Bucket Hose Storage

I thought this was an intersting way to store your hose and sprinkler.

It's just a galvanized bucket attached to the house or shed , or any outside building.

You can store sprinklers, hand sprinklers or any small hand tools you might need.

Then you can keep your hose rolled up instead of laying on the grass, making brown spots.


Ingenious !!!

Chicago Style Hot Dogs

One more Hot Dog idea !!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup yellow mustard
8 toasted hot dog buns
1 large ripe tomato cut into half moons
1 small cucumber peeled and sliced into thin half moons
8 hot dogs grilled to taste
celery salt to taste
1/3 cup pickle relish
4 dill pickle spears,halved lengthwise

Directions:

For each serving, spread 2 teaspoons mustard over a toasted bun. Arrange tomatoes down one side of the bun and cucumbers down the other side. Add hot dog and sprinkle with celery salt. Top each with 1 teaspoon mustard, 2 teaspoons relish and a pickle spear.

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Hot Dogs

Oh My! These look yummy!!
1 tsp ketchup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
4 large hot dogs
1/2 ounce cheddar cheese cut into long sticks
2 tablespoon chopped onions
1 cup refrigerated sauerkraut drained and chopped
4 slices bacon
Oil
4 long hot dogs

Directions :

1. Prepare your grill for direct high heat

2. Mix together the ketchup and mustard in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the sauerkraut with the chopped onion and set aside. Slice open the hot dogs, sown the center, lengthwise, forming a deep pocket in each,but not cutting all the way through. Coat the inside of each hot dog with the mustard and ketchup mixture.

3. Place a strip of cheese deep within the pocket of each hot dog. Top with sauerkraut and onions. Encapsulate the cheese at the ends with the sauerkraut mixture as well, so that no cheese is exposed.

4.Wrap a strip of bacon around each stuffed hot dog,securing with a toothpick. Make sure you wrap each hot dog tight enough so that the stuffing stays in, but not so tight that when the hot dog expands while cooking, the bacon would tear.


5.Coat your grill with oil so the hot dogs do not stick.Place the stuffed hot dogs on the grill stuffing side down. Grill for 2 minutes until the bacon on that side is cooked.Turn to other side, until cooked.

6. During the last minute of cooking, open up the hot dog buns and place them open side down on the grill to toast.

7. Remove toothpicks, slide into their buns and enjoy!!

Bacon and Egg Pie

Here's another breakfast idea !!

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon

olive oil

Small red onion chopped

2 gloves garlic minced

5 large eggs

5 large egg whites

1 cup low fat milk

2 tablespoons flour

1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Salt and pepper

1 cup Mozzarella cheese

2 plum tomatoes sliced

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 and coat a 10 inch pie plate with cooking spray

2. Cook bacon remove and dice.

3. Add the oil to the same skillet add onion and garlic to cook, stirring often, 2 minutes or until onion is softened. Transfer to a large bowl.

4. Add the eggs, egg whites, milk, flour,dill salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. Stir in the diced bacon and mozzarella cheese and pour into prepared pie plate. Top with the tomato slices. Sprinkle tomatoes with the Parmesan.

Bake for 42 minutes or until top is golden and a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Ham and Egg Breakfast Cups with Hashbrowns

I thought this was a great idea for maybe your "Labor Day "over night guests.

Ingredients for Ham Cups:

8 slices sugar cured ham
4 tablespoons cheddar cheese
1 scallion sliced
8 large eggs
pepper

Hash Browns:

1 pound potatoes
1 scallion
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Ham and Egg Cups: Preheat oven to 400, and coat 8 muffin cups with cooking spray

2.Put one slice of ham in each of the muffin cups, doubling each slice over to insure that there are no holes in the bottom. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon cheese and 1/2 tablespoon scallions in the bottom of each cup.

3. Place one raw egg in each ham cup. Sprinkle egg with salt and pepper. Bake about 15 minutes or to desired degree of doneness Remove egg cups using the ham to lift onto serving plates.

Hash Browns:

1.Peel potatoes. Grate then using the coarse side of the grater and squeeze out excess water. Place grated potatoes in a small bowl and toss with scallions and salt and pepper.

2. Heat 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil . Place potato mixture in pan and flatten to cover bottom with a spatula . Cook 7 minutes or until deep brown.

Serve!!

Potato Chip Chicken Fingers

These irresistible chicken fingers get their crunch not from deep frying but from potato chips.

Ingredients:
1 pound whole skinless chicken breast
5-6 ounces of potato chips or tortilla chips
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 egg
2 tablespoon milk
Carrot curls
Grape or cherry tomatoes

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut chicken into finger sized pieces. Thread the pieces onto soaked wooden skewers.

2. Fill a large zip lock bag with the chips and salt and pepper. Seal the bag then crush the chips with the back of a wooden spoon or rolling pin. In a medium bowl, beat the egg and milk. Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then put them in the bag and shake gently to coat.

3. Place the chicken pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes, flipping once. Serve with BBQ or honey mustard dipping sauce.

Yum Oh !!

Fall Wreath

I know we have all seen wreath's decorated for different seasons, but this one I am calling " Grapevine Simplicity".

This is so simple but yet so pretty!!

A spray of raffia is topped with a few dried flowers and leaf stems.

You could add anything else you want to personalize it to your taste.

Fall Welcome Message

Show your guest that you are glad they're here with this simple framed message.

This would be darling on a table in your entrance way.

Materials :

Picture frame
Art paper or colored paper
Pressed leaves, or use preserved leaves from a florist
Double sided tape
Computer or calligraphy pen to create the message

Directions:

Select a frame for your project. The one in the picture is 16 inches square. Then choose some pretty art paper or colored paper and cut it to fit inside the frame.

On a computer,select a beautiful font and print " Welcome".

Using double sided tape, gently attach pressed leaves to the paper. Insert into frame

Easy Huh?

Easy Artwork

This is adorable !! I can see this in a little girls room , and functional in a kitchen.or office.

Pair clipboards with leftover-die-cut shapes for easy to do low cost art.

Give the clipboards a makeover with a coat of paint(choose paint designed for metal ) Mount die cuts, available in crafts and scrap booking stores onto plain card stock and stitch embellishments with embroidery floss.

Clever Clothespin Magnets

I can see these being very useful!! and they can be very attractive at the same time.

Left with lots of scraps of your favorite patterned paper?

Top clothespins with the pieces, seal the paper with decoupage medium, and adhere a magnet to the backs.

Make a coordinated set to give as gifts.

Make a BIG Frame

How cute is this !!! Take your picture frames up a notch by adhering a couple of them to a mat board or foam-core board covered in patterned paper.

Treat your creations just like a really big scrapbook page and embellish it with large flowers, brads and bits of fabric and paper.

Finish it with wood letters painted to match your scheme.

Chocolate Sauced Dessert Kabobs

Oh My !! These look good.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 5 oz can evaporated milk
2 medium ripe nectarines
1/2 of a fresh or frozen pound cake
2 ripe bananas
6 whole strawberries stemmed

Directions:

For Sauce... Melt chocolate and butter in a small pan on low heat. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boil, reduce heat cook and stir for 8 minutes. Set aside.

Remove pits from nectarines or peaches cut fruit into wedges. Cut pound cake into 1 inch pieces and bananas. Alternately thread the peaches or nectarines, cake and bananas on 12 inch long skewers. Add one strawberry to each skewer.

Grill kabobs about 5 minutes or until cake is toasted, turning once.

To serve, push fruit and cake off skewers and drizzle with the warm chocolate sauce.

That will complete your Labor Day Barbecue.

Macaroni Salad

Here's a yummy side dish to go with your ribs!!

Ingredients:

8 oz elbow macaroni 2 cups

1/2 # green beans trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup plain yogurt or sour cream

8 oz cubed cheddar cheese

1 cup spinach leaves

1 large tomato seeded and chopped

1/2 cup green onions

1 tbsp fresh tarragon

Directions:

1. Cook macaroni , add green beans during the last 5 minutes of cooking Drain and rinse in cold water.

2. For dressing, in a bowl whisk together lemon juice,salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil until thickened. Whisk in yogurt.

3. Add cheese, spinach, tomato, onions and tarragon to macaroni. Add dressing, toss and serve immediately.

Prize Winning Baby Back Ribs

Before grilling, the ribs are dusted with a pungent rub- cumin, chili powder and paprika to give them lots of flavor.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
Salt and Pepper to taste
3 pounds baby back ribs
1 cup BBQ sauce

Directions:

1 Preheat grill

2. In a small jar combine cumin, chili powder, paprika and salt and pepper. Close and shake well

3. Trim ribs , Sprinkle ribs with rub .

4. Place aluminum foil on lower tack to capture drippings and prevent flare ups. Place ribs on grate . Cook undisturbed for 1 hour.

5.Brush ribs with BBQ sauce last 5 minutes of cooking .

Enjoy!!!

Season Changing

I just got done printing my calendars for the rest of the year and realized that fall begins on Sept . 22 . Wow!! Where has the time gone, not that summer is quite done in our area, but I would imagine as fast as time goes it will be fall here sooner than we think.

We have covered a lot of territory this summer, with crafts, vacations, Back to School ideas, lunch and snacks for the kids, and now it's time for Labor Day and fall.

I have a great Labor Day menu for you from start to finish. I hope you enjoy it.

I am going to take this opportunity to clear my computer and start researching fall and holiday crafts and home decor items for you to try.

Hope you have enjoyed your time with me and hope that you continue to check out this site for more ideas and inspirations.

Helen

Sandwichs

And if they just can't do without sandwich's, here's a few ideas....

Laughing Cow Spreadable cheese with ham and grated cheese

Tuna and Sliced Tomatoes

Veggie Cream Cheese and Cucumber

Finger Foods

Here is a"healthy lunch"idea for school age
children.
Looks good enough for some of us adults,also. It's a nice change from peanut butter and jelly sandwich's.
Try this one !!!

String cheese and assorted crackers
Broccoli and Cauliflower and a dipping sauce
1/2 Blueberries( or any fruit they might like)
Slice of Banana bread

Light and satisfying.

Sweet Smoothie

This is a great after school treat.

You'll need:

1 Banana

1 cup milk

2 Tablespoons Ovaltine

Can add fruit, yogurt, or peanut butter.

Mix in blender to desired smoothness.

Sounds good to me .

Tote-ally Cool

I thought this was a great idea!! I can remember when Jennifer was in school and had art projects that she was working on at home and had to take back to school. She also rode a bus.

Materials:

Cardboard mailing tube with two end caps
Duct tape (comes in Colors)
Markers

Directions:

1. Make the strap by unrolling about 40inches of duct tape and laying it sticky side up on a table. Place a second strip of equal length on top of the first, with the sticky side down. Carefully press the two together.

2. Attach the strap to one end of the mailing tube with duct tape. Measure the strap so that it'll fir confortably across your child's chest then cut off the excess and attach this end to the tube with tape.

3. Wrap tape around both of the tube's ends a few times. Then have fun decorating the tube with markers, etc.

Book Keepers

This is a helpful idea for your child's homework "nook". Helps keep them organized, so they can find there notebooks and Cd's easily.

Materials:

Empty large laundry soap box

Colored paper

Glue/ Pencils/Scissors/Markers /Stickers

Directions

1. With scissors cut off the top of the box and discard it . Then cut the bottom portion of the box in half vertically to create two open face cases.

2. Use a pencil to trace around the sides and back of each case onto a piece of colored paper. Cut out the paper tracings and attach to the cases.

3. Now you can decorate these boxes any way you like. Stamp on them,stickers, draw, to anything they want.

Vacation

Here's a picture of Bill and Abby assessing the fishing. Not too good, they say !!!

There's Abby trying to catch the bubbles in the water. She's not much of a water dog, but she had a good time that day.

Otter Creek

This is a picture of a rain storm that blew in while we were there. It rained a little, but we also had quite abit of wind .

It was still nice and it was great getting away, but glad to be home also.

Vacation at Otter Creek

This is Otter Creek. We were camped right on the water. It was very nice too.!! We did not have reservations, so we did not get the choice camp site, but next time .....

The fishing there was not very good, but some people were catching fish.

Vacation

This is the campground at Tropic
It was one of the nicest ones that we have stayed in. It was very clean and quiet. We had a nice stay there and would like to go back.

Vacation

See i told you the fishing was not great.!!! That's the only fish that we caught. The wind was blowing that day, which made the fishing not good . Can you see the fish? You must have good eyes!!!

Vacation Pictures

Here are a few vacation pictures to share with you. We had a great time and saw a lot of neat places that we want to go back to see again.

This is Tropic Reservoir in Utah. The fishing was not very good, but we had a good time.

Campfire Shaggy Dogs

I don't have a picture to share with you, but I' sure you can picture this one on your own !!

Ingredients :

Marshmallow
Choc Syrup
Coconut

Directions :

Roast your marshmallow over a open campfire, be careful not to burn it !!

Dip into the chocolate syrup

Roll in the coconut.

OMG !! Can you just imagine.

Sweatshirt Shrugs

Turn a sweatshirt into a fashionable shrug. I can't imagine any little girl, not liking this idea.

Blue...Simple Shrug You will need Scissors,sweatshirt,needle and floss.

Directions:

Cut the sweatshirt following the diagram. To add a colorful border, first thread the needle with a full piece of floss. Then turn the fabric under 1/2 inch along the edges and whip stitch it into place.

Pink... Fringe-tastic Top You will need Pinking shears,sweatshirt,scissors, Pony beads.

Directions:

With the pinking shears, cut the sweatshirt as shown. To make the fringe, place a band of tape all the way around the bottom of the sweatshirt,2 1/2 inches from the edge. Use the scissors to cut up the tape every 1/2 inch. Remove the tape, then thread a pony bead on every other strand and knot to secure. Knot the rest of the fringe to complete the shrug.

Stretch Notebook

This is a great back to school idea!! A great way to keep school supplies on the binder.

Materials:

Thin, braided elastic headbands

Three ring binder

Writing utensils

Crisscross a dozen or so thin, braided elastic headbands around the front cover of a three ring binder, and tuck your writing utensils and reminder notes under them.

Key Chains

Here's a couple key chains that I have featured on Jennifer's website http://www.twocreativechicks.com/

You need to check it out, she has weekly giveaways.

I think that I mentioned earlier that she is into polymer clay beads, she has some darling items on there.

Check her out !!!!

Flowerpot Pencils

This desktop arrangement brightens a child's homework nook, or would make a darling back to school gift for a teacher.

Materials :

Pencils
Hair scrunchies
Craft foam leaves
Hole punch
Clay pot
Black beans

Directions:

For each blossom, wrap1 or 2 colorful hair scrunchies around the top of a pencil. Next, cut a pair
of green craft foam leaves,using a craft scissors to create a scalloped edge. Lightly etch leaf vein lines in the foam with the tip of a toothpick. Using a hole punch, make a hole in the base of each leaf.

Then slide the leaves onto the pencil so they rest right beneath the flower You can even attach a silk butterfly to the blossom.

Finally, plant the finished flowers in a clay pot filled with dried black beans.

Burrito Casserole

This looks so yummy and easy too !! A kind of switch on the basic burrito

Ingredients:

8 small fajita size flour tortillas

2 cups re fried beans

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 red onion diced

1 1/2 ground beef

Salsa

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Cut 5 of the tortillas into strips about 1/2 inches in width and set aside/ Line the bottom of a 9x12 casserole dish with the remaining flour tortillas. Spread an even layer of beans over the tortillas.

Cook beef and onions until the beef is cooked. Pour off any excess liquid stir in the salsa.

Spread meat mixture over the re fried beans. Top with tortilla strips and sprinkle on cheddar cheese. Bake in preheated oven until cheese has melted. Serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, and chopped avocado on the side.

I'm Back

Hi, everyone I am back. Whew!!! that was a great vacation. We saw a lot of new country and neat places.

I have not had a chance to download any of my pictures yet, but I am planning to this weekend. It seems like I have been on the go forever. It's going to be hard to settle down.

My son-in-law and myself celebrated our birthdays on Saturday. We went on a camping trip to our favorite place Pine Valley. We had a great time, got a little wet on Saturday evening , but it did not seem to dampen our time.

Hope to have some great things to share with you , so check back soon.

Give Away

I' m here !! We are not leaving until Tuesday , so I had to tell you about Jennifer's give away. You need to check this out :http://www.twocreativechicks.com/ She has a darling pink bracelet called " Pretty in Pink" just follow the directions for entering the contest. Good Luck !!


Something else I need to tell you about. Jennifer is now doing polymer clay beads. She is making her own beads and them constructing beautiful jewelry from them.

She has an adorable necklace she is calling " Carmel Cappuccino" it is beautiful. She made all the beads from polymer clay, so it is an original. Check it out on the site.

Oh Oh !! I almost forgot she made some adorable earrings from polymer. They are S"mores . Yes you read it right they are so cute. Check out the picture. Cute Huh??

We're Back

We arrived back on Friday afternoon. We had a great time. I have not had time to download my pictures off my camera yet, because guess what ? we are leaving again.

We went to Bryce Canyon for a day, then we went to Tropic Reservoir, for a couple of days, then we headed to Otter Creek. We had a campsite right on the water. Whew !! that was fun.

We are headed to Pine Valley next. This coming Saturday is my birthday and it is also my son-in-laws birthday. So our birthday wish , was to camp together. So we will !!

When I get back I will download all my pictures and will have alot to show you. Keep checking back.

Write when I can

Vacation

I am leaving on vacation in the morning.!!! Yea !! We are going camping to some lakes that we have not yet seen. Hope to have some good pictures when I return.

Have a good week and I will write when I get back

Therapeutic Hot and Cold Bag

Here is another idea to soothe your sore neck from too much computer work, or just plain stress.

You'll need:

Fabric 25x12

2 pieces ribbon 10 inches long(each )

Rice 8-10 cups

Directions:

1. Fold material in half right sides together, stitch making a tube .

2.Turn right side out, fold the ends of one end 1/2inch in and tuck the end of one piece of ribbon into opening . Sew in place.

3.Divide your tube into 4 sections. Pour about 1 cup of rice into one sections and pin. Then sew it closed.

4. Repeat until all sections are filled and sewed. Repeat #2

Done !!!

Mouse Pad Cushion

Found this Mouse Pad Cushion on a site called "Junie Moon "
She has some neat things. I am going to make a few of these. My daughter and her husband are on computers all day, and I am sure they will enjoy these.

When I first starting blogging, my right wrist and hand was very sore, it took a few days for it to feel comfortable.

I think to have something to rest your wrist on would be great.

Here's how you make them, very simple . The picture kind of gives you an idea of the shape .

You'll need :

Piece fabric
thread
flax seed
pins/marker

Directions:

Cut out shape desired, then pin both pieces together and cut out.

Then put 2 pieces right side together and sew 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a 2 inch opening.

Turn right side out and press, then fill with flax seed. Pin opening closed and hand sew or machine.
Can heat them in microwave for 30 seconds. That sounds good !!!

Enjoy!!!

Forget-Me-Knob

Hang this organizer on your front door and never lose your keys, sunglasses or other essentials again.

Craft Materials:

12x 18 inch sheet of craft foam

Scissors

Double sided tape

Duct tape

Small carabiner

Pad of sticky notes

1. From the craft foam, cut out the pieces as shown in the diagram


2.Line up the tops of the front and back panels and stick them together with double sided tape. Stack the inner pocket on top so that it aligns with the bottom edge of the back panel as shown.


3. Align a strip of duct tape with the top edge of the pocket and wrap the tape around the stack.


4.Fold the bottom section of the front panel over the inner pocket and secure the sides with duct tape. Roll up the spacer piece and tape it closed,then tape it near the bottom of the back of the organizer.


5. Punch two holes in the outer pocket and link a short length of ball chain through them. Add a small carabiner to the chain. Use double sided tape to attach a pad of sticky notes above the doorknob hole.

Steak with Garlic Butter/Rosemary Bread

Four ingredients never tasted so good. You'll find yourself using garlic sauce for just about anything.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pound flank steak
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Sauce
4 tablespoons butter
2 cloves of garlic minced
pinch of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat broiler, Season steak with salt and pepper

2. Broil steak about 6inches from heating element, turning once,about 8-10 minutes minutes, or until meat is medium rare.

3. Sauce: In small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter . Add garlic, pepper, Worchestershire sauce and any accumulated steak juices .


Rosemary Bread

While meat is resting :

Toast french or Italian bread,slathered with butter and sprinkled with rosemary and you've got a great side.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoons butter softened
1/2 9 ounce loaf of Italian or French bread
1/2 teaspoon dry rosemary crumbled
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking: Heat broiler, spread butter over bread, sprinkle with rosemary and salt

Fire-Roasted Nachos

I have not tried this one yet.... but my son-in-law keeps asking me what I want to do for my birthday(his birthday is the same day), so I am going to tell him that I want to go camping for the weekend. And I will be trying these . They sound delicious.

Ingredients:

1 .4- 3/8 inch disposable aluminum pie pan
2. 1/2 cup tortilla chips
3. 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese ( I might use cheddar ) Maybe both.
4 .Toppings such as tomatoes and bell peppers, slice jalapenos, black beans (maybe re fried) olives, green chile's.

Directions:

!. Combine all the ingredients in the pans. Then seal it in foil . a double layer if you are cooking over an open fire .folding over the extra foil at the top to make a sturdy handle to poke a stick or tongs through.

2.Hold the packet over a campfire or set it directly on a grill to melt the cheese, about 10 minutes. Open carefully. Serve with salsa.

I think guacamole and sour cream would be good also.

I can't wait !!

Beer and Cheddar Fondue

Now this is something that I really know something about. My family loves to "Fondue". We also do a cheese fondue . We have two fondue pots, one for cheese and one for hot oil.

The one with oil with cook chunks of top sirloin , and the one with cheese with dunk french bread, vegetables.

My son-in-law makes a outstanding cheese sauce . He uses 3 cheeses and wine and some herbs. I will have to get the recipe from him and post it.

We play cards (cribbage to be exact) and pig out on fondue. A good time for all,then we sit around and complain about how full we are.

Here's your Beer and Cheddar recipe

1 clove garlic halved
1 cup light beer
1/2 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules
2 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoon cold water
1 cup shredded American Cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Assorted item for dipping, french bread, bread sticks,broccoli florets, soft pretzels.

Directions:

1. Rub the bottom and sides of a heavy metal fondue pot with the garlic halves, then discard, In the fondue pot combine the beer and bouillon . Bring to a boiling

2. In a small bowl stir together cornstarch and the water, Add cornstarch mixture in a steady stream to beer mixture while stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to medium. Gradually stir in cheeses, stirring after each addition until cheese melts.

3. Serve immediately and start dipping.!!!

My Jewels

Jennifer and I love to make jewelry. Jennifer has been doing it a lot longer than I have. When I retired she got me started making bookworms, earrings, key chains, lot of stuff !!!

So I would like to share just a couple of my earrings that I made.

Our jewelry is all featured on http://www.twocreativechicks.com/

Check us out !!

Creamy Center Cupcakes

I found this recipe and another blog, started by a 13 year old. She loves to bake and is very good at it . Good for her !!!

This is real simple.. Prepare and bake a box cake according to the package instructions and let the cupcakes cool.

Light and Fluffy Cream Filling

3/4 cup shortening

2/3 cup confectioner's sugar

1 cup marshmallow creme

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bow, cream the sugar and shortening until it's light and fluffy. Add the marshmallow creme and vanilla and mix well

Cut a small hole in the corner of a plastic bag or use a Pastry Bag, Fill the bag with the cream and push the tip of the bag down the center of the cupcake and squeeze the bag to release the filling. The cupcake may expand a little.

If you would like to check out this site the address is http://www.bitemebaker.blogspot.com/

Pup Pencil Holder

This is so adorable !!!
Craft Material List:
4 pinch-style wooden clothespins
Wood Glue
Googly eyes
Pom-Pom
Markers- Pencil

Directions:

1. To form the front end of the dog pinch open a clothespin and apply glue to the inner surface of the opened end. Then clamp the glued end onto a second clothespin, just behind the metal spring.

2. For the dogs tail end,glue and clamp together the last two clothespins so that one hols the other wide open. When the glue is dry,fit the opened end of the back half onto the lower end of the front half. Apply glue to bond the two sections.

3. From the felt,cut out floppy ears and circular paws. Then glue ears and paws, the googly eyes, and the pom-poms nose on the dog.

4. Add spots or other details with colored markers. Finally pinch open the dogs, mouth and insert a pencil, balancing its weight equally on both sides.