Sunday, May 30, 2010

Tuesday Tastes People's Choice Award (9)


What a fabulous party! If you missed out on this week's recipe link-ups, be sure to check them out here! There were some really great ideas showcased! Votes are in and we have a really fun recipe as our People's Choice winner! The award goes to


*Image by Making Memories

Congrats!!! I can't wait to try these! What about you? I can't wait for next week's Tuesday Tastes Party either! Hope to see you there!
Photobucket

The CSI Project - I Made the Top 10!!!!!

Visit thecsiproject.com
Holy Crackers!!! I am so excited - you could probably tell from all the explanation points! Remember my little chair planters?


They were picked as one of the TOP 10 Projects in the paint challenge! If you haven't heard about it, there is a weekly challenge, hosted by The CSI Project that you simply must check out. They issue a theme for the challenge every week and have a guest judge who selects the winners! I am so very excited that my project was chosen! What a humbling experience though - there are some amazing projects linked up. Click here to check them out! 
Photobucket

Friday, May 28, 2010

Graduation Cap Cookies





My little man graduated from preschool today and wanted to take something fun to share with his classmates. I love projects like these because they are so much fun to make with kids! In my experience, if the kiddos help, they are even more excited to share! I originally saw these in a magazine and they were called S'mores Graduation Caps. They were darling, but they required cutting marshmallows in two and hand-dipping them into chocolate candy melts before assembling them into the caps. I knew our sweet little preschoolers weren't going to care if I skipped the work and just used peanut butter cups - and my son was all but thrilled to help unwrap the candy. Not only were they super easy, they were a hit!

Graduation Cap Cookies

Reeses Miniature Peanut Butter Cups 
Keeblers Deluxe Grahams (Fudge Covered Graham Crackers)
Chocolate Frosting
Vanilla Frosting
Mini M&M's

Unwrap candy (it was helpful to refrigerate them first, so they didn't melt all over as my son worked with them). Place a little frosting on the bottom of the candy (the small end) and place a cookie on top. Pipe tassels  on top with the vanilla frosting and add a M&M for the cap. Simple. Cute. Tasty.


Wouldn't they be perfect on top of cupcakes? In case you are wondering what Keeblers Deluxe Grahams (Fudge Covered Graham Crackers) might look like at the grocery store - you are looking for a package like this:


What a wonderful day! Congrats to my little graduate and future paleontologist!


This project is participating in 
Visit thecsiproject.com
Photobucket

Monday, May 24, 2010

Tuesday Tastes (9)



Hello, hello and happy day to everyone! It's party time! Welcome to Tuesday Tastes - I can't wait to see what's been cooking at your house! Don't forget to come back and vote for your favorite recipe anytime after noon, Thursday, May 27! The winner of the People's Choice Award will win the exclusive Tuesday Tastes printable recipe card kit designed by Bird Crafts!



If you are new to Tuesday Tastes, click here for details!!! Well, I think all we have left to do now is PARTY! Let's get link'n!

**Please note, this party is reserved for recipes - if I can't make it in my kitchen, please save it for a different party. Also, please grab a button or link back to this post. If you aren't linked back to the party, your recipe will be disqualified for the People's Choice Award and/or deleted.



Photobucket

Thanks for Helping Me Learn and Grow: Teacher Gifts

{Updated with FREE Printable Tag}

With the school year closing, I have been trying to come up with a gift for my son's preschool teachers. I wanted something fun to express my gratitude for the way they have loved my little guy throughout the school year. They really have helped him to learn and grow into the amazing person he is becoming. Once I figured out exactly what it was that I wanted to say, the rest fell into place. 

I found these cute plants -with containers, at Wal-mart. I used hot-glue to add a little bit of ribbon and a button, just to jazz things up a bit. Then I tied a little ribbon to the end of a ruler and taped a card on that I made with the sweet sentiment ,"Thanks for Helping me Learn and Grow!" 


Perfect!!! What a fabulous gift, don't you think? I love this idea because it is so versatile! Plants can be found to fit just about every personality and budget! The same is true for containers - you could even just use a pack of bedding plants if you wanted. Use ribbon, don't. Whatever, just make it your own!


New!!!! Print these free tags to use for your teacher gift! I used a 3" scallop circle punch. If you don't have one, use a clear glass as a template, turn it upside down, center it around the tag, trace around the tag, and cut it out. 
Learn and Grow Printable

I would love to hear about your teacher gift ideas!

I am sharing this idea with:
Making
Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!

SYS Teachers
Photobucket

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Fabulous Fluffy Fruit Dip



I realize that there is nothing original about marshmallow creme and cream cheese mixed together as a fruit dip - however, I HAVE to share this recipe with you -it's the same, and yet, oh-so-different! My son came home from preschool raving about a special fruit dip that a classmate brought for snack. "Mom, you have to get the recipe!!!" So I asked my friend Mandy if she would share her "special recipe." She said, "You know, marshmallow creme, cream cheese and a little milk".... 

Hmmm, I thought, "I have made this a hundred times, and my kids really never even noticed." So I asked for a little more info, and she helped me out. Now either my kiddo's obsession with marshmallow creme and Fluffer Nutters is expanding, or Mandy simply found perfection.... Maybe a little of each, but I'm leaning towards the latter! Here goes,

Fabulous Fluffy Fruit Dip

3-7 oz. jars of marshmallow creme
2-8 oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
a splash of milk

Beat your cream cheese until there are no lumps. Add marshmallow creme and beat some more. As everything is mixing add a splash of milk to help the mixture come together. I would start with a tablespoon or two and stop when you get that perfect dipping consistency. (Next time I will measure more carefully). Enjoy with fresh fruit!


Now, I realize this sounds like A LOT of fruit dip - but trust me; the only problem I have had with this recipe is running out! Everyone loves it! In the past, I used 1 package of cream cheese, with one jar of marshmallow creme.... it was okay, but there must be something special about this 3:2 ratio - and the milk really does help everything come together in a smooth and wonderful kind of way. Try it and see what you think. I can't wait to serve a platter of fresh fruit with empty skewers and mini cups of this dip so that guests can build their own fruit kabobs and enjoy their very own serving of this fabulous dip. Perfect for those hot summer evenings that are soon to be here!

Thanks, Mandy for sharing your super fun and yummy recipe! You're the best!

This recipe is participating in the Summertime Challenge at
Visit thecsiproject.com
Photobucket

Tuesday Tastes People's Choice Award (8)


I really hope you had a chance to check out all the amazing link-ups this week! There were some really cool recipes! What a week!!!! Our little party just keeps growing; too much fun! Votes are in! The People's Choice Award goes to this fabulous recipe


 

Congrats! You are the first to win the new Tuesday Tastes Printable Recipe Kit designed specially by Bird Crafts
I sure hope you enjoy it! What a smoking hot recipe! We're going to have this Thursday for lunch with my cousin - he has a love for all things spicy!


Hope to see everyone back at the Tuesday Tastes party next week!

 Later I'll be posting a fluffy fruit dip - one like I have never seen before...  
Photobucket

Friday, May 21, 2010

Frosted Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Bars - High Altitude Directions


I don't know if you remember my Frosted Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Bars, but they are super yummy! And I have said it before, you have to love all the yumminess of perfect and soft sugar cookies rolled into one sweet little bar! Simply fabulous -no fuss! I have edited the original post to include instructions for high altitude bakers! Nothing major, just a little extra flour, but it really helps the texture of the cookies. Without the change, my cookies were sometimes too soft and crumbled easily when picked up. This extra flour seems to do the trick though! Enjoy! Just follow this link for the updated version!
Photobucket


Thursday, May 20, 2010

Cast Your Vote!


Wow! There are forty-two amazing recipes linked to the Tuesday Tastes Party this week! Have you had a chance to check them out? The People's Choice Award polls are open! Votes are coming in! Cast yours! Just follow this link and click on your favorite recipe!

What do you think about the new voting system? Do you like the polls featured along the linked recipes? I would love to hear your thoughts!

The Girl Creative
Photobucket

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Wholesome Oatmeal Raisin Cookies


I like a cookie that has substance - loaded with all of the good stuff! No flat, boring, plain-Jane cookies here please! And I have been in the mood for a super yummy oatmeal raisin cookie - you know, the ones that are soft and chewy, and exploding with oatmeal, raisins, brown sugar, and cinnamon (maybe even a little whole wheat flour). Now, if we forget about that darn sugar for just a minute, these might almost be considered wholesome. Can you keep a secret? This cookie even skips the egg yolk - I know, brave, huh? And that is what I wanted... a cookie that dares to go a-little-bit healthy, without compromising on flavor or texture. Bold! That's one smart cookie!

Wholesome Oatmeal Raisin Cookies


1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup, plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 
1/3 cup whole plus 1 tablespoon wheat flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup raisins


*NOTE - This recipe has been written for those baking at high altitudes. If you are baking from a low altitude change the recipe as follows: use 3 tablespoons water, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, and 1/3 cup whole wheat flour.


Combine oil, sugars, water, egg white, and vanilla. Mix well with a fork, until smooth and without lumps. Combine the flours cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture. Mix well. Stir in oats and raisins. Warning, this dough will be super thick, it should still be wet enough to stick together though.   .

Drop by scant 1/4 cupfuls onto greased baking sheets (spray with cooking spray). Press together and use the back of a spoon to flatten slightly. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly pressed. Cool for one minute before transferring to wire racks.


If there is a downfall to this recipe, it is that it only makes 12-15 cookies; but it can be doubled!


Delicious! Can you smell them baking?



I'm sharing my recipe with

Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!



Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

Photobucket

Monday, May 17, 2010

Tuesday Tastes (8)


Welcome to Tuesday Tastes! I am so glad you dropped by! Have you heard the news? There is now a prize for the People's Choice winner! The person whose recipe earns the most votes will receive an exclusive Tuesday Tastes Printable Recipe Kit designed by Bird @ BirdCrafts. If you missed the reveal, click here! So, what's been cooking in your world? I have almost perfected my Wholesome Oatmeal Raisin Cookies! I can't wait to share them!

We are also trying something new this week! A new feature has been added by Inlinkz, that just may make casting your vote even easier! After the linky closes, noon Thursday, and no longer accepts recipes, polls open. Come back to this post to vote and you will be able to make your selection just by clicking on your favorite's link. Pretty slick, huh?!?


If you are new to Tuesday Tastes, click here for details!!! Well, I think all we have left to do now is PARTY! Let's get link'n!

**Please note, this party is reserved for recipes - if I can't make it in my kitchen, please save it for a different party. Also, please grab a button or link back to this post. If you aren't linked back to the party, your recipe will be disqualified for the People's Choice Award and/or deleted.



Photobucket

Introducing New Tuesday Tastes People's Choice Printable Recipe Kit Award

Hello! Happy day to everyone! It's been so much fun watching this little blog grow! I love the community that is developing and I wanted to find a way to express my gratitude to all of you Crazy Daisy followers! I am so excited to finally share some really exciting news with you! I now have an actual prize for the Tuesday Tastes People's Choice winner. Each week, the person's whose recipe earns the most votes will win an exclusive Printable Recipe Kit designed by Bird at Bird Crafts! Bird is here to reveal this wonderful award! Take it away Bird...

Firstly, thank you so much Jasey for inviting me over and for this awesome opportunity! You have such a cool linky with Tuesday Tastes and I often link up my own recipes, so you can imagine how happy I am to be here!

Oh, and where are my manners...Hi, I'm Bird from Bird Crafts and I L-O-V-E designing Printable Parties, so this is a total first for me! I've had a blast designing this printable recipe kit and I hope you Crazy Daizy readers will enjoy it and perhaps be able to store your favourite recipes for posterity?! :)

The kit includes recipe cards, a cover sheet (to attach to your recipe box or binder), some cute little labels and a bookmark to help you get all your recipes organised and archived in a stylish and cute fashion!


Yummy! :)



Oh, and do come by to say hi at Bird Crafts won't you?! There are craft tutorials, printable FREEBIES, party ideas and I host a Party Ideas Linky every 1st week of the month (you can link up all your yummy cakes)!

Have fun cooking and printing!
Hugs,

Bird

Isn't Bird simply amazing!?! Make sure to check out Bird Crafts, when you have a second. I am sure you will fall in love with her sweet and charming designs! I would love just an ounce of her talent! Thank you, Bird for your inspiring generosity! 
Photobucket

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Tuesday Tastes People's Choice Award (7)


This just keeps getting better and better! I noticed a lot of partying was going on as it seemed everyone had at least one comment from fellow Tuesday Tastes participants! And not only did we have more recipes linked this week - we had more People's Choice voters too! It is really exciting and fun to see our Tuesday Tastes Party grow a a little bigger every week! I can't wait to see what next week brings!


Votes are in! This week's People's Choice Award goes out to



*Image by LaureNspired

Aren't they beautiful? Words don't even come close to describing them! I don't know about you, but I am just waiting for an excuse to try these! If you have a chance, make sure to head over to LaureNspired and congratulate Lauren! Congratulations,  Lauren!

I hope to see you all next week for another Tuesday Tastes Party!

Photobucket

Friday, May 14, 2010

Chair Planter Reveal!!!



Remember these chairs from this post?


I bought them off of a neighbor for only $1 each! Can you believe it? Originally, I planned on refinishing them in bright colors with themes to match my boys' personalities. They hung out in my garage for at least a year until I decided that we really didn't have room for anymore pint-sized furniture. I was on the lookout for inspiration when I remembered the planters I had seen at our local nursery. They have the most beautiful things! I have always wanted one of their wheel barrow or chair planters. An idea was born! Why couldn't my old chairs be turned into something like that? 

I don't have the best tutorial pictures for this project because even though I started with a plan, as with most plans, things didn't happen exactly as I had imagined. But that's okay, I followed the path that best worked to make those old brown chairs into my pretty little planters- and that is all that really matters. First I had to figure out how I was going to attach the basket. After considering cutting a hole into the middle of the seat, I opted for taking the entire seat off. This worked for me because I was able to find wire hanging baskets, at Wal-mart, that actually fit inside the chair pretty well. I enlisted my dad's help for drilling through the rivets that held the wooden seat on. I was surprised at how easy dismantling the chairs was.  

Paint. I thought this would be the easiest part. Wrong! I in-visioned a creamy distressed look. My intentions were to paint the chairs blue, only to cover it with a creamy white and then sand the chairs in some places to let the blue peek through. 


However, once I saw the blue, I fell in love with the beautiful color - but I still wanted a distressed look. I took the cream color and lightly spayed over the blue paint. It was totally splotchy and speckled and really uneven. But I was hoping it would give me a worn look. Then I sprayed blue right over the top of it. It ended up looking like this.


After the paint had dried, I pushed the baskets through the bottom and wired them to the chairs. A couple coconut liners and some flowers and just look at how they turned out!





 I have always loved the idea of transforming everyday objects into extraordinary things that are rare and unique only to me and I am tickled with how these turned out! I can't wait for the flowers to grow a little and cascade down the chairs!

This project participating in...
Visit thecsiproject.com

I'm sharing this idea with


Transformation Thursday