Marshmallow Eggs

Making marshmallow eggs for Easter has been a family tradition since I was a child and that was years ago. I remember making them with my mom and now I am making them with my grandkids. While in AZ last week we made them with Carrie and Kimie’s kids. It was lots of fun and the kids loved it.

Ana White’s 10 dollar ledges

 

After living in our new home for just over three months, I am proud to say we finally have pictures on the walls!  I am beyond excited…  I love pictures and love showing them off, and what better way to do that than to have them displayed beautifully on your walls.

I followed Ana White’s plans, with some help from my Dad and Husband (THANK YOU) and then finally got them stained and finished last weekend.  I think they look pretty great!

To check out the plans, and make your own, just click here.

 

A Ladybug Birthday…

We’ve been busy at our house!  Our baby just turned ONE!  It is hard to see that first year pass by so quickly, but so much fun to look back and see just how much they have changed and grown.

For Miss P’s Birthday, we celebrated with a Ladybug theme.  I didn’t post instructions on anything, but feel free to email me and I will send any your way.  We started out with the outfit, there always has to be a Birthday outfit, and this was no exception.  I began by making the skirt, following these instructions, but altering them just a bit.   Then appliquéd a ladybug on a t-shirt I purchased at Target.  I will say though, Cherokee t-shirts are WONDERFUL to appliqué on!  Just soft, and easy to use.

Egg Nog Cream Pie

I am finally coming out of hibernation and contributing to the blog again.  We are still trying to get unpacked, which has become quite a chore with two little ones "helping" but are now feeling more at home in our new home. 

A couple of weeks before Christmas we were preparing to attend our church Christmas Party.  In church they asked that those who could, please bring a salad or dessert.   We were running errands all day and ended up back at home about 30 minutes before the party started...  I was frantic to come up with something to take.  After checking out a couple of cookbooks, I was more frustrated than ever.  Then the thought came to me, How about an Egg Nog pie!?!  So, I started pulling ingredients out of the refrigerator and cupboard, and threw it together.  It turned out to be pretty fantastic!

Turkey Place Card Holders

I am always looking for a fun craft that I can do with my 3 and a half year old.  She loves to spend time with mom, being creative.  I’ve inherited a box full of random wood pieces and thought it might provide a bit of inspiration.  This time it proved to be quite successful!

White Chicken Chili

Life for my small family has made quite a few big changes this year.  In August my Husband took a new job about 2 hours away from home.  We moved out of the house we’ve been renting for the past 6 years and into my parents basement to save a little money and find a home to buy closer to the new job.  While we’ve appreciated the opportunity to be with my parents, it has been hard.  My oldest daughter is a “Daddy’s Girl” and I think the change has been hardest on her.  So, I’ve been trying to find the things that we enjoyed and made us feel comfortable at our old house (which my daughter talks about all the time), and I find one of the most comforting things is soups, chili’s and stews.  This recipe is so easy, yummy, and very comforting!

Fall Burlap Table Runner

Although it is still really warm outside, I know Fall is on the way!  I love this season for so many reasons…  Soup, cool breezes, beautiful colors, and the list goes on and on.  I was inspired by the leaves on the mountain just outside our door and the changing colors.  I wanted to do something to bring that feeling inside.

Breakfast for Dessert

We’ve all had those days when it is time for dinner, nothing is planned, and we end up throwing together “breakfast for dinner”.  Well, how about breakfast for dessert?  I love breakfast and am willing to eat it 3 times a day, most days anyway, one of my favorites is French toast!  With its yummy cinnamon egg soaked bread, cooked to perfection, then smothered with butter and maple syrup.  What could be better!?!  How about French Toast Cupcakes?

First, Gather your ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled

2 eggs

1 tsp maple extract

1/2 cup milk

In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, butter, eggs and maple extract until smooth

Alternately whisk in flour mixture

and milk

making 3 additions of flour and 2 of milk.  Stir until smooth.

Scoop batter into pan lined with cupcake papers.  (I like to lightly spray my cupcake papers with cooking spray to help them come out easier).

Pop them into a 350* oven and bake until golden brown for 20-25 minutes.  The tops of the cupcakes will spring back when lightly touched. 

Let them cool in the pan on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes, then remove and cool completely on rack.

Then to make the frosting gather,

2 cups powdered sugar

3/4 cups butter, at room temperature

2 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp maple extract

pinch of salt

In a bowl, using electric mixer, beat together powdered sugar, butter, maple syrup, maple extract and salt until smooth.

Either spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.

To pipe the perfect cupcake, use the 1M tip.  Start in the middle of the cupcake, putting even pressure on the piping bag slowly go in a circle moving out from the center.

When you reach the beginning, continue to pipe toward the center again, bringing the frosting up on the cupcake.

When you are back in the center, release pressure on the piping bag and pull straight up.  You’ll have the perfect cupcake in no time!

Then sit back and unwrap, and enjoy the fruits of your labors.  These cupcakes are fantastic, and really do taste like French toast.