought, “Why not make them into cookie cups”. So that is exactly what I did. They were so yummy and made a ton. I was able to share them with my friends at work!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

           COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.

Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.

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

 Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir in morsels.

Drop by rounded tablespoon on  ungreased baking sheets.

Or use a small scoop and drop into mini cup liners.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

I cooked the cups about 15 minutes.

This made about 60 cups! Great for a part!

I just loved this little idea. They were tasty, fast, and easy! Try it you are sure to like it!

Until Then,

Wende

Mashed Sweet Potatoes!! February 29, 2012

As I get older, I find that my tastes are changing.  Every time that my Husband and I go to dinner he makes me try sweet potatoes. Still do not like them. But when we were in Salem, Mass I tried some sweet potato fries and fell in love! I figured that I could play around with some of my potato recipes and sub out with sweet potatoes and see what works. Well I decided to make mashed sweet potatoes for dinner last night and boy were they yummy!!! Stephen liked them but he still prefers a plain baked sweet potato.

I really do not have a recipe for these.  I just add stuff until they taste good to me. But I will give you the basic idea.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

4 or 5 medium sweet potatoes

salt and pepper

sour cream

about 2 tbsp of butter

bacon bits

shredded cheese

Garlic ( I use the roasted garlic in a jar) It is faster.

Bake your sweet potatoes.  I wrapped them in tin foil.

I think it was on 375 and baked them about an hour. Until they were nice and soft.

Cut them into cubes and place in a mixer.

Add your butter,salt and pepper and mix a little.

Add your sour cream, bacon bits, garlic and some cheese and continue to mix until nice and smooth.

Taste test your mixture and when it fits your liking. . . you are done!

This is so simple and delicious.  I liked the sweet and savory flavor they had. It went really well with our steaks topped with blue cheese!!

Hope you enjoy this little recipe. I know I will be making them again. SOON!

Until Then,

Wende

Angel Food Cake? Yes Please! February 7, 2012

I am here on this cool breezy day craving something sweet! I am trying to be good so I am going to try my hand at making an angel food cake. I found this recipe in a magazine somewhere and thought, Why Not?  I have never attempted to make this cake before so I accept the challenge. I just had no idea it was so easy! I would have been making it more often!

Angel Food Cake

1 1/2 c. egg whites
1 1/4 c. sifted cake flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond extract

In a large mixing bowl, put egg whites and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Sift flour with 3/4 cup sugar; sift 3 times and set aside.

Beat egg whites on medium speed with salt and cream of tartar. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 3 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition.

Beat at high speed until it eggs form soft peaks.

Turn speed to low and add almond and vanilla.

Sift in flour mixture 1/4 at a time, mixing at low speed for 3 seconds after each addition or until mixture is completely blended.

Using a rubber scraper, gently push batter into a un greased 10″ tube pan.

Cut through batter twice with a knife to level center and remove any air pockets.

Bake on the lower rack in oven for 35 to 40 minutes at 375°F, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool completely, about 2 hours. Invert tube pan over a bottle to cool.

Yummy! Enjoy!

I wish I had some fresh strawberries and whipped cream for the top! That would make it even better.

This tastes so light and fluffy. A perfect way to get rid of my sweet craving.  Now it is your turn. Go ahead and make it. You know you wanna!

Until Then,

Wende

Back to Basics! January 24, 2012

Wow what a year, Right?

The end of 2011 left me out of sorts and a little on the blue side. But the thought of 2012 and a new start really hit home for the first time. I gave up my favorite away from home food. . . (hot wings) started working out with a friend from work and as you see I am now back here in blog world with all of my internet friends.  It really feels good.  I realized that it is the basic little things in life that make my world go round and I am not willing to compromise them any longer. We all need little things that make us smile & laugh  to help us through each and every day. So watch out 2012, I am ready to blog till I can’t blog no more!! Ha Ha.

My Husband gave me a little challenge for my new year in blogging. He said “why don’t you cook healthy meals and add much more crafting to your blog?) I will take your challenge Stephen and I will win!! So look forward to delicious and healthy meal ideas, fun new crafting ideas and photos of it all!

Again I am glad to be back and ready to own 2012!

Until Then,

Wende

Salt Dough Crafting!! December 18, 2011

Oh my goodness how have you been?  I have been good. Busy. I have worked as many extra shifts as possible so I can have a little extra cash!

The other day my friend Dittmann came over and we did crafts all day long!!! We had such a good time.  One of the projects we made were salt dough ornaments for our friends and family. They were so easy and a lot of fun.  So now I am going to share this fun awesome craft with you. Who knows maybe you can start a holiday tradition and make them every year!

Salt Dough Recipe

1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
alphabet rubber stamps, pens, paint. . .
circle cookie cutter or any shape you like
ribbon
Mix together until dough forms and then knead for 7 – 10 minutes

Once dough is prepared roll out flat and use cookie cutters.

After you have your shapes, take your rubber stamps and press into cut dough.

Paint and decorate as you wish.

We used sharpie permanent markers!!!

Make a small hole in cut circles (to string through ribbon).

When finished, place cut outs on an ungreased cookie sheet and cook for 2 hours at 250 degrees.

 Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

String through ribbon and enjoy these fun holiday messages on your Christmas tree.

Wow these were so much fun and my little Christmas tree looks awesome!

This is a great craft for kids of all ages! Spread the holiday cheer! Make some ornaments for your friends and family!!

Until Then,

Wende

Oozie Bread Anyone?? November 22, 2011

Can you believe it’s almost Thanksgiving?  Just a few more days and we will all be so full of food to the point of popping! I love eating good food, relaxing with family and lets not forget the after dinner hanging out with friends, drinks and live music!

The holiday season is so awesome to me. I love the look and feel of it.  I really love the gift making days! I had a friend over the other day for crafting fun, Oozie Bread and Mimosas. You couldn’t ask for more.  We had a blast. I am going to share the Oozie Bread recipe with you now.  So easy and great for just a few people or a big group.

Oozie Bread!

1 package bacon, chopped

I used real bacon bits! Not as salty.

1 jar or bottle maple syrup (8 ounces)

1 stick butter

1 package home-style buttermilk biscuits (8 biscuits), such as Pillsbury brand

Pre-heat the oven to 375°F.

Place a medium size skillet over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook until crisp, about 8-10 minutes, and reserve.

Place a small sauce pot over medium heat and add the maple syrup and the butter – do not bring up to a boil. Cook until butter is melted, then turn the heat off and reserve.

Butter or spray a 9-inch x 3-inch loaf pan.

Pour a couple of tablespoons of the maple/butter sauce in the bottom. (Put some bacon on bottom layer also!)

 Layer three of the biscuits in the bottom of the pan. Tear up one of the biscuits and fill in any open spaces with the pieces.

I think it would be better if you break up all the biscuits like a monkey bread!

It is prettier and easier for people to eat.

Don’t worry if any still remain, the ooze will fill those in.

Sprinkle half of the reserved bacon  on the biscuits and top with about 1/2 cup of the butter/syrup mixture.

 Place the remaining biscuits on top, sprinkle the rest of the bacon over them and top with the remaining maple sauce.

Transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

 Remove and immediately turn over onto a serving dish.

I am going to use a bunt pan next time I make this!

Serve warm & enjoy!!

Oh my goodness this was so good. We ate on it all day! We made some great crafts but that is for another post!

Stay tuned for more!

Until Then,

Wende

 

Day 13 of Count Down!! October 31, 2011

So have you enjoyed your month of Halloween?  I am so happy that today is the Spooky Fun filled day of haunts and treats! I saved a special recipe/idea for our last day of the pumpkin count down.  Baked Pumpkin Seeds.  Easy and perfect for the occasion.

Baked Pumpkin Seeds

As many pumpkins as you want!

Knife

Spoon

Patients

Cut your pumpkin top out.

Start spooning all of the guts out of the pumpkin.

Put your guts in a strainer in your sink.

When all guts are out, pull out the seeds and place them in a cool water bath.

let them sit for at least an hour.

Strain the seeds and spread the put on a baking sheet. I use parchment paper!

Heat oven to 375.

Sprinkle Sea Salt, cinnamon, cracker pepper, Parmesan. . .

what ever you like to snack on over the tops.

Bake for 20-35 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.

Now Enjoy!

You can carve your pumpkin after you gut it!

Two projects in one! You can’t beat that.

I have people coming over this evening so I am really in a hurry to get the house cleaned, the yard decorated and the food prepared! A Witch’s work is never done!!!

Have a very Happy Halloween, Samhain, All Hallows Eve or what ever you call it. Just  take a moment to remember all of  those who are no longer with us on this earth. Although, tonight they are walking among us in the shadows!

Until Then,

Wende