One Orange Giraffe

Woo Are You #2

2012-02-27T20:57:00.001-07:00

It seems to be a laundry theme this week. Here goes:

1. Do you fold your laundry right after it comes out of the dryer or do you wait?

My laundry has to be hot out of the dryer. If it is cold I stick it back in and fluff it so I can fold it nice and warm.

2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use?

I use the Members Mark high efficiency liquid from Sam's Club. I have the makings for a homemade batch but haven't gotten up the guts to do it yet!

3. Do you use fabric softener?

No. It used to be I wouldn't remember now...

4. Do you have a front loading washer and dyer or a top loading?

I finally got a sexy red front loading washer and dryer last year with the tax return. Is it sad that I can find a new appliance sexy?

5. On a scale to 1-10 (1 being the least and 10 being the highest) how well do you like

doing laundry?I actually like doing the laundry. The sorting, loading, switching and folding. Its the putting away I loathe. So I give it a 7.That was fun! I look forward to next weeks listsSee ya friends!

Sand Castle Birthday Cake

2012-02-24T10:53:00.001-07:00

Birthday season has started at our house.

They year starts out in February with Liam.

He is turning 7 today.

After looking through my many cake and cupcake books he chose a sand castle cake out of Cakes for Kids.

Every so often I catch my little boys lying on the floor looking through the cake books on the shelf.

They are so cute!

Another thing I like about the kids picking their birthday cakes is that I usually get to buy a new something for baking.

This time it was a 12 inch round cake pan, and an 8 inch square cake pan.

We have the best store here in Logan called Kitchen Kneads.

I love that place.

I thought this was going to be an easy one. Looks easy don't it! Not so my friends.

I don't know what happened. I was in cake decorating mode, I had the little TV in the kitchen with a good show on, it was just harder than I had planned for it to be.

The frosting is made with shortening to make it look like sand. Gotta make sure there is a crumble layer of butter cream. It doesn't like to stick to the cake. The doors, windows, and little balls are tootsie rolls melted a bit in the microwave and rolled out or up. The sand is brown sugar. The pebbles I found in the bulk section of the supermarket. Caramels and sugar cones finished it off.

My only catastrophe was that tall tower in the back. It is supposed to be 3 layers of cake. Well, when the tall, heavy cake sat on the bottom round cake it was too heavy. It started to fall over. Actually, it finally did fall over.

Solution? Rice Krispy treats. I made an 8 inch pan of rice krispy treats and cut them into the right size squares, frosted them and decorated them as if the whole thing was made of cake.

Look at his face does he care? Nope.

That smile makes all the baking and improvising worth it.

I would do it all over again.

Have a great 7th birthday little man.

We love you!!

A Blog Hop

2012-02-09T16:11:00.002-07:00

Cheri @It's So Very Cheri has created this awesome Party Hop for us all! I would love for you to follow me via Linky Followers as well as jump on in and party with us!

Rules:
1. You MUST have the LINKY FOLLOWERS tool on your site to participate.
2. You MUST follow the person who has the party on their site as a thank you.
3. Just add your blog to the Linky Party below.
4. Grab the Blog Hop code which is right under the linky party where it says, "Get The Code Here"
5. Follow other bloggers (as many as you want) and leave each one of the blogs that you follow a comment letting them know you are following them and ask them to follow you back.

Woo Are You

2012-02-07T22:14:00.001-07:00

I just found Woo Are You at Night Owl Crafting. It sounds pretty fun here it goes:

Are you married/in a relationship/single? For how long?

I have been married to my hunny for 17 years. We met while working at Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers. I know cute right!?

What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

Since it is on a weekday I will probably help at the elementary school with the annual Valentine’s Day tea. Husband and I will go out on a weekend night for dinner and maybe a movie.

Do you have any Valentine's traditions?

Honestly, I have never thought about traditions for Love Day. A box of conversation hearts and heart gummies happens every year. Maybe this year I need to start a new one. Something to think about.

What is your favorite Valentine's candy?

Conversation hearts and cinnamon lips. I buy extra so that I can have a stash after the day is done!

Name 3 things that you LOVE!

Family, Crafting, and Reading

See you guys over at the Night Owl!

Vicky

Date Night in a Bowl

2012-02-06T10:53:00.004-07:00

Over in our neck of the mountains all of us are students, or just finished being students.

My husband just got his MBA.

I am telling you this because if you know anything about school it is expensive.

We all are broke.

Do we still want to spend time with our man?

Of course we do!!

Here is a small solution to the problem

A Date In A Bowl.

I got a bowl at the dollar store. Filled it with some microwave popcorn, our favorite candy and some pop in some cute bottles.
I also included a card with a promo code from redbox.
At redbox.com you can purchase 5 promo codes at a time.

I just had the gift sent to myself and then as I give these away as gifts I can just put a promo code in the card.
Here are some different drink ideas.
If someone doesn't drink pop you could always put in water bottles with a mix-in.

I like the look of these pop bottles so I am just going to flash this pic to you!

I am thinking these are going to be gifts for all my girls in the neighborhood.
I gave one to a friend for her birthday and also included in the note free babysitting so they don't have to pay for that either!
It would also be a greatValentine's Day gift!
Linking up at these parties.

Fireplace Mantle: February

2012-02-02T12:41:00.007-07:00

It is the Month of Love!

The mantle is up! I get excited every month that I get to decorate. This month is is all about pink, red and white.

I moved the mirror to the wall above the fireplace. I think it looks great. (Now I have a naked wall I get to decorate!)

I found this idea here. My letters are a little crooked but for my first big Silhouette project I am happy with it.

I love Styrofoam wreath forms. No gluing required. This is covered with fuzzy red fabric and pinned with satin pins. The love sign I found at Michael's craft for $1. I just added some red dots and BAM prettiness!

Another Michael's for a buck find was this wooden heart frame. I painted it ballet shoe pink (Krylon spray paint). The scrapbook paper I cut a little big so that it would poof out in the front. I don't think you can really tell in the picture.

Can you really go wrong with candy? I E6000 glued the small jar to a candlestick. I love straight vases. Add candy and the hardest thing to do is not eat it all. See the little red stick pins? I didn't know how to keep the heart bunting up. I tied a cute bow and pinned it with red stick pins. Luckily the mantle is tough enough to handle the tiny hole.

These are the same tree forms from the January mantle. I just covered them with yarn. It took 2 layers. A little bit of girly lace and some red ribbon and you got it!

The bunting idea I also found here. This was my favorite party to make. Thank you Landee for letting me copy craft you.

Hope you enjoy the mantle.

Happy Heart Day!!
Linking up to these parties!

Fireplace Mantle: January

2012-01-17T13:11:00.042-07:00

This is what our fireplace looked like when we first moved into our house in 2003.

Notice the rubber bumper on the edge? Even with that on there 2 of the kids hit their heads and had to go to the ER for stitches. After dealing with it for a good 5 years I ripped the thing out.

Needless to say the hubby wasn't too thrilled with me. We agreed that we would rebuild the wall and put in the new tile. I had the job of building the mantle. Once he got his part done it was my turn.

I finally got it done.

I have to brag for a second. I built it myself. Not from a kit. I bought the wood, measured it, cut it, and while Sean held it together I nailed.

There I am done patting myself on my back.

This is the first month I have gotten to decorate it.

I am still working on finding something for the wall behind. I could change it every time I decorate the shelf but I am thinking a mirror would be good. That is the skinniest part of the room and maybe a mirror would make it look wider. I am up for suggestions.

The wreath is a straw wreath wrapped with navy yarn. I wish I had primed or spray painted the wreath before I started so that the straw poking out wouldn't have shown so much.

I then held a piece of soft white and baby blue yarn and made the x's.

I had some leftover fuzzy felt from the ribbon tree. I made a few rolled flowers. The snowflakes I cut out on my Silhouette.

I love it!

I found this subway art here.

The frame I found at the thrift store. It is great when you find something re-usable!

This is my favorite. The trees. The bases are glass candlesticks spray painted white. There are Styrofoam cones underneath.

The smaller tree is covered with fuzzy white felt, and a ribbon is twisted around with a bow on top. I just used satin pins so that I can re-use. The other tree is made with a larger Styrofoam cone. I cut 4 inch squares of white felt. Gathering the corners together I pinned them in a circle with satin pins. The berries are small Styrofoam balls spray painted blue.

More detailed directions are here.

Chip letters covered with scrapbook paper and ripped on the edges finished out the picture. Leftover silver berries added a little depth to the entire picture.

I am looking forward to showing you more ideas and decorations for the mantle in the future. Keep your eyes out for
Valentine's Day design next month!!

Check out the Linky Party tab to see all the parties this post is linked to.

Portable Art Studio

2012-01-05T12:02:00.044-07:00

Our kids really love to make things. There is paper scraps, markers, crayons, glue sticks and scissors all over our house. The solution was this...

It is a Bucket Boss. A portable tool belt that you hook on a bucket. I found this one at Home Depot. It cost $7.00. The bucket I already had in the food storage stash.

For Christmas we gave the kids markers, colored pencils, crayons, pens, construction paper, pipe cleaners, pencils, rulers, foam shapes, scissors and drawing pads.

All of the big stuff is held in the middle, and all the small stuff is in the side pockets.

When the Christmas tree was taken down the corner of the living room was empty. Before I could move the furniture back the kiddos had taken it over.

It worked out perfectly. They have a space to create and it is contained in one spot.

It is great to see them creating things and using their imaginations!

A Crafty Soiree #71

Sean's Birthday Cake

2011-12-27T16:05:00.016-07:00

Having your birthday on Christmas Eve can't be fun.

We try to make the day special for Sean.

He always picks his cake.

Sometimes it is a design and other times it is a flavor.

This time it was a little of both.

I found it on Pinterest...of course.
I found the recipe here.
It looked so good, I just had to try it.

When I looked up the recipe...well lets just say the butter content would

make Paula Deen proud!!

It is a caramel apple cake.

The inside is an applesauce cake, the frosting is caramel buttercream, and there is caramel sauce between the 3 layers and on the top.

There is a stick for the caramel apple effect and chopped peanuts pressed on the side.

It was tasty!

Happy Birthday Sean!!

Elf on the Shelf: Christmas Eve

2011-12-27T15:54:00.001-07:00

For his last night Ernie decided to play

Guard Duty!

Since Christmas was on a Sunday and church was at 9am we decided to wait till after to open presents. We covered it all up and Ernie was on duty.

He did a great job. Everyone was happy to wait because they didn't want to see what would happen

if they messed with Ernie!!
Ernie is now done with his work for the season.
He has gone back to the North Pole to help Santa. He will be back next year to watch the kids.
They miss him already!

Elf on the Shelf Day 4

2011-12-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was so busy cooking for the holiday I forgot to post

Ernie's adventure!

We need a little back story here...

We have a GameCube. To cut down on the fighting over who's turn it is, what game to play and how long we each get to play we only get the GameCube out on holiday breaks.

Wednesday night Ernie got the GameCube out.

He and his buddies set it up, and started playing Mario Party 7.

He even hooked up the microphone feature.

They look like they are having tons of fun.

I just wish they would clean up the messy living room in the background! ;)

Elf on the Shelf: Day 3

2011-12-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Ernie took it easy last night.

When the kids woke up this morning the kids didn't think he was very bad.

Ernie got on the computer, found a Santa Claus game,

made himself comfortable and played online all night.

The little boys thought it was great that Ernie plays the same games they do.

Stay tuned for what he gets into tonight!

Elf on the Shelf Day 2

2011-12-21T08:16:00.001-07:00

Ernie the Elf really got into it

last night!

He starts here. In the bathroom.

Travels across the living room.

Does some spins around the Christmas tree.

and takes a rest in the airplane tree topper.

The question is...

Did he fly the plane?

The Elf on the Shelf Day 1

2011-12-20T08:16:00.001-07:00

This year for Christmas I decided it would be fun to introduce a new tradition.

When Sean and I got married neither one of us really had any traditions to share once we had kids so we have been coming up with our own.

This year we decided to start The Elf on the Shelf.

It came in the mail yesterday.

After explaining to Liam and Simon that it isn't a "doll", and that Mr. Elf came alive when we were all asleep. They were excited.

I wish it made them willing to go to be earlier. Not so lucky!

This morning our Elf (who we haven't named yet) had gotten into some mischief.

This is what we found when we

woke up.

He popped popcorn and settled down...

to watch a Christmas movie.

Naughty Elf!

Stay tuned for day 2 to see what kind of trouble he gets into tonight!

I'm Blank Because...

2011-11-17T17:40:00.001-07:00

Over at Little Miss Momma she has a post about what kind of person she is. I figured...

why not?

Sounds fun.

I have some time to myself

Here's my list.

I'm weird because...

I love the smell of sweaty little boys hair.

I read all the time. Even when the TV is on.

I hate to empty the dishwasher. I will load it, no prob, but empty? Blah.

I can't stand sleeping with a top sheet.

I would rather watch an entire season in 3 nights on DVD then watch a show weekly.

I hide all candy and treats in my underwear drawer.

I eat 2 scrambled eggs at least every other day for breakfast. The other days... nothing.

Whenever possible, put potato chips on my sandwiches.

I quote movies even when I am alone.

My heart always skips a beat when I see a package on my porch.

I feel the need to feed people... all the time.

I don't babysit. Emergencies and dates only. No day in, day out babysitting.

I am 37 and still listen to my music too loud.

Anytime I am teaching or speaking in church I cry like a baby.

I wake my children on a Saturday morning by singing, very badly, Justin Beiber song Never say Never.

I can thread a needle super fast! (So the Little Lady says)

I am a bad friend because...

I avoid phone calls.

I speak my mind too much.

I will tell you the truth.

I am a good friend because...

I can keep a secret.

I can make you laugh.. HARD!

Once you are my friend you are my friend for eternity.

I will tell you the truth.

I am sad because...

Friends have moved away.

We are going to move away from friends.

My babies aren't babies anymore.

I am happy because...

My babies aren't babies anymore.

We are going to start a new adventure in our lives.

Hubby is done with school.

The living room I started renovating 2 years ago is all but done.

I am excited for...

Our new adventure.

Real mashed potatoes

3 days with no obligations.

Card games

Crafting with the Little Lady.

Eating too much turkey.

Making each child a homemade Christmas gift.

Thanks Ashley for sharing and for making me think. This was fun!

Leave a comment or make a list of your own!

Vicky

Sandwich Station

2011-11-15T16:16:00.021-07:00

At about the same time I was reorganizing my daughters room I found this idea here. Little Lady's dresser was on it"s way out so... lightbulb (said in the Despicable Me voice) to make a sandwich station with the drawer.

Here's a little background:

I pack 4 lunches each school day. I was going to the pantry to get juice boxes, the fridge for jelly, the basement for chips, the corner counter for bread. It was the worse part of my morning. When I saw this idea it was manna from heaven.

Since I had a whole dresser to work with I incorporated it all into a place to prepare lunches and into a more efficient space.

I took out the bottom drawer for the one hanging on the wall.. I covered over the hole with some particle board. I think it looks a little plain and want to put something cute there. Maybe a vinyl saying or something. Any suggestions?

I filled the drawers with all the stuff that are good for lunch. You know, chips, cornnuts, granola bars, cheese and crackers.

The good stuff!

On the wall hanging drawer, I took a piece of particle board and cut two -2 inch holes in it. On one side I put the baggies and the other napkins. The ugly box is hidden but I can still get to the goods. I put in 3 dowels. They are attached with shower curtain rod holders I found at Home Depot. I didn't screw them in because the wood of the drawer was too thin for that so I just Gorilla wood glued them in. I did each side separately and let them sit overnight with books pressing them down.

I have put in paper towels and wax paper. I don't know what to put on the top one. I thought about aluminum foil but the roll I have is too small to slide on.

Again... suggestions?

On the side with the handle I hung a pair of scissors and on the back side I put up some cork squares (just hot glued and trimmed) with thumb tacks.

I added the embellishments with my Silhouette vinyl machine. It needed a pop of new color.

Here are some random pics of the whole project.

The essential peanut butter!

A stash of butter knives in a cute glass. (the side has a cow and says absolutely pure milk)

I have had this glass cutting board for forever. I think it was a wedding present.

I don't really like to use it because the sound of a knife hitting glass is like

fingernails on a chalkboard. (shiver)

I put it on top so when I cut the little boys' sandwiches in 2, and I am not ruining the paint job. Plus, if finally found a use for the thing!

I have two little ones that still carry lunchboxes. I put up some command hooks so that when they get home and empty their backpacks they can just hook them up.

Then in the morning Mom isn't going crazy yelling for lunchboxes.

Ok, looking at this picture it looks really crooked. It isn't. I promise. I leveled the thing about 3 times before I was happy.

The picture is just screwy!

I hope!!

I am redoing my entire dining room. Painting walls, ceilings, table, chairs. That is why the wall is blank. Come back later and see the finished product.
Soon...I hope.

Made with Love Event

2011-07-18T05:56:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone!

I am participating in an event featuring handmade artists and designers who are sharing their talents this week.

I am one of 29 sponsors on The Reynolds Mom. Each one of us is giving something away. I am offering a $15.00 gift certificate to my

Etsy Shop.

Three blogs are participating in this event.

My entry is on

The Reynolds Mom.

There is also...

Becoming Brea

and

The Not-So-Secret Confessions

Go and check them out! You can enter to win anything you find to be cute, awesome or tasty.
This is going on all week so
GO GO GO!!

Anything You Wanna Call It Casserole

2011-07-14T08:52:00.018-06:00

In a Relief Society Meeting last month they shared with us a recipe for

Condensed Cream of "Something" Soup.

It is a dry mix that, when you need some cream soup for a recipe you just add water. It is much less expensive then buying a can of soup at the market.

Since I had everything needed to make up a batch I went a step further and made up a gallon containers worth.

Cream of "something" soup recipe

1 cup non-fat dried milk

3/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup bouillon (if you have cubes you have to smash them up)
You can use whatever kind you like (ie, beef, veggie)

4 Tablespoons freeze dried minced onions (I used the minced onions from Sam's Club)

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried thyme (I couldn't find the thyme so I used dried parsley instead)

1 teaspoon pepper

(For the equivalent of one can of condensed cream soup, mix 1/3 cup dry mix with 1 1/4 cup water. Cook until thick)

I keep it in the pantry and as you can see the recipe is taped on the outside. (so I don't lose it...cause I will if it ain't connected!)

Anyway, the lady that showed us how to make this awesome stuff made up a sample. She just cooked up some elbow macaroni and mixed it with the soup, added a little cheese and warmed it through in the oven.

It was GOOD!!

Last week I was in a pinch as to what to cook for dinner so I made that same recipe up but added chicken. The pan was emptied!

That rarely happens at our house.

Tonight, after painting furniture all day.(post to come later) I didn't really want to cook all day.

Lightbulb...

I will make that again but add something new.

Todays addition??? The ever loved, every devoured while still too hot to touch.

BACON.

I don't know about all of you but bacon is the

candy of meat for me! I have to make a few extra pieces just... well just because!

Chicken Bacon Noodle Casserole

There are no exact measurements. Make it according to your family size.

Elbow macaroni, cooked

Cream of Something soup, thickened

cheddar cheese, grated

chicken, shredded

bacon, cooked and diced

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix to combine. Pour in a 13x9 inch baking dish. Cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbling.

Remember: You can add anything you want. I am trying to figure out a way to sneak in broccoli. Any ideas?

Birthday Shirt

2011-07-01T22:58:00.004-06:00

My baby turned 5!

Little Dude got a party this year. Since we have 4 kids we decided that they would get big neighborhood parties on the significant years and just cake and ice cream with family all the other.

This year was a biggie!

I just got a Silhouette vinyl machine and have been using it for just about everything.

Birthday Boy T-shirt time!

(Sorry I couldn't get any really good pics of the shirt. He wouldn't hold still)

It was fun to hunt for a cute logo and the candles added the perfect touch for the front.

What are you supposed to do on your birthday?

Eat Cake of course!

The face says it all!

He is annoyed that I make him pose with his cake and yet... he loves the attention.

Little Dude rocks and he had a great birthday with a cool shirt that all of his friends thought was "cool"!!

I did learn a few tricks when using the fusible vinyl.

1. Wash the new shirt first. Get the sizing out of it.

2. Turn the shirt wrong side out when washing it. I did have a corner come up in the wash but a quick press with the iron fixed it.

3. Don't rub the iron on the project. Press gently and lift. I kinda goofed up the Y in birthday because I moved the iron instead of lifting it right off.

Have fun!!

I Spy: Homemade Edition

2011-05-13T16:08:00.003-06:00

So, over at

Little Miss Momma

she posts an I Spy activity every week. This week is handmade edition.

Here is the Heiner version!

I don't know when I became obsessed with "H"s but suddenly I had tons of them everywhere in the house.

It started with this lawn chair. It is one of those metal ones that bounce. I love it. There were at least 5 coats of paint on it. I painted it green to match the house and put an H on it.

At the end of the hallway it is dark. (waiting for hubby to install a plug) so I decorated it with black and white "H"s.

It is still a work in progress. Whenever I am out I search out cool designs.

On a day when all the kids were in school, you know those times when you can actually just stroll and look at all the good stuff in the stores. I visited a local antique store. They had a bin full of real silver silverware. I tried to pick out the most unique designs. The frame is from the thrift store and the fabric is from my stash. Please ignore the wall. It has been patched but not painted...yet.

Ok, so technically the sign isn't handmade. I found it at Hobby Lobby but the letters hanging from it are handpainted :). They are the kiddos initials. I have had the wooden letters hanging around for forever and finally when I saw those 4 pegs I figured what the heck!! Now everyone who comes to the house knows where the loo is!

One of my favorite handmade projects is this Jesus and Joseph Smith cross stitches. I made these a long time ago and never had anywhere to put them. Honestly I was scared to cut them to put them in the frame. It was a lot of work and the thought of messing it up by cutting them wrong scared the crud outta me!

This is my most recent handmade lovely. My spring wreath. It is hanging on the door and finally spring has found it's way here. I love the bright colors against the white.

If anyone has ideas for a patriotic something for my front door, leave a comment with a link.

Here is my handmade mess! My sewing table. I always start out clean but it very rarely stays that way.

Pedestal Plate

2011-04-01T16:18:00.005-06:00

Trolling the Blog-universe I found this idea for a pedestal plate.

I found a wooden plate and candlestick at the local thrift shop.

Total cost $1.50. You can't beat that can ya!

To start out I sanded the varnish off of both pieces.

Then with my trusty Gorilla Glue bonded that baby! (Cookbooks are for more than cooking friends!)

Once fully bonded it was spray paint time. I love spray paint, all the beauty and none of the mess!

(Of course I forgot to take a picture after it was painted. I was so excited to finish... you know!) I roughed it up a bit with a small square of sandpaper.

Voila!

Here it is. Looking good and ready for a party.

I am now on the hunt for more parts. Different sizes. Bowls, plates, Glass. Multi-level.

Ohhh, cupcake stands. ;)

Gotta go! I think the thrift stores are calling me.

A Thing of Beauty

2011-02-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share this picture with you.

This is a beautiful sight to me.

Why?

I really have no idea. I looked at this pile of loveliness

and

sighed.

St. Paddy's Day Wreath

2011-02-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our door is naked after Valentine's Day.

I have decided to be more industrious and make something for the door each holiday.

(I cheated and bought the heart day decor).

First I found a styrofoam wreath, some ribbon on sale and some gold coins.

See my stash from the sale at Joann's this weekend!

I tried to wrap the ribbons together but that didn't work for me. In all my need for them to be spaced perfectly I wrapped the dark green grosgrain ribbon first, it took a spool and a half, and then the lighter ribbon using a ruler to evenly space it all out.

From my deep, dark drawer of felt I found some green to make some flowers. I also learned that taking pictures at night are not the best idea in the world. They always come out yellow.

Anyhoo...

Here is the finished product out on the front door. I lurve it. It was fun and easy to make.

The most expensive part was the wreath. It was $4.99. I had the felt, the light ribbon I found in the dollar bin, and the dark ribbon I used my handy dandy coupons. I did splurge on the gold coins, but that was $2.99 for 20. Multiple projects my friends! Overall cost??? I would say around 10 bucks. Not bad I say.

This picture I just have to share so you can see that it is snowing... again.

More St. Patrick's Day crafts are in the works so keep an eye out!

6 Week Bran Muffins

2011-01-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking...

Bran muffins? "Ewwwwwww! Those probably taste like cardboard and weigh a ton."

Not so my friends.
My Sister-in-law told me about these muffins that her kids love. My first thought was..."Mine are the pickiest eaters alive there is no way!" I am happy to admit they
LOVE'em.

Six-Week Bran Muffin Mix

5 cups flour ( I use 2 cups wheat and 3 cups white)

1 tsp. salt

4 cups All-Bran cereal (I use the stick kind)

2 cups Bran Flakes cereal

2 cups raisins or chopped dates (optional- I leave them out)

1 cup chopped nuts (optional-we are purists and leave these out too)

2 cups boiling water

5 tsp baking soda

2 cups sugar

1 cup butter or shortening

4 eggs

1 quart buttermilk

Boil water and add baking soda; set aside to cool

In a large bowl sift together flour and salt. Stir in All-Bran and Bran Flakes cereals. Add the raisins, chopped dates and nuts if desired. Set aside

Cream sugar and butter or shortening in a large bowl. Stir in eggs one at a time. Beat well. Stir in butter milk and soda/water mixture.

Stir in bran mixture. Cover tightly. Best if refrigerated for 12 hours (or more) The mixture will keep 6 weeks in the refrigerator and can be baked as needed.

When ready to bake, drop by spoonfuls into greased or lined muffin tins. Do not stir mixture. Bake at 375 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 5 and a half dozen muffins.

Don't they look good! I love them hot out of the oven with some butter.
Want a regular diet? ;)
Eat a Bran Muffin!

Getting Started

2011-01-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

THE TIME HAS COME!

I have wanted to start a crafting/cooking blog for a while. Kids, husband, callings... life basically has prevented me. No more! I am now ready to start crafting and cooking like I always do but now I hope to share and maybe make a little MOOLAH at the same time.

Step 1:

Open an Etsy Store. 

Go and check out what I have posted. More is coming and there will be more of a variety too.

So... wish me luck and keep checking back for more goodies and tips.

Thanks Everyone.