Stuff by Ash

Read With Me Wednesday: The Help

2011-03-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

I know, many of you have probably already read The Help by Katherine Stockett. I am such a nerd, I thought it was some kind of self help book, and had no desire to read it. That sounds even nerdier in writing than it did in my head! But I finally picked up a copy from the library, am not quite finished with it, but have loved every minute of it! My new favorite book of 2011 – so far. I am so in love with these women, their trials and heartbreak, and their strength and courage. Absolutely loving it.

The Help
written by Katherine Stockett
464 pages

What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. (Publishers Weekly)

A few other books I have read and enjoyed. Sort of those good, calming, relaxed, kind of books that are just nice to read.

The Girl With a Pearl Earring
written by Tracy Chevalier
256 pages

Flying Home
written by Rachel Ann Nunes
320 pages

The Quilter's Apprentice
written by Jennifer Chiaverini
272 pages

Joy in the Morning
written by Betty Smith
304 pages

Guest Posting at Craft Goodies Today!

2011-03-16T07:03:00.001-07:00

Three Really Random Things

2011-03-04T12:21:00.001-08:00

Whew! I finally found my keyboard under that huge pile of snotty tissues! I think those you who have been sick gave me your bug. Alas, I’m sure I will survive.

So here is my post full of randomness, blame it on the cough medicine and my brain being filled with snot.

{First Random Thing}

I have been meaning to post about this, in fact many of you have noticed it already, my little blog got a nice little facelift a week or so ago. I would love to take the credit, but it wasn’t me.

The story. Back before Christmas I won a give away from Leelou Blogs! The best part was I didn’t just win one thing, I won three!

My very own {Belle Dangles Jewelry Organizer}

Seriously brilliant! So simple, but so convenient!

A credit to this fabulous shop {The Lavish Loft}

And . . . .

Wait for it . . .

A blog redesign from the fabulous Julie over at Leelou Blogs. She does awesome work, has tons of free stuff, and was so wonderful to work with. She has tons of great designs some for free and others for a very reasonable price. If you are looking to get some work done (on your blog, that is) I would highly recommend going with Julie.

If you read your blogs in a reader, or haven’t been to visit lately, here is a quick peak and the new design:

My favorite part, I told Julie how much I loved this room re-do from Bee in Our Bonnet:

I think she did a wonderful job turning a room into a blog design!

{Second Random Thing}

This was our Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss dinner. We had Green Eggs and Ham Cups. Crepes with this yummy Strawberry Sauce. (All recipes found at Our Best Bites, are you so surprised?) And these for dessert:

{Third – and last – Random Thing}

Thanks to these awesome/fun/creative bloggers for sending some traffic my way this week:

Thanks for staying with me. Sorry for the randomness. Hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

I {Heart} The Hokey Pokey Kitchen

2011-03-02T13:34:00.001-08:00

So I have been sort of on a kid kick lately. My last few posts have been centered on creating things for kids. Hope you’ll bear with me for another one. Lets be honest, it’s not just for my kid, I love it it too.

Point of my blabbering: I found this awesome new blog about creating fun themed food all around children’s books.

I got this sweet comment from Aleena, from The Hokey Pokey Kitchen, yesterday:

“Thanks for posting all your wonderful ideas!! We made Dr Seuss Cat in the Hat fun treats yeterday @ www.thehokeypokeykitchen.com
Come visit us.. thanks for sharing your ideas.. i am also making cupcakes tomorrow... we are making the sneetches s mores cupcakes!! hope urs turn out well!!!!”

My next thought was “Sneetches S’mores Cupcakes, what in the world would those look like?!” (I admit I even tried to Google it – nothing.) Well today, she posted them, and they are beyond my wildest imagination.

Sneetches S’more Cupcakes

I cannot wait until she shares how to make the Sneetches. I’m off now to make my totally lame copy cat been done a thousand time Thing 1 and Thing 2 cupcakes . . .

But first three more favorites from The Hokey Pokey Kitchen:

Where the Wild Things Are lunch

The Grouchy Ladybug “healthalicious snack”

Harold and the Purple Crayon crayons

Cat in the Hat Hats From TP Rolls

2011-03-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

We made these in anticipation of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday tomorrow. Again, we love the Cat in the Hat around our house.

I have been collecting TP rolls FOREVER, like probably since Halloween. (I just had this visual picture of our house being over whelmed by TP rolls. Maybe I haven’t saved every single roll since then, but I have quite a stash.) As each holiday comes, I just know that I am going to find something fun to make with them. Well for Dr. Seuss’ birthday I have finally gotten around to using them!

Cat in the Hat Pop Ups

{To Make You Will Need}

TP Roll
Red Paper (I thought felt would be cute too)
White Cardstock
Dowel
Scissors
Tape/Glue
Markers/Crayons
Cat in the Hat Pop Up Template (Can be downloaded {HERE})

{To Make}

Cut a piece of white paper that will wrap around your TP roll. Cut and glue red paper, or color to make red stripes. I cut my stripes about 3/4 inch wide.

Cut out hat brim and hat top from template. (Can be downloaded {HERE}.) Only cut on the dotted lines. Don’t forget to poke a hole for your dowel in the top of the hat. (Trust me, it’s soo much easier to do it before you get it all attached.) Tape/glue brim and top of the hat to the TP roll. Those little tabs you cut should help it fit just right around the TP roll.

Tape/glue red and white striped paper around the TP roll. You should now have your little hat. (I am hoping to make a few more, just hats for our place settings at dinner our Seuss themed dinner!)

Color and cut out Cat in the Hat pictures from the template. (Can be downloaded {HERE}.) Attach back of pictures to a dowel. Poke dowel through hole in the top of the hat. Have lots of pop up fun!

Looking for more great Seuss ideas? Here are a few I have in my Dr. Seuss bookmark folder:

Is that not the most clever blog name. Lots and lots of Seuss activities, crafts, foods, parties, even home décor.

Love this FREE printable from 74 Lime Lane!

Last year Oopsey Daisy had a Seuss Extravaganza.

Jenn, from Finally in First shares a ton of great activities she came up with for her first graders.

Seussville is the ultimate internet stop for all things Seuss.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 Hand Prints

2011-03-01T02:29:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss (on the 2nd)! Last year when Dr. Seuss’ Birthday came around I was teaching and totally missed celebrating it at home with my Little Miss, so this year I was super excited to do some fun things. I absolutely love Dr. Seuss! One of our favorites is The Cat in the Hat, my daughter loves watching the Cat in the Hat show on PBS, we are always singing, “Here we go, go, go!”

Thing 1 and Thing 2 made out of hand prints.

{You’ll Need}

Peach paint

Light blue paint

White paint

Foam paint brush

Red paper

Sharpie

Because it was a little nerve racking trying to take pictures of my two year-old during the process of making these, I am using my hands, which look all kinds of freaky to me, but it was better than worrying about having paint everywhere!

{Step 1}

Paint your fingers and the outside of your palm light blue.

{Step 2}

Press down on paper. Trying to center it side to side, better than I did!

{Step 3}

Paint peach on the inside of you palm, slightly overlapping the blue from before. Add a little more blue to your fingers if it has dried. If you look at a picture from the book, they have white faces . . . I thought it might look a little freaky, so I took an artistic liberty and used peach.

{Step 4}

Press down firmly, trying to line up the tips of your fingers from before, but shifting position of fingers from previous print to fill thing blanks a little bit.

{Step 5}

Dab a little paint on your finger for a neck. After the paint has dried add details with a Sharpie. Don’t forget the little white circle on the shirt. We were able to fit both Thing 1 and 2 on my daughter's paper.

Tomorrow I really want to make some Thing 1 and 2 cupcakes to celebrate!

{Found at Kitchen Dough}

{Found at Goodlife Eats}

{Found at Sugar Swings}

I love that the heads are made out of Dum Dums dipped in white chocolate with blue frosting hair.

Or a super simple route, these marshmallow pops:

{Found at Goodlife Eats}

Do you have any fun plans to celebrate?

Better-Than-Almost-Anything Cake

2011-02-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is the Betty Crocker family friendly internet approved name for this cake. At our house we have a different name for it, but I didn’t think it was appropriate for my nice innocent blog.

Today your life will change. Ok, not today, but the day that you make this cake.

{Ingredients}

1 Chocolate Cake Mix
Sweetened Condensed Milk (Fat Free is ok)
Caramel Sauce
Cool Whip
2 King Size Heath Bars (Now really if you’re making a smaller cake, you probably will only need one, but you tell your husband to bring home two so that you can can pretend to be surprised and confused and then eat the extra one.)

{To Make}

Bake cake according to the directions on the box. A few minutes after it’s come out of the oven, take a knife to it. Stab the heck out of it. No, I have not gone crazy, you need those holes so the gooey caramel and Sweetened Condensed Milk will seep into the cake.

After you have stabbed a million holes in your cake, pop open your Sweetened Condensed Milk poor it all over the cake. Next, poor the Caramel Sauce all over. (I only used about half the can of milk and half of the caramel, but if you’re making a 9 x 13, you might want to use it all.) Doesn’t have to look pretty, duh you just poked holes all over it. Now step back. Lick your fingers. Let the cake cool. Let it cool very well.

If it does not cool well, your Cool Whip will slide off the cake and look funny. But chances are if you are the only person to bring a dessert to your Ward Party people will still eat it if it looks funny, because it still tastes the same. . . Just sayin’.

After it has cooled well (see above). Spread Cool Whip on top. While you are doing that have your 2 year-old or other kitchen helper crush up your Heath Bar. “But, Ashlie, you can just by the Heath Bits now.” I like the crushed up bars better. You get bigger chunks. But you can do what you want . . .

The last and final step, sprinkle crushed Heath on top of cake. This was our Valentine’s dessert, so I tried to make it more Valentiney by making a heart out of the Heath pieces.

Cut yourself a piece and en-joy!

Note: Really this cake tastes better the next day or a few hours after you make it, the caramel and milk soak in and make it oh so gooey and good!

I {Heart} The Quick Unpick

2011-02-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

Just found this new blog and had to share it with you:

“The Spangler” shares lots of fun sewing projects, many of them made from refashioning old clothing. She has great tutorials with lots of pictures and great explanations. I haven’t had a serious sewing project probably since Christmas {gasp!} but now I am so excited to try my hand at one of her projects. Seriously did not see a project that I did not adore!

Here were a few of my favs:

Seriously wish these boots came in my size!

This skirt would go perfect with the boots!

This adorable dress was refashioned from a woman’s skirt. I must find a skirt exactly like it, so I can make this exact same dress. So cute!

Paint Stick Swords

2011-02-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

I am a double dipper. Not in the gross George kind of way (you know George from Seinfeld?). But I think, why reinvent the wheel? I made these wonderfully awesome easy cheap swords and shields for kiddo family and friends for Christmas. And I whipped them out again for Valentine’s Day, but of course gave them to different people.

I also believe in taking things nice and slow. So today I am showing how to make the Paint Stick Swords, and tomorrow I’ll show you how to make the Pizza Tray Shields.

Supplies for making your own Paint Stick Sword (in case the picture was not self explanatory enough):

JUMBO Paint Sticks. I get my from Lowe’s. They give me a few for free, but when I’ve asked for more than five they charge like 25 cents a pop.
Something to sand with. I love me some power tools.
Spray Paint. I used primer first. Splurged on some serious metallic paint.
Electrical tape. Not in the picture, but still very important.
2 Jumbo Popsicle Sticks per sword. Also not pictured, but very important if you want to make a sword, not just a shiny paint stick.
Those Papa Murphy’s pizza baking trays are for next time, so ignore those for now.

Got everything? Ok we are ready to roll.

{Step One}

Sand paint sticks. Round the corners off. Get rid of all those pointy corners.

{Step Two}

Spray paint a primer base coat. Let dry. Paint with your metallic paint. Let dry.

{Step Three}

Attach pommel, I think this is the correct technical term, nope Googled it, it’s called a guard. Use two Jumbo Popsicle Sticks for each sword. Use a little bit of hot glue. Glue one stick on the top and one on the bottom.

{Step Four}

Get your Electrical Tape. Wrap it all around the guard/hilt/pommel (I {heart} Google). Give it a good couple layers. Cover it all over.

{Step Five}

Have an awesome sword fight.

Stayed tuned for the instructions on how to make the shield. You simply cannot have a good sword fight without a sword. “The most important piece of equipment is your shield! If you must make a choice between a sword and a shield, take the shield!” (Name that movie!)

Read With Me Wednesday: President’s Day Edition

2011-02-16T03:23:00.000-08:00

President’s Day is coming up. To celebrate I thought I’d share with you my favorite “President-ish” books.

So You Want to be President?
Written by Judith St. George
Illustrated by David Small

“That's a big job, and getting bigger. But why not? Presidents have come in just about every variety. They've been generals like George Washington and actors like Ronald Reagan; big like William Howard Taft and small like James Madison; handsome like Franklin Pierce and homely like Abraham Lincoln. They've been born in log cabins like Andrew Jackson and mansions like William Harrison.

From the embarrassment of skinny-dipping John Quincy Adams, to the escapades of Theodore Roosevelt's children, to the heroic recovery of John Kennedy's crew, Judith St. George shares the backroom facts, the spit-fire comments, and the comical anecdotes that have been part and parcel of America's White House.

Hilariously illustrated by Caldecott honor-winning artist David Small in the cherished tradition of political commentary, this rip-roaring celebration of forty-one Presidents shows us the foibles, the quirks, and — most of all — the humanity of those men who have risen to one of the most powerful positions in the world.” (Scholastic.com)

Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers
Written and Illustrated by Karen B. Winnick

"The story is presented simply and with authenticity. Children will identify with this independent young girl. . . Containing a wonderful piece of history beautifully and succinctly presented, this story can be read in groups or individually to entertain and to teach." (School Library Journal)

Lincoln: A Photobiography
Written by Russell Freedman
160 pages

“This work is perhaps the most complete and enjoyable children's book ever written about one of the nation's most fascinating and important figures, Abraham Lincoln. Russell Freedman covers Lincoln's life and career in a balanced treatment that is enhanced by period photographs and drawings. The book won the Newbery Medal, the Jefferson Cup Award and the Golden Kite Honor Book Award, and earned a citation as School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.” (Amazon.com Review)

George Washington's Breakfast
Written by Jean Fritz

48 pages

“George Washington Allen, a boy who never gives up until he finds out what he wants to know, is determined to learn all there is to know about his namesake--including what the first president ate for breakfast.” (Amazon.com)

Hoo Are You?

2011-02-15T21:26:00.001-08:00

Joining in the fun today at Night Owl Crafting.

1. What did you get/give for Valentine's Day?

My husband got me a new camera, which was really partly a present for himself too. Gave some other silly little things.

2. Do you have a vacation planned in the next couple of months or in the summer?

We are going away for the weekend to a gorgeous inn near Bear Lake. Without the kiddo. For the first time ever. And we hope to do some light camping this summer.

3. What is one thing you do to pamper yourself?

I drink Diet Mt. Dew. Like there’s no tomorrow. I love to go get a fresh one from the gas station.

4. What sparks your interest to other people's blogs?

Fabulous original ideas. Neatly organized. Good writing.

5. What kind of a mood are you in today?

Pretty good mood. The kid was wonderful. We enjoyed the warmth and sunshine. My dad brought us Chinese for dinner on his way home. I will stop there, the rest is mostly negative, I’m trying to get over it. Night ended great with lots of goodnight kisses from the Little Miss.

Valentines Crafts

2011-02-15T09:48:00.001-08:00

Better late than never. I strongly believe that ALL holidays should be at the end of the month, like Halloween. I always need more time!

Made these tissue paper hearts. Found at Crafttown, via Gretchen at The Pike Family.

Handprint Owl , inspiration from Meet the Dubiens. The Little Miss and I made this Valentine’s Day morning for Dad. When he came home from work we showed it to him, and I asked, “Do ya’ get it?” “Yeah. ‘Owl’ love you.” For a sec I thought, oh yeah, he gets it. Then I realized it sounded not quite right. It was really supposed to say “‘Owl’ ALWAYS love you.” BIG oops! Instead it’s more like, well, if I have to ‘Owl’ love you. I tried.

Paper Heart Garland, found at The Pike Family.

Plastic Bag Heart Wreath, found at Us and Them, via Tatertots and Jello

Heart Tree, found at my house. Tin bucket, on hand. Branches spray painted white. Red paper hearts, hole punched, hung with ribbon.

I “Mustache” You a Question

2011-02-12T21:23:00.001-08:00

Fine, I am a total nerd.

I don’t understand it. My husband doesn’t understand it. I don’t expect you to either.

Not only did we get these Valentine’s from Eighteen25, but I made my own too. I just had to hop on board the Mustache Valentine Band Wagon. (They even make T-shirts) Even though I don’t have a little boy, I subjected my not too thrilled daughter to it. I just couldn’t help myself.

Ok, thanks for letting me get that off my chest, and for not judging me too harshly . . .

PS I would love to share, just leave me a comment and I’ll send it your way, but without the picture of my kid . . .

Be My Valentine

2011-02-12T10:19:00.001-08:00

Wow! Can I tell you I have the best husband ever! (For me at least, I know lots of you also have the best husbands ever.) Last week told me he had my Valentine’s present and was so excited to give it to me. I was a little shocked we are usually not super big on giving gifts on Valentine’s. Next he asked if I wanted him to give it to me early. Honestly this happens most every birthday, holiday, anniversary when my husband knows he has gotten me and awesome gift and CANNOT wait to give it to me! Once, when he got me my Cricut for my Birthday, did he hold off giving it to me until the day of. So I said sure, he could give it to me early, if he HAD to. So he goes downstairs and brings up this huge box. . . I am thinking, what I in the world does he know that I want that could be that big?? I open the box and inside was . . . .

Seriously. So. Shocked. So we have been busy playing and taking LOTS of pictures. So fun! Believe it or not I have even been taking pictures of crafts too. So stayed tuned for those later.

For now I will leave you with our Valentines that we printed yesterday, yes, we are procrastinators!

Template found {HERE} at Eighteen25.

Heart Potato Stamps

2011-02-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Saw this tutorial over at Cap Creations and knew that it was something that my two year-old and I could do together ~~while it is freezing cold outside so we don’t go completely crazy staying inside ALL THE TIME.~~ They were so easy, you probably have everything on hand.

Ready to start stamping . . .

Add paint.

And . . .

Lots of stamping fun.

Valentine Ice Cream Sandwiches

2011-02-08T11:57:00.001-08:00

Last night we had a Family Home Evening on loving each other. These ice cream sandwiches were a perfect treat, they were yummy, super fast to make, and my toddler could help!

We used store bought cookie dough, cooked cookies according to directions. Right when the cookies came out of the oven I used heart cookie cutters to cut shapes. Let cookies cool and then placed in the freezer for 10 minutes. Took out cookies and ice cream. Piled ice cream on one cookie, pressed cookies together, rolled edges in sprinkles. Eat and enjoy!

Heart Pancakes

2011-02-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

It’s February! Is it just me or did January seem like the longest month ever?!

Today I am excited to share with you a perfect Valentiney meal. My husband and daughter love pancakes. We spiced things up a bit the other night when we had them for dinner and had our pancakes heart style.

I don’t have a fancy heart pancake thingy, but I did have heart shaped cookie cutters and a clothespin:

Worked just great for me!

Added some heart shaped butter. Just like cutting out sugar cookies, out of a slice of butter, with tiny little heart cookie cutters. I just couldn’t resist buying them at Michael's the other day!

Just make sure butter is fairly cold, like straight out of the fridge cold.

Even easier just put a little heart butter on regular old pancakes. Hope you enjoy! Would love to hear about how you are sharing the love this month!

I {Heart} Custom Valentine Photo Cards

2011-01-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to put together a Valentine card to send to friends and family. I made this one last year.

It was super simple, but I super liked it!

I am so glad I haven’t made this year’s yet, some times procrastinating really does pay off! Because the gals at Eighteen 25 have put together these adorable Valentine Photo Cards. There are three to choose from, and all are, of course, adorable! All you have to do is put your own picture in there, and take all the credit when everyone tells you how cute they were!

Did I mention that they are all completely free!? It really doesn’t get any easier!

Glowing Snowmen

2011-01-29T18:43:00.001-08:00

Cheap – Check

Supplies on hand – Check

Craft the kiddos can help with – Check

Fast – Check

Waaay back in October I made these ghosts out of empty milk jugs, and have been trying to think of a way to use the same idea again. I came up with these little snowmen. They were super simple to make, and make our porch so much cuter!

{Supplies}

Empty milk jugs
Black and orange paper
Hot glue gun
Yarn
Fun Foam
Red paint
Paint brush
Knife
Scissors
Christmas lights

{To Make}

Once you’ve collected all the milk jugs that you want, make sure they are cleaned and dried really well, you’re ready to get started!

Cut out eyes and mouth pieces out of black cardstock.

Cut out carrot nose from orange cardstock. When I made the ghosts, I used a permanent marker to draw the faces on, you could do the same with black and orange markers, but I wanted the noses to stick out from their faces.

Attach pieces on milk jugs using hot glue gun. I tried my old friend Mr. Modge Podge, but it was a slippery mess! Holt glue was soo much faster and easier, although I realize not the most kid friendly.

I added some rosy cheeks with a tiny bit of red tole paint. The paint was having a hard time sticking to the jug, so once it dried I sprayed it with a little bit of hair spray.

You could stop here and your snowman would be perfectly fine. But I was not going for fine, so I added some earmuffs. Using yarn and some fun foam. I made some pom poms out of yarn, cut a strip of fun foam. Attached the yarn to the fun foam and then put the earmuffs on the snowman.

To insert lights cut a flap in the back of the milk jug. When I made my ghosts, I found the lights stayed in better if you cut a flap, not a whole. So I went with a little back flap.

Stuff lights inside, arrange as desired, plug in lights and whal-la!

I’m linking up to these parties this week!

Winter Wreath

2011-01-28T09:44:00.000-08:00

Easiest thing I ever made. Well, almost.

Found some wintery ornaments after Christmas on super clearance. Decided that since I had missed out making a Christmas ornament wreath, that I could still use these wintry colors to make a January/Winter Wreath!
Followed this tutorial from Eddie Ross. Well, I thought I was following it, but missed a few steps. Like bending your hanger into a circle before you pack on the ornaments. And I remembered the step about hot gluing the little metal part. Mine were already kind of glued when I bought them so I thought it would be ok. WRONG! I had ornaments popping off all over the place when I tried to bend and reshape my hanger.
So eventually I finished it. But it still looked wonky so I messed with it some more. More blubs fell off so I messed some more. At one point I thought of just hiding it in an unpacked box downstairs, who would know. I just didn’t want to ever have to see it again. Eventually we (the wreath and I) made up. I decided it would be ok. Put it up on the shelf and was done with it. I like it alright, but the more I look at it the more I see all these little/big things that just bug me. . .
Some other Winter décor:

Stuffed snowman, my husband had this (and a matching Santa) when we got married. I kid you not. The frame was $3 on clearance from Michael’s, it had a Christmasy picture but I covered it up with a snowflake and some paper. The mat came with it, isn’t it cute!

Frosty Letters

2011-01-26T21:38:00.001-08:00

Finally it’s finished!! Hoorray! What’s that you say, this looks like the easiest craft in the world. Well, it was. But it took me FOREVER to finish! I am not good at working in phases/multi-tasking. I like to sit down do a project, finish it, clean it up, the end. I started this project and it probably sat on my kitchen counter in a half finished state for about a week. But I bit the bullet and just got it done already!

I ordered several plain letter set from Wendy’s Etsy shop, Well Good, like right after Thanksgiving.

I finished a few for Christmas gifts, but it really took me a loong time to finish my own! I am happy with the way it turned out but so sad I didn’t finish it sooner so I could enjoy it longer!

Read With Me Wednesday: The Voice the Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

2011-01-25T23:41:00.001-08:00

Have you ever read anything by Russell Freedman? I think he is one of the most fabulous authors. I have enjoyed many of his books. Today I am sharing, The Voice the Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights. What an inspiring woman! If you have never heard her story, this book is a wonderful portrayal of her life and work. My interest in Marian Anderson began when I read, When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson. I became fascinated with this woman who against all odds was able to reach her dreams.

The Voice the Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights
by Russell Freedman
128 pages

“A voice like yours," celebrated conductor Arturo Toscanini told contralto Marian Anderson, "is heard once in a hundred years."

This insightful account of the great African American vocalist considers her life and musical career in the context of the history of civil rights in this country. Drawing on Anderson's own writings and other contemporary accounts, Russell Freedman shows readers a singer pursuing her art despite the social constraints that limited the careers of black performers in the 1920s and 1930s.

Though not a crusader or a spokesperson by nature, Marian Anderson came to stand for all black artists — and for all Americans of color — when, with the help of such prominent figures as Eleanor Roosevelt, she gave her landmark 1939 performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, which signaled the end of segregation in the arts.

Carefully researched, expertly told, and profusely illustrated with contemporary photographs, here is a moving account of the life of a talented and determined artist who left her mark on musical and social history. Through her story, one of today's leading authors of nonfiction for young readers illuminates the social and political climate of the day and an important chapter in American history.

A Newbery Honor book.

(Scholastic)

Read With Me Wednesday: Martin’s BIG Words

2011-01-14T11:00:00.001-08:00

Hi, my name is Ashlie and sometimes I do crazy things. Like yesterday when I left the lights on the car all day and it killed the battery . . . but that’s not why we are here. I am here to apologize. I had some posts written and scheduled for this week, and didn’t think twice about them. Problem was, they were scheduled to post this week in January of 2010. Yup. Crazy things. So here is one of them.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this coming Monday, so I wanted to share with you one of my favorite favorite favorite books of all time. Not only are the words incredible and share such a wonderful message, the pictures are gorgeous.

It is the perfect book to read in honor of this great man’s birthday!

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Written by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by Bryan Collier

This picture-book biography provides an ideal introduction to this leader and his works. Juxtaposing original text with quotes from King's writing and speeches, Rappaport's (Escape from Slavery) narrative offers a pastiche of scenes from King's life, beginning with his childhood experience of seeing "White Only" signs sprinkled throughout his hometown. He questions his mother about their meaning, and she assures him, "You are as good as anyone." Listening to his father preach, the boy asserts that "When I grow up, I'm going to get big words, too." Rappaport also touches upon King's role in the Montgomery bus strike that followed Rosa Park's 1955 arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger and his subsequent efforts as a civil rights crusader. After briefly describing the circumstances of his death, the story concludes, quite abruptly, with the statement, "His big words are alive for us today." The author relies on her subject's own words, and his power, passion and pacifism shine through. Collier's (Uptown) striking watercolor and cut paper collage art feature closely focused, lifelike images of King and other individuals against an inventive montage of patterns and textures. The portraits of King exude his spiritual strength and peaceful visage. In the background of some scenes are intricate recreations of stained glass windows, which, Collier explains in an introductory note, he interprets as a metaphor for King's life. An elegant, understated pictorial biography. Ages 5-9. (Publishers Weekly)

I {Heart} Valentine Subway Art

2011-01-10T08:08:00.001-08:00

Today, it snowed. Ruined all my productive errand running plans. Pooh.

But today, I am loving this cute subway art from Eighteen25.

I have absolutely nothing Valentinesey to decorate with for February. So I am definitely printing this baby off ASAP!

Side note: Our Sam’s membership expired, we went with Costco instead this year. I usually printed my pictures at Sam’s. I am not a huge Walmart Photo fan, and Costco is a little farther away than I would like to drive some days. So my question is, Where to print my photos?! Where do you get yours printed?

Ruffle Flower Purses Take 2 and 3

2011-01-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

These were two Christmas gifts I made and gave to my cute little (who is now really the big 2-1 so I should call her younger, but I like to reminder her who’s boss!) and my favorite Sister-In-Law! (Don’t tell the my other SIL’s, I don’t think they are aware of my secret crafty blogging identity, so hopefully they won’t read this!)

I am getting to be a purse pro, well at least this style of purses. I posted about my first purse I made for a friend’s B-Day, HERE. Since I had a TON of leftover grey vinyl from that project, I decided these two purse loving gals would like one for Christmas. (Oh, and I could still make ANOTHER purse! I have that much leftover!)

Two things that made process a little smoother the second (and third) time around:

I used a piece of fabric and a piece of vinyl for the strap, it turned out much better than my first attempt where I used two pieces of vinyl. Sorry first attempt!
Second, I used two pieces of cotton fabric to make the pocket, instead of a piece of vinyl and a piece of cotton. Again much better, and still super cute!!

I must give credit where credit is due, I was not clever enough to come up with this pattern on my own. I found this great tutorial by Tam from Sew Dang Cute, who was guest posting on Ucreate.

I should add, my cute sister is the one in the bottom picture with the black and white purse! She came down last Sunday and I told her I needed a picture of her purse for my blog. I also told her I would crop her head out, but she’s just to cute to crop out!

National Whipped Cream Day

2011-01-05T11:49:00.001-08:00

Did you know that today is National Whipped Cream Day? Maybe the more appropriate question is, did you know that tbere was a National Whipped Cream Day.

Got me to thinking about one of my favorite whipped cream recipes, ok really Cool Whip, but it counts right.

Symphony Pie

{Ingredients}
1 King Size Symphony bar (milk chocolate or toffee chip, but I think the toffee is the best!)

1/4 cup water

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

Graham Cracker Pie Crust

{To Make}
Break up Symphony bar (do not add one or two squares, set aside to use latter for garnish) and add water in large microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave for 45 seconds. Remove and mix with spoon so that all of the chocolate is melted.

Add Cool Whip and mix very well. But also gently. Making, sure that all of the chocolate is incorporated.

Pour chocolate mixture into Graham Cracker Pie Crust and spread evenly.

Cover and freeze for 3 hours before served.

I like to use whipped cream from a can and add a little decoration on top.

Pull out those Symphony squares you saved from the beginning, if you haven’t eaten them already, grate them evenly on top of the pie for garnish.

Photo Courtesy: PTIT Chef

I also found this article that might help you celebrate:

How to Celebrate National Whipped Cream Day

What can be more fun on January fifth than celebrating National Whipped Cream Day? One of the most versatile toppings in our times deserves a day in tribute. This is the day to celebrate your dessert and honor whipped cream as it truly deserves. This article will explore various methods to pay tribute to this yummy treat.

Instructions

Mix one cup sized dollop with vanilla sugar free pudding mix and pineapple for a yummy low cal snack.
Bring a can of whipped topping to bed one night just to see what pops up.
Pumpkin pie isn't just for Thanksgiving! Bake up a family favorite and pull out the whipped cream for instant smiles.
Mix chocolate, or any chosen flavor, pudding per box directions. Mix in half a cup of whipped cream. Pour into a graham cracker crust. Chill for a scrumptious mousse dessert for dinner tonight. Feeling extra extravagant, go ahead add some nuts of choice.
Purchase at least two cans of whipped topping and start a whipped cream fight. Maybe best conducted on tile flooring.
Bit cold and chilly outside? Make yourself a cup of hot cocoa. Instead of marshmallows try adding whipped cream for a tasty delight.

Tips & Warnings

Enjoy whipped cream in a group or alone. Whipped cream does not judge or discriminate.
The fifth of January is indeed National Whipped Cream Day. As if we need a reason to indulge.
Enjoy and have fun the options are endless. Feel free to be creative.
Whipped cream has a potential to make hard surfaces slippery.

How to Celebrate National Whipped Cream Day

Read With Me Wednesday: Stardust

2011-01-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Read With Me Wednesday, I love reading but don’t always have time! Yesterday I just finished a fun little novel by Neil Gaiman, Stardust. Have you ever read any of his books? This is the second Neil Gaiman book I’ve read. The first, The Graveyard Book, I loved, a lot. Different. But very enjoyable. And not as creepy as the title leads you to believe.

I was interested in reading Stardust, for two reasons. First, as I said, I enjoyed The Graveyard Book. Second, my Sister-In-Laws love the movie Stardust based on the book. I enjoyed the book, I finished it fairly quickly, which for me is an indication that I liked it. Books I don’t like as much, usually take me awhile to finish. But to be quite honest, I liked the movie better! I don’t think this has EVER happened to me before! I don’t know quite what it was, but the movie is just so darn cute! I wonder if I had read the book first, I might feel differently. I liked the book, it’s not like I hated it, but it’s not going on my favorite list anytime soon. Have you read the book and seen the movie? Do you feel this way or is it just me?

Stardust
by Neil Gaiman
272 pages

{Amazon.com Review}
Stardust is an utterly charming fairy tale in the tradition of The Princess Bride and The Neverending Story. Neil Gaiman, creator of the darkly elegant Sandman comics and author of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, tells the story of young Tristran Thorn and his adventures in the land of Faerie. One fateful night, Tristran promises his beloved that he will retrieve a fallen star for her from beyond the Wall that stands between their rural English town (called, appropriately, Wall) and the Faerie realm. No one ever ventures beyond the Wall except to attend an enchanted flea market that is held every nine years (and during which, unbeknownst to him, Tristran was conceived). But Tristran bravely sets out to fetch the fallen star and thus win the hand of his love. His adventures in the magical land will keep you turning pages as fast as you can--he and the star escape evil old witches, deadly clutching trees, goblin press-gangs, and the scheming sons of the dead Lord of Stormhold. The story is by turns thrillingly scary and very funny. You'll love goofy, earnest Tristran and the talking animals, gnomes, magic trees, and other irresistible denizens of Faerie that he encounters in his travels. Stardust is a perfect read-aloud book, a brand-new fairy tale you'll want to share with a kid, or maybe hoard for yourself.

Be My Valentine!

2011-01-04T15:44:00.000-08:00

I love this too much not to share.

All made from felt!
You can buy the pattern HERE at the Bugga Bugs Etsy Shop.

They also sell non-Valentine related felt patterns.

Felt Picnic

Felt Breakfast Cereal

They also sell non-food patterns. I love this camping one (the moose is what really gets me, The Little Miss has been obsessed with this little plastic moose lately), the dollhouse is pretty darn cute too!

Here’s a Top Secret Heads Up (not really because you probably already know) Life With the Lebedas has a giveaway going on right now where you can win a pattern of your choice from the Bugga Bugs shop.

I AM NOT getting an extra entry in the giveaway for making this post, I truly just thought they were too cute not to share! I am trying to wait patiently to see if I win one, but if I don’t, which I probably won’t, I am for sure buying one. My only problem, which one to choose?!

Also, I have been seriously itching to make some felt food. Suggestions, tips, offers to just make it for me, would be much appreciated!

Next Year's Christmas Cards

2011-01-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

I really liked this year’s cards that we ordered for FREE from Shutterfly. The were super easy to put together and I got tons of comments from friends and family about how much the liked them (I may or may not have left out the part that I didn’t really design them and basically plopped the pictures in!)

But next year, I am using one or both of these ideas:

MERRY Everything! from Craft Goodies

We just have three of us right now in our whole entire family, we might have to borrow some children to make this really work! (Friends and family, please hold your comments – WE KNOW, IT’S TIME TO HAVE ANOTHER! Other blog readers I apologize if that was TMI!)

Wall of Frames from Sassy Sanctuary

Love the mistletoe in the parent’s frame and the cutie in reindeer antlers! She also shares great instructions for building your own “wall” of frames.

Could someone please remind me that I love these cards? Next year around November-ish? They’re bookmarked, I just might need a little help remembering. Thanks in advance!

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T13:13:00.000-08:00

Can you believe 2010 is almost over! Like today is THE LAST DAY! I just wanted to pop in and wish you a safe and happy New Year! I know I’ve still been MIA, I am enjoying too much spending time with my fam, we’ve had lots of visitors and done lots of visiting. I even started to but together a Top Ten Favorite Posts post, but I had a hard time choosing . . . suggestions? Personal favorites? I will be back first thing next week I PROMISE! Monday morning 6:00 AM, awesome post here, don’t miss it!
But before you go I just had to share this ADORABLE Scrunchie Scarf I saw at I'm a Mom Not a Professional

Love the flower with the swirly middle!

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND hopping over to her blog she has TONS of cute projects and tutorials. Not only does she sew cute scarves, she is a mean pie baker, and made the most cutest Reindeer out of a Nutter Butter I have ever seen!

I Got Distracted . . .

2010-12-29T12:50:00.001-08:00

We are having a bLiZzARd outside! Not like full blown snowed in, but the kind of blowy heavy snow that makes you just want to stay inside your safe warm house! I thought I would catch up on some blogging today. I realized that I haven’t blogged here for almost a week! GASP! Where did that week go?! I think Christmas was in there somewhere . . . and I know I went out of town with my mom, sis, and daughter on a little Girls Getaway Shopping Extravaganza . . . Now you are telling me 2010 is almost over!

So I sat down to do some blogging. Then I got distracted . . . It all started . . . Well, I don’t really know. But I’ve had a really good crafty blog hop session and I thought I’d share:

Bacon Wrapped Lil’ Smokies are one of my husbands favorites. Over at Polish the Stars they serve them at breakfast. Breakfast people. If I served these at breakfast, I think my husband would think he’d died in his sleep and woke up in heaven. (Or he might die from shock that I woke up before him and cooked him breakfast, he’s the early riser in our relationship for sure!)

Remember these cute crayon holders?

I remember seeing them a few places and fell in love with how simple and wonderful they were. I never made mine. But Mandy at Sugar Bee – Craft Edition posted about them today and reminded me of their adorableness.

Which led me to head over to the maker of these cuties, Hedi at Mom’s Crafty Space, where she shared this gorgeous kids table!

Harry Potter Cupcakes found at Cupcakes Take the Cake:

But first I need to find some Harry Potter loving friends to have a party with. Sadly none of my friends love HP quite as much as I do.

If you haven’t noticed yet, I am currently in a Our Best Bites obsessive phase. What can I say I love everything they post about! And it is all super delicious and easy to make! (I was in no way compensated for saying that or talking about their blog a million other times, it’s just the obsession talking.)

Our Best Bites has a lovely round-up of tasty New Year's Eve Appetizers:

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Do you see a pattern here? They are DELICIOIUS. You must try them. Now.

Three Ingredient Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Garlic-Artichoke Dip

I won’t post their whole list here, but one last one (these are amazing, we have had them for dinner a billion times now).

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

Stayed tuned for some Ash created project posts. I have one I’m excited about, but I still need to save up a few milk jugs . . . Hope everyone had a happy and safe Christmas! And continue to be happy and safe into the New Year! (Hopefully you’ll hear from me before then, if not assume we’ve lost all contact with the outside world due to the bLiZzARd!)

Picture a Christmas

2010-12-22T08:43:00.001-08:00

Picture a Christmas, is one of my FAVORITE Christmas songs! When I saw this cute little finger play and gorgeous pictures over at Sassy Sites, I couldn’t help but share it with you here.

Picture a stable in Judea.

(put hands together and make like a roof with arms)

Picture a sacred, silent night.

(fold arms and then put a finger to your lips like shhhing people)

And can you hear

(cup your hand to your ear)

The angels near
(sign language for angel which is making like a wing motion)

And see the star so bright?
(shade your eyes with your hands)

Picture the little baby Jesus.

(cradle your arms and then sign for Jesus...pointing
to palms where the nails were with your middle finger)
Think of His life and words so dear.

(point at head then point Heavenward)

Sing praise to Him;

(pretend to direct music and point Heavenward)

Remember Him,

(Point at Head and Heavenward)

As you picture Christmas this year.

(draw Christmas Tree in air with hands and then spread them out for all)

Picture the kind and gentle Joseph.

(pretend to hold a Shepard's crook)
Picture the mother, Mary, fair.

(cradle your arms)

And can you see

(hands to eyes)

So rev’rently

(fold arms and bow heads)

The shepherds kneeling there?
(bend down at knees)

Picture the little baby Jesus.

(cradle your arms and then sign for Jesus...pointing
to palms where the nails were with your middle finger)

Think of His life and words so dear.

(point at head then point Heavenward)

Sing praise to Him;

(pretend to direct music and point Heavenward)

Remember Him,

(Point at Head and Heavenward)

As you picture Christmas this year.

(draw Christmas Tree in air with hands and then spread them out for all)

.......listen to the song here.......

Reindeer Family

2010-12-21T01:02:00.001-08:00

I am up to my elbows in wrapping paper. I went out of the house with several pieces of tape stuck to my clothing. I told Amanda in the toy section at Walmart that she was my hero for finding a toy I really ~~needed~~ wanted to get my daughter. My Google Reader has spiraled out of control. I don’t remember the last time my counter wasn’t covered in some sort of project. I have gone through more hot glue gun sticks than I can count. I’ve never sewed so much in my life. I can’t believe Christmas has snuck on us so quickly. I remember laughing at bloggers for posting/making Christmas stuff in October. Lesson learned. I promise I have some fun stuff to post, at least I think it’s fun, I hope you will too! Just give me a sec ok?

But here’s a quickie.

I’ve seen these lots of different places.

Made using paint HERE at Oopsey Daisy.

Using paper HERE at Homemaking Fun.

Nothing original. But we had lots of fun making our Reindeer Family together as a family. Even the Hubby helped. (Yes, my feet and hands really are that small, freakishly small!)

{Materials Used}

Cardstock (Light brown for antelers, dark brown for head, white and black for eyes, red for noses)

Ribbon (hanging and girl bows)

Raffia (for hair)

Glitter (for noses)

Wire (hard to see in the picture, but Daddy is wearing glasses)

Markers, scissors, glue

{To Make}

Trace foot for head.

Trace hands for antelers.

Cut out eyes, noses, antlers, heads, glue together.

Add embellishments, bows for girls, glasses, hair. I busted out the hot glue gun for the raffia, and ribbon.

Mommy

Baby

Daddy

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!

2010-12-16T15:14:00.001-08:00

Quick name that tune! Question (non-craft related, totally off topic, of course), is My Favorite Things, from the Sound of Music really considered a Christmas song?

Back on topic. Some of my favorite Christmas stuff from Blogland:

Ruffled Christmas Tree Shirt @ Stuff by Ash

Yes, I am including myself and my own project. It really is on of my favorites!

Gift Card Snow Globes @ One Charming Party {via Gordon Gossip}

To answer the question I know you are asking, “*We tested these gift cards after a week and they still worked. However, we don’t recommend leaving the gift cards in the water longer than a week.”

Hands OFF Santa! @ Brandy's Crafts

Such a clever idea! I finally ordered some vinyl to cut with my Cricut. I’m so excited!

Holiday Photo Booth Props @ Paper and Cake

So simple and soo cute! I wish my two year-old was more cooperative.

Christmas Scripture Word Tree Printable @ The Fickle Pickle

Finally got mine printed. Our Sam’s membership expired in Novemember, so I printed it at Walmart. Holy cow! Never again. There was such a huge line. Everyone was waiting to get their Christmas cards.

Snowman Kit @ The Fickle Pickle

This is not a picture of the whole kit, but it was my favorite! I love the bright colors and the details on the hats.

Aren’t the tags adorable! I will not repost every picture here, you must hop on over to The Fickle Pickle and see the adorable “carrot” noses and all the other cuties that come in the kit. If she was selling these, I would totally buy one!

I’m am sharing this post at:

Head on over and link up your favorite things too!

Ribbon Christmas Tree Shirt

2010-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

In this household a new holiday means a new shirt for the Little Miss! It only took me halfway to Christmas to make it! But once I sat down and got started it went really fast, like two hours tops.

This is what I came up with (and a matching bow, or course):

It looks super cute on to, if you can get your model to hold still . . .

{Materials}

Shirt (ours is a 3T)
Ribbon (I used about six different color/styles. Some of the ribbon I had on hand by the spool, some I bought at Wal-Mart by the yard. I didn’t use more than a yard of any, more like 1/2 a yard of most.)
Sewing machine (optional, would be just as easy to sew by hand.)
Needle and Thread
Pins
Heat n’ Bond or double sided fusible interfacing
Iron
Scissors

{To Make}

To start I collected my ribbon and laid it out to get an idea of what would look best.

I started with the bottom of the tree, cut an 18 inch piece of my ribbon.

Ruffled the ribbon using my sewing machine, set tension as high as it will go and stich length as long as it will go.

Cut my next piece of ribbon about 1/2 an inch shorter, 17 1/2 inches. Ruffled. Cut the next piece 1/2 an inch shorter, 17 inches. Ruffled. Continue until you have cut and ruffled all your pieces. I ended up with nine layers.

I laid my ribbon out once more on my shirt to make sure I had enough ribbon layers to make a tall enough tree.

Trace a triangle/tree onto paper side of Heat n’ Bond. My triangle/tree had a six inch base and seven inch sides.

Pin layers onto Heat n’ Bond. Follow the instructions on the back of the Heat n’ Bond package. Follow these very carefully. Iron the back/paper side. Do not remove paper side until you have cut out your shape. Otherwise it will be a disaster and your shape template with be gone. But if you do mess up, you are smart, just use your noggin you can figure it out!

Remove pins, cut out tree, remove paper. Pin tree onto shirt, iron tree onto shirt. To be safe I turned the shirt over and ironed the back, instead of the front where the ribbon was. Then turned it over and ironed the front, but placed a towel over the tree. I was worried about the ribbon melting to my iron. Irrational fear? I say, better safe than sorry!

Instead of sewing around the edges and across the layers with my sewing machine, I did some sewing by hand. I didn’t want my ruffles to get all smooshed down. I fanned out the sides of the tree a little so it didn’t look so much like a straight triangle. I just put a small tack stitch in each ribbon then sewed across the ruffle about a 1/2 inch by hand.

Last step is to add a tree trunk. I used a piece of brown ribbon, cut it about 3 inches, folded it in half, tucked the top unfolded edge up under the tree and hand sewed it down with tiny tiny stiches.

Last but not least I added a bow on top of the tree. Just a simple four loop bow, like you would make for a girls hair bow.

This morning when we finished doing the Little Miss’ hair I decided that no bow we had would do, so I just HAD to make new one to match her cute new shirt!

{Some tutorials that might help}

I kind of followed this tutorial where she made a ruffled candy corn shirt.

Making ruffles with your sewing machine.

I’m linking my festive shirt up to these holly jolly parties this week!

Plus a few more:

Poor Woman’s Cupcake in a Jar

2010-12-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

From the moment I read about these Peppermint Fudge Cupcakes at Our Best Bites, I was completely and totally in love. I may have even licked my computer screen. I knew that I had to make them, but for what? Why? Who? A few weeks later I signed up to bring a baked good to a fundraiser bake sale that the women in my community where helping put on (aka The Relief Society). I decided this would be a worthy event for these amazing cupcakes.
But here’s the thing. I loved the whole cupcake in a jar idea, but didn’t want to fork out the cash to buy jars . . Cheap, yes, but lets go with frugal. So I came up with this idea instead.

Put the cupcake in a plastic cup!

After the cupcakes where done baking, cooled, and filled with fudgy peppermint ganache, I put an extra baking cup on, plopped into one of these plastic cups:

{Dixie 9 oz. clear plastic cup}

AFTER cupcakes where in the cups I frosted them. I tried it the other way and it made a mess! Sprinkle on some crushed up candy canes.

Dropped into a cellophane treat bag, closed with a twist tie and added some ribbon. Ta-da I give to you the Poor Woman’s Cupcake in a Jar!

(I feel like I have seen it before, but don’t know where, so I won’t take complete credit for this genius idea, but don’t who to give credit to!)

They where a big hit at the bake sale. They were also as tasty as I thought they would be and I even cheated and used a cake mix!

I did however use the Our Best Bites, frosting recipe. It was totally awesome. For the complete recipe and instructions you can go {HERE}. Be prepared, it’s gonna blow your mind!

I’m linking up to these holly jolly parties this week.

Plus a few more:

I {Heart} Monday

2010-12-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

Things I am loving on this wonderful Monday morning are:

{Christmas Speciman Art from Gretchen at The Pike Family}

Remember that bat specimen art craze back in October. Well, genius Gretchen has created some wonderfully adorable Christmas specimen art! I just love the noses on the reindeer, such a cute touch!

{Twitter}

I told my husband I would never join Twitter, but on Friday I did. Something another blogger said, convinced me, for the life of me now I can’t remember who or what. It’s been a fun new adventure. It’s kind of like a Google Reader, but smaller and more condensed. Find me {HERE}

{This AMAZING frosting}

It is amazing in two ways. One, it tastes good, light, fluffy, creamy, like heaven on a cupcake. Second, it is so crazy the way you make it, and it all just comes together. I don’t think I have ever made frosting without powdered sugar, but this recipe calls for regular granulated sugar. Thank you Best Bites for changing my life. More on this life changing experience to come!

Ruffled Purse

2010-12-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

You’ve had a birthday shout “Horray!”,

We’re going to sing to you today. . .

My friend Mindy recently had a birthday. I wanted to get her something special, because she is super special. Mindy loves purses, so I thought that would probably be the road to go. For some reason I thought it would be a terrific idea to make the purse myself . . . Things went well, for the most part. I found this great tutorial by Tam from Sew Dang Cute, who was guest posting on Ucreate.

So I trucked my tush to Hancock Fabrics, where everyone was so nice and helpful. We recently moved here and I’d been going to JoAnn’s because that was were I went where we lived before. But honestly some of the people there where sort of cranky, not to me directly but to other costumers, which made me very scared to ask them questions. And now they are going out of buisness, (interesting correlation, huh?) so I decided to try Hancock.

I wasn’t sure what colors I wanted until I saw this wonderfully lovely yellow, white, and grey flower print.

It was way outside my comfort zone of colors, but I decided to go for it. Sadly this was the only picture that I took, and it wasn’t even finished, or that great cause I took it with my phone. But this was the best and cutest part:

To find the tutorial click {HERE}

Some things of my own that I would add if you try to make your own.

Buy a leather or some type of heavy duty sewing machine needle. I asked the ladies at the fabric store if the thought I would need one. They highly recommended it, so I went for it. I’m glad I did. I broke TWO leather needles. I can’t imagine how many I would have broken if I’d used a regular needle.
I had a TON of vinyl leftover. I could make a whole other purse . . . not sure how this happened . .
I almost ran out of fusible interfacing.
The darn pocket was a pain in the neck! I sewed it on a million times and it kept going crooked and bunching the lining . . . I think it would have been much easier if I would have just used two pieces of cotton rather than a piece of vinyl and a piece of cotton.
I also had a hard time sewing the two pieces of vinyl together for the strap. I don’t know how this could have been easier . . .

I’m So Excited, I Just Can’t Hide It!

2010-12-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

Our 50 free cards from Shutterfly, came today! I have been anxiously waiting all day! I love them! They turned out just how I wanted. It was worth the eight-ish dollars I had to pay for shipping.

Shutterfly was great to work with. See, I made a dumb mistake and didn’t check the shipping address. I was having them shipped to our old place! BIG WHOOPS! But I contacted them, they promptly responded and kindly fixed the address with no extra charge.

I know I choose a totally different card than the options I originally had proposed. But they had this fun layout inside that I really liked.

And the front:

Do you love the picture on the front. My great friend Heather took it. If you are looking for a great inexpensive talented photographer, and you live in Utah County. Choose her. She is awesome. Check her out {HERE} and {HERE}. She also does graphic design if you are looking for someone to help you out in that area.

Now the hard part begins . . . gathering addresses, addressing and licking envelopes, and sending them out before Christmas! (Did you know that Shutterfly will send them out for you, for a small extra charge. Now that is awesome!)

Read With Me Wednesday: Two More Favorite Christmas Books

2010-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Again today I am sharing with you two of my favorite Christmas books, there just aren’t enough Wednesdays before Christmas to squeeze them all in!

A Christmas Dress for Ellen
Written by Thomas S. Monson
Illustrated by Ben Sowards

On Christmas Eve, 1927, in the prairie town of Hillsspring, Alberta, Canada, a young mother, Mary Jeppson, was getting her five small children ready for bed. Her heart was full of sorrow, for there was nothing to fill the stockings, and there would be only a little much for breakfast. Mary had written to her sisters in Idaho, asking for help with such necessities as wheat, yeast, flour, and cornmeal. She had also asked for clothing and some old, used quilts, for all of hers were thin and full of holes.

At the close of the letter, she had written, "If you could just find a dress that someone has outgrown, I could make it over to fit Ellen. She is far too somber for such a young girl. She worries so about the family and about our needs. She has only one dress that she wears all the time, and it is patched and faded."

Her letter had gone unanswered, it seemed, and their Christmas would be far from merry. But George Schow, their mailman, had a surprise in store. Could he brave the coming storm and bitter cold to deliver a Christmas miracle? And would there be a special present for Ellen? Find out in this classic tale of Christmas sacrifice and service.

About this book: President Thomas S. Monson told the story "A Christmas Dress for Ellen" at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional in 1997, and an adaption of his address was published as a Christmas booklet in 1998. The story was related to President Monson by Marian Jeppson Walker (now deceased), a daughter of Mary Jeppson, the mother in the story. Sister Walker and her husband, William, also exchanged correspondence about the story with President Monson over the years. Additional details were obtained through correspondence with descendants of George Schow, the mailman who delivered the long-looked-for packages to the Jeppson family on Christmas Eve. In addition to other family members, those descendants include Mark Schow (now deceased) and Gayla Woolf Holt. The help and information from all these family members is acknowledged and appreciated. (Amazon.com)

The Forgotten Carols
Written by Michael McLean

Michael McLean's touching Christmas tale has become a timeless classic. It tells the story of a nurse whose empty life is changed by her patient, John, who expands her understanding of Christmas. The Forgotten Carols are original songs from the perspective of characters such as the innkeeper who turned the young couple away or the shepherd who slept through the angel's announcement. Their personal accounts, until now, have been overlooked or ignored. Together, John and Constance discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas. (Deseret Book)

If you read the book, you also have to listen to the music, it is beautiful. If you ever have a chance I would highly recommend attending a performance, my husband surprised me with tickets one year and it was one of the best presents ever!

One of my favorite songs from The Forgotten Carols.

Thanks for your suggestions last week, I’m reading and loving a few of them right now. Any other “must reads” at Christmas time?

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

2010-12-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

These Enchiladas are oh so good and easy to whip up. They are my favorite dinner to make and we eat them like every-other week.

I first had them at my good friend, Angela’s house. We used to have Sunday Dinner every Sunday and would rotate between us three friends. It was awesome A) because I only had to cook dinner every three Sundays. And B) because my two friends are fabulous cooks and would always cook something tasty, so I got lots of new recipes. Sadly we no longer live close to each other, rather I moved away from them, tear . . . So one Sunday Angela made these enchiladas and I told her she had to send me the recipe. I waited until Monday night to send her a kind Facebook message reminding her I really wanted the recipe!

The message might have sounded something like this:

Not to sound naggy or impatient, really I know you're busy, but I REEEAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYY want that recipe! I can still taste the goodness! Oh so good! In case you need it my email is: ashlie.fackrell@gmail.com, that's ashlie {dot} fackrell (as in my name with a period in the middle {at} (as in I had this delish chicken enchilladas at your house and I must have the recipe) gmail {dot} com. Ok that's all. See you soon.
Love ya,
Ash

To which she replied:

Um wowzers calm down chicka! ha ha I 'm glad you liked them.

Which might be code for “I think you are crazy and might casually avoid you from now on.” But I didn’t care, I HAD TO HAVE THAT RECIPE!! And she gave it to me, so that was all that mattered.

I tell you this quaint story so you’ll know how good they really are!!

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

{Ingredients}

6 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons lime juice (3 small limes)
1 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded (I use 2-3 chicken breasts)
8-10 flour tortillas
1 pound monterey jack and Colby Jack cheese, mixed and shredded

1 1/2 - 16 ounces cans green enchilada sauce
1 1/4 cup heavy cream

{To Make}
Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken. Let it marinate for at least 1/2 hour.

Pour about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce with 1/4 cup heavy cream on the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan.

Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese and drip about 2-3 tablespoon of the mixed sauce (green enchilada sauce and heavy cream) and roll. Fill pan with rolled enchiladas.

Save about 1-2 cups of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the remaining cream. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with leftover cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes and then broil for 2 min to brown the cheese.

Now enjoy life as you know it before you make and eat these, because after that life will NEVER be the same!

Photo Courtesy: Whipped Cream On Top

Mini Santa Hats

2010-12-06T12:30:00.000-08:00

Some people are so so creative! Do you see those miniature edible Santa hats?! Can you guess what they are? Think about it, I’ll give you a sec. . . . . . Bugles, mini marshamllows, white nonpareils, and red chocolate melts.

Hello, genius!

Find the complete recipe and how-to’s {HERE} at Cookies and Cups. She has a wonderful easy to follow tutorial, complete with lots of pics.

While you’re there you should probably look around, she has lots of great ideas Christmas-y and not.

Read With Me Wednesday: Two For One Special

2010-12-02T11:14:00.001-08:00

Since I am a day late posting this, I am having a “Two For One Special”! Two of my favorite favorite Christmas books, Snowmen at Night and Snowman at Christmas. Both are fun magical stories snowmen and women coming to life. One of my favorite things about these books are the illustrations and the hidden pictures in them.

Snowmen at Night

Written by Caralyn Buehner

Illustrated by Mark Buehner

Not since Frosty paraded through the village square have snowmen enjoyed such a slip-sliding good time as they do in the Buehners' (Fanny's Dream) latest flight of fancy. When a boy observes that the snowman he built the day before now looks droopy and disheveled, he imagines what happened to his snow creation during the night. Soon the boy pictures all the neighborhood snowmen gathered in the park for "ice-cold cocoa," a snowball fight, a round of making snow angels and more. Surely a full night of play and a long glide back to their homes must be the explanation. The rhythm of the rhyming text sometimes matches the rollicking spirit of the snowmen's wintry pursuits, but occasionally stumbles: "Then the snowman games begin: They line up in their places,/ each one anxious for his turn in the snowman races." The glee comes through at its most infectious in Mark Buehner's oil-and-acrylic paintings of the merrymakers, who look so delighted in their revelry that readers won't be able to help smiling in response. Bringing the brisk snap of the season to the fore, his scenes feature a natural light show, depicting an inky night sky and fluffy snow that glistens beneath moonlight and (street) lamplight, and eventually, the gradual brightening of dawn. Children will like being in on the secret here and eagle-eye readers will relish finding hidden figures in the shadows, clouds and snowdrifts. (Publishers Weekly)

Snowmen at Christmas

Written by Caralyn Buehner

Illustrated by Mark Buehner

One of the more charming new books of the holiday season, this reintroduces the jolly snowmen (and women) from Snowmen at Night (2002). This time they are enjoying the Christmas season, venturing out during the moonlit night (while children sleep) to gather in the town square. It's not what happens here (primarily a visit from a snow Santa and some carols 'round a tree) but the rich art that makes this special. As in the previous book, Buehner does magical things with light in his paintings. From the cover, where snow people frolic in the moody blues of evening to the scene of a city street where holiday lights cast a mellow glow to the quiet picture of a lightening morning sky, children will be enchanted by the hues of the acrylic artwork. The text is sprightly with a to-the-point rhyme scheme that only occasionally verges on singsong. Little ones, especially, will enjoy the celebration as the snow people relish their special night. (Ilene Cooper, American Library Association)

What are YOUR favorite Christmas books? I’m looking for a few more to wrap up and add to our countdown to Christmas/open a Christmas book and read it each night basket, and would love to hear your favorites!

Reindeer Cupcakes

2010-12-01T04:00:00.001-08:00

Happy First Day of December!! Let the countdown to Christmas officially begin!! To kick off and get you in holiday mood, I have a cupcake to share with you. Cupcakes don’t get much easier or cuter than these.

{You Will Need}
Gumdrops

Chocolate Chips

Christmas M&M’s or Royal Icing Eyeballs, find how-to HERE

Cupcakes

Chocolate Frosting

Cocoa Powder

{To Make}

Bake cupcakes, let cool. Frost with chocolate frosting. Lightly sprinkle frosted cupcakes with cocoa powder. Add gumdrop for nose and M&M’s or eyeballs.

For antlers: Melt chocolate in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds depending on microwave. If too think add 1/2 TBS of shortening. Put melted chocolate in freezer ziplock bag. Snip off small corner of bag (remember you can always make it bigger, but you can’t take back and make it smaller!). Pipe chocolate onto cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Let chocolate completely harden (speed up process by putting it in the fridge or freezer).

When chocolate antlers have completely set up gently stick antlers in cupcakes.

Honey Butter With Marshmallow Crème

2010-12-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

I dare you to make this stuff and not stick your finger in it. It’s so fluffy and perfectly sweet. It is the best honey butter I have ever tasted, EVER! We had this honey butter once at a BBQ/party that we went to, for years I searched and searched for the recipe. I finally found it at Real Mom Kitchen.

The secret ingredient:

My Favorite Honey Butter Recipe

2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup marshmallow fluff

Whip all together with an electric mixer and serve at room temperature (can be refrigerated and softened).

So easy and so delicious! One thing, a Marshmallow Crème jar, like the one pictured, is one cup, so I usually double the recipe and put it all back in a quart jar. It keeps well in the fridge for quite a while.

This year for neighbor gifts I think I’ll make some bread/rolls and give them with a little jar of this honey butter . . . still thinking about it . . .

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

2010-11-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving we were planning on having both my family and my husband’s family here at our house. But the day before my in-laws had to cancel due to the horrible weather. So I was talking with my husband about what he wanted me to make, you know those special things that you always had at Thanksgiving growing up. That your mom makes every year. I realized that we didn’t really have a traditional dish for our “new” family. This Strawberry Pretzel Salad, was the first thing that came to mind. This recipes was given to me by a college roommate, I don’t make it often, but I absolutely love it. It really probably shouldn’t be called a salad since it is not that healthy, more of a dessert really.

{Photo Courtesy: All Recipes}

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups crushed pretzels

3 tablespoons sugar

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 12-ounce Cool Whip

1 6-ounce package Strawberry Jello

2 cups boiling water

1 -10 ounce bag frozen sliced strawberries

Whipped cream or Cool Whip for garnishing

Directions

Topping: Add 2 cups boiling water to Jello; mix well. Add strawberries to jello. Cool Jello mixture in fridge until thick.

Crust: Melt butter; add sugar. Crush pretzels with rolling pin and add to butter mixture. Press into bottom of greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees; cool well.

Filling: Combine cream cheese and 1 cup sugar; beat well. Add Cool Whip; spread over cooled crust. Pour or spoon thickened jello mixture over cream cheese mixture and set until firm. Spread additional Cool Whip over the top, cover with foil & refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

I’m linking up to these parties!

If you are here from a link party, I am in desperate need of help! I would love your opinion as to which Christmas card design to choose this year!! I would much appreciate your help, you can click HERE to see the post about my Christmas card dilemma! Thanks!

Christmas Card Dilemma

2010-11-29T14:13:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is getting Christmas letters from everyone, hearing about their year, and enjoying their cute Christmas cards. This year I am sending out my own letter and cards for the first time. Usually, my mom sends one out and I call it good, since she sends it to all the people I would anyway. But this year we are venturing out on our own. So I hopped on the trusty internet and started looking for cute photo cards to send out. One of the first places I wet to was Shutterfly.

We have been using Shutterfly for our photo printing needs for years. Ever since my husband told me about a great sign-up promotion, one of those where you sign up and get 100 free prints. To be honest we took advantage of this promotion at several different online photo printing websites, but Shutterfly is one that I have used again since getting my free prints!

Shutterfly is always having great and promotions. Currently they are having a promotion for bloggers. No matter if you have 2 or 2,000 followers you can participate and get 50 free Christmas cards! {To learn more click HERE}

Now the only question left is which card to choose?!

I saw this one on Bakerella waay back at the beginning of November and fell in love with it then!

So what is your favorite part of Chirstmas? Do you send out letters/cards? Any thoughts and opinions in helping me decide on a card would be much appreciated (I am the most indecisive person in the world!).

Spinach Salad

2010-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

I am a picky eater. But boy do I love this Spinach Salad With Sugared Almonds and Poppy Seed Dressing, but we just call it Spinach Salad. It is definitely something new and refreshing compared to your regular, iceburg lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing salad. Don’t be scared, it is still super simple to make!

We had this at Thanksgiving this year, but it is yummy all year long. Your friends will be so impressed that you made your own sugared almonds and dressing (like it’s really that hard! But don’t tell them that!)

{Spinach Salad}
1 head lettuce

1 bunch spinach

3/4 lb. sliced mushrooms

3/4 lb. grated Swiss or Mozzarella Cheese

1 red onion

1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup mandarin oranges, drained

1/2 cup slivered almonds

3 Tbsp. sugar

{Dressing}

3/4 Tbsp. poppy seeds

1/3 Cup White vinegar

3/4 cup oil

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. grated onion (opt)

3/4 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. prepared mustard

{Directions}

Cook sugar and almonds over low heat until light brown.

Mix first 5 ingredients; sprinkle almonds, bacon, and oranges over the top. Serve with Poppy seed dressing.

{A few things to note}

The oranges can make things a little soggy so add them at the last minute.

I always double the almonds and sugar because they make this salad so yummy and special.

But watch the almonds very carefully when you are cooking them, once the sugar starts to get brownish and forms little clumps things go quickly and burned almonds and sugar stink!

It is super delicious to add Crasins and/or strawberries.

This makes a ton of dressing, we fed eight people at Thanksgiving and we hardly made a dent in the dressing. But it keeps well in the fridge.

{Photos Courtesy: Food.People.Want}

Thanksgiving Recap

2010-11-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

I have not gone completely crazy, I know the Thanksgiving boat has sailed. It is over. But I wanted to do a little “Thanksgiving Recap” and share my favorite recipes from our Thanksgiving this year and our small but lovely Thanksgiving décor.

First up on our recap:

I have this HUGE shelf in our dining room. I love it, it sure holds A LOT of “stuff”. Here is what it looked like for our Thanksgiving feast.

Left to Right:
Huge glass cookie jar, stuck in some silk leaves with double sided tape, added fallish ribbon.

“Keep Calm and Gobble On” free printable found {HERE}

Pumpkin with brown ribbon

12 X 12 frame with fallish scrapbook paper and brown ribbon

Tall tin bucket/vase filled with weedish/wheat from our front yard

For the table I made some toilet paper pumpkins. Leaf placemat from Walmart on clearance for a $1. Lots of little leaves leftover from my “We All Fall Down” sign.

Yes, I took a picture of just a napkins. I found these at Michael’s for $1 and loved them so much I just had to buy them!

I made these little trays with Dollar Store candle sticks and plates. The plan was to be able to use the in December too, so I added a brown ribbon to make them less Christmasy and my Thanksgivingy. {Check out this post for the how-to’s on making these easy inexpensive stands}

Next up my FAVORITE side dish recipes!

Neglectful

2010-11-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

I’ve been a little neglectful in blogging this week, I hope you will forgive me.

{My List of Excuses}

We hosted our first ever Thanksgiving at our house!

Luckily my mom and dad, who are turkey masters made the turkey, but I’ve been cookin’ up a storm. {More on this later!}

The wonderful hubs had some time off work, so we’ve been enjoying just spending time together, and of course getting a few things done we’ve been putting off for a while now . . . maybe more like since June!

We went to this super cute movie, I laughed, I cried, I wanted to sing along.

Worth the $7.25 we paid to go see it. (And both my husband and I thought during the movie, “This would be soo cool in 3D”, so would be worth it to see in 3D.)

Of course, I have been enjoying our Thanksgiving leftovers. Trying really hard not to eat too much of my mom’s yummy pumpkin roll . . . drool . .

And who can’t resist a little Black Friday shopping?

Not mention spending waay too much time enjoying everyone’s cute crafty Christmas ideas. Making lots of plans for some of my own Christmas Craftiness! {Pictures are linked to sources is you’re interested}

Caramel Apple Turkey

2010-11-23T03:21:00.001-08:00

Today for the first time ever I made homemade caramel! Yeah! The even better news is that it wasn’t a complete bomb. I made some caramel apples to take to some women in my church that I work with. Since caramel apples can be a little Hallweenie and that ship has long since sailed, I decided to use this idea that I found at Be Different . . . Act Normal, to Thanksgiving-ify things. {Honestly I was sort of lazy and didn’t make all of them into turkeys.}

I used this caramel recipe from Get Off Your Butt . . . And Bake! Greatest recipe/blog/instructions EVER!

{Action shot, how is it that Sweet and Condensed Milk makes everything soo good?}

I dipped my apples in caramel (of course) and then in semi-crushed up Reese’s Pieces and chopped pecans.

Wrapped ‘em up in celophane (which I have decided is another one of my crafting musts. Love that stuff. Buy the huge roll at Michael’s with a coupon). Added a ribbon and tag, and they are good to go.

To make your caramel apple into a turkey:

Cut out feathers, head, beak, gobbler, eyes. Glue eyes, beak, gobbler, smaller feathers to head. Attach head feather to toothpicks with tape.

Insert toothpicks into finished cooled caramel apples.

Here’s to what’s left of Fall! Or what was left of it, we’ve had our first official snow, good stuff that has actually stuck around and not melted away. Happy Thanksgiving!

I am linking up to all these awesome parties this week!

Best Peanut Butter Fingers EVER!

2010-11-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

This is an oldie but a goodie. A looong time ago I posted about my favorite school lunch treat.

This weekend my sister in-law invited us over for dinner, I offered to bring a dessert. I was so happy that my sister in-law that is allergic to peanut butter wasn’t going to be there so that I could take these yummy Peanut Butter Fingers (that sounds meaner than it was supposed to, we still love her even though she can’t eat peanut butter).

Strangely this is also the most popular post on my blog, I’m guessing people (crazy ones like me that grew up loving these from the cafeteria) Google the recipe and mine is one that comes up. Sadly, they don’t serve them any more due to too many peanut allergies among the students.

Peanut Butter Fingers
(Local Elementary School Version)

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup peanut butter

3/4 tsp soda

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 cup oats

3/4 cup additional peanut butter

Chocolate frosting

Combine first 8 ingredients; mix well. Add flour and oats; press into 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 320 for 20 to 25 minutes. Top with additional peanut butter while still warm. Cool. Spread with frosting. Cut into squares.

Stephanie Wilkey
Cedar Hills 2nd Ward Neighborhood Recipe Collection, pg. 153

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 bag powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 cube butter

1/4 cup cocoa

1/4 cup milk

Mix all ingredients together, add more milk if needed.

Stephanie Wilkey
Cedar Hills 2nd Ward Neighborhood Recipe Collection, pg. 157

{Picture: Cheesy Kitchen}

My Favorite Things

2010-11-19T13:29:00.001-08:00

320 Sycamore is hosting her annual My Favorite Things Party. I loved reading all the other famous bloggers favorite things! And am excited to share with you mine.

{The Serious Side}

My Family

My Hubs giving smooches to my Babe, Halloween 2010

My Faith

Hi, I’m Ashlie. I’m blogging crafting reading loving Utahan/Oregonian ice cream eating wife and mother. I’m a Mormon. {To learn more click on the button above}

My Friends

My two bestest friendies. Yes, we are at New Moon this summer. Yes, we ALL wore matching Edward/Jacob/Bella shirts. Yes, I know you are jealous!

{The Silly Side}

My Circuit

What more can I say. I love this thing! Best money ever spent! Use almost daily.

Diet Mt. Dew

I’m addicted to this stuff! Give me a DMD and everything will be alright.

Modge Podge

If you have never used this stuff, go now, use it. Use it on anything. It will change your crafting life as you know it! Did you know you could by such a huge bottle? Must find out where and get some ASAP!

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

I have the shortest eyelashes ever and they point down, I’m being serious. I have naturally curly hair, but my eyelashes aren’t curled. I don’t leave the house without at least a quick swipe of this good stuff.

Tillamook Mudslide

My favorite ice cream changes regularly, but this one has been at the top for awhile. I have only been able to find Tillamook Ice Cream (outside of Oregon) at WINCO Foods.

Books

I love to read. You know in Ever After Drew Barrymore says, “I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens.” I feel the same way, I couldn’t choose just one favorite book, but some of my favorites are in my Read With Me Wednesday label {HERE}

Three Little Turkeys

2010-11-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

I posted about these cute little turkeys {HERE}. And you can find the tutorial on Ucreate by Craft Goodies {HERE}. I have been dying to make my own! I ended up having almost everything I needed on hand, but have now exhausted my jumbo popsicle stick supply, so they where easy to pull together.

Two things I didn’t have, paint sticks and feathers. I picked up my paint sticks at Lowe’s they were free and they had jumbo size, which was perfect for my bigger turkey. The other thing I didn’t have, feathers. Checked the Dollar Store and Walmart and found NO feathers! I finally found some at Michaels’, actually almost a whole isle of feathers! But I ended up using raffia in place of feathers so it didn’t matter anyway.

And now for the big reveal . . . .

If you would like rosy cheeks like Wendy’s turkey remember to do that BEFORE you Modge Podge on your beak and gobbler (no one at my house knew the official name of the red hangy beak thing, do you?). Because after you Modge Podge all over you face, it ain’t comin’ up and there’s no going back.

Read With Me Wednesday: Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2010-11-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

Was yesterday Wednesday? Really? I totally spaced it! Partly because of this wonderful book I’m reading. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, my wonderfully amazing cousin recommended it to me. I am loving it, so far so good. It is a breath of fresh air witty and charming.

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
288 pages

I can’t remember the last time I discovered a novel as smart and delightful as this one, a world so vivid that I kept forgetting this was a work of fiction populated with characters so utterly wonderful that I kept forgetting they weren’t my actual friends and neighbors. Treat yourself to this book please—I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

January 1946: writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.

Random House Publishing

Bacon-Chicken Stuffed Pizza Rolls {From Our Best Bites}

2010-11-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

You know how some times people say things are delicious, and then you try it, but really don’t think it’s as delicious as they said it was going to be. Well, when I read this at Our Best Bites,

I'm serious when I tell you these are amazing. They were actually way better than I had imagined them. Although how could you possibly go wrong with warm dough, gooey cheese, and crispy bacon, dipped in ranch. You can't. You just can't.

I thought maybe it was going to be like one of those moments when you are a little disappointed. I am here to tell you ladies (and gentlemen? Are you out there too? We’ll include you just in case) that these rolls stuffed with goodness, did not disappoint one bit. They were a hit. Even our two year-old ate them and that’s saying something!

First I made this yummy {PIZZA DOUGH} again from Our Best Bites. I am not a bread maker by any stretch of the imagination. Really people it’s bad. For Christmas a few years ago my husband got me a bread maker because he knew how much I love fresh baked homemade bread. I cannot even bake bread in my bread maker to save my life. I won’t even tell you about my french bread embarrassment and utter failure. But this pizza dough recipe is so easy. Follow the directions, and you can do it too my friends. I actually doubled the recipe and made the stuffed rolls, bread sticks, and cinna-sticks.

See how pretty:

And they tasted oh so yummy

With the other half of the dough I made Bacon-Chicken Stuffed Pizza Rolls. Which were equally oh so yummy.

So if you are looking for something new to try for dinner, I would highly recommend these tasty rolls.

Turkey Cookies–With Heart

2010-11-17T19:55:00.001-08:00

I got this comment from wonderful fabulous GretchenP today, “ack! i just spent WAY too long at these sites you linked to! cute stuff! :)”. So if you are like Gretchen, and myself, lets be honest, you should look a way immediately. And definitely DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT click on the link that will take you over to Bee In Our Bonnet. Oh my, so many many cute things.

{These turkeys} are from her newest post, I am so in love with them I cannot even tell you! And hello, coolest part, you don’t need a turkey shaped cookie cutter to make them, just a circle and heart.

I wish that Christmas and Thanksgiving were at the very end of the month like Halloween, I need just a few more days to celebrate Thanksgiving so I can make all these cute things that other people are making and posting.

{Turkey Cookies – With Heart found @ Bee In Our Bonnet}

Turkey Quesadilla

2010-11-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

As in a quesadilla that is made to look like a turkey not a quesadilla with turkey inside, just to clear that up.

My toddler’s lunch looked like this today. In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday we had a day learning about turkeys.

{To Make Your Own Turkey Quesadilla}

The head is a Jumbo Marshmallow cut in half.

I glued everything on the head with peanut butter.

The legs and beak are cheese cut into small rectangles for the legs and a triangle for the beak.

P.S. I have a fun toddler friendly turkey craft to post tomorrow!

I {Heart} Joy Is At Home

2010-11-15T11:52:00.001-08:00

Found this cutie patootie blog

Love it! So many new creative fresh ideas.

A few of my favorites:

DYI Wreath Frame, I’ve seen these around, but never realized how inexpensive they could be. I’m so excited to make my own!

How to make {THIS} from a cabinet door. I love this so much, I am tempted to take off one of my bathroom cabinet doors to make one. Do you think anyone will notice?

Tutorial on how to make fun Felt Flower Headbands.

Check out more of Suzy’s great ideas at, Joy Is At Home, I promise there are lots more that don’t disappoint!

“We All Fall Down” {Fall Décor}

2010-11-13T11:12:00.001-08:00

Made this to add to my “Fall Décor”. I was inspired by Lorie at Be Different . . . Act Normal, she has this fun way of labeling her posts, her label for fall is “We All Fall Down”. So I took it and ran with it.

{Supplies}
burlap
cardboard
stapler
paper
Modge Podge

{To Make}

Cut up your cardboard box, I used a Costco diaper box. I kept a side and the bottom and then folded it in half at the seam. I thought two layers would be better than one.

Fold in half, tape together well. Measure burlap, cut down to size of cardboard with about two extra inches on each side.
Staple burlap to cardboard, pulling tightly. Doesn’t have to be too pretty, this will be the back.

I used my Cricut to cut out my tree and about 60ish leaves. (Both came from the “Stretch Your Imagination” cartridge my wonderful hubby got me for Christmas last year.) I laid out the leaves before I Modge Podged everything down.

Finished! Love it! Every time I walk past it I feel so proud.

Cute Turkey and Some “Craft Goodies”

2010-11-11T15:20:00.000-08:00

Ucreate posted THE MOST ADORABLE turkey ever! He looks so easy and cheap (not that he looks tacky cheap but the supplies are inexpensive ;0)). {See my version of this 2X4 turkey HERE}

I was curious to see who was the master mind behind this cutie so I hopped over to Craft Goodies. Can I just say that I am totally smitten with her cute craftiness! I was so disappointed when I got to the end of her blog pages, yes I looked at every single last post she has ever made. So much cute stuff!
A few of my favorite things:

Peppermint Swirl Ornament

Hand Stitched Nativity Ornament
(there is a whole set . . . and . . . . wait for it . . . you can purchase them {HERE} at her Etsy shop!)

She also has these super cute “Word of the Month” kits that you can buy finished or unfinished. I am soo excited for this “Frosty” one!

Chunky Monkey Pancakes

2010-11-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

{THIS} is what we had for dinner last night. Tried a new recipe from Our Best Bites, Chunky Monkey Pancakes. They were a hit, scrumdiddlyumtious! And the Little Miss had a ball mashing up the bananas for me.

We skipped making the “Peanut Butter Syrup” and spread peanut butter on the pancakes then topped them with syrup. (I know, talk about the healthiest dinner ever! We had fruit, does that make it better?)

{Photo courtesy: Our Best Bites}

Read With Me Wednesday: Pink and Say

2010-11-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Forge, the sequel to Chains by Lauire Halse Anderson. My wonderfully thoughtful cousin brought it to a family function this Sunday, and I was so pleasantly surprised! I literally had just finished reading Chains again and was anticipating getting Forge from the Library, but was still on the waiting list! Anyway, Forge reminded me of another great book, Pink and Say by Patiricia Polacco. I ran to library to check it out so we could read together for story time! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Pink and Say
by Patricia Polacco

Pink and Say highlights the brief but intimate friendship of two young boys, Pinkus Aylee (Pink) and Sheldon Curtis (Say), during the Civil War. When wounded attempting to escape his unit, Say is rescued by Pink, who carries him back to his Georgia home where he and his family were slaves. While the frightened soldier is nursed back to health under the care of Pink’s mother, Moe Moe Bay, he begins to understand why his new found friend is so adamant on returning to the war; to fight against "the sickness" that is slavery. However it isn’t until marauders take Moe Moe Bay’s life, that Say is driven to fight. Although ultimately, both boys are taken prisoners of the Confederate Army, fortunately Say survives and was unable to pass along the story of Pink and Say to his daughter Rosa, Patricia Polacco’s great grandmother. As it was told, Pink was hanged just shortly after being taken prisoner, therefore Patricia’s book "serves as a written memory" of him. At the end of the story Patricia bids the reader, "Before you put this book down, say his name (Pinkus Aylee) out loud and vow to remember him always."
One of the more heartwarming moments of the story is when Say tells Pink and his mother that he once shook the hand of Abraham Lincoln. Convinced that his encounter is a "sign" of hope, Say reaches for Pink’s hand, exclaiming, "Now you can say you touched the hand that shook the hand of Abraham Lincoln!" At the end of the story when the boys are separated, Pink reaches for Say one last time to touch his hand. (The Story (From Leah Polacco))

I {Heart} Thanksgiving Printables

2010-11-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

Now I don’t want to be negative or anything, but the other day I was reading through my blogs in my Google Reader and came across a crafty blog where the author was discussing how she thinks Thanksgiving is boring! I was shocked, maybe I took it a little to seriously, but still was shocked! I won’t go into Christmas decorations being put in the stores earlier every year, blah, blah, blah, Christmas music, blah, blah, blah, commercialization, blah, blah, blah. I won’t rant about those, but really Thanksgiving gets passed over. And I don’t think it is boring, but to each their own.

Now I am going to get to my point. There are a ton of cute printables (FREE!) out there in blog land. I have been waiting for just the right ones to print off and add to our Thanksgiving decorations (which only consists of a wooden turkey my mom just gave me, and some fall pumpkins that aren’t too Halloweeny, so they are staying out for another month).

I just uploaded these two puppies at Sam’s and cannot wait to go pick them up tomorrow afternoon! So excited! I have empty frames just waiting to be filled.

{THANKSGIVING SUBWAY ART} by Bunch of Craft

There is also {THIS ONE} from Craftily Ever After, but I felt like other matched our décor a little better.

The {SECOND ONE} I am printing, is also from Craftily Ever After:

I think I am going to print some of these off for my the sisters I Visit Teach to give to them this month!

Larry the Turkey Cupcakes

2010-11-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

This is another one of my favorites from last year. Honestly probably the fanciest and funnest (I know, not a word) cupcakes I’ve ever made.
I originally found the idea HERE at Duncan Hines.
I somewhat tweaked the decorations, here’s a little break down of what I used:

It is looking like we might be having Thanksgiving at our house this year, I am wondering if I’m going to be crazy enough to make these . . . maybe . . . we’ll see.

Oreo Turkeys

2010-11-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

It is only the fifth day of November and already my “Thanksgiving” bookmark folder is bursting with fun ideas! I can’t wait to try them all out! First I wanted to share one of my favorites from last year. I made these cute little Oreo Turkeys from Cookies and Cups with my friends’ little boy who was about three at the time. We had so much fun, even though a lot of our “Turkeys” turned into spiders, but still a fun project!

Oreo Turkey

For complete instructions click {HERE}

And I can’t help but share a fun song for the kiddos about a turkey named Albuquerque. My students last year loved this one! It is even more fun (if your kiddos are old enough) to have them try to spell “Albuquerque”!

Albuquerque Turkey
Sung to: "My Darlin Clementine"

Albuquerque is a turkey
And he's feathered and he's fine
And he wobbles and he gobbles
And he's absolutely mine!
He's the best pet you can get yet
Better than a dog or cat
He's my Albuquerque turkey
And I'm awfully proud of that!
And my Albuquerque turkey
Is so happy in his bed
'Cause for our Thanksgiving Dinner
We have spaghetti instead!

Song Found: www.canteach.ca

Winger’s Sticky Finger Freakin’ Amazing Sauce

2010-11-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

Did you survive Halloween? We did – barely! We visited family in Oregon and had a blast Trunk or Treating in the drizzly Oregon weather, but my daughter LOVED it. I don’t know which she loved more getting candy, or handing out candy with her Nana. Hope your Halloween was fun and safe also.

Before we move on from Halloween and into Thanksgiving I have a question for you. My Sister-In-Laws (Sisters-In-Law, I don’t know which it should be??) and I were having a discussion and I couldn’t help but wonder what y’all thought. She pronounces Halloween, “Hall-o-ween”, like you walk down the hall. But I pronounce it, “Hal-o-ween”, like your Uncle Hal. We finally came to the conclusion that this was because she is from Oregon where they talk weird, have no mountains, and don’t pump their own gas. And I am from Utah where we talk perfectly normal but sometimes spell things differently than we pronounce them (ex. Huntington, is pronounced “Hunnington”. And Hurricane, is not like the hurricanes that are tropical storms, but “Hurra-kin”)

Ok I really have a blog post for you, actually a recipe! I stumbled upon this while looking for something new to try out for dinner and it has become a favorite of ours. Bonus: it is sooo simple!

Winger's Sticky Finger Freakin' Amazing Sauce
by Family Favorite Recipes

For the sauce:
**Covers about 8 sticky fingers
3 Tbsp. Franks Hot Sauce (It has to be Franks Hot Sauce... no other sauce will taste as good)
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. water
Heat up hot sauce, brown sugar and water in a saucepot until all the sugar dissolves (we actually doubled the recipe and it was the perfect amount for the chicken and for dipping).
That's IT for the sauce! Isn't that easy?? We like to dip popcorn in it :) Mix it with a little bit of ranch to make their creamy amazing dressing.The possibilities are ENDLESS with this sauce!

For the Sticky Fingers:
1 c. oil
1 pkg. frozen breaded chicken fingers
In a frying pan, heat oil and cook chicken fingers until crispy and warm. Pour sauce over (or put them in a Tupperware with some of the sauce and shake it up until the chicken is completely covered in sauce). Serve with ranch (we like to make the Hidden Valley Packet Ranch prepared with buttermilk instead of milk) or blue cheese dressing.
PRINT RECIPE

When I make these we have them on whole wheat wraps, you can get them in the tortilla section at Walmart, with sandwhich fixins. I am so lazy that I don’t even make the chicken like the recipe says, I just grab a giant bag of Tyson’s Breaded Chicken Breasts and Tenderloin from the freezer isle at Sam’s Club. The chicken and sauce are also yummy in a salad, if you are a salad kind of person.

Mummy Pops and Royal Icing Eyeballs

2010-10-30T16:42:00.000-07:00

One last, last minute super easy Halloween treat for the year!

I’m sure you’ve seen these fun little mummy pops around the web. I think they originally stared at How Does She? This is my own take on it!

Supplies:
White Almond Bark
1 Package Oreos
Sucker sticks
Ziplock baggies
Royal Icing Eyeballs (see recipe below)

I made my own eyes out of royal icing and since I made the whole batch of royal icing for just a few eyeballs I had a ton of icing and made some little spiders (I know, spiders have eight legs, not six, but it looked better this way . . . )

I used Almond Bark from Walmart, it had kind of a off white tint to it, I wondered if you used chocolate melts if it would have been a truer white. Does anyone know? I used one pack of Oreos and one package of bark, but could used a little more bark, I had about five Oreos left over.

Twist/wedge apart Oreo cookie. I used a small knife to get it started.

Dip top of sucker stick in melted white chocolate. I love my little fondue pot! It makes projects like this so easy. No burned chocolate or having to reheat.

Place dipped part of stick on one side of the cookie.

Gently smoosh cookie back together.

Let chocolate harden, to speed up this process place in the fridge for a few minutes.

Dip cookie pop in melted white chocolate.

Coat well, tap off extra.

Add eyeballs before chocolate hardens. Let chocolate set up, again place in fridge to speed up the process.

Fill ziplock baggie with melted chocolate, snip off the end. Pipe on melted chocolate to look like mummy wrapping.

Add royal icing spiders, let chocolate set up well.

Place a piece of styrofoam in bucket stick sticks into. Pretend like styrofoam got covered up with little accoardian paper filler things and there there it is wrapped in cellophane, tied with a cute bow and a tag with a cute little mummy that says, “Some MUMMY loves you!”

Royal Icing Eyballs
Gourmet Mom on the Go

Ingredients:
Royal Icing (recipes below)
Black Food Coloring (or cocoa powder)
Wax Paper
Circular cake decorating frosting tip or Ziploc Freezer Bag

Directions: Tape wax paper to counter or table. Using black food coloring, tint 1/4 of your icing black (if you don't have black food coloring, you can use cocoa powder to make a dark brown--add a little water if your icing gets too thick). Using a cake decorating bag with a circular tip (or simply use a freezer ziploc bag and cut off a tiny bit of one corner if you don't have cake decorating supplies). Using white first, squeeze out a counter full of dots:

Add a small amount of black for the pupil (you can still do this while the white is wet):

Let dry overnight, peel off (the kids love this part!) and store in an airtight container, they will last for months. Pull a few out anytime you want to jazz up your food!

ROYAL ICING (Egg White Recipe)
Ingredients:
3 egg whites, room temperature
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
Combine ingredients, beat at high speed for 7-10 minutes.

ROYAL ICING (Meringue Powder recipe)
Ingredients:
3 tbsp. meringue powder (you can get this in the wedding/cake supplies at Wal-Mart)
1 lb. confectioners' sugar
6 tbsp. warm water (in humidity use less water)
Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks at low speed. Yield approximately 3 cups.
Notes: Please keep icing covered with a damp cloth or paper towel while not in use, otherwise it will harden. To attach eyeballs to food, moisten the back of the eyeball with a little water and it will stick to most anything. (Gourmet Mom on the Go)

This is my counter full of eyeballs. I had a lot so I thought it would be fun to make some spiders for the mummies too. I did a small circle for the head a larger one for the body and little lines for the legs. I now have enough eyeballs to last us a lifetime!

Pumpkin Reverse Appliqué T-Shirt

2010-10-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

{Supplies}

Coordinating thread
Small SHARP scissors
Fabric (orange and green)
T-shirt (I actually found mine at the Dollar Store)
Pins
Pattern/Picture
Ribbon
Embroidery thread (green)
Sewing machine

{How To}

Cut a square out of the orange fabric, big enough for you chose pattern and then some. Pin orange fabric on the INSIDE of your shirt, wherever you want your pumpkin to be. We choose the top center, on the chest.

Pin your pumpkin picture onto the FRONT of the shirt, printed mine of the internet. I actually did a Google search for “pumpkin appliqué” and got a lot of great results.

Sew around the outside of your pattern, VERY CAREFULLY! This pumpkin had a bit too many small curves for me, so instead of unpicking my horrible sewing and trying again, I sewed around my pumpkin five or six times, trying to sew close to what I’d already sewed but not right on top of the stitching. In the end, I liked the look this gave.

Be careful not to sew the back of your shirt to the front, or the front to the back. I did not once, but twice! Only sew the front of the shirt, otherwise you won’t be able to fit a little person in there!!

Here is what my shirt looked like, remember the orange fabric you pinned the back, obviously you want to be able to see that so here’s what you’re going to do next:

Using your small sharp scissors, carefully cut on around the inside of your stitches. Getting as close as possible to them, with out cutting them.

Now you have your pumpkin, but it needs a stem. I wanted my stem to go behind my pumpkin, so this is what I came up with:

Cut a little slit at the top of the pumpkin, but not through the stitches, just above them. To make my stem I used a piece of brown ribbon, cut, folded in half, sewed together the open edge. This will go on the inside of the shirt, so you won’t see it. So I didn’t worry about hiding seams, or as you can see changing my thread color. Insert sewed end of ribbon through the slit so that the sewed end is inside the shirt Pin and sew on top of the ribbon, I tried to blend this in with the stitches I already sewed.

Pumpkin, check. Stem, check. Now for the leaf and vines. Cut out two leaf shapes, place wrong sides together, sew around the edges, turn right side out. Put some of the leaf in that slit you made to make it look like it’s coming from the pumpkin and the stem. To sew my leaf onto the shirt, I used coordinating embroidery thread, sewed up the middle and around the edges. As you can see I did not to a great sewing job with the machine, but I thought it helped the leaf to match a little better so I left it. As a finishing touch I used the same green embroidery thread and stitched on a few swirly vines.

Pretty happy with my finished product, and it even survived the wash. I had fears it would completely come apart, but it made it! My pumpkin was a little bumpy, which added character to a pumpkin, but wouldn’t look so great if it was an initial or something. So my tip would be, chose something with a simple shape that will be easy to sew around. And make sure when you are pinning you get everything nice and flat and tight. Oh, and it was super fast, it took me about an hour from start to finish.

I’m excited to make some different versions using this technique, Wal-Mart has a ton of plain long sleeved shirts for $3 right now!

For more help and tips you can visit:
Crafting in the Closet and Sugar Bee Craft Addition

Read With Me Wednesday: A Year Down Yonder

2010-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking all week, “What book should I feature on Wednesday?” and was truly stumped. I’ve read a lot of good books over the last few weeks, but they all have been books from series’ that I’ve already featured. And then it came to me. I could not believe it, I had never featured my all time favorite – read it a thousand times, still makes me laugh out loud – book of all time!

So on this lovely (but stormy, but perfect for ready) Wednesday I would like to invite you to pick up and read A Year Down Yonder. I promise with all my heart you will love it. Grandma Dowdle is unforgettable. I will be shopping at the grocery store or sitting in church and I will do something or someone else will do something, and it will totally make me think of dear old Grandma Dowdle.

Now if I am being completely honest here I must share that A Year Down Yonder, is actually a sequel book to A Long Way From Chicago, which is really a great book too. But A Year Down Yonder, is my favorite, and you don’t have to read the first book for the second book to make sense. They don’t necessarily build on each other, at least not as dramatically as Harry Potter or The Hunger Games.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this quaint fun little book as much as I do!

A Year Down Yonder
by Richard Peck
130 pages

In this hilarious and poignant sequel to A Long Way to Chicago, Peck once again shows that country life is anything but boring. Chicago-bred Mary Alice (who has previously weathered annual week-long visits with Grandma Dowdel) has been sentenced to a year-long stay in rural Illinois with her irrepressible, rough and gruff grandmother, while Joey heads west with the Civilian Conservation Corps, and her parents struggle to get back on their feet during the 1937 recession. Each season brings new adventures to 15-year-old Mary Alice as she becomes Grandma's partner in crime, helping to carry out madcap schemes to benefit friends and avenge enemies. Around Halloween, for example, the woman, armed with wire, a railroad spike and a bucket of glue, outsmarts a gang of pranksters bent on upturning her privy. Later on, she proves just as apt at squeezing change out of the pockets of skinflints, putting prim and proper DAR ladies in their place and arranging an unlikely match between a schoolmarm and a WPA artist of nude models. Between antic capers, Peck reveals a marshmallow heart inside Grandma's rock-hard exterior and adroitly exposes the mutual, unspoken affection she shares with her granddaughter. Like Mary Alice, audience members will breathe a sigh of regret when the eventful year "down yonder" draws to a close. Ages 10-up. (Publisher Weekly)

Sorry if you got this post on Sunday night, I forgot to “Set Publish Date”!

Stuff by Ash

Read With Me Wednesday: The Help

Guest Posting at Craft Goodies Today!

Three Really Random Things

I {Heart} The Hokey Pokey Kitchen

The Grouchy Ladybug “healthalicious snack”

Cat in the Hat Hats From TP Rolls

Thing 1 and Thing 2 Hand Prints

Better-Than-Almost-Anything Cake

I {Heart} The Quick Unpick

Paint Stick Swords

Read With Me Wednesday: President’s Day Edition

So You Want to be President?Written by Judith St. GeorgeIllustrated by David Small

Mr. Lincoln's WhiskersWritten and Illustrated by Karen B. Winnick

Lincoln: A PhotobiographyWritten by Russell Freedman160 pages

George Washington's BreakfastWritten by Jean Fritz

48 pages

Hoo Are You?

Valentines Crafts

I “Mustache” You a Question

Be My Valentine

Heart Potato Stamps

Valentine Ice Cream Sandwiches

Heart Pancakes

I {Heart} Custom Valentine Photo Cards

Glowing Snowmen

Winter Wreath

Frosty Letters

Read With Me Wednesday: The Voice the Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

Read With Me Wednesday: Martin’s BIG Words

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Written by Doreen RappaportIllustrated by Bryan Collier

I {Heart} Valentine Subway Art

Ruffle Flower Purses Take 2 and 3

National Whipped Cream Day

Instructions

Tips & Warnings

Read With Me Wednesday: Stardust

Be My Valentine!

Top Ten Posts of 2010

Next Year's Christmas Cards

Happy New Year!

I Got Distracted . . .

Picture a Christmas

Reindeer Family

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!

Ribbon Christmas Tree Shirt

Poor Woman’s Cupcake in a Jar

I {Heart} Monday

Ruffled Purse

I’m So Excited, I Just Can’t Hide It!

Read With Me Wednesday: Two More Favorite Christmas Books

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Mini Santa Hats

Read With Me Wednesday: Two For One Special

Reindeer Cupcakes

Honey Butter With Marshmallow Crème

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Christmas Card Dilemma

Spinach Salad

Thanksgiving Recap

Neglectful

Caramel Apple Turkey

Best Peanut Butter Fingers EVER!

My Favorite Things

Three Little Turkeys

Read With Me Wednesday: Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

January 1946: writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.

Bacon-Chicken Stuffed Pizza Rolls {From Our Best Bites}

Turkey Cookies–With Heart

Turkey Quesadilla

I {Heart} Joy Is At Home

“We All Fall Down” {Fall Décor}

Cute Turkey and Some “Craft Goodies”

Chunky Monkey Pancakes

Read With Me Wednesday: Pink and Say

I {Heart} Thanksgiving Printables

Larry the Turkey Cupcakes

Oreo Turkeys

Winger’s Sticky Finger Freakin’ Amazing Sauce

Mummy Pops and Royal Icing Eyeballs

So You Want to be President?
Written by Judith St. George
Illustrated by David Small

Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers
Written and Illustrated by Karen B. Winnick

Lincoln: A Photobiography
Written by Russell Freedman
160 pages

George Washington's Breakfast
Written by Jean Fritz

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Written by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by Bryan Collier