St. Patrick's Banners

I really enjoy the banners that everyone in blog land is making.  I wish that mine were as spectacular - some day!!  I have just been "wingin' it" as to how to make them so I thought I would show you an easy version.

I have found some great vintage pics at these sites - The Graphics Fairy (just click on search and it will take you to lots of categories) and Hub Pages (sent to an internet group I belong by a "crafty" member).  So, first find your pics, save them to your computer and print on cardstock.  Then, cut them out -

Please excuse my old ironing board cover but I thought that was a good working area!!  I took green scrapbook paper and cut in half.

I took the scallop-type scissors shown and cut around all the edges -

I then used a glue stick to glue the clip art to the green paper -

I placed something a bit heavy on them and let them "set" overnight -

Next, is the ribbon (or whatever you want to use to hang them).  I have used different variations on the banners I have made.  I tried this - using glue to hold the ribbon across but then I ended up adding a strip of packing tape to make sure it was secure -

After I placed it (using clear thumbtacks) I added some St. Patrick's ribbon between the pics -

Here is the entire banner - hanging above the mantel -

I then made more using a different way to place the ribbon.  I used a little rectangle hole punch and threaded ribbon thru that -

Just another variation with different ribbon -

I can't wait to try some for Easter!!!!  All this is making me tired!!  Remember showing you some pictures of Lucy in some "comfortable" sleeping positions??  I just don't see how this is comfy!!!!

I am linking to Hope Studio's Tutorial Tuesday.  You can see more by clicking here.

Mardi Gras!!!!

My girlfriends (we call ourselves the YaYa's) celebrated Mardi Gras last night.  Here we are in our masks and beads and below you can see our faces (I am in the white blouse) -

Mardi Gras was held at my BFF's (Barb) home - she is second from right.  She put on a delicious spread -

The hot foods were on the stove and this is what my plate looked like -

We had 3 different kinds of shrimp, pirogi, and a Cajun rice dish with sausage for the main foods.  After we ate we planned to watch a movie and had some snacks.

We thought this was an appropriate movie for us to watch (again!) as not only is it about the YaYa's but it is centered in the Louisiana area -

After the movie we had the King Cake that I made -

Gwen had the "baby" in her slice of King Cake and she proudly put it on top to display -

Now, this was my first attempt at making a King Cake.  In looking over recipes online I saw where there were different variations on the filling and on the kind of dough (super easy to difficult).  This is the recipe that I used which seemed to have appeared in Southern Living Magazine 20 years ago.

King Cake
1/4 C. butter
16 oz. sour cream
1/3 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 envelopes active dry yeast
1 T. granulated sugar
1/2 C. warm water
2 large eggs
6 C. flour
1/2 C. granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 C. butter, softened

Cook first 4 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until butter melts.  Cool mixture.

Dissolve yeast and 1 T. sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in a large bowl.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Add butter mixture, eggs, & 2 cups flour.  Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until smooth.  Gradually stir in the remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.  Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease the top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place (free from drafts) for 1 hour or until double in bulk.

Stir together 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon & 1/3 cup softened margarine and set aside.

Punch dough down; divide in half.  Turn 1 portion out onto a lightly floured surface and roll to a 28" x 10" rectangle (I had a problem with this as my pastry board was only about 17" at the longest so mine was a different shape.).  Spread half of the cinnamon/butter mixture on the dough.  Roll dough jelly-roll style starting at the long side.  Place roll seam-side down on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Bring the ends together to form an oval ring - moistening with water and pinching the edges together to seal.  Repeat with remaining dough.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

**A little bit after I took the cake out of the oven I inserted the baby into the cake from the bottom.

Frosting
3 C. powdered sugar
3 T. butter, melted
3-6 T. milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Using a mixer - stir together the sugar and melted butter.  Add vanilla.  Then, add the milk to reach the desired consistency for drizzling.  (I used a total of 5 T. for the consistency that I liked.)

Normally, the frosting is left white and then sprinkled with the colored sugars of Mardi Gras - purple, green & gold.  But, I did not have any purple sprinkles (note to self -- next time in Amish country pick up purple sanding sugar!!) so I tinted the frosting purple and then sprinkled gold and green sugars.

Here is the dough as I was mixing it -

It is a soft dough.  This was when it was finished -

Kneading it til smooth and elastic -

Rising in a covered bowl -

Ready to go in the oven (should have made it more oval than round) -

Here are both of them.  I didn't put the baby in the one I kept here at home.  I could just picture Mr. Cardigan - I don't even want to think about it -- it would probably be something along the lines of "What the ____ is this???"

What a fun Mardi Gras celebration!!! 

I went to my cupboard where I nicely store(aka - all piled in there with no purpose, etc.)  a lot of my "fancy" dishes to get the nice pink glass platter that I used for the King Cake to take to our celebration.  Of course, I had to take quite a bit out to get to the plate that I wanted.  I stacked them on the washer (which is nearby) and in a little bit went back to put them away and this is what I found -

Now, keep in mind that there were a couple of very fragile glass pieces near her that I quickly took out before I went to grab my camera.  So, how she so gracefully got up there and didn't budge anything I will never know!!

I am linking to Just A Girl's Show & Share.  You can click here to see all the links.

Vanilla Chip Cookies (w/Macadamia Nuts)!!!!

Vanilla Chip Cookies with Macadamia Nuts

3/4 C. butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
3/4 C. sugar
3/4 C. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 pkg. (12 oz.) vanilla chips
3/4 to 1 C. chopped macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, baking soda & salt in a small bowl and set aside.  In a large bowl beat butter, sugar, & brown sugar until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Stir in vanilla.  Gradually beat in the flour mixture.  Stir in the vanilla chips and macadamia nuts.  Drop onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. 

These beat my expectations as this was my first time trying this type of cookie.  It has been a favorite to try at Subway and I am now making these often!!!!

You haven't seen Ricky for a while.  She is settling in more and more and not so skittish.  I have no idea how long she had been abandoned (and she was totally declawed, too) and what her life was like.  I know that she stands up to Lucy.  I am clearing out a back bedroom so lots of things are making their way to other parts of the house while I am doing this.  I don't know what Ricky is going to do when I put this away.  When I wonder where Ricky is -- Mr. Cardigan says "she's on her perch"!! (And, she doesn't have to worry about Lucy taking her spot because Lucy could never fit there!!!!)

I am linking to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum.  You can click here to see all the recipes. 



This time it's a St. Patrick's tulle wreath

Very quick and simple as I used all the white I had and, therefore, didn't make it as full as I like.  I misjudged and thought it would be the green that was short.  But, I wanted quick and simple for this inside door.  For those of you that haven't seen how I have made these before you can look at these previous posts - Here is the tutorial along with 3 holiday ones and here is my Valentine one.

All you need is a thin hanger and some tulle/netting that comes in approx. 6" wide rolls.

Had a great time this past weekend at my best friend's retirement party.  She worked about 24 years at our local post office.  She is currently on day #2 of retirement and is all "smiles"!!!!  Here we are with our "YaYa's" at the party.  She is the 2nd from the left.  Can you guess which one I am?  I am on the left wearing a GRAY CARDIGAN!!!  (I just realized it as I was posting the pics!  Sure - sure -- you will say!!)



It seems that several months after Lucy was having her fun diving/hiding in the bags that held Christmas decos that she "still has it" while I am finally packing the last of it into new totes!

I am linking to ALL THINGS INSPIRED at All Things Heart & Home .

Vegetable Pizza

A great appetizer!  Or - it could be a great healthy dinner!!

Vegetable Pizza
2 tubes crescent rolls
2 - 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
2/3 C. Miracle Whip (or other mayo)
1 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1/2 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion flakes
Toppings of choice

Spread the crescent rolls on a large jelly roll pan (I sprayed with Pam first) for the crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.  Cool.  Mix the cream cheese, mayo, and all seasonings together.  I use my hand electric beater to mix it well.  Next add your veggies to the top.  Make sure they are cut/diced fairly small.  I put these on our Vegetable Pizza in this order - broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, sometimes mushrooms, & shredded mozzarella cheese.  Top with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several ours.  Cut in serving pieces - either serving it on the jelly roll pan or transferring it to a decorative dish.

You can use whatever toppings your family enjoys.  Other options could be carrots, onion, ham, cheddar cheese, hot pepper cheese, etc.

This recipe came from my cousin, Donna.  Many years ago our small family had several reunions - when my parents and the aunts and uncles were all living - I put together a family cookbook and asked everyone to send several recipes to me and I just typed as many as would fit on a page (according to category) and copied them in booklet form.  I use a lot of these recipes throughout the year!!  This recipe is one of those.

Here are the crescent rolls after baking -

This is the cream cheese mixture after being whipped with the mixer -

Spread the cream cheese mixture over all of the crescent rolls -

Enjoy!!!



***I am starting to be on the alert for all green things for this upcoming holiday***  I'm afraid they might be many shades of green!!

Here is a pic of a little something from St. Patrick's Day past (2010) -

As the last of the "too much" Christmas holiday decor is making its way out of the house I am having to look at shelves and tables that are not decorated at all - even just for every day living.  And, Lucy is laying claim to just about anything she can.  Look at the little table with fresh covering waiting -- she thinks it makes a good resting place!!

I am linking to Craft-O-Maniac's Monday Link Party.  You can find the link party here.

I am also linking to Life In Grace's Christmas Cheer Appetizers.  Click here to see some delicious appetizer recipes!!!!