food, crochet, merriment
Here’s the cool loot that came in the mail from the current blog swap over at “the Mommy Files.”
My partner for the swap was the one and only Shannon herself–the sweetheart that sets all these fun things up in the first place.
Look at all this cool stuff!
Her next swap–that you should totally join will be at Easter time–so be on the lookout for that!
More later…
As you may have noticed, we had a guest this morning.
That, my friends, is because I was working on a few Valentines of my own…
for some little cupids that hang around these parts.
And just when I finished with these, a cute bald kid I know begged asked politely for…
a bit of this. Amazing what you can pull off in the wee hours for the ones close to your heart.
Hope you have a happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow!
Oh, and please do kiss someone.
Wouldn’t want you to waste the day!
heh, heh.
Guest Post by Bruce
“The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart-this you will build your life by, this you will become.”
James Allen (1864-1912)
The above principle, which others have called “The Secret” or the “Law of Attraction,” was clearly stated for the first time in “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen.
In “As a Man Thinketh,” James Allen reveals how our thoughts determine reality. Whether we are conscious of it or not, our underlying beliefs shape our character, our appearance and health, our circumstances, and our destinies. Allen teaches us how we can master our thoughts to create the life we want.
My advice is this simple: Buy it, read it, live it, love it.
Yes, it truly is that great.
~ Bruce
Here’s a fun little cheese ball that really isn’t…a cheese ball…in the cheese ball sense of the word.
Don’t be afraid. It’s actually a cream cheese ball–with lots of lovely peanut butter mixed in. We dipped animal cookies and pretzels but I’m thinking that Fudge Stripes or Chocolate Dipped Graham Cookies would be incredible. We also rolled ours in Peanut Butter M&Ms–just cause we could. This is a real easy pleaser and would go nicely with whatever else you have on the treat table. We used it at our Superbowl fest–you know where you need lots of protein to keep your strength up…
for all that yelling.
Go Vikings!
Oh, forget it.
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
¾ cup creamy or chunky peanut butter
3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 ½ cups M&M’s and/or milk chocolate chips
Graham cracker sticks, animal crackers, apple slices or pretzels
DirectionsBEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until blended. Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap; bring up all four corners and twist tightly to form a ball shape.
FREEZE for 1 hour 30 minutes or until firm enough to keep its shape. Place morsels in flat dish. Remove plastic wrap from ball and roll ball into morsels to completely cover.
PLACE ball on serving dish; cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until almost firm. Serve with graham cracker sticks, cookies, pretzels and apple slices for dipping or spreading.
Happy Birthday President Lincoln!
Just in case you didn’t get enough of anything and everything in heart shapes–try these tender little jam cookies. Oooooh-wooo—you won’t forget these lovelies–but do try to be mature…
and share.
Because they are honestly pretty enough to pass out to the neighbors.
If there are any left.
Heh, heh.
Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups ground pecans
Strawberry jam
Confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness.
Cut with a 3-in. heart-shaped or 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. From the center of half the cookies, cutout a 1-1/2-in. heart or round shape.
Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Spread 1/2 teaspoon jam over the bottom of the solid cookies; Sprinkle cutout cookies with confectioners’ sugar–if you want. We left ours plain. Carefully place over jam cookie.
You’ll end up with about 3 dozen of the prettiest little cookies you’ve ever seen.
