Hooded Towel

So I'm back from my long break of no blogging...it was not by choice, just so you know. Our hard drive fried. Yup...I lost all my pictures from June until now. So basically I lost ALL of Connors pictures:( Thank goodness for my blog and that I put a ton of pics of him on here. Our computer is finally up and running and hopefully I didn't loose all 5 of my fans who read my blog!!

These are not your typical hooded towel! I saw a tutorial (from Crap I've Made blog) on these and HAD to make them. I have a friend who is expected twins! One boy and one girl. Found some cute fabric that would work for both and voila...towels and matching wash cloths. These took me forever to make. The stupid terry cloth was so not working for me. That stuff stretches beyond belief! Oh well. They turned out cute, thats all that matters, right?

Anyway, I hope you like them and maybe you can make one too, if your up to a fun project!

Girly Baby Shower

Last night me and some friends gave our good friend, Emily a baby shower...this was a fun one to put together!!
Here is part of the spread and what the table looked like. The menu was: Meringue Kisses, Mini-Caramel Apples, Spinach Dip (in bread bowl) with crackers, Fruit with fruit dip, mini bundt cakes: Pumpkin and Lemon Poppy seed, Cheese Dip (in bread bowl) with french bread slices, mini sandwiches, and cookies and milk.

We also made a million Pom-Poms from Martha and hung them from the ceiling.
I made these yummy Meringue Kisses from Martha. They taste like cotton candy. I dipped the bottoms in some chocolate.
Here are the cookies and milk. I think they turned out adorable! We used some candle votive holders. The idea came from Swanky Tables.
The beautiful floral arraignment.
Jenna made these cute caramel apples. You can get 8-12 mini apples out of one apple. Then you get to have a blast with what to dip them in! You can get the recipe from Family Fun!

We also had a little Candy Bar. You can find lots of pink and white candy around....we had pink marshmallows, Pink Whoopers, Watermelon hard candies, pink M&M's, Watermelon licorice, and pink and white Circus cookies, and other stuff...

Now for the recipes:

Meringue Kisses

6 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. superfine sugar

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with aluminum foil.

Beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla and continue beating. Add the sugar 1 tsp. at a time, beating about 30 seconds between additions. When all the sugar has been added, beat an additional 6 minutes. Egg whites should be very stiff, glossy, and extremely smooth, but not dry.

Spoon the mixture into a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch star tip and pipe out "kisses," leaving 1-inch spaces. reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the meringues are dry to the touch and can be lifted from the foil. Cool completely before storing in a cool dry place.

Baby Shower

I helped with a baby shower (my good friend Brandy is having a baby girl!!) this weekend and had a yummy recipe to share!
Here is the "spread". Lots of good food! Our theme was daisy's and the colors pink and yellow.
These are my favorite baby shower food:

Sugar Cookie Tarts

Cookie:
2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
3/4 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
3 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix together. Roll 1/2 the dough at a time to 1/4" thick. Use scalloped cookie cutter (makes it pretty). Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely.

Frosting:
1/2 c. sugar
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1 tsp. vanilla

Spread on each cookie. Slice berries, peaches, almonds, chocolate chips, etc... Top with powdered sugar.