Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Chocolate and Cream Cheese Together...Nothing Better

This is my "go to" recipe for a quick dessert. It's perfect to take to a party, picnic or get together...or make a batch and eat them all yourself!! They don't need frosting, so you can make 'em and take 'em.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes
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Makes 24 cupcakes
  • one package Devils Food Cake mix and the ingredients to make it
  • 1 eight ounce package of cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Prepare chocolate cake mix according to the directions on the box. Line cupcake pan with cupcake papers. Fill each cupcake paper 2/3 full with batter. Set pans aside.

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and pinch of salt and beat until mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.

Add one heaping teaspoon of cream cheese mixture to each of the unbaked cupcakes .

Bake at 350* F for 25 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then transfer to cooling rack. Eat warm or cold. Enjoy!!

These are so yummy. I made a batch for a party and this is the only picture I took...them going into the oven. Of course I was rushing to the party and never took a picture when they were done.

Happy baking,

~Karen~



Monday, July 19, 2010

Tool Time Tuesday...Napkin and Place Setting Ideas

Of course this week's Tool Time would be about napkins...how could it not after you've read this post . Today I will show you how to use things around the house to make a napkin and silver ware kit for your dinner guests or for a casual party or picnic.

I even used something from the hardware/automotive store for the first example. I think you can buy these just about any where actually.

These are hose clamps. They are the rings you put on the end of a rubber hose. When you need to clamp the hose to something, you just tighten the screw and it seals around the hose. Well, we won't be using it that way right?...




We will be taking these little cuties, that come in some many sizes, and using them for...



This!! Is this not the best.



This is a close up of the little screw you can tighten to fit your napkin and flat ware.



Perfect and cheap.



Here's something even cheaper...FREE. Just find the colors to match your decor or party and...




sew them together on three side leaving the top open. You can write the name of each guest on the paint chip for a seating card. You can hot glue the 3 edges too.



How about a page from a magazine, newspaper, comic page, gift wrap paper etc




I just tore the page out,




Fold it in half with the side you want show on the outside.




Now flip it over and fold the 2 end towards the middle on the back side.




Make sure the last flap over laps a little. I used tape to secure the flap.



Open up the top to reveal the pocket that has the folded bottom.



This is just perfect for that summer time picnic outside.



How about recycling a little donut shop bag. My hubby is the donut person. I'm the bagel girl.




Another great picnic set.




Even better with some raffia.



This is a page from an old music book my dad was throwing away. You can also use or buy old books. I folded it the same as the magazine page.



This idea is great for a child's party. First, I had to gulp down this Capri Sun punch and then I just cut the top off.



How about an old vegetable or fruit can.




I just tied a bow around it, but you could also Mod Podge some fabric around it that matched the party colors.



This one is super easy. Just take a decorative envelope...




cut a thin edge off one of the short sides.



Seal the gummed flap shut.



Now pop open the cut edge and...



insert your flat ware and napkin.



Last, but certainly not least is my eye glass case tutorial. You can find the tutorial here and then use them for the napkin and place setting. Then you can give the case as a party favor for the dinner guest.




I'm sure there are many more ideas to use for this. You can also use a photograph of each guest and make the pouch similar to the paint chip holder.
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The list can go on and on. Just remember to think outside the box and always look at something twice before you throw it away. You never know what you could make with it.
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Have a wonderful Tuesday and don't forget this week's Christmas in July give away.
~Karen~

A Wonderful Friend and A Wonderful New Blog...

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~Friends are like quilts, a great source of comfort~
author unknown
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When I first started blogging over 2 years ago, I just enjoyed all my favorite blogs, but never commented. I sent my very first email to Jodi of Pleasant Home on July 31, 2008 about her Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. I looked back at an old email to check the date and I couldn't believe it's been 2 years. We became great friends even though we are 3000 miles apart. I'm on the east coast and she is in the northwest. We are far apart in miles, but we are close in friendship.
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When I found out that Jodi was starting another wonderful blog, I just had to share. You all know from Jodi's home blog that her photography is unbelievable. I secretly envy her pictures!! Well, what better way to share her love of quilting and photography than with a blog of it's own.
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You just have to go visit...
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It will be the "perfect" addition to your day!
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This is just one of the awesome pictures of beautiful quilts. She also showcases beautiful photos of sewing notions and craft projects.



This is a picture from her home blog of her Grandmother's Flower Garden where our friendship blossomed!!


So go for a visit...you won't be disappointed! Don't forget to click her follow button too, you won't want to miss a single post.
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I almost forgot...she's having a give away too. There's still time. It ends July 22nd!
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Have a wonderful day,
~Karen~

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sharing on Sunday #8 Christmas in July...

Here's this week's Christmas give away. A peppermint candy cane theme!
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A large package of letterhead paper...100 sheets of paper. The label says it's great for printers and it's acid free, so I think it would be great for scrap booking. I use this kind of paper for invitations, newsletters, I've made recipes books with them for gifts and they are great for letters to Santa. The package says it's peppermint scented, but I bought this package at an after Christmas sale this last holiday. It's still sealed, but not sure how long the scent lasts.




Next is a new package of 20 red envelopes if you use the paper for invitations or letter writing.


and then there is a new package of peppermint candy cane alphabet stickers for scrap booking. Aren't they cute.


Here's a close up.



Just leave a comment on this post to enter the give away and I'll pick the winner next Sunday.
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Merry Christmas in July. We could use a little winter weather right now, today was a scorcher.
~Karen~

A Great Big Thank You and A Winner...

Hi everyone! Before I announce the winner of last week's Sharing on Sunday Christmas in July give away, I want to thank each and every one of you who left me a comment this week. There were 14 comments for the Snowball update, 25 for Tool Time, 32 for the chocolate chip eating mouse story and a whopping 51 comments for my "napkin" moment!! I guess I really did hit the target group on that one. Ahhh...the memories.
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Wow! I can't thank you enough. Catching up on that many emails will be next to impossible, so I want to let you know that I read each one and I loved them ALL!!
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And now the random number generator picked #14 for the Christmas gift wrap set.
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You are the winner!
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Just need your snail mail address




Be back with another give away...
~Karen~

Wisata Danau Toba - Sumatera Utara

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