More Christmas Goodies

Cake Balls as seen on Bakerella:
Red Velvet Cake Balls
1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

I also only melt a few pieces of chocolate bark at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It’s easier to work with when it’s hot.



Dairy-free Sugar Cookies
From Unknown
1 1/2c Shortening
2c granulated sugar
4 eggs
2tsp vanilla
2tsp baking powder
1tsp salt
5c flour
Cream shortening, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees, just until they are barely done.

Best Gingersnaps Ever
Leslie Moss
2 1/4 cups Margarine, softened
3 cups sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup molasses
6 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp ground cloves
3 tsp ginger
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
melted white chocolate
Mix margarine, sugar, eggs and molassess.
Cream together then add the rest of the
ingredients.
Roll into balls and roll balls in sugar.
Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 °F.
Cool cookies on wax paper.
Dip half of cookie into melted white
chocolate.

Peppermint Meltaways

1c butter, softened
1/2c. powdered sugar
1/2tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/4c. flour
1/2c. cornstarch

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Shape into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350degrees for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Frosting:

2 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2c. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1/4tsp. peppermint extract
1/2 c. crushed peppermint candies or canes

Beat butter until fluffy. Add the sugar, milk, peppermint extract. Beat until smooth. Spread over cooled cookies; sprinkle with crushed candies.

Christmas Gift One Complete

I have several nieces that are into pretending right now. I decided that it would be fun to make some of their gifts this year. There are several websites with great felt food ideas here and here. The cheese crackers were my little addition along with changing the Lays chip bag to a Ruffels chip bag.

Maternity Pants

So, this second pregnancy has been a bit different. My clothes are not fitting well and I'm only 15 weeks along. I decided to attempt to make some maternity pants from this tutorial. I took two pairs of jeans that I haven't worn since Dan and I were dating (I was skinner back then). The first pair I did were already low-rise and when I followed the tutorial to cut below the zipper I wished I had not cut that low. On the second pair I cut mid zipper and liked how they fit better. Also, the first pair I didn't make the waist band tight enough, it's a bit lose. I'll be ripping that band out and re-doing it. Overall I'm very please with my homemade cheap maternity jeans. Comfy. I also did 12 inch bands folded in half. I might make the band 14 inches next time. It really just depends on the jeans and where they fit to begin with around the waist/hip area.

Craft Fair

A woman from my church asked me if I wanted to make some bibs for a craft fair she is holding at her home. I was a little reluctant because I've never sold anything I've made. I decided it was a good reason to use up fabric scraps I have just sitting around. Plus, I can just use whatever bibs don't sell for my next little one or give them as gifts. It's a win win situation and I may just make a few bucks. I'm not sure what price I should charge per bib. I got on etsy and most are between $6-$10. I thought I'd charge $6 per bib or 2 for $10. Is that high, any suggestions???

Here are a few bibs I've made so far and a changing pad.

Bottling

There is just something pretty about fresh produce bottled sitting on a pantry shelf. A friend came over and helped bottle salsa. My sister came to town and helped bottle peached. Dan helped me bottle pears and peach jam. We are feeling very productive around here. I love walking into my pantry and seeing our hard work sitting their. It won't last long around here. We are eating it fast. Dan's going to help me bottle more salsa this week. How many men are willing to spend time in the kitchen bottling salsa with their wives? I'm quite lucky and I like it.


My sister got sick of me calling her about waterbath times that she bought me Blue Book 100th Anniversary Edition - guide to preserving. Thanks Candice!

1st Attempt at Decorative Edge on a Burp Cloth

I may eventually get to adding the measurements and instructions for this but for now...only pics. I have more important things to do. Like hanging with my little one.

Cheesecake Attempt

I've made several goodies in my life but somehow I've never made cheesecake. I called my good friend Suzanne and told her that I needed her recipe. (She used to own a bakery in DC and they specialized in cheesecakes.) She spouted the recipe off the top of her head. I think she has made it a few times. The best advice she gave me was when adding the eggs one at a time not to beat them too much, otherwise the cheesecake will be more cake-like than creamy. Just incorporate the egg.

I decided to make muffin sized cheesecakes and then mini-muffin sized cheesecakes. Dan and I agree the mini are perfect for popping. Cheesecake is rich and the mini was a perfect size to appease our sweet tooth's.

Market Bag

I started this project a couple of weeks ago and I finally pulled it out and finished it. One more incomplete project done. I have never made a reversible bag so I thought I'd start with this simple market bag.

Bird Onesie

I found a cute bird on a shirt and wanted to try duplicate it on a onesie. I think I picked a design with too many curves. I am tempted to pick out the stitching and try again but... that would be stupid. Who cares if the stitching isn't even right? Hmmm... I may redo this one. The pattern is too cute not to get the edging perfect. It sure took a while to do it the first time though.

My friend did a great tutorial on appliques here.

Hobo Bag

I was needing a creative outlet the other day and the best fix is usually sewing an easy bag. I like bags because they are something I actually use and can be completed within a few hours.

Fabric Book Marks

I'm teaching a lesson in RS on scripture study this Sunday. I decided to copy my friend Danielle's idea for fabric book marks here.

Measurements: Roughly 2 1/8" X 6 1/8"

Rocket Pops

I attempted to make Cupcake pops, as seen on Bakerella. However, my cookie cutter was not small enough so I just made cake pops. Check out cake pops here.

We're invited to a Fourth of July BBQ and these are going with us.

Last Pay It Forward Bag

I finally finished my last "pay it forward" project. I chose a cute clutch bag. To learn about the Buttercup Bag go here.



This bag is headed to Denver. Enjoy Rach!

Little Black Dress...Shade Clothing

I just found a cute black dress on sale here. Can't wait for mine in the mail. You can never have too many black dresses.

Cake Slice Boxes

People are so creative. I found this cute cake slice box here.

I wanted to make the largest pattern slice but our printer doesn't hold 12X12 sheets of paper so Dan did some make shift printing and taped the pattern together for me. How would I survive without my cute hubby doing all my measurements for my projects? He's such a good guy, he even went to Michael's Craft store the other day for me. Seriously, I am so lucky.

Baby Jane Sun Bonnet

My former neighbor and friend Danielle Wilson has created the most adorable bonnet ever. Check out her Etsy shop here to purchase the pattern for this bonnet.(I just bought mine!)
http://mysparkle.blogspot.com/2009/06/bonnet-give-away.html

Jake's Spot

Dan and I created a fun place to put Jake's artwork. We used a TV wood crate lid from our move, two pieces of scrapbook paper, Mod podge, two pieces of cork board and some paint. Dan did all the measurements and cutting and I painted and assembled. We're going to hang it above Jake's table to display all his creations.

Felt Play Food

I was lurking blogs and found some darling felt food. I decided that I wanted to try to make some too for Jake and I to pretend with together. So far, sugar cookies, glazed donuts, bacon and eggs are done. I am going to making a bologne sandwich with chips next. So fun.

Michelle-style Baked Macaroni

On Sunday, I sat down to the computer to figure out what I could make with limited ingredients. I hadn't been grocery shopping and needed to find a recipe that I could spice up regular pasta with. This recipe was originally American-style Baked Ziti. I didn't have Ziti so I substituted macaroni. I also substituted Parmigiano with Parmesan, Italian flavored bread crumbs for plain, fresh tomatoes with canned, etc. If I were to make this again I would double the white sauce recipe because I thought the pasta was a little dry after baking it in the oven. I would also shorten the bake time from 30 to 15 minutes.
Michelle-style Baked Macaroni

1 box (1lb) Elbow pasta
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 cups milk
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 c Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 c bread crumbs
1 tbsp olive oil
dried basil

Cook elbow pasta as directed; drain and set aside
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, salt, pepper and oregano; cook 1 minute or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk. Cook 2-3 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine bread crumbs and olive oil in a small bowl and set aside.
Stir together pasta, white sauce, chopped can of tomatoes, cheese in a large bowl. Place pasta mixture in a baking dish; sprinkle with bread crumbs and dried basil.
Bake for 15 minutes.

If interested in the original recipe:
http://www.barillaus.com/recipes/Americanstyle_Baked_Ziti.aspx

2nd Attempt

So, I gathered more fabric remnants and made a 2nd diaper wipe carrier. This one is slightly different - quilted top, squared flap, thinner fusible fleece and I finished the edges differently. Overall, I'm enjoying just being creative. It's fun to see something and make it from scratch. Now, I just need to finish a zillion other projects that I started and never finished. I sometimes lose interest in something I'm working on and never return. Anyone else like that?

Diaper and Wipes Carrier

Without fail Jake always needs a diaper change during Sacrament meeting at church. Dan usually takes Jake out and has been carrying a diaper and wipes with him for everyone to see what he's going to do. So, I decided to make a diaper and wipes sack. I've seen several versions on Etsy and I decided to make one myself. This is what I ended up with. Not bad for my first attempt.

Notebook Holder

Our next door neighbor girl turns 10 tomorrow. She loves to write songs so I made her a place to put her notebook and pen. Her favorite color is yellow. Is this a lame gift?

Green Chili Pork

Green Chili Pork

1 lb. Pork Loin
1/2 Onion - finely diced
7 oz. Can diced green chilies
1/2 c. water
1 Tbsp Jalapenos - finely diced
Salt and Pepper

Place water, pork loin, finely diced onion, green chilies, and jalapenos in crock pot. Cook low for 6 hours. Shred pork when done. Great filling for tacos, enchiladas, burritos or tamales.

We'll be using this for our Cinco De Mayo tacos tomorrow night.