Christmas Heart Cake

                                                                         Ingredients                       

                                              1 box Funfetti Holiday Cake Mix (Pillsbury)

                                              1 Funfetti Frosting (Pillsbury)

                                              2 eggs

                                              1/3 cup vegetable oil

                                              1 cup water

                                              heart shaped cake pan

                                              toothpicks

                                              miniature marshmallows

                                              Peppermint Hersey Kisses

We got lazy and bought a cake mix from the store. We love Funfetti from Pillsbury. I was going to turn this cake upside down and cut off the ends and decorate it as a Christmas tree. My son saw the heart shaped cake pan and insisted we keep it that way. Why not? A heart for Christmas. Thinking about it, Christmas is the holiday for giving, for family and friends, and joy.

After we let the cake cool and iced it, we added the Funfetti sprinkles. Then we decorated it with peppermint Hersey Kisses. Lastly, we made snowmen by sticking three marshmallows onto a toothpick and sticking the toothpick into the cake. ( My son used 4 or 5 marshmallows.) I almost wished it snowed here, so we could try that with the real version. Ha ha.

Okay, so this isn't the prettiest cake and no one will want to eat it (my son put the frosting on it, which meant he repeatedly tasted the spreader before adding more icing), but we love it.

It was a lot of fun to make.

~It is with peace, love and joythat all good things are made.

 



Fun with Words

Reading Flashcards and Reading Strips

My son is one of those learners that does not want to learn anything unless it is his idea. So everyday, I let him choose a word he would like to learn. He chooses a lot of animal words, i.e monkey, lion, tiger, dog. This concerned me a little. I thought there is no way he's going to learn these words, but he picked them up no problem. (I added a few words that every beginner reader needs to know, like "and" & "the".) These were much harder for him to master.

Everyday, I add one new word because he is a fast learner. Since every child learns at their own pace, some children may take days to learn a new word. This is normal.

In additon to the flashcards, I make little strips in which I string a few of the words together to make a fragment sentence. This not only introduces him to the early stages of reading, but helps him understand the correlation between words.

We make a game out of learning new words. Sometimes I will hold up the word and say "don't let it disappear" as I start sliding it away, so he has to guess quickly. Sometimes we make a "good" pile which are the words he knows, and a "bad" pile of words he doesn't know. He came up with this idea.

Today he wants to add the word "zebra".

Happy reading!

 

Peek-A-Boo Halloween Decorations

Halloween decorations that slide to reveal a secret surprise.

It's a pumpkin.

It's a pumpkin with a scardy cat inside.

 What You Will Need

Scissors

Paper clips

Glue Stick

Card stock

Halloween patterns

Fastener

1. Cut out the Halloween pattern or patterns you want to use.
They can be found and printed out online, or you

could use Halloween shaped cookie cutters and trace them onto the paper.

2. Attach the pattern to two pieces of card stock. I like to use two different colors for contrast. Using a paper clip will help keep the pattern in place as you cut.

3. Cut the paper to the pattern's shape.

4. Decorate one or both pieces of paper. (See my examples below)

5. Attach both pieces together with a fastener.

You now have a secret Halloween surprise. Boo!!!

            

Ghostly Invites



What You Will Need

Ghost pattern

Contruction paper

Wax paper

Ribbon

Scissors

1-hole punch

Paperclips

Steps

1. Print out a ghost pattern and cut it out. I found my ghost pattern here:

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/ghoulish-ghost-pattern-for-halloween-703193/

2.  Cut a piece of construction paper in half. Lay your pattern on top of one of the halves,

secure the pattern to the construction paper with a paperclip. This will help keep the paper from slipping as you cut it out.



3. Write your invitation information including date and time.

4. Repeat Step 2 with a piece of wax paper.

5. Line up the wax paper and contruction paper and punch a hole at the top.

6. Tie the wax paper and construction paper together with a ribbon.



Easy French Onion Mac



All About the Cupcake

My son and I love to experiment with cupcakes. We make up our own toppings and fillings.  Most of the time, we buy a box of Duncan Hines Moist Cupcake Mix and then make up the rest as we go along. Sometimes we add a little applesauce or sourcream to add extra moistness. We like our cupcakes to melt in our mouths.

Recently we made two variations from the same batch of cupcakes.

Variation #1  A Very Berry Dream

We used a French Vanilla cupcake mix and followed the directions on the back of the box. (The box cost around $1 with coupon) Once we baked the cupcakes and let them cool a little, I used a medicine dropper (the kind you push the stopper through) to fill the insides of the cupcake with raspberry creme. (We used raspberry and cheesecake pudding) On top of the cupcakes, I shifted a little powered sugar and added raspberries and/or blackberries on top. The results: a super moist, but not too sweet reward.

Variation #2 Sweet White Chocolate Madness

Same cupcake mix, except in this batch we added some white chocolate chips (not too many) to the batter. While the cupcakes were cooling, I melted some white chocolate chips in a pan. (Be careful, chocolate is easy to burn which ruins the flavor.) Once melted, I spread a very thin layer of the melted white chocolate onto the cupcake. I placed the cupcakes in the refrigerator and let the chocolate re- harden. The results: Super sweet, very decadent, stick to your roof-of-your-mouth-explosion-of-sweetness. Paired with a cappuccino, this cupcake is vice worthy.

note: we added Reese's mini peanut butter cups on top of this cupcake

Design Your Own Book

Click on The Big Splash book above to visit the Bookemon site.

Have you ever wanted to write and illustrate your own book? Bookemon let's you do just that. Even if you aren't an artist, Bookemon has images you can use, or you can upload photos.

You can also purchase books from authors just like you.



Save Old Baby's Clothes, Diapers and Accessories

My 3 year old son loves to play with his stuffed animals. We had some old diapers that no longer fit him (besides he's potty trained), and they immediately became diapers for bear (Tucker) and monkey (Ivory). I dug through some of my son's old baby's clothes and managed to find a few newborn outfits that I especially loved and saved. In addition, I had some baby bottles and toys that he could use with his little fuzzy friends. It's so cute watching him feed them and change their diapers and clothes.

It's bascially the Build-A-Bear Concept but a lot cheaper. Plus the clothes have sentimental value to me.

Nature Inspired Jewelry

I love selecting beads that look like they came straight out of my backyard. Organic and earthy. I like sizes and colors that don't match, but making them look as though they do. I get so much satisfaction knowing I can create one of a kind pieces that showcases my personality and who I am as an artist.

Price of earring $15
Price of bracelet $15

Chicken and Dumpling Biscuits

Ingredients

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits

Campbell's Chunky Chicken and Dumplings

I'm obsessed with chicken and dumplings, even the store bought in-a-can kind. I also love biscuits! This probably isn't the most nutritious meal to make, but I'm a strong believer that every once in a while you need to have a "feel good" meal versus "good for you". ;)

I placed the biscuits on a cookie sheet and baked them according to the directions on the package. (I think it was 350 ° for 15 min) While the biscuits were cooking, I opened the soup and warmed it in a pan. About 6 minutes before the biscuits were finished cooking, I took them out of the oven, seperated the top from the bottom, and poured some of the chicken and dumpling soup on them. I then replaced the top of the biscuit and let them finish cooking. (I figured out afterwards that I probably didn't need to warm the soup prior to adding them to the biscuits.) 

I wonder how this would taste with French Onion soup....hmmm....

Simple Spaghetti Bake

Ingredients

Mushrooms

Cherry Tomatoes

Kalamata Olives

Sweet Onion

Garlic

Spaghetti

Parmesan cheese

Mozzarella cheese



So I got home from work and I was hungry. I didn't have much time until my next tutoring session, and wasn't sure what I was in the mood to eat. I had leftover mushrooms, onions, and garlic from a previous meal wasting away in my fridge, so I started to saute them in a pan (which seems to be a common method of cooking for me). I also added some cherry tomatoes and cut up Kalamata olives to the pan. I chose whipped butter instead of olive oil, for a sweet and buttery taste, although I did add olive oil to the spaghetti once it was done cooking. After draining the spaghetti, I added it back to the pan and mixed in the sauteed veggies. I then poured the spaghetti-veggie mix into a greased glass dish and sprinkled Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. I baked at 350° for 20 minutes.

My only complaint: I ate too much!

My Version of Croque Monsieur

Ingredients

Bechamel sauce

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1 1/2 cup milk

salt and pepper

Brie Cheese

Sandwich

1 1/2 cups Brie cheese

Portobello mushrooms

8 slices of french bread

8 slices of ham

Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare bechamel sauce by melting butter in a sauce pan on low heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for a few minutes. Add milk a little at a time, whisking until thick and remove from heat.

Add a little salt, pepper and Brie cheese for taste.

Lay the bread on a baking sheet and toast in oven. Once toasted, remove the bread and add mustard to four of the slices. Then add ham, mushrooms, and Brie cheese. Top with the plain slices of toasted bread. Spoon the bechamel sauce on top, add a slice of Brie, and return the bread to the oven. Broil on low for 3 minutes.

Serving size: 4 sandwiches

Wine suggestions: Chardonnay or Champagne

Veggie Spaghetti

Ingredients

Sweet peppers

Portobello mushrooms

Red onions

Garlic

Almond slivers

Spaghetti

Olive Oil
Precooked frozen grilled chicken

I cut up red onions, sweet peppers, garlic and portobello mushrooms and put them in a frying pan with a little olive oil to saute. I also added almond slivers to add to the sweet taste of the red, yellow, and orange peppers (which my son called spicy...lol). While the vegetables were simmering, I prepared the pasta.

When the vegetables were almost done, I added the cut up grilled chicken. I then grated some mozzarella cheese on top.

I added the veggies and cheese to the spaghetti. The outcome: a very vibrant plate of pasta with crunchy almonds for added texture and sweetness.

Overall grade: B

 (I ended up having to add salt and pepper for added taste)



Pottery & Expression

I made this for a friend's Series of Unfortunate Events Birthday Party.

I wanted something red and Italian looking for my kitchen.

Asian inspired

There are several places in town where I can go to either make or paint pottery. I find it very relaxing and therapeutic. In addition, 40% of what decorates my house is stuff I made myself. It makes me feel like I have one of a kind decor that is simply priceless.

Simple Chocolate Croissant

Ingredients

Croissant dough

Powdered sugar

Chocolate bar

Cooking spray

Egg



I used refrigerated croissant dough, although homemade croissants are so much better! First, I preheated the oven to 345°. I greased a cookie sheet with cooking spray and folded the dough out into the premade triangles. I broke a Lindt milk chocolate bar into squares and put two squares of chocolate in each croissant. I rolled each triangle of dough and pinched the ends closed. I then whisked an egg and brushed it on top of the croissants. On half of my croissants, I put almonds on top before cooking and the other half I left it plain. I cooked them for 10 minutes. When they were done, I sprinkled them with powered sugar and drizzled melted chocolate on top. (I didn't put any sugar on the croissants with the almonds on top as seen in the picture above.)

My only complaint? Not enough chocolate for my sweet tooth, but it would go great with coffee or a cappuccino.

Orange Sherbet Ribbon Scarf

        

Orange Ribbon Sherbet Scarf

I crocheted this scarf because I wanted something really soft and colorful to accessorize my wardrobe.I chose a fuzzy orange mohair yarn, but when the scarf was done, I thought it rather plain. My creativity took over, and I decided to thread two different color ribbons through it. (I save ribbons off of everything: packaging, chocolate boxes, old clothes.) I was happy to be able to recycle the ribbon and it gave my scarf a very feminine and delicate look. Every time I wear it, I get compliments. It's definitely my little piece of sunshine on a cold day! :)

Garden Veggies and Brown Rice

Ingredients

1 yellow squash

1 zucchini

5 grape tomatoes

sea salt

2 garlic cloves

Pepper

Olive oil

Parmesan cheese



I've had a bag of brown rice in the cupboard for a while. Every time I went to get something, it would fall out and land in my hands. I'm not a big rice person, so I ignored the bag for a while, sticking it back behind the cereal boxes and crackers.

Today, I decided to cook it. I put the rice in a pot with 2 1/2 cups water and let it simmer with the lid on for about 45 minutes. I added a little butter and sea salt to it. Meanwhile, I got out a skillet and placed it over the stove. I added olive oil and garlic and let it cook, while I started cutting the zucchini and squash. I cut them into thin circles and placed them in pan along with some diced grape tomatoes. I added a few dashes of sea salt and cooked the veggie mix until the zucchini and squash were tender. I added the veggies to the brown rice and sprinkled on some Parmesan. Yum!

Costs: Around $4

Servings: 2

Scrambled Mornings

Ingredients

Mushrooms

Spinach

Onion

Cherry Tomatoes

Cheese

2 Eggs

Butter or Olive Oil

Dash of pepper and salt

After cooking a delicious calzone the night before, I decided to scramble the leftover ingredients. I will be the first to admit, I waste a lot of food. I use the ingredients to cook a particular meal and then forget about the leftovers, until they are molding in the back of my fridge.

So I sauteed the mushrooms, spinach, (diced) onion and tomatoes in a pan. I removed the sauteed vegetables and then cooked the eggs. When the eggs were just about done, I melted the cheese on top.

Recommended cheeses: Feta, Goat or Cheddar.

Additional Tip: I had leftover biscuits in the fridge and they were a little soggy, so I popped them in the toaster and they were delish.

Spinach, Mushroom, & Pepperoni Calzone

Ingredients

Pizza dough or Grands Biscuit Dough

Fresh Spinach

Mushrooms

Pepperoni

Mozzarella Cheese

Tomato or pizza sauce

Butter or Olive Oil

My son and I love to cook together. This meal is really simple and fun for us to make. Simply roll out the dough and cut acccording to the number of calzones you want. (You can make 4 small calzones or 2 large ones.) I prefer Grands Biscuit Dough for a flaky, buttery taste. Spread tomato sauce on the bottom half of the dough and add the rest of the ingredients.  Fold the top half over the bottom half and use a fork to pinch the sides closed. Cut three slits in the dough. Brush with some butter or olive oil. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes on 350°. How long depends on how crispy you want your calzone and the type of dough you use.

Costs: $9 But keep in mind you will have leftover ingredients ;)

Time: 20 minutes from prepartion to finish