My Little Crafty Corner

Archive for August, 2010

I have been looking for a design for those cigars that dads can hand out when their baby’s are born. I want to have some extra special things for my cousin to have once her baby is born in November. She is not being treated all that well by some of the members of our family and its heart breaking! We just had her shower, and she was showered with all sorts of love from her mom’s side of the family, as well as the dad to be’s side. I have a few things that I have been working on knit wise as well for her.

Cookies
1 box (18.25 oz) Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® chocolate fudge cake mix
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Frosting
1 1/2 containers (12 oz each) Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons milk

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, 3/4 cup peanut butter, the water, vanilla and eggs on medium speed about 2 minutes or until blended. Gently stir in chocolate chips. Onto cookie sheet, drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart.

3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

4. In medium bowl, stir together frosting ingredients. Frost cookies with frosting.

Its been a few years since we have taken a real vacation, and I think its time we look into going away. I want to surprise my husband with a fun get away. He has worked lots of long hours since starting his new job so a week away would be just what the doctor ordered. He so deserves this, as he is making it possible for me to no longer have to do daycare. I want to do something nice for him.

Some friends of mine just stayed at the Outer Banks vacation rentals and loved it. After looking at the website, I am “in love”! Ocean front rooms with a gorgeous view. Nothing like waking up and watching a sunrise while still in bed! Or we could have our coffee and cocoa out on one of the decks.

We could do some site seeing, and possibly visit some friends of ours who have moved down there. I may even allow my hubby to teach me how to golf. When we are done with all there is to do in the Carolina’s we can head back to the house and lounge around the pool.

Our 15th wedding anniversary is coming up soon and I would like to go away for a week, I just wonder if the East Coast will be warm enough in March? Carolina Designs will be getting a phone call soon, as I am ready to pack my bags!

A few years back I made some knitted Ugg boots for my niece, like these:

They looked so cute on her. But the years have flown on by and now she is looking at polo boots. Really, she’s only 5! When and where do they learn about name brands? I guess having an older sister gets them thinking about this stuff at an early age.

I am going to have to dig up the pattern and made a few of these, as I have several friends who have had or will be having babies. These would make a cute “welcome baby” gift. My needles won’t have time to cool down with all of the projects I have in the works!

1/3 cup A.1. Original Steak Sauce
1/3 cup Barbecue Sauce
2 tsp. Prepared Horseradish
1 Beef top round steak (1-1/2 lb.), cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
9 Pearl onions
1 large Red pepper, cut into 9 strips

Directions

MIX first 3 ingredients until well blended.

THREAD meat onto 18 skewers; place onion or pepper strip at end of each skewer. Place kabobs in shallow glass dish. Pour steak sauce mixture over kabobs. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate, turning occasionally.

HEAT grill to medium heat. Remove kabobs from marinade; discard marinade. Grill kabobs 4 to 6 min. or until meat is done, turning occasionally.

Kitchens Tips
Use Your Broiler ~ Broil kabobs, 6 inches from heat, 4 to 6 min. or until meat is done, turning occasionally.

Substitute a green pepper for the red pepper.

Note ~ If using wooden skewers, soak skewers in water for 30 min. before using to assemble kabobs to prevent them from burning on the grill.