Summer Fun...

New nail polish for SUMMER!

For those of you that know us, we love bright colors. Since we are OPI fans, we were a bit hesitant in buying. After trying a color, we cruised back to Walgreens to buy more.

It goes on really smooth, the colors are intense, and for the sale price of only a $1.99. We always use "Out the Door" topcoat from Sally Beauty Supply. Keeps the polish shiny, dries super quick, no dings, and makes it wear longer. A great enhancement for your toes...

Kitchen Gadgets

These are a must have! Strawberry Slicer and Pineapple Slicer, ingenious handy kitchen gadgets. Talk about easy. We have spent so much wasted time cutting strawberries. What a time saver this is. Who likes to cut pineapple? We use to live in Hawaii so we love pineapple, but trying to cut them is torture. Summer is almost here, watch out Farmer's Market here we come.

Michael Bolton Concert

We were surprised that Michael Bolton was coming to Idaho Falls Monday, April 12th! For getting tickets last minute, we had great seats at the concert and he was WONDERFUL. The highlights were Michael singing in Italian Opera and also when he surprised the audience by singing off stage in the middle of the auditorium. His band was superb and the new album One World One Love is available in stores May 4th, just in time for Mother's Day. He sang Just One Love from his new album. The new track Murder My Heart, one of the standouts on the album, was co-written with Lady Gaga who also sings back up. Money well spent, what a fun night...

Cupcake Craze

The cupcake obsession is spreading...
We have noticed there are cupcake magazines and cookbooks everywhere. Well, talk about perfect timing when the Sunday newspaper came today. Low and behold this cute pink Babycakes Cupcake Maker was staring right at us, and off we went with Tucker (the dog) to the store! The recipe book is wonderful and this darling machine bakes 8 mini cupcakes in just minutes. We made Mini Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, using mini cupcake liners it made 34. It has got to be the easiest, funest, no clean-up project ever. How exciting to try new combinations with frostings. We will be watching the sale ads for cake mixes and making them for several weeks to come. Now we know why this is called the "cupcake craze"! We had soooo much fun.

Early Easter Present

We went this weekend to Sam's Club and got a Hot Dog and Pizza Combo for lunch, yummy! Of course we could not leave without a trip to the book section, where we found us an early Easter find. An awesome cookbook, Taste of Home Baking Classics. It has 655 great recipes with 449 fantastic color photos. It includes 10 tips for baking success, quick breads, yeast breads, coffee cakes & sweet rolls, pies, cakes, cupcakes, desserts, cookies, brownies, and bars for a super price at $12.98.

Okay we admit it, we are a bunch of cookbook hoarders. Our favorites are Taste of Home, Gooseberry Patch, and of course spiral Church Cookbooks.

Altered Art - Mugs

Altered Art is so inspiring to create. Begin with photo mugs from Starbucks, insert an altered logo, edge/chalk heavy weight patterned cardstock, and punch flowers for an added touch. A great way to display artwork, while keeping track of your beverage!

Mocha Munchies - March Recipe

What a perfect time to pick up Girl Scouts Trefoils Cookies to use in this wonderful recipe.

2 C. crushed shortbread cookies
1 1/4 C. powdered sugar
1 C. finely chopped pecans
2 TBL. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. instant decaffeninated coffee crystals
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 to 5 TBL. water
1/2 C. powdered sugar

Combine crushed cookies, 1 1/4 C. powdered sugar, nuts, cocoa powder, coffee crystals, & cinnamon. Add water, just enough to moisten. Form mixture into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll balls generously in the 1/2 C. powdered sugar. Place balls on waxed paper, let stand until dry (1 hr.). Before serving, roll balls again in powdered sugar.