Foodie Friday- Monster Donuts

Happy Halloween!!! My little ghouls dressed up before school for Princess and Superhero day.  I guess someone is too old to be a pretty princess and decided to instead be an undead princess or something of the sort...

 

As a special treat I made Monster Donuts for the kids.  These actually came together super easy!  The secret??  Use pre-made canned biscuits!  

You will need:

1 can biscuits, anything except flaky layers

3/4 cup oil

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 TBS cinnamon

Any decorations that you choose, or you can leave them off 

Heat your oil in a pan on medium heat then use a cookie cutter (or a shot glass like I did) to cut the center out of the biscuits.

 

Once your oil is hot put your biscuits in and turn once they are golden brown.  Cook until second side is browned then transfer to a plate.

 

Continue until all your donuts are cooked.  

Mix your cinnamon and sugar in one bowl and melt your butter in a second bowl.

Dip each side of the donuts into the butter than into the cinnamon and sugar.

You can also fry up the dough you cut out to make the holes!

I then used melted chocolate to attach some edible eyes to make monster donuts for a hauntingly good breakfast.

 

Boo! Hoop

 

I stitched this sweet little hoop up for a friend on Craftster.  She received a ho hum package in a swap and to help make it right I wanted to send her a little something extra.  I asked her to send me a few patterns and this is the one I chose.  I printed it a little smaller than I meant to so the design was too small for this hoop but too big for the other hoops I had... Ooops.  I still love the way it turned out and that I got to use lots of different stitches.  

I used a back stitch, the lazy daisy on the leaves, satin stitching for the candy corn, stem stitching on the letters, and finally the French knot. 

This was a free pattern that can be found here if you wanted to stitch it up too!

Halloween Bling

I am still in shock that Halloween is in a few days.  Before you know it Christmas will be here!     (((((YAY))))))

To me November 1st is really the start of the holiday season.  I am ready to start pulling out the decorations, drinking cocoa with the kids, baking, and watching our favorite Christmas movies.  It's a time of tradition and making memories that I hope my kids will continue to do with their kids.  But before I jump ahead of myself I want to share the last of the Halloween stuff with you all.  

Rounding out the package I sent to quaggy in the Mini 13 Days of Halloween swap is a mess of jewelry pieces.  I seem to always make one or two pieces for each partner when I swap.  I may have gone a bit overboard this time but I couldn't help myself!

I found these awesome Jack O' Lantern beads online that just had to be turned into a stretch bracelet.

 

I think this pendant is probably my favorite of the group.  It's simple but gorgeous!  Look at how cute that little spider is!

 

I of course had to make a braided Kumihimo bracelet since these seem to be my new addiction in crafting.  A fellow Craftster pointed out that it looks like Indian corn and she's right!  It really does look like Indian Corn,

 

Last but not least is a Halloween junk pendant.  There are kinds of charms, bits, and bobs on this one.  I bought a little kit from Amazon that had all the elements in it but anyone could use bits from their stash to make something unique.

 

I have put my Halloween supplies away until next year and pulled out my Holiday themed goodies.   I will have lots of things to share next week.

Manic Monda

Here are the rest of the goodies I received from quaggy in the Mini 13 Days of Halloween Swap. 

She made me a ton of gorgeous potion bottles to display.

 

A hand painted wood cut

 

This funny framed mummy

 

Felt ornaments for my Halloween Tree

 

And a Halloween Shadowbox

 

There is actually one more thing but it deserves it's own post! 

Mini 13 Days of Halloween Part 2 and October Hoopla Along

Here are the next two items I made for quaggy in the Mini 13 Days of Halloween Swap.

A cute wooden wall hanging that lights up.  It was pre-made but blank so I painted it. 

 

This hoop which was a labor of love.  I have never stitched a hoop entirely with fill stitches.  It was daunting but actually went faster than I thought it would.  I am very happy with how it turned out and can't wait to find another pattern to use this technique on. I also used this hoop as my entry into Octobers Hoopla-Along on Craftster

 

I used a bit of back stitching, satin stitching, and split back stitching on this hoop.  The split back stitch is my new favorite stitch!  I am happy that my satin stitching is improving too!  

Pattern from Urban Threads

Manic Monday

I was lucky enough to be paired with the fabulous quaggy in the Mini 13 Days of Halloween Swap on Craftster.  She so spoiled my family with some AMAZING Halloween goodies!  These pictures are just the first half of what she sent!

Painted cans filled with goodies for the kids

Halloween bookmarks and a scary book

Table Runner

which is double sided!

Wall Hanging

Mug Rug and Pumpkin Mug

Foodie Friday- Slow Cooker Applesauce

Applesauce is a bit of a lunchbox staple in our house.  The kids eat it, like it, and its easy to toss those little prepackaged cups in there.  But, really who knew that making your own applesauce would be so easy??  Seriously easy.  I had eyed some slow cooker recipes for jam and applesauce on Pinterest before but hemmed and hawed about trying them.  I thought that somewhere in there would be some crazy steps that turn something that looks easy into a pain.  I was wrong.  Making applesauce with no added sugar and no preservatives will take a total of 15 minutes of effort.

First you want to take your apples, I used 4 Fuji apples, skin them and remove the core.  Cut it into chunks and toss them in the crock pot.  Add two tablespoons of water and stir a bit.  I added a few dashes of cinnamon to mine but you don't have to if you don't like it.

 

Turn your slow cooker on low and cook for 4 hours.

Take the lid off and mash for a minute then put the results in a jar.

 

There you are done.  Wasn't that easy??

Mini 13 Days of Halloween Part One

Once again I have done the Mini 13 Days of Halloween Swap on Craftster.  I had to send 13 little gifts to my partner one of which is opened each day.  13 crafted items can be a bit much so we are allowed to add in some store bought items fora  few of days gifts.  I had a fabulous partner this year and couldn't wait to craft for her.  I am going to share the things I made for her throughout the month.

One of the first things I sent was a set of altered blocks that spells SPOOKY.  I used scrapbook paper and letters cut using my Silhouette Cameo.

 

I felt that leaving all the other sides of the blocks unfinished was rather boring so I decorated each side with a different Halloween motif.  This way the blocks can be mixed and matched.

 

The next thing I wanted to make was of course something altered.  I couldn't decide if I wanted to make a shrine or a haunted house... 

Then I stumbled upon these little cardboard Putz style houses on Etsy and was sold.  I used paper, ink, and random embellishments to make this spooky little house.

 

Here is a close up of some of the details from the front of the house including a spiderweb, black cat, and pumpkin.

 

So fay my partner has enjoyed each gift she has opened and I hope she enjoys the rest of them!  I can't wait to share everything else throughout the rest of the month.

Cardboard house purchased from Little Village Houses

Manic Monday

Mom when she was a little

On June 18, 2013 my mom had a seizure at work and was rushed to the emergency room.   A few days later she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).  GBM is the most aggressive forms of brain tumors and with treatment the average survival rate is 14 months.  After a very hard 15 months my mom succumbed to her cancer and passed away on September 29, 2014.  I am still in shock and I don’t think things have really sunk in for me.  I am sure it will happen soon.  For so long I had to push my feelings aside in order to do what needed to be done to take care of my mom.  I ran in circles to be there for her, for my brothers, for my kids, for my boyfriend, and still go to work full time.  It was quite the balancing act and I still feel like I am reeling.  

Mom with her parents and sister Toni.  Her hubby Pete is photobombing!

 

My mom and Grandma

She was buried today and I thought that this what was going to make it sink in.  This was what was going to make it real but I am still feeling numb.  I know one of these days it’s going to hit me.

I know that when it does I am going to grieve like crazy.  

Mom and Pete visiting the construction site of the new Arizona Cardinals Stadium

 

 My mom and I didn’t really have a lot in common.  I think we both used to wonder how the heck I turned out so girly and dramatic!  We didn’t always get along which I am sure is true of most mothers and daughters but I think we both did the best we could for each other.  Was she perfect?  No, but neither am I.  I do know that she was kind, and generous, and was one of the most laid back people I know.  She always used to tell me to choose my battles and not to make a mountain out of a molehill.  I try to remember these things but I am dramatic as mentioned before :-)

Tailgating before a game

She loved sports of all kinds and was a super fan of all the Arizona teams, especially the Cardinals.  A perfect day to her was sitting in her backyard bar, sipping a beer, and watching a game.  She also enjoyed her girls trips to Laughlin, NV, any time spent on a beach, and every once in a while betting on the ponies at the horse track.  She came from a large family that has grown and grown in size over the years (6 kids, 16 grandkids, and who knows how many great grandkids) and that’s just on her side!!!  She had so many wonderful friends that became part of our huge, loud, family over the years.  She also had such a soft spot for kids.

Grandma and the kids.  Now I know where they get it from

Just Hanging Out

I am going to miss my moms laugh when we would get the giggles.  Rooting for the Arizona Cardinals, having a beer, going to the beach and walking it at night.   Holidays will not be the same, especially Christmas which was always spent at her house.  Christmas Eve was always a gathering of all our family who lived in Arizona where we would eat very non traditionally (pizza), have tons of homemade cookies, wine, a fire roaring (which made the house so hot we had to open the back door), and stacks and stacks of gifts that the kids couldn’t wait to tear into.  I have more memories than I can sit and type and I am lucky to say that most of them are good ones. 

San Diego, CA Vacation

I am sad that my two younger brothers won’t have her there when they get married and she won’t meet her future grandchildren.  I was lucky to have my mom there with me the day I had my daughter and that she was the first person to ever hold her.  She was so excited when my son was born and  I am so sad that she won’t be around to watch them grow up, graduate, get married, or hold her great grandchildren.  She has left an empty spot that can never be filled and I know we will all be thinking of her during these times wishing she was there.  

Family Get Together a few months after diagnosis

After her diagnosis we had a few good months and I know we all enjoyed the time we had with her.  The last few months though the cancer ravaged her mind and body.  It was sad and scary.  

Mom and all her kids

I hope that someday the memories of the past few months which were filled with anger, pain, and sadness will fade and I will remember my mom as she was before this horrible horrible disease took her from us.  

Christmas 2013

 Rest in Peace Mom.  You will always be in our hearts and memories