Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Random September Pictures

Watching a show, I don't know why they are under the cushions.
 Well... yes I do... it's cuz they are silly!

Chocolate!!!

Abi and her silly faces.

Katie sneaking some of John's soda.

She know she's been caught!

Aunt Mary and Uncle Mitch gave Katie a pencil for school it's made of recycled
 news papers and smells like peppermint. She loves it.

Cute Katie!

My cousin Kevin Olson was in town and came by for dinner.

Abi in one of Papa's hats

Katie in one of Papa's hats

Abi being cute!

Katie all dressed up for her first tea party.

John and the girls having a Sunday afternoon nap.

Abi fell asleep on the floor one day.

She was tuckered out!

Crafting for Birthday presents September 23, 2011

My girls had a birthday party to go to for 3 kids from the same family. I decided to make their gifts.

 For the little boy Abi's age I made a car caddy. I actually made two because there is another little boy in our ward obsessed with cars and his little fists are always full of them so I decided he needed one too. I found this tutorial on the Homemade by Jill blog. It is so cute I'm planning to make more for other two year old boy's in our lives. 



For the twin girls I made ribbon bow hangers and head bands. I think they turned out so cute! The head bands I saw here and had to make them. Then I used this tutorial for the orange clips at the bottom of the ribbon bow hangers. We have one bow holder but need another and I want to make head bands like these for my girls if I find some time somewhere! 
All gifts were well received! I want to do more homemade gifts for my girls and their friends, it's fun for me and they are always original gifts.

Grandma Arlene's Frosting September 19, 2011

For my birthday I wanted to make my own cake mainly for this frosting! My grandma makes the most amazing frosting. Not many have conquered the technique but I'm happy to say that I do a pretty good job of making it. You can make chocolate like I did this time, or caramel. There is also Grandma Katie Icing that is similar but vanilla flavored with nuts.
Here's the recipe and how to.

Grandma Arlene Chocolate Frosting
2 cups sugar
1 cup cream
2 Tbsp coco powder
1 tsp vanilla
extra cream if needed

Mix sugar, cream, and coco powder in a sauce pan





With the lid on cook over medium heat until sugar is melted. I know this is done when is starts to bubble out of the lid. This is important because if sugar grains fall in it will crystallize.
Let it cook to soft ball candy stage
Take it off the heat and let it cool down. I'm impatient so I put it in an ice bath.
Start stirring, this is always my grandpa's job and now it's John's job too!
Keep stirring and add vanilla until it looks like this, slightly runny but spreadable. If it hardens up add some drops of cream to loosen it
Frost your cake and enjoy!
It's the best frosting ever!!!

Rainbow September 16 ,2011

John took these pictures from his window at work, with his cell phone.