Edible Wednesday: Cheater Cheesecake Bites

Get the milk out folks....get the napkins, and set the stop watch. You....yes you....can eat cheater cheesecake in less than 30 seconds! OK - so there might be a minute or two of prep time...but doesn't that beat the hour or two to make real cheesecake? This might be the one time anyone ever tells you it's ok to be a cheater! I'm a cheater cheesecake eater - and proud of it!

You need 3 ingredients! Only 3! No pan, no oven, no bowl or mixing spoon. I'm telling you - this is downright sinful and downright simple! Get a butter knife and a can opener for the pie filling.

Ok - so get some vaNilla Wafers, Cream Cheese & Cherry Pie Filling. (I guess you can do Strawberry Pie filling if you really wanted to - but I LOVE Cherries!)

Follow the steps in this image...

My husband was over my shoulder like a hawk while I was taking the photos, and when he finally popped one in his mouth he actually grinned. I thought I had made these before for him, but he smiled and said "Nope!" - not in all the 15 years we've been together? "Nope!". I guess that means everytime I made them - I ate them all too! But he sure was happy I made them for him now!

See how nice and bite size they are? Ok - maybe not so prim and proper to do that - but no one is watching! Go ahead! These would be *awesome* for party food, appetizers (I laugh as I type that!), etc. If you love 'em - tell me! If you don't love 'em - don't tell me! I might cry! -kg

Busy Monday: Upcycling Cards & Photos

I have had this stack of thank you cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards, engagement photos, family photos, etc, growing for YEARS now! Many years ago when it wasn't so huge - I knew I wanted to do "something" really cool with them...but didn't know exactly what that cool something was yet.

To be honest - I'm still not so sure. But I have a pretty good idea where I want to take it - so the fire has been lit. This could still take me a long time to complete - but I thought I'd document the process here!

Here's some of the ideas I had/have...
1 - I thought it could make a really nice garland. But then I thought - it will hang around for a while, get dusty, probably wrinkled and desheveled, and then taken down and discarded at worst.
2 - Then I thought I could just throw it into an open top frame (I saw one years ago in a PB catalog)...and let them all collect in there as we go along in life - that could still be really cool, but I can't find the open top frame.
3 - I thought - I could very easily use them for gift tags - (in a bigger circle)...or notes to my girls in their lunch - but then I'd lose them all - slowly but surely!
4 - Then I thought I can do a huge collage of Jesus - since all my friends and family that cared enough to send these awesome cards and photos - would in essence - remind me of Him. But I worry I won't do a facial collage enough justice - esp with it being Jesus! (still worth a try - so the idea is not lost).
5 - Then I thought I could do a random pattern design with all of them - maybe even a little impressionist style - capturing the feel of Starry Night.

So that's where I'm at. For all of you wanting to do something similar...here's what I used. A 1 1/2" scalloped edge punch since I didn't want just a plain circle (you can get them in any craft store in the scrapbooking isle). I am fuss punching the cards and photos - but using as much of the extra as I can (fussy cutting in sewing terms - is cutting the fabric for a quilt or pattern so you get a specific image on each piece of fabric - rather than just cutting and getting whatever you get). The trick is to make sure you use the punch upside down - so you can see what you are punching out.

There will be more to post about this in the future - but for now - I still need to make a dent in this box! and I am very determined! If you've done this already - I'd love to know.  -kg

Giddy Up Friday: More than 1 Way to Say "Good Job"

Today my daughter painted a picture. (She does that a lot! - Both do!). Sometimes she takes her time and sometimes she likes to experiment. All I could think to say to her was "good job"......boring!!! (The Dalmatian painting was hers from last year...love this one!)

That response got me thinking...I decided that for the rest of the weekend - I'm going to find more way than 1 way to tell my girls "good job"....Here's a few - and let's see if we can come up with more! 240 more to be exact!

So here's some of mine to start...(I'll have to go add these in there....)
1. Awesome!
2. That's the best!
3. Terrific!
4. Fantabulous!
5. That is out of this world!
6. So Cool!
7. Keep up the good work!
8. Wonderful!
9. Way to improve!
10. I knew you could do it!

So here's your chance to add to the list. Please keep the words kind and loving - no profanity - after all, this is all about being positive to those around us - esp our children! I set a goal of 250 more positive ways to say "Good Job". Pleas3 share this link with others. No words should be repeated - for the sake of coming up with the longest list without repeats! When it's all said and done - I will transfer the list to a PDF to share! We have until April 25th (1 month) to try this! Thanks everyone!
-kg

Edible Wednesday: Cat Cupcakes

Good Morning on this rainy day...These Cat Cupcakes have been on my mind lately because my daughter's 7th birthday is coming up soon. I can't for the life of me - remember why I made them almost 3 years ago, but I did - and I later submitted them to Family Fun magazine for a contest. I didn't win - because it was for cakes - and this is a cupcake...Where was the love for the little cakes back then? Really people!!

For all you cat lovers and cupcake lovers out there...here you go....

You'll need - Cupcakes - yum!
3 Nonpareils per cupcake
6 - 1 1/2" pieces of Twisted Twizzlers (not as good as the real stuff - but works well here!)
2 Yellow M & M's (Yellow - are more believable - but Blue and Brown might work just as well!)
Regular Frosting (Frosting tip and bag for the nose and mouth - or a can)

Chocolate Frosting (The tube you throw in the microwave and melt the chocolate - for the eyes)

Step 1: First make the eyes - so the chocolate hardens. And then break some of the Nonpareils for the ears. I found it easier to score the back of them, which breaks them nice & easy! Then cut up the twizzlers for the whiskers with kitchen shears.

Step 2: Frost the cupcakes

Step 3: Place the whiskers and then the Nonpareils towards the lower half of the cupcake.

Step 4: Place the eyes, and poke in the ears.

Step 5: Finish with the Pink frosting to make the nose and mouth shape. (My daughter's helped with this part!)

Step 6: Enjoy!

Have a great Wednesday! Meow! -kg