tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22116676623141304182024-03-04T23:18:46.440-07:00Peppermint Plum{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-9628748733624908142012-11-03T05:04:00.000-06:002012-11-03T05:04:09.442-06:00{Miniature Christmas Symbols Kit - Part 2}<div align="center">
<span style="color: black;">Hi everyone!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We have come to realize that one of our very first posts here on Peppermint Plum, the </span><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2010/12/miniature-christmas-symbols-kit.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>{MINIATURE CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS KIT}</strong></span></a><span style="color: black;">, has hit it big on Pinterest <span style="font-size: x-small;">(thanks!)</span>. The original printable we provided as an idea wasn't readable... which kind of defeats the purpose of it being a printable! :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We're taking care of that problem today with a brand new, easy to read printable:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5yH3JKj5IvjTBB-cjoanajf_J86byOXcKT8bHdWSuXZtrlP-Fa_503Hupmwkly_SJEjtmOicEaeDEPMF7Vz8q9mo02cnJNb4viYpHZHivTH2Oi8Wlb3KxeGEkFR3jbq2X0RKSGd1GHg/s1600/Christmas+Symbols+4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5yH3JKj5IvjTBB-cjoanajf_J86byOXcKT8bHdWSuXZtrlP-Fa_503Hupmwkly_SJEjtmOicEaeDEPMF7Vz8q9mo02cnJNb4viYpHZHivTH2Oi8Wlb3KxeGEkFR3jbq2X0RKSGd1GHg/s1600/Christmas+Symbols+4x6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This image has been created as a 4"x6" printable. If printed that size it will fit nicely into a regular sandwich-size plastic bag. You can print it smaller, if you'd like, to fit a smaller plastic bag... but keep in mind it will be easier to read as a 4x6.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Simply right-click on the picture above, save it to your desktop, then print it however you'd like.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Then add it to your bag of miniature symbols!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRLKjFNJ1qK3y_7SiLesKk5-u4QMLEGDxjqwdnJ3YGr9MncTi6CIfc39rL2lm-XUNjF70jzLXnCjJzR0P8xNIYeejEglfh42noTZcEiUtDgYp-3FqRVexz087w2HldTB1hRVdAhUrCI/s1600/Minis.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRLKjFNJ1qK3y_7SiLesKk5-u4QMLEGDxjqwdnJ3YGr9MncTi6CIfc39rL2lm-XUNjF70jzLXnCjJzR0P8xNIYeejEglfh42noTZcEiUtDgYp-3FqRVexz087w2HldTB1hRVdAhUrCI/s1600/Minis.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As Tammy mentioned in <a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2010/12/miniature-christmas-symbols-kit.html"><span style="color: #38761d;">the original post</span></a>, she found all of these mini items at Hobby Lobby and Michael's craft stores. To keep things in perspective, the candy cane above is only one inch tall!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We'll be adding this new printable to the old post as well, so if you have it pinned on Pinterest already, your link will still take you to the good printable. But, feel free to pin this new one as well. :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">-Annie + Tammy</span></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" /><br />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-42333345316529363522012-05-08T13:45:00.004-06:002012-05-08T13:45:48.109-06:00{Strawberry Cake}...perfect for Mother's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4BjSpPQGj1gdSZPSWYxFgTZYv9Hj8ER0eRqFUkmG3Tr4_Wkrr5UR0_x4gQwBhLuiKyoxbxTIy5Vmi90_KEkanJdrS0-2NMF1zoEoEc6Emm7LExkkq1klZ55-YxpLGvzM8w1jdK_jaa8/s1600/IMG_5703+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4BjSpPQGj1gdSZPSWYxFgTZYv9Hj8ER0eRqFUkmG3Tr4_Wkrr5UR0_x4gQwBhLuiKyoxbxTIy5Vmi90_KEkanJdrS0-2NMF1zoEoEc6Emm7LExkkq1klZ55-YxpLGvzM8w1jdK_jaa8/s640/IMG_5703+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a yummy place here in Denver called NoNo's Cafe...a New Orleans-syle restaurant that happens to serve the BEST cake in the world. It's strawberry cake, and it's delicious. Last time I ate it I realized that I need to figure out how to make it myself. I tried out a few recipes, combined a couple of them, tweaked it a bit and I think I've come up with a strawberry cake that is equally delicious! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">{<span style="color: #cc0000;">Strawberry Cake</span>}</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">adapted from </span><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/strawberry-creme-cake-recipe/index.html"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">this recipe</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 box strawberry cake mix*</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 can strawberry nectar**</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup vegetable oil</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Filling:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strawberry jam (seedless)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frosting:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup butter</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 oz cream cheese</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 cups powdered sugar</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp vanilla </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">(this recipe makes more frosting than you need...I usually freeze the extra to use on brownies or cookies later, but you can scale it down if you want to)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Top with fresh strawberries, sliced.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">*Pilsbury brand tastes best!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">**usually found in the Hispanic food section of big grocery chains (I find mine at Albertson's). If you can't find it, any strawberry juice would work!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFUKal1wrRGyD-u7LRy7imgnnjkAt_HOjM7mqbp9gpnK_xnEfz0AZbLryTiT6vwCBy3R066WYcXT5f68bZfo-aaJ5pFrn7n9uLPCtbSiTht-8RInKKbu3EsFNgWvpTPPfwpRkNUlebrA/s1600/IMG_5694blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFUKal1wrRGyD-u7LRy7imgnnjkAt_HOjM7mqbp9gpnK_xnEfz0AZbLryTiT6vwCBy3R066WYcXT5f68bZfo-aaJ5pFrn7n9uLPCtbSiTht-8RInKKbu3EsFNgWvpTPPfwpRkNUlebrA/s200/IMG_5694blog.jpg" width="145" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvaA0Djc4MyADQvz_nGH14Plb1leN39ENePoddby6BvQ0YvX4VwoAR04U6ai_2CUsG7qVD9gOALP53UqeEscbV6NcfAHdMmx_jWGjvUVEF1RKSjBzkp_-jwRYklOrsDs0-o64A2cDDjU/s1600/IMG_5695+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvaA0Djc4MyADQvz_nGH14Plb1leN39ENePoddby6BvQ0YvX4VwoAR04U6ai_2CUsG7qVD9gOALP53UqeEscbV6NcfAHdMmx_jWGjvUVEF1RKSjBzkp_-jwRYklOrsDs0-o64A2cDDjU/s200/IMG_5695+blog.jpg" width="119" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350*.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grease and flour three 8- or 9-inch cake pans (I only have two, so I use a smaller metal bowl for the top layer). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjB6BrV7EMXA0IodhEFIXZOwovPk1HMzooSKw4pRAfZrAomws3aGWbbIHBaTlfXBk4pKclSnkEJRshkZy0DexEUgj5DowM4iDMLTwBQIxoiCnOjv7koacQSBCMSObes8QqvoXg6hkMOU/s1600/IMG_5692+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjB6BrV7EMXA0IodhEFIXZOwovPk1HMzooSKw4pRAfZrAomws3aGWbbIHBaTlfXBk4pKclSnkEJRshkZy0DexEUgj5DowM4iDMLTwBQIxoiCnOjv7koacQSBCMSObes8QqvoXg6hkMOU/s320/IMG_5692+blog.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Combine cake mix, nectar, eggs, and oil in large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer for 2 minutes, or until well blended. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick into center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on cooling racks for 20 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling rack and cool completely. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeE_Ew0yHCcSh5VURNZOZe9m-zvxPSDQZX7C8eAOVXDFOPRKfHcLeTUfrBorBs5xx7t_iRlS_VMmi0muQYiPlWQ7-0vDQMinrsP7esROk961k0J9nY5yTQPanQPbR_0IBVH8CzGszIs0/s1600/IMG_5697+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeE_Ew0yHCcSh5VURNZOZe9m-zvxPSDQZX7C8eAOVXDFOPRKfHcLeTUfrBorBs5xx7t_iRlS_VMmi0muQYiPlWQ7-0vDQMinrsP7esROk961k0J9nY5yTQPanQPbR_0IBVH8CzGszIs0/s320/IMG_5697+blog.jpg" width="315" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Spread some strawberry jam (I never measure) on the top of one of the cakes. Place another cake on top, and repeat.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvJ6NTOCYZMYwvxMOUgGTPF6OCMx8tEtljZJW3xqO0hnKBk1IN0rWiTGEjjtzcwxM72KnRFdx9OMCu7HC5lp3VxQh-97YbUxGnKp0qTtFd-BezjVfq1o9nlQ8lcpb5Ky4hd32HeEvbFA/s1600/IMG_5700+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvJ6NTOCYZMYwvxMOUgGTPF6OCMx8tEtljZJW3xqO0hnKBk1IN0rWiTGEjjtzcwxM72KnRFdx9OMCu7HC5lp3VxQh-97YbUxGnKp0qTtFd-BezjVfq1o9nlQ8lcpb5Ky4hd32HeEvbFA/s320/IMG_5700+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Frost entire cake with the cream cheese frosting, and top with sliced fresh strawberries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">(Please take my advice on this...the frosting needs to stay cold to hold the cake together! Ask me how I learned this.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Tammy</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Please
check out our Linky Parties page or our side column to see the linky parties we
participate in*</span></div>
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<br />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-89743027994386571732012-03-12T21:11:00.000-06:002012-03-12T21:11:52.524-06:00{Mini Tag Album} - Tutorial<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG6nc4ZWhWHokNJYB6eW5YUi4VPE4AarLk3HCMWnYYZjsyDsiNM0MTYvX3yfL0Zf21jFldPdXBoLPdYkn0G4pwcwu4AD6iALJej106qiJGA7Fzll8qe6BktFSqaMPo398mlhVzjluDr0/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG6nc4ZWhWHokNJYB6eW5YUi4VPE4AarLk3HCMWnYYZjsyDsiNM0MTYvX3yfL0Zf21jFldPdXBoLPdYkn0G4pwcwu4AD6iALJej106qiJGA7Fzll8qe6BktFSqaMPo398mlhVzjluDr0/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to share with you a fun and extremely quick and simple way to make a mini tag album.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And by mini, I mean MINI -- this album is only about 3 inches long -- the perfect size to tote around.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are lots of instructional photos coming up, because how fun is a tutorial with just words? Not very fun indeed. Even though there are lots of photos, it's very simple. I made my album in under an hour! Let's get started...</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">*</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">*</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span> <span style="color: #a64d79;">*</span></span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first thing you will need to do is save this tag image to your desktop and print it out:</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUajLQFglGNtY0cMZ8u84I0qPy24HAGW8vOOygHPymAunhldpRpVJ1Sh2BOOGVQhS_z3wEGFHfMzRsOyI94sPRR72zUVW4h9Er0dtukd_269Iz7o5f2oBAOhyphenhyphen1xIbBTkXlMWKOO6Wyvyc/s1600/JSIMtags1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUajLQFglGNtY0cMZ8u84I0qPy24HAGW8vOOygHPymAunhldpRpVJ1Sh2BOOGVQhS_z3wEGFHfMzRsOyI94sPRR72zUVW4h9Er0dtukd_269Iz7o5f2oBAOhyphenhyphen1xIbBTkXlMWKOO6Wyvyc/s320/JSIMtags1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">For the best quality image, I suggest saving it directly from the source at<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://justsomethingimade.com/2010/09/free-vintage-digital-images/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>{JUST SOMETHING I MADE}</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strong>.</strong></span> <span style="color: black;">Cathe Holden's site is amazing and is filled with printable freebies just for you! Be sure to check out the entire site.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, tear the back off of a thin cardboard cereal or cracker box. This will act as your free version of chipboard to help make the tags more sturdy. Cut out the tags and glue them to the cardboard. A glue stick works great for this project.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo8GWZ98fpWZvfCct-NvOSPdCbCM7yQjew0D6uB9b6kKkQOYuxbUh429YUmJ6jFWscOpasgRRMqzk8qkwJoFI4mwT8b0OeEg-r4GqIvYTFng0XEWI44xouCNa0agLKovokgQEAAmxIAc/s1600/glue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo8GWZ98fpWZvfCct-NvOSPdCbCM7yQjew0D6uB9b6kKkQOYuxbUh429YUmJ6jFWscOpasgRRMqzk8qkwJoFI4mwT8b0OeEg-r4GqIvYTFng0XEWI44xouCNa0agLKovokgQEAAmxIAc/s400/glue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once all the tags are glued down, it's time to cut them out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cardboard is thin enough to cut with a paper cutter or scissors.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVvZHqC6bPHS6E1IzamT3mUXIEPEiDtXJnoAlwB4qCbylLdo_skSpiJMMzQZ5F8DaG0x02Ct7N8Bc-jMTB76Kn1RHDOpJG81paEAKtVh9IFTXAOII_c7QZy8ldLEBPbROZWXAvwqUwvk/s1600/trim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVvZHqC6bPHS6E1IzamT3mUXIEPEiDtXJnoAlwB4qCbylLdo_skSpiJMMzQZ5F8DaG0x02Ct7N8Bc-jMTB76Kn1RHDOpJG81paEAKtVh9IFTXAOII_c7QZy8ldLEBPbROZWXAvwqUwvk/s400/trim.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After they are trimmed you can round the corners.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I prefer the look of the rounded corners on one end, but you can certainly leave them square and they will be just as cute!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwy6ElQmvUoqfLfWiAhYgOlYZqLIFi1y1vhUTsZt5LnWZkrbgCJEzZ7V1ntOaMbAMPCEzxJiovGeCCo7mBGCsV3TdAcqwtwQYTVBlTjRnobUmGa6BuyMViVQ3vqtRbNYAr-DGHVhG8M0/s1600/rounded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwy6ElQmvUoqfLfWiAhYgOlYZqLIFi1y1vhUTsZt5LnWZkrbgCJEzZ7V1ntOaMbAMPCEzxJiovGeCCo7mBGCsV3TdAcqwtwQYTVBlTjRnobUmGa6BuyMViVQ3vqtRbNYAr-DGHVhG8M0/s400/rounded.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, you will want to score the back of the tags to make them bend easier once they are all tied together. If you have a papercrafting score board, perfect. If not, you can do what I do... I use the channel in my paper cutter and an embossing stylus. The lines aren't perfectly straight, but it works!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then fold the tag forwards on the scored line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmUrVGZC5oPb0I-d2ZkpJCXkmOEUlq0GvilES3COFwkaNzzN6I01bBmCKf6TECJeC1DBiyIrjWIrqzg8M9fBADXT6qKJkXP322vdyM7thgzprMhitu4MG-BXzl-T060ZoHscvUptGHtc/s1600/score.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmUrVGZC5oPb0I-d2ZkpJCXkmOEUlq0GvilES3COFwkaNzzN6I01bBmCKf6TECJeC1DBiyIrjWIrqzg8M9fBADXT6qKJkXP322vdyM7thgzprMhitu4MG-BXzl-T060ZoHscvUptGHtc/s400/score.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now it's time to decide how you want to tie your tags together to make a book.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can do this in SO many different ways -- holes with clip rings, ribbon threaded through, spiral bound or you can do what I did, mini eyelets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJs4g9BxQMo3TrNCJ_xEUwzyisIG48GorhLq3QHwNEaTU9k0bKs_hLaxrGtNWs8fUxmnEPvDS1yx1-EpA2iGXV2uiUOS3kdYbCK3_dcBUZcQpEGh0GKPqYq_Sb5yzO408-AvlGLU5MWc/s1600/punch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJs4g9BxQMo3TrNCJ_xEUwzyisIG48GorhLq3QHwNEaTU9k0bKs_hLaxrGtNWs8fUxmnEPvDS1yx1-EpA2iGXV2uiUOS3kdYbCK3_dcBUZcQpEGh0GKPqYq_Sb5yzO408-AvlGLU5MWc/s320/punch.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used my Crop-a-Dile to punch the tiny holes and to set the eyelets in place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However you decide to hook it together, just be sure your holes are all punched in the same place so all of your tags will line up evenly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwVf2wuLlCo_bIHV5zqrHooAuv3rB61PPf4YNJlrQ7GMdJihZ5Pr3E3fj2RPfYrKdbfvQNrzQC98GSKdTXNmSzy1xO7e-BiKBAqpP7Z2HXuYRVEmTIaU4ywxa23CJZxfZ4Y6NbDiX7-o/s1600/stack+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwVf2wuLlCo_bIHV5zqrHooAuv3rB61PPf4YNJlrQ7GMdJihZ5Pr3E3fj2RPfYrKdbfvQNrzQC98GSKdTXNmSzy1xO7e-BiKBAqpP7Z2HXuYRVEmTIaU4ywxa23CJZxfZ4Y6NbDiX7-o/s400/stack+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lookin' cuter by the minute!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point, the backs of the tags are plain cardboard. The cardboard is cute on its own, but I wanted to add a little more color to my pages.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I grabbed some coordinating papers from my crafty stash and glued them onto the back of the tags, again with the glue stick. Then cut around the tag to trim off the excess paper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASgkJWE3a2-whvEBl97LbXufimaRK-VdBygpdAIVAbyPxyrqWprkPW7YqquF2cwCp241SaSKAC52sC414wEGdAeTCogAsHFfz1LI8PRfrrgqfGo8WUnqxEr1JTLaVw6QCBZx4Ol-Kxok/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASgkJWE3a2-whvEBl97LbXufimaRK-VdBygpdAIVAbyPxyrqWprkPW7YqquF2cwCp241SaSKAC52sC414wEGdAeTCogAsHFfz1LI8PRfrrgqfGo8WUnqxEr1JTLaVw6QCBZx4Ol-Kxok/s400/cover.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now is the time to decorate your pages!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can distress the edges of the tags with ink or paint or rough them up with a sanding block (or nail file) and just make them as shabby or as clean as you like.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPeBYA7GhUVN-iJXjh3VB1dN7GFn8X4VsokAwc821lk-vXF-0HG5M_AgqW3I4TxtJiRHoTKiWhdewPaM6835txKpoK4EtPq1J3_mv_U6_PTw5SaR53npHvAsIAMevFRvcS6asg9qnWU0/s1600/tabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPeBYA7GhUVN-iJXjh3VB1dN7GFn8X4VsokAwc821lk-vXF-0HG5M_AgqW3I4TxtJiRHoTKiWhdewPaM6835txKpoK4EtPq1J3_mv_U6_PTw5SaR53npHvAsIAMevFRvcS6asg9qnWU0/s400/tabs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decorated my tags and the cover with some black + white polka dot washi tape. I stamped some wood grain on white paper and ripped the edges and glued it down. I die-cut some leaves and punched out a sentiment with my Dymo label maker. I then threaded some aqua + white baker's twine through all of the eyelets and tied a tight bow in front.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkna5_4-vsw8Zbpip18kOiR0pintxplIFx4E1muS6WAWwrDYD67y6OFSlorv54gNBPMMut-ZmLIM7OFXo9WtmM4VpKla7Jw7e7m1Qv_sKJiBbDjO6jWmdB1lPFbcBqcoGYXOn3-KRheU/s1600/6830390678_6150e68814_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkna5_4-vsw8Zbpip18kOiR0pintxplIFx4E1muS6WAWwrDYD67y6OFSlorv54gNBPMMut-ZmLIM7OFXo9WtmM4VpKla7Jw7e7m1Qv_sKJiBbDjO6jWmdB1lPFbcBqcoGYXOn3-KRheU/s400/6830390678_6150e68814_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's all there is to it! Pretty easy, right?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use this as a mini photo album, or a "Favorite Blogs" album (hint hint) or a "Things I Love" book, as I have. It's sort of a mini Smash* book... a small place to list the things that make you happy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">*</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">*</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span> <span style="color: #a64d79;">*</span></span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Lately, I've been keeping myself busy coloring and creating cards over at my papercrafting blog</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://annierosemakesthings.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{Annie Rose Makes Things}</span></strong></a>.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: black;">If you, too, are a fan of papercrafting, I'd love it if you stopped by to say hello! :)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Annie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">*Please check out our Linky Parties page or our side column to see the linky parties we participate in*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-54131180693209765402012-02-05T14:00:00.002-07:002012-02-10T07:20:31.170-07:00{Valentine's Wreath}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGGxILAqunpgTgOgAhJ7-hjGflKKfGSKwGZwdu30H5UnpR0pq3e02pnV7THT9AA28TnCu2-WM2UzRTdi-01Y9bKcEZuGIJYvElWnQwJqNowp3fUKUHiJ1P-6ZG2cjlKthv8n8bf0Klqo/s1600/IMG_5631-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGGxILAqunpgTgOgAhJ7-hjGflKKfGSKwGZwdu30H5UnpR0pq3e02pnV7THT9AA28TnCu2-WM2UzRTdi-01Y9bKcEZuGIJYvElWnQwJqNowp3fUKUHiJ1P-6ZG2cjlKthv8n8bf0Klqo/s400/IMG_5631-1.JPG" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this grapevine wreath at Goodwill for $1.99! I remembered some sparkly red <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">heart</span> ornaments I bought a few years ago (Christmas clearance at IKEA) and knew just what I wanted to do with them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp44qfbcLE7VRt5ZzE1FH39aSr-eTYAsDjiwdJRvTbnSuA6XIdBKsrx7iqwYSMg2U7mQOFNveV0VTLf0SEkRp5bYBB3yHLWRbcMzpph5qkbAZvOQ7CDhXC3NYYC9l_aGSSVM4RWZliPJY/s1600/IMG_5629-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp44qfbcLE7VRt5ZzE1FH39aSr-eTYAsDjiwdJRvTbnSuA6XIdBKsrx7iqwYSMg2U7mQOFNveV0VTLf0SEkRp5bYBB3yHLWRbcMzpph5qkbAZvOQ7CDhXC3NYYC9l_aGSSVM4RWZliPJY/s320/IMG_5629-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used the ruffler foot on my sewing machine to <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">ruffle</span> some white grosgrain ribbon, and then I sewed that onto some red lacy-edged <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">ribbon</span> (another Christmas clearance bargain) and added it to the bottom. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day!</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Tammy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: xx-small/12px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">*Please check our Linky Party tab or our sidebar for the weekly parties we participate in*</span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-34146125054531533792012-01-18T03:03:00.002-07:002012-02-10T07:21:09.482-07:00{Fudge Brownie Layered Ice Cream Cake}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mn94QOeaRh3oDyhFlEAe1VAB7jR_if8s60EqTeuC_3AFoS-NjqdyN8s7BEWQ9e-CvPzfR5hEG5qU8jD85_oeFJvNoUiDMxqI-i9bFAX39rmIwmKQNsMgAbzIo3Omq5pCqkS0J1HFS0U/s1600/IMG_5588-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mn94QOeaRh3oDyhFlEAe1VAB7jR_if8s60EqTeuC_3AFoS-NjqdyN8s7BEWQ9e-CvPzfR5hEG5qU8jD85_oeFJvNoUiDMxqI-i9bFAX39rmIwmKQNsMgAbzIo3Omq5pCqkS0J1HFS0U/s400/IMG_5588-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">A few years ago my niece was in town during someone's birthday and she offered to make <span style="font-size: large;">the world's best ice cream cake</span>...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">UM...YEAH!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Go right ahead.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Turns out<span style="font-size: large;"> she was right</span>. This cake rivals Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone any day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Now this cake has become our family's tradition for birthdays. There just aren't enough birthdays in the year though. I could eat this every day!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">The part that is<span style="font-size: large;"> the most fun</span> is coming up with <span style="font-size: large;">your favorite combination</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Ours is<span style="font-size: large;"> mint chocolate chip ice cream with oreos</span>. But you could also use Grasshopper cookies...they are good, too. You can also do a chocolate-based ice cream and use Nutter Butters. The possibilities are endless with this cake!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><strong><u>You'll need:</u></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>1 box family size brownie mix</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>1/2 gallon ice cream</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>1 package oreos</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>1 bottle hot fudge (premium thick stuff)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prepare brownie mix</span> according to package directions, and <span style="font-size: large;">pour batter</span> into a greased springform pan. <span style="font-size: large;">Bake</span> for about 20 minutes (you'll want to<span style="font-size: large;"> underbake these a bit</span>.. You won't be able to chew frozen, fully-cooked bites of brownie!). <span style="font-size: large;">Cool</span> completely. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Line the outside of the pan with whole oreos, pushing them down into the brownies a bit so they stay in place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ9m3J3aV6j7PaI20OdjR2RurTtsbS0aJLTJdoHz9cZ_mOE4yHOex56vMBXQGC9qSyWL_AqAJIbVaS1HTGgtnVmCKXZEaincerV9hYcqR_rIOFKlF8_G0ylwWWXyh2OlREF4LwaxYhZI/s1600/IMG_5566-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ9m3J3aV6j7PaI20OdjR2RurTtsbS0aJLTJdoHz9cZ_mOE4yHOex56vMBXQGC9qSyWL_AqAJIbVaS1HTGgtnVmCKXZEaincerV9hYcqR_rIOFKlF8_G0ylwWWXyh2OlREF4LwaxYhZI/s320/IMG_5566-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Spread half of the ice cream on top of the brownies:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjKrX-f30QsRnb-FVNB_pRbD8dKgExmimlRpoyobfxCAQclqe0kc41OPdYFBQ0Oe75SQom0Z-Pw3_b3O4_VRf-vLNFylMd-grXT74FzVAedahMTcOoDaqhvaW1iC5EFnDEx1B2Cbhgx0/s1600/IMG_5567-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjKrX-f30QsRnb-FVNB_pRbD8dKgExmimlRpoyobfxCAQclqe0kc41OPdYFBQ0Oe75SQom0Z-Pw3_b3O4_VRf-vLNFylMd-grXT74FzVAedahMTcOoDaqhvaW1iC5EFnDEx1B2Cbhgx0/s320/IMG_5567-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Crush up the remaining oreos and sprinkle half of them on top of the ice cream:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Otfg_DPM0iQcib1sq203hEGMtp5Z0Fnn7YkmO0_XWWLFFDpCa8QowLfg-Mjk9naDK18-3jM5NmFnM4uRk2vGbrA0FZAgUXsLoYRULvcTOb890-iePMiNbB0RE_1kqj6CqF9sgGNNgFA/s1600/IMG_5569-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Otfg_DPM0iQcib1sq203hEGMtp5Z0Fnn7YkmO0_XWWLFFDpCa8QowLfg-Mjk9naDK18-3jM5NmFnM4uRk2vGbrA0FZAgUXsLoYRULvcTOb890-iePMiNbB0RE_1kqj6CqF9sgGNNgFA/s320/IMG_5569-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Now it's time for the fudge. I like this Smuckers brand or Ms. Richardson's. But make sure it's the thick stuff that comes in the bigger bottle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQyXgLhlrfbskIiPhyphenhyphenCRPXy46YU0Ba-t0Co93eT-PNFxR5IoZS6Znj2dHtLeBPk78F-7b6V4VB4jhnBuWJtNpUzYq1uyLc7kaXXB54sYshvdSG3CybxpM5M2X6L54bxH7BapE7V7tj7Y/s1600/IMG_5571-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQyXgLhlrfbskIiPhyphenhyphenCRPXy46YU0Ba-t0Co93eT-PNFxR5IoZS6Znj2dHtLeBPk78F-7b6V4VB4jhnBuWJtNpUzYq1uyLc7kaXXB54sYshvdSG3CybxpM5M2X6L54bxH7BapE7V7tj7Y/s320/IMG_5571-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">It's easiest to dollop it all over evenly and then start spreading it around. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDXt77doMNzA91GWUofbsUHz1KvoIqZR9js9dJvOBh45W5RcThXPi6vJwM-LtsdSqUkoeYBdDZoBlBU_8-UaQX189x5UnETKcRlQi_tKXKh6yOKxamqtgrX0JYvOYoNjcrERMs1U4a1c/s1600/IMG_5572-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDXt77doMNzA91GWUofbsUHz1KvoIqZR9js9dJvOBh45W5RcThXPi6vJwM-LtsdSqUkoeYBdDZoBlBU_8-UaQX189x5UnETKcRlQi_tKXKh6yOKxamqtgrX0JYvOYoNjcrERMs1U4a1c/s320/IMG_5572-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">This is the trickiest part...just spread it as evenly as you can.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WwB4LxFKjRvJRKBA6xU2ISxLD7KwMVmWsah70SRJcTrHnYfxr8MkcVcXhmmiAfeUtBjLYVSu0nV_aFgLSvFJCxX4naL_yxIwlfGLocgVF1n27zgsNYGpqk8MstqizKPU4QwTpeYf9nk/s1600/IMG_5573-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WwB4LxFKjRvJRKBA6xU2ISxLD7KwMVmWsah70SRJcTrHnYfxr8MkcVcXhmmiAfeUtBjLYVSu0nV_aFgLSvFJCxX4naL_yxIwlfGLocgVF1n27zgsNYGpqk8MstqizKPU4QwTpeYf9nk/s320/IMG_5573-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Next, layer the rest of the ice cream on top of the fudge. This is a little tricky, too...I always have to use my finger to help, but then you can spread it smoothly and evenly with a hot spatula or something when you are done to make it nice and even.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lp9hvoa3Nt61topAmZeCT0xaQ5Eet_Q4cak-IJOA1o6yXGcv66mliWSNZ9dAbjpaYW5bAIZt6vBGpWew2qX2rYZrR_plLFBXtQJnL1R9Y8M_Zid8XfzZ_YpJAbJeJLz4WrbPT6AS4Vk/s1600/IMG_5575-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lp9hvoa3Nt61topAmZeCT0xaQ5Eet_Q4cak-IJOA1o6yXGcv66mliWSNZ9dAbjpaYW5bAIZt6vBGpWew2qX2rYZrR_plLFBXtQJnL1R9Y8M_Zid8XfzZ_YpJAbJeJLz4WrbPT6AS4Vk/s320/IMG_5575-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Finally, sprinkle the rest of the oreo crumbles on the top. Wrap it up in foil and freeze for several hours or overnight.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG2s7njkGdYh3i8hyphenhyphenQHrViQCXeJrxMUrseO3Nt43zjPg2v8XxZEHdSdYPeazLHYDffmnOqBNQOUh3HB021AIzYUJYXl1tqMLpTU1PcLcguKUDxPFUUHfnZimcm5ahburPClkD2zkj3PM/s1600/IMG_5577-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG2s7njkGdYh3i8hyphenhyphenQHrViQCXeJrxMUrseO3Nt43zjPg2v8XxZEHdSdYPeazLHYDffmnOqBNQOUh3HB021AIzYUJYXl1tqMLpTU1PcLcguKUDxPFUUHfnZimcm5ahburPClkD2zkj3PM/s320/IMG_5577-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">When you are ready to serve, remove the foil and undo the springform pan. You will be left with this beautiful masterpiece:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMFrH9f0Jfuxsi2UrJPjinDbOX6k7jrBDojHtAb8JLpbm1d6v58xOrLrAVF_y71yfwqEr6Vhs5vIxxRRnYqlPdhsm9z79-iGpnCfNvvalSwc6YGvva6T4j66MNXdS06YFebqjUaoGwQI/s1600/IMG_5581-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMFrH9f0Jfuxsi2UrJPjinDbOX6k7jrBDojHtAb8JLpbm1d6v58xOrLrAVF_y71yfwqEr6Vhs5vIxxRRnYqlPdhsm9z79-iGpnCfNvvalSwc6YGvva6T4j66MNXdS06YFebqjUaoGwQI/s320/IMG_5581-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"> Slice it, plate it, and ENJOY the heaven that is this cake!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">-Tammy</span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: xx-small/12px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">*Please check our Linky Party tab or our sidebar for the weekly parties we participate in*</span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-77277660428080599782011-12-15T06:40:00.000-07:002011-12-15T06:40:43.175-07:00{Revisiting Christmas Favorites}<div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We thought we would share some of our<span style="font-size: large;"> favorite</span> Christmas posts from last year that might be<span style="font-size: large;"> just the idea you are looking for</span> this year.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply <span style="font-size: large;">click on the descriptions below the photos</span> to be taken to the original posts where you can find all of the <span style="font-size: large;">details</span>,<span style="font-size: large;"> tutorials</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">recipes</span>.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We hope we can inspire you in some way to make this holiday season one of the best!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZCG4f2JAgSq-G83FkbMJmnkmhdUEyK0N3PNqc1l2kQreKGDCNp60j42oHWlGE3qltRYmRKzuY6qsqU05zifnoU-comE9Xo2YCn_I3XjhmMcxSmCLZ9Vdxcx-aAkE1yoON2upHU-lzRM/s1600/GarnishedGiftBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="210" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZCG4f2JAgSq-G83FkbMJmnkmhdUEyK0N3PNqc1l2kQreKGDCNp60j42oHWlGE3qltRYmRKzuY6qsqU05zifnoU-comE9Xo2YCn_I3XjhmMcxSmCLZ9Vdxcx-aAkE1yoON2upHU-lzRM/s320/GarnishedGiftBox.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2010/12/garnished-gift-box.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>{Garnished Gift Box}</strong></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2010/12/easy-gift-for-neighbors-friends.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>{we WHISK you a BERRY KISSMAS}</strong></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtzFR8AoGatCHopV0T_1wMFHhvCiyURqJN0ToD2SpWZlhkcbfNRjc6hHIKMMePepP0CQX6oYCru7b89A4W10OiARaSCWNZRX0ZPkaS1vTutrHFQRwLbf7Mg9l1B7DgWpvsJg3mVdXIjc/s1600/ButterToffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="260" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtzFR8AoGatCHopV0T_1wMFHhvCiyURqJN0ToD2SpWZlhkcbfNRjc6hHIKMMePepP0CQX6oYCru7b89A4W10OiARaSCWNZRX0ZPkaS1vTutrHFQRwLbf7Mg9l1B7DgWpvsJg3mVdXIjc/s320/ButterToffee.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2010/12/butter-toffee.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>{Butter Toffee}</strong></span></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbaRvvkNQRMuiNZvyILmlisXB72U9vRMwoiQDscRq4nDrGJidv-Y_STu7onOXVkquQj5ntcONhDaK4RkR6U9hUVs24xqMthfu8J_8g6HjoyxmvXCvxrQAoXcWvnVtM0R2JekZzCPTBgM/s1600/HandmadeEnglishCrackers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="188" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbaRvvkNQRMuiNZvyILmlisXB72U9vRMwoiQDscRq4nDrGJidv-Y_STu7onOXVkquQj5ntcONhDaK4RkR6U9hUVs24xqMthfu8J_8g6HjoyxmvXCvxrQAoXcWvnVtM0R2JekZzCPTBgM/s320/HandmadeEnglishCrackers.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-english-crackers.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>{Handmade English Crackers}</strong></span></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywmcf2WMpBx4WAu_oUqAZV3JHLByg_rS-M1jkzh7b2-VBcJs0C1CTnvbbSHh3NU4-wyIPFMNsqSD2rNUjYycJeZRg88g7tfRw45jz0UIOiRxlIO99KtlY00o15x2FtvIsCVHTl5on0G0/s1600/PeppermintPretzelKisses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="271" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywmcf2WMpBx4WAu_oUqAZV3JHLByg_rS-M1jkzh7b2-VBcJs0C1CTnvbbSHh3NU4-wyIPFMNsqSD2rNUjYycJeZRg88g7tfRw45jz0UIOiRxlIO99KtlY00o15x2FtvIsCVHTl5on0G0/s320/PeppermintPretzelKisses.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2010/12/peppermint-pretzel-kisses.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>{Peppermint Pretzel Kisses}</strong></span></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Enjoy!</strong></span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-86996006549820566582011-12-07T15:44:00.000-07:002011-12-07T15:44:24.480-07:00{Gingerbread Cupcakes}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6wrPgwr-6RWMp1xbHPYoyYg49Uv-lHpNlTkqhtuZuUJe0E5lGFJU-WUOe2PhQ7TScacYwwj02b8nM6KAxei7p21cVJqd73RDspvEMWu8NZcv2cCiMbTHM8VMq_gA3wQpIZOQflX-xDs/s1600/IMG_5450-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6wrPgwr-6RWMp1xbHPYoyYg49Uv-lHpNlTkqhtuZuUJe0E5lGFJU-WUOe2PhQ7TScacYwwj02b8nM6KAxei7p21cVJqd73RDspvEMWu8NZcv2cCiMbTHM8VMq_gA3wQpIZOQflX-xDs/s640/IMG_5450-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mother-in-law gave me these cute gingerbread man cupcake liners for my birthday last month. </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew that I couldn't bake <em>just any old cupcakes </em>in them...they were deserving of something special. </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: black;">They needed to</span> <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES</span><span style="color: black;">, of course!</span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Topped with these cute little gingerbread man sprinkles I found last year? Definitely.</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ11eMVM9eUcJGYmYMbYexRRjXYD-s7c38IHp6yBRwSBt0KcjB8Gcld9Ki60NwFULJVxWlJlsBmMeSFOQsn9alwZfZGOI3QLl-bFxWbkqQ6F1yp77yj8ee7onSJ_kFfV35ky7jE8dbNiI/s1600/IMG_5456-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ11eMVM9eUcJGYmYMbYexRRjXYD-s7c38IHp6yBRwSBt0KcjB8Gcld9Ki60NwFULJVxWlJlsBmMeSFOQsn9alwZfZGOI3QLl-bFxWbkqQ6F1yp77yj8ee7onSJ_kFfV35ky7jE8dbNiI/s320/IMG_5456-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Here is what the bottom of the liners look like. Cute, huh?</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8Tei0bQcOy1es9LD3BKNHen3Ttba3PxOI_JVQYJ2U4dLQOAFy0w7eKoaE2WFPRwXCoWAGtn586bXxMOFXccbBdZ__wZfmj03a_VWmzvRG7SYBmFd_gWFmJfxjR79XUW_hVOz9FAWC4Q/s1600/IMG_5448-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8Tei0bQcOy1es9LD3BKNHen3Ttba3PxOI_JVQYJ2U4dLQOAFy0w7eKoaE2WFPRwXCoWAGtn586bXxMOFXccbBdZ__wZfmj03a_VWmzvRG7SYBmFd_gWFmJfxjR79XUW_hVOz9FAWC4Q/s320/IMG_5448-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">I scoured the internet for a great gingerbread recipe, and decided upon </span><a href="http://agrrlswrrldblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/sticky-gingerbread-cupcakes-with-citrus-cream-cheese-frosting/"><span style="color: black;">this one</span></a><span style="color: black;"> for old-fashioned sticky gingerbread, made with boiling water just like our great-great grandmas would have used. Or at least I imagine mine did ;)</span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">And let me tell you...this recipe did not disappoint! It's just the texture and taste I was envisioning. Super yummy! And topped with some extra special cinnamon lemon cream cheese frosting? </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Yuh. Uhh. Mmm.</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">{Old Fashioned Gingerbread}</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Preheat oven to 325*.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large bowl, mix:</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 cup oil<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 cup dark molasses</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Add:</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 large eggs</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients thoroughly:</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">3 cups flour<br />
1 tablespoon ground ginger<br />
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add to wet mixture.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boil (in microwave):</span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 cup boiling water</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Add to water:</span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">1 tablespoon baking soda</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Once dissolved, add water (SLOWLY) to batter and mix until just combined.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake for about 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">{Cinnamon Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting}</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">1 cube butter (room temp)</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">8 oz light cream cheese (room temp)</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">1 tsp vanilla</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">2 tsp lemon juice</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">1/4 tsp cinnamon</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Beat together until smooth, then add:</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">5-7 cups powdered sugar</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">depending on the consistency you want. </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; orphans: 2; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">-Tammy</span></div><img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-25368384216072637712011-12-07T01:26:00.000-07:002011-12-07T01:26:07.089-07:00WINNERS - {Holiday Tags Giveaway}<div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's time to announce our<strong> two</strong> lucky <strong>Blogiversary Giveaway<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> W<span style="color: #e06666;">I</span>N<span style="color: #e06666;">N</span>E<span style="color: #e06666;">R</span>S</span></strong>!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are:</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal3wb-Hc6XxTbCggkJLLpYchtA3G7ES_v4gyZvNcGdhWi-rohNqCMVIolnPz48c9tbFRn5wFOMJKIbsQe2qIiHicO65rGrQ3-GudqGeCVpTLwtnh3LzOh05R9TRDnRXt6DuUxkd-qvKI/s1600/Random2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal3wb-Hc6XxTbCggkJLLpYchtA3G7ES_v4gyZvNcGdhWi-rohNqCMVIolnPz48c9tbFRn5wFOMJKIbsQe2qIiHicO65rGrQ3-GudqGeCVpTLwtnh3LzOh05R9TRDnRXt6DuUxkd-qvKI/s640/Random2.jpg" width="539" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations, ladies!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please email us at <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #38761d;">PeppermintPlum</span>{at}<span style="color: #38761d;">Hotmail</span>{dot}</span><span style="color: #38761d;">com</span></strong> with your<strong> full name</strong> and <strong>address</strong> and your tags will get shipped right out to you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone who entered!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for some more<span style="color: #e06666;"> <strong>{yummy}</strong></span> holiday goodness...</span></div><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-82177498620123861112011-12-03T14:05:00.000-07:002011-12-03T14:05:38.174-07:00One Year Blogiversary {HOLIDAY TAG GIVEAWAY}<div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of our <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>ONE <span style="color: #cc0000;">YEAR</span> BLOG<span style="color: #cc0000;">IVERSARY</span></strong></span> coming up this Tuesday, we wanted to have another <span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>GIVEAWAY</strong></span> to say thank you to all of our readers, old and new.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSUlcbbIfFquVlVryNi65ePMl0aJaX1bWc8ztUQeiKc40jGEX9JvU2Evc_AU-uoUySZF8t4cjnfiOpZ5KZvnPNcB8Enia3CAUjJbuX2ANwNFYzbqzrm_AeGYRsmCHcqs4UDoaz3K4XBM/s1600/TagGiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSUlcbbIfFquVlVryNi65ePMl0aJaX1bWc8ztUQeiKc40jGEX9JvU2Evc_AU-uoUySZF8t4cjnfiOpZ5KZvnPNcB8Enia3CAUjJbuX2ANwNFYzbqzrm_AeGYRsmCHcqs4UDoaz3K4XBM/s640/TagGiveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have<span style="font-size: large;"> two sets</span> of <span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>5 distressed angel holiday tags</strong></span> to give away, which means there will be<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> TWO</span></strong> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>lucky winners!</strong></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUr4XDMfzoobwChuy66evqQ4DQ3DbIFoIB_vU7no3TsoBGN0JptdjCg3gfyCrKXp-yZu8lRkra1_q04wSYYeH57Mv_nVWv6SyeZPAj4sLRd6gEfmtqNo6ViIL9ruEwRWoHLM9XGnlzcw/s1600/SingleTag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUr4XDMfzoobwChuy66evqQ4DQ3DbIFoIB_vU7no3TsoBGN0JptdjCg3gfyCrKXp-yZu8lRkra1_q04wSYYeH57Mv_nVWv6SyeZPAj4sLRd6gEfmtqNo6ViIL9ruEwRWoHLM9XGnlzcw/s640/SingleTag.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each tag measures 4 in x 2 in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <span style="font-size: large;">perfect addition</span> to any holiday <span style="font-size: large;">gift</span>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">W<span style="color: #e06666;">O</span>U<span style="color: #e06666;">L</span>D <span style="color: #e06666;">Y</span>O<span style="color: #e06666;">U</span> L<span style="color: #e06666;">I</span>K<span style="color: #e06666;">E</span> T<span style="color: #e06666;">O</span> W<span style="color: #e06666;">I</span>N<span style="color: #38761d;">?</span></span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There won't be any jumping through hoops here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">L<span style="color: #6aa84f;">E</span>A<span style="color: #6aa84f;">V</span>E <span style="color: #6aa84f;">A</span> C<span style="color: #6aa84f;">O</span>M<span style="color: #6aa84f;">M</span>E<span style="color: #6aa84f;">N</span>T</span></strong> letting us know that you would like to win!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Comment entries</strong> will be<strong> accepted</strong> until <strong>midnight</strong> (MST) on <strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6th</span></strong>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><strong>Winners</strong> will be<strong> announced</strong> here <strong>on the blog</strong> on <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Wednesday, December 7th</span></strong>, so <strong>keep a close watch!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere, as long as you can receive mail. Just keep in mind that if you live outside of the United States, you may not receive the tags in time for Christmas this year, but you can always save them for next year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Please note: These tags are for personal use only. Please do not sell or copy these tags exactly for your own monitary gain. Thank you.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhW3t8PA6_xghfC04hAvNhXvvjDJICJ0G8BgOnm4wEVOhptpO_tKn-Kvl2Nx4gyfaSJvZ5fxV0nXrLXeP8TCs7PlIAHKrdJxeNMax0U7VzkAhyurwmiZ41j_Sm9_wHxNaBMEjejpkbKg/s1600/Tags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhW3t8PA6_xghfC04hAvNhXvvjDJICJ0G8BgOnm4wEVOhptpO_tKn-Kvl2Nx4gyfaSJvZ5fxV0nXrLXeP8TCs7PlIAHKrdJxeNMax0U7VzkAhyurwmiZ41j_Sm9_wHxNaBMEjejpkbKg/s400/Tags.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks, again, to all of our loyal readers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We couldn't (and wouldn't) have done it without you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">-</span> <strong>Annie</strong><span style="color: #cc0000;"> +</span> <strong>Tammy</strong><span style="color: #cc0000;"> -</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-62330350018714123692011-11-30T14:38:00.000-07:002011-11-30T14:38:44.099-07:00{A Gingerbread Christmas}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQk7L9Ysjt7H1owMzN04kbYpmhhjy2LkqyLXk1KfsAKZSFZbr2S6pMAETTCk16iPTIf1wGbydfvxO1wtjKRue1kKNHTGnGWxaZIcoLmKnQI5bDIzc-PNekajDMjbA9F2P6PycE8V78AHw/s1600/IMG_5417-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQk7L9Ysjt7H1owMzN04kbYpmhhjy2LkqyLXk1KfsAKZSFZbr2S6pMAETTCk16iPTIf1wGbydfvxO1wtjKRue1kKNHTGnGWxaZIcoLmKnQI5bDIzc-PNekajDMjbA9F2P6PycE8V78AHw/s640/IMG_5417-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Tis the season for holiday decorating...and my house is finally--after several days of boxes and messes and chaos--looking like it's Christmas Season. I love it!</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have an <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">obsession with gingerbread</span>. Real, fake, anything gingerbread. I love the taste and the playfulness of the candy decor. I love the colors of the candy and white icing against the dark brown of the gingerbread. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have dreams of living in the witch's house from Hansel and Gretel.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://picture-book.com/files/userimages/2058u/prismacolor13.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Wouldn't that be awesome?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">But if I lived there I wouldn't trick children into thinking I was a sweet</span> little old lady and then try to fatten them up to eat them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a glimpse of my gingerbread collection:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbFmmRJvTGIIL2yRHJYhkPUjCGNRYv_ERIwKoUa3WOmmlrXKzJn1icVl2kimzbk0sXWHVzjo831SRC95mpZeAQfhJT8_HjSwV-OpxENVmyCy9TsfFzSU_I1zoX233pr-9VgsAjcXIUX8/s1600/IMG_5408-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbFmmRJvTGIIL2yRHJYhkPUjCGNRYv_ERIwKoUa3WOmmlrXKzJn1icVl2kimzbk0sXWHVzjo831SRC95mpZeAQfhJT8_HjSwV-OpxENVmyCy9TsfFzSU_I1zoX233pr-9VgsAjcXIUX8/s400/IMG_5408-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not usually one who likes "cutesy" decor, but when it comes to gingerbread decor, the cuter the better! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also collected <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">gingerbread ornaments</span> for years...and I have enough that I think I can title my 9-foot tree a "Gingerbread Tree." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWaMigeAo182fsx4_faSvEqqWHzgyRfGrJHAx3g0BsklEV2XpRz5Kjl7nkhFSht2KmoauK6elpWkwvCRmeL3tB2bF9XSZVe8AqnhBkEoNYtNkL3aPV-HPAOcfH1tNdUb7sOi6Ap3S5FI/s1600/IMG_5402-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWaMigeAo182fsx4_faSvEqqWHzgyRfGrJHAx3g0BsklEV2XpRz5Kjl7nkhFSht2KmoauK6elpWkwvCRmeL3tB2bF9XSZVe8AqnhBkEoNYtNkL3aPV-HPAOcfH1tNdUb7sOi6Ap3S5FI/s400/IMG_5402-1.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I figured it was high-time that my gingerbread tree had a tree topper that matched it's decor...so I made my own <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">gingerbread star topper</span>!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8kGKAd9bgEC17OEAqRG9-GDVvAih8ZWvuL760AFU-dFTqJiSsPMBk3UFCUI15x9CTkNxq7BC65r2Ss989jyMpgxb2-JjPkT1d1L9HVcF1ZZoNe9qYuHm4O40qdbcL0EAv1m-aWndCI8/s1600/IMG_5414-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8kGKAd9bgEC17OEAqRG9-GDVvAih8ZWvuL760AFU-dFTqJiSsPMBk3UFCUI15x9CTkNxq7BC65r2Ss989jyMpgxb2-JjPkT1d1L9HVcF1ZZoNe9qYuHm4O40qdbcL0EAv1m-aWndCI8/s320/IMG_5414-1.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought some brown felt and white rick-rack and whipped this up in about 20 minutes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I printed out a large star (using the basic shapes in MSword) for a pattern, cut out two layers of felt, sewed them right-sides-together, leaving a couple inches at the bottom open, turned it right-sides-out, stuffed it with batting and a wire coil (stolen from my old tree topper), and then whip-stitched the opening by hand, reinforcing the area around the wire coil to hold it in place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think my <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">gingerbread tree</span> is now, officially, properly topped.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVstvz8lVCZNcqROJEhLxPjgEV8wFuwQsyvtge_y33zFXIu3g17VLxTmaZPaCa79J1-mP5i0RbjRp6skiCxBBYO0kSOgpgt7GDNGVaEYTTdBbXNg4tW_D57l5xUOZrtuMe1TgQq8wfDWs/s1600/IMG_5419-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVstvz8lVCZNcqROJEhLxPjgEV8wFuwQsyvtge_y33zFXIu3g17VLxTmaZPaCa79J1-mP5i0RbjRp6skiCxBBYO0kSOgpgt7GDNGVaEYTTdBbXNg4tW_D57l5xUOZrtuMe1TgQq8wfDWs/s400/IMG_5419-1.JPG" width="223" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Holidays!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Tammy</span></div><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-85869875775272434362011-11-02T00:42:00.000-06:002011-11-02T00:42:03.214-06:00{Benefit For Becca}<div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Hello, everyone!</span><br />
We've been swamped lately <span style="font-size: x-small;">(again)</span> with life and family and work and vacations and holidays, but we wanted to make a quick post on behalf of our cousin, Becca.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdhFQK6pdr7VPEeMHfbrodGGt-QcXk8JL_bJw_PMZIT0_5WKbA9qyuAyMsIbfXhsbeg8OOAXHDo_oJpNZbf7znfoBsn6WJSXV6Xsety7lezpxK08G9EmleM9GjPjMQ7bplXU4mTGAEp4/s1600/BeccaV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdhFQK6pdr7VPEeMHfbrodGGt-QcXk8JL_bJw_PMZIT0_5WKbA9qyuAyMsIbfXhsbeg8OOAXHDo_oJpNZbf7znfoBsn6WJSXV6Xsety7lezpxK08G9EmleM9GjPjMQ7bplXU4mTGAEp4/s200/BeccaV.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Becca was recently diagnosed with <strong>Myasthenia Gravis</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">.</span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">She is a wonderful wife and mother to 6 children, three under the age of 5 and two with autism. Needless to say, her hands were already very full before this debilitating disease hit.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic condition that causes muscles to tire and weaken easily. Common muscle groups that are affected may make it difficult to chew, swallow, smile, shrug, lift your arm up, grip, rise to a stand, or walk up stairs.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">When the muscles necessary for breathing are affected, a patient is said to be in myasthenic crisis.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><strong>This is a life-threatening situation.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Currently she is taking a large dosage of Prednisone to avoid any breathing difficulties.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">She is scheduled to get her thymus removed (thymectomy) on Nov 10, 2011. Thymectomy seems to improve symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis patients. Typically this is an "open chest" procedure, however, she has located a doctor in Texas that is able to do it laproscopically (which will have a much faster recovery time).</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">As you can imagine, this unexpected family crisis will take quite a toll on Becca, emotionally and financially. <strong>She also will<em> not have full insurance coverage since the surgery will be out of state </em></strong> and she does not qualify for any programs (such as disability) as of now.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Any funds raised will be used for medical and travel expenses (from Utah to Texas) to assist her during her fight against MG</strong>."</span></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">*</span> <span style="color: #a64d79;">*</span> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">*</span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> *</span> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">*</span></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Our family has set up a fundraiser site for anyone who can help out. If you, or anyone you know, can spare even small amount of money to help Becca and her family get through this, it will be very much appreciated.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">You can access her fundraiser page by clicking the following link:</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.giveforward.com/benefitforbecca"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">{</span>B<span style="color: #e06666;">E</span>N<span style="color: #e06666;">E</span>FI<span style="color: #e06666;">T</span> for <span style="color: #e06666;">B</span>E<span style="color: #e06666;">C</span>C<span style="color: #e06666;">A</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">}</span></span></a></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #38761d;">(</span><a href="http://www.giveforward.com/benefitforbecca"><span style="color: #38761d;">http://www.giveforward.com/benefitforbecca</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;">)</span></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>THANK YOU!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">If we can answer any questions for you, please don't hesitate to email us at PeppermintPlum[at]Hotmail[dot]com.</span></span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /><br />
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</div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-50336986137185873012011-10-21T23:08:00.000-06:002011-10-21T23:08:15.980-06:00{Minnie Mouse Party!}<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My baby turned three this past week, and we decided to celebrate by honoring one of our favorite Disney characters...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">M </span>I <span style="color: red;">N </span>N <span style="color: red;">I </span>E <span style="color: red;">M </span>O <span style="color: red;">U </span>S </span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>E</strong> </span>!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJeiK7QYH8ZprNa7Q9GrPG7TBPI-sYhT2QKEHJRd0PdeKcO687VUSE1YpXySTUd3AIZ3tHD2MeCtAGIs7yLyP0KhvH7SMtmeJ49RNir8Y8_-bDrJQ2Ju9AHF3MK5S7keaJahnagckmUk/s1600/Minnie+Full+Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJeiK7QYH8ZprNa7Q9GrPG7TBPI-sYhT2QKEHJRd0PdeKcO687VUSE1YpXySTUd3AIZ3tHD2MeCtAGIs7yLyP0KhvH7SMtmeJ49RNir8Y8_-bDrJQ2Ju9AHF3MK5S7keaJahnagckmUk/s400/Minnie+Full+Table.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to pinterest, I found some really cute cupcake ideas. I found these<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">polka-dot</span> wrappers at Michaels. The <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">ears</span> are mini Oreos, and the<span style="color: red;"> <span style="font-size: large;">bows</span></span> are fashioned with Fruit by the Foot. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPH3FUBIGmiWeajeIWRbzEdzeNfDecKuedC3Amc-OaRfsvQoRT5Px_vMe5TE45kyVVk69mQXRiUQ8zQoBInnxE17MzRFBgQgLiQweKrnaR0jwGiMijGYLZfLFbMZgeBhKhz7y3xpJEts/s1600/Minnie+Single+Cuppycake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPH3FUBIGmiWeajeIWRbzEdzeNfDecKuedC3Amc-OaRfsvQoRT5Px_vMe5TE45kyVVk69mQXRiUQ8zQoBInnxE17MzRFBgQgLiQweKrnaR0jwGiMijGYLZfLFbMZgeBhKhz7y3xpJEts/s320/Minnie+Single+Cuppycake.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict-efvE1ISa4QVFqmiDyZ3oWoxE5cxmZZb_WAIQM0pWHHmxRsSSjhtAJFV50OTyrPvt0lZ83PyATBZkm4qDXee-0zJwTBfYg80dSFjXnaf0_OUShnO7AP8i1J2Z4BzvmfUvsaCf8efHw/s1600/Minnie+Cupcake+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict-efvE1ISa4QVFqmiDyZ3oWoxE5cxmZZb_WAIQM0pWHHmxRsSSjhtAJFV50OTyrPvt0lZ83PyATBZkm4qDXee-0zJwTBfYg80dSFjXnaf0_OUShnO7AP8i1J2Z4BzvmfUvsaCf8efHw/s400/Minnie+Cupcake+Tree.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Mickey and Minnie</span> ears for our guests. I bought cheap headbands at Dollar Tree and wrapped them with black ribbon (hot glued the ends). The <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">ears</span> are made out of fun foam. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so fun to see everyone wearing them...even the big tough men kept their Mickey ears on all night!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>:)</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd share pictures, but I'm pretty sure I'd regret it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yX1prMNAX3crPrS-e2OU0AccOTxRALz2HopV9vv61D11UG1t883EAzgFG1mZREU-ZIszQc22PQri093pC2gh95EK7TL0GSmg49NZGACXJh3pwP7r-Er27cTJLHMP-ZtLwmZyucsI9aA/s1600/Minnie+Ears+For+Guests.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yX1prMNAX3crPrS-e2OU0AccOTxRALz2HopV9vv61D11UG1t883EAzgFG1mZREU-ZIszQc22PQri093pC2gh95EK7TL0GSmg49NZGACXJh3pwP7r-Er27cTJLHMP-ZtLwmZyucsI9aA/s320/Minnie+Ears+For+Guests.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used some big <span style="font-size: large;">hurricanes</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">apothecary jars</span> to decorate the table. One was filled with red Dollar Tree Christmas ornaments, and the others were filled with red licorice and marshmallows.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissJXB7q5RNyM45CxI2pjsskSyuXgk3muFuYtAIwqw10oIU2y6ebEFqCtzIVpLuyxLtHZuWcJetfaM3BZdd2FbPKoFXMRy49BpQ0fqVmtPM3fjve03M3-tAa1wJzG54BNxG5VkqqiBh2k/s1600/Minnie+Table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissJXB7q5RNyM45CxI2pjsskSyuXgk3muFuYtAIwqw10oIU2y6ebEFqCtzIVpLuyxLtHZuWcJetfaM3BZdd2FbPKoFXMRy49BpQ0fqVmtPM3fjve03M3-tAa1wJzG54BNxG5VkqqiBh2k/s400/Minnie+Table1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vU1QsEhmq6RmkkHenyiyiEGfpUGVfa5NpKuhLMEGe5DRHpIGe-FBBTwWOzWHXFPuHhhhKNdjhTL64knJdWgKcdW8kiBLwBySOJ_ifa6icpZ-WkrSMPeyQE9xarDvz2S0xZc10UPKES8/s1600/Minnie+RedOrnaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vU1QsEhmq6RmkkHenyiyiEGfpUGVfa5NpKuhLMEGe5DRHpIGe-FBBTwWOzWHXFPuHhhhKNdjhTL64knJdWgKcdW8kiBLwBySOJ_ifa6icpZ-WkrSMPeyQE9xarDvz2S0xZc10UPKES8/s320/Minnie+RedOrnaments.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcxX0XfnGP3NTQ53Ro6g8lcw8NUo5Cj7HzjsfPq_hi6dWIbKMGYbtmHUjbgwPI5p1viU3VLBrCj7ZVt6WmZsQmAkYN00piGW7aAxwqrnLvTfgfE8Sbin4M4tcfxuRK6aVyffldrpBejM/s1600/Minnie+Table2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcxX0XfnGP3NTQ53Ro6g8lcw8NUo5Cj7HzjsfPq_hi6dWIbKMGYbtmHUjbgwPI5p1viU3VLBrCj7ZVt6WmZsQmAkYN00piGW7aAxwqrnLvTfgfE8Sbin4M4tcfxuRK6aVyffldrpBejM/s400/Minnie+Table2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And....here is the <span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Birthday Girl</strong></span> herself!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDBqCAaSEmYFKjanw3ZYVGRqBL47SJ6fGHKzGjOfkI4bgD-0XoXluk7lUbVD2HJ0ywxINqfiM4T34X7Igs5tOI9XOC3FUa8Apchs6Zoh1Om93bKVZXt-mPQCfmT0T768wpu9UEs_eAEc/s1600/Minnie+Candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDBqCAaSEmYFKjanw3ZYVGRqBL47SJ6fGHKzGjOfkI4bgD-0XoXluk7lUbVD2HJ0ywxINqfiM4T34X7Igs5tOI9XOC3FUa8Apchs6Zoh1Om93bKVZXt-mPQCfmT0T768wpu9UEs_eAEc/s400/Minnie+Candle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">It was a fun night!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;">--Tammy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><img src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="text-align: left;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-56361387320727211722011-10-13T13:22:00.000-06:002011-10-13T13:22:46.761-06:00{Magic PB Cookies}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-_6SMDA6KYK__GBuoFmQHHFHb_VW2J75PeY-YaHyii_EThgsk20qgqzA_6QMbZsBWEb7arOw_2oxy7nse0bRRzj87kCMOgmoaLYGd8vEtoR-E_9agHkzhDqdbxGmOZNxx4tfE93Q3eI/s1600/IMG_4908-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-_6SMDA6KYK__GBuoFmQHHFHb_VW2J75PeY-YaHyii_EThgsk20qgqzA_6QMbZsBWEb7arOw_2oxy7nse0bRRzj87kCMOgmoaLYGd8vEtoR-E_9agHkzhDqdbxGmOZNxx4tfE93Q3eI/s640/IMG_4908-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite freshman-year <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">memories</span> is coming home from a hard day of classes and finding my roomate, Saralyn, donning her apron. That meant <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">cookies</span> were coming our way! These were some of our favorites.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best part about these cookies is that they only have</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">..get ready for it...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strong><u>THREE </u></strong></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ingredients</span>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For reals. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">They are also GLUTEN-FREE for all my GF friends out there.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">{Magic PB Cookies}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup peanut butter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 egg</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18 Hershey's Kisses for tops</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Preheat oven to 350. Combine sugar, peanut butter, and egg.<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Shape into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. {I usually use a small cookie dough scoop, which leaves them with a rougher texture but is much quicker!}<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Bake for 10 minutes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While baking, unwrap 18 Hershey's Kisses and set aside. When you remove cookies from oven, immediately press a Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait about 10 minutes for the chocolate to melt, and then pop one of these babies into your mouth whole. I promise you won't regret it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Tammy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Please check our Linky Party tab or our sidebar for the weekly parties we participate in*</span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-47656367109252278112011-10-05T13:01:00.000-06:002011-10-05T13:01:52.913-06:00{Skeleton Portraits}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdKZXeNiS2Z0a_HgObcDdLyQxW8eoevwrZnYvxMVFupBQ9X3qb6CMtQQtBZSLAhOkfRGexW3E6YcI15eTWLymRWS5byw7YZPD8QYEkOL6JvyYmCOPkQAM27gQxz5wjmceMiIo2BNeASw/s1600/SkeletonTitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdKZXeNiS2Z0a_HgObcDdLyQxW8eoevwrZnYvxMVFupBQ9X3qb6CMtQQtBZSLAhOkfRGexW3E6YcI15eTWLymRWS5byw7YZPD8QYEkOL6JvyYmCOPkQAM27gQxz5wjmceMiIo2BNeASw/s400/SkeletonTitle.jpg" width="392px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>OoOoOoOoh, <span style="font-size: large;">spooky</span>!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS1MqL7tSlUeo6eMdN8lNQfwx5tg0z0decqULJKled-SR8471fKFrbKvVp3eSLgwhUhrD6DB2WjvdIdGp3-Hq_arTSYyFgcjirMf4KV6AOmLht_DJbO0Kb3hyphenhyphen3CSftBEwYtAwhbukkWU/s1600/sidebyside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS1MqL7tSlUeo6eMdN8lNQfwx5tg0z0decqULJKled-SR8471fKFrbKvVp3eSLgwhUhrD6DB2WjvdIdGp3-Hq_arTSYyFgcjirMf4KV6AOmLht_DJbO0Kb3hyphenhyphen3CSftBEwYtAwhbukkWU/s640/sidebyside.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to <span style="font-size: large;">make your own</span>?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All you need are some basic crafty supplies that you probably already have laying around.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_M2z-YLduNN98ihcVjFkUcF0DlUfW7pMlHmn1kfPfhFvr0HaXaifpeClHFDslj0qPh1KTgksoUcqF9cOCJPhI6FEF7w-ykrlYaDvAXeIHPCfgNDBYxJkCQ0Wjw_23O46ANA2Yh2bS6Y/s1600/SkeletonPortraitMaterials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_M2z-YLduNN98ihcVjFkUcF0DlUfW7pMlHmn1kfPfhFvr0HaXaifpeClHFDslj0qPh1KTgksoUcqF9cOCJPhI6FEF7w-ykrlYaDvAXeIHPCfgNDBYxJkCQ0Wjw_23O46ANA2Yh2bS6Y/s640/SkeletonPortraitMaterials.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found two gold<span style="font-size: large;"> frames</span> at Savers thrift store back in March of this year and I grabbed them with this very project in mind! Once October arrived, I knew it was time to put them to use.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I <span style="font-size: large;">sponge-painted</span> the frames with <span style="font-size: large;">black</span> craft <span style="font-size: large;">paint</span>, allowing some of the gold to still show through.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then <span style="font-size: large;">printed</span> out this <span style="font-size: large;">skeleton head</span>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtoj39xb0ETGlwkdfYO7w00mrRkzRrsXB37RUG48LsSN_8A8mzq2jNVbgr93dHKsiy5MVxvQQUNeAFeP0OST8XyfhpzG76jdDoRAWRweaHhWcLEB43uxOzId33HO2owbfFNUJENY6NPk/s1600/untitled.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtoj39xb0ETGlwkdfYO7w00mrRkzRrsXB37RUG48LsSN_8A8mzq2jNVbgr93dHKsiy5MVxvQQUNeAFeP0OST8XyfhpzG76jdDoRAWRweaHhWcLEB43uxOzId33HO2owbfFNUJENY6NPk/s320/untitled.JPG" width="280px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and <span style="font-size: large;">cut out</span> the skull, jaw, eyes and nose with an <span style="font-size: large;">exacto knife</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then <span style="font-size: large;">taped</span> it onto some burlap and <span style="font-size: large;">sponge-painted</span> the areas I wanted to be black.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the paint was dry, I <span style="font-size: large;">cut</span> a large oval around the painted image and <span style="font-size: large;">hot glued</span> the burlap directly onto the back of the <span style="font-size: large;">frame</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Does anyone else hate working with burlap? Yuck, so itchy and messy! Why do projects with burlap have to turn out to be so cute?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sg_POV_tFg7LDkdJjITpCgTEktGxQuCYFSkayxyN_DYm7-N0GQt7NAk_lhFVQ4y4uV0JCOUbZe_JuVKSZ58c8Ot7VYJFRliPwoDZaLtKSjXoDZ5_bf7ctiEG23jeHMH77Ka_AwMvbXc/s1600/UpCloseSkelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sg_POV_tFg7LDkdJjITpCgTEktGxQuCYFSkayxyN_DYm7-N0GQt7NAk_lhFVQ4y4uV0JCOUbZe_JuVKSZ58c8Ot7VYJFRliPwoDZaLtKSjXoDZ5_bf7ctiEG23jeHMH77Ka_AwMvbXc/s400/UpCloseSkelly.jpg" width="298px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the burlap was secured to the back of frame, I tied 2 <span style="font-size: large;">bows</span> out of orange and white polka-dot grosgrain ribbon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then<span style="font-size: large;"> hot glued</span> the bows to the burlap.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A dapper <span style="color: #e69138;"><strong>bow-tie</strong></span> for the gentleman</span>:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBvj6ZzdBiO1XkETWx7ttDidZ3mrQympjYC71LINbHBLsbrZgu3tnxh1LIrJoJkLQXEK1n5UB0qmgihHaF5cPCSMFSp_ViCS2D3BPLYoH_tDkR1_6Q1DL8gf_FhH_ZfPCV-g9ZO5_9nQ/s1600/Side+Mr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBvj6ZzdBiO1XkETWx7ttDidZ3mrQympjYC71LINbHBLsbrZgu3tnxh1LIrJoJkLQXEK1n5UB0qmgihHaF5cPCSMFSp_ViCS2D3BPLYoH_tDkR1_6Q1DL8gf_FhH_ZfPCV-g9ZO5_9nQ/s400/Side+Mr.jpg" width="276px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And a lovely <span style="color: #e69138;"><strong>hair bow</strong></span> for the lady:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeYVEUiZiH_cpIyVmIfO7XCreOJynr3RlyjcSIC4JBmEqVa_ooGR4rQ2zn8mW4ymFy7MAOwsTR3I2KtMDv7mypCLFc2PGZOJu1rjVDauLKNufMUZz0PGNqY7IOTPyitoNcyZr44Cq4YA/s1600/side+Mrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeYVEUiZiH_cpIyVmIfO7XCreOJynr3RlyjcSIC4JBmEqVa_ooGR4rQ2zn8mW4ymFy7MAOwsTR3I2KtMDv7mypCLFc2PGZOJu1rjVDauLKNufMUZz0PGNqY7IOTPyitoNcyZr44Cq4YA/s400/side+Mrs.jpg" width="300px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You should definitely add some <span style="color: #e69138;"><strong>Skeleton Portraits</strong></span> to your Halloween decor this year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Annie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">*Please check our Linky Party tab or our sidebar for the weekly parties we participate in*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-2010877262717547342011-09-27T13:26:00.000-06:002011-09-27T13:26:09.395-06:00{Halloween Mantel}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Annie and I both LOVE Halloween. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't tell Santa, but it might just be our favorite holiday. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{Both of our birthdays are within a week of the 31st...I wonder if that has anything to do with it?}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I usually wait until October 1st to break out the decor, but this year we are leaving town a few days before Halloween, so I need to get my full month of <span style="font-size: x-large;">spooky</span> in a little early.</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulAafRE2IFwuf-066uj0SgISoU9MpRoGRt5IOUZsd7tlYW_3zhP89y3haJb8NJIuqJVfhO5sGKjvb8OiYxIGJQs_AtxQo3jkUHrlUaqlMDiKkFOzrFUzUqe6YjeYMtMVC2XrSCF8dSko/s1600/IMG_5002-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulAafRE2IFwuf-066uj0SgISoU9MpRoGRt5IOUZsd7tlYW_3zhP89y3haJb8NJIuqJVfhO5sGKjvb8OiYxIGJQs_AtxQo3jkUHrlUaqlMDiKkFOzrFUzUqe6YjeYMtMVC2XrSCF8dSko/s640/IMG_5002-2.JPG" width="466" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="color: black;">I decided to forego the traditional <span style="color: orange;">orange </span>and <strong>black</strong> for my Halloween mantel this year, and went with black and white with a cute little pop of <span style="color: #6aa84f;">green</span>:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyKG5tj35jpr6xVPTi7AcpRNVBS48Wh2UvIU6V0gXs-G8e0CGzg5vzJ6bHiZ2-L2ID2NSdPazzsyq2WJqqMKhPt-ElvT_sUz4g0GCHcrAsRUv6b6O1Ik4bLrOCR6Z5wKBGJylAMwh_dE/s1600/IMG_5005-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyKG5tj35jpr6xVPTi7AcpRNVBS48Wh2UvIU6V0gXs-G8e0CGzg5vzJ6bHiZ2-L2ID2NSdPazzsyq2WJqqMKhPt-ElvT_sUz4g0GCHcrAsRUv6b6O1Ik4bLrOCR6Z5wKBGJylAMwh_dE/s640/IMG_5005-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I won a print of my choice in a contest a few months ago, and I am so happy I chose this one! It makes me smile every time I look at it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's called "Family Portrait," by The Dreamy Giraffe. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">S</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">he still has it available in her </span></span></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/41066936/frankensteins-family-on-halloween-art?ga_search_query=family&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5129215"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">etsy shop</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">.</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSIC4TNyA73-drqCA2RarNlVD20Y0pHKoQ4WD1bWwCLQAVFr9WAeG3_W_3yFJL7BVssDi0JtiDsrakBBozKBAUORBHYo8QKavz2p00BYvfRoSTZGBHETR_WDX-UAZ8JEjdsiqR3wcEUs/s1600/IMG_5009-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSIC4TNyA73-drqCA2RarNlVD20Y0pHKoQ4WD1bWwCLQAVFr9WAeG3_W_3yFJL7BVssDi0JtiDsrakBBozKBAUORBHYo8QKavz2p00BYvfRoSTZGBHETR_WDX-UAZ8JEjdsiqR3wcEUs/s400/IMG_5009-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you <span style="font-size: x-large;">SEE</span> that little monster baby?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">OH. MY. GOODNESS.</span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seriously makes me baby hungry. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">{Yes, I'm nuts; I know this already.}</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDJYj6SqxjEwtYuFjKyZfW_W5fn8bFWDPF4NC08z9VLyEqtTSzMG5CwdDJZVWUcfH1RKIgfUqeVcfy8yD37BkIJ2dqHmUxKDnvDui9__fYpegWC551fOJB47-8j00X4VxocGgG79OHPg/s1600/IMG_5006-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDJYj6SqxjEwtYuFjKyZfW_W5fn8bFWDPF4NC08z9VLyEqtTSzMG5CwdDJZVWUcfH1RKIgfUqeVcfy8yD37BkIJ2dqHmUxKDnvDui9__fYpegWC551fOJB47-8j00X4VxocGgG79OHPg/s320/IMG_5006-1.JPG" width="254" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a cute little felt spider I stuck onto the mirror with a piece of Scotch tape.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY93ThYUZInxx7tDq8VQdqrai8IgFkqrBMI4F0RCWjBwpFO-QZTw-n15sLl6c0kFcYG3HP-sPvojJqnKibaPgAu2d81D4E0JTm08kKWaI37io1DExs606RxQYLmOJtJ2fnKvKMlaR0b-o/s1600/IMG_5007-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY93ThYUZInxx7tDq8VQdqrai8IgFkqrBMI4F0RCWjBwpFO-QZTw-n15sLl6c0kFcYG3HP-sPvojJqnKibaPgAu2d81D4E0JTm08kKWaI37io1DExs606RxQYLmOJtJ2fnKvKMlaR0b-o/s320/IMG_5007-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found these glittery black pumpkins on after-Halloween clearance at Target last year for 90% off. They were practically free! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seriously...who can pass up ANYTHING at 90% off? Not me!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzKPiDdgVco_oJKZtzTkVgRQvjBJWT-qkr9a9I6yrQxQ0-qyrY5kCmMUJI9wZBxtWtlLvVkNQMu52_6rPPBktZgRVvb1ZuR-_6QZzEstjSkQGbOuLTR8o5E8weQIL7itkxRxjihWJtaE/s1600/IMG_5003-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzKPiDdgVco_oJKZtzTkVgRQvjBJWT-qkr9a9I6yrQxQ0-qyrY5kCmMUJI9wZBxtWtlLvVkNQMu52_6rPPBktZgRVvb1ZuR-_6QZzEstjSkQGbOuLTR8o5E8weQIL7itkxRxjihWJtaE/s640/IMG_5003-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm so excited for Halloween! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">--Tammy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/ideas-for-fall" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" height="200" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Linky%20Buttons/Fall_Link_Party_Layla.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" width="166" /></a></div><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-19856132397328423322011-09-22T15:41:00.001-06:002011-09-22T16:16:02.801-06:00{BANANA Banana Bread}<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_GI9Obuo8Jxefkf-5uZJSvdtrjqgAU-eU4qf6RNH3xFlAF9IUU6JTWAWclo6CNlZri282xi2h8d6v5eQuZFIOxIzot47fRPUOG-cV1I_vnaTU0Y2Vk8cb_NK10nfPfoEOgbYPZGq27U/s1600/BBBread+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="515px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_GI9Obuo8Jxefkf-5uZJSvdtrjqgAU-eU4qf6RNH3xFlAF9IUU6JTWAWclo6CNlZri282xi2h8d6v5eQuZFIOxIzot47fRPUOG-cV1I_vnaTU0Y2Vk8cb_NK10nfPfoEOgbYPZGq27U/s640/BBBread+Tag.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For <span style="font-size: large;">years</span> I searched for <em>THE</em> perfect <span style="font-size: large;">banana bread recipe</span>, and this is definitely it for me. It's a <span style="font-size: large;">little different</span> from most banana breads...it has FIVE bananas <span style="font-size: large;">in one loaf</span>! This means it has tons of banana <span style="font-size: large;">flavor</span> and is incredibly <span style="font-size: large;">moist. </span></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUmQLLR83q3VNb07Us1Npq7sWh59iESnB2UqWZb92uECK4WCI-fD3VKWAxVwPNofRLNdHGc3gALiyt430YMlY8PLMAnEJtadegcz3U80V1CgG5QR5fqrJfAONVXhuUMbqeFsXaH6exZ4/s1600/BBBRead+Slices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="242px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUmQLLR83q3VNb07Us1Npq7sWh59iESnB2UqWZb92uECK4WCI-fD3VKWAxVwPNofRLNdHGc3gALiyt430YMlY8PLMAnEJtadegcz3U80V1CgG5QR5fqrJfAONVXhuUMbqeFsXaH6exZ4/s320/BBBRead+Slices.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>BANANA Banana Bread</strong></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(adapted from allrecipes.com)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2 cups <span style="font-size: large;">flour</span></strong></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1 tsp <span style="font-size: large;">baking soda</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1/4 tsp<span style="font-size: large;"> salt</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1/2 c <span style="font-size: large;">butter</span></strong></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3/4 c <span style="font-size: large;">brown sugar</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2 <span style="font-size: large;">eggs</span>, beaten</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1-2 tsp <span style="font-size: large;">cinnamon</span></strong></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1 tsp<span style="font-size: large;"> vanilla</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>2 1/3 c mashed <span style="font-size: large;">over-ripe bananas</span></strong> (4-6 depending on size)</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Preheat</span> oven to 350. Lightly <span style="font-size: large;">grease</span> one 9x5 inch loaf pan</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large bowl, <span style="font-size: large;">combine</span> dry ingredients. In separate bowl, <span style="font-size: large;">cream</span> butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. <span style="font-size: large;">Stir</span> in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. <span style="font-size: large;">Stir</span> banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten (<strong>do not over stir</strong> or it will be crumbly). <span style="font-size: large;">Pour</span> into loaf pan, <span style="font-size: large;">bake</span> for about 60 minutes, until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let <span style="font-size: large;">cool</span> for 10 minutes in pan, then <span style="font-size: large;">turn</span> onto wire rack.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnEzBIgF4I0YRdEmzGZIx1u0uZPkULJkHc8fXDq4EmK2ubyqLDQPsVZ4OWz4azYGCbBa9y3apTRNuDPHnSRKX6FBjUrtQBP0Ms8IRJYTBrNSYXPCYTXb22YmqhBqYaYat529YP-466KI/s1600/BBBreadTinyHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnEzBIgF4I0YRdEmzGZIx1u0uZPkULJkHc8fXDq4EmK2ubyqLDQPsVZ4OWz4azYGCbBa9y3apTRNuDPHnSRKX6FBjUrtQBP0Ms8IRJYTBrNSYXPCYTXb22YmqhBqYaYat529YP-466KI/s400/BBBreadTinyHands.jpg" width="295px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go bananas!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-Tammy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">*Click<span style="color: #ea9999;"> </span><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/p/linky-parties.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">HERE</span></a> to see all the linky parties we participate in!*</span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-54146013455813709872011-09-18T22:12:00.001-06:002011-09-18T22:43:19.803-06:00{Ghostie BOO Garland}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimhrR6SXn8qeLzuMgT3ddb4ci7yaL6ic9HO2Mz1hyphenhypheniL7CUtJyNmqtuzkMV9jFAwbkMetBf2Z24HOubO5suqg4HyoiIam7GJEFx3xXnserVOJWiISaRbxaD9p0gQFYdgsfHruD6wv_pfk/s1600/ghostie+boo+garland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimhrR6SXn8qeLzuMgT3ddb4ci7yaL6ic9HO2Mz1hyphenhypheniL7CUtJyNmqtuzkMV9jFAwbkMetBf2Z24HOubO5suqg4HyoiIam7GJEFx3xXnserVOJWiISaRbxaD9p0gQFYdgsfHruD6wv_pfk/s640/ghostie+boo+garland.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a <span style="font-size: large;">quick</span> and easy-to-follow <span style="font-size: large;">photo tutorial</span> on how you can make your own </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: orange;">Ghostie Boo Garland</span>!</strong></span></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYXRPRhi8UFhZuT3vgz_jwOydRAWCJVtTVj7ABasDlCeDLUG6ADNGZR6CNuUUqLskLcWQESupR_BcWr6NZySGNfAXBiKiV6t4n4IEXujUFTvScal_zf9xe2BP49eF-u3ZMH8GInMFe24/s1600/ghostie+tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYXRPRhi8UFhZuT3vgz_jwOydRAWCJVtTVj7ABasDlCeDLUG6ADNGZR6CNuUUqLskLcWQESupR_BcWr6NZySGNfAXBiKiV6t4n4IEXujUFTvScal_zf9xe2BP49eF-u3ZMH8GInMFe24/s400/ghostie+tools.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Tissues</strong></span> (2 for each ghost, layered)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Cotton balls</strong></span> (4 for each ghost head)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Floss</strong> or <strong>white thread</strong></span> (to tie around neck)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Black marker</strong></span> (to make eyes)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Embroidery floss</strong></span> (to string ghosties onto)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Long needle</strong></span> (to poke through ghostie neck)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzS7pt_ytDlJ7aoLRr7O3tpuqPBgaKihRLfbbpNnhhL2bG8crHF4nuXpb5r1y9eNN5hSE-k_J87PhbM06JxnXtivcaFhBWTTDiJckmcpZzaFKPth6SE0k67knOTl5kA_qExsaPahGLCCg/s1600/strung+ghostie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzS7pt_ytDlJ7aoLRr7O3tpuqPBgaKihRLfbbpNnhhL2bG8crHF4nuXpb5r1y9eNN5hSE-k_J87PhbM06JxnXtivcaFhBWTTDiJckmcpZzaFKPth6SE0k67knOTl5kA_qExsaPahGLCCg/s400/strung+ghostie.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqwQPFbO5yC4Vk3mHGZ10YltY69-2rxsY71nABpVkc6EttuCSTjH4CZeu80BvDJC7fK5pXBoQiYldcfaCSEVy-aTROlqheB2u4qnqH-177rt9f9jD74FnwB8CM_FtVUaj_6HUFXu7Wl8/s1600/ghostie+circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqwQPFbO5yC4Vk3mHGZ10YltY69-2rxsY71nABpVkc6EttuCSTjH4CZeu80BvDJC7fK5pXBoQiYldcfaCSEVy-aTROlqheB2u4qnqH-177rt9f9jD74FnwB8CM_FtVUaj_6HUFXu7Wl8/s400/ghostie+circle.jpg" width="372px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once all of the <span style="font-size: large;">ghosties</span> are strung, you can make "BOO" <span style="font-size: large;">tags</span> to <span style="font-size: large;">hang</span> inbetween each one, or you can <span style="font-size: large;">leave it</span> just as it is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOz72OWtR4TdmAFfBYNVNW43fG5Jlpgjr3QH5acHK1xl2qJYxLz9EtH173s_6lGP1aj3QlVmbRZWa2_m1LPuSOiQeFmHmCyWcSNShaSD2slZHcmqK0AmRWQ30D3Xzy_VFPIGWZt9ugnc/s1600/black+boo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOz72OWtR4TdmAFfBYNVNW43fG5Jlpgjr3QH5acHK1xl2qJYxLz9EtH173s_6lGP1aj3QlVmbRZWa2_m1LPuSOiQeFmHmCyWcSNShaSD2slZHcmqK0AmRWQ30D3Xzy_VFPIGWZt9ugnc/s640/black+boo.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stamped the word "BOO" in <span style="font-size: large;">black ink</span> onto bright <span style="font-size: large;">orange</span> card stock.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cut a "V" shape at the bottom and used black chalk to <span style="font-size: large;">distress</span> the edges. I then <span style="font-size: large;">folded</span> the top of the card stock over the string and <span style="font-size: large;">stapled</span> the paper together, <span style="font-size: large;">close to the string</span>, to keep it in place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFUkQb6n8Xl752xfS0uhRjbxrRgATN4K2GfYnsmfIiYFLec6i-6-kgFdoQktYvbInxWnMncAsmSm1J0ZfHtwX_oVI2KW2ewae46FCfGw9AnxLNzFvyAdQBJfeto1lK2GaPmB7svlkYc0/s1600/side+garland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFUkQb6n8Xl752xfS0uhRjbxrRgATN4K2GfYnsmfIiYFLec6i-6-kgFdoQktYvbInxWnMncAsmSm1J0ZfHtwX_oVI2KW2ewae46FCfGw9AnxLNzFvyAdQBJfeto1lK2GaPmB7svlkYc0/s400/side+garland.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hang it</span> somewhere <span style="font-size: large;">spooky </span>and <span style="font-size: large;">awesome</span> and you're good to go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyvO4bQPCmVwHfY6znwVGUT0D2TZE4UmUilUl6T8JWgm6pIMLM1ujO8hmprclOSlPUTfnGATYKj8OyVjT5Qqk0s4TZ_DTpg6C4KWx7kE4N80uoA_JkFcRAHteKoISuNb2W1fn5OEnbu0/s1600/Garland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyvO4bQPCmVwHfY6znwVGUT0D2TZE4UmUilUl6T8JWgm6pIMLM1ujO8hmprclOSlPUTfnGATYKj8OyVjT5Qqk0s4TZ_DTpg6C4KWx7kE4N80uoA_JkFcRAHteKoISuNb2W1fn5OEnbu0/s640/Garland.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most importantly... <span style="font-size: large;">have fun</span>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Annie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">*Click <span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/p/linky-parties.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">HERE</span></a> </span>to see the linky parties we participate in!*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Also.... </span><a href="http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/2011/09/halloween-link-party-my-first-halloween.html"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Momnivore'sDilemma Halloween link party</span></a></span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-87976455365415263432011-09-14T07:00:00.001-06:002011-09-14T07:00:08.628-06:00{Halloween Printing with Fruits + Veggies}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q4X3nf7xLQYe7BWAQVj1x9PH6yrTekYSgO9A7MBH25GI1lU32_Mn9dH4GY4StuzHoDccT0zJZrVmT8Nu0DyWR4ptUrnV4j-unCA03BR8g8CvvVB8qbJ3TZQFgJfEFhone4weMfPPSEw/s1600/title+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="505px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q4X3nf7xLQYe7BWAQVj1x9PH6yrTekYSgO9A7MBH25GI1lU32_Mn9dH4GY4StuzHoDccT0zJZrVmT8Nu0DyWR4ptUrnV4j-unCA03BR8g8CvvVB8qbJ3TZQFgJfEFhone4weMfPPSEw/s640/title+2.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was cleaning out the fridge today, about to throw away some <span style="font-size: large;">carrots</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">apples</span> that didn't get eaten <span style="font-size: x-small;">(shh.. don't tell my mother!)</span> and I thought</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"<span style="color: orange;"><strong>Hey wait a minute, I can be crafty with these</strong></span>!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And... so can <span style="font-size: large;">you</span>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanXqB7ybge9Ayxeqsg9UrLVYlbZ_BW7H3XyLxdc0V9E79fyUSKIGy6XjMMFdemQ5gSn6mRHGkyDQa67GpbjYK0-samiGq_Qd7C3g1sC7v5syi5hdHUwXgibHwDQsK9IvKflvyY97S5xc/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanXqB7ybge9Ayxeqsg9UrLVYlbZ_BW7H3XyLxdc0V9E79fyUSKIGy6XjMMFdemQ5gSn6mRHGkyDQa67GpbjYK0-samiGq_Qd7C3g1sC7v5syi5hdHUwXgibHwDQsK9IvKflvyY97S5xc/s400/food.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All you and your little punkin's need to make some printed <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>Jack-o-Lantern's</strong></span> is an <span style="font-size: large;">apple</span>, a couple of <span style="font-size: large;">carrots</span> and some <span style="font-size: large;">craft paint</span>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut some shapes into <span style="font-size: large;">the thick end</span> of the carrot. I cut a <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">triangle</span> and a <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">rectangle</span>. The long carrot stem makes these "stamps" really <span style="font-size: large;">easy for small hands to hold</span> when stamping.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLODAp0gaO0H55PQeHSg7V4QlgNOcSfEfIV-nQ7nysUEBmYOsp033kJwHWN2UaJINQ7d9qj27qjnJKVhBcsp1NO2i-YDiVQ0P8cmy2CJjTH5aqpb2llAKBXJSBs7T2GJxNh-yTUP8Lyg/s1600/shapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLODAp0gaO0H55PQeHSg7V4QlgNOcSfEfIV-nQ7nysUEBmYOsp033kJwHWN2UaJINQ7d9qj27qjnJKVhBcsp1NO2i-YDiVQ0P8cmy2CJjTH5aqpb2llAKBXJSBs7T2GJxNh-yTUP8Lyg/s400/shapes.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slice</span> off one side of the apple. <span style="font-size: large;">Don't cut too closely to the core </span>or else your stamp will <span style="font-size: large;">look like an apple</span> instead of the <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">pumpkin shape</span> you are going for.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, take the apple slice you just cut off and cut it in half to make a <span style="font-size: large;">curved mouth</span>. You can keep it just how it is or make a few notch/cuts to make <span style="font-size: large;">teeth</span>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spread some <span style="font-size: large;">paint</span> out onto paper plates, grab some white paper and get stamping!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies-PD5xwaE5jKCHSWpj6yxVh_PTSMsEone9UuapPArhu-VuA1eQiFPtRhc_tdAvghja8bjZK0K5rdaDSaMp4-pnKNia5kJnaONdpQvXW2m6_JNAv3W7S3qk0lmHhhuLTktSmuiAS5XCI/s1600/Single+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies-PD5xwaE5jKCHSWpj6yxVh_PTSMsEone9UuapPArhu-VuA1eQiFPtRhc_tdAvghja8bjZK0K5rdaDSaMp4-pnKNia5kJnaONdpQvXW2m6_JNAv3W7S3qk0lmHhhuLTktSmuiAS5XCI/s1600/Single+face.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super-easy, super-fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you <span style="font-size: large;">cut out</span> each individual <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">pumpkin print</span> (once it's dry of course) you can string them onto a garland, or make them into a magnet or even gift tags to tie onto a loaf of <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">pumpkin chocolate-chip bread</span> for your neighbors (or to send directly to me... mmm).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Annie</span></div><div align="center"><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-141806422097946272011-09-12T06:00:00.001-06:002011-09-12T06:00:03.523-06:00{Plum-Perfect Cupcakes}<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5V4WcudjrkeMnRRUm3xeQaCWk87hNgJoLp9uBKIDlj24EFwHGQ-44tsa61HOFAMpjL8a1cih3YpNS9SAvJNb3s19NkuZhcFfu5ujPWVi8RVxH2-vGns5wEVpzUKpsLQuAN0wFeEJ8YA/s1600-h/IMG_4898-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="IMG_4898-1" border="0" height="461px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjJrZyyhSGT5ToBQtb7aws49D0O2MQw4Ic5Um4XKWNhp1qboig2UXagjRX8V_7QEEYrPgTvzzKItZXqI2YzdP_N5J7nfjKQS4IiS3fT7UGUAHDedjuBZufOomkKOoac9htSU9ud5oToQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4898-1" width="354px" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shared this recipe at <a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>Snips & Spice</strong></span></a> a little while back.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't made them yet.... do it! They are delicious!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>* <span style="color: #674ea7;">* </span>* <span style="color: #674ea7;">*</span> *</strong></span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been toying around with the idea of a plum cupcake for a while now, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and decided this was the perfect chance to experiment. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say that I think these turned out really tasty. They have a plumb-perfect blend of <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>sweetness</strong></span> {from the frosting} and <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>tartness</strong></span> {from the filling}.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ll need to plan ahead a little for this recipe…the plum sauce takes about 10 minutes to make and at least an hour to chill in the fridge before it is cool enough to use.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">{</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Plum Perfect Cupcakes</strong></span><span style="color: black;">}</span></span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1 white cake mix</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>3 fresh plums</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>8 oz cream cheese</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1 cube butter, room temp</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">3 Tbsp prepared plumsauce <span style="font-size: small;">(see below)</span></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1 tsp vanilla</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>7-8 cups powdered sugar (approx 2 lbs)</strong></span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, you will need to make your plumsauce filling. Cut fruit (with skin) from the pit of 3 fresh plums and process in a blender or food processor until the skins are chopped and blended in. Pour into small saucepan, and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the texture resembles that of applesauce.</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQAmlWZv15twxVLKoMwNBn5Ysp1JhHCY6rBroFp-uVwI7P5B4P7J2-zSuW6AzUHrqs17Ra0TOSNUahyphenhyphenvh_xl04413uiKDEdFZUwMYTxpeAxAmjOmEUNCfF1XD5Bq5OGiYK8ruiQkZTEE/s1600-h/IMG_4887%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4887" border="0" height="180px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaurnblT6_NEDCZGUK7K3kqavBVrwLphLLcDIFbO50GIKWmt1py4bVO4V23qnUctTqyyKUwwqwkh7QT1fScp2Dkoi5dQ2e1FDl_wlPQ3I1I0NjDJRsP0f68WtzUdB1PiCBoTm9s2rUcT0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4887" width="240px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour into separate bowl and refrigerate for one to two hours, until sauce is cool to the touch. To speed up the process, stir sauce a few times while it is cooling.</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7BrtjjxXb8dPXgLunFtlSyTYTKpJjED44x0NWJr6zfMsb6W_bV6Alf6vj2Uaxit66tn3OmufXUfKUfc4se-YZnEPQ6RoWTEYe0BF34LxB_EUHxMTcCmQ_7_W4SLUutTEzz4Ae4NtqgE/s1600-h/IMG_4889%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4889" border="0" height="284px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-mPyJ3YZ1OoENk5yphDyKlp4VpVlIQJXOkRcY75tUSdAY7dKQIByRlg9Ao9oiheVr1Hug2jNSx0zVeKya48EF7u-D5IWY4ctiDYY3R4J2AITY10zMj8MXSjPTKCWhnWKiqEjsnBzT8Y/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4889" width="369px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, preheat your oven and mix cake batter according to directions. Fill cupcake liners 1/2 full, and bake for about 15-17 minutes at 350. My mix made 30 cupcakes.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow cupcakes to cool.</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><u><strong>Reserve</strong> about 3 tablespoons of <strong>cooled</strong> plum sauce to <strong>add to your frosting</strong>.</u> </span></span></div><div align="center"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To fill cupcakes, pour remaining plum sauce into a pastry bag with a round tip, stick tip directly into the center of the cupcake, and squeeze a little sauce into each one.</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC3B_-dw9qcr3inBi_HADmWB3ph6GEnunqohM7o7YbA9zap5TvGu9OPWjdSihzR4iJyn6k9MgXlzQDZ7esw_n5wjtV9Yw_XHSw_XZryxatF9eEnsol5v6DGbASUn7wmTCfXPZpjjB0-Q/s1600-h/filled%252520cupcake%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="filled cupcake 1" border="0" height="155px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QeCBXRIdW9dN-XE6RmkE4k5zx53Hy3SBNHw6pYAusbiRWgtRFcAowE0jGHKZ46BEHqcolfhmNM7niVKnrtILfcbbx63AIeyoIuvgiOSqwU3JUt0CulIZSEVW3wZkhh-9BUjA4fXo90o/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="filled cupcake 1" width="148px" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iUVf6ISBHunQ1cqdZhpkP-h-4ZAAz3IBKpLZg_oTLmpVud1RvsmCF4Pw2BGtIk3hII_kOoFCoIg4_oKqIKaImO-POKNp5rle12J7AMOuemTyRug1s0agSAbcvw6j90n3lXmPO-x0H1I/s1600-h/IMG_4904%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4904" border="0" height="360px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfJFNefzU1cCSZZkv8U9yGhLdLBRzQDIpWdt2Cd3b_ny1vcOePhvhDgcdaBvZrrvb6c015pqI8XpYzbtqnwQpiym2nQ4jlBuv3H7drddsZMf4cXxtdSiiKi8aU21kGvwpuBDmKJTE754/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4904" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once filled, your cupcakes are ready for frosting. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This recipe makes a large amount of frosting, because I like to swirl big heaps of it onto my cupcakes. Feel free to halve the recipe if you don’t want as much on yours.</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">{<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Frosting</strong></span>}</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix cream cheese, butter, 3 Tbsp plumsauce, and vanilla with hand mixer until well-blended. Slowly add powdered sugar one cup at a time until thick enough to pipe and hold up.</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-Js3e5anX5kcoKcmo67F0bd9T3jVRYUBVSXFTG06Gv_RlxtZCcZ17hIgAm8hJZwvst4A_YLZ8UlUcwTKMPYZbqacd7WuK8-0TaFeIrxyzrPXmHvjwV26suLM6Gacu3Z3CVsJUh3ZL3M/s1600-h/IMG_4898-1%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4898-1" border="0" height="381px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn2VJiaxTXRtbZHYuA42fFCDiLNx3sVT4kT2RHnpgUCWqgmSHgsDzk3l29_tm4K4zg0lIDLCuEUn6Pb6BHP_p43_Tm5mQJF4B0pJjYoKY2PBLlqUaEmUlArV40go4nKNyy1d3l6-pKeI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4898-1" width="292px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frost, Decorate, and Enjoy! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Tammy</span></div><br />
<div align="center"><img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-49081486470127380922011-09-09T06:00:00.008-06:002011-09-09T06:00:12.862-06:00{Lavender Linen Spray}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="246px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rJlg8AbN_3H0Jl3xevBtlfWAEN_AlCm_RjR8C2Om1pQd15UsYYSFLya8_mhyphenhyphenf2RTKjcZEza6_IiTN69Y-mceGqcLELJ9-b3860VEtmFbhju7JN4QIk8M6fjffR0MZwXiQFjfCwZGSjQ/s320/Lavender+Spray+Tag.jpg" width="320px" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know you can <span style="font-size: large;">make your own linen spray</span> at the cost of pennies? It's really easy, too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">This spray is very versatile. I use it to <span style="font-size: large;">freshen up carpet</span>, <span style="font-size: large;">couches</span>, even the <span style="font-size: large;">air</span>. A few spritzes in a room really liven up the place! A light spray of</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">lavend</span><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">er</span></span> </span><span style="color: black;">helps anything smell <span style="font-size: large;">fresh</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">relaxing</span>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I even make an <span style="font-size: large;">alcohol-free batch</span> and use it to tame my daughter's <span style="font-size: large;">super-curly hair</span> in the morning. She gets a big smile on her face when she smells the lovely scent :) And the <span style="font-size: large;">natural oil</span> helps keep her hair <span style="font-size: large;">hydrated</span> in our dry climate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>What you'll need:</strong></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>A spray bottle</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1 1/2 cups water</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1 tbsp rubbing alcohol</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>100% pure essential lavender oil<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">*</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: small;"><strong>(*found at health food stores)</strong></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boil water in a small pan for about 10 minutes to rid of any impurities. Cool to room temperature, and add alcohol and 20-50 drops of essential oil, depending on how strong you want your spray to be scented. I keep it at 20 drops. Stir to mix; use a funnel to fill spray bottle.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYuRHinI3aZv5E_PAS1Eb8HIz-8Eni8RQAkbquIDaPQO1Pd9jIZJZopmAz84RsHztNiGLJ1VwM8WDn1lGkFDbkaNuywT1_QmLiNGuey9PLsIWbOQxoJ8bUsrSdblUxuK8zQXxZPsIVdI/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYuRHinI3aZv5E_PAS1Eb8HIz-8Eni8RQAkbquIDaPQO1Pd9jIZJZopmAz84RsHztNiGLJ1VwM8WDn1lGkFDbkaNuywT1_QmLiNGuey9PLsIWbOQxoJ8bUsrSdblUxuK8zQXxZPsIVdI/s320/IMG_4923.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can be creative with your scents...you can mix 2 different oils to get a unique flavor. One day I'm going to do Sandalwood and Vanilla. Mmmmmm....</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I like to <span style="font-size: large;">make a large batch</span> of this spray each time and<span style="font-size: large;"> fill several bottles at once</span>. The oils are a little pricey...my tiny bottle was $12. <strong>But it goes a LONG way</strong>. I've made several batches and have hardly made a dent. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">Add a <span style="font-size: large;">cute tag</span> and you have a thoughtful</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">hoste</span><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">ss</span></span> <span style="color: black;">or </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">housewarming gift</span>.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67u3MQdRoWqhE4PKLo4-L1Jid1HuNNW3Ph9cHeuSuSJID0UHSQM3GVyt0C86Ribq_uaNTfaS5TmFBuWM3t3XlDEvS4mKKx1502_XHoQ4YMaMZ9dM7XrkRiN_r9Z4jCwqTn-3UXgNS0U4/s1600/IMG_4914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67u3MQdRoWqhE4PKLo4-L1Jid1HuNNW3Ph9cHeuSuSJID0UHSQM3GVyt0C86Ribq_uaNTfaS5TmFBuWM3t3XlDEvS4mKKx1502_XHoQ4YMaMZ9dM7XrkRiN_r9Z4jCwqTn-3UXgNS0U4/s320/IMG_4914.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what's typed on the back of my tag (click to view larger and to save/print if you'd like):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeWu0AxPTOqwd4teDBWyx-sZgpI1TyfX2tkgx_buuxNK0IvXRsmNEM-YOtiPi-LpeZo6QSr9lQrCaAhluOmNAA3NpPXuDwXmjD5h4PRdB3OSSadnqQUIBk0eok6xEwoDIzcOOdZL15TI/s1600/lavender+tags+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeWu0AxPTOqwd4teDBWyx-sZgpI1TyfX2tkgx_buuxNK0IvXRsmNEM-YOtiPi-LpeZo6QSr9lQrCaAhluOmNAA3NpPXuDwXmjD5h4PRdB3OSSadnqQUIBk0eok6xEwoDIzcOOdZL15TI/s400/lavender+tags+back.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-85777823323385636212011-09-05T10:03:00.001-06:002011-09-05T14:34:05.991-06:00{Spooky Party Treats}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UrEZdArkuhSwCYl918cZnZjmn9IE2Vfyhs5m8ehUz_shNVhXtEhgRnBnds_Iu1qmjY1-ISB5rzyrz3dh_6hYhx592X3Tjg4blTTMXwmrqZ0o72jBiXQ3AdOrZ6Kw0fr9N0psLgRtzcM/s1600/1+Spooky+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UrEZdArkuhSwCYl918cZnZjmn9IE2Vfyhs5m8ehUz_shNVhXtEhgRnBnds_Iu1qmjY1-ISB5rzyrz3dh_6hYhx592X3Tjg4blTTMXwmrqZ0o72jBiXQ3AdOrZ6Kw0fr9N0psLgRtzcM/s640/1+Spooky+title.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halloween is coming! Hooray! It is my favorite holiday. I love being <strong>spooked</strong>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Tammy's and my birthday are right around Halloween so we would always have combined Halloween costume birthday parties when we were young. They were the best! That might be why Halloween holds such a fun place in our hearts (thanks Mom!).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a tutorial on how you can make your own simple <strong>Halloween party favors</strong>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gather your paper crafting supplies and a few plastic party favor boxes and get to work!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelE2JguYTsVbrsucHZocXjLYj1E6E_w5K5t93JmpVdYyka5ecoNJLfOhqmJk3dUMoBWhrwBmF7CQm0Ez_sMkphTXimSwB5FgwbtRusT5YdBu2Y5hKD__w92lUSmvAgS2DHbXL8C7_D5Q/s1600/2+supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelE2JguYTsVbrsucHZocXjLYj1E6E_w5K5t93JmpVdYyka5ecoNJLfOhqmJk3dUMoBWhrwBmF7CQm0Ez_sMkphTXimSwB5FgwbtRusT5YdBu2Y5hKD__w92lUSmvAgS2DHbXL8C7_D5Q/s400/2+supplies.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the cute Halloween creature head stamps at JoAnn's in the dollar section. Score!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GS876e9IRFPYowTKxDBfv5GjKc3ZWsE3taudNWpkmoaHq3_6oHoMa2CsH3UYXFhl6ZJc1yirq41xPAOpCICHQsumuPnPxLZMN0T9WwExENKR_L1jWOZGnYQejAYJAWTpam7Hw_49r5o/s1600/3+assembly+bits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GS876e9IRFPYowTKxDBfv5GjKc3ZWsE3taudNWpkmoaHq3_6oHoMa2CsH3UYXFhl6ZJc1yirq41xPAOpCICHQsumuPnPxLZMN0T9WwExENKR_L1jWOZGnYQejAYJAWTpam7Hw_49r5o/s400/3+assembly+bits.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wrap the main paper around your favor box to determine the size you will need.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51C2m9Pdne6GAEIoU2Hipyq83PW9_iqiNKhnI3c93AYk9aLSgikBkycVqFesZ9Beej2qvx4SrTpHvdOR2aMqoryBGqZ5Df7HMvrPWqSn1Qb3QC-zpSN4KLPr4tMHZGOgwag9J6hosRqE/s1600/4+stacked+clear+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51C2m9Pdne6GAEIoU2Hipyq83PW9_iqiNKhnI3c93AYk9aLSgikBkycVqFesZ9Beej2qvx4SrTpHvdOR2aMqoryBGqZ5Df7HMvrPWqSn1Qb3QC-zpSN4KLPr4tMHZGOgwag9J6hosRqE/s320/4+stacked+clear+boxes.jpg" width="232px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These boxes are 2" x 2" x 1". They came in a 3-pack and were found in the party section at Dollar Tree. Snip off the ugly, smashed bow that they come wrapped in and fill them with the candy of your choice (individually wrapped candy is best, as the insides of the boxes might not be clean).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJwxPOQPQXOc39-ZuIdOcGSx7tktuXqJHELQmSuTfiG4k4f8RZHhgu6ORdH7u2Ksbg-EZYSh38Jd9JeMG9EUIBvmlqYqaxnDZ8wcocg2YskrqQc5knsYXi2AgPWvDs1c8GP98fztOXwg/s1600/6+stacked+boxes+filled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJwxPOQPQXOc39-ZuIdOcGSx7tktuXqJHELQmSuTfiG4k4f8RZHhgu6ORdH7u2Ksbg-EZYSh38Jd9JeMG9EUIBvmlqYqaxnDZ8wcocg2YskrqQc5knsYXi2AgPWvDs1c8GP98fztOXwg/s320/6+stacked+boxes+filled.jpg" width="262px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I chose butterscotch hard candies because I'm secretly a 90 year old grandma. Just kidding. I love me some butterscotch!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKurF3Se-xo_0m37aHol7L3pMh6FpIEuTTD4AQpvAHTn-_EVj9QQobOMX8iYjeEwJZy9YQsPTV391EqCPn02SjIZ4NXZPP3y5Wj3eMlwJWclEGR9XUQ8_XMLLK7k66D-lIBZzMNE60tQ/s1600/5+finished+wrappers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKurF3Se-xo_0m37aHol7L3pMh6FpIEuTTD4AQpvAHTn-_EVj9QQobOMX8iYjeEwJZy9YQsPTV391EqCPn02SjIZ4NXZPP3y5Wj3eMlwJWclEGR9XUQ8_XMLLK7k66D-lIBZzMNE60tQ/s400/5+finished+wrappers.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assemble all of your box wrappers and admire your awesome work... <strong>holy Halloween cuteness</strong>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0UtzoxVSRjrdbREWoUgwCddPdXZ0K_J8wKMhIFQyaxCxsJFcbR-BB5DCsMknWVSmfVjBRpNnzIBnujDYxhm9_nKUE-nEDO5T1taEq4B13aU-qh0hxTIRb-sLCRzRJb_g6Pq0p9VnOp8/s1600/7+stacked+spooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0UtzoxVSRjrdbREWoUgwCddPdXZ0K_J8wKMhIFQyaxCxsJFcbR-BB5DCsMknWVSmfVjBRpNnzIBnujDYxhm9_nKUE-nEDO5T1taEq4B13aU-qh0hxTIRb-sLCRzRJb_g6Pq0p9VnOp8/s400/7+stacked+spooks.jpg" width="263px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wrap them around the boxes and secure them in back with a little tape.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now hand them out at your <strong>Halloween party</strong>, give them to <strong>neighbors</strong> or take them to <strong>school</strong> to share with all of your best Halloween buddies!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ndNL8kiohOVLLUHxlfG5WaEvLSYGCGFlnwanveH2UgTF1GY2H-RVWvdJm6Fiq9DJCDdESMppxtqWhBcQHIURe2NVt3KS1TAK1CFP8i4LgwD0Yxo7dfu8I1Rslm84KsHG0WJcWezvfvM/s1600/8+filled+pyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="513px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ndNL8kiohOVLLUHxlfG5WaEvLSYGCGFlnwanveH2UgTF1GY2H-RVWvdJm6Fiq9DJCDdESMppxtqWhBcQHIURe2NVt3KS1TAK1CFP8i4LgwD0Yxo7dfu8I1Rslm84KsHG0WJcWezvfvM/s640/8+filled+pyramid.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Boo!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Annie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-55117750841320682662011-09-02T13:18:00.000-06:002011-09-02T13:18:48.008-06:00{Oven Taco Fries}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmciC0f1JZIZSyNAMfAwul6zlxXvwCb-chc01ttxs70Y0WJ4F_2hjVrU77tl593szRoIfqZisFXd_wt2w2gUmeh2ErEBhyJ_FVWaRQ5rRypsaajxM3r_G4OKcWI_6bfd4Y12uCCRwY8kw/s1600/1+oven+taco+fries+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmciC0f1JZIZSyNAMfAwul6zlxXvwCb-chc01ttxs70Y0WJ4F_2hjVrU77tl593szRoIfqZisFXd_wt2w2gUmeh2ErEBhyJ_FVWaRQ5rRypsaajxM3r_G4OKcWI_6bfd4Y12uCCRwY8kw/s640/1+oven+taco+fries+title.jpg" width="640px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've got another delicious recipe to share with you today. Don't worry, some craftiness is just around the corner....</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These oven taco fries are super simple to make and they taste great!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Lot's of step-by-step photos to come... as a visual learner myself, I thought it might be helpful)</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>* * * * *</strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 1:</em></strong> Preheat oven to 475*</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 2:</em></strong> Grab some potatoes</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCknlpNiKDfyOGdP56Brj1bqURq6pP6PW1tUmYtnaQHHTSc8Adg6aky1PjOjJAfKvxWNpB-3JIqNxDpvZecsTLOO6M6tv5iGc_b7DUpErSLIShMcvVD6FuWyS1QR-tWNihyWATlod-XEA/s1600/2+raw+potatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCknlpNiKDfyOGdP56Brj1bqURq6pP6PW1tUmYtnaQHHTSc8Adg6aky1PjOjJAfKvxWNpB-3JIqNxDpvZecsTLOO6M6tv5iGc_b7DUpErSLIShMcvVD6FuWyS1QR-tWNihyWATlod-XEA/s320/2+raw+potatoes.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These taste best with the skin left on, so be sure to wash and scrub the potatoes well to remove all of the dirt.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 3:</em></strong> Cut the potatoes into thin, even slices. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to keep them all the same thickness so they all cook in the same amount of time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you like your fries crispy (who doesn't), cut them fairly thin.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8W3vGebCwnO6xUT54nPpTzCDtSiBzLl7ST2oLYXJUuvqvDT5xeY1NEJmCLDOsKg_bvEh3TcZbKVdX7bmbzYisrN75p4rKPpgj3faL4nbd12VFHS4TdgWaqh547YiibYtFYdgwyq0e-w/s1600/3+potatoes+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8W3vGebCwnO6xUT54nPpTzCDtSiBzLl7ST2oLYXJUuvqvDT5xeY1NEJmCLDOsKg_bvEh3TcZbKVdX7bmbzYisrN75p4rKPpgj3faL4nbd12VFHS4TdgWaqh547YiibYtFYdgwyq0e-w/s320/3+potatoes+in+water.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 4:</em></strong> Place the cut potato slices into a bowl of hot water and let them soak for 10 minutes or so. This will remove some of the extra starch that prevents them from getting crispy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 5:</em></strong> While the potato slices are soaking, take a few minutes to make some cute paper pouches to serve them in! (Pouch how-to below)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 6:</em></strong> Remove the soaked potatoes from the water and pat them dry with paper towels. You want to get all of the water off so that the oil and taco seasoning will stick well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIujXgG7r_aZpLiWRWxfwOfjD6UkMmGgFIoxhwv-v71DPi99Lp-nqGuOThia8I3dfh-rS8o-WCHnWgVTriQKSeFB-ErA0Bi5GKfpMhT46BlzGYhcECXNalf_gZAx1buiFiWIeZE_EMVM/s1600/4+fry+slices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIujXgG7r_aZpLiWRWxfwOfjD6UkMmGgFIoxhwv-v71DPi99Lp-nqGuOThia8I3dfh-rS8o-WCHnWgVTriQKSeFB-ErA0Bi5GKfpMhT46BlzGYhcECXNalf_gZAx1buiFiWIeZE_EMVM/s320/4+fry+slices.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>Step 7:</strong></em> Place the potatoes back into the bowl and mist them with some Pam olive oil spray. Open a packet of taco seasoning and sprinkle half the packet over the potatoes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stir all around to ensure that all slices are covered in taco seasoning yumminess.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpN8X_SrPca4ZKI0O3Ye2rXEQBDDywt75XUapxMvSoepR2oISE4BFHFX51fu43UoYJV3gfSk6Ia6ORhab0LJEwkI8twHKyMoWstWapR-p1GIqW0iGIUESOUkFt0f0XNRe6f2LHHhDbK8/s1600/5+taco+%252B+pam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpN8X_SrPca4ZKI0O3Ye2rXEQBDDywt75XUapxMvSoepR2oISE4BFHFX51fu43UoYJV3gfSk6Ia6ORhab0LJEwkI8twHKyMoWstWapR-p1GIqW0iGIUESOUkFt0f0XNRe6f2LHHhDbK8/s320/5+taco+%252B+pam.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgv_dWjlvA36xXgKAoLHRL0phGmToDJjGck7X2tpRVuo9Kdch1Etl3Wafu__aDaV-Z1ElfP1a-N7vVfvQ36rQA_Lj00dkZZtG9uzwSPyhKrflbY1Q7SJxKKPEaTiWuYwz6JuTRZ6pptE/s1600/6+seasoned+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgv_dWjlvA36xXgKAoLHRL0phGmToDJjGck7X2tpRVuo9Kdch1Etl3Wafu__aDaV-Z1ElfP1a-N7vVfvQ36rQA_Lj00dkZZtG9uzwSPyhKrflbY1Q7SJxKKPEaTiWuYwz6JuTRZ6pptE/s320/6+seasoned+bowl.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 8:</em></strong> Place the potato slices onto a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. They can be touching, but if they are not in a single layer, they won't all get crispy (and that will make you sad).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OZnm2JsC0iQF0UAwPUIFnBLMoGmmszi6JEBuzGOudg0G3Wi2KNXw9paoXOhucckU_2Kvvxa31bKh0g-H2VLnu8RU7zMRcILPGp0K4K6Qza3QESWFkCkWS5dD1gqAaohmB-BQqWVsoqw/s1600/7+foil+pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OZnm2JsC0iQF0UAwPUIFnBLMoGmmszi6JEBuzGOudg0G3Wi2KNXw9paoXOhucckU_2Kvvxa31bKh0g-H2VLnu8RU7zMRcILPGp0K4K6Qza3QESWFkCkWS5dD1gqAaohmB-BQqWVsoqw/s320/7+foil+pan.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Step 9:</em></strong> Time to cook! Pop the sheet into the oven and set the timer for 10 minutes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The total baking time will be approximately <strong>35-50</strong> minutes, depending on how thick or thin your slices are.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trick to getting them crispy is to <strong>turn the slices after each 10 minutes of cooking</strong>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the potatoes are fully cooked, you can also place them under the broiler for a minute or two to finalize the crispiness -- just be sure to watch them constantly so they don't burn.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once they are finished, take them out of the oven and serve immediately while they are hot and delicious!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>* * * * *</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsouNL784uFLDB3bCsfyLhz039wa1YD3wI8GYosvAp0rDHzXVJtMxqjADMBXiopPoYOAf8I5-4JlPrmzbjnYScrGKuN4xCVK20MDEhlpDrK3RlVBPZAE5nkTUTKL1P9yT18laksvJ1qKM/s1600/8+packet+tute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsouNL784uFLDB3bCsfyLhz039wa1YD3wI8GYosvAp0rDHzXVJtMxqjADMBXiopPoYOAf8I5-4JlPrmzbjnYScrGKuN4xCVK20MDEhlpDrK3RlVBPZAE5nkTUTKL1P9yT18laksvJ1qKM/s400/8+packet+tute.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Supplies needed:</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parchment paper</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scrap paper</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pencil</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scissors</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsDsCnNJxVNcLhWiJQumo2w6U9kUlVypzHFK2geZdEkvINahyQumoRYinmIy3lo64mMHk6b1DNzMWfqPr0Fmvu1mxNt-v-q2KK1OMn3JGCW9paWNojLxYz0I_MsdchOaX9pHsCrpY8kE/s1600/9+parchment+template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsDsCnNJxVNcLhWiJQumo2w6U9kUlVypzHFK2geZdEkvINahyQumoRYinmIy3lo64mMHk6b1DNzMWfqPr0Fmvu1mxNt-v-q2KK1OMn3JGCW9paWNojLxYz0I_MsdchOaX9pHsCrpY8kE/s400/9+parchment+template.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make a template with the scrap paper. Cut it into an 8.5 in x 8.5 in square.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trace this square onto the parchment paper then cut it out. When cutting the parchment, be sure to cut just inside the pencil line so you don't get any pencil lead on your food. Gross.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, proceed as follows:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyghMkIym2pkHITNFUXpcjc9Xl3eMEDxx73KGikbnTWzenJ9eFB6rhxvM_nRX6TEHldwk68bbGcq0mP-RPziNSMmhdsHqxQ4luBXtnDOZ1LGVcHA89FOdACyT8xkGYcWALjaaUP1b62e8/s1600/10+triangle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyghMkIym2pkHITNFUXpcjc9Xl3eMEDxx73KGikbnTWzenJ9eFB6rhxvM_nRX6TEHldwk68bbGcq0mP-RPziNSMmhdsHqxQ4luBXtnDOZ1LGVcHA89FOdACyT8xkGYcWALjaaUP1b62e8/s400/10+triangle.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu510OXTuB1I3TWqGhDyx3e8ZU6oUIvF-E-dZm2efQC0dUhfmBnmJ8dwScpNwPAivFxyhRBuj3W-WJEOw_YsHQn_zS-31Y7ux9baewPVDZde2fMDdbh9ejbcP1NgtXkmwKBOiSk_ETr0c/s1600/11+right+fold+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu510OXTuB1I3TWqGhDyx3e8ZU6oUIvF-E-dZm2efQC0dUhfmBnmJ8dwScpNwPAivFxyhRBuj3W-WJEOw_YsHQn_zS-31Y7ux9baewPVDZde2fMDdbh9ejbcP1NgtXkmwKBOiSk_ETr0c/s400/11+right+fold+1.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx67VnYV3j3d6E6tCPursL_Kl1Excv2BLmoTXQnC2lcg67TKCjC8duAwXLM_YbBTEEOfpLRu8w7fiaHEAEr5rIIBv-1M1jRLTYm1BxKPXptPtSIUomcLBPaZyxA47LCss-_Q7AQbmH3Q/s1600/12+Left+side+fold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx67VnYV3j3d6E6tCPursL_Kl1Excv2BLmoTXQnC2lcg67TKCjC8duAwXLM_YbBTEEOfpLRu8w7fiaHEAEr5rIIBv-1M1jRLTYm1BxKPXptPtSIUomcLBPaZyxA47LCss-_Q7AQbmH3Q/s400/12+Left+side+fold.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFLcQMlj3sZphzDyZC2bFmKhwynOFox-zVLSRp-9q3e2HcDSffC1u59JYt5q3tu4QB01idC_ZCJzeLmeed8Z2qEe8uHkdw3htiNfU7RQJq9BW6tdrjpQm1SppqPFXo2EKRuIx0zzm6m8/s1600/13+top+fold+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFLcQMlj3sZphzDyZC2bFmKhwynOFox-zVLSRp-9q3e2HcDSffC1u59JYt5q3tu4QB01idC_ZCJzeLmeed8Z2qEe8uHkdw3htiNfU7RQJq9BW6tdrjpQm1SppqPFXo2EKRuIx0zzm6m8/s400/13+top+fold+down.jpg" width="390px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAbVks4n1z1PT30lamWcelRUq3sE-SoDqgXQT_Wxy0ZSZjh6B8AhvL2bv_dAZmek_P5p_FBdDo8gD6v4OxEWMzLOjkXIPi4pZHAxowSh5GTZl6gun2Jth9_TN5BagJysJnQXSxKygCX8/s1600/14+final+pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAbVks4n1z1PT30lamWcelRUq3sE-SoDqgXQT_Wxy0ZSZjh6B8AhvL2bv_dAZmek_P5p_FBdDo8gD6v4OxEWMzLOjkXIPi4pZHAxowSh5GTZl6gun2Jth9_TN5BagJysJnQXSxKygCX8/s400/14+final+pouch.jpg" width="337px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2525u71YQemv7Wax3eHKRyu3ocg5zclGi5jzHDcCxbPQYYr9oeK5-QdKt-UfHbuTxxJZUa-p976ZUZBdFzdOCbwTdO1soRG_THlgwhBctwCLWB7QR9qDFuMilDRPBhweEAOarfL6akc/s1600/15+2+finished+pouches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2525u71YQemv7Wax3eHKRyu3ocg5zclGi5jzHDcCxbPQYYr9oeK5-QdKt-UfHbuTxxJZUa-p976ZUZBdFzdOCbwTdO1soRG_THlgwhBctwCLWB7QR9qDFuMilDRPBhweEAOarfL6akc/s400/15+2+finished+pouches.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then make as many as you need. Fill each pouch with the baked, crispy taco fries and eat 'em up!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGwy50K3GZV8LKXU2tp0pEuAnDrKQdOG9cZJb41rXKcO2xTtdTRLD2ee_TiJfTHLVTPxfv1hWzJZphhUbp4A_UiAccGbUQMyujytyESNrtQxbE_I8cvQwYVRsiLGCP6PDdlH7AFsw_9A/s1600/16+end+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGwy50K3GZV8LKXU2tp0pEuAnDrKQdOG9cZJb41rXKcO2xTtdTRLD2ee_TiJfTHLVTPxfv1hWzJZphhUbp4A_UiAccGbUQMyujytyESNrtQxbE_I8cvQwYVRsiLGCP6PDdlH7AFsw_9A/s640/16+end+plate.jpg" width="640px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yum.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-<span style="color: #666666;">Annie</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">*Check the sidebar or top page to see the linky parties we participate in*</span></div><br />
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{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-10780701479077628212011-08-31T07:00:00.001-06:002011-08-31T07:00:09.091-06:00{Strawberry Cookie Bars}<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYSoqRuoJvJ3aGCQjO4w9Eu43ArxEN_pWXKaA1xVqk-gN1IzzbOCIwvmYYt9lqbYQTZYdYrlYNT6w-MMqrbMMB8PXfCdpX-SdyPCfQQ56oxqPMbWHo0J0JVIohju3KESmd2T3JO4luOo/s1600-h/IMG_4849%252520main%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4849 main" border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToysfWME8E4kqnKR3uvwsZkQKQ5ywCUtF6rMRBdesb-Psg5c8c35BgM5nn3vanmPS-28aZI7JUJFU9sN4xXIPnSpIwcEI9Cx065OYdrI7OGRBaqe7LJRaXcxjR9i28tTl4oRnfmjao14/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4849 main" width="457" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I see fresh <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">strawberries</span> at the grocery store in the spring, these bars are the first thing I think of. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then I make them <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">all summer long</span> until the prices of berries go up and the quality goes down. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My friend Liz gave me this recipe a few years ago, and it quickly became one of my favorite treats. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These bars are different from anything I’ve ever eaten. The texture is amazing, and the mixture of flavors is divine! Every time I take them somewhere, people ask me for the recipe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And no one can believe it when they find out how <span style="font-size: x-large;">easy and quick</span> they are.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">{</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Strawberry Cookie Bars</span><span style="color: black;">}</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 large tube refrigerated cookie dough*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 oz. cream cheese</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/3 cup sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 T cocoa</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 cups Cool Whip</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 cups sliced strawberries</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">1 cup chocolate chips (mini are best!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<em>Now listen up, friends…I’m not usually one to use store-bought dough, for any reason. But I’ve tried this recipe with homemade cookie dough and it wasn’t as good! Trust me on this</em> <em>one and just</em> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">fork out the dough for this dough<strong>:</strong></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA07EZvBN0Uq1P_gGVuKyPHc9HP_IwB9GDLBggG4ebzUA_DPuJXF1exWSY7-SbWwiIfYByzs7yPAmOfg3Ow92kOTSvpTCleEg_SYyW7c55SeFSyr23K34aQ0uhMy65LeTKaQuo3poDHE0/s1600-h/file_34_107%25255B4%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="file_34_107" border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMvwKSxvnuhL-zgyW-LwTKIg1rzld24ThcmtAl01nOTglR7jl3a3AiGf4nwuNI6Pgr57ZLPt2XmMdzUnvv2RrzyLeMpTKHU5pnT7tNG7Uzg6w9zQqoEx6ySgzCjBlG9-Ev-tPK162hSU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="file_34_107" width="231" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 350. Spread the cookie dough evenly onto a cookie sheet. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>{<span style="color: #cc0000;">Note: If you use a big cookie sheet, you will end up with bars that are firm enough to hold in your hand. If you use a smaller one, you will have a softer bar that is more messy. </span></em></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: #cc0000;">Both ways are delicious…it just depends on what you’re going for</span>.}</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcbSP-YvazjTi5Jqzk_T3KXGmjq2gr7_Zyz8DvMRzVBU1Cj32aIhWTndSvGkOVkwVlSypXcel087qZsLk6BS4Jtgxg_LTDivN48zKGSJCVlnbsEOPbPUuV1qluJ0CmNtSzwJ2yA7JY_Q/s1600-h/IMG_4838%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_4838" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlLV-WMg2hyphenhyphenvd4XZf452sUt5UM8iecu9gtOdTt6iNOh1egQ0naGBeRjNCxc-LSaj6xmY6MIiuJwyjZVWEW5KdbcuwKjrraaggwSo5XQyKNxVOPKsafYeEmxSkbVl2htkcyQpR1qy8kKs/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4838" width="340" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bake cookie dough for 15 minutes. Let cool completely.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mix cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa and beat until smooth. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stir in Cool Whip. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spread mixture evenly on top of cooled cookie layer. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Top with sliced strawberries and mini chocolate chips </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{<em><span style="color: #cc0000;">I never measure these…I just sprinkle until it looks just right</span></em>}.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Refrigerate until serving.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4ffxwt6aV6ltnQ03UPE-sx03z3RDnUgxbhVI6eL7l98H9GVrq0ljXII3xqMQZ1O6ETAzSSO3KooGV3ZUpoEibRAJcn1st8FRb9FA1f4dW5zi4K7ivLehkLA0L8FT2jEHK342dEQ9zdw/s1600-h/IMG_4848%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_4848" border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BzLr-Rp7BLXtRGOO5zkZEek-86Z8tXHkiXmKaxSt6TpwiOWV51EjBjhfvC073RuJYtYKhlfbzHctBku5gJ1Vo81ZDFQ5lAOxJNzbf0OyfwR4a7kdfK9B8bt28KqDja8Xw3YOCg-77mM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4848" width="349" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">Strawberries</span>, <span style="color: black;">cream cheese, and</span> <span style="color: #7f6000;">chocolate</span><span style="color: black;">…</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;"><em>OH, MY!</em></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3sAoGgy6x5SoJCmJQRyw-qWyOFAUwUvzrhwnCcPAUgUSpKAZbULvaZvYjXn0K2KvbkOIpyEb1AONcoTP9yC-RDLfJ9Uf75tq_UTz6CqaQ7WybppS5pKivs-j5dE34unwMOFUa-cr5H4/s1600-h/IMG_4849%252520main%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_4849 main" border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oLV-Z0q6fQkkh_XiKtuzoJ6KqiL8-_FdArNEWdin5m9K-uQetuX6h984aWwCmFZY-NhsIdBtnwLcvpC7oxIeymayISMfX7PwGD1e0c6JCtQjhYdzsfYlBpeu64AYQMGWtPI9-1vPY1Y/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4849 main" width="457" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">--Tammy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Click <a href="http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/p/linky-parties.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">HERE</span></a> to see the lovely linky parties we participate in!*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" /></span></div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-16450784651805288432011-08-29T09:00:00.002-06:002011-08-29T15:10:16.225-06:00{We're Guests at Snips & Spice!}<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're guest posting at <span id="goog_1557709918"></span></span></span></span><a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Snips & Spice<span id="goog_1557709919"></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> today!</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="165px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVYDVrVtWX-WRfMREsRT3AJ8byV4XV5_kfhyphenhyphenhk_ICEd687gk8v9HfNDUD8OwVw5Wk0Qz4YqDPLCR7fCoGKQtvUhAo21Q6r1dQp8QjLXuIxj68EKVi1NfUz8wUGl5jibQELLjzfFDmZ78/s200/ImCelebratingCupcakeMonthButton2.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a little preview of what we're sharing in celebration of Cupcake Month:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNM4QWrrEG85tyzL0UcZAvqGWPH9OFgG-mgM4f5izYnLjQP2GSCDvkqqLwD66GKMHfSy3eiRFWV2DBDAyDiuuhIDjq6mTidBwVuJH3CBvV4JEBc44iMhnLIxq2zr1dw3HJTfSvtpLWiE/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNM4QWrrEG85tyzL0UcZAvqGWPH9OFgG-mgM4f5izYnLjQP2GSCDvkqqLwD66GKMHfSy3eiRFWV2DBDAyDiuuhIDjq6mTidBwVuJH3CBvV4JEBc44iMhnLIxq2zr1dw3HJTfSvtpLWiE/s200/cupcake.jpg" width="153px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stop on over to see all the fun cupcakes, and while you're there...</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> be sure to check out Malory's <span style="font-size: large;"><em>amazing skillz</em></span>. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've been friends for years, and I can say first-hand that she bakes, sews, knits, crafts, and quilts like a professional. She's a perfectionist...big time...and it shows!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and guess what? She made her own wedding cake. For reals!</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Tammy</span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /><br />
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</div>{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2211667662314130418.post-19096873354734371932011-08-26T08:00:00.000-06:002011-08-26T08:00:02.034-06:00{Our Favorite Meatloaf Recipe}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBKGEHXhM_YXdlUyyGgS8E2SYUljw1qiGUr6-mjW7lsm-Y6K9GVf05vYZH8MkBkjQRIYY8Tcf75M8C89TzwlgHjpiCAfnAbiW3F8YU1bYxWSUEZUKwWd4UROqcx9cyEOTQuH4i_kdfLg/s1600/MiniMeatloaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBKGEHXhM_YXdlUyyGgS8E2SYUljw1qiGUr6-mjW7lsm-Y6K9GVf05vYZH8MkBkjQRIYY8Tcf75M8C89TzwlgHjpiCAfnAbiW3F8YU1bYxWSUEZUKwWd4UROqcx9cyEOTQuH4i_kdfLg/s640/MiniMeatloaves.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ooooh, look at those. Yum!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a few of <span style="font-size: large;">our favorite recipes</span> we will be sharing with you over the next week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, it's the <span style="font-size: large;">most delicious meatloaf ever</span>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">{</span><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">M</span><span style="color: #783f04;">E</span><span style="color: #b45f06;">A</span><span style="color: #783f04;">T</span><span style="color: #b45f06;">L</span><span style="color: #783f04;">O</span><span style="color: #b45f06;">A</span><span style="color: #783f04;">F</span></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">}</span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1 1/2 lbs Lean Ground Beef</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>2 Eggs, Beaten</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1/4 cup Ketchup (plus more for tops)</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>3/4 cup Herb-Seasoned Dry Bread Stuffing Mix (Pepperidge Farms)</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1/2 Package Dry Ranch Dressing Mix</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>6 oz can French Fried Onions</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) <strong>Preheat</strong> oven to 350</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) In a large bowl, <strong>combine</strong> all ingredients and <strong>mix</strong> well</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) <strong>Shape</strong> into a single loaf and fit into a 9x5 inch loaf pan <em>or</em> split evenly into smaller portions and fit into a mini-loaf pan (as pictured)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) <strong>Smother</strong> the top with additional ketchup</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) <strong>Bake</strong>, covered loosely with foil, for 50-60 minutes or until meat is thoroughly cooked.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If using a mini-loaf pan, check after 45 minutes, as the mini-loaves can cook a bit quicker)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) <em>OPTIONAL YUMMINESS</em>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Sprinkle</strong> on additional fried onions during the last 5 minutes of baking</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*be mindful of over-baking, as this can cause the meatloaf to dry out quickly*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIud0QWusqtuhbE6bl4a-_YJgawT1UZoUcmmpkimiKqpW5r28V970pJsyc7sAv5hHCM-YHQ84sfinRJzVs-jpLn4SyAJl9bFNyIqjmY9XhcYOJHsxNmYoeZp5OT05bJZYCfFXUupXUMY/s1600/Meatloaves2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIud0QWusqtuhbE6bl4a-_YJgawT1UZoUcmmpkimiKqpW5r28V970pJsyc7sAv5hHCM-YHQ84sfinRJzVs-jpLn4SyAJl9bFNyIqjmY9XhcYOJHsxNmYoeZp5OT05bJZYCfFXUupXUMY/s400/Meatloaves2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try it! You wont be disappointed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Enjoy!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-Annie</span></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad355/Jammersage/sig.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /><br />
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{Peppermint Plum}http://www.blogger.com/profile/09171622691720439940noreply@blogger.com4