Pecan Sandies!!

This recipe is adapted from MarthaStewart.com

"You must try this recipe!! They are so yummy and soft when they come straight from the oven. They also smell delicious when cooking!!"

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in vanilla and salt. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, beating just until combined. Fold in pecans.
2. Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls, and place on two baking sheets, 2 inches apart. With the dampened bottom of a glass, lightly flatten each ball.
3. Bake until cookies are golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer to wire racks, and let cool.

Cook's Note

For best results, line cookie sheets with parchment prior to baking.

Also check out her cookie book - I turn to this book more than any other for the perfect cookie recipe!!

Martha Stewart's Cookies

Readers Digest Book

I discovered a new book that is full of interesting solutions for everything that's laying around the house. There are over 1300 smart uses for everyday stuff in this book. And it promises to save thousands of dollars on your household budget... personally I just like reading the great ways of using something unexpected for such an easy task!

All of the following solutions are from 99 cent Solutions

Adhesive Fabric Spray: Fix it quick! Spray adhesive might be great for putting down appliques on fabric, but it works just as well for making minor home repairs. Wallpaper curling in a corner of the dining room? Pieces of lineleum peeling up  in the Kitchen? Border in the bathroom beginning to come unstuck? Spray the back of the paper or tile lightly with adhesive, then spray the wall or floor behind it. Let dry for a minute or two, then press down firmly, smoothing from the inside edge outward to remove any bubbles, and you've got a fix that may well be permanent.

Clothespins: Save a Thumb! Trying to fit a nail into a hard-to-reach place or at a funny angle? Grip the nail with a clothespin, and that way you can hammer the nail and not you finger.

Sidewalk Chalk: Prevent Rust! Keep rust out of your toolbox - and stop your tools from pitting and rusting - by placing a few pieces of chalk in your toolbox. The chalk will absorb any moisture and keep your tools (and your tool box) rust-free!

Shaving Cream: Color it gone! If you find crayon markings on your wall, don't get mad - get shaving cream. Spray the shaving cream directly onto the offending artwork, and scrub it off with a toothbrush or scrub brush.

Peanut Butter: Take off a price tag! Sure, WD-40 is terrific at removing price-tag adhesive, but you don't want to spray it on the outside of your kids new plastic lunch box or beach ball. So use peanut butter instead. Rub on a dab, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe clean with a paper towel. The peanut butter wipes clean in seconds, and so do the remains of the glue!

adapted from: 99 cent Solutions

Candy Land Party!

These cute party ideas are from the wonderful website of parents.com 

Bright balloon pops, cellophane-wrapped wall candy, and a game-inspired pathway make for party decorations that look good enough to eat -- but won't break the bank!





photo by: Francis Janisch

Balloon Pops
Turn basic balloons into freestanding lollipops. Wrap them in cellophane and add a wrapping paper tube stick, then position them around the room.
What you'll need
Large foam brush, White Acrylic Paint, wrapping-paper tubes, Balloons, ribbon, 2-oz. paint or glue bottles, tape, Cellophane, scissors
Make it
1. Use the brush to apply two coats of paint to a tube; let dry.
2. Blow up a balloon, knot the end, and to the bottom attach a length of ribbon that is about 6" longer than the tube.
3. Tie the loose end of the ribbon to the paint or glue bottle (secure with tape if necessary) and drop it into the tube so that ribbon comes out the other end.
4. Cut the ribbon from the paint or glue bottle, pull it taut and tape it to the inside of the tube. (The top of the tube should cover the balloon knot.)
5. Cut a 3'x4' piece of cellophane, cinch around the balloon, and tie with ribbon.
6. Insert the loose paint or glue bottle in the bottom of the tube to help it stand up. Secure in place on the floor with strips of tape if necessary.


Photo by: Francis Janisch

Wall Candy
These hard candies are super easy to make. Tape together two plastic dinner plates, wrap them in Cellophane, and cinch the ends with ribbon.


Photo by: Francis Janisch

Sugar Trail
A Candy Land-inspired paper square pathway will get everyone excited about your child's big day. Plus, you can use the deck of cards from the Candy Land game to play a real-life version on the path at the party.
cardstock colored paper pack


Thanks to Parents.com





Whoopie Pies!

You'll never believe by looking at these pies that they are actually mint chocolate! They are yummy, sweet and absolutely decadent! You just have to make a batch for yourself, or for others - if they can make it out of the house. Believe me, you'll want to eat all of them once you try your first Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pie!!!



picture from eatdrinkparty.com



Mini chocolate whoopie pies (recipe adapted from Epicurious)

Ingredients

Cake:

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa, such as Droste
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 cup milk

Filling:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup marshmallow cream

Arrange the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 425°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Make the cakes:

Whisk together the flours, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.

Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the egg and beat at medium speed until incorporated. At low speed, add the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk, mixing until just blended.

Pipe 1 inch rounds of batter onto each sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cakes (instead of piping the batter you can also use the drop method). Bake the 2 sheets at the same time, 5 to 7 minutes, until springy to touch. Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, and transfer to racks to cool completely. Change the parchment and repeat using the remaining batter.

Make filling:

Beat the butter and confectioners' sugar at low speed until blended and then beat at high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and marshmallow cream and mix at low speed until blended, about 1 minute.

Match pairs of cake with the same shapes and spread the bottom side of 1 cake with filling and sandwich together with the other cake. (Store the finished whoopee pies in a covered plastic container and chill for up to 3 days.)

Strawberry Bean Bags!

 

These are the cutest summer project that I have seen in the longest time! This is from one of my favorite blogs One Charming Party who comes up with the best party/craft ideas ever seen!!

You can just image creating these fun bean bags, and spending an entire afternoon playing with the kids - and of course eating Strawberries too!!

To make a bean bag
Supplies: burlap, scissors,  Strawberry Bean Bag Template, tape, red and green acrylic paint, sponge brush, small dried beans (enough to fill each bag you make),needle and thread or sewing machine

• Per bag, cut two 6×6 inch squares of burlap.
• Download the Strawberry Bean Bag Template.
• Cut out the strawberry (leaving the green stem) on page 1. Cut out the stem on page 2.
• Line the strawberry base template up on the burlap and tape.
• Paint the strawberry base.
• Line the strawberry stem template up on the burlap and tape.
• Paint the strawberry base.
• Put the painted burlap square onto of the blank burlap square and sew three sides.
• Fill the the bag with beans and sew that last side shut.
• Sew around all four sides one more time to secure.

Check out One Charming Party for more pictures and ideas about this craft!!

Scrabble Tile Pendants!!!

photo: missing pieces studio

Have you ever gone to a craft store or bazaar and seen these cute tiles made out of scrabble game pieces? They are adorable!! Plus you can make them yourself!!! Its easy, all you need are a few simple things to create a one of a kind piece of art!!!
1.) Scrabble Tiles
2.) Scrapbook Paper or any kind of paper with a small image.
Helpful hint: I have seen people Photoshop images, shrink them down, and print them out to use on tile!!
3.) Glossy Accents
4.) Mod Podge
5.) Paint Brush
6.) Glue on Bail
8.) E6000 Glue
7.) Clasp with Chain

First thing, grab your paper. Cut out picture the size of the tile. The best way is to lay tile onto paper, trace the tile over the paper, then cut paper out. Another way is to use a square punch that fits the size of the tile. Once paper is cut, pick up your Mod Podge  (paper glue) and paint brush. Apply a thin coat over tile. Lay paper on tile, and hold there for several seconds. It will be slippery, just keep on eye on the paper to make sure the paper and tile are lined up. Set aside and let dry for at least 10 minutes.
Now, take your Glossy Accents and outline the top of the tile and paper. Don't worry about it spilling over the edge, it is a thick sealer and is easy to apply without any problems! Next fill in the square you just made with the Glossy Accents till the top of the tile is completely covered. Let that dry for at least 8-10 hours, or overnight. If you don't let the tile dry completely the middle of the tile will be wet to the touch and leave a terrible indent in the center of your tile.
(Believe me!! I've done this several times, and it looks terrible!!)

Once dry, take your E6000 Glue or any kind of permanent glue and dab a small amount onto one bail. This will then go onto the back of your Scrabble tile to help you string your tile onto its chain! Let dry for at least an hour or till permanently adhered. Add chain and wear!!

It seems like a lot of steps but its a simple project anyone can do. In the past I have seen this project done at children's parties, church events and even for simple get together with friends.

Other things to use instead of Scrabble tiles:
Domino Pieces
Bottle Caps

Take a look at one of my favorite Etsy sites for ideas or even gifts
Missing Pieces Studio

Lemonberry Cake!!!

Lemonberry Cake
Adapted from Taste of Homes

Ingredients

• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
  
  TOPPING:
• 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups reduced-fat whipped topping

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk, butter, lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in strawberries. Pour into a greased and floured 9-in. round baking pan.
• Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For topping, in a large bowl, combine the strawberries, lemon juice and sugar. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Spread whipped topping over cake. Drain strawberries; arrange over top. Yield: 8 servings.