Cute Tote Tutorial

Today I found a tote tutorial that is so cute! It is on a blog that is written in German but you can use the “translate” option on Google to see the instructions in English.

Here is the link: http://geliebteszuhause.blogspot.com/2011/06/anleitung-genahte-einkaufstasche.html

Easy Caramel Buns

Caramel Buns

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 (7.5 oz) can refrigerated biscuits

First, melt the butter on a dinner plate. Add the brown sugar, syrup and cinnamon. Mix it with the butter on the plate. Place the biscuits on top of the caramel mixture. Microwave on high for 3 1/2 minutes. 

The link that the recipe came from is: http://livingpractically.blogspot.com/search/label/Cooking 

2 ingredient lemon bars – hmmm good

I tried this recipe last week and everyone just loved it!

Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars

FYI – I did try this recipe and it was so delicious! And it was easy!. You have to try it!
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This simple, two-ingredient lemon bar is a nostalgic recipe for me. A friends mother had made these lemon bars for a birthday party, and my mom asked for the recipe. I remember my mom telling me that it was easy enough for me to make – it was one of the first recipes I remember making mostly on my own. As a result, every time I make these bars, I recall every detail of the birthday party from the games we played and the weather to the park where it was held.

While I don’t expect, you to get all nostalgic putting together this easy recipe, it is one of the easiest bar recipes I have ever found. All you need it an angel food cake mix and a can of lemon pie filling.

Mix them together and bake in a 9×13 cake pan at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. As they are cooling, you can sprinkle with powder sugar if you wish (Which I guess technically makes this a 3-ingredient recipe).

Here is the link: http://livingpractically.blogspot.com/2011/04/two-ingredient-lemon-bars.html

Easy 2 Ingredient Fudge and Oh So Good

I tried this fudge last week and it was so easy but even better – it was so good!

Ingredients:

Serves: 48 Yield:1

8×8 pan Units: US | Metric
1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

1 Place both ingredients in a microwave safe 8″ x 8″ dish.
2 Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes.
3 Remove (with oven mitts, please) and stir to combine.
4 Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to set.
5 Fudge can be removed from refrigerator and stored at room temperature after it has set.
6 Once at room temperature you can melon scoop it, roll it in powdered cocoa and chopped nuts, and serve as truffles.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-2-ingredient-chocolate-fudge-192509 

Fabric Houses Tutorial

I saw one of these dollhouses on Pinterest and thought it was so cute. I have added the link for the tutorial so you can make them yourself . This would make a nice Easter gift for a child or even a birthday gift. The pictures show some houses or barns that be for a boy or a girl.

I am planning to try it, too. It looks like so much fun! I may just make them for my granddaughters.

 http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2008/08/fabric-dollhouse-tutorial.html

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Pillowcase Nightgowns

These nightgowns were made from pillowcases. They are so cute! I want to try to make some for my grandchildren. The site that has the free tutorial is listed below.

http://icandyhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/07/tutorial-pillowcase-nightgowns-take-2.html

Dogs and children - anxiety signs

Just a word of warning - be careful with your children and your dogs. Children have a tendency to hug and kiss dogs. Most dogs do not like this. Sometimes they show anxiety. This is a good site that explains it. http://doggonesafe.com/Signs_of_Anxiety

Babyccino? What do you think?

I have discovered that children are drinking coffee in coffee shops that has been labeled "babyccino". It is suppose to be made with decaf expresso. Here is a picture of a little girl drinking one. I am not quite sure if this is a good idea or not. Even though it is decaf coffee, isn't there a little bit of caffeine in decaf? It is served warm/hot. Isn't there a chance of the child burning themselves? And is it being served to children (some as young as 2 years old?, just so the parents can be labeled "trendy"? What do you think?

If you want more information, you can go to this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/coffee-for-kids-babyccino_n_1279127.html

Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe

Hi! My ancestors came from Poland and I have taken the time to make cabbage rolls by rolling them up and keeping them together with toothpicks. Then you have to worry about someone eating a toothpick or the roll falls apart. 


Then I saw this casserole that looks so easy and has the same ingredients but you don't have to roll them or use toothpicks.
Here is the recipe: 

You need:

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion,diced

4 cloves garlic,minced

1 tsp dried basil

1- 14.5 oz can beef broth

1- 15 oz can tomato sauce

1- 11.5 oz can tomato juice

1 medium sized cabbage, chopped

1 1/2 c. instant brown rice

 salt and pepper

Directions:

In a large saucepan cook ground beef, onion, garlic, basil, salt and pepper until beef is cooked through. Add broth, tomato sauce and tomato juice and remove from heat. Meanwhile chop cabbage. In a 9x13 pan add cabbage and rice. Pour ground beef mixture over rice and cabbage, stir to combine. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour, stirring a couple times throughout baking.

Here is the link: http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2011/11/cabbage-roll-casserole.html

The next best thing to Robert Redford dessert

Yes, that is the name of this dessert. It sounds really good and I plan to try it. Here is the recipe:

The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford

5.0 from 9 reviews

Print

Recipe type: Dessert

Author: Itsy Bitsy Foodies

Prep time: 45 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 1 hour

Serves: 24-32

This rich, creamy and chocolaty dessert definitely isn’t for the weak. A little bit of the buttery cookie crust topped with vanilla-chocolate pudding and whipped cream goes a long way.

Ingredients

• Bottom Layer
• 1 cup unsifted flour
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• Middle Layer
• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 1/2 ounces homemade whipped cream
• Top Layer
• 1 large package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 large package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk
• Garnish layer
• Roughly 4 1/2 ounces homemade whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings

Instructions

Bottom Layer

1. Mix together the flour, butter and chopped nuts until the dough is crumble-like.
2. Press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
3. Bake the cookie crust at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
4. Let the cookie crust cool.

Middle Layer

1. Beat the sugar into the cream cheese until it is smooth.
2. Fold in the whipped cream.
3. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust.

Top Layer

1. Beat the milk into the pudding mixes until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
2. Spread the pudding over the middle layer.

Garnish Layer

1. Spread whipped cream over the top.
2. Sprinkle the the dessert with grated chocolate candy bar, such as Baker’s Real Semi-Sweet Chocolate Shavings.
3. Cover the layered dessert and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve it.

http://itsybitsyfoodies.com/the-next-best-thing-to-robert-redford/

Button Flowers

These are hand embroidered designs with buttons and felt. I love how the buttons, felt and embroidery just go together. They are so cute! I would love to try this and add similar designs to my sewing. What do you think?

These are from http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenkitchen/with/102693686/

Hearts for Valentines Day

I saw these on Pinterest and just thought they were so pretty. 

Chalk Board Placemats

 These are placemats that have been made with chalkboard fabric. It even has a little pouch where chalk can be placed. These will keep little ones busy at the table while waiting for their food. I made these from a free pattern from Bernina.

You can get directions at http://weallsew.com/weallsew/files/2011/08/ChalkboardPlacemat081111.pdf

Superbowl - what do you think?

Doesn't this say it all? I just had to add it. And I will watch the Superbowl, too.

Saturday Night at Hickory Bridge

Hickory Bridge Restaurant, Orrtanna, PA

A fireplace setting with an assortment of country foods that they provide

This is the lower dining room.

We went to Hickory Bridge Restaurant in Orrtanna, PA last night. It is such a wonderful place! The restaurant is a converted barn. It even has the planking on the floor. There are antiques everywhere. The food is just great! They have 3 entries and an assortment of vegetables and sides. They keep bringing more food until you say to stop. You also get a salad with warm bacon dressing and a choice of desserts. The place is just beautiful! Hickory Bridge Site - click here

My Pinterest

OK, I am hooked on Pinterest! I have found recipes, beautiful pictures, quilts, sewing, crafts, sayings, and lots of things to make me happy. If you have not tried it, you need to go to www.pinterest.com and sign up. They will get back to you in a day or two. Yes, you have to be invited. Once you are able to sign on, they give you a basic setup with boards. You can add things that you like to the boards or make new boards. You can add your own things or you can repin something that is already been added to Pinterest. If you find someone that adds pins that you like, then you can follow them.


I have added some things that I have pinned. Enjoy!