Cake Decorating Class

A friend of mine and I took a cake decorating class through Michael's over the last month.  I learned some cute things and am excited to practice for the next holiday.  Here is a little glimpse of what I made in class:

Valentine's Day Cupid Cake

Flower Cupcakes

Final Project

I wish you enough (cake)!

Glass Bead Magnets

My co-workers and I are in need of drinking more water during the day.  So we decided to set up a system where the people who meet their goal get treated to a drink by the people who do not.  So far we haven't been too diligent about the rewards but I can definitely say that I work with some well hydrated women!

To keep track of our daily progress I made these:

And now we use the little gems to keep track on a chart.  To make them:
1. I traced one bead to make a template
2.  Used the template to cut out pictures or shapes from random magazines.

3.  Lined up and glued the picture to the bead, and let it dry.

4.  Once dry I applied an adhesive backed magnet cut to size.

**If I do this again I think I will glue the picture to the magnet, then glue that piece to the bead.  It would make the back look much nicer.

I wish you enough (magnets)!

Salmon Cakes with Hot Pepper Relish

Oh yes!  Another super yummy way to eat this amazing hot pepper jelly (also used in the egg sandwich).  Somehow the jelly moved to the front of my fridge, so every time I open the door I am reminded to find a use for it... and it hasn't been hard.

Salmon Cakes  (Makes 3-4 patties)
1 small can or cooked fillet of salmon  (you could also use Tuna in this recipe, but I would add old bay too)
1/4 white onion finely chopped
1 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c coarse bread crumbs
salt and paper to taste
1/2 c chopped spinach

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.  If the mix feels too wet add more bread crumbs so that they will stick together.

 Heat saute pan on medium heat and add a little butter.  Cook the patties until browned and cooked through.

If you have it top it with hot pepper jelly, otherwise you could enjoy it with honey mustard, or on an English muffin with cheese.

I wish you enough (hot pepper jelly)!

Smoked Gouda Fried Egg Sandwich with Hot Pepper Jelly

I took a cooking class recently that introduced me to the world of Bobby Flay!  He uses lots of peppers which drew my attention because I adore spicy food.  Anyway, I made some of his hot pepper jelly and need to find more ways to use up this beautiful jar of sweet sticky yumminess.  On a side note, I exploded butter in that class and I will NEVER do that again!!!

Tonight I wanted to make a quick dinner that was easy to eat.  After all, it is poker night for the guys and my husband could use some healthy food before the feast of chips and Chinese food fills the house.  So I grabbed my pepper jelly and decided to make this sandwich to host the jelly.

Servings: 2

Ingredients
2 English muffins
2 organic eggs  (25% more omega-3's than regular eggs)
1/4 Avocado
4 thin slices Smoked Gouda
Handful fresh Spinach
4 Tbs. Hot Pepper Jelly

Preparation:
Heat a non-stick skillet with a touch of olive oil.  While it is heating up start toasting your English muffins.  Once the pan is hot crack each egg carefully into the pan and cook until the yolk is of desired consistency.

When you take the muffins out of the toaster place 2 slices of cheese on each and put them together.  The heat from the muffin will melt the cheese just enough.

When the eggs are done assemble the muffins with cheese, avocado slices, fried egg, spinach, and drizzle the hot pepper jelly on the muffin top and place it on top of your sandwich.

Each sandwich is about 370 calories...

Enjoy with smiles!

Play Dough, DIY

Making homemade play dough is such a wonderful tactile experience.  I made play dough with my 2 year old and she loved pouring and stirring and definitely liked adding the color.   After we played with ours we made a kit for our friends two year birthday.  Him and his mom had a great time with it the next day when it poured rain...

To make your own play dough, mix the following ingredients in a medium bowl:
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour

 Separate into 4 equal parts and add food dye of any color.  Massage color into dough well before letting the kids play with it.

I found that playing with it on a smooth surface like wax paper was the easiest to clean.

Playdough Kit:
To make the kit we placed all of the dry ingredients in a zip lock baggie.  Then provided 4 baggies that had the coloring in them.  All they had to do was add water to baggie with the dry mix, then separate into each color baggie to make it fun!!!

I wish you enough dough :)  !!!

Tutus and Bows

Who knew that I would make tutu's and have fun doing it?  My good friend taught me how to make these 1 1/2 years ago when I visited her in Arizona with my 6 mos. old daughter.  The tutu brings back many memories of being a little girl.  I was very much not a girly girl but did like some frilly things and even did my time in many dance classes...until I found sports.

I haven't made many of these but they are fun when I do.  I always imagine doing this with friends over tea and conversation for some reason.

I made a matching bow for this one and sent them to my niece.

**To make these you just need to choose colors of tulle and ribbon that you like.
**Cut the tulle into lengths twice as long as you want the tutu.
**Cut a 1 inch wide piece of non-rolling elastic into a length that is 1 inch bigger than your waist.  Overlap about 1/2 inch and sew together.
**Tie the tulle to the elastic band using an overhand knot or fold the tulle in half and use a girth hitch to apply it to the elastic. Make sure you place each piece close together so you cover the elastic.
**When you've finished the tulle you can add embellishment ribbon to add spunk and character to each tutu.

Hoping these tutu's add some fun and imagination to your life.

I wish you enough!

Strawberry Lavender Bread

I planted a tiny lavender plant a couple summers ago near my front steps.  I thought it would be a nice thing to smell as guests walked into my house.  Now that little plant has taken over about 6 square feet of my front yard and I get to cut it back from the sidewalk often.  Cutting the lavender is never a job I mind as it is my favorite thing to smell outside.  

I've even found some super yummy things to cook.  I have made lavender ice cream and yogurt, lavender sauce, and this lavender bread.  And have added it to tea and sugar too.  This bread recipe has been a favorite of mine for a while.  THEN I made it the other day and added strawberries and it took it over the top of yumminess.  It smells wonderful, has a spongy smooth texture, and the taste is indescribable...you have to try it.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients

1 c Sugar

5 Tbs softened butter

½ tsp vanilla

1 lg egg and 1 egg white

1 ¾ c unbleached all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 cup plain yogurt

1 Tbs finely diced fresh lavender leaves

½ c finely chopped strawberry

Mix:

Sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth.  Then add in egg and mix until smooth.

In a separate bowl combine:

Flour, baking powder, baking soda. and salt.

Then alternately add dry ingredients and yogurt to the butter mixture.  Once mixed stir in the lavender and strawberries.

Bake for 45-60 minutes in a pre-greased floured loaf pan OR

Bake for 20-28 minutes in a pre-greased mini-muffin pan until lightly browned.

Eat this slowly and enjoy as long as possible... or you could just make more.

**Lavender can be purchased from most health food stores or you can pick it from a reliable source.

I wish you enough!