Dare to DIY Blog Party with the NewlyWoodwards: Dare to . . . Eat Cookies!

I am all over Kim's DIY challenge for the week. See me already posting on Monday morning? Am I good, or what? (Okay, I'll admit it, the picture is actually from last Christmas. I haven't really baked my Christmas cookies yet. A girl can pretend, right?)

These Soft and Spicy Gingerbread Cookies are as delicious as they are pretty. They do involve rolling, cutting, and decorating, but they really aren't all that complicated. I found this recipe on the blog "Good Things Catered." (Be sure to check out that blog for lots of yummy ideas.)

Soft and Spicy Gingerbread Cookies (Pictured on far left.)

Ingredients:

-1 c. butter

-1 c. sugar

-1 c. molasses

-1 egg

-4 c. flour

-1 t. salt

-1 1/2 t. baking powder

-1/2 t. baking soda

-1 t. cinnamon

-2 t. ground cloves

-2 t. ground ginger

-1 t. ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar in mixer.

2. Add molasses and egg.

3. Combine remaining ingredients. Add to mixer. Mix until smooth.

4. Cover and chill for at least one hour.

5. Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment.

6. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness on lightly floured surface.

7. Cut with cookie cutter. (I used a star. Katie used a snowflake. You can use whatever you want!!)

8. Place two inches apart on prepared sheets.

9. Bake for ten minutes until firm.

10. Let cool for 10 minutes on pan and then remove to wire rack.

11. Frost when cool. I mixed powdered sugar and milk until I got my desired consistency. I placed the cookies on waxed paper and drizzled the frosting over the cookies. Before the frosting hardened, I sprinkled it with large crystal sugar.

Dare to DIY Blog Party with the NewlyWoodwards: Dare to Entertain

I was so going to participate in Kim's blog party again. This week she asked us to show our holiday table. Even though we aren't going to be here for Thanksgiving, I thought I could put together a cute little table. It so didn't happen. My to-do list is long these days and it just didn't make the cut. (You know the saying "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach"? Well, my ideas are bigger than my time these days. I keep getting all of these "great ideas." Too many to fit into my days.) Oh well. I thought that I would treat you all to a taste of reality instead. This is the current state of our table.

Do you like it? Here is how I accomplished this look:

1. Leave the table cloth on after having company for Sunday lunch.

2. Add a 6 month old. This will help with the high chair pieces, toys and the bunched up table cloth. (She has learned that if she pulls on it, things magically come her way.)

3. Drop the day's mail on the table in the corner once you bring it in.

4. Add in a Skype call to family while preparing dinner to finish off the look with the computer and webcam.

Viola! As easy as that!

Thought that I would keep it real for you today. Life may be a bowl of cherrys, but that bowl can be very messy at times!

Foodie Friday: Asian Pork Chops

These were delicious, tender, easy. I can't wait to eat the leftovers. (And I can't wait to try them on the charcoal grill once grilling weather returns.)

Ingredients:

-soy sauce

-olive oil

-garlic

-lemon juice

-ginger

-honey

-pork chops

Directions:

Mix all ingredients except pork chops in bowl. (I didn't bother measuring, so I don't think that you should either.) Place pork chops in large zip top bag and pore over marinade. Grill on both sides for about 5 minutes or until the chops are done.

Give Thanks Giveaway

This morning I put all of the entries for the give thanks garlands into a hat. (Well, it was actually a Tupperware container, but you get the idea.) I randomly selected two names. Drum roll, please . . .

Sarah F (from Facebook) And yes, this is my sister. And yes, it really was random.


Kim (from the Newly Woodwards) And yes, this is who is hosting the DIY blog party. And yes, it really was random.




Thanks to the rest of you who added your comments. I am thinking that I will have to do another giveaway someday. What do you think?

C-Y-O: Baby Leg Warmers

I love how Little Peachy looks in leg warmers. WAY TOO CUTE!! The little bit of chunky thigh sticking out of the top and the bare piggies on the bottom. Love, love, love. I had purchased this pair at Target earlier this season.

(You didn't think I would just post a picture of the leg warmers, did you? I had to have my model show them off!)

Recently I stumbled across an online tutorial on how to make your own using women's socks. I couldn't wait to try it. I picked up a three pack of dress socks in the women's department for $5. (This makes for quite the savings as most baby leg warmers are well over $5 for one pair.)

I had Peachy wear them in her 6 month pictures with a onesie I decorated for her.

(She wouldn't crack out the full face smile while we were at the portrait studio, but as soon as we got home she was flashing the gums all over.)

Since I didn't take pictures as I was sewing them (I was in a hurry to get them done in time for the pictures.) Here is the link to the tutorial I used.

Now I am on the lookout for inexpensive, but cute socks to convert into baby leg warmers. (In fact, I just picked up six pairs of socks for $5 that match some of the other onesies I decorated!!) Oh no, I sense a new sewing addiction in the making.