I LOVE Organizing!

I've had this shelf for a long time but it had been finished in a dark brown stain and I decided a couple of weeks ago that it would look great painted white and hung in the scrapbook/office room. I wanted to place a red polka dotted plate on it to match the tie backs on the curtains so I went to the store and found one - that day! Sometimes things just work out.

You might notice the doll on the end of the shelf.- That's Poor Pitiful Pearl. My dad gave me that when I was around 10 years old.

I got this great scrapbook wall shelf for Christmas. It makes things so much easier and actually keeps my scrapbook area neater. I also got a wonderful turntable caddy that holds scissors, paper punches, and many, many etc.'s - you can see a bit of it under the lamp.

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!