Doomsday 2012

Doomsday is just around the corner, December 21, 2012 to be exact. This is the end-date of a 5125-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. But the Maya calendar is really a system of calendars used in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica,

One new age belief is that December 21st is the beginning of a new era marking the beginning of a positive physical or spiritual transformation.

Others say it will be the day of  a catastrophic catastrophe while scholars dismiss the idea of such cataclysmic events occurring in 2012 and say December 21st simply represents the end of one calendar.

I like to look on the positive side of things. So, I'm throwing an End-of-the-World Party. I figure if we're all going to die, we might as well enjoy margaritas, munchies and make a little of our own mayhem.

How 'bout you?

 

FUDGE - SUPER SIMPLE

I am a true chocoholic. So, with the holidays rolling (and I may be soon) around I thought why not make some homemade holiday goodies? So, I did.

Here's how I made it.

1 package of Nestle's semi-sweet morsels
1/2 cube of butter
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon of orange extract
1 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)

(Just put it all together in a pyrex bowl and microwave until well-melted. Stir it up until it is smooth and glossy. Then pour it in a well-greased glass baking dish and chill) I cut little circular shapes and slipped them into mini-muffin tins to give as gifts.

This makes yummy fudge and it only takes a couple of minutes. A couple of important tips though for all you "new" bakers and creaters. You need to cut the chocolate when it's only lightly chilled and then let it chill over night before you remove the candy. If you don't do this step I'll show you what happens:

The top two pieces were pulled out before the fudge chilled all the way through. They look more like little turds than something you'd want to eat. So take my word for it and let the fudge chill thoroughly so you'll have candy like the bottom two examples.

You can get the mini muffin tins (candy papers) at your local grocery store. I use wax paper between the layers of goodies.

So happy baking, making and creating - the EZ way.

Hair Raising Experience

Okay. I admit it. I have some curl in my hair. Sometimes I even straighten my hair. But not very often. I don't like all that heat on my hair. So, when I went to get my hair done, at my local salon, and the hairdresser told me she had a cream I could put in my hair (after I shampooed it) that would leave my hair silky, shiny and straight (for one day), I thought, why not?

So, I used the product. And here's what happened:

Now, I don't know if it was a joke or not. I mean it's not April 1st. But, I did not curl my hair in this picture. Not at all.

My hair just went CRAAAAAAZEEEEEE! I even have bobby pins in this do to keep my hair down. It was about three times this size. And let me tell you, I already have some huge hair. I don't need to be turning up the volume when it comes to these locks.

So, what do you think? A prank? A mistake...? I don't know. But, this is a hairdresser that I've gone to for years. So maybe she handed me the wrong product. She simply gave me a small sample in a little plastic bag.

Perhaps it was a hair-raising joke? No big deal because it's supposed to wash right out...we'll see.

Tabletop Tree Made from Scrap Materials

It's so simple to make this homemade holiday tree. All it takes is a little tulle. I had some left over from the Shamrock run last year. Yeah, I made tutus for all us girls running in the race. So I had to think of some way to use this stuff up. And, here's how I did it.

First take a dowel and put it into a base. I used wood and drilled a hole in the platform and then glued the dowel in place. But you could use flower foam just as easily.

Then I cut the fabric into strips and started placing it on the dowel.

I did it haphazardly. You could be much more creative with the fabric but I simply pulled and twisted (kind of like making a bow for a present) and then I glued a star on the top.
I also glued some green fabric on the platform base to hide the wood. And, I think this would make a nice centerpiece for a dinner table or a nice gift for someone who can't have a large tree in the house.

Now I'm going to make a pink one then maybe white...I could get carried away with this.

Movie Review Monday - Breaking Dawn Part II

So to be honest Breaking Dawn wasn't my fav of the four books. Actually it was my least favorite. I just love my lore and I don't think vampires (you know they're undead) shouldn't be having babies especially since they have that blood-thirsty hunger and all.

Anyway (SPOILER ALERT) I wasn't so excited to go see the second half of Breaking Dawn. But, and it's a big one, I'd read all the books and seen the other movies so how could I not go?

And to be honest, it was much better than I expected. Still a little slow for me with them searching for witnesses to their cause for so long. But I LOVED the fight scene. Call me creepy, but I loved seeing them battle.

Unfortunately I was disappointed that (like in the Wizard of Oz) when it ends up being a dream, I hated this fight simply being one of Alice's visions.

How 'bout you, did you see the show? What did you think? Did you love it or could you leave it?

Decorating the Yard for the Holidays

I love to decorate. But I'm also cheap, um, I mean frugal. Yeah, that's a better word. I hate to spend money on Needful Things ;) So usually I just hunt around the house or the yard for what I need.

I take old Christmas decorations and pine cones, chunks of wood, whatever and use it/them out in the yard, like this:

Yep that's a golf ball I've spray painted gold

Then I simply stick the "decorations" around the yard in my pots, planters and raised beds. What an easy way to decorate and so cheap, I mean inexpensive.

Homemade Holiday Outfit

This year we're trying to limit the gift-giving frenzy. I don't know about you but, for me, I'm tired of racing around to find the perfect gift that the kids don't end up loving. So instead, I'm trying to make some of my favorite recipes, sharing some secret tricks and tips I've come across over the years when it comes to baking and I'm even sewing a few things and MAYBE I'll even knit a gift or two (small projects). Plus, I'm making my Christmas outfits this year.

Here is a sample of what I've made, (two sequined shirts, two skirts, a couple headbands and scarves and a quilt but I'm still working on some of my projects and I have a long way to go before I'm done.)

But take a peek. I'm no model but you can see that sequins go a long way and, sometimes, a little is more than enough. Don't worry, you can tone the sequins down with a dark jacket and pants and still feel sparkly and in the party mood:

And if you're feeling daring you can throw off the jacket and dance a little - well not me - I have the rhythm of an elephant in high heels, but you might want to dance.

I know this takes time too. But you can probably come up with a few ideas and share some of your skills, talents and abilities without investing too much time or money in the process.

Some of my projects are a secret (since I'm planning to give them away) but I'm willing to share a couple things I've been working on that are on the same line - homemade for the holidays.

Like I said, I wanted to have a couple new outfits for the holidays but didn't want to spend much money so what did I do? I sewed a couple skirts and shirts.

Here's what I made and how I did it.

I bought a yard and a 1/2 of skirt material on sale for about $9.00 and a yard of sequin material for about $3.00. Then I came home and laid out my favorite tank top on top of the black sequin material (yeah, I'm cheap and patterns are expensive - so I used what I had) and cut out the material. Then I repeated the process using the black tank as my pattern for a green tank top (see the layout above.)

I sewed the seams and WAH-LAH Christmas Outfit for $12.00. That's a deal - or maybe even a steal ;D

Of course my son said the flannel skirt (see below) I made looked like some granny thing out of a fairytale. He said it reminded him of something out of Hansel and Gretel.

But, "Wait," I said, "there's no granny in Hansel and Gretel - it's a witch."

He grinned, "Yeah...?"

So maybe it's not as fancy as some outfits gals have for Christmas but it's something new and comfortable. Plus, it fits me really well. And I'll be wearing it a lot.  (The picture isn't so great - I took it with my new phone and I'm just getting used to it - but here's a peek so you can get an idea.)

Then I made another skirt. This material came with the waist band already attached. "SEW" simple. All I had to do was cut it and sew the seam. Super-simple. Of course my son said it looked like something Minnie Mouse would wear. Oh well, I grew up a Tom-Boy and never was a fashionista. But it
cost less than $10.00 to make, that's like two cups of coffee at Starbucks. And, I like it.

I showed my sis and she agreed with my son. She said, "Minnie has got to go." Oh well, maybe people will see me and smile because I'm definitely going to wear it :D

How 'bout you? Have you made any Christmas gifts? Are you planning on baking? Share some secrets...? Or...what are you thinking of for gift-giving?

Do Over - CAKE FAIL

Have you ever called do-over? I do, all the time. I try one recipe and if it's a fail, I have to try to fix it. Sometimes it's not a recipe but a design. Like my turkey cake. I made one cute cupcake but then had to super-size my idea.
But BIG isn't always better. As you can see, It didn't work so well.

First, my kids don't like fondant. And covering an entire cake with fondant, well, let's just say it doesn't taste as good as whipped cream and fruit (which is what everyone around here prefers) or frosting (second runner up.)

So, for Thanksgiving I made another cake and a few pies (yeah, we're pigs) and I redesigned my turkey. The fondant feathers in the first cake didn't hold up so well. They were droopy and looked seriously sad so this time I used construction paper to create the feathers and food quality shish kabob skewers. It worked much better.

And the cake still needs some work but this one turned out much better so I guess it's true, practice makes perfect  better.

 

How 'bout you, did you make anything special for the holiday feast? 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Okay if you love books, like I love books, then perhaps you'd like to make a Dr. Seuss inspired blanket. Here's how I did it:

First you take the picture squares and sew borders around the edges. I chose to put two borders around each square and I used solid colors for the picture borders. Then I used strips of crazy quilt Dr. Seussian fabrics for the pieces between the squares.

I don't use stick pins very often because I always end up getting poked but binder clips work really well. See the left hand lower corner.

Then you piece the squares together using stripping in-between the blocks to space them out perfectly.

I made my center square super large because it had the theme on the block "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". But, believe me, this is not a good idea because the pieces need to fit together like a puzzle and if one piece is bigger than the rest, well it throws off the entire equation. Just let me tell you that my seam ripper was my friend.

Then I sewed a border around the entire blanket and put a soft cozy plush fabric on the back.

It takes a bit of time but not so much if you follow the quilting protocols. I've just never been so good at following the rules. . .  :D Still I think it turned out - at least it will be warm and comfy when we settle down on a cold winter night.

Great and EZ Homemade Pie Crust

I have a couple quick and EZ tips to help you make the best homemade pie crusts. What you'll need:

Tools: Pie tin (preferably glass), foil, wax paper

Ingredients:

3 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (keep 1/2 cup to spread on cutting board and over the top of dough so it won't stick to the rolling pin)
4 sticks of butter (32 tablespoons)
1/3 cup water
2 large eggs (reserve one just to brush over the top of the pie)

Mix ingredients together until thick and ball like. (Cut dough in half - one-half is for the top of the crust and one-half is for the bottom). Put a piece of wax paper on the cutting board, sprinkle some flour on the wax paper, roll out dough. Lift the wax paper and push the dough into the pie tin, carefully pull off the wax paper. Trim edges of dough to fit pie tin. Now repeat the process. Fill the pie with your pie filling and cover the top with the other half of the dough. Trim the edges with your kitchen scissors and pinch the edges together.

Tip Number 1: Use the aluminum foil. You'll need to wrap the edges of your pie so they don't burn. And, if your pie crust starts getting too brown, you can cover the entire top with foil to keep it from burning.

Tip Number 2: Roll your dough out on Wax Paper. That way you can flip the wax paper over on the pie pan and press it into place. You won't have any cracks or creases because the wax paper keeps the dough in place. Then simply trim the edges with a pair of kitchen scissors. Yep, that's right, I said kitchen scissors. I always have a pair handy.

Tip number 3: Pinch the edges of the dough to make whatever form/shape you want.

Tip number 4: Brush the top of the pie with an egg to give it a glistening, shimmering, glow to the dough.

Tip number 5: Never forget to pierce you pie so it can vent. Yep, that's right, we all need to vent, even our pies. :D

I made the holly out of leaf cookie cutters and a round hole cutter. I placed the pieces together to turn them into holly. But, you could use other cookie cutters to come up with decorative designs for the top of your pies.

Movie Review Monday - Life of Pi

Over the Holiday we went to see The Life of Pi as a family.

It was a great holiday movie for the family but over all I would give it a C+ because it was a little slow. I loved the cinematography and the overall story but it felt like I was sitting for a long time.

Still I would say it was a worthwhile show to see.

How 'bout you - have you seen it? Did you enjoy it?

Sweet Christmas Ornaments

Who doesn't love ice cream and cupcakes? Even on a tree...?

Here's how to make these sweet treats.

Take real ice cream cones, put a bead of glue around the rim and place a glitter ball inside.

Then add a hook to hang the ornament.

You've got an inexpensive sweet treat to hang on your tree.

Next take cupcake papers, place a bead of glue around the rim and place the glitter ball inside.

You can add glitter or other embellishments to up the ante in the decorations.

My daughter and Fatina made these ornaments and I thought it was a fun, inexpensive way to decorate.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy Holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Chinese Garden in Portland

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Right in the center of the city tucked between the towering skyscrapers, if you look, you will find a tranquil courtyard modeled after a 16th century private home and garden of a wealthy family. The garden is meant to be a spiritual utopia. And walking into the courtyard was like walking into a serene setting. It was peaceful and soothing even on a cold rainy Portland day.

Every doorway and window is meant to form views within views and they were beautiful.

The walkways were formed from individual stones brought all the way from China.

It almost felt bad to be walking on such beautiful artwork.

The ponds were stocked with fish and as the water splashed from up above it sounded like musical notes playing for the fish and visitors.

After strolling through the garden, we went to the tea house and had a wonderful hot cup of tea.
I had the cranberry orange to celebrate the season of Thanksgiving.
It was a wonderful way to spend a cold Pacific Northwest Day.