Catching up~

Ok. While I realize you have thoroughly enjoyed looking at my "Triangle Wrapping Tutorial" for the last 20 days, the show must go on~

A few weeks ago, the kids got 2 days off school because of our "big" 1 inch snow storm!

If you live in central Texas then you already know that school

gets cancelled at the mere hint of snow.

If you live elsewhere, then don't make fun of us be jealous of us.

This may be one of the top 5 cookie recipes in the world.

Go make some.

Well, I'm actually employed now.

And while technically a "lunchroom monitor," it's easier just to refer to me as the lunch lady.

This may be the most romantic gift I have ever received for Valentine's Day.

Seriously.

Love it and love my husband's sense of humor.

I just love this new banner that is in the shop. It's made from vintage playing cards and handmade fabric "ribbon."

For those of you asking, " I wonder if it is worth the time and effort to make your own handmade ribbon?"

No. It is not.

Triangle Wrapping Tutorial

I'm a sucker for cute gift wrapping.

So when I saw these little paper packets online, I knew I wanted to make some.

Here's how:

You can start with just about any size of paper. I used scrapbook paper for mine, but you can also use regular wrapping paper. I made a few Valentine packets (don't know what else to call these!) for the boy's teachers and used them to wrap little bags of candy. For the Valentine ones, I started with a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper.

Because my candy bag wasn't very big, I folded the left edge of the paper over a little. I suppose you could just cut it off, but if does make a nice "hemmed" edge.

Fold the right side of the paper about 3/4 (or a little more) over the candy (or whatever you are wrapping).

Now fold the left side over the top.

Sew across the bottom to secure the papers. I used a standard stitch length and backstitched at the beginning and the end.

Now pinch together the top side of the papers in the opposite way of the seam you just made.

And sew the papers together in the same way.

Clip the hanging threads.

For decorative purposes, use speciality scissors to make a nice border. Or use pinking shears.

Decorate with ribbon or other embellishments.

I am considering making some little rings for my Etsy shop.

If I do, I will package them in little packets like this to send to my customers.

You can make these little packets in any size.

Here is a tiny one I made that would perfectly hold a little ring.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you make any...would love to see them!

Seriously?

You can find some great bargains on Craigslist as well as your local chapter of freecycle.

But you can also find a lot of junk.

Some of the ads I read just crack me up!

Recent ad on Freecycle:

I never chew gum, these packets have just appeared in my house after guests have been here. I've got one half-pack of Eclipse Breeze (Exotic Mint) and one nearly-full pack of Solstice 5 gum. Please email me to arrange a pick up!

Is someone going to even walk across the street to get these?

Recent ad on Craigslist:

Demolished 50' of sidewalk, so we have a bunch of "Urbanite". All shapes and sizes, colors and textures. Conveniently located next to the street, so easy to load on a trailer.

Translation:

I'm too lazy to haul off my broken up sidewalk, so if I make it sound

valuable enough, maybe you'll do it for me.

And last but not least,

found on Craigslist:

I have finally decided to go ahead and put my stuffed Opossum (possum) taxidermy up for sale. I have had this for quite a while and while I think it is one of the most awesome things ever, my wife is not the biggest fan. As you can see from the pictures that it is in its scary / attack pose. It is mounted on the branch and the branch has a metal loop to hang it on the wall. It is a bit older and while it is still in really good shape you can tell its age a bit in the ears. I would be willing to see about a deal for a different piece of taxidermy that maybe my wife might not be so freaked out by. Go ahead and email me with what you have and we will see what we can work out.

New in shop~

I'm getting a little work done tonight

in an attempt to avoid listening to the background noise

that is the State of the Union Address~

This adorable bunting was just listed in the shop:

I plan on making more in the near future.

Have a great night!

Carmel Toffee Cake

Easy to make? Check

Quick to assemble? Check

Delicious? Check

Healthy? Well, not so check

I found this recipe in a Taste of Home Magazine

and tweaked it only a little bit.

It's very easy to make and super dense and yummy.

The chocolate chip and toffee bar filling really makes this cake!

Happy eating~

Carmel Toffee Cake

8oz Heath or Skor bar, chopped

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

(combine all the above)

3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp Kosher salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

(combine all the above)

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1 /4 cups buttermilk

Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time beating well after each one.

Mix in vanilla.

Add the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk beating well after each addition.

Grease and flour a bundt pan.

Pour 1/3 of the batter into pan and top with 1/3 of the toffee mixture.

Repeat 2x.

Bake 350 for 50-65 minutes.

(Use toothpick test)

Cool 10 minutes and then turn out of pan to cool completely.

For icing:

1/4 cup butter, cubed

2 tsp flour

1 can (5 oz) evaporated milk

1 cup brown sugar

In saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth.

Gradually add evaporated milk and brown sugar.

Bring to boil and then cook and stir for 4-5 minutes until thickened.

Cool slightly. Drizzle over cake.

(12 servings)

On another note,

we have a container full of delicious, homemade marshmallows!

Here is the recipe that I used.

New in shop~

Vintage bracelet in seafoam green~

In shop here

Kid Stuff~

What does a 4 year old buy with some of his Christmas money?????

A neck tie of course!

He basically hasn't taken it off.

The first 2 nights he slept in it and was upset at me

the next day when he discovered I had removed it in the night

for fear that he would choke himself.

Poor Zachary had a bad case of pink eye last week and missed school on Friday.

I know he's really sick when he literally lays on the couch all day

and doesn't even have the energy to play video games.

(well, that and the fact that his eye looked like a golf ball!)