Foodie Friday and Valentine's Day!

Well I'm not going to lie and say our Valentine's Day wasn't at all perfect.

I was sick with the flu that's been going around so I pretty much laid on the couch most of the day. And I didn't feel up to making a nice pancake breakfast like I usually would on a special day.

The roads were bad so Paul couldn't commute to work - which was actually a blessing in disguise because he could stay home and wrangle the crazy kids while I curled up on the couch feeling sorry for myself. Lol.

I made heart shaped pizzas for dinner. Paul got put to work in the kitchen grating cheese and chopping meat and peppers for the pizza.

For dessert we had heart shaped cinnamon buns with pink icing and sprinkles. And boy am I glad I made the dough the day before. That made making cinnamon buns a lot easier.

 

Then we played some Valentine's Bingo using conversation hearts as our markers. We had fun but I was tired.

Thank goodness I'm feeling quite a bit better today! Tomorrow Paul and I are going out for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants - kid free. It will be nice to have a date night. I'm so excited.

Oh and here's my littlest cutie acting all sassy.  Isn't she sweet?

Chloe's Princess Birthday Party

We just had Chloe's 4th birthday party this past weekend. She wanted a Princess party - complete with a Cinderella carriage cake and Sleeping Beauty piñata.

The girls all seemed to have fun.

First we made magic wands.  They are super easy.  All you need is wooden dowels, foam stars, glue and decorations (rhinestones, stickers, sequins, beads, buttons, foam shapes, etc). 

I put white glue in little styrofoam cups and gave them each a paint brush.  Then when they were all done, I used my glue gun to glue the dowel in between the two stars and tied a bow with a ribbon around the dowel.

Then we did the pinata.  Here she is... a little creepy, but I did my best. haha.

When the pinata finally broke apart, the top of her head was still hanging on the broom handle and the rest fell... wish I got a picture.  It was like Sleeping Beauty got scalped! Ick!

So many princesses... and one lone knight to protect them all!

Then we had cake (which was actually Rice Krispie cake covered in icing and fondant).

Here's a picture of the birthday girl in her new froggy toque and fleece night gown.... and holding her wand!

Foodie Friday - Shortbread Cookies

Well, I know it's only Thursday, but the post is ready and I'm excited that this week I'm back on the ball.  So... here it is a day EARLY (for once) -Foodie Friday!

Hi, I'm Megan and I'm a shortbread-aholic. I don't know what it is about shortbread, but if there is shortbread nearby I just can't stop eating it. It's one of those cookies that is delicious and melts in your mouth. And is found in abundance at Christmas time.  So, in other words, I've been eating it nearly non-stop for a month... ahem

Anyway, here is my favorite shortbread recipe. I usually make them plain but you could add a maraschino cherry or Hershey's kiss or other topping before baking them if you wish.

The key to that perfect melt-in-your-mouth shortbread is to not overcook them. You want to take them out when the edges are just BARELY turning golden. For me that was 8 to 8.5 minutes. It will vary by oven. I would start with 6-7 minutes and then check them every 30-45 seconds until done the first time. That will give you a better idea for time on the second pan.

Shortbread Cookies

1 lb butter (not margarine)
1/2 cup corn starch
3 cups flour
1 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)
1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and vanilla.  Cream in sugar, flour and cornstarch.  Beat with an electric mixer until whipped cream consistency.  Roll into balls and flatten with a fork.  Add cherry or Hershey Kiss to top if desired.  Cook at 350 F for 7-8 minutes until BARELY golden on the edges.  Let cool about 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire racks.

These freeze really well too!
Anyway, hope you all had a fantastic Christmas!  Ours was lots of fun.  And we even got some tobogganing in with the kids.  So much fun!  Thanks for being patient with me and my recent lack of posts.  I am determined to be more motivated (in terms of my blog) this year and to do at least one post a week.  Happy New Year from The Crafty Conundrum!