Life Lately

Well, it's been a month now of my adjusted blogging schedule, and I've got to say that it has been way less stressful and much more enjoyable to blog.  And that's the whole reason for blogging, right?

1) Inga had a friend over to play
2) New makeup brush holder
3) Getting crafty!
4) Cuddles with Inga, as usual

This month was Valentine's Day, and John and I spent the evening rock climbing and watching Some Like It Hot.  The movie is so good!!  Highly recommend :)  BUT, the day after Valentine's, we got a fun night out to a theater fundraising gala.  It was a blast!  We dressed up, played some games, won a few prizes, and then got treated to a three course dinner with performances from various actors in the company.  They were simply amazing- it made me want to sing show tunes all the way home! :)

1) Cast of Cabaret
2) Valentine chocolates
3) Valentine cookies!

My classes are starting to wrap up, which means student teaching is on the horizon.  I'm so excited!  Along these lines, I have a few new posts up over on my other blog, Kvinglish, if you feel like checking them out.

Next month, I've got a lot of great things to share with you, so stay tuned!!

Follow me on Instagram to see more pictures like these, including some blog sneak peeks

Sandies Recipe

Another Granny recipe for you all to enjoy :)  These are like little tea cakes, and they're so yummy (and addictive!)

You will need:

• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for topping
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup nuts (I used pecan pieces)

Cream your butter and powdered sugar.

Add the flour and mix until the dough starts to come together.

Add the nuts and incorporate them into the dough.

Form the dough into small balls and bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes.

Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.  Then, roll the tops of the cookies in a small bowl of powdered sugar.  It's important for the cookies to be completely cooled, or else the powdered sugar will melt into the cookies.

Yum!  And seriously, four ingredients!  How easy is that??

Saturday Snapshot: In Denial

As I write this post, there's a blizzard going on outside.  I'll save my pictures of snow for another Saturday... one where I haven't had to trudge through snow drifts and puddles. :)  For now, I'm thinking happy, sunny thoughts!

DIY Spiked Ring

I am loving this gold spray paint... I can't help myself!

To make your own, you will need:

• Sculpey clay (or other polymer clay)
• Small knife
• Gold metallic spray paint
• Ring blank
• Super glue

First, knead your clay until it is soft.

Next, roll it out on a clean work surface to form a cone shape.

Comparing the size of your ring blank base to the cone, use your knife to slice off the end so that it is large enough to cover the ring blank base.

Repeat the process twice, making slightly smaller spikes.

Next, line the three spikes up with the larger in the middle.  Roll out a thin strip of clay and cut it down so it is small enough to hide underneath the three spikes.

Gently press the spikes onto the strip, smoothing it out to secure the spikes in place.

Bake your spikes according to the package directions.  I baked mine at 275 degrees for 15 minutes.

When it is cool, spray paint the spikes and allow them to dry.

Finally, glue the spikes to the ring blank.  You can go vertically or horizontally- I went with vertical.  If you need to, you can give the ring another hit of spray paint to hide and glue that peeks out.

And you're done!  I love how this looks... it kind of reminds me of a stegosaurus, haha :)

Any DIY jewelry you're planning to try??

Baked Turkey Meatballs

These baked turkey meatballs are so delicious!  We've used them on submarine sandwiches, in pasta, and even in mac and cheese :)  And, of course, they couldn't be easier to make!

You will need:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan (the kind in a canister)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, and massage them together until they are fully integrated.

Next, form the meat into golf sized balls.  You should have about 20 meatballs.

Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.  I like to line the pan with tin foil and top it with parchment paper.  I don't know why, but I like it...

Yum!  They are so delicious!  And totally doable.

Saturday Snapshot: A Valentine

Date Heart Valentine Cookies

Remember when I tried to make date nut pin wheels, but totally messed up and ended up inventing a new cookie?  Yeah...

Well, this time, I got it right!  Only instead of making pinwheels, I turned them into little hearts.  Here's what you'll need to make your own:

• 2 1/4 cup pitted dates, chopped up
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup shortening
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Combine the dates, white sugar, and water in a pot.  Cook over low heat until it is thickened.  Add the nuts, remove from the heat, and allow to cool.

Using a stand mixer, cream the shortening, brown sugar, and eggs.

Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Mix well, then cover and chill thoroughly.

Once both the date mixture and the dough are chilled, divide the dough into two equal parts.

Roll one of the balls out to a quarter inch thick slab.  Cut the edges off to form a rectangle, then place the scraps on top and roll it out again to a quarter inch.  The idea is to have as rectangular a piece as possible.

Next, spread half of the date mixture on top.

Finally, gently roll each side in until they meet in the middle.

Repeat with the other mass of dough, and then wrap each piece in cling wrap.  Gently smoosh the sides of the rolls to make a heart shape.

Refrigerate the rolls overnight.

The next day, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Take one of the rolls out of the fridge, unwrap, and slice into quarter to half in slices.  You might need to reshape some of your hearts, and some may turn out better than others, but that's okay!  It's all about baking with love anyway, right?

Once you fill the baking sheet, pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes.  While they are baking, put the remainder of the roll back in the fridge to keep cool.

Cool the cookies on a wire rack and then try not to eat them all at once.

 

I hope you all have a happy Valentine's Day!  I'll be spending it in with my hubby, watching a movie and eating popcorn and malted milk balls for dinner :)