Love Bug Box

Love Bug Box: Using the flat paintbrush: Paint the box lid with Valentine Pink. Paint the bottom portion of the box and the wooden plug with Bright Red. Let dry.


On top of the box lid, use the liner brush to paint oval eyes with black. Use the marker to draw a mouth, eyelashes and eyebrows. Add cheeks with the cosmetic blush. Let paint dry.

Glue the wood plug in place for a nose.

Use the tip of the paintbrush handle dipped in white to add dots to the eyes for highlights. Clean the tip of the paintbrush handle and then dip it in black paint and add dots to the cheeks for freckles. Use the liner paintbrush and white to paint a small line on the nose as shown and a small heart on the mouth for a tooth.

Cut the red chenille stem in half then in half again. Glue the two shortest halves to the top side of the box lid for antenna. Glue a heart to the tip of each antenna.
Cut a strip from the pink felt, make short cuts along one edge and glue the other edge in front of the antenna for hair. Cut the red felt into two teardrop shaped ears and glue behind the antenna. Tie the ribbon into a shoestring bow and glue in front of the hair.

sOME oF oUR RACING pATCHeS

These are a few of our racing patches now in the hands of the Patchman .

WE spent allot of time at the races in our younger years.

The Patchman

Style Hats Patterns Instructions

My Vintage Racing Patches

For those of you who know me  and those who do not.

Racing has always been a passion in this family.

While selling on ebay we met a wonderful man who has bought all of my 30 or so vintage racing  patches

Check out this great guy named Chuck and his collection

http://racestarpublications.com/gasper.html

 Chuck has an incredible collection that is first class! He has had many neighbors and friends and members of the racing community over to see his "hobby". He was offered five thousand dollars for it once and turned that down. Everyone has a price they say, but something tells me Chuck's going to hold on to his prize because he's worked for it for so long. A true labor of love!

If you have any patches or decals that you think Chuck would be interested in purchasing, he would be happy to hear from you. You can reach him at 219-322-4867 or email cana2@att.net.

This collection speaks eloquently to the legacy and diversity of the auto racing world, and who is better than Chuck Alm as the definitive proprietor of this legacy!

 

The Patchman

Salmon Dip Recipe

Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe

To Launder Wool Garments

Command Performance Knit Dress Pattern

OK Friends my old patterns include this beautiful vintage two piece dress.

Pattern is from 1941 and the darling vintage hat will follow in a few days.

Have fun.

I originally made this in 1970 with angora and was a fav,until my hubby washed it and dried it.

Wow! last time he did the laundry EVER.

Yes were still married.

Knit Girls Sock Hat 1930s Pattern

Ribbon Tutorial

Change the colors and add a hair clip .
Post on a package.
Put a pin on the backside
String together on a ribbon.
Make a ribbon necklace.
No matter what you make of it this is a great simple and easy to follow tutorial
Found HERE
inspirationaltechniquesandtutorials.blogspot

Check out all her other great tutorials

Get ready for next year

DAILY SURVIVAL KIT

Today, I am giving you a

DAILY SURVIVAL KIT

To help you each day............

Toothpick ... To remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Rubber band ... To remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid ... To remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

Eraser ... To remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors.

Candy Kiss ... To remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.

Mint ... To remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.

Bubble Gum .... To remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil ... To remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag ... To remind you to take time to relax daily and go over

This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day

Wishing you love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing, laughter, music, and warm feelings

In your heart in the

2012 year.

Slipper knit Pattern

Scandi Sweater Knit Pattern

If you need a full size pattern copy sent please let me know.

RECIPE: Pink Lemonade Cupcakes Link

http://medfield.patch.com/articles/recipe-pink-lemonade-cupcakes

Welcome Painted for my Daughter

Made for my daughter for a Christmas gift.

Carved into the wood and then painted
One side winter the other spring

Cute

Just Once wouldn't you like to say this to someone ?

Please Enjoy Winter This Year

P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40' The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound.. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.


Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. When you read the ' shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top .... Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.
Here are some other uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing..
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff Marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as Hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some locations.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

GUESS THAT'S WHY IT STINKS SO BAD!

Turkey and Cranberry Ravioli Recipe.Turkey and Cranberry Ravioli

Recipes from Giada De Laurentiis

Chicken Piccata


Turkey and Cranberry Ravioli

Ingredients
Ravioli:
1/4 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons grated Romano
1 tablespoon bread crumbs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
20 store-bought wonton wrappers
Gravy:
3 tablespoons butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions

To make the ravioli: in a medium bowl, stir together the turkey, cranberry sauce, cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Place 10 wonton wrappers on a work surface. Brush lightly with water using a pastry brush. Place 1 tablespoon of the turkey mixture on each of the wonton wrappers. Top with another wonton wrapper. Push out any air bubbles and press the edges tightly to seal.

To make the gravy: in a medium, heavy skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir until cooked, about 1 minute. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring quickly to avoid lumps. Add the cream, parley, salt, and pepper and cook, without boiling, for 2 minutes, stirring often.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ravioli and cook until tender but still firm to the bite and the turkey is cooked, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Drain the ravioli into the gravy and stir to coat. Serve immediately in individual dishes, drizzled with the remaining gravy.

Thanksgiving Leftover Pie

Turkey Pot Pie
Adapted from Ina Garten

Ingredients
For the filling:

2 cups leftover turkey meat, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock, preferably homemade
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup yellow onions, chopped (1 onion)
1/4-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup medium-diced carrots
1/2 cup medium-diced celery
1 cup sweet potato, small diced or mashed
1 teaspoon thyme, finely chopped

For the pastry:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/8 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
1/4 to 1/3 cup ice water
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
Flaked sea salt and cracked black pepper

Directions
1.In a small saucepan, heat the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot stock to the sauce.

2.Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the turkey, carrots, celery, onions and thyme. Mix well and set aside.

3.For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour.

4.Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together.

5.Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

6.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle.

7.Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

Serves 4-6.

From Linda Cicero’s Cook’s Column
Perfect Pumpkin Cupcake with Vanilla Bean Butter Cream

For the cupcakes:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Seeds from 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

For the vanilla bean butter cream:
8 ounces cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
Seeds from 2 vanilla beans, split and scraped
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups confectioners’ sugar


Note:

After you scrape the seeds from the split vanilla beans, you can put the empty pods into a
container of sugar to make vanilla sugar for another use.
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line two cupcake tins with paper liners In a saucepan, melt the
butter over medium-low heat and continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until butter turns
golden brown. Skim foam from top. Remove butter from heat, pour into bowl and let cool.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In another bowl,
whisk together the pumpkin puree, both sugars, eggs, vanilla seeds, vanilla and
brown-butter mixture, Add the flour mixture, and whisk until just combined. Divide batter
evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through,
until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire
racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Frost with Vanilla Bean Buttercream.
Makes 24 cupcakes.

To make frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese together. Add vanilla seeds and vanilla
and mix thoroughly. Add confectioners’ sugar one cup at a time and whisk until fluffy.

Per serving: 288 calories (47 percent from fat), 15.3 g fat, (9.3 g saturated fat, 3.9 g monounsaturated fat), 56 mg cholesterol, 2.4 g protein, 36 g carbohydrates, 0.6 g fiber, 130 mg sodium.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/10/2493945/perfect-pumpkin-cupcake-with-vanilla.html#ixzz1dM5NBjzq
 
I made these today and they are soo good.
If you like pumpkin try out Linda's Recipe

Flower card

What to do with all that extra paper this winter
Here is a wonderful idea and link

Carmal Spiders Recipe Link

Great sweet treat from the food network.
Check out the recipe HERE

Tiny Pies

This is a "new" dessert floating through the web the last month or so.
Strange I have made these the last 40 years .
They were always in my daughters lunch box and made with sweet preserves with left over pie crust.
My tiny pies are made with left over fruit or any jar of sweet preserves is in the cupboard on any given day.
Try out this common recipe.

Kids and friends love this sweet or savory tiny pies.

Ingredients

2 cups blackberries (3/4 pound)
1 large Golden Delicious apple, peeled and coarsely grated
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon semolina flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
9 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Pastry dough for a double-crust pie

Special equipment:

2 large (17- by 12-inch) baking sheets; parchment paper

Preparation
Cook blackberries, apple, semolina flour, cinnamon and 6 tablespoons sugar in a 2-quart heavy saucepan
over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until mixture just boils and is thickened, about 5 minutes.
Transfer to a shallow bowl to cool.
Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment.
Roll out half of dough 3/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a
16- by 11-inch rectangle, then trim into a 15- by 10-inch rectangle, reserving scraps. Cut into 6 (5-inch) squares.
Place a heaping tablespoon of fruit filling in center of 1 square.
Moisten edges of square with milk and fold into a triangle, pressing edges to seal.
Transfer to a lined baking sheet and press tines of a fork around edges of triangle.
Make 5 more triangles in same manner, arranging them 1 inch apart on baking sheet.
Repeat with remaining dough and filling, rerolling all of the scraps together once to make 12 triangles total.
Brush triangles with milk and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake, switching position of pans
halfway through baking, until pies are golden, about 30 minutes total. Transfer pies to racks to cool.

Makes 12 small pies
active time: 40 min


Make your own dough
Hand Pie Pastry Dough
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoon unsalted butter, cold, cut in small cubes
2 tablespoons shortening
pinch salt
3-4 tablespoons ice water

1. In food processor or by hand, blend flour, butter, shortening and salt until the mixture resembles a coarse meal and has some pea sized pieces of butter left in it.
2. While pulsing add water a little at a time until dough comes together when pinched in your hand. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 1 day.
1. Roll chilled pastry out on a lightly floured surface into a 1/8 inch thick rectangle.
Place the circle in your hand and fill with about a mounded tablespoon of filling.
Seal shut pressing the edges well with your fingers. Fold edges over in a decorative shape or seal with the tines of a fork.
Re-roll dough scraps to make up to eight circles or squares, allowing it to rest about 10 minutes between rolling.

Keeping Ice off the Car

Winter in Alaska where we live can be so harsh! No matter where you live, though, scraping ice off of your car in the early morning is just no one's idea of fun. This is the BEST WAY to keep your windshield frost free.

Wipe the windows and windshield of your vehicle down with white vinegar, undiluted, after you park your car for the night. This will prevent frost from building on your car, and who doesn't LOVE that?

By AlaskanAurora from Dutch Harbor, AK

Halloween Lawn spider to build

Found this easy project on the DIY network.

Check it out

25-things-to-do-with-rotisserie-chicken

A rotisserie chicken is a busy cook's best friend. Whether you get yours from the farmers market or from your local grocery store, nothing beats being able to have dinner on the table in about five minutes. When simple roast chicken gets boring, you can save time by using the precooked chicken in various recipes. Read on for a big list of recipes. (See also: 5 Awesome, Easy-to-Freeze Meals)
5-awesome-easy-to-freeze-meals

Recipe card Blanks

Recipe : Pink Lemonade Cupcakes Link Find

These cupcakes are great for birthdays because they are not only visually pleasing but delicious too! The cupcake itself is a sweet lemon cake topped off with frosting that contains pink lemonade mix, giving it a tart flavor. This duo combination is simply addictive and will leave your guests licking their plates.

RECIPE: Pink Lemonade Cupcakes found here
http://medfield.patch.com/articles/recipe-pink-lemonade-cupcakes

Baby shower foods,

Baby shower foods, perhaps are the most delicate elements of the said event because these need careful planning. However, deciding on the menu can become considerably easier if the organizer knows the important considerations when it comes to the baby shower foods. Aside from saving him a lot of time, he'll definitely be able to choose the best dishes and save a lot of money by being guided.

If you are the baby shower organizer, don't forget to keep the following in mind when you're planning the menu: The number of guests. It's already obvious why this detail is important - you don't want to spend too much or too less on baby shower foods. Other than that, it'll be horrific to waste too much food or to not satisfy every guest's hunger. It is fine to serve food in excess if you intend to give some for your guests to take home but as much as possible, don't. It's better to leave the take-home goodies different from those served at the tables.

The party schedule. The food must be appropriate for the time that the event is taking place. Heavy meals are best for noontime and nighttime parties while light snacks are good for mid-morning and afternoon baby showers. Besides, your guests are already expecting that you'll be feeding them the proper meal type at the party so deliver it.

The baby shower theme. Every element of the party must tie-up with one another or else you'll risk ruining the mood. Just imagine your guests adoring your decorations and once they see your buffet table, their sparkling eyes suddenly look confused. Not a good scenario, right? To avoid this, make sure that the food display and presentation will complete the ambience. You don't need to sculpt the food or get exotic dishes just to fit it in with the theme; you can just do some tricks with the colors and utensils. For example, white serving plates and cutlery will look great for tea-party themed baby showers while skewered meat looks great for outdoor-types.

The guests' profile. Are all of your guests adults or will there be some children as well? Will they be all-women or will men be welcomed as well? Remember, every type of person has his own preference, but you don't have to consider each of theirs. Just make it simple by serving finger-foods for children or some meaty dishes for men.

The preparation time. If you plan to serve freshly-cooked and stove-heat dishes to your guests, then you definitely need to plan a menu that you can actually work on within the same day as your party. It doesn't matter if the dishes are simple and traditional, what matters is that you'll be able to serve the baby shower foods to the waiting guests on time. If you still want to pursue some rather ambitious gastronomic, it's fine; but make sure that you prepare in advance the right ingredients like pasta, marinated meat, and desserts.

Edie Mindell writes for Simply Unique Baby Gifts. Free shipping (lower 48 states) and lowest price guarantee on cute baby gifts and unique baby favors help you stay within your budget.

Cupcake Recipes

Ticings Buttercream Dream Frosting


1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons hot water
1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar


Cream softened butter in mixer bowl until light and creamy.

Add vanilla extract until blended, then fold in powdered sugar and stir until blended into butter mixture.

Beat at low speed on the mixer stand — about 3-4 minutes until smooth. Add hot water slowly to desired consistency.
If desired, tint with food coloring, or use untinted to cover and pipe details onto cupcakes and cakes.
From Ticings



Hummingbird Cake

2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 ounces crushed pineapple, (keep juice)
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
2 cups mashed bananas

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
4 cups powder sugar (sifted)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine first 4 ingredients in a mixing bowl, beat on medium speed and then gradually add flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, pecans and bananas until blended.

Line muffin pan with cupcake baking cups. Fill batter into each baking cup about 2/3 full. Bake at 325 degrees for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.

To make cream cheese frosting, blend softened cream cheese and vanilla extract in a mixer with a flat attachment until smooth and fluffy. Turn mixer to low and gradually add powdered sugar until blended.
From Grace & Shelly’s Cupcakes

Maple Walnut Cupcakes

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature (1 1/2 sticks)
1/2 granulated sugar
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple extract
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake or muffin tin with paper liners. In large bowl cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Beat in maple syrup, vanilla and maple extracts. Add eggs one at a time until completely combined. Continue beating just until mixture is smooth.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk. Beat until well-blended. Stir in walnuts or pecans.

Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full. Bake for about 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool pan on cooling rack for 5 minutes, then remove cupcakes. Frost when completely cool.


Maple Icing

1/2 cup of butter, (1 stick) at room temperature
1/2 cup solid white vegetable shortening
1 tablespoon maple extract
3 tablespoons water
1 pound 10X confectioners’ sugar

With electric mixer on medium speed, cream together butter, shortening, maple extract and water.
Slowly add sugar 1 cup at a time until mixed completely.
Whip on medium/high speed for one to two minutes until light and fluffy.
If mixture is too stiff, add water 1¼4 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.
— From Extreme Cake Sugar Shop

Cherry Coke Float Cupcake

Discovered on passthesushi.com, adapted from Homemade By Holman

Ingredients:
For the Cake:

3 cups all purpose flour

6 T cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups Coke (don’t use diet)
3 tsp vanilla extract

1 can cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 T Coke

For the Icing:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
6 T powdered sugar
1 teas Whip-It (optional*)
•Maraschino Cherries for garnish

Preparation:

For the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with cupcake liners. Mix together flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa in a bowl and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and butter and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each and scraping down the sides if needed. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk, Coke and vanilla extract, making sure to let the foam calm down after you mix it in. Foam will do us no good here.

Beginning with the your flour mixture, add to the butter mixture, alternating with the Coke mixture in 4 parts. Beat each addition just until incorporated.

Fill each muffin tin about 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the tops spring back when touched lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center cupcake comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pan and then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, use a paring knife to cut out a cone shape in the middle of each cupcake. Add a spoonful of cherry pie filling to each cupcake. You may want to try to chop the cherries up a bit. The whole cherries were a bit hard to fit in each cupcake. Strain and reserve the liquid, give the cherries a quick chop, and then toss them back in the liquid before filling each cupcake.

For the Glaze:

Mix together powdered sugar and coke with a whisk in a small bowl until no lumps remain adding more or less sugar if needed. You want a thicker constancy, one that will glaze the cupcake but not disappear down the sides or into the cupcake.

For the Icing:

Chill your mixing bowl for 10 to 15 minutes before you are ready to make your icing. Beat cream in a chilled bowl with whisk attachment or hand mixer on low speed. If using, add the Whip-it then begin to add the powdered sugar, 1 spoonful at a time, increasing speed as the cream comes together. Whip the cream until it holds stiff peaks. Using your favorite tip, pipe the whipped cream onto cupcakes and top with maraschino cherries.

Dutch baby recipe card

New York Taffy Recipe Card

Christmas Clay Decorations Toy Soldier

These are very cute and found all over during the holidays in Arizona.
I do not know who created them but True Value hardware and every one has a copy of these darling door decorations.
The little ones are cute but the large ones about 6 feet tall are spectacular.
They used 16 inch pots to create them.
Some were even decorated with real buttons and thrift found hats.Painted eyes
The plans are created to James Carey and Morris Carey

Your Checklist of materials
5 five-inch flower pots
3 cans of spray paint (red, black and blue)
Blue painters tape
Masking paper
2 wood tongue depressors (Alternative: Paint stir sticks)
Masonry adhesive, hot glue gun or Velcro connections
Gold ribbon
Sticky-back felt
Regular felt
Brass ring
Gold-colored plastic “cabochons” (or regular buttons)
Gold-colored beads and gold sequin (Alternative: Gold-colored braid or rope)
Plastic eyes
Pipe cleaner (black or red)
Red-colored yarn tassel

 
Instructions
Creating a Toy Soldier from Clay Pots

by James Carey and Morris Carey

Add to your holiday decor with a handmade 18-inch tall “toy soldier” made from flower pots, spray paint, a few pieces of felt, ribbon and a few odds and ends.
This fun decoration is a great family project and adds a festive touch every year, especially if there are youngsters around to share the experience.
You will need five 5-inch flower pots and three cans of spray paint - red, black and blue. The rest is, in large part, up to you.
Our toy soldier can easily be converted to an angel, Santa, an elf or whatever else suits your fancy.
First, the clay pots should be spray painted. Two pots are painted blue, one black, one red and one is left unpainted.
Next, add a black stripe to the rim of the unpainted pot and to one of the blue pots. Use blue painters tape and masking paper to prevent paint from getting onto any surface other than the rim. Two wood tongue depressors should be spray painted red andset aside for use later. If tongue depressors aren't available, trimmed paint stir sticks will do the trick.
Permanent assembly can be achieved by using a masonry adhesive or a hot glue gun. However, if storage is a consideration, use Velcro connections instead. This will allow partial disassembly and the placing of some of the pots inside one another.
Assembly begins by placing the blue pot with the black rim, rim-side down, on the work surface. Next, connect the bases of the two blue pots, making sure to align them. You've now created black shoes and blue trousers. Next, attach the rim of the red pot to the rim of the blue pot. Then, connect the base of the unpainted pot to the base of the red pot. Finally, add the black pot to the top, rim down.
The next step is to add red stripes to the trousers, a white stripe and a black collar to the shirt, a black belt where the trousers and shirt meet, and a gold hatband to the hat.
We used gold ribbon for the hat band, sticky-back felt for the trouser and shirt stripes and regular felt for the collar and belt.
A simple brass ring was used for a belt buckle and, although regular buttons can be used, we used a package of gold-colored plastic "cabochons." The absence of a stitching protrusion on the back made them easy to attach with a hot glue gun.
Twenty or so small, gold-colored beads strung together with a gold sequin at each end can be used for the hat decoration.
Gold-colored braid or rope is an alternative.
The arms are made from the tongue depressors (paint sticks) that were painted red earlier in the project.
Now, it's time to add white gloves. Each consists of a pair of opposing pieces made from sticky-back felt. Red cuffs can be
added in the same manner. A sequin is used at each cuff for a button. And a short piece of gold ribbon is wrapped around the
top of the arm to simulate an epaulet. Now attach the arms to the body. The face can be painted. In our case, because we're not
artistic, we used plastic eyes and a felt mouth. A short piece of black or red pipe cleaner rolled into a ball can be used for the nose.
Finally, a store-bought red-colored yarn tassel should be added to the top of the hat. Or you can purchase the yarn and make your own tassel.

Quick Fire Starters

Fire Starters


Safe and economical,
these fire starters are a must for your next camping trip.

You need:
Small Candy Mold or
Star Candy Mold
Wax or Old Candles
Saw Dust from Untreated Wood
Disposable Container and Spoon
Broken Crayons (optional)
Instructions:

Melt candles or wax in a double burner on stove top. Add broken crayons for color if desired. Mix equal amounts of saw dust with melted wax in a disposable container. Pour into candy molds. Let harden. Pop out of of molds.
Light with a wooden match to start your camp fire or cooking fire.

Fall Garden

Spring Divisions Caring for Your Flower Beds Budget Gardening: Increase Stock with Cheap or Free Garden Plants
Some perennials do best if divided in the spring, some do best if divided in the fall, and others may be divided in either fall or spring.
The following may be divided in the fall with good results. I think you will be surprised at how many perennials can be successfully divided in the fall!

Propagation by division assures the new plant will be an exact match with the original.
Division is an inexpensive way to increase your stock of a favorite plant, or to create extra plants for swapping with friends.

1 Dig up the clump, taking care to get as much of the roots as possible without damage.Most roots are in the top 12 inches of soil, and the root’s mass will usually be the diameter the plant plus 3 to 6 inches beyond the plant. For digging and transplanting, going larger than this shouldn’t be necessary.

2 Use a sharp spade to cut or cleanly break the clump into two or more pieces (divisions), each with an obvious growing point and some roots.Work on the clump quickly so the plant parts don’t dry out too much (you can cover them with a tarp or mist them occasionally if need be). Discard any unproductive portions and any shriveled or rotten parts. Leave the roots surrounded with the soil to protect the root hairs from drying out and becoming damaged.

You can pry apart fibrous-rooted perennials with your bare hands; all others require sharp, strong, clean tools that are equal to the job: a stout knife, a trowel, even two spades or gardening forks braced back-to-back.

3 Replant the new pieces.Plant some in the same spot and the others perhaps elsewhere in your yard (or share them other gardeners).

Many perennials can be left in place for at least several years before they need dividing
-- and a few such as peony and baptisia -- rarely need dividing, if ever. But if you have plants that need to be divided, see if they are listed. If so, do it this fall and both you and your plants will get a good jump on spring!

These Perennials May Be Divided in Fall
Listed Alphabetically by Botanical Name

Achillea
Aconitum
Aegopodium
Ajuga
Amsonia
Anaphalis
Anchusa
Anemone
Anthemis
Arenaria
Armeria
Artemisia
Aruncus dioicus
Asarum
Astilbe
Aubrieta
Aurinia
Baptisia
Brunnera
Campanula
Centaurea
Cerastium
Chelone
Cimicifuga
Convalleria
Corydalis
Coreopsis
Crocosmia
Dianthus
Dicentra
Disporum
Dodecatheon
Echinops
Eremurus
Erigeron
Eupatorium
Euphorbia
Filipendula
Galium
Gaura
Geranium
Geum
Helenium
Helianthus
Hemerocallis
Heuchera
Heucherella
Hosta
Houttuynia
Iris (early fall)
Kniphofia
Lamiastrum
Lamium
Liatris
Ligularia
Lilium
Linum
Liriope
Lobelia
Lycoris
Lysimachia
Monarda
Nepeta
Paeonia
Papaver
Physostegia
Platycodon
Polemonium
Polygonatum
Potentilla
Pulmonaria
Ranunculus
Rodgersia
Salvia
Saponaria
Sedum
Senecio
Sidalcea
Smilacina
Solidago
Stachys
Stokesia
Tanacetum
Thalictrum
Tiarella
Trollius
Uvularia
Veronica
Viola
Yucca

Cute Lattace Card Tutorial

Found this cute, simple Lattace card tutorial HERE

Easel Card tutorial Link

Find instructions to this and many other cards HERE

Twisted Easel

Shabby Chic Card tutorial

While surfing on the  net yesterday I came across this card and site. She has wonderful tutorials and this darling shabby card made of bits and pieces of all kinds of stuff.

 From here you can add all sorts of items ,your own photos and artwork dressed with tons of knick knacks. Go wild She did. Card Tutorial; HERE

 Check out her  her blog list of tutorials HERE

Scrapbook Layout Ideas

Found a fresh  layout blog for scrapbooking.

She has wonderful ideas and simple how to's.

Blog found HERE

For Sue and all who are fighting .

Free Plans

Free Woodworking plans link found HERE

Make your own paint

With cheap, non-toxic ingredients

So where to get the least costly, non-toxic, low-energy paint?

The answer lies in a trip to the milk-bar. A couple of litres of skim milk will form the base for enough paint to begin experimenting. The next stop is the hardware store for some builder's lime (also called slaked or hydrated lime) and plaster of Paris. Apart from some water and your choice of pigment, these are all the ingredients you will need.

There are several variations on what is usually referred to as `milk paint'. One involves mixing lime into a thick paste with a little water, then gradually adding milk until it reaches a paint-like consistency. I was told about this method by a friend of mine, Salvatore, who had used it while growing up in Italy in the 1930's and 40's. Both ingredients were widely available, and used with various pigments, milk paint is attractive and durable. I tried the recipe using bottled skim milk, though Salvatore recommends milk directly from the cow, with the cream skimmed from the top.

Sieve the lime before mixing it with the milk, and let it sit for several hours, though found that it was still quite lumpy. Straining the mixture through muslin makes it much smoother. I used the paint on old unpainted weatherboards, and got good coverage-once it dried it actually looked like paint!

An internet search revealed some other paint recipes. One that I tried consists of plaster of Paris as the main solid ingredient, mixed with a little lime and skim milk. Again, filtering through muslin cloth to remove lumps is a good idea. This paint was similar to the lime paint, but where the lime-only paint was powdery when dry, the plaster of Paris set a lot harder.

Creating colours

There are many options for colouring milk paint. For a straight white, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are good. Calcium carbonate or chalk will make the paint more opaque. Iron oxide (rust) is easy to manufacture at home from steel wool or iron filings, and gives the paint a nice ochre colour. Many traditional paints used wild berries for colouring. Again, the muslin cloth comes in handy for removing pips. If you're concerned about being able to replicate your colours, you could compromise and buy some ready-made pigment from an art supplies shop.

Cleaning up

Besides the obvious advantage of not having to inhale pungent vapours, cleaning up these paints with water was dead simple. I didn't have to worry too much about tipping the cleaning-up water on the garden, although too much lime can be a bad thing for soil. Lime and milk paint also comes off hands and clothes much more readily than other paint. While lime is alkaline and can cause skin to dry out and feel `burnt' after prolonged contact, it is easy to dip your hands in a bucket while you paint, or wear gloves. If you get lime in your eyes flush them with cold water immediately.

Finishing the surface

One disadvantage of milk paint is that it can be marked by water. Sealing will eliminate this problem, and will make the finish generally easier to clean in `high splash' areas like the kitchen. A range of finishes can be used, including linseed oil and Danish oil. The roughness of the surface caused by particles of lime can be smoothed with steel wool or sandpaper before applying the finish.

What the ingredients do

Why milk and lime? The first reason is that they are cheap and readily available, which is why milk and lime mixes were the most commonly used paint until the mid-1800's. Most importantly, though, they have a synergistic effect that makes great paint. Milk contains a salt called casein, which reacts with calcium in lime to form calcium caseinate, a resin that binds itself with pigments in the paint and the surface the paint is applied to. Many people complain of the great difficulty in removing the bottom layer of paint on old doors and window frames-in many cases, that's well-cured milk paint. The combination also means that once cured, milk paint will no longer be alkaline.

Make your own milk paint:

Home-made paint recipes

Basic lime and milk paint

Mix in one part of lime with twelve parts of skim milk (you can measure by either weight or volume). Add pigment until desired colour is achieved.

Lime, milk and plaster of Paris paint

Ingredients:

Skim milk 1.5 cups

Lime 30 g

Plaster of Paris 240 g

Pigment

Mix skim milk with lime while stirring briskly until the lime is thoroughly dispersed.

Add plaster of Paris and pigment until desired colour is achieved

Notes:

Allow the mixture to sit for an hour or until it stops bubbling.

When painting, stir the mixture every five minutes to prevent the solid ingredients settling.

Washing up

Use water, and a little soap. Unlike commercial synthetic paints, the residue can safely be poured onto the garden, though be careful not to tip too much lime on one area.

Blank Recipe cards

OUT SPOT !

Stain Guidelines If you know what type of stain is on the cloth, the following suggestions are very helpful in removing new and sometimes older stains.

Scorch/Burn Marks Scorching permanently damages the fabric. The heat burns and weakens the fibers, and can also melt manufactured fibers, such as polyester. If the damage is slight you might be able to improve the look. Brush the area to remove any charring. If the tablecloth is washable, rub liquid detergent into the scorched area. Launder. If the stain remains, bleach with an all-fabric non-chlorine bleach.

Alcoholic Drinks, Wine Launder with detergent in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If it is a new stain, do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make the stain permanent or at least much more difficult to remove. If it is an old stain, soak in a solution of water with one half of a scoop of powered non-chlorine bleach. Watch carefully. Soak for at least 2 hours, (more if necessary). Line dry in sun. Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1 quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of enzyme presoak product. The removal of old or set-in stains may require washing with non-chlorine powdered bleach that is safe for the fabric. Always check for colorfastness first. If all the sugars from the wine or alcohol are not removed, a brown stain will appear when the fabric is heated in the dryer or is ironed, as the sugar becomes caramelized in the heat.

Tomato-based Stains Saturate the area with pretreatment laundry stain remover. Wait a couple of minutes for the product to penetrate the stain. For stubborn stains, rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder immediately. If the stain remains, soak the entire tablecloth in a diluted solution of all-fabric powered bleach. Be aware that all the colors may lighten. If the stain persists and the tablecloth is white or colorfast, soak in a diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. However, be sure to read the tablecloth label regarding the use of bleach. Bleach can damage some dyes and prints, and bleaching damage is irreversible. Also, if the stain is not removed in 15 minutes, it cannot be removed by bleaching and further bleaching will only weaken the fabric.

Blood Treat new blood stains immediately! Flush cold water through the stain and scrape off crusted material. Soak for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dish washing detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia. Use cool/lukewarm water. Rub gently from the back to loosen stain. Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse. Soak in an enzyme product for at least 30 minutes. Soak aged stains for several hours. Launder normally. If the blood stain is not completely removed by this process, wet the stain with hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. Caution: Do not leave this mixture on the cloth longer than 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water. If the blood stain has dried, PRE-treat the area with PRE-wash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or a paste of granular laundry product and water. Launder using bleach that is safe for the type of fabric.

Candle Wax Harden the wax by rubbing with ice. Remove the surface wax by carefully scraping with the dull edge of a butter knife, if that doesn't work, you can try the next suggestion. Sandwich the wax stain between folded paper towels and press down lightly on top of the towel with a warm (not hot) iron. Replace the paper towels frequently to absorb more wax and to prevent transferring the stain to new areas. Continue as long as wax is being removed.

Yellowing, Graying If it is an old stain, soak the tablecloth in a solution of water with one half of a scoop of powered non-chlorine bleach. Watch carefully. Look for signs that the dye is colorfast. Soak for at least 4 hours, (more if necessary). Line dry in the sun. Repeat the process if still yellow.

Dye Stains, Dye Transfer Soak the entire tablecloth in a diluted solution of powered non-chlorine bleach. If the stain remains and the tablecloth is colorfast, soak the entire tablecloth in a dilute solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Again, test for colorfastness first and watch carefully. Not recommended for tablecloths that were made prior to 1935. Check the "Dating Your Tablecloth" section for clues as to the approximate age. Caution: Chlorine bleach may change the color of the tablecloth or cause irreversible damage especially in PRE-1940s tablecloths. Therefore, it is important to check for color fastness before using. If the stain does not come out within 15 minutes of bleaching, it cannot be removed by this method and any further exposure to bleach will weaken the fabric and remove the color. I do not recommend this for general stain removal. Note: To check for color fastness to liquid chlorine bleach, mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1/4 cup of water. Use an eyedropper to put a drop of this solution on a hidden seam in the tablecloth. Let it stand two minutes, then blot dry. If there is no color change, it is probably safe to use the product. Powdered non-chorine bleaches have directions for colorfastness tests on their boxes. There are also a number of dye removers/strippers, which are available in drug and grocery stores. However, color removers will also take out fabric colors as well as the stain so be careful.

Mildew Mildew is a growing organism that must have warmth, darkness, and moisture to survive. Mildew actually eats cotton and linen fibers and can also attack manufactured fibers, causing permanent damage and a weakening of fibers and fabrics. To treat mildew, first carefully brush or shake off mildewed area. It is very difficult to remove and will damage the value of a vintage tablecloth. PRE-treat the stains by rubbing the areas with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Then launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric, using bleach safe for fabric. Always check for colorfastness and for the age of the tablecloth before using any type of bleach. Let the item dry in the sun. Badly mildewed fabric may be damaged beyond repair. Old stains may respond to flushing with dry cleaning fluids. Carefully read and follow the instructions on the product label.

Rust Removing rust stains can be difficult. These stains cannot be removed with normal laundering. Do not use chlorine bleach, as chlorine bleach will make the stains permanent. Small stains may be removed with a few drops of a commercial rust remover, or by repeated applications of lemon juice and salt on the stain. Do not let the fabric dry between applications.

Coffee, Tea Saturate the stain with a pretreatment stain remover. Rub the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If it is a new stain, do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make the stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove. If it is an old stain, soak the tablecloth in a solution of water with one half scoop powered non-chlorine bleach. Watch carefully. Soak for at least 2 hours, (more if necessary). Line dry in sun.

You can also use liquid laundry detergent and oxygen color safe bleach or non-chlorine powdered bleach. If safe for the specific fabric try this old home remedy, boil fabric in a solution of 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar per pint of water. Rinse thoroughly. Rust removers that contain hydrofluoric acid are extremely toxic, can burn the skin, and will damage the porcelain finish on appliances and sinks. Use as a last resort. I do recommend using the Carbona Rust remover products, but again, watch your cloths carefully.

Smoke/Odors Some of the older tablecloths that have been stored for many years have that "old smell" and yellowing in the creases. You will also find tablecloths that have been in a smoker's home with that "tell tale" smell. I have not had any problems removing either of these problems from my tablecloths. If the tablecloth is not seriously frayed or damaged in any other way, soak the tablecloth is a solution of tepid water and one scoop of non-chlorine powdered bleach or Oxy. Watch carefully for any signs of dyes fading. Remove immediately if you see a green or red "tinged" water. Soak overnight and place outside out all day in the sun. Repeat if necessary, but it should work in one treatment.

Salmon Recipes

Yes readers for anyone who has more fish in the freezer then any one person can eat here are a few recipes to change it up a bit. I love Salmon but when fishing season comes it seems to be all the big freezer has in it.

Now I have used tuna in replacement for these recipes and they still tastes great.I also play with the spices a bit to change up the flavors. The salmon pie recipe is not my hubbys liking he does not like green peas,so i have put chili peppers to replace the soup .It's OK but he loves it.

Salmon Salad Recipe

From the Islands one of my hubby's favorites is the simple salmon salad.

Embossed card Instructions

Find Instructions HERE

Bee card Tutorial

Magnetic Wrist Pin Cushion PDF Instructions

Fun idea made simple and easy with a great  PDF instruction Sheet

Found HERE