bloody pumpkins

These were SO easy...just red paint! But, they are a little creepy!

Fig salad

This was one of the easiest tastiest salads I've had in a long time! I worry that figs are getting are getting harder to find...they dont have them at our costcos anymore. But if you can get them, try this yummy salad.

Figs (quartered)
goat cheese
toasted walnuts
arugula

(I just used a basic vinaigrette)

1/2 cup flavored vinegar (balsamic, pomegranite, acai, strawberry, etc.)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 red onion chopped in food processor
1 Tb dijon mustard
1 Tb brown sugar

salt & pepper to taste

B is for Bat

This was a fun easy craft for the 2 year old playgroup kids!
Craft sticks and googly eyes make everything fun!

Paper Curl Wreath

A Couple weeks ago I found This tutorial on a cute Website. I had been looking for a wreath, and thought it would be a great way to go (and cute for September) What I didnt realize..was how LONG IT WOULD TAKE!

First...I had to cut up 2 full books, a couple pages at a time in spirals.  Then, roll them into flower curls and glue them on to the form...and if you cant tell by the picture, there are a lot of them!

after a couple very bad glue burns, I am proud to say I am done! 
Just in time to take it down and put up my Halloween Wreath!

a Cake for Busy Izzy

My cute little niece turned one and had a "Bee" Birthday.
They asked me to help with the cake, and I was so excited to try making a "beehive cake."  I didnt have the Williams Sonoma cake pan, so I kind of had to make it up!


I used the top of the "giant cupcake" pan and then a couple of rounds.

Rob helped shape and carve it a little.

I thought I'd show an image of my kitchen during these cake making nights!

And Voila...here it is.  Katie and her mom added the cute bees.
(The ribbon on the bottom is crooked in this picture and it is kind of driving me crazy.  But let me tell you, it really did look cute!) And of cute Izzy was adorable.  I'll post more pictures of her party because it was amazing!

The Hanging Moon Cake (semi-tutorial)

Here are the instructions, though not super detailed.
I kind of made it up as I went…so I hope this makes sense:


I used the wilton ball pan. Then I went to home depot and got a really long threaded screw (it didn’t have a head on it) Then bought a washer that would fit that was 1 or 1.5 inches in diameter and flat, and a nut for the end. Then I put the screw through the cake, added the other stuff at the bottom, Put the fondant on it, and Froze it. I don’t know how much longer it would have lasted…4 hours was probably the max. You’ll have to play around with it a bit, because I am sure there is a better way!
The idea was to have a stick through it and either a plate, or cardboard or something to hold it at the bottom. The washer seemed to work the best, even thought it was small. I thought of using a bowl or something, but it didn’t stick with the round shape.

Easter Egg Dyeing

I had high hopes of doing some really creative egg dyeing and decorating this year...but, as happens so often lately, we BARELY got around to doing it the most basic way. (you know, vinegar and food coloring!)

We made it into a fun activity with neighborhood friends and moms.

I wish you didnt have to refrigerate hard-boiled eggs, because they looked divine in my cupcake tree.

the bad news:  I thought I was being so smart using my oilcloth tablecloth...ok, totally stained it! 
Any ideas???