Five Things
{vintage truck decorated for the holidays}
I’m excited for the New Year and all of the challenges and memories it will bring. I have a pile of recipe and craft ideas I want to try in the upcoming months including lots of fun Mardi Gras and Valentine’s ideas. For now here are a few things that have kept me inspired this week.
{scrap fabric for a quilt}
{pot holders making my kitchen chic from Hen House Linens}
{favorite appetizer: ham puffs}
{new year basket from my mum}
January Friendship Gift: Cocoa
You know I love to have my “Friendship Gifts” on hand for guests who drop by the house. For January I have decided on packets of cocoa and candy canes, no need for cute packaging with these, guests will appreciate the warm drink when they get home.
Sweet and Simple Twix Bars
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Let’s start the New Year off right (and ruin our resolution to lose weight) by making these amazing Twix bars. For family and neighbor Christmas gifts my mum made everyone a variety of sweets featuring some of my favorites (these, these and these too) and a new favorite Twix bars! Anytime you have caramel and chocolate together I am there, and this recipe is one for the books.
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Twix Bars
Ingredients
35 Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies
1 package (11 oz.) Caramel Bits (or squares)
1 tablespoon milk
1 package (12 oz) Wilton Chocolate Melts (or like products)
Directions
1. Line a 13×9 pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with Pam. Arrange Lorna Doone cookies in a single layer on the bottom of prepared pan.
2. Melt caramel and milk in a saucepan, stirring constantly. Pour over cookies and spread evenly.
3. Immediately top with chocolate melts or chocolate chips and spread to completely cover caramel. Place in the oven (350) if you need to get the chocolate to melt.
4. Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to harden the bars.
Ingredients
35 Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies
1 package (11 oz.) Caramel Bits (or squares)
1 tablespoon milk
1 package (12 oz) Wilton Chocolate Melts (or like products)
Directions
1. Line a 13×9 pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with Pam. Arrange Lorna Doone cookies in a single layer on the bottom of prepared pan.
2. Melt caramel and milk in a saucepan, stirring constantly. Pour over cookies and spread evenly.
3. Immediately top with chocolate melts or chocolate chips and spread to completely cover caramel. Place in the oven (350) if you need to get the chocolate to melt.
4. Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to harden the bars.
Two Thousand Twelve
{Visited the south for the first time: New Orleans}
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2012 was a wonderful year filled with plenty of change, including moving back to Michigan and buying my first puppy. The new year brings with it lots of promise, exciting new adventures and moments I cannot wait to share with you. Here’s to a new year. Being thankful for the last and grateful for your continued support, thoughtful and encouraging comments. Happy New Year! xo
{Valentine\’s Day flower arrangement}
{Visited Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival}
{Fell in love with the pink & gold color combination}
{Created a whimsical planter}
{Spent the weekend on Mackinac Island}
{Celebrated the 4th of July with sweets}
{Took multiple trips to Yates Cider Mill for donuts and cider}
{Saw the first U of M game of the season}
{Decorated the porch for fall}
{Bought this cutie}
{Made sweet smelling holiday theme candles}
Cocktail Manicure
New Years Eve is the perfect time to adorn your nails in a Cocktail Manicure. The look features two shades the statement (glitter) is polished on your thumb, index and middle finger of the hand you would hold a cocktail with. The rest of your nails are polished in a complimenting color. I used Zoya ‘Storm’ as my statement and Essie “Chastity’ for the rest of my nails. The look is chic and a great way to not only dress up your outfit, but your cocktail too.
{top: Essie \’Chastity\’; bottom: Zoya \’Storm\’}
Fashion meets Food 