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.