Almond Meltaway Cookies

Almond Meltaway Cookies

These are the BEST cookies you will ever eat. They literally melt in your mouth. I made a big batch of these the other night and we finished them ALL by morning! Ive been craving them ever since!
 ENJOY!


Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk (or water)
2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.  
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg and almond extract, mixing until combined.
Add vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
Add flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time, mixing until completely combined.
Roll 1 tablespoon of dough into small circles and then press with hands into a disk shape. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 8 minutes. The cookies will not look browned or cooked, but they are. If you cook them too long they wont melt in your mouth as luxuriantly as they should ;)
Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To Ice:
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk and almond extract - until smooth.
Using a spoon, smooth icing onto the top of each cookie and let set for 10 minutes, or until hardened. And Enjoy! I know you will :)

Cute Valentines Day or Anniversary Card

I made this for my boyfriend this past valentines day and thought I would share it :)
It was super simple. just print the text, and a map (I used a map of wyoming because thats the state we met in ) and cut everything into shape and glue! Easy! Have Fun!

Parmesan Baked Tomatoes

PARMESAN BAKED TOMATOES! YUM!

THIS RECIPE IS AMAZING! Its a great side dish to any meal not to mention low carb! I hate raw tomatoes. I have tried to like them time and time again but I cant. But baked tomatoes are a whole different story! I LOVE THESE! SO SO SO SO GOOD! AND SO EASY!

INGREDIENTS:

2 Large tomatoes
Lots of grated Parmesan cheese (or a little, your preference :)
Fresh or dried oregano
Salt
Pepper
Olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

 Slice your tomatoes as thin or thick as you prefer
On baking sheet place sliced tomatoes
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, fresh oregano, salt and pepper
Drizzle olive oil over top
Bake 450 F for 10 to 15 min.
AND ENJOY!
easy right?

The Best Way To Have Green Beans!

THE BEST WAY TO HAVE GREEN BEANS!

I had never been a real big fan of green beans and even still they arent my favorite veggie, but this recipe makes them taste great! and its easy to boot! This recipe can also be done with canned or fresh green beans

INGREDIENTS:

1 Can of green beans or a few big handfuls of fresh green beans
Salt (to taste/preference)
 Pepper (to taste/preference)
Garlic salt (to taste/preference)
Olive oil (approx. 2-3 tablespoons)
Parmesan Cheese (Grated, not that powdered stuff you put on pizza)

FOR CANNED GREEN BEANS

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Drain green beans.
spread the beans out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. There is no right or wrong amount, its whatever you like.
Drizzle with a light amount of olive oil. Remember: Olive oil has a very strong flavor. a little goes a long way. you can always add a little more but you cant take it away ;)
sprinkle on as much Parmesan as you like. We put a LOT on! We are a cheese family :)
Bake in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the beans are heated through and the cheese has softened (keep in mind parmesan is a very hard cheese. it wont melt like other cheeses but it will soften)
and youre done! YUM!!!

FOR FRESH BEANS

The recipe is basically the same but with just a few changes. Before you put the cheese on, bake the beans in the oven for 10 minutes.
Take them out of the oven and add the cheese
bake for another 5 minutes.
easy peasy!

Getting Rid of Blackheads: LIE!

 Ok, I found this blackhead treatment on Pinterest the other day and I thought I would give it a try. Ive been prone to getting blackheads on my nose since I was 12 so if I could do a quick treatment every once in a while to completely clear it out, why not? Well here's why not. It didn't work and it hurt...a lot. Ok maybe it worked a little but no better than a clay mask or good face wash and neither of those things burn the heck out of your face!
 Here was the recipe
Getting rid of Blackheads: Take gel facial wash and mix with a tbsp of baking soda and a tbsp of salt. Apply to damp skin with cotton pad; leave for 5 mins.
This was supposedly going to make everything in my pores just leak right out. Unfortunately this was a  PINTEREST: FALSE

 

Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter Balls

 Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter Balls

 Now this is a fun recipe! I would recommend it for a party or if you have a child with a birthday on a weekday and they want to bring treats to their classmates :) This recipe makes a LOT. I made these the other night and realized just how many this recipe made. we have been stuck pigging out on them for at least 3 days now. And I'd like to note that the picture below is not a picture of mine. Mine are in no way as pretty as these. they look lumpy and ugly but they taste amazing. so dont worry if yours are a little crazy too :)

The Recipe is simple

Mix together:
2 cups creamy peanut butter
3 cup rice krispies
2-3 cups chocolate chips
1lb (3cup) powdered sugar
1/4 cup melted butter.
Make balls and dip in melted: 2 (maybe 3) packages milk chocolate chips.
Put on cookie sheets in fridge to harden.

Unclog Your Drain With Ingredients You Have at Home!

Unclog Your Drain With Ingredients You Have at Home!

To get rid of the nasty black gunk in your drain, or get rid of a drain clog and get rid of that nasty mildew smell!:

1. Boil a pot of water.
2. Meanwhile pour baking soda down the drain.
3. Once the water has reached a rolling boil pour it down the drain.
4. Let the water and baking soda work at decomposing and sterilizing the grime for 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes, pour 1 cup of bleach down the drain to completely kill any remaining mildew or bacteria.
Do this process every few months to keep your sink and shower drains clear and smell-free!

google image search

How To: De-Wax Candle Holders so You Can Reuse Them!

How To: De-Wax Candle Holders so You Can Reuse Them!

once again....Not my photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now we have all bought that amazing smelling, luxurious candle in a pretty jar. But isnt it a shame to throw away that jar or candle holder just because that wax is seemingly impossible to remove? Well not anymore ladies and gents! This little tip changed my life! We go through a LOT of candles in my house and I hate throwing things away that could be reused!
Its so simple!
Boil a fair amount of water in a pot or kettle.
pour into the glass jar or candle holder.
now just wait! the wax will start to look like a little lava lamp, slowly making its way to the top. leave it untouched for a few hours. By the time you check on it all the wax should have made its way to the surface and will be floating atop the water! just pull it out and throw it away! VOILA! clean glass! I always give the glass a quick wash with soap and water to clean off any residue, and then youre all done!  

Cinnamon Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cinnamon Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting 

Once again this is NOT my photo. I promise I'll remember to take a picture next time!

This cake and the frosting were a big hit in my house. I swear the frosting was so addicting i couldn't stop poking my fingers into it! If you like cinnamon you will LOVE this.

INGREDIENTS:

for the cake:

2 cups all purpose flour  
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder  
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon  
1/4 teaspoon salt  
1 cup milk (we use 2%)  
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature  
4 large eggs  
1 3/4 cups sugar  
1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel  
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

for the frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature  
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature  
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar  
1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
2 teaspoons cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into small bowl. Stir milk and butter in small saucepan over low heat just until butter melts and set aside.
2.  Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until thick enough for batter to fall in heavy ribbon when beaters are lifted. (I unfortunately did not have an electric beater when I made this so I had to do that part by hand. It was a work out to say the least!) 
3.  Beat in orange peel and vanilla. 
4.  Add flour mixture; beat just until blended. 
5. Add warm milk mixture; beat just until blended. 
6.  Divide batter between prepared pans.
7.   Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean and cakes begin to pull away from sides of pans, about 24 minutes. 
8.  Cool cakes in pans on racks for 20 minutes. Cut around pan sides and turn cakes out onto racks. Turn cakes right side up.

 For frosting:

1.  mix the butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer until very smooth. (An even bigger workout without the mixer!) Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing. 
2.  Add the vanilla extract and cinnamon and mix. 
3.  Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness (you can use between 2 and 3 cups). 
4. Spread one cup of frosting onto first layer. Top with second layer. Smooth the rest of the frosting onto the top and sides using your preferred technique.

AND ENJOY! 

Get White Nails: A Pinterest Lie!

Now I know that I cant blame Pinterest for this not working but that's where I found it! supposedly making a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and applying it to your nails for 5 minutes will give you pretty white nails like the photo below. I tried it and it didn't work...like at all...so this is a PINTEREST: FALSE

DIY: Baby Mobile

DIY: BABY MOBILE

Today I will teach you how to make a mobile to hang over your baby's crib that can also serve as a cute decoration in their bedroom when they no longer need a mobile.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

1. LOTS of ribbon. pick a color scheme that you like and find at least 10 different styles (printed, sheer, satin, lace etc)

2.  Scissors

3.  Wire wreath

4. Spray Paint

5. Fishing line

6. Gems, chrystals or beads

7. Hot glue

DIRECTIONS:

1. First you will need to spray paint your wreath. Unfortunately wire wreaths only come in an ugly green color. I had someof the Krylon "Ballet slipper" left over from making Ruby's bow holder so I used that. spray evenly until opaque (one flat even color) and let dry completely.

2.  Next you will want to tie fishing line to each "bump" on the wreath (you will know what im talking about when you see the wreath). This is how you will hang it. make sure you hand it evenly. it wont look right if its crooked. in order to add the ribbon and crystals you will need to hang it from something like a table or chair.

3. Now you need to cut your ribbon. I recommend cutting all of your ribbon evenly to start. cut your ribbon about a foot long (it doesnt need to be a perfect measurement because you will cut them in different lengths later)

4.  Now you will glue the ribbon to the wreath. put a small dab of hot glue on the very edge of the ribbon and fold it over the edge of the wreath. you arent really gluing the ribbon onto the wreath, but onto itself so that you make a little loop around the wreath. continue to do this alternating different styles of ribbon. theres no real order that they have to go in, just whatever looks fun to you :)

5. The crystals are the best part :) you want to find some that catch light and sparkle so your little one has something to marvel at. I got mine in the bead section at Michaels craft store. I got both square shaped and heart shaped. Its easy and simple. tie fishing line to the crystals. you can have all of them at an equal length or all different lengths. whatever you like :)

6.  Next tie the crystals to the inner sections of the wreath. again theres no right or wrong way to do this. just do whatever you think looks best

And you're all done! cute, fun, and custom!

DIY: Bow Holder

 DIY BOW HOLDER

Alright, this is another great Pinterest find :) When I first saw this I knew Ruby had to have one! Its fairly easy but you may need someone with VERY strong hands to help you out.

YOU WILL NEED:

1. A large wooden picture frame (I found an old ugly one at the thrift store for $3)

2. Spray paint

3. Small hooks (The kind that you can screw into a wall or ceiling)

4. Ribbon of your choice (you want it no more than an inch thick)

5. Hot glue

I forgot to take picture as I was crafting so unfortunately I can only show you the finished product.

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Screw the hooks into the bottom of the frame. Here, you will want to do as I say and not as I do and space the hooks evenly. If you look closely at mine they are spaced kind of funky. This is also where you will need someone with strong hands! It may sound like a simple task but screwing those hooks into the frame can be really tough. Be prepared for you hands to hurt!

2.  Spray paint your frame. I used Krylon brand spray paint in "Ballet Slipper". make sure to apply a nice even coat to both the frame and the hooks. I was able to create an almost distressed look by applying and even but thin coat of paint so that you can see some of the dark color of the frame showing through. Let dry completely.

3.  Next you need to cut your ribbon into strands. Measure so that the ribbon has about 2 inches of length beyond the inner edge of the frame. you want to do this because you want to have enough ribbon to work with when you start to glue.

4.  Hot glue the ribbon to the back of the frame. be very careful to keep your ribbon straight and tight.

5. Hang on the wall

AND YOU'RE DONE! just clip ribbons and hang headbands!

                                                                        <3

Cream Cheese & Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

THIS PICTURE IS NOT MINE! I found it on allrecipes.com.
mine is a lot messier ;)



Ok, so I found this recipe on Pinterest and I just HAD to try it out! Its breaded chicken stuffed with 2 types of cheeses topped with a lemon-garlic butter sauce. How could that not turn out amazing!?
Heres what you will need:
 (Serves 8)

 Ingredients:

1. Oil (for greasing the pan)
2. 8 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
3.  1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, cut into 1/2 inch slices
4. 1 (8 ounce) package of cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 inch slices
5. 1 Cup of milk (we always get 2%)
6. 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
7. 1/2 tsp Garlic salt (I didnt use the measurement, I just did what felt right :)
8. 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
9. 3/4 cup butter (melted)
10. 1 Tablespoon minced garlic

 Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a large shallow baking dish with oil
( You may need to use more than one pan if you plan on making 8. I made 3 in a 9 x 13 if that gives you an idea)

2. Butterfly each breast by slicing in half horizontally through the center, cutting almost but not completely through. Place one slice each of Cheddar and cream cheese in the center of each breast. Close again as if placing between the pages of a book. Set aside.

3.  Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Pour breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Carefully dip each breast first in milk, then in breadcrumbs, patting lightly to coat. Place breasts side by side in a single layer in pre-oiled baking dish, tucking edges under to seal.

4.  Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in lemon juice and garlic, and drizzle evenly over chicken. Season breasts with garlic salt.

5.  Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until no longer pink in center and juices run clear.
you absolutly NEVER want to eat pink chicken so if you see pink dont be afraid to leave them in the oven longer (ive had to double the cooking time before because we got some especially thick breasts)

And you're done! a great side to this dish is green beans or peas. easy and simple :)
keep in mind that the cheese may leak out of the chicken a bit. That's Ok! even if they aren't perfectly beautiful it will taste like absolute heaven!