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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Go me!!


I complete (well almost) my 1st successful sewing machine project. My definition of successful is:
1) didn't have to rip out any stitches
2) stitches came out looking nice
3) my pattern fit after sewing it together
4) I finished it without tossing it to the side or passing it onto MIL. :) (she'll be happy to know this,lol)

MIL figured out it was a tension issue I was having. I have no clue what any of that means. I need remedial sewing 101. Anyways, I made cushion covers for the patio chairs. I, for some reason, thought there was only 4 chairs in the set. So I ordered enough fabric for the 4. I normally over buy fabric. The one time I don't, I ended up needing more! We have 5 chairs, not 4. We've always only used 4, so I guess I never noticed that 5th. That's what I meant about "almost" above. I have ordered more fabric. Oooh!! I even got all fancy & made cushion ties. Nothing fancy, but they work.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

S'mores cupcakes

I wanted to make some tonight. Found an easy recipe for the frosting. Came time to take out the ingredients & I didn't have enough eggs for the cupcakes & the frosting. :( Adding eggs to the grocery list & peanut butter brownies are in the oven. Got Mr Independent (AKA: Tootie) all excited that we were going to baking tonight. Oh, well, he had fun making the brownies & will never know the difference. When I do get around to making these cupcakes I will post the recipe.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Peanut butter frosting

This is the recipe I used for Princess' birthday cupcakes back in June. I still can't get to my pictures. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will be able to. I'll add a picture when I can. This recipe is really good. Not too sweet or peanut-buttery & super easy.

2 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cup confectioner sugar
In a small saucepan over low hear, melt peanut butter, butter and dissolve sugar. remove from heat and whisk in milk. transfer to a medium bowl and set aside to cool. Add confectioner sugar and beat on medium/high speed until smooth and fluffy. Spread on cake.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Apple Turnovers


I made these today from the apples that MIL & Tootie picked off our tree. They are to die for! I have a couple apple pie recipes, but a friend came across one that sounded yummy. I just made a few changes to it.

What you need...
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 1/4 pounds tart apples, such as Empire or Granny Smith (3 apples) (we are thinking the ones in the back are Macintosh)
3 tablespoons sugar, plus extra to sprinkle on top
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch kosher salt
1 package (17.3 ounces, 2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Put into a bowl the orange zest & juice. Peel, slice & core the apples and then cut them up into pieces. Toss the apples with the zest and juice to prevent them from turning brown. Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Flour a board and lightly roll each sheet of puff pastry to a 12 by 12-inch square. Cut each sheet into 4 smaller squares and keep chilled until ready to use.

Brush the edges of each square with the egg wash and neatly place about 1/3 cup of the apple mixture on half of the square. Fold the pastry diagonally over the apple mixture and seal by pressing the edges with a fork. Transfer to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Brush the top with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, make 2 small slits, and bake for 20 minutes, until browned and puffed. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Caprese salad


I haven't had this in ages. MIL brought over some tomatoes from their garden. I just looked up a basic recipe on Food network.

What you need:
tomatoes
mozzarella cheese ball
basil leaves (I didn't have any, so I used the crushed basil leaves I had on hand)
Extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper


Slice up your tomatoes & mozzarella. Alternate them onto the plate. Add basil leaves & drizzle with the olive oil. Salt & pepper to taste.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Redneck S'mores


I so need a fire pit or dig through the garage for the camping coal grill. Tootie & I made s'mores tonight. "How" you ask? Nope, not in the microwave. We set marshmallows on fire over the stove flame (gas). Very tasty! Tootie enjoyed his first s'more very much, but like his momma, could not eat anymore after that. Here's a few pictures of the evenings event.

We like our marshmallows toasty in this house!

The final verdict!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Apples


These came off our tree out back. MIL & Tootie climbed the tree to pick them. I have some delicious plans for them! I also still need to post The cupcakes I made for Princess' birthday & the recipe for the yummy peanut-butter icing. I was going to wait until I could access my pictures, but I might just have to post & add them later.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Strawberry-bannana muffins

Tootie & I made these this afternoon. Super yummy! Got the recipe off Bake & Destroy.


**Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1 cup strawberries, chopped
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granola

**What you do:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. If you don't use tins for your muffins, then grease the pan. In one bowl mix together brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, & banana. Melt butter, add to bowl & combine. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, & salt. Gently stir in the strawberries. Add ingredients from the 1st bowl & mix. Fill muffin tins. Top with granola and bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool.