All Things Robbin

Happy New Year and some Random Thoughts

2012-01-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year and welcome 2012! 2011 was a year of ups and downs for me. We had to clean out my parents' home (60 years of memories) and drive away and not look back, I became a grandma to the cutest little guy around, Cutter Jeff Thomas, my little doxy Bobbi died unexpectedly, and Jeff & I made a big decision and moved 800 miles away from our family and friends to start anew in the Pacific Northwest. So in no particular order, here are some random photos and thoughts.

Here is our new casa, a cute little townhouse in Ferndale, Washington.

This is the view from our bedroom window. I love Mount Baker

Our little Charlie Brown Christmas tree, complete with handmade ornaments.

A great couple here invited us over for New Years Eve so I made some Seasoned Pretzels and Caramel Bugels.

Caramel Bugels

3 cubes real butter (Paula Deen would be proud!)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 can light Karo syrup

1 can sugar

1 can brown sugar

(Yes, you use the sweetened condensed milk can to measure the karo and the sugars!) Mix together the above ingredients in a large saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil and boil for 4 minutes. Pour over 3 bags of Bugels. Toss carefully and spread out on a wax paper.

Seasoned Pretzels

Mix together:

1 bottle Orville Redenbacher butter popping oil

1 packet ranch dressing mix

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Pour over 2 lbs pretzels. Stir well. Put in a bowl with a lid and leave on the counter. Every time you walk by it, tip the bowl over. It will be ready to eat the next day. I then spread them out on a paper towel-covered cookie sheet to get rid of some of the extra oil. Store in a ziploc baggie.

Laci and Dani flew in on Christmas Eve to spend Christmas with us. We explored Seattle a bit. Here is a cool view of the Seahawk stadium.

Dani in front of this really cool building by the Space Needle.

A couple of shots of the Space Needle.

Jeff, the girls and I went out to Birch Bay and spent the afternoon. Yes, it was chilly!

Here is our Cutter Jeff. Isn't he just the cutest!

Jeff is working on the DeBruin Dairy in Sumas. Here he is turning the heifers out to eat. Dani took this picture and called it "Releasing the Beasts!" I love this picture!

A new year always brings resolutions! I found this subway art at http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2012/01/next-year/

and I think it sums up some good resolutions for the new year!

I have the usual resolutions: get fit, eat better, love more, finish unfinished projects, be more creative, be a better wife/mom/grandma/friend, serve others more and enjoy the journey. Fingers crossed...ok 2012....bring it on!!!!

Wedding Gifts

2011-09-25T21:18:00.000-06:00

This is what I've been working on lately...wedding gifts!

A saying I love and a place to put some favorite pics.

4th of July

2011-06-23T21:00:00.000-06:00

I found a printable that I love to help decorate for the 4th of July! So simple, just download, print, trim and place in your frame! I was going to paint the frame black, and I may still...but for now I like it like this! Find this awesome idea here http://theletter4.blogspot.com/2011/06/pop-out-printable.html The flag is mounted on some strips of foam, so it is dimensional. Love it!

What I've Been Up To

2011-05-14T22:22:00.001-06:00

My dear friend Jan took me on a Girl's Getaway weekend! We spent the weekend shopping, eating, soaking in the hot pools, laughing, getting a massage and totally relaxing. She is simply the BEST!

I made a couple of hooded bath towels for Baby Graham! Hallie~I am so happy for you!

I made a couple of Birthday Boards for my dear friends Janica and Melissa. Love you guys! I found the idea here http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2010/11/crazy-christmas-crafter-classy-clutter.html

Now, on to the next project!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Mother's Day! This post is dedicated to my mom and other moms in my family. This is my mom, isn't she just classy and beautiful? My mom passed away last August. I miss her everyday. My mom lived in Belgium during WWII. It happened during her teenage years, so she wasn't able to finish high school. Her family hid an American soldier that the SS wanted badly. This is the kind of family I come from, brave, strong and do the right thing, no matter what. After the war, she joined the LDS church. My dad served a mission in Belgium and met my mom there. When he came home, he started writing to her. They corresponded for a bit and he asked her to marry him. She accepted his proposal. She came to the United States in March of 1950 and they were married in October of the same year. Now, think about this...if your daughter came to you and said "I have been writing to this man that lives somewhere in the wilds of the West. He wants to marry me, so I'm going to leave my family and my country and travel halfway around the world to marry a man I haven't even dated." Really? Wow... She was 22 when she started on this adventure! She came over here and had to learn the language, learn to drive, got her GED, went to college and became a nurse, raised 5 kids, was a dairy farmer's wife, made killer fried chicken, soup, chocolate mousse, & Belgian waffles, had a beautiful home and yard and always looked beautiful and smelled wonderful!! She was strong and just a bit stubborn (that's where I get that from...and my dad's hard~headed...a lethal combo that I inherited!!) What an example she is. I miss her and love her so much.

This is my Grandma Hanchir (left), Tante Marie (middle) and my mom (right) in Belgium. We called my Grandma Hanchir "Marraine" (not quite sure why...) but I pronounced it "Mianne". She was the only Grandma that I knew. I love her dearly. She passed away when I was 10. Here are some of my memories of her: she had long black hair. When it got to be too much for her to take care of, she put it in a ponytail and cut it off! She made awesome omelets and sprinkled them with powdered sugar. I loved to have coffee with her (well, I had a little coffee with my cream and sugar). She was an incredible knitter, we always had warm woolen socks for winter. I miss that. She had a dog, Bella, that she would speak French to and the dog would answer her back. She didn't speak much English, so I learned French at an early age. After she died, no one really spoke French much and I forgot it. I took 2 years of French in high school...but it just isn't the same. One of my many regrets. I can only imagine the things this incredibly strong woman lived thru (World War II and moving to the United States to name just a few). I hope to be strong like her.

This is my cute family, pre~Robbin!! (circa early 1960's) I love their clothes! Everyone looks so healthy and happy and carefree! (And Andre'~Kru sure looks like you here!!)

This is Gaston, my mom's brother. He was my favorite uncle. This man could do ANYTHING! He survived WWII by working in the coal mines (by the grace of God, the family knew someone who got him a spot working in the coal mines. Otherwise the Germans would have come along and taken him to serve in Hitler's army.) He was a stone mason by trade. He dug out the basement of his house (after the house was built) with a shovel and a 5 gallon bucket. He could make anything. I think this is where I get my love for power tools and creating things!

This is my dad and his sisters. My dad is the second to youngest of nine children. His dad was killed when Dad was 12. My dad had a hard life, but raised all of us with love and kindness and taught us to work until the work is done, your word is your bond, begin and end each day with prayer and to work hard and play hard. His sisters were so good to our family. I spent countless hours at Aunt Ona's learning how to bake pies! Aunt Marian had a dairy too, so she would call Dad every morning at 4 am and they would talk about their day's plans. I miss the Nye family get~togethers.

This is my mom and me in Hawaii (1982...can't you tell??) The summer after I graduated, my mom and I spent 12 days in Hawaii. We had an AWESOME time! We had so much fun and really became friends. I will always treasure this memory.

These are my sisters, Shirley (left) and Betty (right). In my mind, my sisters are always these beautiful Prom Queens! When I was little, I just wanted to grow up and be beautiful like them! Now that we're older, they are 2 of my best friends, I love that.

It's days like this that I love and appreciate my family and all they've done for me. Hug your family today!

New Year's Tradition

2011-02-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

We had the Nye family Christmas party on New's Year Day this year. My mom always said that it is a tradition to make Belgian Waffles on New Year's Day and share with your family and friends. In Mom's memory, Laci and I made Belgian Waffles for the party. Laci also had the recipe written in Mom's handwriting, how AWESOME is that!?! So we made copies of the recipe for anyone wanting to preserve the memory and the tradition. I love having things like recipes or letters in people's handwriting, I think it is something to be treasured! We will continue this tradition in Mom's memory.

A Few Valentine Decorations and some Killer Brownies

2011-02-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

I decided that I needed to make a few things to decorate for Valentines Day. I had a wooden heart that I had cut out quite a while ago. I dug it out of my stash, repainted it, mod podged some paper on it and decorated it. It is now hanging out in our front entry along with the 3 blocks below. They look a little magoo here, but they are actually quite cute!

Ok, here is how to make Over The Top Brownies! Just take a brownie mix and make it up according to package directions. Spread half of it in a 9x13 inch pan. Take 3 of the large butterfinger candy bars pictured below (get them when they are on sale!) and put on top of the brownie batter in the pan. Spread the rest of the brownie batter over the top of the candy bars. Bake as directed. They are best if you let them sit overnight before you cut and eat them. You can also use other kinds of candy bars, we've tried Symphony with toffee bits and the Hersheys with caramel. All of them are super!

We made these for Super Bowl Sunday and found these cute pennants to print out and put on the top. Go Packers!!

A Few Projects

2010-11-14T19:05:00.001-07:00

Here are a few projects that Laci and I have been working on:

A chalkboard menu board,

Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus,

A 2x4 Christmas tree

Boy photo blocks (the bottom says BOY dirt that wiggles),

Girl photo blocks (the bottom says GIRL giggles that twirl)

And finally some notebooks that Laci made for her volleyball girls. She does such a good job. Now, on to the rest of my "to do" list! It's neverending!!

Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for Veterans and soldiers. God bless them all. If I could hug them all, I would. If you have the opportunity today, hug a veteran!

Cinnamon Rolls

2010-10-10T11:23:00.000-06:00

Laci and I made cinnamon rolls yesterday. This is one of my family's favorites, and they are pretty quick and easy (as far as cinnamon rolls go!)

Jiffy Cinnamon Rolls

In a mixer bowl with dough hooks attached, place:

3 cups flour

1 (18 oz) pkg white cake mix (dry)

4 Tbsp quick rise yeast (I use Saf Instant)

2 tsp salt

4 cups warm water

Mix until smooth. Add 5 to 6 more cups of flour or until you have a soft dough. Knead 6 to 8 minutes. Roll out into rectangle (no need to let rise!) and spread with 4 Tbsp melted butter. Mix together 1 cup sugar and 2 Tbsp cinnamon and sprinkle over butter. Roll up and cut into slices. I use a piece of thread, slide it under your roll, cross your thread ends and pull. Place on a greased baking sheet.

Cover and let rise 15 minutes. Bake at 350* for 15 to 18 minutes.

Frost with (what else?) Cream Cheese Frosting!

Frosting

1 cube butter

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese

2 tsp vanilla

Beat until smooth.

Add 4 to 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

enough canned milk to get desired consistency

Beat until creamy.

Nothing like a pot of chili and a pan of cinnamon rolls that say "Fall is in the air!"

Halloween Wreath

2010-10-01T21:50:00.001-06:00

This year I decided to make a cute little Halloween decoration that is a sweet treat too! I went to the dollar store and bought a wreath form, a bag of DumDum suckers, a box of tissue, and a black sharpie. I had the orange ribbon in my ribbon stash.

Take a tissue and place it over a sucker. Take a piece of ribbon (6 inches or so) and tie around the bottom of the sucker creating your ghost. Take your sharpie and draw a face on your sucker.

Poke your ghosts in your wreath until it's as full as you'd like. Take a piece of ribbon and tie to the top of your wreath for a hanger. Hang up and enjoy! Your guests (or family!) can just pull a ghost out of the wreath and have a fun little treat. I found this idea here. I'm linking up to Danelle's blog hop. Check it out here.

Garlic Bubble Bread

2010-09-14T21:21:00.000-06:00

This bread is one of my family's favorites! It's easy and delicious.

Garlic Bubble Bread

Thaw out a loaf of frozen bread dough.
With a pizza cutter, cut it into 1 or 2 inch pieces.
Melt 1 cube butter. Stir in 2 Tbsp parsley flakes, 3/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp garlic salt.
Dip each piece of bread dough in the butter mixture and place in a bread pan.
Let rise for 1 hour.
Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.
Tip pan over onto a large plate and let it sit for a bit so all of the garlicky, buttery goodness soaks into the bread.

Pluck away and devour!

Christmas Wreath

2010-09-12T17:21:00.000-06:00

Laci and I made some wreaths last year for Christmas using a wire hanger and a whole bunch of Christmas ornaments!

Balloon Wreath

2010-09-12T17:18:00.000-06:00

I made a Birthday Wreath to hang up when someone in our family has a birthday. I got the idea from http://www.howdoesshe.com/ . What a fun way to celebrate a special day!

Courtney & Jordan's Wedding Reception

2010-09-12T17:12:00.000-06:00

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My niece Courtney got married in August and the family asked if I would do the refreshments. So with the help of most of the entire family (thanks Shirley, Lesli, Betty, Laci, Dani, Jessi, Carol and Chelzee) we whipped out some awesome chocolate cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, oreo balls and chocolate mousse cups. I think they turned out great! With all that chocolate, we ended up just serving water with sliced lemons, oranges and limes in it.

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

2010-09-12T16:44:00.000-06:00

Lois' Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was in a recipe card exchange a while ago and this was one of the recipes I received. Lois Wood made the recipe card (which was awesome, by the way) and the cookies are simply delicious! My picture is a bit blurry. Give these cookies a try.

1 cup shortening
2 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar

Cream together and add:

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 tsp hot water

Beat well and add:

12 oz chocolate chips
1 cup nuts (if desired)

Bake 7~8 minutes at 350 degrees.

Laci

2010-08-25T20:02:00.000-06:00

My daughter, Laci, has the cutest blog! Just wanted to give a shout out to her and tell all of you to go have a look!
http://www.lacenpaper.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

A Blog Award!

2010-08-25T19:31:00.001-06:00

Oh My Gosh! My first blog award! Thank you, thank you MaryBerry! You must go check out her blog, it is great! http://maryberryboutique.blogspot.com/

So, here are the rules:

1. Thank the person for the award.

2. Sum up your blog using only 5 words.

3. Pass the award on to 10 other blogs that you feel have real substance.

My blog in 5 words: DIY, recipes, easy, crafty, fun

10 blogs that I love and have substance:

Be Different Act
U Create Crafts
A Girl and a Glue Gun
Cute as a Fox
Dejavu Crafts
The Creative Crate
A Little Tipsy
Honey Bear Lane
Oopsy Daisy
Sisters Stuff
Lace N Paper

I'm new to all of this blogging stuff, so if I did something wrong, I'm sorry! I'm open to any help anyone can offer. Anyway, enjoy! And thank you again, MaryBerry!

Rice Krispie Treats

2010-06-12T22:44:00.000-06:00

Not the best picture...but yummy anyway!

Rice Krispie Treats

Boil together 1 cup sugar and 1 cup Karo syrup

Remove from heat and add 1 cup peanut butter and 1 tsp vanilla, stir until smooth.

Pour over 5 1/2 cups Rice Krispies.

Stir until well coated. Pat into a greased 9x13 inch pan.

Melt 1 cup butterscotch chips and 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips.

Spread over the top of the rice krispies.
Enjoy!

Baby Blankets

2010-06-12T22:39:00.000-06:00

Here are some more self binding receiving blankets that I have made.

A few new projects

2010-06-12T22:32:00.000-06:00

This is my cute daughter Dani modeling an apron I made from a levi leg.

This is a cute paper star we made at Laci's Stampin' Up party. Thanks Laci!

Kandice's Baby Shower

2010-06-12T22:21:00.000-06:00

I found a way to make self binding receiving blankets with mitered corners! Easy and cute! I made one for my niece Kandice's baby shower.

Dani, Laci and I made her a diaper cake too. That was a lot of fun!

My Mother's Day Gift from Dani

2010-05-25T19:54:00.000-06:00

This is what my Dani made me for Mother's Day! She got on YouTube and found a tutorial on origami flowers! She watched it over and over and got it figured out. Then she made me this gorgeous bouquet and put it in a cute rusty bedspring. She made me a book to go with it telling what each color represents. I love it and I love you, Dani! Thank you so much!

Books!!

2010-05-22T14:22:00.000-06:00

The Big Read is a National Endowment for the Arts program designed to encourage community reading initiatives and of their top 100 books, they estimate the average adult has read only six.
Here's what you are supposed to do:
*Look at the list and bold those we have read.
*Italicize those we intend to read.
*Star the books we love.
1. Pride and Prejudice-Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings-JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre**-Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series-JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird-Harper Lee
6. The Bible
7. Wuthering Heights-Emily Bronte
8. Nineteen Eighty Four-George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials-Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations-Charles Dickens
11. Little Women**-Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles-Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22-Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare
15. Rebecca-Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit-JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong-Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye-JD Salinger
19. The Time Traveler's Wife-Audrey Niffenenegger
20. Middlemarch-George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind-Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby-F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House-Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace-Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy-Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited-Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment-Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath-John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland-Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows-Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina-Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield-Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia-CS Lewis
34. Emma-Jane Austen
35. Persuasion-Jane Austen
36. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe-CS Lewis
37. The Kite Runner-Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin-Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha-Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh**-AA Milne
41. Animal Farm-George Orwell
42. The DaVinci Code-Dan Brown
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude-Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney-John Irving
45. The Woman in White-Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables**-LM Montgomery
47. Far From the Madding Crowd-Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid's Tale-Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies-William Golding
50. Atonement-Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi-Yann Martel
52. Dune-Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm-Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility-Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy-Vikram Seth
56. A Shadow of the Wind-Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale of Two Cities-Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World- Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Mark Haddon
60. Love in the Time of Cholera-Gabriel Garcia Marrquez
61. Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck
62. Lolita-Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History-Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones-Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo**-Alexandre Dumas
66. On the Road-Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure-Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones' Diary-Helen Fielding
69. Midnight's Children-Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick-Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist-Charles Dickens
72. Dracula-Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden-Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes From a Small Island-Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses-James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar-Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons-Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal-Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair-William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession-AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol-Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas-David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple-Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day-Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary-Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance-Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte's Web**-EB White
88. The Five People You Meet in Heaven-Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection-Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness-Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince-Antione De Saint-Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory-Iain Banks
94. Watership Down-Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces-John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice-Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers-Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet-William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory**-Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables**-Victor Hugo
Well, I have read more on this list than I thought! I have seen the movie version of several of these, but I guess I should read the book. There is a nifty little used book store in Burley that I am going to have to frequent more often and become a bit more "well-read"! I'll add that to my ever-growing bucket list!!

The Bread That Is Served In Heaven

2010-05-17T22:08:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read that right. This is so good that it is served in heaven! I made this for Mother's Day and took some to my best friend Jan and to my mom and dad. Everyone agreed that this is awesome! So, I will share with you so you will know what they eat in heaven!!

Heaven Bread

Dough:
Mix 2 Tbsp yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Let sit until foamy.

Add 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup soft butter, 1/2 cup milk and 2 eggs.

Add 1 tsp salt to 2 cups of flour. Add to yeast mixture.

Add 2 to 3 more cups of flour or until you have a nice soft dough, just a bit sticky. Knead for 10 minutes or so, until it's smooth.

Put dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and let rise another 10 to 15 minutes. Divide dough into 3 balls. Roll each ball of dough into a rectangle.

Spread 1/3 of filling down each rectangle. Spread 1/3 of a can of raspberry pie filling down cream cheese layer on each rectangle. Cut strips down each side of filling. Braid the dough by alternating the strips across the filling. Tuck in the last strip. Gently place the braided dough on a greased cookie sheet. You can get all 3 on one cookie sheet.

Let the braids raise for 15 to 30 minutes. Bake at 350* for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and drizzle with icing.

Filling: Blend together 8 oz cream cheese and 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Other: 1 can raspberry pie filling (you can use cherry or blueberry or strawberry or whatever floats your boat!!)

Icing: 1 lb powdered sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
Blend until smooth

Healthy Brownies

2010-05-17T22:03:00.000-06:00

"Healthy Brownies"...is that an oxymoron? Is oxymoron one word? Well I guess it is for this post!

Take this box of brownie mix (this one is made with whole wheat and of course double chocolate) and a can of black beans.

I drained the beans because bean liquid grosses me out...then I mashed the beans and added the brownie mix (dry).

I added 2 Tbsp water because it was a bit dry. Then I scooped them into mini muffin cups and baked.

Yummy little brownie bites with extra fiber! Win Win!

Bedspring Flower Bouquet

2010-05-17T22:00:00.000-06:00

Isn't this one Laci made so cute!?!?

Laci had us make these for Janica's Stampin' Up Hostess club project. We had a lot of fun doing these! We made paper lollypop flowers, ribbon flowers and fabric yo yo flowers. Then we put them in an old rusty bedspring "vase". They turned out so cute!

Melissa's Birthday Present

2010-05-17T21:54:00.000-06:00

This is what I made my good friend Melissa for her birthday. They are 2x4 blocks with her hubby's and kids' names on them and wire added for her to display their pictures. There is a wide ribbon tied around them all. I got the idea off of http://www.howdoesshe.com/ . Hope she enjoys it half as much as I enjoyed making it for her!

Crayon Roll

2010-04-30T21:16:00.000-06:00

Finally finished a crayon roll!

File Folder Album

2010-04-30T21:11:00.000-06:00

This is a File Folder Album I have started. I am using old photos of my mom and dad. I'll post more pictures when I get this done. I'm loving the vintage paper, the distressing and of course the pictures are the best!

More 4x6 Recipe Cards

2010-04-30T21:07:00.000-06:00

More 4x6 Recipe Cards

2010-04-30T21:00:00.000-06:00

This is Laci's card! I love anything vintage or retro!! (The recipe is to make your own Febreeze!)

4x6 Recipe Exchange

2010-04-30T20:50:00.000-06:00

Laci and I did a 4x6 recipe card exchange. These are some of my recipes.

This is the box they fit it.

6x6 Recipe Card Exchange

2010-04-30T20:40:00.000-06:00

Laci and I were in a 6x6 recipe exchange club a while ago. These are my books (um...they still need embellished! On my to do list!!)
And some of our recipes!

We had such a fun time doing this exchange!

My Dollar Store Cake Platter

2010-04-30T20:33:00.000-06:00

Here is the cake/dessert platter I made from Dollar Store items. Get an ashtray, a candlestick and a plate. Use E6000 glue and glue it together! That's it...really!

How cute would this be with a cute vase and some fun colored plates? Hmmm...might have to make another trip to the Dollar Store or to the D.I.!!

My "Go To" Cookie

2010-04-30T20:21:00.000-06:00

These are quite tasty and easy too! The first picture is made with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

These are made with Rolos. I like the Rolos, but my PB loving kids like the PB ones!

Here's what you do:

Chocolate Cookies

Mix together 1 chocolate cake mix (I just use whatever is on sale!)

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil.

Take a little ice cream scooper and scoop up a ball of dough.

Push a Rolo or Reeses into the middle and surround the candy with the dough.

Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 9 minutes.

Remove to a wire rack and let cool. Enjoy!!

Oreo Balls with a Twist

2010-04-30T20:09:00.000-06:00

Yes, these are yummy! We didn't dip them in the chocolate almond bark, but we did drizzle the white almond bark over the top.

They are made with these tasty little things! Give them a try!

More treats

2010-04-28T18:07:00.000-06:00

We had a bridal shower and a missionary farewell all in the same weekend! So we made 2 kinds of cupcakes, oreo balls and sugar cookie bars.

Cupcakes

1 pkg white or chocolate cake mix

1 (3oz) pkg instant vanilla or chocolate pudding

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

4 eggs

2 cups white chocolate chips (optional for the vanilla cupcakes) or milk chocolate or semi sweet chocolate chips (a must for the chocolate cupcakes!)

Mix together the cake mix, dry pudding, sour cream, oil, water and eggs. Fold in the chocolate chips. Bake cupcakes as directed on the cake mix (we prefer the mini cupcakes). Frost with cream cheese or chocolate frosting.

Oreo Balls (these are all over Blogland, but here they are anyway)

1 pkg oreo cookies, all crushed up

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese

Mix together with beaters until mixed together really well. Roll into 1 inch balls and dip in melted chocolate almond bark. Set on cookie sheet. Drizzle melted white almond bark over the top.

We forgot to take some pictures of the sugar cookie bars, but if you like sugar cookies, this is the way to go! No rolling out and cutting!

Sugar Cookie Bars

Cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until fluffy.

Add 4 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg.

Add 2 tsp vanilla, mix well.

Combine 5 cups flour, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp soda.

Add to creamed mixture and mix just until combined.

Spread in a greased cookie sheet with sides. Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and frost.

Frosting:

Beat 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup shortening until smooth.

Add 1 tsp vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar and then add up to 5 Tbsp milk and mix until smooth and spreading consistency. Spread over cooled cookie. Sprinkle with sprinkles!!

Treats for the Eye as well as the Tummy!

2010-04-27T22:21:00.000-06:00

My sister Betty had a Stampin' Up party at my house. She made some awesome treats for us! Here is a photo of some killer Rocky Road Brownies! Do you like my cake platter? It is an ashtray glued to a candlestick glued to a glass plate! Love the Dollar Store.

She also made these great sugar cookies! I'm kind of a sugar cookie snob and trust me, these are the best! Also on a Dollar Store dessert platter.

This is a Spring Garden Veggie Dip. Super with crackers, celery, peppers and carrots!

She also made a fresh salsa, that was knock-out delicious! Don't you love the dishes? They are from Belgium!

Here is the spread (love the dishes stacked in the background waiting to be put away. Oh, you didn't notice? Bless you!)
Here are the recipes! Thanks Betty!

Supreme Rocky Road Brownies

1st layer:

Melt together 1/2 cup margarine

1 cup sugar

1 square unsweetened chocolate

Add: 1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup nuts

2 eggs

1 cup flour

Spread in a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Set aside.

2nd layer:

Blend together:

6 oz cream cheese

1 egg

2 Tbsp flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup margarine

Carefully pour and spread over chocolate layer. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup nuts and 6 oz chocolate chips. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with 2 cups mini marshmallows, return to oven for 2 minutes. Frost with Supreme Brownie Frosting.

Supreme Brownie Frosting

Melt together 1/4 cup margarine, 2 oz cream cheese, 1 square unsweetened chocolate, 1/4 cup milk. Remove from heat, add 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Beat until smooth. Spread over brownies and refrigerate.

Sugar Cookies

Cream 1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tsp vanilla

Add 1 cup sour cream, mix well.

Sift together: 4 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Add to creamed mixture, mix well. Chill dough well. Roll out and cut. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Cool and frost.

Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

3 oz cream cheese

3 Tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp almond extract

Mix well.

Spring Garden Dip

Blend together:

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise (not salad dressing)

3/4 Tbsp sugar

3/4 tsp salt

dash pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Stir in:

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup chopped radishes

1/4 cup chopped peeled cucumbers

Serve with fresh veggies.

Salsa

Combine:

6-8 tomatoes, chopped

4-6 green onions, chopped

1 4-oz can green chilies

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1-2 cups chopped grilled chicken

1-2 small avocados, chopped

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 clove minced garlic

2 Tbsp lime juice

1 tsp salt

2 Tbsp sugar

pepper to taste

jicama (opt)

Enjoy!

The rest of the....dishtowels!

2010-04-11T12:23:00.001-06:00

um...yes this is upside down....sorry!!

Dishtowels

2010-03-02T21:43:00.001-07:00

My sister Shirley makes these awesome dishtowels. She was kind enough to show me how to make them and even took me shopping to her favorite craft store when we went to visit. I bought some fabric and dishtowels and FINALLY got around to getting them done. Thanks Shirley!

Card for February Card Exchange

2010-03-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

My card for the February card exchange. The theme was Easter...but I went with Spring!

Ribbon Holder

2010-03-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

So I seen this idea on Blue Cricket Design to turn an old drawer into a smashing new ribbon holder! A little spray paint, some scrapbook paper and mod podge and some dowels and WA LA! So much easier to find some ribbon!

Jars of Heaven

2009-10-21T17:40:00.000-06:00

Well...look at me go! 1 case of peaches bottled for winter, check. 1 case of pears bottled for winter, check. The rest of my food storage?? well...I have to start somewhere!! Laci did tomatoes for us, bless her lil heart! Nothing beats a bowl of bottled fruit with a side of toast and peanut butter! Yum.

2009-08-25T19:00:00.001-06:00

Well, I've made the jump into BloggerWorld! Considering I have to learn EVERYTHING about how to do this...this is a big step for me. Join me for everything I love: cooking, crafts, family and whatever else strikes my fancy!