Simple Must Haves: Ceiling Fan Pulls

I've never really liked ceiling fans, but since I found these cool fan and lightbulb pulls at Lowes, I have been able to tolerate them! I think they were around $7 but they look like something from a specialty store.

Here they are in my craft room.  I love how they're just a little hint of fun!

Birthday Cupcake Kit

Our sister in-law loves penguins, so when I saw this penguin cupcake kit I had to get it for her upcoming birthday. 

She doesn't live near us so I couldn't just make the cupcakes for her, so instead I put together everything she needed for a fun little bithday party!

Here's what I included:

-The Penguin decorating kit, which included cupcake liners and toppers

-Her Favorite cake mix and frosting

-Birthday Napkins

-Candles in coordinating colors

-Balloons

Moose Mousse Valentine's Dessert

 Mousse was something I had never made but always wanted to try.  When I saw this mousse recipe made on Twin Cities Live, I knew I would be making it for Valentine's Day.  Since my nephew's nickname for my husband is 'Moose', I decided to make 'Moose Mousse' for our Valentine's dessert!

To make the chocolate antlers, find a drawing of moose antlers on google images.  Copy/paste it into powerpoint and adjust it to the size that will work with your serving dish.  Since I was making two moose, I copied 4 antlers and printed.


Cover the printed paper with wax paper to trace the antlers in melted chocolate.

I decided to go with pink antlers for contrast and for Valentine's Day, but any color will work.  To get the pink, melt a chunk of white almond bark with two red candy melt discs.


After melting the chocolate in a plastic bag, snip the corner of the bag with a scissors and it's ready to pipe onto the wax paper.  Outline the antler first, then go back and fill in with more chocolate.


Using a large muffin scoop, scoop mousse into a martini glass.  The humps created by the scoop give the head and nose their shape. The mousse didn't set-up like I wanted it to, so I had to whip mine in the mixer before scooping.


To create the moose face, add the hardened chocolate antlers, raspberries stuffed with white chocolate chips for eyes, a strawberry slice tongue, and the typical mint leaf garnish with the tongue so it looks like he's eating it!

Blender Chocolate Mousse 

Courtesy of The Cooking Mom

Ingredients:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon coffee liqueur or vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
Fresh whipped cream (optional)
1/2 cup fresh berries (optional)

Directions:
Place chocolate chips, egg and coffee liqueur or vanilla in blender and chop. Heat cream until very hot and small bubbles appear at edge. Carefully pour hot cream into the blender. Blend until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into dessert dishes or pretty wine or martini glasses. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it firms up a bit. Serve with fresh berries and/or whipped cream on top. Makes enough for 2 to 3 servings depending on the size of the dish.

'Girls' Night In' Valentine's Day Gift

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is a little Valentine's gift I put together this year with the theme is 'Girls Night In'. Here's what I included:

-Mini heart-shaped box of valentine chocolates

-Single Serving glass of red wine

-My favorite oxblood nail polish, Revlon's 'Vixen'

-Valentine's card I made using my 'Simple Holiday Cards' Cricut cartridge

All wrapped up in a cute valentines' bag I found at Target that matches everything inside!

Look here to view my 'Just Add Chocolates' Valentine's Day gift from last year.

Heart Crab Cakes

These crab cakes are the perfect Valentine's Day appetizer to be served with heart salads with homemade croutons!

Heart Crab Cakes

1-6oz. can crab meat (I use Trader Joe's)

1 egg, beaten

1/4 c. panko breadcrumbs

1/4 c. seasoned breadcrumbs

2 T. lemon Juice

1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

1 T fresh chopped parsley

Salt & Pepper to taste

butter and oil for frying

Mix together all ingredients.  They should be a damp and moist but hold together when pressed together. If mixture it too dry, add a little milk until the consistency is correct. 

Press the mixture into a heart shaped cookie cutter to form a heart shaped patty.  Fry in a frying pan in a mixture of about 1T butter and 1T olive oil for each side.

After each side is browned, remove from heat and place on a plate (I garnish with arugula and tomatoes).  Serve with crab cake sauce on each crab cake or on the side.

Crab Cake Sauce

1/4 c. Mayo

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

Mix together until all ingredients are incorporated.

Heart Salads with Homemade Heart Croutons

These heart salads are a great addition to any Valentine's or anniversary dinner, and easy to create by making a few easy changes to your typical salad!

Using a small heart cookie cutter, cut cheese slices and red peppers into heart shapes. Add to your favorite salad, along with homemade heart  croutons.

Homemade Heart Croutons:

Bread

Herbs de Province

Olive Oil

Using whatever bread you have on hand, cut out heart shapes using a small heart cookie cutter.  Place on cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil and herbs de province.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crunchy.