I’ve got something really cool to share with you.
Are you ready for it?
Are you sure you’re ready for it?
Really?
Really?
Okay……………
A special thanks to Amanda Smith at The Vintage Daisy Shoppe! She did a great job on designing my logo and was great to work with. She also makes notecards and customized invitations, so make sure to check out her Etsy store.
Girl Scout Cookie season has got to be one of my favorite seasons EVER!! I admit that every year I buy a couple of boxes, but I may have over done it this year by purchasing 15 boxes. Don’t worry because I have a good reason why….I just wanted to buy 15 boxes. Is that a good enough reason?
Like with most things, I can’t leave well enough alone, so I made some of the cookies into truffles. Yes, you read that right, TRUFFLES! I used what used to be called Do-Si-Dos (Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies), cream cheese and chocolate. It was as easy as pie truffles!
I must warn you that these little balls of goodness are addicting, you definitely can’t eat just one. But I do encouraging sharing, sharing is always good and it makes people happy. I love making people happy!
do-si-do truffles
Ingredients:
about 30 peanut butter sandwich cookies (I used Girl Scout brand.)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
8 oz. melted semi sweet chocolate*
6 oz. melted bittersweet choclate**I used Baker brand chocolate.
Directions:
Place the cookies in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Reserve about 1/8 cup of the crumbs.
In a bowl mix together the cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. (I used a mini cookie scoop.)
Dip the balls in to melted chocolate and place on a wax lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the top with the reserved cookie crumbs.
Place in the fridge for about an hour to set.
I may have found myself something new to be addicted to and no, it’s not drugs or alcohol, it’s book wreath making. I realize that being addicted to making wreaths out of books is better than being addicted to crack cocaine, so it’s not a bad addiction. And I am not in need of an intervention quite yet, although I did make 2 wreaths within 3 days. But don’t worry I can quit anytime that I want.
The idea of these wreaths are so simple. It’s basically a foam wreath, glue, staples and and old book. The worst part about this project was tearing out the book pages. I find it a bit sacrilegious to rip pages out of a book, but if something cute comes out of the pages being torn then I am willing to sacrifice the book (as long as it’s some old book I’ve never heard of that I got from the thrift store for $.99).
The first wreath I made was for a dear friend, Alyssa, for her birthday and I was so excited when I finished it that I ended up giving it to her today, which is a week before her birthday. I couldn’t help it. Honestly, if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have thought to make such a thing. So you can thank her for this post.
This is the first wreath I made which was for Alyssa for her birthday.
After making her wreath I immediately started on making a wreath to hang on my empty staircase wall. The one I made for my wall was twice as big as the one I made for Alyssa, it measured 24 inches in diameter. With this wreath is that I had to use a wire wreath instead of a foam one. I found this to be a bit more difficult, but I managed. The outcome was exactly what I wanted it to be.
I’m going to start a new “series” on the blog called Pinned It. It will feature things that I have seen on Pinterest and attempted to make myself. I will warn you that this may turn out bad. I always see things on Pinterest that I want to try, but then I sometimes think that I am being to ambitious for some of the things I “pin”. Posting it on the blog will give me a little motivation to move out of my crafting and cooking comfort zone. I promise to post whatever it is I make regardless of the outcome.
My first Pinned It post will be the Minion Cupcakes I made for my sister in law. It’s simple things like this that make me wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It’s amazing what you can do with Cloud Cakes (Twinkie Wannabe), Smarties and food coloring.
The Minions on the left are mine and the Minions on the right are from Pinterest.
Sorry for the bad picture. I only had my point and shoot and it was at the restaurant.
This is the picture my sister in law took when she got home.
Minion Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 dozen cupcakes (homemade or store bought)
6 Cloud Cakes (Twinkies if you can find them) cut in half
Smarties (pick out the white ones)
Canned Frosting
Black Gel Food Coloring
Thin PaintbrushDirections:
Start by drawing eyes on the Smarties, I did use a food coloring pen for this. Add a little frosting to the back of the Smartie and place on the Cloudcake.
Next, take the paintbrush and dip into the food coloring and draw the google straps and mouth.
Once that is done just palce the Minion on top of the cupcake.
…well, not anymore, but I was there last week and it was fantastic. Domesticated Daddy and I spent a relaxing 4 days and 3 nights at the gorgeous Live Aqua in Cancun. I do have to thank the FANTABULOUS company I work for for the trip. DD (Domesticated Daddy) and I got to indulge in lots of food and drinks (the perks of an all inclusive resort). Not only was the food good, but the customer service was impeccable. Anything you asked for they would do their best to accommodate you. Oh and I forgot to mention that there is a mall right across the street.
I didn’t take as many pictures as I should have, but I do have some pictures I want to share.
The beautiful view from our balcony.
Another wonderful view (this was considered a Garden View).
Our first beers in Mexico.
The backside of our resort.
This was our view for most of our trip.
Rolls Royce Phantoms
My Ferris Bueller impersonation.
DD and I at the Fireshow.
This is the only non-blurry picture I got of the Fireshow. Not too long after the show started it began to rain.
Overall the trip was fantastic. The only set back we had was on our flight back home. At first it was 3 hours delayed and then they ended up cancelling our flight. We were stuck in Houston for the night, but we got up the next morning and got on our flight back home. That was the first time that I have ever had a flight cancelled on me and it definitely was not a great experience. Oh well, it is what it is.
If you ever decide to visit Cancun I highly recommend staying at Live Aqua. I can honestly say there is not one thing about the resort that I can complain about.
First off, let me start by saying Happy New Year!! I can hardly believe that it is 2013! To be honest, I’m kind of wondering what happened to the flying cars I envisioned would happen in the 2000′s. Well, we did survive the “End of the World”, which also happened to land on my birthday this year! You all know that I had to have an “End of the World” party to celebrate. Just imagine walking into my house with all the power out except for the Christmas lights (I had “generators” to run those.) with candles strategically placed. We also had MRE packs, “Government Issued” food and of course Twinkies (Little Debbie’s version since I couldn’t get the Hostess ones). Overall, it was pretty cool. I wish I would have taken pictures so I can show you. I may have some Instagram pics to share.
I know that I have been gone for awhile and have been terrible at posting on my blog, I hate when I do that. Well, I am here to let you know that one of my resolutions for 2013 is to be more active with my blog. And I promise this resolution will not get shelved with the “eating healthy” and “saving money” resolution I try year after year. I am determined to keep my resolution of blogging more! To prove it, I posted this post today, see!
So with that said, I bet you are wondering what I have been up to. Well, to tell you all the truth, nothing really. I have just been keeping busy with work and my family, that’s definitely not a bad thing. I am very thankful for all the blessing that have come into my life in 2012! I have my health and happiness. I traveled more last year than I have in my entire life and I loved every minute of it. I get to work for a FANTASTIC company with WONDERFUL people while doing something I love. I have a husband and 2 children who are all healthy and (sometimes) happy! Last but not least I have the best family and friends that any girl could have asked for.
I’m going to end this post by thanking everyone who continue to read my blog (even when I am not posting). I am truly blessed to be able to share my love of food and other girly things with you all. May you all have a year filled with LOVE, HAPPINESS and GOOD HEALTH! Here’s to a FABULOUS 2013!!
I am a huge fan of Vitacost! And right now you can get yourself $10 off any order (no minimum purchase required)! You just have to sign up through this link here and they will immediately send you your $10 code via email.
This is what I got with my $10 credit (all I had to pay was shipping and a $.59 overage, so my total was $5.58):
Just follow these steps to get your $10 credit:
via: for chic sake
I love am obssesed with Pinterest! It’s very easy for me to get caught up in “pinning” things that I will never make. Today I came across this really cool monogram printable for your charger and home button for your iPhone from For Chic Sake. I will definitely be printing my monogram today!
I love easy and tasty last minute desserts! I especially love any dessert that starts with “no-bake”. As much as I love baking, there are times when this Domesticated Diva doesn’t feel like turning on the oven. This recipe is fantastic because it only uses 3 ingredients and 15 minutes of my time, which gives me more time to watch the Gossip Girl marathon clean the house and do laundry.
No-Bake Cookies and Cream Treats
Ingredients:
One 16 oz. package of Oreos
One 10 oz. bag of big marshmallows
5 tablespoons butterDirections:
Prepare a 8x8 pan by lining it with parchment paper, making sure the parchment paper hangs over the edges.
Place the Oreos in a food processor and pulse until ground, set aside.
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Once the butter is melted add the marshmallows and continuously stir until all the marshmallows are smooth and melted. remove the marshmallow mixture from the heat and quickly add the Oreos and mix thoroughly (use your muscles).
Once it is mixed well place into the prepared pan and pat evenly into place. Let it sit for about an hour. Remove the bars by using the edges of the parchment paper and cut into squares.
I know what you are all thinking, “Ice cream that only takes two ingredients to make?!, yeah right!”, but really this ice cream does only have two ingredients. Want to know another secret?….it’s dairy free. Okay, no need to roll your eyes in disbelief because I’m telling the truth. Oh something else you should know….you don’t need an ice cream maker to do this. I know, I know you think I’m full of it, but I’m not. Trust me.
If you are a Pinterest addict like me most women then you would have seen this “ice cream” being pinned on most boards. If you don’t know what “pinned” or “boards” is then that mostly likely means you are behind the times and you need to sign up for Pinterest (I must warn you that Pinterest is addicting and once you start you can’t stop). Anyhow, this recipe is amazing because it just uses frozen bananas and peanut butter to make the ice cream. I decided to switch the peanut butter for Nutella (because everything taste better with Nutella) and man oh man! was that a delicious decision.
frozen bananas being “pulsed” into ice creamIt’s quite simple to make this ice cream. All that you need to do is take a couple of bananas and slice, freeze and then pulse. Don’t you just love when things are easy?
banana and nutella "ice cream"
Ingredients:
5 ripe bananas (make sure they are brown spotted), sliced into 1/2-inch slices
4-5 tablespoons NutellaDirections:
Place the sliced bananas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Put the bananas in the freezer for a couple hours or until they are completely frozen. (I left mine in the freezer overnight.)
Once the bananas are frozen place into a food processor that is fitted with the blade and pulse. At first the bananas will look like little pebbles, but don't stop just keep it going (Once in awhile you will have to stop it to scrap the sides down with a spatula.) and it will start to resemble frozen yogurt.
When the bananas have reached a creamy consistency add the Nutella and pulse until it is well mixed.
You can eat the ice cream as it is or place in a air tight container and store in the freezer for "scoopable" ice cream.
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