Gingerbread Rum Cakes

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Here is the recipe as promised…sorry for the delay!
1(18.25-ounce)box spice cake mix (Betty Crocker)
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup spiced rum
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 tbspn unsulfured molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
4 cups confectioners sugar
5 tbspn whole milk
2 tspn vanilla extract
red sugar coated gumdrops
green sugar coated gumdrops
1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray bake pans with nonstick baking spray with flour.
2. In a large bowl, combine spice cake mix, pinapple juice, rum, oil, eggs, molasses,
and ginger; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into
prepared pans. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center
comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool
completely on wire rack.
3. In a large bowl, combine confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla; beat at medium speed
with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour onto cooled cakes.
4. Using hands, roll red gum drops into round balls. Flatten and shape green gum drops into
small leaves. Garnish cakes.

In the magazine in which I found this recipe, they used mini cupcake pans. This recipe would make approximately 30 according to the directions, however, I used a Wilton mini bundt cake pan with 6 molds and I was able to make 10 cakes. Everybody loved them! Next time however, I think I’ll use less vanilla, the two teaspoons was a bit “overpowering”. Hope you enjoy!
3kingsdessert.

Happy New Year 2010!

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It’s January 7, and I am just getting around to focussing on the new year! Last night, January 6th was the last of our Holiday Celebrations! The celebration of Three Kings Day has become a family tradition. It involves a dinner with our Mexican Dinner favorites, such as tamales, chili verde, fajitas, etc. Along with dinner comes the reading of the story of the Three Kings as described in the Book of Mathew in the New Testament. After the story is read, we then place the Three Kings figurines along side the Nativity. At the begining of the holiday season, I always separate the Nativity scene and the Three Kings, it’s only on January 6th that we place them all together. After the placement of the Three Kings comes the opening of gifts. Our kids are getting much older now, and so we decided to give them each a “teen” bible…they were thrilled to have their very own, “age appropiate” bible. Along with the bible, they were each given a special Three Kings Christmas ornament. It was explained that it was our hope that they would each remeber this night and remember our family tradition so that when they were older with families of their own, they would pass on the tradtion. So with gifts opened it was time for dessert. Since the beginning of the Christmas season, I had wanted to try a spice cake recipe that I found in a magazine. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day went by so fast, that I didn’t get even close to trying to get it done, so this was my last opportunity. I made the recipe and placed the batter into a mini bundt cakes mold. The recipe came out great! However, I really felt the vanilla taste in the frosting was a bit much, so next time I’ll put less. Later on tonight, I’ll be sure to share the recipe. We ended the evening with a family movie…what more could I ask for?? So with my holiday season officially over, I’ve been working all morning to take down Christmas decorations, and making preparations to get started with the new year. I am so looking foward to new ideas and projects as well as making changes to the web sight and online boutique. So I hope that you will all join me in making new goals and plans for an extraordinory 2010 new year!

Celebrating Three Kings Day!

Three Kings Day Gift For The Kids

A Special Treat for Me..and Maybe You Too

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Back in November, I was invited to an Open House for Blissful Bath and Home. I met one of the co-owners, Debbie, while participating in a local Craft Boutique. Blissful Bath and Home specializes in All Natural Bath and Body Products. Though I have not been able to sample everything, one of the items I really enjoyed was the All Natural Soy Candles. I picked up an 8oz jar of Pearberry Bliss and brought it home hoping my husband would give the O.K. to light it. I haven’t been able to bring home any candles and burn them for quite some time after we discovered the “soot” build up that candles would leave on the vents of our computers. I tried every candle I could find, even those from those expensive “home party” candles…then someone told me about soy candles and how clean they burned. The scent of the Pearberry Bliss candle was wonderful, so much so, I ordered more. Some of the other products I tried were the baby products – baby wash, bum cream, and lotion for my sweet little grandson. My daughter especially liked the idea that everything was All Natural and didn’t have to worry about chemicals. So if you get the chance, and would like to take a peak and maybe treat yourself to something new, you can visit at www.blissfulbathandhome.com In the meantime, if you would like to have the chance to win a Pearberry Bliss candle, I’ll be giving away an 8oz jar next week Monday. To have a chance to win, simply post a comment before next Monday. Every comment gives you more chances to win. Best of Luck!

Absolutely love Pearberry Bliss!

Decoration & Treat All In One!

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For those of you not yet familiar with some of my favorite things, Pinwheels are one of my many favorites that I enjoy making. As a child I remember the pretty metallic pinwheels that mesmerized me as I sat just blowing on them to make them spin. The sugared candy that filled the plastic tube which held it wasn’t all that great, but no matter, once the tube was empty, the pinwheel took on a life of it’s own..it could be a magic wand for a fairy godmother or a beautiful sceptor for a princess. Never the less, pinwheels today, still bring smiles and fun. This idea that I’m sharing today actually came to me last summer. My kids wanted to hold a lemonade stand..so as to encourage their entrepreneur ambitions we went to the grocery store and bought the large container of County Time Lemonade, lemons, cups, etc. for a successfoul stand. We made pinwheels to decorate the stand, as well as mini pinwheels to decorate the cupcakes that were also sold. Our neighbors were great at supporting them, but more importantly, they just had fun. So now, I’m putting a Christmas twist, on this summer idea. I took the empty can and covered it with pattern paper and cardstock. Made a bow and attached it to it’s center on top. For the pinwheels, I again used pattern paper and stamped copy paper. You could just use double sided pattern paper, but as we all know, those papers run just a little bit more. The “wands” or “stick” holding the pinwheels are jumbo pixie sticks. You can find these at Smart & Final Mini Warehouse stores, in the candy aisle. They usually sell in a box of 40 for about $5.00-$6.00. I covered the jumbo Pixie sticks with stamped copy paper -9 1/2″ x 3″. After you cover the “sticks”, just attach the pinwheels with foam adhesive tape. These are great for classroom treats, package decor, and even a fun centerpiece. Enjoy!

lemonade items

pinwheels

pinwheel2

Perfect for decorating a child's gift!

I’m Still Here!

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Oh My Goodness! Where does the time go?! I’ve missed so many celbrations! Yes, I could just kick myself! Form dealing with computer crashes, bad colds, the flu – twice, childrens activity schedules, equipment failure…well I’m sure you get my point…it makes me just want to pull my hair out…however, I’m losing enough on my own, I can’t afford to do that…I’ll have to find another stress reliever :0) I have so many things to share, but yet again, today, I face another one of those daily challenges. My darling daughter recently opened up a so called “security upgrade” for our computer. This computer handles all the photograph programs for uploading images. What she thought was a security upgrade was in fact a virus. My dear, sweet husband just about has everything under control, so I hope by tonight I will be able to upload and post the projects I’ve been working on….Don’t give up on me yet….I’ve been trailing behind, but I’m slowly coming around!

More Stamp A Stack Greeting Cards

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A day late, but here they are. Tried as I could, my computer just didn’t want to cooperate with me yesterday…so as usual, I waited for my computer whiz husband to come home and fix the problem…he’s so wonderful! :0) As usual, we had lots of fun Thursday. There were door prizes, refreshments, and new guests who joined us – I love to have new guests! If you couldn’t make it to this past Stamp A Stack, and are interested in purchasing any of the card kits, they’re $1.00 each. Just send me an e-mail and let me know which kits your interested in. Happy Stamping!

Spring and Anniversary Greeting Cards

Birthday, Thank You, & New Home Greeting Cards

Spring and New Baby Greeting Cards

Previous Stamp-A-Stack Samples

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Here are just a few samples from the previous Stamp-A-Stack get togethers. If you like the look of handmade cards, but don’t have the time, a few of these cards will soon be in the Pretty Polka Dot Boutique for purchase. Keep an eye out for new items & specials!

Birthday Greeting Cards

Spring Greeting Cards

Birthday Greeting Cards

Hello Greeting Card

More Greeting Cards

Stamp-A-Stack This Thursday!

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As you can see, things are getting pretty busy around here….next in line, Stamp-A-Stack this Thursday evening at Among Friendz Scrapbook store, here in Visalia. Class starts at 6:30, each card you make is just 99c. If you would like to join in on the fun, call Among Friendz and let us know you’re planning to attend.(559)733-2767
Here are two samples of what we’ll be working on…..check in on Friday, and I’ll post the rest of the samples just in case you couldn’t make it to the class :0)

Get Well Greeting Card

Happy Birthday Wishes

Spring Is In The Air!

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The official day of The First Day of Spring is just days away, however here in Visalia, Ca., we’ve noticed it’s arrival for quite some time. The sun has been shining and the blossoms on the trees have been blossoming. This last weekend in fact I held my Spring is Here! Workshop. There was lots to do. Attendees created 3 Greeting Cards, 1 Mini Brag Book, 1 Tote, and 12 Treat Favors in all! As you can imagaine with so many projects, it was almost an all day event, but there was lots of fun, good food, and good friends…you can’t complain about that!

Spring Tote

Spring Mini Brag Book

Mini Brag Book 1st page

Spring Mini Brag Book Pg 2

Spring Mini Brag Book Pg 3

Spring Workshop Treats - Spring Chick

Spring Workshop Treats & Greeting Card-Easter Bunny

Spring Workshop Treats & Greeting -Easter Bunny 2

Going Green: St Patty’s Day Green

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Happy St. Patricks Day! I can’t believe how fast time is flying! As you can see I haven’t been keeping good time with my holidays…My St. Patty’s Day projects never even made it to the web store boutique, and to make matters more disappointing, they are just now making it to my blog. The first quarter of the year always seems to be the most stressful trying to get everything organized for taxes, and now that this quarter is near to a close, here’s to a more relaxed and fun, rest of the year! Hope all of you are enjoying a fun filled St. Patricks Day with lots of green clovers, and very little pinches!