Dolly Dress-Up (AG STYLE)

As we planned our trip home to my parents house for a little stay-cation, my girls felt their American Dolls needed a new outfit or two for the trip. After all, we were going to the American Girl store for lunch at the bistro during our visit, and they just had to be fancy. Here is what I whipped up. ( I personally want all the boots in my size)

Braided Scarf

I saw the cutest scarf on another blog awhile back. I just had to make it. Unfortunately I do not knit so I had to wait until I went home to visit so my mom could knit that portion for me. I followed her directions and this is how mine turned out.

The only thing I did different is I used 64 inch long strips rather then 72 that she did. I sorta wish I would have cut the strips wider to make this a fuller scarf, but then again it wasn't meant to be a staple of warmth, but rather fashion.

So I don't steal her idea, here is a link to the blog I stumbled on to make this beauty.
http://onedogwoof.blogspot.com/2011/12/crochet-and-braid-t-shirt-scarf.html

Snicker/Apple Salad

Snickers Salad

I got this Snickers Salad recipe from my friend Lisa last summer... the first time I made it, people confused it with the potato salad and were surprised to find that it was a sweet dish. Once they figured out that it was a dessert, they loved it. Snickers Salad is one of those recipes that EVERYONE asks me to make when we attend a summer gathering. Snickers Salad is one of my dad's favorite dishes and he actually requests that I make this in place of fruit salad at holiday meals.... crowd pleaser. I have made Snickers Salad MANY times.

Ingredients:

1 large tub of Cool Whip, thawed
1 large package of vanilla instant pudding
1 cup of milk
6 snickers bars, cut in bite size pieces (those popables work well too) or 3 super size snickers bars
3 medium size Granny Smith apples or other tart apple, cut up into small chunks

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine milk and pudding, then mix in the cool whip. Add the Snickers and then the apples.
2. Note: Cut the apples after you have mixed the other ingredients so that they aren't brown when you add them. I have also tossed them with a little bit of lemon juice and it keeps them from going brown.

Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

My creative cooking friend shared this with me, and it has become a bi-weekly staple at our house, SO easy and yummy. Perfect for these chilly winter days we currently have.

Pattern Chaos To Organization

If you are an sewing addict like I am, then you have patterns everywhere. I am a huge sucker for the .99 cent pattern sales and of course, get at least my limit. So they were starting to pile up and get unorganized. That is, until I was at the dollar store and came across a very cheap and easy fix. I know have them all grouped in crafts, doll, womens, babies, childrens, ect. It has been a dream come true to be able to keep them all sorted out.

{Sew Easy} Puppet Show Theater

This is such a fun and easy project. However, it did take me some time to find just the right fabric. I did not want it to circus, but I wanted it to be colorful and bright. All I did was make a valance type curtain for the top. Leaving a casing on the the top and bottom for hanging. Then I did a much longer piece for the bottom part. To hang I chose to use tension rodes. This way it can be moved from bedroom doors, to kitchen entryways. The kids not only to shows with puppets, but shows with bears and barbies and hands, socks, ect.

My Famous Meatloaf

Here is my famous meatloaf dinner. Its a hit with everyone who tries it. Give it a yummy try!

Here is what you need:

1-1/2

lb. extra-lean ground beef

1

pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1

 onion, chopped

1

 egg, beaten

1

tsp. dried thyme leaves

1

can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed tomato soup, divided

 

Make It

HEAT oven to 350°F.
MIX all ingredient; mix well. Press into 8x4-inch loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray.
BAKE 55 min. or until done (160ºF). About 10 min. before the meatloaf is done.
REMOVE meatloaf from pan; top with soup mixture.

Bassinet Revamp

For a baby shower I threw, I wanted to make my dear friend an extra special bassinet for her daughter. The theme was ladybugs. I purchased a plain as they come bassinet. The ones where you get both the blue and pink gingham with it. I began to pull out everything I could. I got a sweet ladybug patterned fabric and made new basket liners, a new pad sheet, and ribbing all around, with a huge bow on the front. I then made a matching blanket with fleece backing and stain ribbing. She loved it and I adored making it for her.

Owl Face Mask

Make this cute face mask, or decorate it any way you want. I used silky material and made them look like owl eyes.
Woot! Woot!!

Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe

This is the easiest sugar cookie recipe. I have used this a few times and have had them turn out perfect everytime. We love to roll ours in sprinkles, or use cookie cutters with them,

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.