LOVING these customized notecards and notebooks!!!

So, I found the cutest small business to support with its absolutely ADORABLE online shop where you can completely design and customize your own notecards and notebooks.  I am mildly obsessed and if you are a good friend of mine then you should probably be expecting one of these for your next birthday!  

Of course, as a cake designer, being able to fully customize something like this had me in love at first click.  They even have it where you can make the inside of your notebooks with planners, pregnancy diaries or just blank space.  But the best part is all of the awesome patterns they have available for you to mix and match to your creative heart's desire. I strongly suggest checking out their website, especially if you are looking for the perfect personalized gift! 

http://www.maybooks.com/

Flu Soup AKA Chicken 'n Dumplin's!!!

Well, Prescott and I have not only gotten the stomach flu within the past month but now we have the respiratory flu :(  It has been a tough month health wise for us!  However, my mom's chicken and dumpling soup really hit the spot this week and definitely made Prescott and I feel a little bit more comforted.

Yes, I know it might sound crazy to be cooking while you have the flu BUT this is seriously the easiest thing you can make while sick.  I had no idea how simple it was and I also couldn't  resist making it when I found out that Prescott had never had chicken and dumplings before... how is that possible?!?! Apparently, it's a southern thing.

The 3 ingredients you will need:

- Self Rising Flour

- Rotisserie Chicken 

- Chicken Broth/Stock

Pour a good quality chicken broth into a stock pot as full as you need.  Bring to a boil.  In the meantime, pour out a couple of cups of Self Rising flour (or more depending on how many you are feeding) into a bowl and pour some of your leftover room temperature chicken broth into the bowl a little at a time, kneading intermittently until you finally reach a doughy consistency.  

Then, take your dough and place it on a floured surface, cut into 1 inch by 1 inch pieces and dump into the boiling broth.  Boil for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through add as much shredded rotisserie chicken as desired and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Then you are done!  That's it.  Enjoy :)

Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Ball

My mom made her original southern version of this with pimento cheese for Christmas while Prescott and I were back home visiting family and I have to say I think every woman in our family asked for the recipe!  It was that good.  As simple as it might sound (which it is totally simple) it also surprisingly packs a lot of flavor.  

I, of course, made it healthier and put my own spin on it with changing out the pimentos for jalapenos and adding hot sauce instead of worcestershire sauce.  It is perfect for a quick, easy app to entertain guests and I happen to be able to use it sooner than I expected when my best friend and recent made of honor, Darby, came into town last weekend with her equally as sweet and charming boyfriend.

It was a delight having them over and I think all four of us would agree that this was a yummy way to start off a lovely evening of catching up and reminiscing on good times.

1/2 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese

8 oz. package of reduced fat cream cheese

2 Tbsp. diced jalapeno 

2 tsp. hot sauce

salt and pepper, to taste

small bag of pecan pieces

Mix together softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeno, hot sauce and a dash of salt and pepper until fully combined.  Roll into a ball and then roll into the pecan pieces.  Refrigerate or enjoy immediately.

Serve as a dip with reduced fat wheat crackers.

Easy DIY Year Round Wreath

I had been looking to make a wreath to keep up for all of the months in between the major holidays and decided on this design.  I absolutely LOVE our new year round wreath!  Plus, it was super inexpensive and easy to make.  

In fact, I didn't have my glue gun handy so I was able to put everything on with safety pins, which surprisingly worked.  I think you would have to use a glue gun if your letter didn't have a staple in the back of it, like mine did, in which I could slide the safety pin through and attach to one of the wood twigs after a few adjustments to make sure it was centered and level.

Since our last name is Van Buskirk, I always keep the ending of our monogram with both letters.  However, this wreath would look equally as pretty with a single larger letter, which they have different styles and sized letters to choose from at Michael's.  You could also make this more custom by spray painting the letter gold or a slate blue and by changing the flowers to hydrangeas or daisys :)

Get creative, have fun and share your wreath designs!

Easy DIY Year Round Wreath

Items needed (all items can be found at Michael's and JoAnn's):

- twig wreath 

- roll of burlap

- letter(s) of choice

- faux flowers of choice

1. wrap wreath in burlap, sticking the beginning and ending pieces behind the next burlap loop in the back of the wreath

2. either hot glue gun or safety pin the 3 flowers in middle left side of the wreath.

3. either glue or pin one larger size letter or two smaller size letters to the lower left corner of the wreath

Before

After

Energy Bites

Well, as part of my New Year's Resolution I want to continue blogging on a more regular basis.  With opening a bakery, my personal time has taken a backseat but my goal for 2013 is to find a better balance.  So, without further ado, the first blog post for 2013 are these yummy little pick-me-up energy bites.  Perfect to throw into your lunch for an afternoon snack instead of that usual cookie or cup of three o'clock joe!  These should satisfy that sweet tooth and give you the energy you need to keep up with your afternoon ;)

In a medium size bowl, mix together with a fork:

1/2 cup natural no stir peanut butter

1/2 cup 100% whole grain quick oats

1/4 cup flaxseed meal

1/4 cup pure honey

1/4 cup butterscotch chips (optional)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Roll dough into 1 tablespoon size rounded balls.

Then pour your crushed pecans onto a small plate and roll your dough in them.

Makes 9 single servings.  They can be stored in a baggie and kept in the fridge.