A Week Full of Owls and Cupcakes!

Whew, I'm back!  The last couple of weeks have kept me busy with all kinds of fun-filled Christmas activities.  My 11 year old niece came back with us to Kansas City and spent the week here so we could continue on with the fun.  We had a busy week full of movie watching, eating out, shopping, and cupcake making.  It was pretty rough. ;)  My niece is really into owls so we got online and found a cute idea for owl cupcakes.  After stocking up on Oreos, Junior Mints, banana Runts, and frosting, we got to work. 

 

She even had an owl necklace on while making the cupcakes.

 

 

 

 

Here are the finished owls!  We had a hard time eating them because they were just too cute.  Each one seemed to have their own little personality.  We were about to name each owl but thought that may be taking it too far. :)

 

 

Later in the week we rang in the New Year complete with festive cupcakes.  She came up with the design and sketched out the plan.  I was just there to help. :)

 

 

 

 

My niece is in the process of redoing her room so we decided to make some owl pictures to hang on her wall.  We searched Google images and found some ideas we liked, then I traced them in Adobe Illustrator {love that program} and added our own touch to the design.  We found some inexpensive frames and spray painted them white.  We were very pleased how they turned out.  Talk about cheap wall art! 

I love the orange and blue color combination in this print so I had one made for myself!

We had such a fun week!  Being an Aunt is the best. :)


Linked to Show & Tell Friday

Molasses Cookies {aka - Best Cookies EVER} and a Winner!!

I have been baking up a storm today!  This is the only time of year when I get excited to bake.  Making cookies is not at the top of my list of favorite things to do, but something gets into me right before Christmas and I start baking up a storm!  I've been making these Molasses Cookies every Christmas for the last few years and they are my absolute favorite and they seem to be a hit with my family.  This year I doubled the recipe so there would be plenty to go around.  

I actually got the recipe from the back of the Molasses bottle.  It sounded easy enough and after I tried a cookie from the first batch, I knew I had found a winner.  

Molasses Cookies

1 cup white sugar

3/4 cup softened butter

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

In large bowl, combine sugar, butter, molasses and egg.  Blend well.  Stir in remaining ingredients and blend well.  Chill dough for easier handling.  Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. Heat oven to 375º F.   Shape dough into 1-inch balls, and roll in sugar.  Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are set.  Cool 1-2 minutes before removing from sheet.

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I couldn't resist adding a little Christmas light bokeh to the picture :)

I linked my recipe to these yummy parties: Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays, Tuesdays at the Table

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AND...

The winner to a year's subscription to Taste of Home magazine is...

# 9 - Lori @ My Heart with Pleasure Fills

Congrats Lori!!!

Super Easy Pumpkin Muffins

Now that fall is around the corner and the weather is cooling down, that means it's time for pumpkin muffins!  I love all things pumpkin and these muffins are no exception.  You can't get much easier than this recipe.  Well, actually you can...  Instead of using yellow cake mix and spices, you can just use a spice cake mix and skip adding your own spices.

Here's the recipe:

1  package yellow cake mix

1  can pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix together cake mix and spices.  Add the can of pumpkin and chocolate chips, stir until combined.

Bake @ 350° for 20-25 minutes.

Fresh out of the oven...

So yummy and super easy!

Original recipe from allrecipes.com.
Linked to: Fingerprints on the Fridge, Foodie Friday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table

Banana Crumb Muffins

I was in a muffin baking mood the other day.  I searched All Recipes for a yummy sounding recipe and came across one for Banana Crumb Muffins.  The recipe is very simple and boy are they good!!!  The brown sugar topping is scrumptious!  I added mini chocolate chips to some of the muffins and I also threw in a little vanilla extract to the batter.

Click HERE for the recipe.

Linked to: Silly Little Sparrow, All the Small Stuff, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, The Girl Creative, Crazy Daisy, Remodelaholic, Somewhat Simple, Room to Inspire

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 

Belated Valentine Cookies

I'm not a big fan of baking cookies.  I get the urge to whip up a batch maybe once or twice a year.  For the last few weeks I have been really excited to make some cute Valentine cookies.  I had all the stuff ready to go and then our silly oven decided to stop working.  Our brand new oven arrived yesterday and before my husband had a chance to hook it up, the sugar cookie dough was made.  I used the recipe from my favorite cooking blog, Our Best Bites.  Click here for the cookie recipe.

Ooey Gooey Goodness

For the past week or so I have been craving a Blonde Brownie.  I decided to give in and bake a batch.  Oh wow - I forgot how much I love this recipe!  It's so easy and super tasty.  I also forgot that I lose all sense of self control when there is a pan of baked goods on my counter. :) 

Mix:
1/3 cup Butter
1 ¼ cup Brown Sugar, packed (I use dark brown sugar)
2 Eggs

Add:
1 ¼ cup Flour
1 ¼ tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Salt
Stir together.  Spread batter in a greased 8”x8” pan.  Sprinkle with your choice of topping.  I love the taste and crunch of almonds.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30min.

Batter:


Ready for the oven:


30 minutes later:


Delicious:

                                 Enjoy!

Linked to :Remodelaholic, Beauty and Bedlam, All the Small Stuff