Rum Balls

Just like every year, I began this holiday season with grand visions of mountainous piles of yummy baked confections and just like every year, I failed! There's always next year I suppose. I did, however, manage to whip up these yummy rum balls that I have been craving since forever! If I had a house party to go to on New Year's Eve, I would be giving these bad boys as a hostess gift. 

Recipe:

1 cup toasted finely chopped walnuts

2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 cup rum

To toast walnuts: Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes.

Mix all of the ingredients together and form into balls. Dip in chocolate, powdered sugar, nuts, etc. 

The farther ahead you make these, the better they'll be. Kind of like good chili!

Have a wonderful Christmas,

Free Pattern: 15-Minute Gift Bag

Time for my first freebie! I saw something similar to these at Tarjay and knew that they would be so fast and easy to make. They are the perfect size for gifts in a jar or a mug full of hot chocolate mix. Use a glue gun to attach cute shapes. I'm imagining little dots, a bird silhouette or a simple Christmas tree!  >>Download here<< 

*I recommend using felt off the bolt since it's sturdier.

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Christmas Knot Dress

I have always loved looking at cute little knot dresses and am so stoked that I finally got to make one!

All of the coordinating fabric is from the Michael Miller Christmas Spice Collection. I bought a fat quarter of every print in the collection--I just love it! The rest may get used in a lap quilt for next year. 

Love her big smile! A stranger told me the other day that she smiles with her eyes--She really does. <3

Hair bow rebellion!

Goofing around with her best bud.

I had to share this one. I feel like it really personifies their relationship! 

She's been taking a step here and there the last couple of days so watch out world!

Chocolate Covered Cranberry Goodness!

So um, when did it become December and why is it so cold? This Florida girl would like to return there as soon as humanly possible! I loathe standing in the cold wind trying to buckle babies, all of the sickies, the sun setting at 4:30...I especially dislike being stuck indoors with a stir crazy preschooler. My goal this winter is to do some sort of activity with Sawyer everyday and I will do my best to write about the cool ones!

Since we've been watching Christmas movies almost every night, I decided to try a twist on my favorite movie night treat and replace the chocolate-covered raisin with the chocolate-smothered cranberry!

       You will need:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate
• Bag of sweetened cranberries
• Parchment paper
• 1 very eager little helper

Melt chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler. 

Have helper add cranberries and coat them with chocolate.

Fish out the coated cranberries, letting the excess drip off and lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them cool in the fridge for about half an hour. 

By this time your eager little helper will have mutated into this:

But you'll have a yummy, edible treat!

They would make a great gift too!

Ashley

Christmas Tree Pillows

It seems like the only time of year that our house is well decorated is Christmas. That's ok because I can only stand keeping little grabbers off of everything for so long! Here's a one evening project--Felt Christmas Tree Pillows! I used our existing couch pillows for the form and will just rip a seam to extract them when the time comes. (July, perhaps?)

I simply cut two felt squares and added  the Christmas Tree applique. Then I sewed them wrong-sides together at three sides leaving about a 1.5 inches for fringe. I added the pillow and stitched along the top seam. Lastly, I finished the edges with pinking shears. 

Makes a perfect cheerio-eating station for cute babies! 

Thanksgiving Dinner Skirt

I haven't been able to get much sewing done since Avery's been born. Her room is right across from the office/craft room and the poor child is startled awake by the slightest creak. I finally broke down and brought my machine as well as my mess into the dining room. We may not be able to eat in there for a while but at least the creative hole in my heart is being filled! ;-)

In other news...

I'm beginning to work my way to some of the many fab patterns over at Burda Style and I had been eyeing this number for a while. I love the pleats and the fact that it only took about an hour and a half from start to finish.

And I look super sophisticated. (Sophisticated people always say super)

I actually made Avery's skirt way before she was born. I wasn't even pregnant yet as a matter of fact. Wishful thinking maybe?

Sawyer had on pants from the same fabric as my skirt but he was just to wild to get a picture. At least I got one of that cute faux smile of his. <3

Ashley

Easy Christmas Gift Idea: Snazzy Neck Wrap

I was wandering around the craft store the other day when I came across the dollar yarn bin. I grabbed four skeins of various fiber and figured I'd use it to make Christmas presents. This was my first creation:

I decided to keep it for myself. 

But I swear I'll give away the next one! It was so easy. Just like a scarf but shorter, faster, and buttoned! 

Shannon suggested that I market it as a neck brace cover. Isn't he hilarious? *sarcasm*

Ashley

Ruffled Knit Cardigan

 I finally broke down last week asked my Granny to come watch the kids for a bit. I didn't have any big plans, I just wanted a few uninterrupted hours to relax. Well, I ended up making this little diddy:

Ain't it cute and comfy looking? Better yet, it only took a couple of hours! Shannon kept telling me that the big red balloon on my shirt would be distracting in pictures and I kept telling him that he was being redonkulous. I think he may have actually had a point!

Ashley

Pattern: Easy Peasy Baby Hat

There really is nothing to this little hat but it is so stinking cute! This will fit from about 6-18 months and could be easily adjusted to fit any noggin.

Here's what you need:

16" circular needle size 8

2 size 8 DPNs

Tapestry needle

Pom-pom maker

2.5 oz. worsted weight yarn

Gauge: 4.5 stitches per 1"

CO 72 on 16" circs

Work in k2p2 ribbing for 5 rounds

Work in stockinette stitch for 5 inches

Divide stitches on DPNs and close the top using the kitchener stitch

Add a cute little pom-pom to each side and voila! 

"a"

I have definitely been slacking with Avery's fall sewing. It's almost December and all she has to show for it is this lousy tee. :-) 

Just kidding, it's actually pretty cute and so is my model!

The cap and longies were knit entirely out of waste yarn. I'll be posting a quick pattern for the hat soon; it is easy peasy! And FYI, leaves stick like crazy to wool.

But Avery is generous and will share them.

HAPPY FALL!

Ashley

Semi-Healthy Banana Bread Muffins

This is my go-to banana bread recipe because it takes about 5 minutes to mash all of the ingredients together. With only 2 teaspoons of sugar per muffin, I don't feel too bad having one (or three) of these bad boys in the morning! I make them as muffins but you can certainly use a loaf pan, just increase the cooking time to an hour.

Ingredients

3-4 overripe bananas

1/3 cup melted butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbsp honey

1 egg

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup white flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

1/4 milled flax seed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Mash bananas and melted butter together in a large mixing bowl.  Combine egg, sugar, honey, vanilla and baking soda. Stir in banana mixture. Add in flours and flax seed and mix until just moistened. 

Pour into muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

PS: I also add 3 tbsp. of protein powder to the mix but I realize not everyone has it in their pantry and not everyone wants to go around spiking their concoctions with it as I do! 

Ashley

Some Great Shots

I can't take credit for these photos as they were shot by my *cough* better half but I think they're awesome and worth sharing!

Toodles,

Ashley

Master Sawyer Turns Four!

Where does the time go? My little baby boy is growing up way to fast! I'm seriously starting to worry about him getting his license. Is that weird? We decided not to stress over his birthday this year and had his party at Romp n' Roll. Best.decision.ever. 

He was finally able to run free like the crazy monkey-child he is and be the center of attention. 

And Mommy learned how to make and apply fondant. I made the fondant out of marshmallow fluff and it tastes a bazillion times better than Wilton's!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Little Buddy!

Ashley