Baked Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

Oh this is my favorite!

Baked Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 large egg
1 cup italian bread crumbs (garlic flavor works well too)
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp. worchestershire sauce
1/4 cup parsley flakes
1/4 cup parmisan or romano shredded cheese
course salt & pepper

Mix ingredients together and make meatballs with large scoop. Place in a 9 x 12 baking dish and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Marinara Sauce

1/2 tsp. oregano
1- 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
2- 14 oz. tomato chunks
1- 14 oz. tomato sauce
4 cloves garlic minced
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tbs. parsley flakes
salt n pepper

Simmer in saucepan.
Cook spaghetti noodles

Golden Corral Rolls

Golden Corral Rolls

1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup hot milk
1 egg −− lightly beaten
4 1/2 cups sifted all−purpose flour
2 tablespoons melted butter −− for brushing rolls
Sprinkle the yeast over very warm water in a large bowl Stir until yeast dissolves. Add sugar, the 1/4 cup butter and salt to hot milk and stir until the sugar dissolves and butter is melted. Cool mixture to 105 to 115 degrees. Add milk mixture to yeast, then beat in egg. Beat in 4 cups of the flour, 1 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. Use some of the remaining 1/2 cup of the flour to dust a pastry cloth. Knead the dough lightly for 5 minutes, working in the remaining flour (use it for flouring the pastry cloth and your hands). Place dough in a warm buttered bowl; turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Punch dough down and knead 4 to 5 minutes on a lightly floured pastry cloth. Dough will be sticky, but use as little flour as possible for flouring your hands and the pastry cloth, otherwise the rolls will not be as feathery light as they should be. Pinch off small chunks of dough and shape into round rolls about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Place in neat rows, not quite touching, in a well−buttered 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Cover rolls and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 30 to 40 minutes. Brush tops of rolls with melted butter, then bake in a 375 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until nicely browned.

Makes 2 Dozen

Carmel Nut Roll

Carmel Nut Roll

Angry Bird Hat

Crochet Angry Bird Hat


Hat (use red)
CH 4 make a loop
Round 1: 12 SC through the chain
Round 2: 1 SC in each stitch around. (12)
Round 3: 2 SC in each stitch around. (24)
Round 4: 1 SC in each stitch around. (24)
Round 5: 1 SC in next stitch, 2 SC in the next stitch, repeat  (36)
Round 6: 1 SC in each stitch around. (36)
Round 7: 1 SC in each of the next two stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch. Repeat around the hat. (48)
Round 8: 1 SC in each stitch around (48)
Round 9: 1 SC in each of the next 3 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch. Repeat around the hat. (60)
Round 10:  1 SC in each stitch around  (60)
Round 11: 1 SC in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch. Repeat around the hat. (72)
Round 12: 1 SC in each stitch around. (72)
Round 13:  1 SC in each of the next 5 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch. Repeat around the hat? (84)
Round 14-35:  1 SC in each stitcharound.

Eyebrow (use black)
chain 20
Round 1: 1 SC in each of the next 9 chains, 3 SC in the next chain, 1 SC in each of the next 9 chains,
Round 2: 1 SC in each of the next 10 stitches, 3 SC in the next stitch, 1 SC in each of the next 10 stitches
Round 3: 1 SC in each of the next 11 stitches, 3 SC in the next stitch, 1 SC in each of the next 11 stitches


Pupil make 2 (use black)
CH 2, 6 SC through the chain. SL

Eyeball make 2 (use white)
CH 3
Row 1: 6 SC
Row 2: 2 SC in each stitch. (12) 
Row 3: 1 SC in each stitch. (12) 
Row 4: 2 SC in each stitch. (24)
Attach white eye piece to eyebrow and attach pupil. See picture.
Sew in place on hat.

Beak
CH 3 connect
Round 1: 6 SC through the ring.
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around. (12)
Round 3-4: SC in each stitch around. (12)
Round 5: 1 SC in the next stitch, 2 SC in the next stitch, repeat around. (18 SC)
Round 6-7: 1 SC in each stitch around. (18 SC)
Round 8:  1 SC in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch, repeat around. (24)
Round 9-10: 1 SC in each stitch around. (24)
Round 11: 1 SC in each of the next 3 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch, repeat around. (30)
Round 12-13: 1 SC in each stitch around. (30)
Round 14: 1 SC in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch, repeat around. (36)
Round 15-16: 1 SC in each stitch around. (36)
Slip stitch in the next stitch, pull the yarn through.
Stitch onto hat.

Feathers make 2 (use red)
CH 3 join.
Round 1: 6 SC through the chain.
Round 2: 1 SC in each stitch around. (6)
Round 3: 1 SC in the next stitch, 2 SC in the next stitch. (9)
Round 4-14: 1 SC in each stitch around. (9) 
Stitch ends closed and stitch to hat.

Three Cheese Spinach Soup

Three Cheese Spinach Soup
1/4 cup butter
5 tbs. flour
1 small onion diced
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 8 oz. cream cheese
1 jar alfredo sauce (use milk to clean out jar)
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 10 oz. pkg. Chopped spinach
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Melt butter in a large soup pan. Add onions and saute til tender. Add chicken broth, cream cheese, alfredo sauce and milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted. Add flour to thicken. Add spinach and stir. Simmer 10-15 min. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and serve with french bread.

Crab Rangoon

Crab Rangoon

12 ounces of cream cheese (at room temperature)
50 wan ton wrappers
1 cup imitation crab meat (or canned)
2 green onions (minced)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon soy sauce
1 egg (beaten)
oil (for frying)


Step 1: In a bowl cream the cream cheese, soy sauce, green onions and garlic powder. Stir in the crab meat (if using imitation crab it should be chopped into pieces).
Step 2: In a separate bowl beat 1 egg and add a little water. Place crab mixture in center of wonton wrapper and egg wash edges and meet opposite sides up and other sides up to seal.
Step 3: Brush the opposite corners of the wanton wrapper with the egg mixture. Fold over the edges of the wrapper to form a triangle and seal tightly.
Step 4: Deep fry 2-3 minutes. drain on paper towel serve with sweet n sour sauce.

Parmesan Tapenade BowTie Pasta

Ok Tapende is another italian pesto but made with Olives.

Tapenade

1/2 cup finely chopped italian parsley (flat leaf)
1/4 cup finely chopped sweet bail leaves
2 tbs. capers
1 shallot, finely diced
1/3- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (lighter better flavor)
1-3 cloves minced
1/2 cup black olives sliced
3/4 kalamata olives sliced

Combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse to break everything up but not turn it mushy!

Cook 1 package of BowTie pasta according to instructions. Place some of the tapenade in a bowl and pour a little more olive oil in just to cream it up some. Add drain hot noodles to bowl and mix carefully not to break the pasta. Use cherry tomatoes (I used sliced large ones thats all I had at the time) Stir in Shredded fresh parmesan and let it melt on the pasta as you gently toss it. May add more Tapenade if you didn't add enough. Add Salt N Pepper. Yum! Everyone ate it up.

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup water
4 eggs, separated
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/4 cups pumpkin
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
Directions

Mix the gelatin and water in a small bowl, and set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks until thick. Mix in 3/4 cup sugar, pumpkin, evaporated milk, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger.
In a double broiler, cook the mixture over boiling water, stirring constantly, until thick. Mix in the gelatin. Stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to thicken until it mounds when dropped by the spoonful.
In a clean, dry medium bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually mix in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and continue beating until firm. Fold in the pumpkin mixture. Transfer to the pie crust. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

Bargain of the Day!

Dawn Dish Soap
I bought 4 Dawn apple blossom 56 oz bottles for $10.46
Regular price 5.99 each thats $23.96 before tax.
I had 4 coupons that saved me 1.50 on marked down 2.99 bottles.
Regular price 10¢ an ounce my cost 4¢ an ounce.

More cousins in hats!

Here's my Monkey Sock hats on two cute little cousins!
Kash & Sawyer (love to know what Kash is thinking?)

Happy Birthday Pizza Crust!

This Pizza is baked with lettering ring to print the Birthday message on pizza when it bakes.

Crochet hats for cousins!

Hats made it to there destination! Cousins in new hats!!! Love to see things I make in use!

Monkey Hats!

Going crazy with all the monkey sock design stuff that I needed to crochet a baby hat and one for the babies brother. My cousins daughter is having her second boy. So I made these hats to put in their gift box.

How long does it take to heal a bone?

We have had a major incident that had happened! Nattie our youngest broke her leg in the middle of July. This was not a small break this was the Femur about 3-4 inches away from her hip joint. She had a cyst that wouldn't allow the bone to fill in and it had became a week spot in the bone. She was with her oldest brother and other siblings at a friends house playing when she got bumped and landed on her feet when the bone snapped. This was just a matter of time and this would have happened any time anywhere. She had surgery and they put a brace and screws into the bone. Picture below



She is a strong little girl to endure this whole thing and to wake up with to the cast from hell! Six long weeks of this and we kept her with activities to make this time go faster. She watched the whole season of H2O just add water from Netflix, She drawed, she colored, we read books, and thank goodness for DSI games. She had friends visit and give her gifts.




Finally the day we get the cast off! She couldn't walk, when you haven't been using your leg, knee, hip you loose muscle. So off to another 6 weeks to get her going. Crutches were really no help for someone her age with no balance. First weeks are the hardest. Its believing in yourself and for Nattie to believe she can put her leg down and to put some weight on it. School has just started and I had called the Principle and told her that little Nattie may miss some school. Nattie did very well the first week that we tried a half day for her at school and she did well. The school had a wheel chair to help with long distant so we gave it a try. We are concerned about her limping and this is normal as they start using their leg again. We bought a exercise bike that she was scared to get on but once she got on it and tried a full circle motion we couldn't get her off. And it had helped alot. Each day is getting better she may still slightly have a limp but she has come along way. She will have another operation probably when school gets out to remove the brace and pins. At this point bones need 18 months to heal completely. We hope she doesn't have anymore spots in the bones as she grows up. They will monitor her with xrays to keep an eye on it.

Crocheted Beanie Hats

Crocheting beanie hats for girls

Peaches N Shrimp Stirfry

Peaches N Shrimp Stirfry

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 8 ounce can water chestnuts, drained, sliced
1 pound large shrimp, shelled, deveined 2 fresh peaches, sliced
1/2 pound broccoli, stems diagonally sliced, 3 green onions, diagonally sliced
flowerettes cut into bite-size pieces Glossy Sauce (recipe follows)
   
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in wok or large skillet. Add shrimp and stir-fry until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from wok; set aside. Add 1 tablespoon oil and stir-fry broccoli until tender-crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add shrimp, water chestnuts, peaches and onions to wok and heat through. Stir in Glossy Sauce and cook just until thick and glossy.
   
Glossy Sauce: Blend 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch with 3/4 cup chicken broth, 1/3 cup sherry, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger root, minced, and 1 teaspoon sugar.
   
Yield: 4 servings  
I doubled recipe for 8 people will post a picture somehow picture won't load!

Lisa's Chicken Cabbage Salad

McGriddle

McGriddles got to be my favorite pancakes! Try making them at home. Yum!

McGriddle

Pancake: 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 2 Tbs. Butter melted
1 cup flour 1 tbs. Sugar 3 tsp. Baking Powder 1/2 tsp. Salt

Maple Syrup Crystals (use king authers brand)
5 eggs scrambled and cooked in microwave coffe cup
5 sausage patties cooked or 15 slices of bacon cooked and drained
5 slices of american cheese

Make pancakes use a form to make it desirable size put maple sugar crystals ontop of bubbling side.
When done arrange as follows. Pancake, egg, 3 slices of bacon or sausage pattie. One piece of cheese,
Pancake to make 5 sandwiches. Cook on griddle until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

New toy for Zhafrei

Found a cute pattern online for a goldfish toy for the kitty.


FISH
Ch 3, work 10 sc in 3rd ch from hook.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st around, join with sl st in beg st-20 sts.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st in beg st.
Rnds 3-6: Rep Rnd 2.
Rnd 7: Ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st in beg st-30 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

LARGE FINS (make 2)
Ch 13.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 3 ch, tr in each of next 3 ch, hdc in each of next 3 ch, sc in last ch. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

SMALL FINS (make 2)
Ch 8.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
EYES (make 2)
With white yarn, ch 2. Work 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
FINISHING Stuff Fish, adding bells and catnip if desired. Thread yarn tail into large-eyed needle, weave through sts at opening, gather tightly together and fasten off. Sew on fins. With black yarn, embroider a French knot on each Eye, sew Eyes to Fish.
Tie hanging string securely to fish. Weave in ends.
 

O'Henry Bars

O'Henry Bars

1 cup sugar
1 cup karo syrup
1 cup creeamy peanut butter
5 cups rice krispies
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Bring sugar and karo syrup to a boil. Remove from heat and add peanut butter and rice krispies. Press mixture into a 9 x 13 pan. Melt together the butterscotch chips and the chocolate chips. Spread over the top and cool completely before cutting into bars.

Our new pet!

Our new pet that came from Riga, Latvia! He is an exotic shorthair, he traveled from Latvia to Germany and then to Los Angeles, we picked him up and flew to SLC and he had quit a journey but is here safe n sound. :-) He is so loveable and warming up to everyone. His named is Zhafrei!

Items entered in the fair

Items entered in the fair this year! A black n green blanket, golf theme rug latch, baby booties, baby dress, monkey hats, scrubbies, hot pad, hat and lunch bag. :-) Did very well 8 blue ribbons and 1 red ribbon on the monkey hats.

Train Burgers

Train Burgers
2 lbs. Ground beef
1lb. Ham-sliced very thin
8 large hamburger buns
8 slices swiss cheese
8 slices american cheese
1 recipe (train sauce) see below
Lettuce
Sliced tomato
Dill pickle slices

Divide Hamburger up into 8 patties. Divide ham up into 8 servings. Cook hamburger on grill. When almost 165 degrees place ham on grill. When ham is hot place swiss cheese on ham & american cheese on hamburger. Toast or heat buns. Serve with train sauce, lettuce, pickle, tomato

Train Sauce
1 cup mayo
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbs. Cream french salad dressing
1 tbs. White vinegar
1 tbs. Sugar
1 tbs. Sweet relish
1 tbs. Minced white onion
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper

Combine all ingredients in small bowl. Stir well. Cover & refridgerate. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

Crochet Sock Monkey Hats

Crochet Sock Monkey Hats for baby boys & girls

Instructions for Sock Monkey Baby Hats
Use color for monkeys hat, ch 4. Sl st in first ch to make a loop.
Round 1- Ch 2 now Dc 15 around loop. Sl st in top of first dc. (15)
Round 2- Ch 1 dc two in each stitch (30)
Round 3- Ch 1 dc in first two and dc two in third and repeat (45)
Round 4- Ch 1 dc in first three and dc two in fourth and repeat(60)
Round 5- Ch 1 dc in each stitch. (60) Tye on and use trim color sc stitch all away around.
Round 6- Using color used for monkey attach yarn in the first dc of round 5. Ch dc in each dc around. Sl st in first dc.
Round 7-13 Ch 1 dc in each dc around. Sl st in first dc. (60 dc)
Can add 3 more rows to make larger size
Earflaps: Row 1-Using monkey color, Tie yarn and start with double crochet 11.
Row 2- Ch 1, turn, dc in next 9
Row 3- Ch 1, turn, dc in next 7
Row 4- Ch 1, turn, dc in next 5
Row 5- Ch 1, turn, dc in next 3 Do the same for the other side. Cut yarn and pull through.
Use the color that trims the hat and SC all the way around hat to trim hat in go all the way around hat.
Mouth: Round 1- Using cream color, ch 11. Working in a round, 2 sc in second ch from hook. Sc in next 8. 4 sc in last ch. Turning work and working on opposite side, sc in next 8. 2 sc in last ch. Sl st. (24 sc)
Round 2- Ch 1. 2sc in first sc. Sc in next 10. 2 sc in next 2. Sc in 10. 2 sc in last sc. Sl st.(28 sc) stitch onto hat amd use black yarn to stitch nostrils
Eyes: Use two black buttons and stitch onto hat in appropriate areas
Ears (make 2): Round 1 Using monkey color, ch 2. 6 sc in first ch. Sl st in first sc. (6 sc)
Round 2 Ch 1. 2 sc in each sc around. Sl st. (12 sc)
Round 3-5- Ch 1. Sc in each sc around. Sl st. (12 sc) Cut yarn leaving a 6-8 inch tail to sew onto hat.
Fold in half and attach ears to sides of hat.
Add braids and a pom pom on top of hat or crochet flower for girls hat. For strings cut 6 36 inch pieces for each strap. Pull through evenly and braid and tie off. Repeat other side. Cut extra yarn off of the bottom leaving a little bit to flair.

Whoopie Pies!

Ok I finally made these very quick to assemble!


Ok I finally made these very quick to assemble!

Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Pies:
1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cups cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. butter, at room temp.
4 tbsp. vegetable shortening
1 cup of brown sugar (I used 1/2 cup of splendar)
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cups milk

Marshmallow Filling:
1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff
1 1/4 cups vegetable shortening
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Mix ingredients for pies and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Scoop in tablespoon fulls about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet layered with parchment paper. Sprayed with cooking spray. Bake one sheet at a time for 10 minutes.

Mix Marshmallow Filling and beat well. Spread onto cooled pies and press together. And put serving tray. Enjoy!

Artichoke-Spinach Dip

This was really good!

Artichoke-Spinach Dip

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, divided
1 to 2 tsp dijon-style mustard
Dash white pepper (I used black myself)
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped (non-marinated)
1 cup fresh coarsely chopped spinach
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion (1/2 med)

In a large bowl combine mozzarella cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the mustard, and pepper. Stir in artichoke hearts, spinach and onion. Spread mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake, uncovered, in a 350* oven about 15 minutes or until heated through. Serve with pita wedges, French bread, and/or crackers. Also really good with tortilla chips.
Make-ahead directions: Prepare as above through step 1. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Uncover and bake about 25 minutes or until heated through.

Bargain of the Day!

Bargain of the Day!

How about V-8 juice? Use it in cooking as your tomato juice.
I bought 6 (64 oz.) bottles for a total of $1.74 WOW!!!
First of all they were are on sale for 2/5.00 So wouldn't this have
cost $15.00? Probably if you planned on buying them. I didn't plan on
buying any swo I stumbled across thisd deal. Yes with coupons. I had
three coupons to save $2.00 on every two I bought. Well, the store had
more than they needed for the sale and pulled a bunch and marked them
$1.29 great price especially when they don't expire til May 2012.
And that is how I got my price. :)

Homemade Raspberry Tea

Making your own Raspberry Tea is easy!

Raspberry Tea

2 cups fresh raspberries
4 tea bag (plain regual tea)
5 cups boiling water
Ice cubes

Rinse off a cartoon of raspberries and put in a carafe.( I bought this cute one at the grocery store from rubbermaid) Pour boiled water over raspberries and place tea bags in. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Remove tea bags; discard. Strain berries from tea; discard berries. Cool for several hours. If desired, chill. Serve over ice cubes.



In the photo you can see the raspberries and the tea bags reach a perfect length.



Here is the finished product. I filled the carafe with ice and it was fabulous!

Salami Olive Penne Salad

Salami Olive Penne Salad
1 2/3 cups penne
1 – 4 ½ oz. Can of sliced olives
1/3 cup thinly sliced red ion
2 oz. Thinly sliced salami, cut into strips
2 tbsp. Fresh shredded basil

Lemon Garlic Dressing
2 tbsp. Lemon juice
2 tbsp. Olive oil
2 tsp. Dried oregano
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Granulated sugar
1 tsp. Lemon zest
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp. Fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
Cook pasta as her box instructions. Rinse with cold water. Add next 4 ingredients and toss. In a separate bowl whisk dressing ingredients, except for cheese. Pour over salad. Toss and then sprinkle with cheese.
Yield: 4-6 servings

Smoked Polynesian Pot Roast

Smoked Polynesian Pot Roast
Ingredients:

3-1/2 to 4-1/2 pound pot roast
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sherry
1 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon seasoned pepper
1 cup water

Fill water pan 3/4 full with liquid. Put meat in heavy duty plastic bag or glass baking dish. Combine all ingredients and pour over roast. Tightly close bag and turn to coat meat with marinade, or turn roast in dish and cover.


Refrigerate several hours or overnight, turning meat in marinade once or twice. To cook, lift pot roast from marinade and place on grill. Reserve marinade.


Smoke cook about 4 or 5 hours or until tender.


Meat will not fall from bone as braised pot roast would, but can easily be cut with sharp knife. Heat reserved marinade to boiling and serve as sauce with pot roast.


Serves 6 to 8

We just tried this!

Rice Krispie Beehive!

My daughter had a beehive project due this Friday and wanted to make it out of Rice Krispies. So we made it by using a spring form pan and used Large Gum Drops for the bees. We mixed and stirred, pressed, sliced and rolled out Gum Drops in sugar to make the bees wings. And whoolaa! Our project was done.

Heart Cupcakes

Heart Baked in the center Cupcakes

For the cupcakes you will need
3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
5 cups flour
2 1/2 cups milk
red food coloring
For the buttercream frosting surprise you’ll need:
4 pieces (1.5 oz each)cherry Laffy Taffy candy
4 Tbsp whipping cream
4 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the butter and sugar together at medium speed until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mix until creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything gets well combined. Add the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and vanilla and mix until the batter is smooth. Alternate between the flour and milk, beating on med-high speed. Pour 3 cups into small mixing bowl and add red coloring. Pour batter into an prepared rectangle baking pan. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. let cool and use small heart cutter to cut out 24 hearts. Spoon two heaping scoops of batter into each cupcake liner so they are about half filled. Insert heart sticking the point down in the batter. And cover with 1 Tbs of cake batter. Bake 24 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting.

For Buttercream Frosting
Melt Taffy and whipping cream together (may need to use microwave to heat 30 sec and stir and continue til taffy is melted.)Let it cool in fridge. Add room temperature butter and powdered sugar. Beat til nice and fluffy. Frost cupcakes. Remember which way the heary is facing so you can decorate to know what way to bit into them to see the heart. Enjoy!
This recipe was found in http://bakeitinacake.com/recipes/heartinacupcake

Bargains!

I made $3.42 by buying this!

3 Irish Spring Body Wash $3.00 each
3 Irish Spring Deodorant $3.00 each
4 Aussie Hair Spray $2.99 each
2 Aussie Shampoo & Cond. $2.99 each

Over $35.00 on its own. Use coupons and shop ads to get best deals.
That's what I did! Used coupons with sales and got money back at cash register.

Sticky Toffee Banana Pudding

This recipe is from magazine Bon Appetit! It was so good I didn't get my own picture it was gone.


Sticky Toffee Banana Pudding

Toffee sauce
•1 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons (or more) heavy whipping cream
•1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
•1/2 cup dark corn syrup
•1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter


Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/03/sticky_toffee_banana_pudding#ixzz1GFkFhtS4Banana cake
•2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
•1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
•3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
•2/3 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
•2 large eggs
•1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 to 3)
•1 tablespoon dark rum
•1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
•Sliced bananas (optional)
•special equipment
8x8x2-inch nonstick metal baking pan
Preparation
toffee sauce
•Bring 1 1/4 cups cream, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and 1/8 teaspoon salt to boil in heavy small saucepan over medium heat, whisking until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook at gentle boil until sauce coats spoon thickly and is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, whisking occasionally, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Whisk in 3 tablespoons or more cream to thin sauce to desired consistency. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm slightly before using.
banna cake
•Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 8x8x2-inch nonstick metal baking pan. Dust baking pan with flour, tapping out excess.
•Whisk flour, baking power, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in mashed bananas, rum, and vanilla (batter may look curdled). Add dry ingredients in 4 additions, beating just to blend after each addition. Spread batter evenly in prepared baking pan.
•Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, 35 to 38 minutes. Spread 1/2 cup toffee sauce evenly over cake. Return cake to oven and bake until sauce is bubbling thickly, about 6 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 30 minutes. Cut around cake in pan. Cut cake into 9 squares or 12 rectangles. Serve cake slightly warm or at room temperature with toffee sauce and top with sliced bananas, if desired.


Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/03/sticky_toffee_banana_pudding#ixzz1GFk8hfma

New Grands Cinnabons!

Two packages of Pillsbury New Grands Cinnabons turn out to look delish in a hurry!
They are quick and easy too!

Super Rice Crispy Treats!

These are just rice crispy treats with fondant cut out with sprinkles. much fun for kids and missionary treats. Made my daughter some for Valentine's day in Bright pink with blue sugar crystals. Looks fantastic! Wish i got pictures of them.

Bee Diaper Cake!

I found these cute diapers with bees printed on them so I put this diaper cake together and then found a Bee to stuff in the middle. Even has bees on the ribbon.
Best wishes to my cousin and her new little girl. Hope you like it!

Sky-High Cheesecake

Sky-High Cheesecake

2 cups graham crackers crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/8 cup ground nutmeg
1 carton(16 oz.) small cottage cheese
8 eggs
3 pkg.(8 0z.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1-2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pkg.(8 0z.) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In medium bowl combine graham crumbs, butter and nutmeg. Press into bottom of 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
In blender combine bowl beat 3 pkgs. cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups sugar with electric mixer on med. speed until fluffy. Add 1-2 tsp. almond extract and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add 4 eggs, one at a time; Beat intil just combined after each addition. Stir in cottage cheese mixture.
Pour cheese mixture over crust. Place in shallow baking dish. Bake for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Bake 50-60 minutes more or until center appears nearly set. Cool 30 mintes more. Remove sides of pan. Cool completely.
Mix 1 pkg. cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar & 1/2 tsp. almond extract beat til smooth. Spread over cooled cheesecake. Cover & chill 4 hours before serving.

Here's another one!