Mini & Adult Bowden

Mini Bowden My Way.

My sister told me she loves Mini Bowden clothes for her girls but can't afford the price tag. Well, that got me thinking, I can make my own Mini Bowden clothes for kids and adults. I took a look at their web site for a couple ideas, but my Nieces know what they like so I decided to make my own versions of these clothes.

I went to Wal-Mart and bought 3 shirts a little dress and 2 Adult Tee shirts. Every item of clothing was under $6.00 that is a deal!

 

I went home and pulled out all the old scraps of fabric I had and started to draw simple designs on paper as a template. I put the fabric face to face, traced around the template design, then using my sewing machine I straight stitched following the design. Make sure to leave an opening to   turn the pattern right side out. From here I ironed and pinned the design onto the garment. Sew and it's done!   Really simple!

My Nieces are going to love these one of a kind clothes! 

I am so excited to wear my Butterflies!

These instructions are pretty easy.

Slivered Almonds Salad Topper

These Almonds are a GO TO recipe for me. I have to have crunch on my salad creations and these almonds are a special topper for any salad.  You can make these up a head of time because they keep in an air tight container for weeks. 

When I take a salad to a party or have guests over for dinner I always use these because they add a nice toasted  sweet crunch. These are home made and you can taste the difference.

When my sister and her family come to my house to visit they somehow find my stash of Almond Salad Toppers even when I hide them and eat them up as a snack.  As much as my family likes these as a snack in reality you could put these out as a snack. These Almonds could also be used like any nut in baking, inside cookies, crushed on top of toffee, in breads etc. I would even use these to for an almond encrusted fish dish. Endless possibilities!

RECIPE

1/2 CUP SLIVERED ALMONDS
3 TBSP GRANULATED SUGAR
SAUTE PAN - MED HEAT
WOODEN SPOON
WAX PAPER
AIR TIGHT CONTAINER


The sugar is starting to warm up - keep stirring

 For every 1/2 cup of silvered almonds 3 Tbsp of sugar. Of course you could cut back on the sugar. When the almonds are finished a good bit of the cooked sugar does stay in the pan so you really are not getting all the sugar on the almonds. I usually double or triple the recipe to keep on hand.



Golden brown almonds cooling on wax paper.

Put the almonds and the sugar into saute pan on medium heat. It may take a couple minutes before the sugar gets heated. I stir after one minute and continue stirring until they are done. You will notice as you stir the sugar loosens up and starts to coat the almonds. Keep stirring until light tan or golden brown. I prefer mine golden brown because I like the roasted nuttiness the almonds give off. Pour them onto wax paper to cool.  Please as tempting as it is.....do not grab one to eat! I do it every time and burn my mouth! Once they are completely cooled put in air tight container and store until you need them. Enjoy!

I made this for dinner tonight. I love salad and try to have one every night. My approach is like the Food Network Show "Chopped" I use up anything and everything  I have on hand and make it.  All my salads need a crunch element or they are just not exciting enough for me! I've never made a bad salad! 
Enjoy these Salad Almond Toppers.