Card Making Class

Come out for the first ever Blue Kite Class!

We'll be making Valentine's cards and learning technique from the ladies that make cards for Blue Kite!

Peaches and Cream-- Warm Dessert Recipe

Looking for a warm, fruity dessert to serve several people?

Oh, and you want it to be relatively easy?

Got it!

A lady I used to work with (thanks, Robyn!) would make this Peaches and Cream recipe for work events, and it was always a hit.  I got the recipe about two years ago and started making it for potlucks and group dinners.

I made this for a particular party and was enjoying the leftovers a day later when I snapped a couple pictures with my phone.

Ingredients

A:

6 tbsp melted butter

1 1/2 c. flour (I used Pamela's gluten free)

2 eggs

2 packages of instant vanilla pudding (dry)

B:

2- 29 oz. can sliced peaches, well drained

Reserve 6 tbsp of juice (very important!)

C:

2- 8 oz. softened cream cheese

1 cup sugar

6 tbsp juice (from B)

D:

2 tbsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

Combine Group A with a fork and press into a buttered 9x13 dish.

Spread Group B over the crust.

Cream Group C and spread over peaches.

Combine Group D and sprinkle on top.

Bake for 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

DIY Ring Tray

I was needing a ring tray for the store and couldn't find what I needed online or at any local stores.  Instead of giving up, I DIYed.

The photos were taken with my iPhone.  I didn't intend for this to be a tutorial when I started.  I just started making it and took a few photos, then I thought maybe someone else could benefit from this.

First:

Fill a shoebox lid with rolled up pieces of sweater (or similar material).

Make sure all pieces are about the same height.

Second:

Cover the sweater rolls with fleece.

Tuck in the top and trim the fleece a little larger than the lid.

Third:

Tuck the fleece at the top and then into the first row then into the second row and so on, tucking the sides as you go.

Pin fleece into place as you go.

You could glue it as well.

Finally:

Place your rings!

(These UCA rings are for sale at Blue Kite)

Now you can make a reallllly cheap and quick ring tray.  You could paint the shoebox lid to add some pizzazz.  My lid was solid white with no logos imprinted, so I left it plain.

I'd love to see if anyone makes one!

Homemade Vinaigrette Recipes

I never understood why people made their own salad dressing.  There are about 5 million types of dressings at the grocery store, so why make your own?

What did I know?!

Colin and I have been eating more whole foods and a lot less processed foods.  I love salad, but I cannot eat it plain (not yet).  I didn't want a fattening dressing or something artificially sweetened or something that tasted like glue.

I started googling dressing recipes, and I'm not sure I'll ever go back to store bought dressings.

Here are my two favorite dressings at the moment.

Homemade Vinaigrette

Recipe adapted from So Wonderful So Marvelous

-12 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

-4 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

-2 tbsp of sugar

-2 tbsp honey

-Seasonings of choice (I sprinkled in some garlic salt and Italian seasonings)

-Mix in blender

-Store at room temperature

This dressing is light and delicious.  It's also great for roasting.  Click the link above and try their roasted carrots recipe.  It's the only way I eat carrots!

Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

I can't find the original link for this.  I apologize!  If this is your recipe, let me know, and I'll immediately give you credit.

-2 heads of garlic, roasted and peeled

-1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil

-1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

-2 tbsp lemon juice

-1/2 tsp salt

-1 tsp pepper

-1 tbsp honey

-Mix in blender

-Store in the fridge

I've found this dressing can be lighter or heavier depending on how much garlic you use.  If you like a creamier dressing, use more roasted garlic.

Salad is so much better with a fresh, homemade dressing, and it's so much healthier than that stuff at the store!

If you have any great dressing recipes, leave me a comment!