Saturday, June 30, 2012

. . . Patriotic Download . . .

I have been adding a few Red, White and Blue touches to my decor and I felt like I was missing something so I decided to create a FREE download for you and for me!  I know it's a little late but that seems to be how I roll so if you can't use it this year I hope you will pin it for next year!

This download is set up to fit an 8x10 frame so just print it out on a piece of card stock or photo paper and cut it to size and you have a fun Independence Day decoration for your house.  This would make a great hostess gift too!

You can download the artwork at the bottom of this post.

• • •
  • Print your FREE artwork and cut it down to fit an 8x10 frame.  I chose not to frame mine but to use a canvas that I picked up on clearance for a couple bucks.
• I used red and white wrapping paper and covered my canvas and then attached my print to a piece of white card stock to create a border

  • I attached the print to the covered canvas with a few glue dots and then used red buttons on each corner of the print.
• I added some red, white and blue "garland" to the top of the frame and it's done!


• • • Patriotic

• • • Free Download

• • • ENJOY!
Patriotic Download 

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Thursday, June 28, 2012

. . . Painted Patriotic Bottles . . .


My husband was throwing a few bottles away over the weekend and it was a light bulb moment for me to solve a problem I was having completing my Patriotic Mantle.  I thought about the spray paint in my garage and the Washi Tape stash I have and figured I’d make a cute set of Painted Patriotic Bottles. 

I took the labels off the bottles and then spray painted them.  Two were solid colors (one white and one red) and the third I taped off to create a striped bottle.  I then added Washi Tape and Baker’s Twine and a few flowers from the dollar store. 

Super simple but adds some festivity to my mantle.

 • • •
 
 • Gather your supplies--spray paint, clean bottles, washi tape, twine and some flowers
• Spray paint your clean and dry bottles to be the color you want them
• I did one red, one white and one red and white stripe
• I then added washi tape to the bottles and a bit of Baker's Twine to finish it off 

 • I added a few dollar store flowers in red, white and blue to finish off the look

 • • • Red, White & Blue
 
 
• • • Simple & Festive


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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

. . . Cookie Time Tuesday--Espresso Chocolate Chunk Cookies . . .


I was cruising the web for new cookie recipes when I ran across this one TWICE--once on Food Network and then again on Tracey's Culinary Adventures so I figured I should give it a try.

This recipe has a really nice punch with having the espresso powder in it.  I will for sure make this one again but I did learn to adjust a couple things and it's noted on the Printable Recipe.

I think you will really enjoy this recipe!  It has the best flavor if you like coffee like I do.  Even my son was impressed with them...He said "These taste just like a cup of coffee".

• • •
  You will need:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks 

 • • •
• Gather ingredients
• Combine Butter and sugars until well combined
• Add the egg and vanilla and mix well
• Combine the dry ingredients and mix well
• Add the flour mixture to the sugar and butter mixture
• Add chocolate chunks to the batter
• Refrigerate the dough for a awhile and then roll into balls.  I found that it was best to toss the rolled dough in a little flour and then flatten on a silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 14 to 15 minutes until done

 • • • Yummy!
 • • • Richness!

• • • Espresso!



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Monday, June 25, 2012

. . . Fenway Park Inspired Sausage & Pepper Sliders . . .

This recipe is my new favorite.  If my husband could stand to eat this meal a couple times a week I just might make it that often.  It is so good!  

This recipe is inspired by the Fenway Sausage at Fenway Park in Boston.  I used Sweet Sausage but you could use any that you like.  The peppers and onions have the most amazing flavor that mixes really well with the sweet sausage but I have made it with Hot Italian Sausage too.  

This is a quick and easy recipe that will make you and your family happy campers!

Print Recipe HERE 
 

 • • • Sweet & Yummy!

• Gather ingredients
• I like Sweet Italian Sausage for this recipe but you could use whatever your preference is.
• Slice peppers and onions

• Saute onions and peppers in a little olive oil.  While onions and peppers and cooking grill or cook your sausage
• Once the onion mixture has browned and gotten tender add brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar and let that simmer on low heat until caramelized
• Slice sausage in half and split down the middle
• Place each sliced sausage link on a slider bun and top with onions and peppers.  You can also melt cheese on these for extra yumminess!

  • • • easy & delicious!
  • • • enjoy!
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Thursday, June 21, 2012

. . . Diet Coke Chocolate Cake . . .


I promise that you will love this quick and simple recipe!  It has to be one of the easiest desserts you can possibly make.

It is a can of Diet Coke or any Diet Cola and a Chocolate Cake Mix from any brand.  I used Devil's Food for a bit richer chocolate flavor but you can use plain chocolate.

I know many people like to make soda cakes for dieting but I sort of ruined that when I frosted this one with Chocolate Fudge Frosting but it was so delicious!!  You might remember that I made the Orange Cream Cupcakes this same way--Diet Sunkist and a White Cake Mix.

• • •
• Gather your 2 ingredients for the cake and frosting if you choose to use it
• Combine soda and cake mix together and mix well
• Pour combined cake mix into a coated cake pan or baking dish.  I use a little cooking spray and a bit of flour and then pour in cake mix

• Bake the cake according to box instructions.  I found that mine was done a little bit before the box said it should be
• I poked holes in my cake and put frosting over the top of each hole while the cake was hot.  It melted and then filled in the holes to add extra "gooiness" 
• Once the cake is completely cooled then frost the entire cake with the frosting of your choice

 • • • Pure Yummy!

• • • Super Moist!


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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

. . . Cookie Time Tuesday-Rhubarb Cookies . . .

Sometimes Cookie Time Tuesday is a disappointment but NOT this week.  This cookies is a serious KEEPER!  We all loved this one!  It is the perfect amount of sweet and tart.  I am so pleased that I happened upon this recipe over at Heat Oven to 350.

I know rhubarb is a bit unusual of an ingredient in a cookie but I grew up on rhubarb and love it!  My grandma has a great garden in Ohio and every year I count the days until it is time for the rhubarb to be cut.  If you don't have access to a garden of rhubarb you can buy it in the produce section of your grocery store.

 
• • • Print Recipe HERE
 
You will need:
1 1/2 cups rhubarb, chopped medium
1/2 cup plus 2 T granulated sugar, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
3 ounces (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup plus 2 T heavy cream
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling
• Gather your ingredients
• Chop rhubarb and then sprinkle with some sugar

• Combine all dry ingredients and then add in cold butter
• Use a pastry blender or your hands to combine the butter until the mixture crumbles
• Add your heavy cream to the butter/flour mixture and combine.  The dough will be really sticky
• Add chopped rhubarb to the dough
•  Combine the dough with the rhubarb
• Drop by spoonfuls onto a silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet
 • Sprinkle the dropped cookies with some raw sugar before baking
• Bake at 375 degrees for 11 to 12 minutes
• Move to a wire rack for cooling



 
• • • Delicious!
   • • • So Good!
   • • • A real keeper!


• • • Yummy!
 These super cute Cupcake Liners are from Lemon Drop Shop!  
• • • Linking Here:
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Monday, June 18, 2012

. . . Coors Light Beer Can "Cake" . . .

For Father's Day I wanted to give my husband something a little bit unique to celebrate his special day.  My son and I did the typical dad gifts too but this was just something fun.

I love making diaper cakes and figured why not make a "cake" out of his favorite beer the same way you do a diaper cake.  I'm so pleased with this Beer "Cake" that I will be doing it again soon.  

 What a great "man" gift! 

  • • •

• Gather your supplies--beer, pizza pan, ribbon, tags, peanuts, and anything else you would like to add for fun!
• I printed out a tag that said Of "COORS" you can have "NUTS" with your BEER!  Because you are the SUPER DAD of the year!
• I also printed a larger tag for the top of the "cake" that said Super Dad
• Place your beer can in a circle on a pizza pan.  I used a total of 27 cans between the three layers.  Once the layer of beer forms a circle wrap your ribbon or twine around the cans and attach with glue or any adhesive.  

• For the second layer of the "cake" I didn't have the right size pizza pan so I traced a plate onto a box and then cut that out and wrapped it with foil.  You can see the foil wrapped "circle" in the third photo
• Continue to layer the cans and hold them in place with ribbon

• I printed out "flags" and attached them with a little adhesive to a wooden skewer
• I also attached the large "Super Dad" tag to a skewer and added some paper shreds to the center of the top layer and stuck the tag down in the center
• I attached the Beer Tag to the front center of the "cake" with a little glue and then filled the base with shelled peanuts

• • •  Beer Cake
 
 • • •  Man Gift
 
• • •  FUN!
 • • •  Super Dad!
• • •  Enjoy
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