2 Ingredient Truffles

How was everyones 4th? Did you all have fun, food, & Family? We sure did and not to mention we had some awesome fireworks! I did break down and make Miss A a shirt, I will add a little tutorial for you soon, here in Utah we still have the 24th to celebrate too! I thought I would share an easy recipe that reaps LOT & Lots of Praise! Besides it is super easy and cheap!

Do you have a love for the truffles but they all seem like a lot of work? Well these are defiantly the ones for you. They take little time and you only need 2 ingredients!  I found these when looking for fun treats for a cookie exchange I went to a while back. They are so easy and yummy. I think just the name Truffles People assume you went to lots of work ;)
Items Needed:

• 1   8oz pack of Cream cheese
  
• Chocolate (1 pkg of almond bark or 2 1/2 boxes of melting chocolate)

Start with whipping your cream cheese, while that is whipping melt half of your chocolate. Set the other half aside that is what you will coat your truffles with. I melted my Chocolate in the microwave 2 minutes and stirred and did 30 second intervals until it was all melted. Add the melted chocolate to your cream cheese and mix wellAT this point you can go onto the next step and keep it 2 Ingredients or I like to try my luck and test different combos. I have added some mint extract to make them mint truffles, I have also whipped in a 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter (my husband and his work favorite!). If you want 2 types simply split the mix here and add different flavors (I am going to try orange next!). Next once you decide what flavor you would like and it is mixed in  scoop out your mix onto wax paper. I use a mini scoop so they stay similar in size. you can also use a spoon and drop them onto wax paper. Refrigerate the balls for about 1 hr until firm enough to hold their shape in melted chocolate. I usually shape them into better ball shapes before I dip them. Melt your other half of chocolate, I added a little shortening because a very wise woman (Tara’s Mom!) told me a little shortening in your melted chocolate gives it a shinny coat!Dip then decorate! You can add sprinkles to pretty them up,  I added some melted peanut butter to the peanut butter ones. You can also roll them in powdered sugar and coco powder if you don't want to dip them! Stand back and enjoy the praise!

Too Long to Ruffle-tacular!

Well Happy weekend to all of you! Ok so it is close enough for me! Have you all entered the Rhodes Cookbook giveaway? Come on it doesn't get easier and they are fabulous recipes! Also are you guys wanting to guest blog on here? We are scheduling the month of July and would LOVE to have all of you! Just email us at momsofalltrades@yahoo.com.

Well are you wondering what I have for you today. Here in Utah we FINALLY have summer! And water, lots and lots of water this year. I have a feeling we will all be swimming soon! With all the warm weather I find it hard to put on my long winter skirts, oh and the fact that it went out of style 10+ years ago! ;) So I have been looking at my skirt and knew it needed definite help. Agreed?!

 

I know and I actually wore it like this to church last week!  So I put it on and took some self pictures. Not the best but you get the point. I used a scientific method of marking how much I wanted to cut off. I pulled the skirt up to the level I wanted and then marked it with a pen! That how I roll!I chopped off the bottom half of the skirt and look at that slit, may be a little to reviling! Ha Ha But I knew exactly what to addI grabbed my stack of old tank tops. I knew they still had a purpose! I grabbed one and added it under the slit and once again used the same method but used a washable marker and traced the triangle. I cut the triangle out (the white part) from the old tank top and I now had my modesty back!I could have left it like this and finished up the top. But I wanted more! Plus I had all those tank tops that needed a purpose! I cut 2 of the tank tops into 1 inch strips and began pining and sewing each row at a time.I also found some lace and added that to the mix. I continued my ruffles all the way to the top. Then pinned it into the slit.Then just sewed it in. I added the original waistband back in and TADA! Once again some Self portraits. Hopefully the ruffles take attention off my butt! ;)

I can proudly walk into church Sunday and know I am within the style! What do you think? What fun changes have you made to update your clothing?

Happy Weekend

Quick Travel first aid kit

How was your weekend? I spent the weekend biking with the family and Birthday parties! Needless to say it is hard to complete a bunch of crafts with weekends jam packed! But today I thought I would share a quick fun First aid kit. I am the most accident prone person, I can cut myself by looking at something sharp!! So a first aid kit is something that should never be to far away from me!

I was shopping at Roberts and they had these fun little bead holders for $1.99 (plus a 40%off coupon). The inside is meant for different beads But it actually makes the perfect first aid kit!

 

Simply fill with first aid stuff (band aides, Neosporin, gauze, cotton balls, safety pin, Tums, Tylenol) And add to your purse, diaper bag, car, or perfect size for kids backpacks (just don't add the Tylenol I would hate for them to get in trouble!). I wrote on mine but Vinyl would also be cute. These would also make great little gifts for neighbors and friends.Also would be great for those graduate going off to college! You know when you left home a first aid kit was the last thing on your list!! Our be fun for a group activity.

Happy Monday!

Cookies with Bacon!

Yes you read that right, I made Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies with BACON! Most of you , like Tara are saying yuck, The rest of you are probably saying SERIOUSLY?! But I am here to tell you they were really good! I am not the biggest bacon fan but when I found this recipe I knew I HAD to try it. I knew if anything I could send them with the Husband to work! Well actually I did send them all only because I knew I would eat them ALL and it is getting swim suit season and I don't need to add Bacon cookies to my butt! ;)

Her is the recipe, it came from June issue of Food Network Magazine.

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip-Bacon Cookies

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of chipotle or ancho chile powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 5 strips bacon (1/3 pound)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped honey- roasted peanuts
• 1/3 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350* . Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, chile powder and salt in a large bowl.

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; reserve 2 tablespoons of the drippings and set aside to cool. Crumble the bacon, discarding any chewy bits.

Beat the butter and reserved bacon drippings in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the peanut butter until combined, about 1 minute. Beat in the granulated and light brown sugar until creamy, about 4 minutes, then add the egg and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 more minutes.

Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 2 additions, scraping down the bowl as needed, until just combined. Stir in the peanuts ( I didn't add peanuts because I am allergic! But ii am sure would just add that much more!) and all but 2 tablespoons each of the chocolate chips and bacon.

Form the dough into 12 balls and arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten with your fingers (the cookies will not spread in the oven); press the reserved bacon and chocolate chips on top. Bake until golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Let the cookies cool 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, yeah right mine lasted less then an hour at Cam’s work! We also ate at least a dozen the 2 of us!! ;) Look at all that Bacon goodness!

These would be really fun Fathers day cookies! Or for the Bacon lover in your family, I know every family has at least 1! I was also thinking they would be fun to bring to a neighborhood brunch or Barbeque! Ok well they are good enough to take anywhere or hoard them for yourselves!

From Boy to Minnie!

Miss A was invited to a Minnie Mouse Birthday party! I had already made he a Minnie Skirt and she needed a black top to go with it. Well having a huge selection of quick stores to run to aka Wal-Mart (yes I knew about the party for weeks and I totally put it off!) After the crappy week I had last week of course locating a black shirt was next to impossible! I am very lucky to have awesome friends and Heidi came to my rescue with this black shirt. It was a boys shirt with a pocket but I was NOT picky! I knew what I would do. Do you ever have an awesome image in your head and know there is no way you can mess it up?! Well this was one of those ideas and YES totally messed it up, but I also saved it. That should count right!!

I started by taking off the pocket and gutting the cute invitation. I used my glue stick and stuck the Mickey head to the shirt.  Make sure your glue stick is washable!Next I broke out my Clorox bleach pen! I went around the entire Mickey working from the Mickey out. In my head this would have made cool white streaks that would look like the Mickey Head was busting out of the shirt! Because it was Black I didn't think it would go Orange (keep this in mind for Halloween!) I let the Bleach sit on the shirt for 30 minutes to get it as light as possible. I pulled off the Mickey head and rinsed out my shirt. I was a little bummed and thinking CRAP! What will I do know. I have to admit my AWESOME Mickey was looking more like a Bear/Lion and NOTHING like a Mickey. I must say I felt a little sad and alone. I knew it was a total fail so I really couldn't hurt it by trying some options. I ran to my craft room and grabbed my fabric markers to try to at least make a Pink Bear Lion shirt!! Well not loving it or knowing who to call and bounce ideas off of I decided to attempt an idea seen only attempted by children! I grabbed my Black sharpies and started coloring!! I know, I know, but this is what I ended up with! I even got complements on her shirt! WOOHOO!! I was a little proud of myself and I now know what NOT to do!!

What are some fun ideas you have used your bleach pen for besides that swear word , housework! ;)

Tulle Cute

Have you seen these fun types of hair bows at stores and boutiques? Do you love the prices tags of $5.00 or more?! Do you have a large stash of ribbon, fabric,or tulle stash and now there is a purpose you have been holding on to it? Keep reading then! I have a SUPER talented friend who has 4 girls and she makes the most amazing bows. I guess with 4 girls she had to learn or she would be broke!  Besides being a great friend and teaching me how to make these she also has the largest collection of ribbon in the county (even going up against Wal-Mart!) so I will stay on her good side ;) (Thanks Heidi!)

So are you ready to make some hair “Pretty’s” as Miss A calls them!

Items Needed:

• Ribbon & Tulle
• hair clip
• mini rubber bands
• glue gun
• lighter or clear nail polish (to seal off the ends of your ribbon)

You will start by cutting strips of your ribbons and tulle, about 6in unless it is for a older girl and you want it larger. You will need at least 15 strips and on the tulle you will want it about double the width of the ribbon (this gives them the fluff!). I like double bows because she wears a lot of pig tails. If you are making 2 line up both sets of strips to make sure they are identical when you get them glued on.

Next you are going to take your mini rubber band and start tying your strips on it.Here is a better close upOnce all of the ribbons are tied on this is what your rubber band will look like. Next turn it so that all the knots are like this. You are going to glue it on your clip and this way you will get glue on every not and make sure your ribbons stay put if the rubber band breaks.  Once it is glued on try them on immediately to your model. I made these after bedtime so I had to use my extra model. Panda Bear made a great stand in! Of course you know the look he really is wanting to run and hoping none of his neighborhood buddies see this! They are so much fun and your girlies will get so many complements on them. I Love all of mine but I also would like to have about 50 more!

I don't think I could pull them off at 30! But for a almost 2 year old PERFECT!

Cinni-Rhodes Bread

Alright I have  the worlds easiest Cinnamon Pull apart bread for you. Seriously no prep, no measurements, just plain EASY! It is actually the way I roll :) Ok seriously I suck at measurements and extra prep I like to get instant satisfaction and know weather or not my recipe is edible or super fail!
Last week the husband was beyond a go getter and cemented my front patio for me. I know what you are thinking, but it was his own “Honey Do” List! I mentioned it awhile back but didn't give it a second thought. Well Happy Mothers Day to me! We lucked out and were able to borrow a mixer from friends and our neighbor came and helped Cam pour it all. Seriously! I was helping but I am better skilled at supervising and smiling in excitement!! So as a thank you to my favorite neighbors I decided I wanted to bake them a yummy snack. So to my favorite recipe book, La Internet! I have a good 100 books but I am better at cyber cooking (plus I love pictures of what my goal is!!) I came a crossed this Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread from everyday-art. It looked amazing and we are HUGE cinnamon bread/rolls fan at my house.  Plus who wouldn't want warm Cinnamon Bread at their doorstep!
I read thru the recipe and I had all the ingredients except I decided to change it to my style! I grabbed a package of Rhodes frozen rolls! I simply let them thaw and squashed them together then rolled them out on my counter.
I went a little thick, I think next time I will shoot for about 1/4 in. Once it is rolled out grab some butter (did I mention this is SUPER healthy!) Rub the butter all over the surface then cover with cinnamon and sugar. I also added some brown sugar.Instead of rolling it up like a cinnamon roll you are going to cut it into squares.Next stack your squares into your greased bread pan See at that yummyness! Let them rise for about 20 minutes and then  Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Once it came out of the oven I added a little butter on top and sprinkled some cinnamon sugar mixture.The large bag of Rhodes Rolls made 3 large loafs and I could have easily eaten all 3 by myself!!
Easy enough?