Rolo Cookies

 These cookies don't need a fancy-catchy name. They also need no introduction. There is just one rule to making these cookies: 1. After you take the first batch out of the oven, you have to take a glass of milk, and a cookie, sit down and enjoy every single bite. This is a cookie that is made to be thoroughly enjoyed. 

Rolo Cookies

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cups baking cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

48 Rolos (chocolate covered caramels)

4 oz. white chocolate

1. Soften butter (I put a stick in the microwave for 11 seconds and it's usually the perfect amount of softness)

2. Add the sugar and brown sugar to the butter. Cream the sugars and butter until smooth (about 2 minute)

3. Add the eggs, beat well. 

4. Add the vanilla. 

5. In a separate mixing bowl combine the flour, baking cocoa, and baking soda. 

6. Slowly add in the flour mixture to the other mixture. 

7. Chill the dough for about 20 minutes so it's easier to roll.

8. Take a spoonful of dough, place an unwrapped Rolo in the middle and gently surround the Rolo with dough. Roll so the Rolo is completely covered with cookie dough. 

9. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes (I did 9 minutes).

10. When cooled drizzle white chocolate over cookies. They look as delicious as they taste!

Mommy Bag

For Christmas my wonderful husband got me this awesome book. My sister, my mom and I all found a bag we liked out of the book and a few fun sewing sessions. This was the bag I came up with. I absolutely love it. I love all of the pockets. The more I sew and do fun projects, the more I realize, it's ALL about the fabric. Cute fabric is key. Don't just settle when it comes to finding fabric for your project, make sure you love it first!

It is a bit large, but I like it. I love the big button too. I'm excited to make another bag! Maybe I'll make my little girl a purse, she's been carrying around a paper bag with all of her toys in it... 

Giveaways

I'm currently doing 2 giveaways! Go check them out! They're both giving away a whole bunch of other stuff, so go enter to win!!


and here's to you, Mrs. Robinson :
 http://megancamille.blogspot.com/


Jewelry by Sebastian Design:
http://www.facebook.com/jewelrybysebastiandesign

Good luck!!!

New and Improved

I've been wanting to come up with a new and improved design for the baby boots for quite some time. And finally one day it just came to me!! These boots don't have a flap, but a strap in the back so it makes it a whole lot easier to adjust the size and help them stay on easier. Plus I think it helps them look a bit more masculine (but still cut and feminine at the same time). 

 I can still make this style in any of the other fabrics. Same price, better functionality.

 I am in love with the Herringbone pattern. 

 Use the Velcro strap to make as tight as you'd like. 

Come see them at my shop!

Orange-Craisin Oatmeal Cookies

I took an old favorite and added some orange zest, craisins, white chocolate chips and nutmeg for a delicioso cookies! You'll have to try these. I wish you could smell through the computer, because the orange zest in these make the whole kitchen smell so amazing. 

Orange-Craisin Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 c. shortening

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 c. water

1 tsp. vanilla

Zest of one medium sized orange (about 1 tsp.)

1 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

3 c. oats

1 c. white chocolate chips
1 c. dried cranberries

Cream the shortening and sugars. Add the egg, water, vanilla and orange zest. In a separate bowl sift the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg together. Add the flour mix. Add the oats, and mix just until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Yummers!!

Stripe Quilt

One of my good friends just had a baby boy, and I had a crafty craving - I had to make her something. So luckily the fabric store had 25% off minky fabric (with an additional 10% off coupon), and 20% off baby flannel. So I saved almost $20. 

I bought: 

1 3/4 yards of the brown minky fabric

1/3 of a yard for 4 different flannels (I have pictured 5 different fabrics, but I decided to use a bit of the minky on front instead).

I then cut each fabric into two pieces, some 6", some 8", some 4", I wanted all the strips different sizes. The blanket is then 45" wide. I like to always lay out the strips before I sew them so that you don't have polka dots and stripes next to each other, or two of the same color right next to each other. 

Then sew the strips together, pretty sides together, so the seams are hidden.  

Then press the seams with an iron.  

 Lay the sewn strips down over the minky, and trim so that there are about 2-3" on each side. 

 Fold the sides over, so that you're hiding the raw edge. Pin one side in place, sew, then pin a different side and sew.

I then did a stay stitch at about every square foot to help keep the two sides together. I did this rather than professionally quilting the blanket, and also rather than tie the quilt. By doing a small backstitch, you can't even see it, and it helps the blanket not separate.

 All finished!!! Cute, cuddly and ready for a cute and cuddly baby!

Calzones

These were so quick, so easy, and so delicious.

4 servings:

8 Frozen Rhodes Rolls
2 cups pizza sauce
1 cup shredded Mozzarella
1 cup cubed ham
1 cup diced pepperoni
1 egg
1/2 cup shredded parmesan

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the frozen rolls put evenly. Let them thaw and raise a bit for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Flatten and spread out the dough like you were tossing a big ole' pizza crust. Lay the flattened roll on the same cookie sheet, spread a spoonfull of pizza sauce and spread on the roll - leaving about 1/2" around the edge. Layer cheese, ham, pepperoni, and a bit more sauce. Take another flattened roll, and with your finger poor some water around the edge of each flattened roll. lay the roll on top of the stuffed one and press around the edges to seal it.

Make a few slits with a knife so your canzone can breathe.

Beat your egg in a small bowl. Using a brush, apply a thin layer of the egg over each canzone. Sprinkle with shredded parmesan.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.

Dip in excess pizza sauce.

Enjoy!

Delish Crepes

I discovered the best crepe recipe over Christmas break thanks to The Neville family cook book.

1 cup flour
2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup melted butter
3 eggs

Beat eggs. Add sugar, salt, and milk while whisking. Then slowly add floor while whisking, avoid the lumps! Few lumps are fine. Then stir in the melted butter.

Heat pan to medium heat, melt butter on pan, pour out a thin layer of batter, cook until the eggs peel away and the bottom is becoming golden brown. Flip, cook for a few more seconds to brown.

We like to eat them with a spoonful of fat free sour cream and some brown sugar, add blueberries and strawberries.

Enjoy!