Friday, March 15, 2013

M&M Cookie Recipe

 I made these cookies on Valentines day for some friends. They were sooo delicious I had to make some for Easter too, they're so cute!

Delicious M&M cookies.

The Valentines cookies:



M&M Cookies
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 oz cream cheese, cut into small pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted melted warm butter
1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1 1/4 cups M&M's
--------------------------------------------------
 Preheat oven to 350 F

 whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

 Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl.  Pour the warm butter over the cream cheese mixture and whisk to combine, the mixture won't be completely smooth yet.
Mix in the oil then the egg, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

 fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. When ingredients are almost all combined add 3/4 cup of the M&M's in. Continue mixing until a soft dough comes together.

Roll dough into balls and place on parchment paper on the baking sheet (parchment isn't necessary, but I like to use it.

Flatten the dough balls a little with the bottom of a cup.

Bake 10-12 minutes, with 2 minutes remaining quickly pull out and put some M&M's on top, I do about 3 each. This just makes the cookies prettier. Cook remaining 2 mins and pull out when the edges are set. don't wait until they are browned.

Makes about 24 cookies


Recipe adapted from: Joyful Momma's Kitchen
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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Barstool Makeover


We've been in our home for almost 2 years, in June, and this project has to be one of my very favorite DIYs I've done in the house so far. I made a random, quick Goodwill stop with my brother and found these gems, I was glad he was there to help me lug them to the front to check out while I carried the baby so no one else had the chance to snatch them. $9 bucks each!

When I saw them I instantly knew what I wanted to do to them. Paint them white and stain the seat.
I sanded the whole chair and then primed with spray paint where I would paint it white. I spray painted it with Rustoleum's Universal White Gloss. The seat is stained in Minwax Dark Mahogany.   Now that im writing this I'm realizing I never sealed them and I probably should but they've held up great.

barstool makeover


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Sunday, December 2, 2012

Christmas Diy Gift tags and Gift Wrapping

I've seen so many cute gift wrapping ideas around on pinterest and blogs the past month I'd thought I'd switch it up from my regular Christmas themed wrapping paper. 

First I made the gift tags.I think my favorite tag is the round blue,brown and white one with mistletoe...
christ gift tgs diy

christmas wrapping




Heres some more cute ideas:

PomPom wrapping paper: 























No bow gift wraping:               
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Monday, November 19, 2012

Post Thanksgiving Dinner Crafts

After Thanksgiving dinner is over, and the boys are watching football, is a perfect time to get Christmas crafting with your family!

Heres some easy and cute ideas!...
(click on the titles for the link to the tutorials)

Make snowflake ornaments out of pipe cleaners:
























Make Christmas gift tags:
























Rolled Rosette Christmas Trees: 

Felt Ornaments:
























Christmas tree banner:







 Christmas Pillows:


























Christmas Wreath:






















Snowglobes:





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Friday, October 19, 2012

Quick and Easy Recipe for Soft Homemade Playdough

playdough recipe

Kaylie and I are in love with this playdough. It is so soft. It already seems like it doesn't get hard and crusty fast like the playdough from the store. It was so easy and quick to make. You'll have all the ingredients on hand too!
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Monday, October 15, 2012

Creamy Potato Soup



I've tried a few potatoes soup recipes since my married dinner making days began. This one I kind of just put together and it turned out be probably my favorite batch I've made!
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 large onion, chopped or 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 pint half and half
  • 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
  • about 8 slices of bacon
  • Dried parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Peel and cube potatoes and boil for 10 mins. Drain. Mash to your liking, I mashed about 1/2 the potatoes. Let sit in strainer.

cook bacon until crispy, chop.

Pour in 4 cups chicken broth into large pot over medium heat. Add butter, cheese, half and half, onion and garlic. Stir until butter and cheese are melted. Add in potatoes. In individual bowls sprinkle parsley and bacon pieces.

I actually bought bread bowls for this soup to go in but I forgot about them until the next day, but the soup was really good in the bread bowl!
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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Living Room Evolution

I've learned when you buy a home the decorating process can take a long time. Here's where we're at so far

Click "read more" for the pictures of our house evolving....
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