Mom 2 Be Gifts (Diaper Cake & Cookie Mix)

At our family reunion I had the chance to meet up with one of my dear cousin's who is on baby #3 (this time a BOY).  Oh yeah she is coming into my world of boy!  I don't get to see her very often and wanted to surprise her with a little gift.  I went on the search threw Pinterest of course for some good ideas!!

First off I have made this Bakeralla Recipe for Cowgirl Cookie mix in a jar.  I saw on Life in Wonderland this awesome idea to add a nipple at top to make the jar look like a bottle (I know how fun).  Now I was doing one for a boy so I just switched it up for the colors.  NOW remember when you put in the sugar, put the brown sugar FIRST then top with sugar.  IF not you will do like I did the sugar goes down over the candy pieces.

Cowgirl Cookies

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cooking oats

3/4 cup m&ms

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Stir all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 slightly beaten egg. 1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave). 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use the back of a large spoon to work it all together. You may even need to use your hands to get everything incorporated. Then roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, place on a parchment covered baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.

LEX NOTES:  For the jar add in the DRY ingredients with a NOTE to add the other ingredients.  I couldn't find M&M's so I used york pieces (the only Blue candy I could find).  I skipped the chocolate part and just used all the pieces.  I also skipped the pecans.

Next on the list was to make a diaper cake.  I didn't want to do the usual one that I do, so I went on the search and found this really cute Stork's Bundle.  It was on the Cricut website.   I couldn't find the cricut cut I needed (yes I called around to all stores around me and no luck).  So I hit up Google Images and found this Image.  I printed it on card stock, cut out the stork and added a little piece of blue card stock behind it to make it pop.  Now there wasn't directions on how to make this diaper cake so I winged it.  

Here is what I did:

Took 15 Diapers rolled them individually and wrapped with a rubber band.  I folded the receiving blanket to make the bundle look.  I made a pyramid of diapers and pulled up the sides of the blanket.  I held the top with a rubber band to secure it and then added ribbon and tied a bow.  I then cut a hole in the little stork I made and tied it on with a little ribbon.  (SEE the step by step pictures below for any questions or you can send me a note :)).

I hope you try one of these they are so easy to make and I thought it was a great personal touch to give to any mom to be!

Christmas 2011 Gift Jars

Finally I got my gift jars photos together to post them.  I found these really cute jars at the dollar store that I used instead of the mason jar’s I usually do.  First off I made an Oatmeal Craisin Gift Jar.

Next on the list was a silk Hot Cocoa Gift Mix, I didn’t have the chocolate jello so I used the jello mousse caramel flavor, figured that would be  nice touch!

Then for the coffee & hot cocoa lover. I made this Spicy Mocha Mix.

Then I found these peppermint mallows that worked prefect for this Peppermint Dark Hot Chocolate Mix.

So there you have this years gift jars!  I think I’m done, maybe  few little treats for my church friends.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!  I’m going to put up a giveaway tomorrow for icaughtsanta pictures!

Treats for others

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July.  It was a bummer it was on a Monday which means yes you get Monday off but have to work Tuesday.  Let’s just say not a lot of sleep when your neighbors are trying to blow up the town.  Very little sleep for this mama so a quick post of yummies .

My amazing friend Nichol posted a link with the top 10 popsicles (click her name to go to the post).  These Rainbow Pudding Pops were so easy to do and very cool for the kids!  I did it the easy way and instead of separating into different bowls I just did 6 puddings and did one color per bowl then poured cleaned the bowl and made the next color.  I’m all about making it easy .  NOW next year I think I’ll do red, white and blue for the 4th of July.  I know isn’t that a cool idea.  Yup those ideas always come to me too late … lol.  Now let’s hope I remember next year!

For the different holidays I like to make a special treat for my boss and my secret sister at church.  I made this Marshmallow Muffin Mix in a Jar for both of them.  I found these marshmallows colored for the 4th and just had to find a recipe to make .

And I made a 2nd jar to send off to my boss.  These Cowboy Cookie Mix in a jar I think was a classic yummy cookie!  I made the label with a stack of oatmeal cookies translucent behind the recipe.

Happy Tuesday everyone, I hope your day goes well.  All I know is I’m going to be drinking a lot of coffee!  BAD day to be out of K-cups for my coffee maker!  Guess I’ll be using the French press today!

Make sure to stop by and see some more recipes at Thursday Recipe Swap Meet.

Chicken Recipes & A Gift in a Jar

Hope you all a wonderful Father’s day, Rick had to work so it was just me and the boys.  I took them to the Bring your Father to the baseball game with our church group. 

Still on my mission to cook healthy tasty meals for the fam and my love of SkinnyTaste.com I have come across this yummy Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana.  Now me pounding chicken and make up cute little roll ups so is not beautiful as her’s but with some toothpicks and a prayer it doesn’t look totally horrible.  BUT it did taste amazing!

Then my dad picked me up a rotisserie chicken at Costco. So on the search I went for a weight watcher recipe that I could use it in and found Easy Chicken Enchiladas.  We got home late from the baseball game & visiting my dad so I whipped this up in minutes and dinner was served 40 min later! 

Last on my list was gifts for Rick and my dad.  My BFF poser Amy sent me over a link for some dad’s gift ideas.  I thought this one would be so fun and easy to make sense both like nuts!  These Peanut Jar Craft was the perfect job for me and the boys.  My boys loved being the gluer .

Have a wonderful Monday! 

St. Patty's Day Idea's (Round Robin Idea)

As you all know I love to make gifts for friends and family. I love to send a surprise to my bosses and St. Patty's day was my newest Holiday to explore the homemade gifts :). I also make a few of these for my secret sister at church.

You know my love of gifts in a jar! I found this one on my favorite website Organized Christmas they have the best ideas and give you printable gift tags!

And to support my Irish Friend this is the perfect gift to send them Irish Soda Bread in a Jar. I found the recipe on Better Budgeting.

I wanted a fun drink that had green and found this Minty Hot Cocoa Mix it was for two jars but I made it into one large canning jar.

I'm linking up with my BFF Amy for Round Robin.

Christmas Gifts in a Jar & One in a Bag (4 Recipes)

So now you see why Rick says I over do it! I can't just do one thing I have to do every cool idea I find. That would explain the $130 bill at Wal-Mart and the mini freak out I had when I checked the checking account ... lol. I just can't help myself I always love to give and give and want it to be something someone hasn't received. So here is round two of the Christmas Gifts. If you missed the ones in the click here.

Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar

by Allfreecrafts.com ~ They even include a cute label that I printed & attached to the jar!

Ingredients:
1½ cups skim milk powder
1½ cups white sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
¾ cup non-dairy creamer

To Make this Jar Gift:
Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir well. For a finer mix, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix well.

Directions:
Place 2 or 3 tablespoons in a mug and add boiling water.

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Next is my favorite!

S'Mores In a Jar

by Organized Christmas ~~ Labels also easy to print from this site.

1 canning jar, quart-size with lid and ring 1 sleeve graham crackers (about 10 crackers or 1 1/2 cups of crushed crackers) 1 large package seasonal peeps ® brand marshmallow candies 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed 1 1/4 cup chocolate chips or seasonal m&ms brand milk chocolate candies

1. Place graham crackers in a zipper freezer food storage bag. Use a rolling pin or meat tenderizer to crush crackers into crumbs. (You'll need about 1 1/2 cup of crushed crumbs: one "sleeve" of graham crackers, or about 10 whole crackers equals 1 1/2 cup when crushed.)

2. Place graham cracker crumbs into quart-sized canning jar. Use a meat tenderizer to pack crumbs tightly into the bottom of the jar.

3. Place Peeps candies against the glass on all sides of the canning jar. Press lightly to create a well in the center of the jar. (You'll use approximately 2/3rds of the package; our Halloween recipe used 6 of a 9-pack package of Ghost Peeps.)

4. Add brown sugar to the space in the center of the Peeps, pressing gently to pack.

5. Gently add chocolate chips or M&Ms to the top of the canning jar. Seal jar with lid and sealer ring.

6. Embellish jar with fabric circle, ribbon or raffia.

7. Print a free printable gift tag, or create your own tag with the recipe below.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used Holiday Marshmallows and Christmas M&M's.

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I made a twist on Blizzard Bites (using what I had on hand)

by Organized Christmas

1	cup	Rice Chex-brand cereal
1	cup	pretzel twists, small
1/2	cup	dry-roasted peanuts
1/3	cup	sweetened dried cranberries (craisins)
1/3	cup	dried pineapple, coarsely chopped
1	cup	white chocolate chips
1		canning jar, quart-size with lid and ring
1		food storage bag, small

Layer cereal, pretzel twists, peanuts, cranberries and dried pineapple in a quart-sized canning jar.

Place white chocolate chips inside food storage bag, and place on top of layered ingredients.

Seal jar, and attach a printable gift tag with recipe instructions.

Makes 3 1/2 cups snack mix.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used Christmas M&M's to make this more of a mix then a melt the white chocolate. I figured this would be less messy and a good one for the adults :).

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And since we had an early addition to our house in the form of a puppy I of course went on search for a biscuit recipe. Then I thought what a great idea to give to my boss & MIL that has dogs also!

Homemade Flax Seed Dog Biscuits

by White on Rice Couple

12 oz (340g) whole wheat flour
12oz (340g) bread flour
2 oz (55g) wheat germ
1 t (5g) salt
2T (30g) brown sugar
3-4T Flax Seed (optional)
3 eggs
1c (240ml) vegetable oil
3oz (85g) powdered dry milk
1c (240ml) water

1. Combine wheat flour, bread flour, wheat germ, salt, and brown sugar, and flax seed in mixing bowl. Stir in eggs and vegetable oil.

2. Dissolve dry milk in water then incorporate the mixture.

3. Mix to form a very firm dough that is smooth and workable. Adjust by adding a little extra flour or water as required.

4. Cover the dough and set aside to relax for 15-20 min.

5. Roll the dough out to 1/2″ (1.2cm) thick. Cut out biscuits using a bone-shaped cutter 3″x1.5″ (7.5×3.7cm). Place the biscuits on sheet pans lined with baking paper.

6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for approx. 40 minutes or until biscuits are brown and, more importantly, rock-hard. Let biscuits cool, then store in a covered container five to six feet off the flour. Use as needed to reward your four-legged friends.)

ALEXIS NOTES: I doubled the recipe so I had enough for everyone. I didn't have wheat germ on hand so you can just switch out with flour. I will pick some up next time I'm in the bulk section. I did use the Flax Seed (4 Tb suggested). I found to make them on the thick side and my oven only took about 21 minutes to cook.

I'm linking up to Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, Tuesday at the Table, Delectable Tuesday and Delicious Dishes.