I Spy…

[photo from Pleasant Home]

Jodi over at Pleasant Home has some great Valentine’s Day treat ideas.  I just love these candy cane lollipops!

[photo from Pleasant Home]

On a side note:  sometimes I think it’s unfortunate that our kids can’t take homemade treats to school anymore.  I really do understand the reason for the policy, but when Valentine’s Day rolls around it seems quite lamentable.

Cooking Light Giveaway Winner & Eye-Spy

And the winner is.....

Brielle!  

 Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway - I wish I could send all of you a subscription!  I'll have another giveaway coming up in January.  In the meantime, have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your holiday baking!

Here are some yummies that are now on my "I have to try that" list:

 Caramel Cream Puff Pops (from Dinner With Julie)

 Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies (from Smashed Peas and Carrots)

S'mores Hot Chocolate (from Our Best Bites)

Eye-Spy

[photo courtesy of Vintage Pollyanna]

Oh man this looks good!  I was doing some surfing for another hobby of mine and I came across this blog: Vintage Pollyanna

Allison has some really cute craft ideas, along with some yummy looking recipes.  This one for Chocolate Bark took me on a short trip down memory lane.  Back in college I went to visit a friend of mine at her apartment.  She offered me some chocolate bark and (of course) I didn’t refuse.  After eating it and telling her how much I loved it she informed me that there were saltine crackers in the recipe.  I really, really, really thought she was lying.  (side note:  I was quite a practical joker back in the day so it was not unheard of for people to try to trick me.  You know….  revenge.)  She gave me a copy of the recipe and sure enough – saltines. 

I was so happy to come across the recipe on Allison’s blog.  Along with the recipe she also has step-by-step photos for those of you who are more cautious bakers.
Enjoy!

Just Around the Corner

I can smell the turkey already, can’t you?  In my pre-Thanksgiving planning, today’s task is to decide on some cute place cards to add to the table.  I’m looking for something on the simple side, and hopefully something that my 9 year old could help with.  This morning I did a quick search for some Thanksgiving place card ideas and thought I would share my top five.   Do you have ideas?  Leave a comment with a link (or email me with your link) – I’d love to see!

 

A simple leaf.  Idea found here

Can’t go wrong with a lovely leaf.  Simple is good!

Paper pumpkin idea from Passionately Artistic

I like the paper strips idea and I love that there’s a chocolate surprise hidden inside.

Cute pilgrim hat idea from My Insanity

This cute hat caught my eye first this morning, but I’m not sure I’m in the mood to track down black party cups.

I love finding free printables – this one is from Design Evolution

I love the graphic print of the yellow.  I could tweak the color to more of a green, and then tie each leaf to a pear.  This is definitely an option if I get short on time.

and finally, this one is a whole Thanksgiving kit that you can download (free!) and customize.  I love the Thanksgiving activity page.  These cute downloadables are from Paper Glitter.

Eye-Spy

[Dipped Nutter Butter ghosts spotted here]

Look at these cute little ghosts!  Oh man I wish I would have seen these BEFORE Halloween.  Dang.  Now I just have to remember to do these for next year.  Thanks for the cute idea Chris!