Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 34

Welcome to Creative Thursday! 

I hope everyone (in the US) enjoyed their Turkey Day last week!  We sure did!  I always enjoy Thanksgiving because we get to spend time with family and friends who mean so much to me.

Streusel Topped Sweet Potato Bread


Pin It

I've been in the mood lately for quick breads; so what better ingredient at this time of year than sweet potatoes.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Holiday Cookie Recipe Blog Hop - The Domesticated Princess

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop
(really it's a linky party)
(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)
Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.
Here is the line up:

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 33

Happy Thanksgiving!
I want to start by saying thank you all for linking up each week.  I look forward to each and every post. 


I wanted to let you know as the party has gotten bigger I am finding it harder to leave comments in a timely manner on each and every post.  Please know that I appreciate your taking the time to stop by and I will always stop by at some point and visit. 

I like to take my time reading your stories and tutorials, etc (which is WHY I'm getting farther behind) and I will always do my best to comment.  Sometimes I get sidetracked on your blogs and end up reading other posts you've made and comment on those instead, lol.  

Hopefully I won't loose any of you from the weekly party just because I don't make as many comments as often as I used to.  I feel we've become good friends and I would really miss you.

Anyhoo, this was supposed to be a short and sweet post because I'm supposed to be in the kitchen making some Pecan Bars for tomorrow!

Here are last weeks most viewed posts
1.  Fully Loaded Hot Fudge Bars from Back for Seconds ~ come to Mama!
2.  Sweet and Tangy Meatloaf from Call Me PMc can't wait to try this one!

Molasses Crinkles

Pin It
I have been eating Molasses Crinkle cookies since I was little.  The taste always reminds me of Fall and Winter because for some reason that was the time of year we always made them.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Cranberry Orange Drizzle Bread

Pin It
It's time again for "Get your Chef on" hosted by the lovely Jen at Four Marrs and One Venus and Julie at White Lights on Wednesday.  Stop by their blogs and say "Hi".

Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap ~ The Sweet Boutique


Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop
(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.

Here is the line up:

Sweet Boutique    November 20
The Domesticated Princess    November 27
 Living, Loving, Crafting    December 11

Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!




I know you guys are thinking, boring...a sugar cookie, really?  But, just hear me out on this one.


Not only is this the BEST sugar cookie recipe I have ever tried, just look what you can do with it.  Basic becomes beautiful with just a little effort.


I chose several different looks to share with you today.


Top left:  Royal icing topped with silver dragees.
Top middle:  Royal icing drizzle
Top right:  Fondant cut out
Bottom left:  Cream cheese icing with silver sprinkles
Bottom middle:  Royal icing topped with candy cane white chocolate bark
Bottom right:  Royal icing with a hand painted design topped with silver dragees.

When put together they make an elegant, special, and delicious holiday treat.

The Recipe
(This is from The Confetti Cakes Cookbook by Elisa Strauss)

2 1/3 cup plus 2 Tbs. All purpose flour
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking powder
1 1/2 Sticks butter, unsalted
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs. Sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. Vanilla extract

In a bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.  In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.  Add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined.  Add the other half of the flour mixture and beat until combined.  I wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.  Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut our cookies to desired shape and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

(If you have any questions on how I achieved these looks please feel free to ask.)

Sweet Holiday Wishes,
                                   -Stephanie

On to the party!

Please follow all four co-hosts.
This linky is for COOKIE RECIPE posts only, please!
Link up as many times as you want!  
This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! 
 Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! 
(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)



Sweet Potato Casserole


Pin It

Do you still need a showstopper of a side dish for your Thanksgiving table?  Boy do I have the dish for you...

Soft Pretzel Bites

Pin It
While snooping looking through some of my favorites blogs last week I came across this recipe over at Winkerdoodles World of Whimsy (awesome blog name!) and fell in love on site.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Pumpkin Spice Creamer - Update

RECIPE UPDATE

I noticed a mistake on my Pumpkin Spice Creamer recipe and just wanted to let you know I've updated it here and on the original.  Please reprint and use the new recipe for making this creamer.  I apologize if you have already made this and it was WAY to cinnamon-y. 

Here is the new updated recipe:

2 cups non-dairy powdered coffee creamer, unflavored
2 cups powdered sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. allspice

Here is the handy printable - Pumpkin Spice Creamer


Perfectly Grilled Steak

Pin It
We are total beef eaters around here and nothing beats a Medium Rare Grilled Rib Eye in my opinion.  

Friday, November 16, 2012

Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap ~ Blog Hop

(all of the adorable graphic artwork is from Smitten Blog) 
Get your ovens warmed up and your mixers ready...it's time to bake. Join us for FIVE weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....Cookies that is!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just a week away?  I can't.  

And right after that it's decorating, shopping, baking, hosting parties, etc......  

Let's talk a little about the baking part, okay?  Are you a month long holiday baker or do you just get out the mixer a few days before Christmas (or the holiday you celebrate) and make up a few batches right before company arrives?  I've done both so I certainly won't be judging anyone :)

I was asked by Julie at White Lights on Wednesday to help co-host a super fun swap this year. 

Want to know what it is?  
It's a Christmas Cookie Swap 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 32

Happy Thursday!

Can you believe that it is already one week away from Thanksgiving?  I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone by.  

Are you the hostess or do you go to someone else's house?

I am giving Thanksgiving this year again and we have a whopping 25 for dinner, Yikes!

I've had that many before it's just been a few years.  I'm very excited to be hosting this year with all my family coming :)

Do you have any traditions for Thanksgiving?

We started a new one a few years ago where we have a craft project for either before or after dinner and usually only the women and kiddos participate but sometimes the men do too.  In the past we've made gingerbread houses, Christmas ornaments, and decorations.  I think it helps get a jump start on Christmas decorating!

Now, on to the party!

Here are last weeks most viewed posts
1.  Jalapeno Poppin' Dip from The Stonybrook House Love this!
2.  Spicy Chipolte Chicken Pasta from Organized Island Delish!

Michelle's Grill Rub


Pin It

Are you in the market for a super tasty universal rub you can use on any type of meat from grilling to baking to pan cooking? 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Homemade Applesauce

Pin It
Do you ever get stuck in a rut on a specific ingredient and you just think it's the best? Don't want to try anything new?  Well let me tell you I learned my lesson with a new applesauce recipe the other day.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Sloppy Joe's

Pin It
A while ago I decided to try Sloppy Joe's for the first time.  Yes, I said the first time. I'm sure most of you have your own Sloppy Joe recipe but this one was really yummy so I'm sharing it with you anyway.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts

Pin It

I have been trying out my new donut pan a little more and more every week and I decided to try a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts.  I slightly adapted this recipe from Blue-Eyed Bakers and made some of these amazing donuts a few weeks ago.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 31

Happy Thursday! 

Are you ready for another week of creative posts?  I am.  You are a very talented and inspiring bunch of bloggers and I look forward to your weekly inspiration to keep me going :)

Have you started on your holiday crafting and baking yet?  I have.  Just today alone I tried three new recipes and let me tell you they were ALL a hit.  I'll be posting them very soon.

Are you ready for last weeks Most Viewed links?
1.  Tomato Onion Herb Rolls with Sage from:  In Cindy's Kitchen
2.  Salted Caramel Pumpkin Roll from: Just My Crazy Kitchen

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Spicy Ketchup


Pin It
Yep you read that right.  I am doing a post on a condiment.  I have become a huge fan of Sweet Potato Fries over the past year and they are always served with some sort of spice ketchup.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls {Recipe Re-do}

Here is a recipe re-do (my very first) where I have posted the recipe before, but have since, made the recipe again and rephotographed the food so I am reposting it for your enjoyment.

Pin It

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Crock Pot Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pin It
If you haven't noticed I'm in love with my crock pot.  Lately, I have tried to use it a lot more than I used to.  I have tried some new dinner recipes and made some amazing desserts too.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Michelle's Meatloaf

Pin It

I think I just got the best compliment a Mom could get the other night.  My son said "Mom I don't know why all the other kids say they hate meatloaf.  This is the best meatloaf ever!"  To which I said "Honey, not all Mom's cook meatloaf the same way."  To which he said "Ya, but if they used your recipe, I bet all their kids WOULD eat meatloaf."  Such a sweetie.  He sure loves his Mama's cookin'.  He has gone so far as to say "Mom, when I get married I'm going to have my wife come over and learn to cook from you, okay?"  and this is from a 16-1/2 year old.

Okay, enough braggin' from me :)