Sparkley Suga' Cookies

I love sugar cookies.

They are light, and fluffy.

Best straight out of the oven.

And can be decorated SO darn CUTE!

Of coarse I think sugar cookies are best smothered in chocolate =]...but that's just me!

Anyways, I do this thing at my church where I teach the 14-16 year old girls, and I absolutely love it! And they love me...when I bring treats..haha

SO I was teaching this lesson on love, and I wanted to make something really cute, BUT, it was ten o'clock at night =] Go figure...and I knew with my body, well I get tired at about 10:15!

But I was determined. I knew I wanted to do a sugar cookie, maybe hearts, but I didn't have the time, nor did I feel like making an incredible huge mess in my kitchen. It made me think that a lot of people don't always have the time to bake...

And that is why I LOVE store bought mixes...ITS OK TO USE THEM AND NOT FEEL GUILTY =]

The best thing about them, is you can make them you own, and still do a heck of a job decorating them...

So I started with my betty crocker sugar cookie mix, but added some almond extract to it.

Then I rolled out though dough,

And cut my shapes out, and placed them on parchment paper. I then let them sit in the fridge for about 20 minutes...I cleaned up and got ready for bed while they chilled =] (Chilling the cookies help them hold shape when they bake, so they don't puff up!)

Then I baked them for about 8-10 minutes, and removed them immediately to a cooling rack, so they wouldn't cook any longer.

And then it was time to decorate them!

I just used a simple recipe for Royal icing, which hardens on the cookie. But you can use store bought frosting. Here is a Royal Icing Recipe:

Royal Icing:

3 cups powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons Meringue Powder

1-2 Tsp. Almond extract

2-4 Tablespoons Water

1 T. Lemon juice(optional for a lemony taste)

Beat all ingredients together until creamy. Should be somewhat thick. You don't want it to watery, or else it won't spread.

You can add any color, or you can DIVA it up and make it sparkle!

To make your cookies shine you can use Luster dust (Found at craft stores in baking section) Add some extract to a little bit of dust and then paint onto dry cookies.

Make sure frosting has dried enough onto cookies.

Seeeee...it's totally ok to use a pre mix! It is quick, easy, and cheap! And no body has to know =]

Make it your own!

Flower Power

Ok so I have been baby crazy lately...bare with me =]

But I just HAD to post about this certain topic.

Since I am 3 months away from being a mother...(AHHH)

I have been trying to get everything together, little by little.

I just SO happened to walk into this amaaaaaazing baby boutique!

But everybody knows baby boutique doesn't mean CHEAP =]

I was just in awe of all the utmost adorable things they had to offer, and alot of it had to do with flowers. Everything was soooo cuuute. But when I saw the prices, and remembered I am no Housewife of Orange County (no offense...totally addicted to the show)..I figured the $30 one-sies probably were NOT in my price range...nor the hubby's =]

So I decided to rely on creativity...mine def struggles, but I have to start somewhere...

I tried to replicate a shirt I saw in the store, which was close to 30 dollars. You want to know my total cost. Don't pass out!

2 FLIPPEN DOLLARS

And it doesn't look SOO incredibly bad =]

I can tell I have alot more flower power left in me...Oh the ideas in my head!

One Cravin' Mamma

Ok so I know that every once in a while we all get those cravings that we NEED to satisfy.

I just happen to get them every day!

And sometimes, they are very uncommon cravings...

Like rice with ketchup =]

I'm sure you have all had it! hahaha

Can you tell what this is?

Something disgusting? haha

Actually its a Peep, cooked over a flame =]

(Ok so I didn't have any marshmallows, what's a girl to do?)

Ok so maybe some of you can relate to this craving.

Fresh squeezed strawberry-orange juice. YUM!

At least I am not craving dirt....

**Pretty Pretty DiVa**

I love shopping for little girl things =]

BUT do you know what I love more..

MAKING little girl things!

It makes me feel...crafty =]

I have been going around looking at cute lil baby shops, and I see tons and tons or tutu's!

And well...since my baby is already a **DiVa**...I knew she had to have one.

But instead of buying one, I decided to make one =] or two =]....

And it is SUPER easy!!

All you need is:

-An elastic band

-Tulle, any color

-Ribbon

-All you do is make your elastic into the size waistband you want....you can sew or tie the ends together

-Then tie strips of Tulle onto the waistband. ALL the way around!

-Then you can add ribbon of any kind to the waistband as well..

-That's it!

It can be as DIVA as you want...

Or as Pretty Pretty Princess as you want!

I also made baby onesies. I found really cute glitter paper that you can iron onto shirts. You just cute whatever desired shape you like, and iron it on!

I am no Martha Stewart, but it was fun!

I am one proud mamma!

I can't wait for my lil **DIVA** to arrive!

Poppcorn Poppin'

My husband told me the other night he really wanted some caramel popcorn,

and when the hubby wants somethin...the hubby gets it =]

I aim to please!

I have never made caramel popcorn before, so I was a little worried about how it would turn out. I figured it couldn't be too hard to do...

I stand corrected! I found a delicious recipe, and it was super easy! Of coarse I jazzed it qtcakes style. I can never follow a recipe, I always have to add my touches...don't get me wrong...i have had many disasters when i don't follow directions =] But this time favored me, and turned out WOW BABY!

First you just throw all your ingredients right into the melting pot, and continually stire till all ingredients are melted and combined.

Once melted stir into popcorn, and quickly form into quick lil' balls. CAREFUL its friggin' hot! I burned my self quit a few times, but I have the skin of a dragon, so i survived. Also make sure you continually cover your hands in butter, so it doesn't stick to those fingers =]

AWE cute!

To view the recipe in full check it out HERE...

BUT!..

Here is what I did differently:

-I used about 3 bags movie theater popcorn, instead of doing it the old fashioned way

-I added a 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips

I didn't do to much different, but it was already a good thing, so it didn't need much changing.

Now if you need something a little bit more figure friendly there are many ways to spice up popcorn, with out adding tons of sugary goodness. (Did i say goodness??) I meant nonsense...i think =] You can add so many different spices or seasonings.

Whether you looking for something savory: adding garlic powder, taco seasoning, parmesan cheese, yada yada yada

Or something sweet: by adding dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.

Get creative and search recipes on line..

Ok I myself am getting bored with all this nonsense!

Eat up you piggies! =] ENJOY!

Smells like...dog

My house is a dog fiasco!

I think it is really getting me ready to have kids, minus the poop and pee on the carpet...

We started out just watching one dog for a couple of days, but now we are watching two. Why NOT!

Needless they have kept me pretty busy, but how can you NOT love these precious faces =]

Don't worry I didn't leave this little gal in the bathroom the whole time, i was just making sure she wouldn't use my carpet as a bathroom. The tile floor is much easier =]

With all the fun I was having I still managed to cure my cravings.

Have you ever tried an Acai smoothie =]

If you haven't I suggest you do, because they are AMAAAAHHHZING!

I found these individual packets of Acai at a health food store, and mixed it with some soymilk, applesauce, frozen banana, frozen blackberries, and some love =]

Topped with banana chunks, an Viola!

YUMM!

Next I really wanted some down home Mac N Cheese, but I didn't really want the calories =]

So I made a delicious version from one of my fav books Skinny Bitch in the Kitch. It's Hilarious!

You wouldn't even beleive whats in this....its do die for!

But for those of you wanting some REAL food, check out these hearty recipes to fill your soul =]

HERE

HERE

Enjoy!

Bow Chika Bow Wow

Happy Weekend!

I love the weekends for many reasons.

1) They are relaxing

2) No work-even though I LOVE my job

3) No school for the hubbster

4) More Hubby and Me time!

This weekend is even better though. Not only is it because the weather is MUCH for suitable for me than it currently has been (NO RAIN TODAY!), but hubby and I are playing mommy and daddy to my parents dog Bella!

She is everything fun, and has been keeping me company. She is 100% active, and loves to play all the time. Especially when the hubby gets home!

She just loves him.

We even tried to give her a bath! Oh my gosh, I hope children aren't this hard to bath! She freaked out as soon as she was done, and was running all over the place shaking, and rubbing her face on the floor! We were busting up laughing!

All Clean!

Today I also attempted in making some delicious vegan chocolate chip cookies. Now before you go crazy, just hear me out. Even though they have NO butter, No refined Sugar, or Artificial Sugar, No eggs, no nothin! They were BOMB(in the words of my hubby!)

Not even pulling your leg, we were shocked! I had two and hubby had three, and we only stopped so we could have room for dinner! It goes to show healthy eating doesn't have to be ENTIRELY painful!

Don't believe me, try it for you self! E-mail if you want the recipe =]

qtcakes4@gmail.com

Much Love