Thursday, September 1, 2011

Pumpkin Sheet Cake

I love all things pumpkin.  During the fall it is a must have but I like it so much we have pumpkin flavored things all year long.
 
We love this cake for dessert (and sometimes breakfast)



Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Yield 2 sheet cakes (can easily cut recipe in half)

3 cups white sugar
1 cup margarine
2 teas vanilla
2 cans of pumpkin (the regular size cans)
4 eggs
3 cups flour (I use whole wheat and it taste great and is more nutritious)
4 1/2 teas baking powder
1 Tab baking soda
1/4 teas salt
4 teas cinnamon

I dump all the ingredients into my mixer and turn it on until it looks good and mixed.  (I am not a very precise person in the kitchen)

Bake at 350 degrees in a greased cooking sheet for 20-25 min.

It is tasty plain or with a light glaze on the top.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Felt Owl Tutorial #2

Here is the next installment of the felt owl tutorials.

How would you like to make this?



or this?



Use the template below to cut out your felt shapes.  Cut two of the body and one of the belly and two of the wings if needed.  To make the eyes just cut circle of felt.  Play around with their shape and size to change the look completely.

For this cute fellow - 
Running stitch on the wings and nose
For the belly I just made long parallel running stitches
The eyes – Starting on the back stick your needle and thread up through the center of the eye and them back down on the outside edge. Repeat all the way around the eye.





To make this one -
Basic cross stitch on the nose
Whip stitch on the eyes, wings, and center contrast

For the hanging loop you can use ribbon, strips of felt, or a loop of embroidery floss.  When you use embroidery floss or thin ribbon tie a knot in the end to create the loop.  The knot will help ensure that the loop of floss doesn't pull out of the top.  

I like to sew the front and the back together on my sewing machine but you could do it by hand as well.  On both of the owls you will need to fold the wings out of the way when you stitch around the outside edge.


Use the templates on any of your favorite crafts. In the photos you can see how I made not only hanging ornaments but keychains, small stuffed animals, attach a pin back and you have a brooch, you could even shrink the size of the templates and make hair bows. Only use one layer of felt and you can applique the shape onto your favorite bag or the end of a winter scarf. Use your imagination and see what you can come up with.
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Do you want to win this skirt ?


My skirt made it into the top 15 designs for the 

You can go here to vote - PLEASE :)
Mine is #14

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

New Skills

I love to watch my children learn new skills.  Peter is learning to joy of cutting paper.   So far is he content to cut paper - mostly.  I did catch him trying to give the stuffed Elmo a hair cut.

I guess the next task is to teach him that it is not necessary to stick your tongue out while cutting.




Monday, August 29, 2011

Formula instead of Milk?

I did something a bit unconventional the other day with my mashed potatoes.  I was out of milk and didn't want to run to the store to get some right then.  But I needed milk for the potatoes.  I rummaged in the pantry looking for options and I stumbled on a can of baby formula.  I have never used formula on any of my babies but some how I got on a mailing list and was sent a free can in the last few months.    I know it sounds weird but I made up 1 cup of the formula and used it when I mashed my potatoes.  I couldn't tell the difference and the kids were none the wiser.  It was definitely a make it work or do without moment and I think it went well.

Have you ever used formula instead of milk in cooking?  How did it turn out?



As a side note I  mash my potatoes in my Bosch mixer with the wire whips on.  I like mashed potatoes that are smooth and creamy.  No lumps for me here.
 


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If you haven't voted yet please do.


My skirt made it into the top 15 designs for the 

You can go here to vote - PLEASE :)
Mine is #14