Just A Little Fun!

Just popping in for a moment to say......

How special would your little ones feel if they came home from school, got up from their naps or walked in from another room to find that you have left this for them!!!???!!!




I saw this picture, and just thought is was the sweetest way to "spoil" that special someone. Just simply a candle holder used as the "plate" for the simple cupcake, and a washed out old spice bottle that you fill with chocolate of strawberry milk! Add a fun straw, and you have gone that extra mile to make that special child (or adult) feel even that much more loved.

Have a fantastic Monday!!

Sewing Class

Tonight I will be (as to the best of my ability, which could be questionable at this moment!) training my two beauties, Amanda and Jen, in the fine art of using a sewing machine to create fun stuff!!!
Amanda wants to make a curtain to match her current ones, as she needs 3 and has only 2.
Jen wants to make a dress for Livi from a site that has visual instructions, but not an actual "cut out pattern".

I on the other hand, fell in love with this beauty while at Pier One a few weeks ago with my husband.
I have decided to create it myself out of a couple of yards of fabric, and inexpensive satin....loving it!!



If you would like to make a pillow yourself, there is a tutorial at the site "U Create" which I have linked at the side of my page.
Have a superb weekend and do something amazing!!!!

Whoopie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, Whoopie Pies to be exact....I think I just like saying the name, that is why this treat intrigues me. They look fun and easy to make and should bring a smile to your families face when you tell them that for dessert tonight we are having Whoopie Pies!!!!!!!!!!!!! Toooooo much fun!

This recipe comes from Homemade Simple and really is...simple!

Enjoy!

Have a Superb Weekend!!!
Paula



Whoopie Pies

Cakes

INGREDIENTS
1 package Red Velvet Cake mix
Eggs*
Vegetable oil*
Water*

*Refer to your package’s instructions for exact ingredient measurements.

Tip: Play with the flavors in your cake batter to create a medley of pies. For a different taste, use Devil’s Food Cake mix, then add 2 tablespoons peppermint extract for bright, minty flavor that’s perfect in winter. If you want to make Red Velvet versions from scratch, try this easy batter recipe.

INSTRUCTIONS
1.Preheat oven and prepare the cake batter following your package’s instructions.
2.Spoon 1/4-cup amounts of the cake batter onto a greased baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between each. For heart-shaped pies, pour the batter into well-greased mini heart-shaped cake pans. Place in oven and bake according to package instructions, until tops are puffed and spring back when touched.
3.Let cool, then top half of your cakes with cream filling (see recipe below). Top with second cake to create sandwiches.
Tip: If you don’t have a heart-shaped cake pan available, you can use a heart-shaped cookie cutter once the pies are baked and cooled.

Cream Filling

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk, half-and-half or heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS
1.In a large bowl, beat together shortening, butter and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until smooth.
2.Pour in sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low-medium speed until well combined.
3.Turn mixer to high, then add milk or cream and whip until light and fluffy.
4.Place approximately 2 tablespoons of filling onto each cake using a spoon, or use your own piping bag.
Tip: Whoopie Pies were first created using pumpkin-flavored cakes. Chocolate has become an instant classic, but to create the true original, use our recipe for light, cake-like Pumpkin Cookies.

Decoration Ideas
Make your Whoopie Pies one-of-a-kind with a pretty finishing touch. Sprinkle pretty embellishments along the frosted edges of your treats. Try using:


•Milk, dark or white chocolate chips
•Crushed peppermints
•Colorful sprinkles

Flip Flop Love!

Today is a borrow from a blog I frequent, all accolades go to the Sweetcharlie blog. She has superb ideas and I just wanted to share with you this flip flop DIY since the warmer temps have my mind going to thoughts of no socks, no shoes, only my beloved flip flops......enjoy!!!!

DIY: Extraordinary Flip Flops!



Here is an awesome project that you should make for yourself!

Flip Flops: from ordinary to extraordinary in 5 minutes and under 5$!!
Yep, you heard me!
I needed black flip flops but hate wearing plain ones. I needed somewhat dressy but didn't want to pay the price.


HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED:
Ordinary Flip Flops - old or new.
(Old Navy Flip Flops are on sale right now 2 for $5. JoAnn's also has cheap ones, 2 for $5)
Embellished Ribbon - you can find these in JoAnn's, you buy them by the yard and they have endless possibilities
(or you can use your own ribbon and make your own ruffle)
Glue - I used Gorilla Glue
Flower Embellishment


I measured the straps on my flip flops and each strap was about 6 inches. I got 12 inches of ruffled embellished ribbon, and 12 inches of plain velvet ribbon.



Cut your ribbons to the size of your straps, and glue on with your glue.



Clamp the ribbon down (I just used hair clips) and let dry. (okay, without the glue drying part these flip flops take 5 minutes!) Gorilla glue takes about 2-3 hours to fully dry. I just let them sit over-night.



I made my own flower embellishments from polyester material. Cut out circles, then burn around the edges. Stick on top of each other and glue. Then stick jewels or beads in the middle. I just hot glued the flowers to the ribbon on the flip flops:


And here's the finished product!!


Hope you all have fun making yourself some cheap, but adorable flips!!

Thanks so much for letting me share!!

Getting Started On My Herbs

I am going to get started on my herbs today....Rosemary to be exact.
I LOVE Rosemary, and cannot find the plants around here....probably due to the fact that they are apparently very difficult to propagate. But this year I try...and will try, try, try.
I bought seeds at a small Italian store in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans last month and feeling good about the possibilities of they being the seeds that will fill my waiting tummy with the succulent flavors of Rosemary Chicken,
Roasted Rosemary Crusted Pork Loin, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and a host of other yummy foods that I make with fresh rosemary!

So, I thought that I would share with you all the info I found on e-how to properly begin the growth of my many (hopefully!) rosemary plants!

Growing Rosemary
Instructions.Things You'll Need:
Rosemary seeds
Vegetable soil
Container
Saucer

1.1
Place a lot of seeds on a saucer and cover them with water for 3 hours before you plant. You need to plant more seeds than you want plants because they will not all come up. Rosemary is somewhat hard to sprout.

2.2
Start the planting process about 6 weeks before the last freeze. If you plan on keeping the plant indoors, you can plant anytime. Place course gravel in the bottom of a container and fill with a vegetable soil. You can also use your own soil mixed with compost.

3.3
Plant the seeds in the container and water. Keep the soil damp until they start to sprout. Then put the container in a sunny area in your house. Water the plants once a week or if the soil gets very dry.

4.4
When you transplant the rosemary, plant it in an area that gets a lot of sun. Put them at the same depth outdoors as they were indoors. They like soil that drains well, so if you have hard soil, add some compost before you plant.

5.5
Water when soil is dry. Rosemary does not normally need fertilizer, but you can place some tea compost on the soil around the plant once a month. They are also very drought resistant, so there is no need to over-water.

6.6 Cut stems when you want to use the rosemary with a sharp knife or clippers. You can also freeze it right away to have fresh rosemary on hand for later.

Sweet Valentine Idea!!!!

Let me start today with a verse from scripture that is the basis for this particular gift for your sweetheart.....
1 Peter 5:14a Greet one another with a kiss of love.

How cool is that!!!!!!!!!!!!! God telling us to greet one another with a kiss of love! That is exactly what I plan on doing to my sweetheart this valentines day.

I ran across this do it yourself gift to share with you all. It is very inexpensive, and tooooooo much fun!!!

My thanks to Sweet Tooth Dessert for this great gift idea!




Simply done with a white sheet of paper, fold one end to resemble an envelope flap, wrap around the sized candy bar that you are giving (cut paper to correct size before wrapping) write your little love note and seal with a kiss!

Have a superb weekend!!!

"Let Them Eat Cake!"

Well, a cake like this......


How cute is this!!!
From Twig and Thistle this idea comes, and I LOVE it!!
I mean, how amazing that you can take simple oreos and make them look so special!

Life is....Crazy, Wonderful, Full, Contentness.

Well, here we are already into February....wow! During the month of January, we have had our family move in with us (temporarily) I have gotten and survived food poisoning, made a trip to New Orleans, had our eldest daughter come from 7 hours away, two weekends in a row (wooohooo!) made a weekend trip to Chicago and prepared for the "storm of the century" to hit our area! It did...and we are all still digging out!

Philippians 4:11-13 (New King James Version)
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.


How do you handle a crazy life? I find that I am blessed. Period. For if the Lord had not given to me these children, we would be alone. If the Lord had not given us our snow bound home, we would be homeless.
If the Lord had not blessed us with the means to buy food (even tainted as it was) I would be hungry.

No matter the twists and turns that my life takes, I am content. I am content to be where the Lord desires for me to be, even when I am, at times, disobedient, He still guides me to His desired goal....contentedness.