“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Sweetheart Snowgirl


















My handmade projects seem to be almost non-existent lately! I wanted to show you a special item I made for a friend, just so you know I haven't stopped crafting altogether. This is a Paper Mache Snowman , make that a Snowgirl. I always seem to forget to take the pictures until they are almost done. In the picture below she has been painted and glittered and is now drying.






Cute, but plain. She needs accessories!
                                   
I then added a Valentine Bouquet of faux flowers and hearts, a ribbon scarf and fuzzy hat. The buttons are actually old earrings that I removed from their clips. A little paper ribbon for a belt and she is ready for her Valentine debut.










Linking with Delightfully Inspiring Thursday



Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tickle Me Tuesday

If you visited yesterday, you will know that we all had a good cry over Puff the Magic Dragon. Today I thought we should shake off the blues with some funny pictures and quotes.
Here we go...





Funny or weird or both?




Source: Lauren on Pinterest

"I'M NOT TAKING A BATH, NO WAY!"








Source: CraveCute on Pinterest

"He followed me home. Can I keep him?"









Source: CraveCute on Pinterest





Great example of cat storage options!






'Nuff said!


Monday, January 23, 2012

The Year of the Dragon

Happy Chinese New Year 2012 - Year of the Dragon

 

This Chinese New Year 2012 ushers in the Water Dragon. Water exerts a calming influence on the Dragon’s innate fire. Water Dragons are more open to other people’s opinions than other Dragons which gives them the ability to channel their personal charisma into real leadership qualities.

Famous celebrities born in under the Dragon include John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Al Pacino, Marlene Dietrich and Matt Dillon. The Dragon’s lucky color is yellow.


No disrespect to the Water Dragon, but my favorite dragons name was Puff, as in Puff the Magic Dragon.  As a child, I and another girl were forced to sing this song for some event. We were very young, and during rehearsals we could not get through the last verse about Jackie Paper not coming back without crying! Thank goodness our mothers did not make us sing that verse. Sure enough, while watching this video, I was tearing up all over again. If you are a crier, grab a tissue and watch this really adorable video about a Magic Dragon named "Puff".







The good news is that apparently there was another verse and Jackie Paper's daughter comes to visit Puff. Also there is another story I heard about a sequel that has Puff flying to Heaven to see Jackie. I choose to believe that Puff was never alone for long and always had a steady supply of friends to keep him company.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sharing Some Good Things Today

I am sharing two things that make for a wonderful day. They make life interesting and fun, they both nourish us and help us to grow in many ways. These two things couldn't be more different and more alike! What the heck am I talking about? Friends and Food. Today this is what I am sharing, some friends wonderful blogs and some fun and tasty food.



Let's take a peak at the food part first. Sorry, if you are on a diet folks. 
Put this recipe in your file for next month!

Soda Cracker Cookies (recipe below)



Next I would like to thank Barbara from March House Books Blog for a wonderful award. It is called the Liebster Blog award. She tells me that Liebster is German for dearest, beloved or favorite.  I am delighted that she picked my blog as one of her Liebster blogs! The rules are to pass on the award to five other blogger favorites that have less than 200 followers. Let me introduce you to some of my favorite blogs and their owners.

Shana at  Creating My Sanctuary, Christine at  Golden Lilly Crafts
Amanda at  Interpreted By Me, Jenny at  Jenny Igloo, and Geneva at  My Heart's Song.


I am sure they would love it if you would stop by for a visit!
Make sure to visit Barbara's blog as well. Thanks again Barbara!


          

  Congratulations to all of you!




Now it is time for the food part of my post. I found this recipe in a vintage cookbook called North Country Cabin Cooking. This is one of those kind of strange but utterly delicious and simple recipes that are sure to be a favorite.  So first lets look at a picture of this yummy concoction.


If you love caramel-toffee, chocolate, nuts and a bit of crispiness, you will love these!
                

Soda Cracker Cookies

12 ounces chocolate chips
1 tablespoon butter  
1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped

35 soda crackers (saltine crackers)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup butter


Set the oven for 400 degrees. While it is heating prepare the ingredients.

Line a 10 x 15 baking pan with foil. Spray the foil with non-stick spray. Place the
crackers on the foil. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, on very low heat, melt the one tablespoon of butter and
add the chocolate chips. Stir until smooth. Set aside.

In a small saucepan melt one cup of butter and add the brown sugar.
Stir and boil the brown sugar and butter for 2 minutes. Spread over the
crackers.

Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. When crackers have been removed from
the oven and the bubbling has stopped, spread the melted chocolate on top.
Sprinkle with the chopped nuts, press down slightly into the chocolate.

Cool for about an hour. If you can't wait that long the pan may be put in freezer
for faster cooling. Cut or break into serving-sized pieces.

Recipe adapted from North Country Cabin Cooking, Garlic Press, Hopkins MN.


Linked with Tasty Tuesday at Nap Time Creations

Monday, January 16, 2012

We Remember Martin Luther King, Jr.









 Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

    Martin Luther King Jr.
    US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 - 1968)



Friday, January 13, 2012

Cinnamon and Chocolate



Even though the holidays are over, we still have Cinnamon and Chocolate. 
Here is a fun song and some yummy food pins from Pinterest. Yes, they are all about 
Cinnamon and Chocolate. Maybe sometime I will actually make these recipes; especially 
The Lake Effect and the Bread Pudding with Chocolate and Cinnamon. Enjoy!


source







Butterfly Boucher sings Cinnamon and Chocolate

I love this cute song. The picture is nothing special here, I think it is
supposed to be footprints in snow. Hint: I am focusing on the
Cinnamon and Chocolate part. You probably already got that part!



Cinnamon and Chocolate

Hush, little baby bird,
nest in my arms,
I'll keep you warm.
In the night the stars will watch
and guide your spirit.

Oh, your dreams will help you fly
Clementine's won't pass you by
The thoughts of years have come
and gone and we are alright,
We are alright.



We still have cinnamon and chocolate,
Holly and thyme
Hearts will warm when fire's burning
Patience there's time




Hush, little baby bird
There is hope to spread across
All the seasons, all the moonlight,
Keeps the secrets
In the still before the dawn
There's the whisper, there's a song
When the morning comes
And night has gone, there's joy
There is joy

We still have cinnamon and chocolate
Holly and pine
Hearts will warm when fire's burning
Cinnamon and chocolate
Holly and pine
Hearts will warm when fire's burning


Patience, there's time
There is time
Patience
There is time
Patience
When you wait
Patience
There is time
There is joy
Waiting
There is joy
Waiting
In your heart
Waiting
Please find joy


Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge!
Cinnamon and Chocolate Fudge (recipe)




Cinnamon Chocolate Bundt - I Like Big Bundts 2011

Cinnamon and Chocolate Bundt Cake (recipe)







Hot Chocolate and Cinnamon (recipe)










Bread Pudding with Chocolate and Cinnamon (recipe)






The Lake Effect
1 1/2 oz. Cinnamon Schnapps
1 1/2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
1 oz. vanilla ice cream (about 1 scoop)
2 cups ice

Blend all ingredients in electric blender and serve in a frosted glass. Sprinkle with Cinnamon.







Joining with...

 Thursday Theme Song

Pinning and Singing with Natasha at 5 Minutes Just For Me

Tasty Tuesday at Nap Time Creations

Click on the links under the pictures to find the recipes... if you dare!