Thursday, March 11, 2010

Dessert Ideas- Guilty & Guilt-Free Options

Guilty Option- Cake Balls
I had leftover cake mix and icing from a dessert from last week and leftover almond bark from Christmas (I don't know how it didn't get used earlier!).  So I cleaned out the pantry and made this little treat that I've only eaten and never made.

You could use any cake mix, but I had half a box of red velvet, so that's what I used.  Make the cake according to the box and bake.  When the cake cools, crumble it with a fork.

You could use any icing, but I had half a tub of cream cheese icing that I used.  Empty the icing into the pan and mix throughout the cake.

Next (no picture here; my hands were too messy!), take the cake/icing mixture and roll it into small balls.  This is messy!  The smaller the balls, the easier they are to manage and dip.

Once the balls are rolled, dip them into melted almond bark.  This can be tricky, because the cake balls can crumble.  The key is to dip while the almond bark is the right temperature.  As you can see in the picture below, my cake balls don't look very pretty.  I walked away to tend to grilling burgers, and my almond bark got a little sticky.  But no matter how they look, they're yummy!  I also made my cake balls a little too big.

I'm not sure how many treats this will make.  It depends on the size of the balls you make up, but I know that just half a cake mix made a lot!


Guilt-Free Option- Asian crepes
My husband came up with the name because I used wonton wrappers to make these fruity pastries.  Once again, I was using what I had around the house.

I keep wonton wrappers in the fridge for several recipes.  Hungry Girl has a ton of ideas of what you can make with these things.  I had four wrappers left, so that's how many pastries I made.  I used Laughing Cow low-fat cheese wedges and Amish black raspberry jam.  You just use what ever fruit topping you want and even change out the cheese.

Place half a cheese wedge on the wrapper and a dollop of jam.  I recommend mixing the two together so you get a taste of both when you bite into it.  Brush some water (I used my finger) on the edges of the wrapper; this will be your seal.


Bring up each corner together to seal.  Do this to all four corners.


Seal all four corners to together and any part of the wrapper that's sticking out.  Use a little water to help seal it.


Bake at 350 degrees until edges are brown.  I think I baked these for about 10 minutes.
I know this is a terrible picture of the finished product!
My husband loved these.  I thought they were yummy, but I might try some different combinations next time.

Let me know what yummy treats you make with items in your pantry!

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Good Tunes for FREE

If you're looking for a good song to listen to while crafting, check out the free download of Matt Wertz's song Sing My Lonesome here at Nike Women.  It's only for a limited time!


P.S. I love Kurt Halsey artwork.

Monday, March 08, 2010

St. Patty's Day Is Around the Corner

This weekend I started getting out my spring decorations.  I went ahead and put out my Easter decor, because it's all just so cute and never gets to sit out for long!

If you're like me, St. Patrick's day decorating snuck up on you.  I have a wooden four leaf clover hanging on a plant on my front porch, but that's all I have!  Better luck decorating next year (get it, luck, four leaf clover...lame, I know).

So if you are decorating and need a few ideas, here are some things I found on etsy that are all adorable!

1) Irish Moss Hand Painted Wine Glasses from MarysWorkshop
2) Peridot Vintage Earrings from Dalim
3) St. Patty's Day Gift Tags from FreshLemonBlossoms
4) St. Patricks Day Irish Elf Hat from RagamuffinDesign
5) Apple Green Bag from BayanHippo
6) St. Patrick's Day Vintage Bingo Card Holder from WeeLittlePapers

I love spring!

Let me know how you like to decorate for St. Patrick's Day!

Friday, March 05, 2010

Winner of Giveaway & FREE Download & Etsy Discount!!!

It's so beautiful outside today that I just have to share the sunshine!

First up, the winner of this week's giveaway! (drumroll, please)  The free digital photo goes to Julie, Silk N Style!  Julie, you can go to my etsy and pick out your favorite picture.  Leave me a comment letting me know which photo you want and how you want it customized.  I'll also need your email address, and I'll get that sent your way!


Today everyone is a winner!  Here is a free download for all:

It's not available on my etsy-- It was made just for you guys!  To download click on the picture to enlarge it; then, right click, and click "save as".  You can use it as a desktop wallpaper or print it off as much as you like!  Please just don't sale it in any way.
This picture was taken in Honduras on the small Garifuna island of Miami.  I ate one of the best meals of my life sitting on this beach.  I also LOVE Emily Dickinson; she warms my heart.
I hope this photo brightens your day in some way. :)

Want more (I told you I was soaking up this sunshine!)?!?  Go to my etsy shop and buy any digital photo for HALF OFF!  Convo me with which picture you want, and I'll make the price adjustment before you purchase it.  This offer goes through Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Monday, March 01, 2010

GIVEAWAY MONDAY!

It's Monday.  The first day of the week.  The first day of March.  Spring is almost here!  Today feels like a fresh start and the chance for new beginnings (it's hard to think otherwise when the daffodils are starting to bloom!).  So let's celebrate all things fresh and new and budding with a giveaway!

The prize: A digital photo in my etsy shop-- even the collages count!
Bonus: The winner receives a digital copy of a photo, and I'll customize it with your favorite scripture verse, quote, saying, or no text at all!  You get to pick which photo too!

How to enter: (1) Follow this blog (2) Go to my etsy shop and pick out your favorite picture (3) Leave a comment on my blog and list your favorite picture


So head on over to marlagraces.etsy.com and get to lookin'!  There are 24 photos to choose from!


The contest will end Friday, March 5 (in celebration of Alice in Wonderland being in theaters!).  All entries must be submitted by 12:00 noon central time.  I'll announce the winner Friday afternoon!
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