Apple Banana Bread

So between sick kids, husband’s R&R and a fairly long trip to my folks house I am back.  I never thought that starting a blog would be so time intensive!  Funny how weeks can go by where I can find the time everyday and then all of a sudden there is none!  I am sure that all you moms out there can completely understand.  J 

I have had 3 bananas sitting in my fruit basket for quite some time.  Eventually they made it into the bowl I use for my baking and then…. sat there for a bit too.  I feel like I am always making banana bread and just wanted something a bit difference.  Not to mention with two kids under 4 years old, time is always of the essence.  So this is what I came up with.  It is a great way to use those old bananas and a quick, somewhat healthy alternative to your average banana bread.  This bread is super moist and is great for a quick breakfast the on the go or when having coffee with girls. My kids even eat it!

Ingredients

1 c. Whole Wheat Flour

1c. White Flour

3/4c. White Sugar

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

2 Eggs

1c. Milk

3 large ripe bananas

2 peeled, cored medium apples

Directions:

Lightly mash bananas until they are mostly pureed but still have some lumps. Add apples, eggs, and mix. In another bowl mix both flours, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar. Mix dry ingredients in several sections into the banana mixture. Add the milk and mix until thoroughly mixed. Batter will be thick.

Pour batter into greased 9x12 bread pan and bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 60 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.

Bon Appétit!

Pecan Cream Frosting

When I made my Pumpkin Ginger Cupcake I needed something to put on the top.  I didn't have any cream cheese or butter so as I searched the pantry and refrigerator I came up with some heavy whipping cream, Southern Pecan coffee creamer and sugar.  After a little research I discovered that you can make frosting out of coffee creamer, amazing!  But most recipes called for powdered sugar, which I didn't have.  So here's what you need, and it is super easy.

I had about half of the whipping cream left, about 16 oz and so that's what I started with. 

Pour 16 oz of heavy whipping cream in a chilled bowl and mix with an electrical blender on high for about 5 minutes or until it starts to get thicker.  Add 2 cups of any coffee creamer you like and continue to mix on high for another 5 minutes.  It will get thicker.  As your mixing add a tablespoon of white sugar (will total 1/2 a cup) to the mixture at a time and continue to mix.  Stop mixing when topping stands in stiff peaks. 

** If you are not using the topping right away at a packet of gelatin when mixing the sugar in to keep it stiff.  I would suggest to not add the topping until you are getting ready to serve.  The topping will hold in the refrigerator for a few days but when you take it out to use it you will need to mix it again with a fork as if you are beating eggs, until you get the right constancy.  It will look a little gross after you take it out of the refrigerator before mixing.

This just as wonderful topping and I'm sure it would be just as good on a cake as a cupcake. Plus you can change the flavor with whatever creamer you have!

Ginger Pumpkin Cupcakes!

So for the two or possibly three people out there who read my blog I apologize for being neglectful.  I had a small back injury and just haven't been doing much of anything! However, now that I am back up and at'em.  So for my first post back I have decided to post one of the BEST pumpkin cupcake recipes EVER.  They are amazing, seriously heavenly.  So here's what you do to make everyone think you are the best baker ever.  They will be impressed and truly love you forever :)

Ingredients:
3 c. Baking Flour
3 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 White Sugar
2 tsp. Pumpkin Spice
1 tsp. Ginger
3 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
4 Eggs
1/4 c. Vegatable Oil
2 cans 15 oz Pumpkin Puree
1/2 c. Butter (unsalted, room temperature)

Mix all dry ingredients together in one bowl.  I sifted the flour first but it's optional. 

In a separate bowl mix all wet ingredients.  Start with mixing the eggs together and then add the rest of the wet ingredients.

Slowly mix the wet ingredients into the dry in small sections.  Mix together until thoroughly blended but do not over mix.

 Fill greased cupcake tins about 3/4 full.

Bake at 400 degrees F for about 12 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

They don't rise a whole lot but they do come out really light and fluffy, and.... delicious :).  

Here's the finished ones. Tomorrow (yes I will do it tomorrow, I promise) I will post the recipe for the Pecan topping.  It is also AMAZING. 

Enjoy!

Owl Invitation Holders

I have been seeing the Origami Owl necklaces for a while now on Facebook and Pinterest.  They are super cute!! I love lockets and love the idea of these.  Plus what gal isn't all for affordable jewelry that she can change and customize? Not to mention I am always up for any excuse to get the girls together and just hang out.  When I attempted to buy one I quickly found out there was no one selling in my area.  I decided it must be a sign that I should start selling them myself!  I mean what other sane option was there?

To launch this new endeavor I thought I could use my crafting abilities.  The kit gives you invitations, which I don't have yet.  I thought I'd make an owl to put the invitation in.  Here is what they look like when I finished.

They were pretty easy and I actually enjoyed making them.

To make one you will need:
2 pieces of corresponding card stock
White, black and orange card stock
Scissors
Hole Punch
1 1/2 Circle Punch
Hot glue gun

I made mine different sizes as you can see at the bottom of the post.  So there aren't any measurements in my directions.

Step 1:
Take the two pieces of corresponding paper.
I used one plain piece and one patterned piece.  The plain piece I used for the body.  Start with that piece.  I glued the edges together to make a cylinder. 

Step 2:

Fold the two pieces of the top together and glue them to create a point on each end. 

I used this end as the bottom. 

Step 3:
Using a circle punch (I used 1 1/2") cut circles from the patterned paper.  Start gluing the pieces in a line starting on the bottom. 

Overlay the next line of circles above than and continue until about 3/4 of the cylinder is covered. 

Step 4:
Cut three circles.  The first will be white, the middle size black and then the smallest size white.  I used a template for the largest white circle, the 1 1/2" for the black circle and a hole puncher for the smallest one.

I fond that the eyes are cuter when they seem to be looking one direction rather than straight on. 





Step 5:
Using the plain paper but two ovals and glue them on the sides or and just a tad below the eyes.  I finished mine with a beak and feet.

 Here's some more them that I made.  I just love them and with such cute invitation boxes who can say no? Now I just need to find time on my calender to schedule a party!

Hope you have whoot of a time making these!

Boo! Banner

One of my sister lives in Wales with her British husband.  Halloween is not as celebrated in Europe as it is here.  After being stationed in Germany for several years I experienced this first hand.  The first year we were stationed in Germany we were off post and were living in a small German town.  All of our neighbors were German.  My husband decided that he wanted to hand out candy and went and got a TON of candy.  At the end of the night only two kids had come by and by kids I mean 15 year olds.  Then happened to live down the hall and when they found out the we were passing out candy they came by about 10 times.  Because of the language barrier we didn't know how to explain the concept of only going to a house once.  Or the concept of dressing up.  By the end of our five years in Germany Halloween started to be catching on.  (No not because of our large candy stash!)  All in all, Halloween is still really not celebrated over there.  But my sister LOVES this holiday and well I can't blame her!  I love fall and so I love this holiday.  Costume parties, bobbing for apples, cute little dressed up kids and pumpkins! 

So for the love of my sister and the love of this fabulous holiday I am sending her a small care package.  Due to the extremely high shipping rates I have to get creative when  I send her things.  This time I am sending her and husband some of their favorite candy, a few Halloween treats and this Boo! Banner I made from card stock paper and black yarn.  It was super easy.

I made a triangle on a piece of scrap paper that was the size I wanted and divided it into three equal pieces.  Using each piece as a template for each color.  I cut the paper to size, used a pair of scallop scissors to create the cute edges and use a hot glue gun to attach the pieces.  A few hole punches on the top and some yarn and viola a little bit of fun Halloween decor for my sister far far away!  Not to mention that it is light and therefore cheap to send!

Halloween Invitations

In attempt to keep myself busy since the hubby is away with his other wife, the U.S. Army, I am throwing my kids a Halloween Party.  And what is a party without super cute invitations?  Lately I have been in love with paper punchers.  I have a Cricut but sometimes just punching around the edges is fun... and therapeutic. 

So let's start with what you'll need.

Paper cutter
3 Different pieces of card stock
Black yarn or string
Martha Steward around the page spider web punch
glue gun or glue stick
spider punch
spider rings

Not all of these are really necessary, they just add a little flair. 



Cut the black card stock to 6 3/4"x5".  This makes sure that the spider web punch is even around the page. Start with the corner punch and do all four sides.

You will use the corners as a guide for the side punch. The package says to line up the corner punch with the design on the side of the punch.  I found it easier to turn it upside down and match it up that way.  With this size there will be two on the top and bottom and 3 punches on each side.

My measuring was perfect hence the bit on the bottom left of the picture where there is a gap between the punches.  However, once it's all done it will be so cute you'll hardly notice it!  Not to mention I don't think that the kids who get them will really notice either!

Cut the plan colored paper you choose to fit just inside the border.  The the patterned piece of card stock will fit just inside the accent paper.  I used 1/8" boarders for each piece. 

 

Glue each cut piece to stack like this.  I did learn that glue stick is a bit easier since you can slide the paper around to make sure that it is centered.  

 You could just write your invitation on here or even put the top page through the printer before gluing it.  Before I wrote my invitation I used a paper punch and punched two holes in the bottom of the page.  Through this I tied a black piece of yarn, added a name tag (made out of the patterned card stock) and a spider ring (I got the pack at the dollar store). 

This is when I wrote my invitation, you know the regular who, what, when, where and RSVP.

I put them in plain white invitation envelopes and cut out some spiders from card stock for a little confetti when the kids opened it. 

Aren't they just adorable?!?! I just love crafting!  Of course there is a TON of black paper pieces all over the floor and my poor vacuum cleaner sucks up more paper than anything else.  At least the hubbys not home since little pieces of paper all over the floor drive him crazy.  Men totally don't appreciate the crafting like we ladies do!

Until next posting! Happy Crafting!  

Fall Pumpkin Burlap Wreath

Yes, more pumpkin crafts.  Yes, I have a problem, since I have admitted it and taken the first step you can't judge me.

The other day at Joann Fabrics I got my ads all mixed up.  I got all my Christmas fabrics picked out for a Christmas quilt I wanted to make this year.  As I got to the counter to have it cut, low and behold the sale was the next weekend.  Not one to waste a trip to a craft store I strolled around and heard someone mention... burlap! Just one of the materials I have thought about working with before but never have.  When I get to the burlap not only is it pretty cheap (and I have a 40% off coupon too!) I notice that they have new colors in, ORANGE.  I bought the whole bolt.

I currently have no idea what it is I am going to do with 10 yards of orange burlap, but to start I figured I would make a wreath.  There are TONS out there.  Tons of cute ones too.


Bubble Wreath

Burlap Flower Wreath

Bootiful Burlap Wreath

Multi-Color Wreath

You get the point.  There are tons of burlap wreaths out there.  Most of them were just a bit more work that I wanted to do.  I took some ideas from a few and ended up with this.

Before I go into how I made it, I would just like to say that I learned while in Joann's that they suggest that burlap only be used outside since it can cause allergies like hives or breathing problems.  While working with it that it sheds a lot.  The fibers definitely made me super itchy so before doing anything with the kids I would wash my hands really well.  Getting a little itchy for a cute burlap wreath is a risk I am willing to take, not one I necessarily feel like my kids should share.

Here's what you need:
2 hangars
 needle nose plyers
pipe cleaners
orange burlap
green burlap
small branch
tape of some sort (I used electrical since it was on hand)



How I did it:

You can buy wire wreaths.  For most of the burlap wreaths I saw they used a three tier wire wreath.  I didn't want to spend the money so I took two hangars making each a circle, one bigger than the other. I cut small pieces from a pipe cleaner to secure the two wire circles together and keep a somewhat equal distance between the two.

 

Next I cut about 6-8 inch strips from the bolt of burlap.  They ended up being about 3 feet in length but I ended up using more than one strip on each circle.

 I tied the end of the cut burlap to the larger circle then tied it again about 3 or 4 inches.  I frayed an extra piece of burlap and used the strings to down the burlap.  I started out using string but this worked the same and blended in.  I continued this as I went around the circle.  When I was done with the first strip and bunched the loops together and started another one.

Once I got all around the larger circle I pushed the burlap to the back and did another circle of burlap loops in front of it tying it every 3 inches and scrunching the loops together. 

I did the same two circles of burlap loops on the smaller circle.





Just keep adding burlap loops until it is as full as you want it to be.  This wreath is my new favorite for fall.  I figured I could use it for Fall and Halloween.  Plus, I have gotten tons of compliments on it! Now just to find out what to do with the rest of the bolt of burlap.