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1.30.2014

Bigger and Better Couch Forts


I guess couch forts never get old, they just get bigger and better...


Presenting my 12 year old's sick-day-from-school-pillow-fort...

1.28.2014

Tutorial Tuesday!

DIY Wedding:


Over The Rainbow Cupcakes:


Granola Bars:



Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.27.2014

Doughnut Muffins!


I found this recipe on SomewhatSimple blog and was excited to try it.  I decided that this weekend during our long ski weekend with family was the perfect time to break out the new recipe.

Doughnut Muffins
* 1/3 cup shortening
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 medium egg (I used large and it worked fine)
* 1-1/2 cups flour
* 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup milk
* 1/2 tsp butter flavor extract
* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream the shortening and sugar.

Add egg and whisk until smooth.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt, then in a separate bowl, combine milk, butter extract and vanilla extract.  *(can I just say that butter flavored extract was a revelation to me?? My sister-in-law and I agreed it should be added to all baked goods!)

Alternatively, add dry then wet ingredients to creamed shortening. (dry, wet, dry, wet)

Mix until smooth.

Drop the mixture into  oiled muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake the muffins at 375 for 12-15minutes, don't over bake! The tops should still be pale and the edges just starting to turn golden.

Remove from pan and cool on rack.

I iced them with a basic glaze (1 cup confectioner's sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 2 tbsp. milk) to ice the muffins.  Some I left as simple glazed, others I dipped into real chocolate sprinkles I ordered from King Arthur Flour (these sprinkles are UNREAL!), or nonpariels.



This recipe was a winner and was perfect for my continental breakfast menu for our ski weekend,

Easy Ski Weekend Breakfast Menu:

Doughnut Muffins
Sliced Strawberries
Hard Boiled Eggs
Orange Juice

**a bite of muffin + strawberry tasted like strawberry shortcake! I'm going to remember this recipe for shortcakes this summer.

1.23.2014

Dear Green Skittles...


I see you in there looking all green and limey.  You are an imposter, a fraud, a fake.  You can't just turn all green apple on us!  We lovers of the red bag of Skittles are purists, if we wanted crazy flavors like pomegranate, or blood orange, or GREEN APPLE we would choose some of those crazier bags like purple one.

Green apple is an acquired taste, like watermelon, we want our lime back!  What have you done with him, sour apple?? Huh??

Lemon and lime are like yin and yang, you can't mess with that mojo.  Lemon and  Green Apple?  Shudder...

So, in closing, scram green apple!  I want my lime!

Sincerely,

Juniper

P.S. (Below, you will see The Big Guy with his best bud skiing in their yellow and green jackets.  On the slopes their nickname is "Lemon & Lime", not "Lemon & Green Apple".  That would be stupid. I think I've made my point.)


1.21.2014

Tutorial Tuesday!

Cooking for a Month:



Anthro Inspired Cuff:



Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.20.2014

A Green and Blue Rose


Look what happens when you split the stem of a white rose with a knife and place each half into a different color of dye!! 

A fun project for the kids to try next time you get a bouquet...maybe Valentine's Day?

1.17.2014

Feedback Friday - Latest Book?





I am reading Reconstructing Amelia this week and I have to say that mid-way through it I expected it to be more gripping...meh.

What's a good book you've read lately?

1.16.2014

Dog Shaming

I get such a kick out of all the dog shaming photos online - hilarious!  

Since I happen to have a neurotic cock-a-poo I decided to make a photo for myself.

1.14.2014

Tutorial Tuesday!

9 Rubber Band Bracelets for Kids:


Ropa Vieja Pizza:


DIY Upholstered Ottoman:


Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.13.2014

Gettin' Twiggy Wit It


After all the Christmas decorations come down in my house I love to use twigs and branches to decorate.  I like it a little more spare after all the excesses of Christmas.

A little spray paint in the color Chrome did the trick this year!  Find a great branch with lots of interest and spray 'em up! Set it on your mantle or a shelf in a simple display to highlight it's natural beauty...as natural as a chrome-colored twig can be!

To see more natural decor ideas check out some of my other posts on this topic:

Shopping the Yard

After Christmas Decor

1.10.2014

Resolutions - Feedback Friday


Are you a resolution kind of person?  I tend to fall off track with diet and exercise during the holiday months, so usually my resolution is to get back to my routine before December hit.  Oh, and to clean the house more...yeah...fun. 

And to stop making stupid mistakes with Tutorial Tuesday in regards to forgetting to post, forgetting to put the link up in, etc...

What resolutions did you make this year?

1.08.2014

Tons of Cleaning and Organizing Tips



If you are like me and 90% of the people in the world, January is a time to resolve to clean up your messes and organize your home and life.  Here are a few pins I have saved over the past year to help me do just that.

30 Days to a Clean House:


Remove Sticky Build Up From Appliances:


20 Days to Organize and Clean Your Home: (we could have this done by the end of the month!)


Martha Stewart's Tub Scrub:


Here are some past posts I have written on the subject:

*Pantry Make Over

*Shoe Pocket Organizers Around the House

*Fridge Organization

*Shiny Kitchen Sink

*Funky Dishwasher

1.07.2014

Tutorial Tuesday!


Welcome to our first Tutorial Tuesday of 2014!  As long as you guys are game, I'll keep it going for another year!


Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.06.2014

Turkey Sandwich with Sour Cherries and Brie


A few weeks ago, I met some girlfriends out for lunch in the little cafe in Nordstrom's.  What a find!  I never knew that little gem was hidden in that store and the small menu had some great choices for lunch.

I fell in love with the sandwich I ordered and have made it several times at home.

Turkey Sandwich with Sour Cherries and Brie

Thickly sliced turkey
Brie, sliced
Sour cherry preserves (found with the jams and jellies) *could sub. cranberry sauce
Croissant

Layer the meat and cheese on the croissant then microwave a bit of the cherry preserves to soften.

Drizzle preserves on top then eat!

This combo is so much better if the ingredients are room temp!

*Do you like how I'm just totally ignoring the fact that I haven't posted in about 10 days?? I'm like whistling with a look on my face like "What?!?"

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