Thursday, August 4, 2011


DIY Flowers (borrowed from Scrapbooks etc. magazine online)

Brighten up your pages and projects with these handmade flowers found on the opener of our “DIY Flowers” story in the April issue.

SCALLOPED PUFFS

Punch five scalloped circles from cardstock.
Soak the circles in water for a few minutes.
Remove the scalloped circles from the bowl and blot the excess water with a paper towel.
Stack the five scalloped circles and stick a brad through the center.
Beginning with the top layer, scrunch all the sides up together. Repeat with each layer until the flower is formed. Let it dry completely.

FRINGED FLOWERS

Cut a long strip of cardstock, and fringe-cut 2/3 of one side.
Gently fold down the first few fringed pieces on one end and begin rolling strip with these folds inside.
Once rolled, gently fold back all remaining fringes outward and add an adhesive dot at the end of the strip to secure.

SPIRAL FLOWERS

With a pencil, lightly draw a 4″ circle and a spiral from the outside to the center of the circle. (Increase or decrease the size of the circle to change the size of the resulting flower.)
Cut out the spiral using decorative-edge scissors. Be sure the decorative edge faces the outside of the circle.
Bend the tips of the decorative-edge down and roll into a spiral, beginning at the outer end of the spiral. Be sure to bend the tips toward the side with pencil marks (so they will be hidden on the back of the flower). Let the flower relax and adhere at the center/end of the spiral to secure.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Today is here!



Thank you to my hubby for giving me the much needed encouragement and symbolic kick in the butt; back on the treadmill and finished my grazing in the high calorie lane. I feel better, and am eating better, and thankful for his support.

Today is the day! Rio is here! Once the kiddos & I finish lunch, we are off to Wal-mart to get our bonus disc set. Woohoo! I think I see a 100-calorie popcorn in my future!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - from nifty thrifty things blog

S'more Rice Krispies



I am about to blow your ever-loving mind.
S'mores + Rice Krispie Treats.
SEE? Don't say I didn't warn you. When I saw them on Pinterest I freaked out! Then I followed the link and they were FOR SALE. $3.75 for one. So I googled s'more rice krispies and it turns out quite a few of you have made these. Here is my version for you to enjoy!
You will need to make 2 batches of treats, so I will include my super secret Rice Krispie Treat Recipe. This is only known by a few chosen people. In a largish bowl zap 40 large marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of butter for 2 minutes on high in the microwave. Stir and add 6 cups of Rice Krispies. Stir to combine, then press into a 13 x 9 pan. Repeat as necessary.

Now let's get back to the post... Here is what you need to make the yummy goodness:
4 T Butter, 80 big marshmallows and 12 cups rice cereal for the treats. 7 Graham crackers, 1 jar of marshmallow cream, couple shakes of sea salt and 6 chocolate bars for the filling.
Two batches made.
Break apart the chocolate and melt in microwave for about 2 minutes.
Pour melted chocolate on one batch. You don't have to go all the way to the edge. Leave about half an inch.
Sprinkle with just a bit of sea salt. (I went through a few different recipes and a couple added the salt. I think it is a good idea, it just sounded nice to me.) Press the graham crackers into the chocolate. I broke them apart, but you don't have to.
At this point you will want the chocolate to firm up to really grab on to those crackers. (Soon you will need to flip them on to the other treats and you don't want the graham crackers falling off. Listen closely to the voice of experience.)



Side note: I make my treats in a pan lined with wax paper. So much easier to get out. I put this one on a cookie sheet.
When the chocolate is hardened, (about 5 minutes depending on how hot your house is) spread the marshmallow cream.
The last step is kinda sketchy. You will need to flip the graham cracker side to the marshmallow side, making a nice little s'more sandwich. You may mess up, it's OK just reposition and do your best. You're just making s'mores and they will forgive you. {Your thighs, not so much.}
You will need to let them sit for a while before you slice 'em up.



There you have it! S'more Rice Krispie Treats. I know you are gonna love 'em! At this point I need to tell you that 90% of the time I am extremely careful about what I eat. And 10% of the time I bake. So 10% of the time I give myself free reign to indulge. Life is hard enough, why make it harder by resisting yummy goodness?
These will be a hit at your next party, I just feel it!

XOXO Jules

Give It Away - Paul Brandt