Super Cousins Super Birthdays!

Craig turned 7 in March and Connor turns 4 in April.  Originally Kara and I were going to plan full out parties for the boys.  We had been collecting supplies and coming up with ideas.  We were going to do Legos for Craig and Monsters for Connor. We were getting pretty excited about the parties.  It was going to be our gift to them.  Then things changed and my brother and sister-in-law wanted to go more low-key, joint, family dinner sort of thing so we scrapped the party planning ideas.  We were still to make cupcakes though so Kara made the cupcakes and I made super hero cupcake toppers.  They were a hit at least!  The party was only a couple of days after (I know this post shows up before) the Gender Reveal Party.

First Annual Cookie Exchange 2012

In June, Kara and I decided to make a Facebook group for Pinterest Projects where we could post Pinterest successes, failures, and inspiration.  It's a great place for crafts, recipes, and product reviews without filling up our friends news feeds who don't really care.  On 12/15/12 we hosted the First Annual Cookie Exchange at my house.  Kara and I really look forward to doing this every year.

Here's the gist of our invitation:

Please bring 4 dozen cookies... Some to sample and some to share!

Don't forget to wear your favorite apron! And bring the recipe(s) too!

Eat, drink, and be Merry!

Prizes will be given for the best tasting, most creative, best looking, and most unique.

Beverages will be provided. Be sure to bring a container to bring your cookies home in.

 

What a great way to get a wide variety of festive cookies, try out some new recipes or your favorite tried and true, and maybe even win a prize! 

 

I made some cookies from my Very Vegan Christmas Cookies: 125 Festive and Flavorful Treats and Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar cookbooks. I even won most unique with my Pina Colada Cookies!

 

 

Baking and Bible Study

So I took a page from a(wonderful new) friend Megan (who also happens to be the Pastor's wife... she is just too cool and has 2 young girls - so cool for Keegan to be able to grow up with all these kids in church!).... And have been baking treats for bible study. This way I can bake, taste, and give the rest away so (as much as I may want to) I don't eat the whole batch myself!

Megan is a far superior baker than I am. I tend to do most things semi-homemade. This recipe seems easy enough and not from a box mix!

I have made cake pops (really cake balls since I don't use the sticks) in strawberry and lemon, pumpkin muffins, and devil's food cake balls. I love making things that are 1 or 2 bites and can easily be eaten without utensils. Tomorrow we have our monthly bible study and I am going to make Butter Balls to bring. The recipe is an old recipe my mom had from a neighbor years ago. My mom swears they were delicious. And I happen to have all the ingredients already.

Butter Balls:

1 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups chopped nuts (walnuts)
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375.
Blend sugar and butter. Add vanilla and chopped walnuts. Mix well.
Gradually add flour and salt. Shape doough into small balls. Put on cookie sheet and bake for 15 mins.
While still warm, roll cookies in powdered sugar.