All-Purpose Baking Mix

I decided to give making my own All-Purpose Baking Mix a try and it was totally worth it.  We used it for the first time to make pancakes during our camping trip and they were delicious!

All-Purpose Baking Mix

Original Pin     Recipe From: cooksrecipes.com

I did use buttermilk powder in my mix.  I found it at Whole Foods - the other grocery stores don't carry it.

This was my first time making a successful pancake!  (The only other time they didn't really get done in the middle. Wah-wah.) 

Headband Braid

Ever since starting my new position, I've been trying new hairdos and putting together new outfits. I think it's fun when bloggers show their style. I'm definitely not a fashonista by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought it'd be fun to share!  (Note-It is not possible to take pictures while in-process for french braiding and it's also much harder to take a self-portrait than I thought it would be.)

This is something I've tried before but was not able to get to stay successfully.  I decided to give it another shot and it worked wonderfully this time.

Headband Braid

Start by dividing your hair across your head from behind one ear to the other.
Put the back in a rubber band to keep it out of your way.

Start on one side and french braid across - only adding hair in from the front.
Finish using a mini rubberband right behind your ear.

Pull down your hair from the back and freshen up your waves.

The whole ensemble.  I chose to accent with pearl earrings and bracelets.

Camping Rocked

Last weekend, we went to Horseshoe in Arkansas with some friends and I have to admit, camping was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.  I'm actually excited to go again!

We got there late on Friday night - we had to set up the tent using head lamps.  That was a first for me - wearing a headlamp. When we woke up the next morning, I got to fully appreciate the beautiful land surrounding us.  Eric made us breakfast with the camping stove.

We used a tip from Pinterest to be able to make pancakes while camping.  I actually made the pancake dry mix from scratch and they turned out delicious!  I'll post the info on that lager.

Original Pin     Idea from: A Mum 'n the Oven

I didn't get a chance to climb on Saturday, but I did do a "scramble."  The friends we went with had a little boy and he climbed for the first time!  When asked if he wanted to go a second time, he said, "Yes, with Rachel."  How could I say no? :)

Dinner!  We marinated the venison in Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Italian dressing and garlic powder.  It was amazing!

 This is what happens when you don't put marshmallows in the cooler.  Noted for next time.

My flip-flop was close to the end of its usefulness and finally gave up on the trip.  So I life hacked it!  I didn't have a bread clip, but I found this bucket handle while we were at Kyle's Landing.  It worked!  Maybe I've started a new footwear trend...

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the weekend.

and the pavement warmed her feet

When I was younger, I wanted to be an author.  I loved to read (still do) and I even wrote a few short stories and had ideas for books that I jotted down.  Every so often, I'll be doing something and begin to narrate for myself as if I were living in a book... 

~if this were a movie, now would be the moment when everything would go out of focus 

before coming back into focus on a new scene~

She took a deep breath before pushing open the glass door.  The almost-summer heat poured into the building, pushing back the cool air.  As the door closed, she looked around.  It was late, the parking lot was empty, just one other woman walking across the pavement to her car.  Quickly, she slipped off her shoes and balanced them on her purse.  The cement sending warmth through her feet and up her legs.  Another deep breath.

The sky was blue and white clouds floated along as she walked to her car.  The warmth and bare feet brought back the familiar feel of summer.  The memories came so fast that there wasn't a singular thought or memory. It was more like an instantaneous experience.  As she stepped from concrete to pavement, the warmth relaxed her.  It hadn't been a hard day, but going home always feels good. The wind pulled at her hair and tugged at her skirt.  A smile crossed her lips. She felt blessed.

Use the grill, the, the, the grill!

As with most, this post is long overdue.  The weather was gorgeous a few weeks back and so Eric cooked a wonderful meal.

That's venison wrapped in steak. Wonderful having a husband who hunts.

I wanted to make a summery dessert to go with our summery meal. I chose Angel-food with strawberries.  I used  a box to make the cake.  To get the strawberries nice and juicy, I cut them up, microwaved them for just a few seconds and then stirred in some sugar.

I got these cute little guys in the clearance aisle at Target years ago.  This was my first time using them and they worked great!  We also ended up with two good sized loaves as well.  I didn't realize how much Angel-food Cake expands.

What's a meal you enjoy during the summer?

Crocheted Valentine's Box

I can't believe I didn't blog about this!  A Pinterest project that is not a recipe! :)

I had a lot of fun making this Valentine's Chocolate Box.  It was a pretty simple pattern to follow and it was fun making the chocolates unique.  I made it for Montessori work for the toddlers to celebrate Valentine's day.  They enjoyed practicing in and out with the pieces and since it was crocheted we didn't have to worry about it being put in mouths or ripped.  Since I wanted it to be washable, I didn't put in the cardboard.  I also made the lid a single layer.

Crocheted Valentine's Chocolates

Original Pin     Pattern From: Fave Crafts

I thought there needed to be an oval chocolate so I made a pattern for one.  I've never written a pattern like this before.  I wrote it while making the first oval then followed it to make the second and it worked out.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture but you can see it in the box.

Oval Chocolates
(Make 1 CA with CF flower and CC leaves; 1 CF with CB flower; 1 CA with CB chain st tic tac toe embroidery)

1. With main color, ch 2.
2. Rnd 1: 6 Sc in 2nd ch from hook; do not join but work in continuous rnds.
3. Rnd 2: 2 Sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
4. Rnd 3: 3 Sc in next 3 sc, (hdc, dc, tr) in next sc, (dc, hdc) in next sc, 4 sc in next sc in next sc, (hdc, dc, tr) in next sc, (dc, hdc) in next sc, sc in next sc – 18 sc.
5. Rnd 4: Sc in back lps only of each sc around.
6. Rnds 5-6: Sc in both lps of each sc around.
7. Rnd 7: Sc in next 4 sc, dec over next 3 sc, Sc in next 6 sc, dec over next  sc, sc in next 2 sc – 14 sc. Stuff lightly.
8. Rnd 9: [Dec over next 2 sc] 7 times. Fasten off leaving a 6” end. Weave end through rem sc and draw up firmly; fasten securely.
9. Bottom Edge: Join main color to rem lps of Rnd 4; sl st in each lp around. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

You can find other fun things to crochet on my "I use a hook" or "General Adorableness" boards.

Cadbury Egg Cookie Cake Bars

"Attention! Attention!" said Ms. Eggard to begin the third annual meeting of the order of Cadbury Eggs (they meet once a year to celebrate the wonderfulness that is a Cadbury Egg).  Everyone found their seats and settled in waiting for the meeting to begin.

"Thank you everyone for joining us today. We are excited to see some new faces in the crowd. Before we officially begin, I need to bring something to your attention.  It appears that this year, our dearly loved Cadbury eggs have begun to meet with rather unfortunate ends.  Instead of enjoying the eggs whole, people are chopping them up, melting them or creating their own! It's rather disturbing." Looking around the room, she made eye contact with several people but noticed others quickly glanced away as her eyes scanned by them.  Taking a deep breath she said, "However, I must admit, some of the results are rather...delicious." Frenzy whispers were heard in the room.  While some looked shocked others looked relieved.  

Cadbury Egg Cookie Cake Bars

Original Pin     Recipe From: Picky Palate

A friend at work loves Cadbury Eggs so I made these for her birthday.  Then I had to make them again for another friends birthday because the were amazing!  You get a soft, cookie like texture but the Eggs turn into something akin to caramel. Yum!

Makes 12-16 bars

Gather:

• 1 stick/1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 5 Cadbury Eggs, chopped

Make it:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with foil that’s been sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Place butter, cake mix, egg, oil and chocolate chips into a large mixing bowl, stirring to combine into dough. 
3. Gently stir in chopped Cadbury Eggs to combine. 
4. Transfer dough to prepared baking dish and press evenly. 
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until baked through. Let cool for 30 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!

Hints: 

• As you chop up the Cadbury Eggs, spread them out on the cutting board so they don't clump together.
• Divide the chopped up eggs in half and place on half onto the pan before spreading the dough, that way, the eggs are spread more evenly.
• It's not easy to spread the dough - the second time I put it in dollops around the pan and that made it a little easier.