Cupcake Fudge

When I saw this recipe from Not Just A Housewife for Cake Batter Fudge, I knew I had to make it myself. 

I'm calling mine "Cupcake Fudge" because I divided it up into small casserole dishes, just like you'd divide cake batter into cupcakes. Seemed fitting. You're with me right? ;)

These little casserole dishes were the perfect solution for handing these out as hostess gifts or to neighbors. 

I found them at Michaels for $1.50 ea. 

Also note that I made the recipe for a BIG BATCH and it makes enough for about 4 of these dishes.

If you can't find the casserole dishes, or would like an even more frugal solution, these mini casserole dishes come in a pack of 3 (with a paper lid) for $1 at the dollar store. Decorate the lid with a sharpie marker, and you're good to go!

Read the recipe carefully and really take note of the fact that these need to sit for at least a day to firm up and be ready to serve...so make ahead of time :)
This is a CREAMY fudge.


CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL RECIPE!


If you're looking for a more traditional chocolate fudge, check out the recipe I shared last year for FANTASY FUDGE (so yum!)

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Gummy Kabobs

When heading to a Christmas Party with several friends/co-ministry workers, I had the sudden urge to have a little take away for all of them along with our Christmas cards.

Cookies seems a little too repetitive & expected to me this year (although that's totally what I did for neighbors)...so while brainstorming ideas Gummy Kabobs were the first thing to come to mind.

Nothing like, fun, colorful and GUMMY to put smiles on faces :)

There's no tutorial here. It's all PRETTY obvious, BUT I will mention to grease your kabobs before skewing gummies on...its the only way. 
Another tip...to prevent unwanted kabob stabbings, either snip the sharp end when you're done skewing the gummies, OR top it with a rounded candy (like I did).

A little cello & sisal twine and you're good to go. 

I can happy say that I made a dozen of these for just over $1 each. 
We made enough for the kiddies & their parents 
(so the parents didn't have to sneak a gummy bear off their kids kabobs while they slept - and no, I've never done ANYTHING like that...ahem...)

Even Bo couldn't resist getting his grab on these kabobs!

and actually, see that nice white pot I have them in on the first pic? 

yah, he accidentally smashed it to smitherines when trying to grab it...

darn crazy cute kids

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Shutter Christmas Card Display

Each year I'm always looking for a new creative way to display Christmas cards.

This year I was so excited to put my wall shutters into action to fulfill this need! 

Although I've talked about the wall shutters before, I'll refresh your memories briefly;

The shutters were found at a thrift store, $15 for 2 

(check kijij, craigslist, etc...these are out there!)

I simply hung them with 3M photo hangers 

(they're like a wall velcro strip that cause no damage and hold up to 11lbs).

All I had to do to make it a card display was some small clothespins to hold the cards up.

I love the look and think I may just continue doing this with printed photos in the new year, and rotate them out seasonally :)

How do you display your cards each Christmas?

Homemade Potato Soup

With Winter comes soup season! 

While I love making homemade soups, but I really only have a couple I make regularly. 

So I decided to venture out and try my hand at a Potato Soup. 

I loved this recipe and upped the cayenne pepper a bit and it really added an extra kick, which I loved!

Here's the recipe I used below:

(adapted to my liking from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 5 tablespoons margarine
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 3 potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard powder
• 1 pinch ground allspice
• 3/4 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (or more to your liking!)
• 1/4 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• 
  

Optional Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped carrots
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine

Directions

1. In a large stock pot, saute onion, (optional : celery, carrots) garlic and parsley in butter until soft but not browned. Sprinkle in flour and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add broth slowly, stirring as you add.
2. Add milk, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, allspice, celery seed, thyme, seasoning salt, dry (optional: white wine), cayenne pepper and chicken granules. Allow to simmer and thicken, stirring frequently, until the potatoes are cooked through, approximately 25 minutes. During cooking, break up potatoes with the back of a spoon. Serve warm.

While Cooking:

 Thick, chunky goodness ready to serve/eat.

And to dispose of any thoughts that I am some sort of well organized chef...

here's what my kitchen looked like while making the soup:

So....yah....that's not embarrassing at all...

JK Vinyl Designs {WINNER}

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I know a few of you have been loading up on JK Vinyl Design's shop items for Christmas presents. Myself included.

There is so many great things about this shop, including LOW prices, CUSTOM items, and BUY2GET1FREE deal! 

I love this for a little girls room:

how sweet for $10.99 and customized!! 

So thankful for JK Vinyl Designs to be giving one vinyl item (up to $19.99 in value) away to one of YOU!

Thank you to all who entered too, to support such a great shop!

Winner is...

#17

Meghann said...

Bought the buy one get one deal for the kids!!!

Congrats Meghann!

(winner selected with honesty by random.org)

Creating Character - Staircases & Doorstops

My parents house has so much character. Even as a "newer" home. 

Funny, as I thought of it all being "too fancy" when I was younger, and now crave that same character in my home.

You know those little wood craft pieces you find at hardware & craft stores? 

My parents used them going up the staircase. It's such a minor detail that gives huge overall effect.

Recognize the staircase?

It's from THIS post.

Which happens to be THE most popular post on this here blog.

 So when we had a problem in our home from the front door missing the baseboard doorstop, I decided instead of patching it up (again) we would try one of these decorative wood pieces as well!

 ahhh...fixed.