YUMMY LATTE

I LOVE ESPRESSO!

I make my own Latte every morning. Yes, I admit I am addicted to Coffee & Espresso. Shopping at Trader Joes today I found this amazing yummy Grinder, for me a Latte Topper. I will use this to top Cookies, Truffels, Hot Chocolate, Granola, Toffee, Popcorn etc. You have to get yourself some!

Block Decorations

Yard Sale Find - Made into Year Round Decorations

I found a set of Christmas decoration blocks at a yard sale and thought I could make 6 different special occasion sayings out of these blocks. I didn't want to do Christmas or Halloween because I have plenty of decorations for those holidays. Anniversary and a saying like "Celebrate Life " are nice to have in the house. 

Using craft paint, I painted each side of the blocks a different color, then used alphabet stamps in different colored inks for the wording. On the extra blocks that did not have a letter, I made decorations like hearts, stars, flowers, and Easter eggs.

I bought these blocks for $4.00 and now have transformed them into 6 decorations!

CANDLE MAKOVER

I am ready to give my mantle a new look.                        


BEFORE

 I was sitting in my living room looking at my fireplace mantle and decided it was time for a quick make-over. So, I thought of a fun way to change the look. I decorated my candles with paper and ribbon and changed the color of my candle holders with craft paint. This was an easy way to transform my fireplace mantle decor.

 Grab double sided tape, a paper cutter, decorative papers and ribbon. Cut the papers to different widths and layer them to create a design you like. Now tape the paper layers together at the back of the candle. Tie a fun ribbon for extra embellishment if you want. Since my candles are the plastic flame less, I can just take this design off and change up the look whenever I want.

For re-decorating the candle sticks, I just used craft paint and lightly brushed the paint over them for a new look. EASY!

                                                                     AFTER

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.

My Favorite Baking Book

THE CRAFT OF BAKING

This is the most amazing Baking Book I own. I did my research for months to find this book. About two years ago I decided I wanted to teach myself how to bake. I am a very accomplished cook, but baking has a precise scientific approach that was unknown for me. Of course I dabbled in cookies, cupcakes and pies but I wanted more. I wanted unique flavor profiles and difficult techniques, not just a bunt cake with glaze or a standard coffee cake. My pallet wants more!



Banana Tarte Tatin



If you have ever watched Top Chef on Bravo, then you love Chef Tom Collichio. Pastry Chef Karen DeMasco worked for Tom at his restaurants Craft, Craftbar & Witchcraft. Karen has talent and this book is full of  baking details that are easy to follow. Details like what and why to use certain ingredients and even where to purchase them. She even has a few very useful tricks. This baking book is to me what Julia Childs  "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" is to the American who wants to learn how to cook. I have made about 3/4 of the recipes and each one is outstanding in taste and turnout. In this book Karen does a little side note for most recipes on how to vary your craft on that dessert. This is a nice touch for when I get adventurous. Some of my favorite recipes are, Pine Nut Tart with Rosemary Cream, Pistachio Brown Butter Cake, Banana Tarte Tatin, and the Almond Sable Dough for any pie. My mouth is watering now.



Pine Nut Tart with Rosemary Cream







Home Made Valentine's Day Treats!

One of my favorite things to do, is make treats and crafts for my two little Nieces. They love everything they get in the mail from their Sissy.
They call me on the phone to tell me that "Sissy makes the best treats ever"! My cookies are the BEST, my home made pasta is the BEST, etc. It is so nice to be appreciated.

When my nieces come to visit we get out the Super Shooter and make cookies together, they love baking with Sissy!For the heart cookies I used my Wear-Ever Super Shooter electric cookie maker, and made a quick powdered sugar icing then sugar sprinkles on top. Kids love bite size snacks and desserts, that is why I make these for my Nieces. The sugar cookie recipe that comes with the Super Shooter is the best I have tried, and I have tried about 20 different recipes for a good sugar cookie. A friend gave me this gadget and I thank her every time I use it. I can make cookie wreaths at Christmas, make canapes' for a tea party or brunch, fill puff pastry, devil eggs, or festive cookies for a care package. The Super Shooter cookies are made from a couple design plates from holiday themes to dogs. If you are looking for a Super Shooter check out the thrift stores or go online. Just make sure it still has all the parts.

I crafted the bird ornament for my sister for her Valentines gift. She hung this on the knob of her new side table. The lolly pops are actually gummy candies made from fresh blackberries, they are so delicious. I put lolly pop sticks into the gummy for added fun for the little ones. I also made a home made card to send with all these goodies. A home made card makes a difference when sending a special gift!

SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE (Spritz Cookies)
1/2 Cup Butter soft
1/4 Cup Vege Shortening (butter or reg flavor)
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla Extract (or any extract you want to use to change it up)
2 1/4 Cup Sifted Flour
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt (I use a pinch more)


Electric mixer cream on high butter and shortening until soft. Add sugar gradually to cream about 5 min until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
Sift flour, baking powder and salt together; add to wet mixture in 3 additions mixing well after each addition.
Shape dough into 2 logs. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Assemble gun per your instructions and make your cookies.
If you do not have a Super Shooter you could make these into tablespoon balls and flatten with sugar on the bottom of a glass to create sugar cookies.


I had to research for this recipe. It seems like most people that have a type of cookie shooter are missing the recipes.


I love kitchen gadgets, old or new they are all so fun!