Cake Pops

CAKE POPS
1 box 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.

You can get creative and use any combination of cake mix and frosting. I made mine with white cake mix, homemade cream cheese frosting, and white almond bark that was tinted pink. I then stuck sticks into the balls to make them look like suckers.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

1 cup Butter- soft

2 cups Sugar

2 Eggs

1tsp. Vanilla

1 cup Sour cream

½ tsp. Baking soda

4 tsp. Baking powder

5+ cups of flour

½ tsp. Salt

o   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

o   Cream butter, eggs, sugar, and  vanilla until light and fluffy

o   Add in sour cream

o   Sift in dry ingredients

o   Add flour to batter until it isn’t sticky- which for me is usually another 1- 1 ½ cups

o   Dump dough onto plastic wrap and wrap it up

o   Refrigerate dough for an hour

o   I like to roll out my dough to be about ¼ inch thick

o   Bake cut out cookies for 12-15 minutes (mine take 13 minutes to be perfect)

o   Yields around 6 dozen

Frosting

 *my coveted recipe*

1lb. Powder Sugar –which equals 3 ½ cups

8 oz. Cream cheese- Soft

2Tbl. Evaporated milk- you can use regular milk too-

1 tsp. Vanilla

Orange zest to taste

o   Combine all ingredients in your mixer.

o   I like to sift my sugar to break up the clumps

o   Be careful with you milk because too much will make it too runny and it is hard to get it to equal out again without making it taste like powder sugar.

o   The secret is the evaporated milk. It makes it have creamier taste. Using milk will still taste really good though.

o   Add any desired food coloring

o   I also like to pipe the frosting onto my cookies. I find it easier and less messy.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs (or Cocktail Sausages)

I got this recipe here at ourbestbites.com

1 12 oz jar Chili Sauce
1 16-18oz jar grape jelly*
2lb frozen meatballs or 2-3 packages cocktail sausages

*note that you could use the smaller jar of jelly instead, I think it's more like 10oz. I like the sweetness of the 18oz jar, but you could make it less sweet with the small jar if you prefer.

Combine jelly and chili sauce in a crock pot an stir until smooth. Heat the mixture if needed to combine. Add meatballs or cocktail sausages and set temperature to low. Cook for 2-5 hours on low. Serve with toothpicks.

Chiffon is In!

The chiffon is in and we are so excited to play with it.

This Thursday is our craft night. Even if you aren't making a "group" project you should come and enjoy being out with the girls. 

Our recipe swap this month is valentine recipes. 

See you Thursday at 8pm!

Soft Cloth Baby Shoes

I saw these and thought they were SO cute!! Since there are a lot of babies being born right now I thought it would be fun to make these. Any takers? You can make them with fabric or leather soles. Here's the link to the tutorial. Baby Shoe Tutorial

Valentine Pouch

I was blog hopping today and found a tutorial on these fabric valentine pockets. I thought they looked like fun. The instructions tell you to buy a 10x10 layer cake and a roll sets. You get like 24 pouches.

Any takers on doing this???

We got the 24 pouches covered- so this one isn't available anymore. :o)

Materials for Turkey Dressing skirt

Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate

Pattern Size: 8 years old (adjustable sizes for ALL ages below)

Needed:

* 1-2 yards of cotton fabric

* 1-2 yards of NON-FRAY Nylon Chiffon in various colors (online store link listed below)

* 1 inch wide elastic

* Sewing machine

Average Sewing Time: 2-3 hours

Chiffon link

*Also if you want to order the chiffon together we could probably save on shipping. Get online and pick your colors and leave a comment so we know what and how much to order. The directions say that this website has a great variety and is the least expensive*

*Chiffon orders are due January 22nd. I want to have 2 weeks to allow delivery. Also, in buying the cotton fabric, I would probably buy a cotton that is matching your color of chiffon. Example; I am buying the pinks and so I bought a bright pink cotton. The picture in the pattern are shades of brown and so she bought a chocolate brown cotton. :o) Any other questions feel free to ask in the comments or email me directly*

I got the pattern!

I broke down and bought that cute skirt pattern (I am kicking myself for not copying it when it was free- like I usually do, but oh well), so I say we make them in February.

Chicken and Salmon Recipies

Here are some recipies I thought I'd share. My SIL gave them to me. Soooo yummy!

Southwest Chicken Marinade
2 T. olive oil
1 clove minced garlic
1 t. chili powder
1 t. dried oregano leaves
1/2 t. salt
1 lb. chicken
combined all ingredients, coat both sides of chicken. Marinate in fridge a couple hours or just go ahead and grill on the spot if no time.
make extra and freeze some for later.

Lemon Chicken
3 T. lemon juice (fresh is always best)
3 T. olive oil
1 t. minced garlic
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 t. oregano
1 lb. chicken
Marinate chicken overnight. Grill chicken ans use with salads, pastas, pizza, or whatever.

Honey Glazed Salmon
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. soy sauce plus 2 T. soy sauce
3 T. fresh lime or lemon juice
2 T. water
1 T. plus 1 t. Dijon mustard
1-2 T. olive oil
4 6oz. Salmon fillets
Preheat broiler. Brush Salmon with 2 T. of the soy sauce. Place on a baking sheet and broil salmon for 10 min. or until it is cooked through. in a small bowl whisk together honey, soy sauce, lime juice, water and mustard. Heat a small non-stick skillet, add honey mixture to skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a glaze-like consistency. Pour the glaze over salmon. yummy with brown rice!

Next Month & Show and Tell

Our next get-together is Jan. 7th. For recipes, how about either desserts or something really healthy? Like a favorite vegetable side dish.
How do you girls feel about making some "It's My Day" things to use for upcoming birthdays, etc? I know a few of you girls have some great traditions for birthdays or other special events (like the balloon wreath that I've seen on Maria's front door or those triangle banners). Here are a few things that I've been wanting to make FOREVER.

I REALLY want to make a plate for special occasions. If we cut vinyl with Jessica's Cricket and put it on a red plate, do you think we could still eat off it? Could we wash it? Or would painting it be best? Do we have an expert on such things in the group?

I saw this chair cover over at nannygoat.
Post any other tutorials you guys know of or we could do that cute skirt that Jessica posted as well. :)

Now for the "Show and Tell" portion of this post.
The kid's have loved doing this advent calendar. Thanks again Jessica for sharing the Cricket with us and spending the entire evening cutting out letters for us.

This is my mom's new scripture case. She likes it simple.

Now on to the quilts. I used the same 12 fabrics for all three quilts but did three completely different patterns. This first one was similar to the patch baby quilt that I have done in the past... only I cut the squares bigger and bound it with ric-rac


I saw this quilt on the sugarnspicecreations blog and after spending way too much time doing simple math I was able to change the pattern to the size I wanted. I'm still not sure about binding it in brown, maybe white would have been better but that doesn't keep it from being my favorite of the three quilts.


This last quilt was me attempting to recreate a darling quilt that I've seen at Jill's house. I like it so much I think I'll make McKayla the same type of quilt to go on her bed.


Which quilt is your favorite?
It would be great to see some of the handmade items you all have been making posted on this blog as well.

White Chili

(sorry so late; lost my recipe)

4 lg. chicken breasts/rotisserie chicken

1 T olive oil

1 med. onion

3 cloves garlic

1 32-oz box chicken broth

2 cans Great Northern beans - drained & rinsed

2 4-oz cans diced green chilis

2 15-oz cans white corn w/ juice OR frozen

1 T cumin

1/2 t oregano

1/2 t coriander

1/2 t salt

fresh cracked pepper

1 lime

1/3 c chopped cilantro 

Garnishes: limes, shredded monterey jack cheese, sliced avocados, sour cream, cilantro, tortilla strips

In large pot, sautee onions until translucent.  Add chicken and garlic  and cook until done (if raw, I cube--if not I add shredded rotisserie with next step).  Add chicken broth, rinsed beans, green chilis (w/juice), white corn (w/juice), cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, a few turns pepper.  Bring to boil, then simmer 10 mins.  

Remove from heat, add squeezed lime and cilantro.  Best served with garnishes!

Oreo Truffles

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, Carlee Simpson



1 package oreos (I like the mint)
1 - 8 oz package cream cheese, room temp.
White Chocolate melting chips (1 lb)
Milk or Dark Chocolate melting chips (1/2 lb.)

Using a food processor, grind cookies to a fine powder. With a mixer, blend cookie powder, cream cheese and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese).

Roll into small balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate or freeze for 45 minutes.

Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. Melt white chocolate in microwave safe bowl (stopping to mix every 30 sec). Dip balls and coat thoroughly. With slotted spoon, lift balls out of chocolate and let excess chocolate drip off. Place on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet.

In separate bowl, melt chocolate. Put chocolate in a Ziploc bag and cut off a small corner. Drizzle white chocolate over balls. Let cool.

Store in airtight container, in refrigerator.

Christmas Cheese Ball

2- 8oz. packages of Cream Cheese -softened

3- Green Onion tops- chopped

1/2tsp. Dry Mustard

2 1/2 tsp. Bon-Appetite (it's a seasoning)

a few shakes of the dry chives

Mix all ingredients together and chill to refirm cheese. After it's chilled, form it into a ball and roll it in slivered almonds or any chopped nut. Serve with crackers of veggies.

advent calendar

Jessica, I finally got a photo for you!!!  

Thank you SO much.  for sharing, for all your work, for your time...all of it.

--btw, the random flowers are for my random hole in the canvas, (long story)

which is why they're on there in random spots 

Ruffle Skirt

Check this super cute skirt out. I think this one will be fun to make.

Microwave Caramels

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1 cup sweetened condensed milk

Place butter in a large bowl, microwave 1 minute on high. Stir. Add remaining ingredients. Stir. Cook on high for 7 minutes. Stir well. Cook for another 7 minutes, stir well. Pour into a buttered 9x13 pan. Cool. Cut into squares and wrap in wax paper. Adjust cooking time to your microwave.

Chocolate Pie

24 Marshmallows

1 giant Hershey Bar

1/2 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1 Graham Cracker Pie Shell

Melt marshmallows with Hershey bar over double boiler. Add milk. Cool. Fold in whipping cream. Pour into pie shell. Let stand until firm (about 2 hours). Cover with whipped cream.

Advent Calenders

I owe Jessica big time! She was so patient and helpful. I coudn't have done it without her (and Her Cricket). I'm really happy with how they turned out. They're headed to Alaska, Arizona and eastern Idaho. I used the list that Jessica sent and added a few of our own traditions too. Thanks again Jessica. You're awesome!

Spidey bag

Thanks Maria for showing us these cute scripture bags. I made this for my nephew's birthday.

Lemon Meringue Pie

9 in cooked pie crust
1 1/2 c sugar
2 1/4 c water
2 big lemons, juiced
7 1/2 T cornstarch
6 T water
3 extra large egg yolks

Put 2" of water in bottom of a double broiler. Mix sugar and water in top of double broiler. Add lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until hot.

Mix together in a small bowl cornstarch and water until creamy. Slowly add cornstarch mixture to lemon mixture. Stir constantly so that it will not be lumpy. Stir over medium heat until mixture thickens

Beat egg yolks slightly in a small bowl (I use the cornstarch bowl:)) Add 4 T of hot lemon mixture into egg yolks and stir. Slowly pour into lemon mixture. Cook a little longer and pour into cooked pie shell. Top with Meringue.

MERINGUE

3 egg whites
4 T powdered sugar
1/2 t vanilla
1 t cream of tartar

Beat egg whites adn cream of tartar until frothy. Add sugar gradually and beat until stiff. Add vanilla and pile on pie.

Bake at 325 for 15-18 minutes

Recipe can be doubled but not trippled

Apple Cream Pie

2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup flour
2 T flour
1/8 t salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 c sour cream
5 apples, cored, peeled and grated
9 inch pie crust, unbaked
1/2 c butter, softened
2 t cinnamon

Mix together on cup sugar, 2 T flour, salt,egg, vanilla, sour cream and apples. Pour into pie crust. Set aside.

Mix remaining flour, sugar, butter and cinnamon. This mixture should look like little pebbles. Sprinkle on top of pie.

Bake at 400 until bubbly about 35-40 minutes.

Pie Crust

6 Cups Flour
3/4 teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Shortening
1 Cup Water
3 Eggs
1 Tablespoon Vinegar

Mix with beater; flour, salt and shortening.

In a 2 cup measuring cup mix with beater; water, eggs and vinegar. Add liquid to flour mixture and combine well. If to sticky add flour a little bit at a time.

Form into fist size balls. Roll out on floured surface. Put in pie tin, prick crust with fork tines. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. For best results put a cheese cloth on top of pie crust and then fill with dried beans when there is three minutes left remove beans and cheese cloth.

Fill with your favorite pie recipe, quiche, tart, chicken pot pie.

The remaining dough balls can be frozen(up to six months) or refrigerated(up to three weeks). When ready to use put on counter and let the balls thaw. Use when they are just colder than room temperature.

Key Lime Pie

Key lime Pie

1 Graham cracker pie crust

1 14oz can Sweeten condensed milk
3 Eggs

½ cup Lime juice

Preheat oven 350°. Mix condensed milk and eggs together. Once the oven is ready, mix in the lime juice until it becomes creamy. Pour into pie crust and bake for 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes and then put in fridge to cool completely. Serve plain or with cool whip.

Graham Cracker Crust

1 pkg. Graham crackers

6T Butter- melted

1/4c Sugar

Crush crackers and stir in sugar. Add melted butter and press down onto the pie plate.

Scripture Totes

I found a couple of other sites with super cute ideas of scripture totes. Here they are!

http://itsagirlthing1.blogspot.com/2009/09/scripture-toteanyone.html

http://scripturetotesbyloree.blogspot.com/

Anyone find a store with really cute placemats? I have heard Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree, but I haven't looked yet.

Cinnabon Popcorn

12 c popcorn (natural; I use Orville Redenbacher's "natural" microwave popcorn)

1 c pecans

1 c brown sugar

3/4 t cinnamon

1/4 c karo syrup

1 stick butter

1/2 t baking soda

3 squares almond bark (vanilla flavor) or white chocolate

Preheat oven to 250.

Put popcorn & pecans in very large bowl (will be messy when stirring, so go bigger than you think you may need).

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon really well (or won't work right) in large microwave-safe bowl or Pyrex 2qt measuring bowl works great. Chop butter into chunks and place on top. Pour karo syrup over. Microwave high for 30 seconds. Take out & stir. Microwave 2 mins, take out & stir. **I stop here but the recipe goes on; my microwave runs high; too much carmelizes it. Should be really really bubbly but not super thick.  

Microwave 2 mins (if not done), remove. Add vanilla and baking soda. 

Pour over popcorn/pecans. Stir quickly (dries fast) until well coated. 

Pour onto foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 30 mins total; take out and stir every 10.

Remove and pour onto parchment-lined baking sheet. (or will stick to foil). Let cool while you melt almond bark - according to directions on package. Drizzle with fork and let cool.

Calendar Update

I have decided to order the tins from the CPS container store here in Eagle. We can get them for around the same price, but they are better quality tins.
With that being said, we can do as many calenders as we want, so if you know of someone who wants to make one then let me know and we can get them on the list. (let me know by this Friday so that I can have a week for the order)
So far we have on the list:
Kim D
Jocelyn M
Chelsea M
Sara E
Jen R
Jill B x3
Trisha M

I know there were a few from book club interested (Sharla and someone else, I can't remember), but I don't have their emails, so if someone can email them then that would be great.

Calendar Project

I bought enough tins and canvas' for 4 calendars. If you would like to make one then let me know by Wednesday (October 14th) so that I have enough time and coupons to get the stuff for you. Below is what is required for the project. What is highlighted is what you still need to bring. I painted my canvas black, but you can leave it white or any other color. Email me what color you want yours and I can get that done before we make them.


· One 16" x 20" blank Canvas * Cheap at Michaels. You don’t need the really nice canvas’*
· 24 metal tins (2" diameter Wilton® favor tins were used here, available at Michaels in the wedding favor section) *With a 40% off coupon you can get these for around $12.* *Correction- they ran out of tins and we can't order on the internet, so we are going through CPS containers in Eagle. They are way better quality for a couple of dollars more. I think it is worth the extra $$*
· Patterned Paper *2 each of 4 different patterns*
· Coordinating Cardstock *2 for squares and 1 for letters/numbers (I also did a shadow on my letters/numbers so if you want to do that you will need 1 sheet of a shadow color Mine is white)*
· Strong and regular adhesive (SNAIL and Terrific Tape) *super important*
· Ribbon *5/8" for edging, but not necessary*
· 24 Velcro™ dots

Peanut Butter Balls

Per Belle's request I am adding this recipe.

2 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 c. chunky peanut butter
3 T. melted butter
1 pkg chocolate chips
1/3 c. crushed graham crackers

Combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter, and graham crackers in a bowl. Knead until well mixed. Roll into balls and chill. Melt chocolate chips and dip balls in chocolate. Chill.

Marshmallow Krispie Bars

1 pkg Brownie mix
1 pkg mini marshmallows
1 1/2 c. chocolate chips
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1 tbsp butter
1 1/2 c. rice krispie cereal

Prepare brownies according to directions on box. Remove from oven. Sprinkle marshmallows on hot brownies. Return to oven and bake for 3 mins.

Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, & butter in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until chips are melted. Add rice krispie cereal.

Spread mixture over marshmallow layer. Refrigerate until chilled.

Advent Calendar

While grabbing a picture of the chair covers I saw my advent calendar picture and thought I would put this up as an option. It is kind of pricey to make (around $30), but worth it.

I also have a Cricut that cuts vinyl that I used to make It's your day Chargers. (You use it for a birthday to put a plate on) I gave a birthday set as a gift for Christmas last year. (chair cover, charger, and centerpiece)

Chair covers

Here is another idea we thought of doing. I made these for Christmas and through out December we filled the back pocket with "love notes" that we opened up Christmas Eve. It set a great tone in our home for that night and the next day. I also made one that was bright for birthdays that we stick on the birthday persons chair and that day we write a "love note" to that person. Good stuff- thanks to Carlene Tanner for the idea.

Garden Soup

2 cups Chicken-cooked/cubed
1 cup Minute Rice- uncooked
1 cup Carrots- grated
1 large Zucchini -grated
2 stalks Celery- chopped
1 can Cream of Chicken
3 cans Chicken Broth or 6 cups water & 6 Chicken bullion
1Tbl dried Onion
Salt and Pepper to taste

Put all the ingredients in a crock pot and heat all day on low.

2Tbl Butter 2Tbl Flour 1 cup Milk Green Onions- chopped

About an hour before serving brown butter in a sauce pan and then add flour and milk and stir until smooth. Heat on med until it thickens and then add it to the soup. Add green onions. Salt and pepper to taste.

Placemat Scripture Tote Bag

Keeping on our theme of Christmas gifts, November 5th Maria will be teaching us how to make scripture bags out of placemats! (I stole these images from a tutorial I found online)


Materials needed:
1. One sturdy/thick placemat.
2. 1 1/2 inch "gross grain" ribbon. 2 pieces, 16 inches long each for handles.
3. Any flowers, ribbon, & fringe to embellish the tote. Approximately 1 extra yard will be needed to go all the way around the tote.
4. Matching thread for placemat and embellishment ribbon.
5. Glue gun & fabric glue for fringe.
Anything else Maria?

For our recipe swap we will be doing pies and soups. Bring whichever one you want... or both! :)

Pink Lassies

This is a great treat for special events. I serve it at our grandchildren's Christmas sleepover on December 23rd. (other variations use pineapple juice and a splash of soda) serve in mock tail glasses.

Pink Lassies:
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup cranberry juice

Blend and serve

Pumpkin Dip

1 - 14 oz can of pumpkin
1 - pkg cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar

Mix together and season with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves to taste.

If you would like to use the larger can of pumpkin, use 2 pkgs of cream cheese and a bit more powdered sugar according to taste. Put in fridge to chill and serve with cinnamon seasoned pita chips.

Fruit Smoothies

1 Cup Fat Free Milk

1/2 Cup Plain Yogurt

1/4 tsp. Vanilla extract

1 1/2 Cups fresh or frozen strawberries

1/2 Cup canned unsweetened pineapple chunks

1/4 Cup nonfat dry milk powder

4 ice cubes

2 Tbsp. sugar

Directions:

In a blender combine all the ingredients. Cover and process for 30-45 seconds or until smooth. Stir if necessary. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

12- 15 Appetizer Servings

1 1/4 Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (About 4 Breasts)

1 (1 Pound) Package Sliced Bacon

2/3 Cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees F.

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in the mixture. Coat a large sheet pan with foil. Place a rack on top of the sheet pan, and coat rack with cooking spray. Place chicken wraps on the rack. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

Aprons and Favorite Recipes

The next couple of months we will be doing a few projects that would make great Christmas gifts. This month will be aprons.

For this hostess apron you will need:
2/3 yard for the main fabric
fat quarter for the pockets
3/4 yrd for the waist band and tie
interfacing for the waist band
1 package of double fold bias tape (or you can make your own)



For our recipe swap we will be bringing our favorite recipe. Bring your most requested item or call you mother-in-law for hers.

We'll see you October 1st at 7:30 pm.

french flea market apron

adult size:

fabric A (bottom ruffle - blue in photo) 1/2 yd

fabric B (middle ruffle - green in photo) 1/4 yd

fabric C (top panel - pink in photo) 2/3 yd

fabric D (waistband/tie - polka dot in photo) 1/2 yd

child size:

A - 1/2 yd  **smaller girls sz 3-6 could do 1/3 yd

B - 1/4 yd

C - fat quarter

D - 1/3 yd

Chicken Poppers

chicken breasts or tenders
diced green chiles
sliced cheddar cheese

Grill chicken. Place green chiles on top of chicken. Place cheese on chiles and let the cheese melt.

Limeaid

32 oz of freash squeezed lime juice (if you use the bottled kind-don't bother to make it because it its just not the same!!)

6 QTS cold water & ice

6 cups of sugar- give or take depending on how tart you want it

stir stir stir!!

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Cranberry Sauce

2-3 lb pork roast tenderloin
6 tablespoons butter - divided
1/2 onion - finely chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 can chicken broth (7 oz)
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Directions
1. Melt 2 Tbs butter in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper.
3. Sear pork on all sides, about 2 minutes.
4. Place pork in crock pot and cook on high with 2 cups of water for 1 1/2-2 hrs.
5. Meanwhile, melt remaining 4 tablespoon butter in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add onion and rosemary; sauté until onion softens, about 3 minutes.
7. Add broth, cranberry sauce and vinegar and whisk until cranberry sauce melts, about 2 minutes.
8. Boil until sauce has reduced enough to coat spoon thickly, about 6 minutes (could take longer).
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Slice pork and serve with sauce.

Shrek Margaritas

Shrek Margaritas

1/2 small can white grape juice concentrate
1/4 lime including rhine
1/2 orange peeled
1/4 pineapple
ice
couple handfuls of raw spinach

Blend well in a blender

My children absoutely love this drink. They ask for it all the time!
Don't be scared of the Spinach you can not taste

Burned Flowers

I am not sure if that is "the name" of these little flowers (or big) but I thought it's fun!  I came across these on Saturday and made one for Emma, they are sooo easy and cute.

Materials Needed

Clip 

Hand needle

Thread

Button or bead

9 circles of fabric 

(at least I used 9, the largest ones were about 4" in diameter and the smallest about 1 1/2 inch)  see you all tomorrow!

rolled roses

supplies:

20" by 3" strip of fabric, button, needle & thread, clip  

Corkscrew hair bows

I know how to make the corkscrew hair bows. They are simple and fun
You need:
crossgrain ribbon of your choice
thread
needle
1/4" dowels...about 9 inches long (I have some but not enough if everyone wanted to make them)
wooden clothes pins (Once again I do have some)

ButtonFlowerPin

I found this crocheted flower that is really cute and easy to make
ButtonFlowerPin

Does anyone know how?

Does anyone know how to make these darling curly ribbon hair bows? I REALLY want to learn how!


Are there any other hair accessories you guys are wanting to learn how to make? I saw the cutest feathered headband the other day - wouldn't that but fun to make for ourselves?

Ribbon Flower

Maria said she'd teach us how to make these cute ribbon flowers. I'm not sure exactly what you need so correct me if I'm wrong.

2-3 coordinating ribbons
matching button
hot glue?
hair clip

Felted Flower

This one would look so cute on all of us so if you don't have any little girls, come learn how to make cute hair accessories for yourself!

Felted Flower
-Felted wool (or regular felt)
-thread
-needle
-headband or clippie (whatever you want to attach the flower to)