DIY - product board

i'm excited to be a vendor for two events this coming weekend. this will be the first time for me to display my diaper cakes in a public setting. i have never done this before so i don't know what to expect.

i'm planning a simple table with my business cards, photo cards & samples of my diaper cakes [plus free candy]. i think it is also important to show the diaper cakes i have made for other customers. so i'm making my very own product board. 

 

*corkboard = reused avery's birthday board

*burlap fabric = remnant on clearance at walmart for $1.91

*pair of scissors

*colored & silver thumb tacks = this is a temporary board so i won't need the glue gun any longer. 

 

lay out the burlap over the corkboard & pin tacks on all four corners. this is to ensure that the burlap stays in place. i decided to pin the colored tacks close together. 

 

continue pinning the tacks on all sides of the board. i didn't have enough silver tacks so i spaced them out more. trim the burlap after all the tacks are in place. 

 

all done! and now to add all my photos... 

a closer look...

finally, it's ready to go & show!

baked oatmeal

baked oatmeal? i was intrigued the first time i read it in the money saving mom blog. as long as it's healthy food & i have the ingredients on hand, i'm giving it a go.

ingredients:

~ 2 eggs

~ 2 cups applesauce

~ 5 cups, old fashioned oats

~ 1/4 cup brown sugar

~ 1 mashed banana

~ 2 3/4 cups skim milk

~ 1/4 cup ground flaxseed

~ 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

~ 3 tsp baking powder

~ 1 tsp vanilla

~ 1 tsp salt

~ 1/2 tsp nutmeg

~ fruits or nuts (optional)

directions:

1) mix oats, salt, baking powder, flaxseed, cinnamon & nutmeg in a bowl.

2) in a separate bowl, mix eggs, applesauce, banana, vanilla & sugar.

3.) add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. then pour milk & mix well. fold in fruits or nuts [i added fresh mangoes].

4.) [i used an ice cream scooper]. place batter in cupcake liners. bake for 25-30 minutes [or until set] in a preheated oven at 350F.

the oatmeal was tasty. i sometimes eat this topped with bumbleberry spread. i'm adding this to my arsenal of healthy treats.

chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting

i finally did it! my first ever cake & frosting made from scratch. i have to admit that the whole baking process was nerve wracking. [i think any novice at baking will share my sentiment]. but practice makes perfect, so here goes my first attempt.

Ingredients:

Chocolate Cake

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cups cocoa powder
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup half & half
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee (1 tsp coffee w/ 1 cup water)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

2 sticks of butter, room temperature  

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar 

1/2 cup cocoa powder 

1 tsp vanilla

5 tbsp half & half 

Instructions:

1. in a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

2. in a separate bowl, mix half & half, oil, eggs & vanilla.

3. add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. then pour the hot coffee. mix well.

4. pour the batter equally in 2 round pans. bake in a preheated oven at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

5. cream the butter & sugar for about 3 minutes until it is light & fluffy. slowly add the cocoa. add vanilla & half & half.

6. completely cool the cake before frosting. 

i got the original recipe from baked bree. i cut down the amount of sugar & made substitutions on some ingredients. i need more practice with frosting for sure. this is certainly a recipe keeper for me.

overall, its a very moist cake. my hubby's family enjoyed it as well. i'm giving myself a good pat on the shoulder. i can't help but smile while eating the cake [because honestly, it was delicious].

ranch pasta salad

i'm sharing my 15 minute ranch pasta salad today.

combine all the ingredients in a large bowl & mix well. refrigerate & chill for an hour before serving.

this is an easy side dish to bring for a potluck, picnic or get together. and i'm taking this to our in-laws place for easter lunch later.

happy easter to all!

my dearest little girl (28 mos)

you are officially 29 months old today. i got all my days mixed up. this was meant for yesterday. but it's just a day off, so no biggie.

your potty training has progressed. as long as we're home, you're very consistent. you still need help pulling down your undies [or sometimes you don't want to wear anything at all].

another funny [but somehow alarming] situation that happened this month...you heard us cursing. and of course you started saying it too! honestly, i was worried. you shouldn't be learning this but it's our fault. so sorry. when you blurt it out, we just ignore it. and thank goodness it only lasted for days! you haven't spoken any of those words until now. hopefully, it stays that way [bite our tongues].

B-I-N-G-O dance

DIY - homemade playdough (part II)

last summer, i made my first homemade playdough for avery. she played with it a few times before i found this recipe.

combine ingredients in a bowl & stir until smooth. pour mixture in a pot & cook on medium high heat for about a minute. stir constantly & make sure it does not stick to the bottom. remove from the pot & cool in the counter. knead a few times until it is nice & soft. 

 

this is the basic recipe & can be doubled or tripled. for more colors, divide the mixture before adding the mixade (or food coloring). then cook individually.

the playdough is so soft...much softer than a stress ball. and it is actually therapeutic [for me]. =)

chocolate fudge cookies

i was going thru my printed recipe binder yesterday & found this. luckily, i have the exact cake mix on hand so i went ahead & baked.

Ingredients:

• 1 (18.25 oz) package devil's food cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In a bowl, stir cake mix, eggs & oil until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls & place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.
2. Bake for 8-10 minutes in a preheated oven @ 350F. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

after i took the cookies out of the oven, i added more chocolate chips on top.

hmmmm! chocolate rush! chocolate overload! one bite & i'm done. don't get me wrong. it's good [but just too sweet for me]. maybe next time i'll try a different chocolate cake mix [like dark chocolate].