LOVE Cookies!

I have always loved cookies. I have been itching to make those pretty little spritz cookies you see at Christmastime, so I went to the store and bought new 'c' batteries for the cookie press that's been sitting in my drawer for years, came home, popped them in, and NOTHING. I looked up my model on the internet and 20 out of 20 said it was a piece of cookie junk. So the hunt was on. I ended up at Sur La Table in Salt Lake and bought this one - no batteries, just cookie makin mama power - and these are what I ended up with....

This press is a ratchet style -meaning that it has a trigger and with each click you get a cookie, a perfect cookie.

This is the flower or star or snowflake disc.

This is what you get with the flower/star/snowflake disc.

These have been baked

This is what I got from ONE recipe! They are buttery deliciousness and kind of naked I admit, but scrumptous still.

You seriously can't stop at just one, very, very bad for the weight watchers goal.

New Projects

These are some of the Christmas projects I've been so busy with. I'm not worried about the giftees seeing these because the little nativity pillows are to be opened before Christmas anyway. Happy Christmas Marta - I'll get them in the mail tomorrow.
This is for Katie - but she NEVER reads my blog so I'm not worried.

These are for the girlees-there's actually one more, but I finished it after taking the picture. The crocheted flowers were so much fun to learn. I learned it from reading a blog called crochet-mania.blogspot.com. She is a wonderful teacher and generously shares her talents. Definitely worth a visit.

My computer wasn't talking to my camera until tonight so I haven't been able to post any pictures. I don't like blogging without pictures!

I'm Back!

I have been a busy little bee lately trying to get Christmas projects in on time. Every year I say to myself that I will have any hand made projects done by October - but the funny thing is, most of the time that's when I'm just starting them!

I came across some really good recipes and wanted to share...

FUDGY LOW-FAT BROWNIES - Try these they are the best brownies I have ever had!

3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 oz. bittersweet chocolate
2 T. unsalted butter
2 T. low-fat sour cream
1 T. chocolate syrup
2 t. vanilla
1 large egg plus 1 large egg white
1 c. sugar

Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together. Melt bittersweet chocolate and butter in double boiler. -cool 2 -3 minutes, then whisk in sour cream, syrup, vanilla, egg, egg white, and sugar. Using rubber spatula, fold dry ings. into chocolate mixture until combined.

Spray 8X8 pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan, spread until level. Bake until slightly puffed and toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few sticky crumbs attached, 20 -25 minutes. Cool completely. (to keep moist, do not cut until ready to serve. Can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for 3 days). Cut into 2" squares.

110 Cals
2 gm fiber (if made with whole wheat)
4 gm fat
"2 Weight Watchers Points"

BANANA BRAN MUFFINS

1/2 c. applesauce

1/2 C. splenda brown sugar (or 1 cup regular brown sugar)

3 bananas mashed

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 1/2 c. wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. nuts

1/2 c. coconut or shredded carrots

1. Cream applesauce with brown sugar

2. Cream bananas, milk, vanilla, and eggs -add to the applesauce mixture

3. Combine dry ings. and add to above.

4. Bake at 375 for 20-25 mins. Wonderful!

Kids' Wise Words!

1. Never trust a dog to watch your food.
-Patrick, age 10
2. When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?", don't answer him.
-Michael, 14
3. Never tell your mom her diet's not working.
-Michael, 14
4. Stay away from prunes.
-Randy, 9
5. Never pee on an electric fence.
-Robert, 13
6. Don't squat with yoru spurs on.
-Noronha, 13
7. Don't pull dad's finger when he tells you to.
-Emily, 10
8. When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.
-Taylia, 11
9. Don't sneeze in front of mom when you're eating crackers.
-Mitchell, 12
10. Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.
-Kyoyo,9
11. Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
-Kellie, 11
12. If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.
-Naomi, 15
13. Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat.
-Joel, 10
14. Never try to baptize a cat.
-Eileen, 8

Funny

If you go back to my post about our little July parade you'll see the picture of our State Senator Bell riding a goofy bike in the parade. Well, as you may know, the job of governor of Utah is now vacant due to the fact that Governor Huntsman was named ambassador to China.

Anyway, Senator Bell is up for the lieutenant governor position because the previous lieutenant is now the new Governor.

I think I live in a state full of 'hayseeds'. (or maybe just friendly people willing to poke some fun at themselves)

More Red White and Blue

I'm really a sucker for red white and blue quilts. This one hung on my front door during July and is mostly in 30's prints.This was made for a neighbor as a thank you for his many years of public service.

This one is for a new baby boy.

Bumkins

I bought the pattern for the cupcake pants from Little Londyn and then appliqued a tiny cupcake on some onesies. After that, I couldn't stop and decided to make my own patterns for some more onesies. I also bought fabric to match so I can make more "Bumkins".

Flower Girl

Sunshine

Flutterbye

Cute Chick

I STILL Love A Bargain

I went to our local thrift store yesterday and bought things I really don't need - but just the same, had to have.

• The red plate in the back is absolutely darling. There were only 4 but I may have jsut started me on a quest to find calico style plates in, you guessed it, red, white and blue!



• The daisy candle stick holders will be fun at Easter.



• The apothocary jar will go in my kitchen at Christmas filled with candy alongside my collection of jars. It looks like an old fashioned candy shoppe in my kitchen.



• I really like halloween decorations and I think the dish and little doll is real cute (the doll was one of those McD's kids meals toys)



• The Alice in Wonderland is a signed Disney original and now sits in my curio cabinet.



• I'm always on the lookout for white hobnail glass and am not a snob about whether it's Fenton or not. I just love the crisp whiteness of it.

My daughter has a cute farmhouse about 2 miles from us and has decorated her kitchen with chickens and roosters. I found this beauty and just had to buy it. Can't wait to give it to her!

And last but not least, this adorable little figurine (you can always use another figurine - right?) Anyway she appears to be quite old.

Look, she's reading Little Red Riding Hood.

I LOVE cards!

I made some cards and this holder for a friends birthday. They are fun to make and easy because the papers were in a coordinating pack from Stampin Up. This is the holder
Here are the cards - they are all blanks so she can use them for just about anything.

Festival Days 09

The kids had fun on the slides

I thought this was funny -sorry the picture is so bad. This is our State Senator's parade "float". Can't get much greener than this - right?

At the big parade - some local store was throwing these stuffed animals. The four year old didn't actually catch it - a lady just walked up to her and handed it to her.

McGruff!

We LOVE our Firemen and their engines! - They have saved our home twice from a mountain fire.

Hurray for the Red, White, and Blue

This has been posted already but it really goes with the month of July. Hope you all got to spend time with family and see some fireworks! So happy Fourth everyone!

I LOVE a Bargain!

I went into our local Roberts Craft Store and found this beautiful shelf for 50% off. I still spent $65.00 but I think it was worth it.

Our Tiny Visitors

We've had so much rain lately - there isn't much to do outside except watch our little friends! They are so fascinating.

No Before - Just an After

I wish I had taken a picture of this cute little side table before I painted it-but I didn't. It took me an entire month to paint it cuz I couldn't make up my mind on the color. I went back and forth between soft green and red but in the end I chickened out and painted it practical white. This was another bargain only $40.00 at my favorite little shop "Just a Bed of Roses".

The Little Princess!

You know how you love doing something (like sewing) and you wish the love would pass onto your daughter? Well, my daughter made this darling skirt for the 4 year old and is making 2 more for her older sisters! I told Kate that she should be flattered because as she was making this, Mariah wouldn't stop checking in to see when it would be done. So cute!

Em and I decided it was time for her first sewing lesson. She made this cute tote bag all by herself (with a little help from Gramma). Cute bag, Cute Girl

Before and After

I got 2 old chairs a while back at my old job when someone decided to throw them away. One is in my sewing room and this one is in the office. I covered the sewing room one a few months back when the room got a makeover.
But this one was just waiting patiently. (you might note that this black fabric works as a perfect magnet for white cat hair)

BEFORE.....

AFTER!

It's Cupcake Time!

I made this little cupcake purse for the "Princessqueengeneral's" 4th birthday party. It was stocked with pencils, memo pads, stickers and, of course, gum!
A Tinker Bell cake for a fairy princess.

She is one of the 6 apples of my eye and has the typical 4 year old's attitude of knowing it all and can do it myself attitude. She is SO FUN to talk to.

This was the hit of the day. Her parents gave her a little princess couch so she can watch Barbie movies in total comfort! What more could a girl want??

Hallelujah - It's Spring At Last!

I love having 4 seasons here, BUT I really love it when spring finally arrives. We took a ride for Mom's Day this Saturday and ended up on probably my favorite road.

We live in the foothills of the Wasatch mountains and this road is only about 15 miles north of our house. It runs through a canyon and then turns along the back side of these mountains. The back is so much prettier than our side.

This river runs alongside the little restaurant we stopped at. Very pretty and peaceful listening to the water just over the rail where we are eating.

This is the little restaurant my hubby took me to. In the summer they have humming bird feeders in the trees.

This is a pretty little valley along my road - with a big reservoir- full of skiers in the summer

This is The road. The downhills were run here at the Olympics

This is the back side of 'our' mountains. They are facing east so they are greener, snowier, and for some reason, more craggy.

Coming into Farmington - pretty isn't it? See what I mean about the back side being craggier and more snowy?

Our main street

At home at last - this is our street

I don't know what these beauties are called. I wish I could have gotten a better, closer picture of them - they almost look like parakeets gone wild. Click on the picture to see what I mean. Does anyone out there know what this is?

You'll have to click on this one too

Mr Quail - his bride is out here somewhere - camera shy I guess.