Thursday, December 29, 2011

The German Chocolate Cake Experiment

Its my baby's birthday today!! He's turning 30 and I wanted to bake him a cake to celebrate. He loves chocolate and coconut, so I figured that German Chocolate Cake would be a great match. (He struggles with his birthday being so close to Christmas, as I am sure most December birthdays do. So I wanted to make this one special. Not to mention it's a milestone birthday!!) I started off with three 9 inch chocolate cake circles.


 

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Earring frame & new side table

So I have some vacation time this week and have a rather large "to-do" wish list. A couple things on the list are: a place to hang my growing earring collection and a new side table.

I found an interesting project a while back, a way to store earrings using screening attached to a picture frame. So I made a trip to my local goodwill and found a few great frames. The one I chose for this project is a rustic wooden frame. I just removed the glass and the frame backing.  I love goodwill and the Salvation Army store, they hold so many treasures if you only get creative!  I also made a trip to my local hardware store and found some screening material on a roll, sold by the foot. I got all the supplies for less than five bucks I am so happy with the results. Check it out!


This is a close-up of the of the screening. I stapled it to the inside back of the frame. I was going to hang the frame up but then I realized that I would not be able to easily remove many of my earrings. (Lots of them have rubber stoppers to keep them on) So I may just get a picture holder so I can lift up the frame anytime I need.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Quiet Lion Creations:BFF Necklace

Found this really cute wire necklace idea. Its from the Quiet Lion blog and has a great tutorial.  Although, I'm not really into the whole BFF lingo thing. I would totally make for a nickname or regular name. Check it out below and click the link to see the tutorial.



Friday, December 23, 2011

Happy Holidays

I am visiting my honey's family in the Houston, TX area this weekend. His mom wanted to make a gingerbread house, and its something I wanted to make, so I said what the heck!!  We bought a couple of gingerbread house kits from the store and a ton of candy to decorate. (I really like working with sixlets which are kinda like no name brand M&M's)

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Latest foodie creation - nutter butter snowmen

So I saw these cute Nutter Butter Snowmen on the browneyedbaker's blog that I read. I thought they were so cute and I wanted to give them a try. So here's my first attempt!






 I used Wilton brand white & pink candy melts. (I had left over pink melts, so I decided to give that color a go too.) The buttons are mini M&M's and the face is just ready-to-use black icing piped on with a #2 tip.  These candy melts are the ones sold in chip form that you melt in the microwave or double boiler and pour into candy molds. They are vanilla flavor so they should blend well with the salty & peanut buttery cookies. 

However, I have no idea how the browneyedbaker got her snowmen dips to be so smooth. The candy melts are considered "confectionary coating". (Which do not have the same properties and "pourability" as real chocolate.)  I was not able to get the melts to pour over the nutter buttters. I just had to dip them in, pick them up on a fork and tap off the access candy melt. That gave the smoothest appearance that I could manage. But I think they turned out pretty good otherwise, no? 

*Lesson learned: I will stick to using candy melts in candy molds. They are much easier to deal with that way because you can put the melts into a baggie or frosting bag and just pipe the melts into your mold. But I do want to try to make chocolate dipped pretzel rods. So maybe I will give the melts another try...

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

21 day Journal - Day 20 & 21 !

I have finally made it!! Here are the last 2 days.

Day 20 – What Limiting Beliefs Are You Holding On To?
I think the idea that my limited finances are holding me back from living the kind of life that I want is really tying my creativity and imagination down.  There are so many ways to be happy that don't cost a thing. Like going for a walk in the woods. Using the craft supplies in my closet, that are currently collecting dust. Taking pictures of my kitties! Spending time with my boyfriend and chosen family. I have been rolling around the idea of doing crafting and or baking for profit. The initial start up of this idea will cost a few bucks, but the possibilities are limitless. While I do not tap into my creative energy at work, there is no reason I can't do it at home. Another idea that limits me is that I need to wait for my boyfriend to be motivated to do something before I go ahead a do it. Why? I need to realize that he may not always want to do what I want, and just pull myself up and go do it. Because I deserve all the happiness in the world!


http://cuppapixie.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

Day 21 – What is Your Biggest Wish for the Future?
Probably along the lines of the above post, I would like to be doing more creative things in my life. Wether that be cooking, baking or crafting. I have so much inspiration in my life, I am creative. I need to stop doubting my ability to make up my own crafty ideas, and just let go and do it! Someday, very soon, I hope to be crafting and or baking for profit. This may only be a side gig, but I am ok with that. Because, I need to find a regular outlet for my creative urges, or I may just burst!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

21 day journalling - Day 19

I'm almost there!!! This journalling experiment/ challenge is about to be done.

Day 19 – What Words Best Describe You?
Ok, here's a list in no particular order:
  • Creative, caring, loving, foodie, artistic, photogenic, industrious, problem solver, baker, daughter, lover, friend, hard working, massage therapist, crafter, sweetie

Friday, December 2, 2011

21 Day Journal - Days 17-18

Day 17 – If The World Came To An End Today, How Would You Feel?
I would be dissapointed that I had not made more of a difference in the world. Then again, who will be around to judge me except myself. Then again, would I even have a consciousness to have thoughts about this? I've decided, this is a silly question. I want to start making my mark in this world. I'm just not sure of my greater purpose yet. That is yet to be determined.

Day 18 – What Matters Most To You?
Feeling like I have helped someone. Made a difference in someone's life. Making my honey and me happy. I realize now that when I answer these questions together in the same post, I often link my two answers. Interesting...