still here?

If you're still here, you're missing this awesomeness at CUE THE CONFETTI!

have you heard?

come join the fun! 

carrot easter treats

Easter is almost here and I'm SO excited!!!

I saw these ADORABLE carrot "eggs" at the Dollar Tree and I just couldn't resist.

I thought they'd be a great treat for kids or 

a hostess gift if you're going to someones house for Easter dinner. 

All you need is

carrots, a basket, "dirt" aka basket shred, and candy!

I put Reese's piece's in the top of the carrots so it was solid orange and

 jelly beans in the bottom.

Then just fill your basket with dirt and add your carrots. 

These would also be ADORABLE for a garden party or any bunny themed festivity!

Shamrock Snack

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here's a simple SWEET or SAVORY shamrock snack (that's a lot of "s"!)

that you can easily make to celebrate St. Patrick.

I found these a while ago and decided I needed a shamrock version!

Just puchase refrigerated pie crust (from a box!), cut, 

flavor (I used green sugar and Italian seasoning), bake, and ENJOY!

The SWEET shamrocks would be cute and yummy on ice cream.

The SAVORY shamrocks would make a fun garnish for soup. 

AND don't forget to wear your green!

Every year I wear a shamrock necklace my mom got me from Ireland. 

Do YOU have any fun St. Patrick's Day traditions? 

Green Eggs & Ham

Here's a SIMPLE idea to celebrate Dr. Seuss and his birthday! 

A "green eggs and ham" TREAT!

Simple white candy melts with green m&m's over 2 half pretzel sticks. 

 I realize the "ham" isn't green.... YOU could dip them in green candy melts!

Problem solved.  

 No "ham" option.

Green Eggs and Ham is one of my favorite books from my childhood!

Here are some other cute ideas to celebrate Dr. Seuss....
The Celebration Shoppe
The Crafty Crow

"Say!
I like green eggs and ham!

I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!"

Green Eggs and Ham

photos by Abby Carlson

Lacking

SORRY for the LACK of posts!!! 

Some FUN stuff is in the works, so don't give up on me! 

Hint...

via

Cranberry Maple Walnut Muffins

 

When I was a kid my mom made AMAZING cranberry bread around Christmas 

and for some reason I've have been craving it lately 

(I think it's because of all the yummy 

sugared cranberries I've been making).

Unfortunately, the recipe is no where to be found at the moment. 

So, I decide to take matters 

into my own hands....

 

Cranberry Maple Walnut Muffins

Adapted from Ocean Spray Classic Cranberry Nut Bread

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup milk (I used coconut milk)

2 teaspoons maple extract

1 egg well beaten

2 cups chopped cranberries 

(be very careful while chopping these!)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

Preheat oven to 350ºF

Grease muffin pan.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. 

Stir in vegetable oil, milk, extract, and egg. 

Mix until well blended. 

Stir in cranberries and nuts. 

Fill baking cups 2/3.

Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.

I think these taste BEST warm with a little butter.... yummmmmmm.

Top 3 of 2011

It's the LAST day of 2011 and 

I'm looking back on some of my FAVE posts of the year...

MY top 3 posts of 2011-
 

French Toast Birthday Brunch 

Summer Stripes Tablescape

Hunt & Cut Cupcakes

YOUR top 3 posts of 2011 (most read)-

I LOVE these too!

Heels to Wheels Baby Shower

Dessert Table Backdrop

Parisian Baby Shower

2011 was a great year and
I have BIG things in store for 2012!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas Cards

I decided to use the same Christmas card display as last year...

because I LOVE it.  

Simple embroidery hoops with fabric, string, and twine. 

Hunt and Cut - 2011

My FAVORITE Montana tradition is cutting down a Christmas tree

(my California trees were usually purchased at Target).

We call this wonderful day

"Hunt and Cut"

and this year I made a special treat for the event....

Candy melt pretzel trees on coconut cupcakes!

Here's how to do it...

Gather all supplies- pretzel sticks, Candy Melts, a small zip-lock, and cupcakes.  

1. Prepare the Candy Melts according to the directions and place it in a small zip-lock bag.
Then, cut the tip off the corner of the bag (better to start with a small snip and make it bigger if needed).

2. Make a small strip of candy melts on wax paper (a little over half the length of the pretzel).

3. Place a pretzel rod on top of the candy melt strip. 

4. Starting at the top of the pretzel lightly squeeze the bag and create "branches".

5. Cross over the pretzel to the other side and....

6. Create "branches" on the other side.

7. Let the trees dry.

8. Place tree in a cupcake (I made coconut cupcakes to look like snow) and TA-DA!!

A forest of trees!

These would also be fun to decorate with sprinkles and other colors of Candy Melts.
I kept them all natural... just like the tree I chopped!