Thursday, December 29, 2016

Santa's Christmas Light Review

My husband and I have a yearly tradition of driving around looking at Christmas lights.
We put on Christmas tunes and I bring travel bottles of wine (for me). :-)
This year I thought it would be fun to drop these notes off with a Candy Cane to people who really work hard on their displays.  It added some fun to this years trip and hopefully will make someone feel a little better about all of the hours spent on Christmas decorating!


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Christmas Thank You for Your Delivery Person

This is such a great idea for your busy UPS, FED EX or USPS delivery people. 
I live in the midwest so the temperature here can be miserable and my delivery people are always working overtime during the holidays this is a nice way to say "Thank You"





Tip* Make sure that if you put out sodas/water that you take them in at night if it is cold outside. 
If the sodas freeze they will explode and water will expand and break open. 
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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Christmas Cinnamon Buns - YUMM!!


Cinnabon Like Cinnamon Rolls Delivered Christmas Eve

Every year I try to think of something different for an edible
Christmas gift other than the standard Christmas Cookie.
This year I choose Cinnamon Rolls - and for a few of my friends 
kicked it up a notch with a Bourbon Icing!




These are HUGE so four is plenty for a gift.




The recipe is as follows:

Cinnamon Buns like Cinnabon's®

Prep. Time: 4:00
Serves: 12 - 15
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3
Tbls. ground cinnamon
(2) .25 oz.
pkts. active dry yeast
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 cup 110 degree water
1 cup warm milk
2/3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup melted butter OR margarine
2 tsp. salt
2 eggs - slightly beaten
up to 8 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup melted butter OR margarine
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts OR pecans - optional
1/2 cup melted butter OR margarine
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup melted butter OR margarine
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. maple extract - optional, but recommended
up to 6
Tbls. hot water

-Mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar and the cinnamon; set aside.
-In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp. sugar in warm water; set aside.
-In a large bowl, mix together milk, 2/3 cup sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, salt, and eggs; add yeast mixture and 4 cups of flour to mixture; beat until smooth; stir in enough flour to form a slightly stiff dough.
-Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead for 8 minutes.
-Place dough into a large greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 - 1 1/2 hours.
-Punch down dough and let rest for 5 minutes.
-Roll dough out onto a floured surface into a 15" X 20" rectangle.
-Brush 1/2 cup melted butter over dough; sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over dough; sprinkle nuts evenly over dough, if desired.
-Tightly roll up dough and pinch edges together to seal; cut the roll into 12 - 15 slices using dental floss or thread.
-Coat the bottom of a 13" X 9" X 2" baking pan with 1/2 cup melted butter; sprinkle 1/3 cup sugar evenly in the bottom of the pan.
-Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the prepared pan; cover pan and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
-Bake rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
-Stir together powdered sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, and extracts; stir in hot water, 1
Tbls. at a time, until the glaze reaches desired spreading consistency.
-Spread prepared icing over slightly cooled rolls.

I replaced a shot of bourbon instead of extracts in the icing for my friends that are Bourbon fans.
Next just a couple fun elves to deliver the gifts!!






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Monday, June 15, 2015

White Party

After watching the Beverly Hills housewives I decided it was time to have a white party. It might not be as expensive as Kyle Richards but I am sure it was really fun. I have had two so far and I am sure more will come!
Top 10 "MUST HAVES" for a White Party

1. Invitations - We live in Missouri so September is still hot and we have the parties outside. 
Plan a date that is averaged to be between 70-80 degrees if outside.


2. Make sure everyone wears white!


3. Have plenty of food - We had a Sushi Boat 



4. Hire extra help to pick up beer bottles, empty cups and plates so you can enjoy the night.
This is a couple of my sons friends that wanted some extra money on a Saturday night.




5.  Hire a bartender so you don't have to worry about 
keeping everyones drinks fresh


6. A Dj for music


7. Plenty of dancing guests




8. A professional photographer to capture it all
(Me and my husband Scott, right before the festivities began)


9. Nice ambiance/lighting





10. And some entertainment!
Hula Hoop dancers will do the trick!




  Most of all just have a good time and make it a memorable night!
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Friday, June 5, 2015

Twins Baby Shower

My trainer and good friend was pregnant with twins so a bunch of the girls from the gym decided to throw her a party. With everyone's help it turned out really cute!!

I watched a tutorial on baby diaper invitations here: http://babysshowerinvitation.blogspot.com/2015/04/homemade-baby-shower-invitations-diaper.html
and this is how they turned out:



Door hanger...



Water Bottles - labels ordered online


Alcohol for the drinkers


Rubber Ducky Themed
Lemonade with alcohol, Water with infused fruit, Lemonade without Alcohol


Wine Charms- super cute!!! I know we drink a lot :-)


Cute, cute, cute cake!!!


Matching rubber ducky themed cupcakes


Painted frame - purchased frame at Salvation Army for a few dollars and painted. 
Perfect for pictures!

Babies were craving Mexican so we had all Mexican food - Delish!



Our Guest of Honor!




A second frame with chalk board paint and chalk so everyone could 
switch out what they wanted to write


Babies daddy and friends having a "man shower"
downstairs


The frame works for everyone!



Ballon in the belly, can you tie your shoes??


Perfect gift for the father of twins














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Football Graduation Party

Our youngest son played football through high school and was his life. I thought it would be fun to throw him a football themed Graduation party - Turned out awesome!!

Step 1:  Spray paint field - lay it out first on paper so everything is measured correctly - I just used white yard paint from lows. It took about 6 cans total.


Step 2: Make bobble heads with dowels from Michaels, printer from my office and a couple of pictures of graduating child.


I made different sizes so everyone could join in the fun


Step 3: Party hats for everyone


Step 4: Football Cakes


Step 5: Party Chachkies, got this made from Walgreens for around $20


The start of a football game...


 The party turned out Great!

 Go Salukis!!!




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