Melted Snowman Cookie

Friday, November 27, 2009 No comments

This sugar cookie idea came from the same site the turkey leg cookies came from (listed below). I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw them, they are soooo cute, these are the things that make my day. You should really check out the lady's site, her cookies are super cute. She used fondant for her parts. I used a cake ball for the head, peanut butter M&Ms for the buttons, a harvest mix candy corn for the nose (they don't have the white tip), and the same piped chocolate I used on all my Turkey Day desserts for the features, I was trying to use what was on hand.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 26, 2009 4 comments

This morning I watched the Macy's parade, and I saw Santa, while the turkey cooked in the oven. Around noon, Mom, Jason, and I headed over to the Mariam's house. We ate too much, went for a walk, and played cards, and then ate a little more. I headed home this evening by way of the craft store (whoops), and then perused the ads. I'm sure I'll be out at 3:30 tomorrow morning....or should I say-this evening, and I'll be hitting some of the black Friday sales. I will attempt not to lose too much of my money, my Christmas spirit, or any portion of my moral conduct tomorrow as I brave the crowds in attempt to save a few bucks, and kick the Christmas season off with some excitement!

Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 1 comment
A few more desserts for Thanksgiving....

I found the ideas for the turkey leg, and pumpkin pie slice cookie at www.chiccookiekit.blogspot.com, she has the cutest cookie ideas!

I have no idea which site I saw these on, I got lost in cyber space last night. I did see several versions of this corn cookie. I saw a few people that used tissue for the husk, one person used green fruit roll ups, I just grabbed some paper. It's a pretty cute idea for a cookie on a stick!

OK, I decided I had to figure out a cookie design of my own, so I cut out a round cookie, iced it, then covered it with red M&Ms, and then piped some 'crust'....it's my very own cherry pie, and I like it!!

Teepee Cakes

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 No comments
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I saw this idea a year ago at the below link. I thought they were cute. You bake cake inside, then decorate the outside with sprinkles, and pretzels (lots of great ideas on the gal's site). The one contribute I made was that when I cut holes into the pie pan, I found a second pan to place the upside down pan on b/c I found my cones were poking down further than the surface of the counter, and this worked well for baking so they were steady. I also found these super cute sugar characters (the pumpkin, and turkey) at the Cake Carousel in town, and I added a door with piped chocolate. I'm sure you could easily pipe the turkey, and pumpkin, but....I have to admit, I'm not feeling THAT dedicated this year. I have since seen these cake teepees on several sites. They are cute, and last year when I saw them I thought they would make cute place tags, but this year, they will just be dessert at my Aunt's house :O). I'm just about ready for tomorrow! Here's the link with the instructions.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/images/2008/11/24/favoritethingsteepeecupcake.jpg&imgrefurl=http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2008/11/index.html&usg=__RNiVcT_eNjwXFqKeypdRdxDPo58=&h=359&w=266&sz=43&hl=en&start=72&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=BTwF5PZV9XUC-M:&tbnh=121&tbnw=90&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dteepee%2Bin%2Ban%2Bice%2Bcream%2Bcone%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS316%26sa%3DN%26start%3D63%26um%3D1

Puppy Pack


Lilly rearranges the couch cushions until she finds the just right spot. This summer while I was on vacation, their puppy sitter's report included Lilly's aspirations to be an interior decorator, so it's obviously a frequent hobby. She also stole this neck pillow my Mom got after one of her surgeries.....doesn't every dog require a pillow? Dogs make me happy. I also love how Max puts up with anything, even a pillow, and the weight of his 100 pound friend on his back. The only thing missing is Peanut, he was hanging out with Jason, he'd normally be cleaning their eyes...not very pretty, but very handy.

Are We There Yet?

Monday, November 23, 2009 1 comment
I'm ready for a break, and fortunately, I can see it coming, but it does involve 8 more hours of work, which doesn't seem like a lot, but....a lot can happen in 8 hours! On to more positive things... This weekend I finished my very last Dave Ramsey class. It's been a long road-91 days, but I'm better off for it, and I highly recommend the classes. There are a series of steps to follow, and I'm just on step two, but working through it slowly, and really glad to have a long-term, money plan. I'm not sure what I'll be studying next, but I guess it's time for me to sit back and do some thinking, and some listening, probably not in that order. I'd rate Dave up there with some of the best classes I've ever taken....right along with 5 Aspects of a Woman. I'm excited to see what I can add to that list in the future!!
I've finished my Christmas cards, I'm purchasing stamps this week, and then they will be shipped out on the first, and the Christmas festivities will begin in full force in my head, and in my house. I love Christmas!!!
I also have big plans for Thanksgiving break, and I'm really hoping it's less stress than I think it might be....my brother has agreed to help me lay some floors. It needs to be done, and I know if we can do it, I'm going to save a bundle, but it's really intimidating to know I'm going to have to move the furniture, pull up the carpet, lay the floors, AND somehow create the door 'stick things' where the old ceremic/carpet in the bedrooms meets the new floors....I'm scared, but hoping if I blog about the fact that I'm GOING to do it, I'll someone built up my confidence....here's hoping!
All right, speaking of...time to get a little cleaning done.

Turkey Pops

Sunday, November 22, 2009 1 comment

Of course, I got this idea off of Bakerella....I love that site. My first of only two Thanksgiving treats planned for this year, but he's a cutie, and certainly easier to put together than a real turkey.
Saturday, November 21, 2009 No comments

HIgh Hat Cupcakes


Amber's birthday festivities are tonight, and I've always wanted to make high hat cupcakes, so she agreed to be my taste tester. I cheated, I made these with buttercream instead of meringue icing.....because I like my cupcakes sweet, and sometimes, I like my cupcakes sweet (are you getting the idea?). The hat isn't as 'high' with buttercream, but I hope the flavor makes up for it! They remind me of a Dairy Queen ice cream cone, yum.
Here they are 'drying' on my impromptu drying rack.

New Moon

Friday, November 20, 2009 No comments

Tonight I went to the premier of New Moon with a group of gals from work. I call this team building....Team Edward, of course. I've already explained my unusual like of Twilight, and the second movie did not disappoint! (We bought out tickets about a month and a half ago). I can't WAIT for the next one...just 222 more days, but who's counting? Me! Me! MEEEEEE! I'm thinking midnight show next time! Added bonus, there were a bunch of tweens at the movie (including one of my old students), and one of my coworkers counted 14 screams during the movie....H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. They screamed when all the main heart throbs were seen for the first time....even louder when they were shown without their shirts.....there was even a scream for a hug....fine, I think there might have been a few screams coming from 'my' section of the theater within the 11 of us that attended. Such a great way to start the weekend!

Lazy Mom's Lasagna

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 2 comments

I found this recipe through a website called wondertime.go.com that someone sent me for a completely different reason, and it was yummy! I did make some adaptions, which I noted at the end.
Recipe for Lazy Mom's Lasagna
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup minced onion
2 carrots, grated
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (14-ounce) package frozen cheese ravioli, unthawed
1 (14-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1/2 pound sliced provolone
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Heat the oil in an ovenproof 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté the onion, carrots, garlic, and herbs until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Transfer the onion mix to a bowl. Now arrange the ravioli (breaking them apart if they're clumped) in one layer in the skillet and sprinkle with the onion mix. Ladle the marinara sauce evenly over the ravioli. Over medium heat, without stirring, cook everything until the ravioli are heated through and beginning to brown on the bottom (gently lift one with a fork to check), about 10 minutes.

Remove the skillet from the heat, then arrange the provolone slices over the sauce and sprinkle the whole thing with Parmesan. Bake the lasagna in the middle of the oven until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
*I went ahead and used the whole bag of frozen cheese ravioli (something like 25 oz). The original recipe said it serves four people, but I thought with the addition of the ravioli it would easily serve five people, and be more than filling. I also didn't add the grated carrots, I'd be interested to know what that taste like. Lastly, I thought it might be good with some ground beef tossed in, but then again, I'm not that into meat, but I could see where it would be really tasty with a meat sauce,and not just tomato sauce.

Loving the Fall!

Sunday, November 08, 2009 No comments

Today was GORGEOUS (add that to my weekend of G's). The weather was just so great. I think it was probably about 70, sunny, and the fall leaves are in full glory. I went for a walk this afternoon just because I couldn't stand not to be out there with all this color! Everywhere I drive I'm just so taken back by the colors, and I only get to experience this for a few weeks, but I'm appreciating each drive! My street has an arch of trees canopying the street, and there is no time more beautiful than the fall when all the leaves are changing colors. Sure, I know what's coming next-raking and bagging, but....I'm appreciating these colorful leaves as they rain down! This is my favorite tree on the block....check out it's color change from one side to the other.

My weekend brought to you by the letter "G"

Friday Gave me a break....no more drama, no more bad mooods....it was a nice break from the rest of the week. Someone told me there was a full moon this past week....I believe them!! Lilly also made her Great Escape with half a Giant cupcake I was trying to bake....brat....
Saturday (after good ol' Saturday School) we had a family Garage sale....not much money was made, BUT I've now cleared some stuff out of my house-a big deal, and it's next stop is the school garage sale next weekend. All the profits will be going towards The American Cancer Society. I've been collecting stuff at work for a few weeks now, and was worried about the lack of items we have at the moment...we will have plenty now (though I'm still hoping for more).
Sunday it's time for Grouting....ugh. I am not a fan of grouting, I don't do it very well either, but.....my house isn't going to make the parade of homes this year, so I guess it'll be OK....for now. I had to post about it to make myself go actually do it b/c I'm not feeling the motivation. I've been prepping mentally for a week, and the new grout has been sitting in the bathroom for several months....so....it's time!
OH....and alllll weekend, I've been a little addicted (the limited access I allow myself to the addition) to some Games I stumbled across on line. Don't go if you remember, love, and like revisiting the classic games b/c you won't get much done. BUT, if you need a reason to procrastinate, here are two fun ones....off I go....to play them each one more time before I grout.
www.freetetris.org
www.freepacman.org

Giant Cupcake Cake

Friday, November 06, 2009 1 comment

Have I mentioned I love cupcakes...even giant ones? This cake is for Kate's first birthday. Her family is celebrating 'their little cupcake's first birthday' tomorrow. She is going to be wearing her little lavender cupcake dress I made for her a few months back, and so....of course she needed a lavender cupcake cake to go with it. Her Mom's going to put a big one candle on the cake. I had to make some baby cupcakes because the guest list kept growing, and I found cupcake holders I loved. I bought the big cupcake pan from Wilton, and it was one of the easiest cakes I've ever made, but I am a little worried about the taste b/c it actually had to bake for a really long time because of the depth of the pan (and it took a double recipe to fill completely), I just hope the edges aren't too crunchy. Lilly didn't think so, she ate the first cake I baked....usually it's Max, and so when I was letting the cake cool before icing....and I heard the clatter of a dog jumping on the counter....I knew this could not be good. The second cake looks about the same....live and learn...or not....this isn't my first 'dog ruined the crafting/cooking experiment.'
Giant Cupcake

A View From Above

Individual Cupcakes

The "College Dorm" Theory

Thursday, November 05, 2009 No comments
In college, as Thanksgiving approached, all the sudden everyone had ENOUGH of everyone else. And then....finally-Thanksgiving break. The girls came back....just barely able to look at each other again....until Christmas. By Janurary, everyone loved each other again, or had their room change fulfilled. I guess it's because it's just a bunch of X chromosomes running around....I don't know. I just remembered it was SUCH an annoying time. I quickly noticed in the elementary setting it's more of the same around this time of year. I'm just sayin'....that's all I'll say, OK...and maybe I'll say I flipped three pages over in my plan book about 100 times this past week just LOOKING at the Thanksgiving Break....and knowing I can make it....but carefully plotting out how to navigate these 16 school days (three of which are Saturday Schools) between now and 'the' break.

It's About Time...

Monday, November 02, 2009 1 comment
Yay! KVIL.com is streaming Christmas music all day, all the time (starting yesterday). They are WAY behind me...I listened to my first cd in September, but....I'm glad the rest of the world is getting ready for Christmas now too! P.s. No Scrooge comments welcome on my blog. :O)

Let Them Eat Cake

Sunday, November 01, 2009 1 comment

The best thing about the fall....is all the birthdays! I've spent the last few weeks helping celebrate lots of birthdays....no complaints here-with lots more to come! This weekend I've even spanned the globe in restaurants in the attempts to help celebrate. I had Tapas on Friday night with Mary, and Sonia; Maggiano's Italian for Maggie's birthday Eve (even more interesting with a group of Smurf's joining a party at the table next to us) on Saturday....and today-it was off to Maxim's for Dim Sum to celebrate Kelly's 30th (not to be confused with Maggie's 40th)!! Her Mom got her this incredible Mad Hatter Cake (it's so 'Kelly') from Frosted Art (Bronwen Weber's place). There are still more 'Kelly celebrations' to come in honor of Kelly's age-we are off to Vegas the first weekend in December.