Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to stop in and say that I miss my blog, and the LOVELY people

I have met through it, terribly, and I hope to stop by more often.

Merry Christmas!

     

xoxo
Suzanne

i came across this the other day and 

thought it was pretty cool.......

what kind of eater are you?

YIKES!

minus the "excessive alcohol",

i do believe i'm stuck smack in the middle of level 1!

okay, maybe level 2.

but either way, i have work to do! hehehe

guess i'll pass on the super fattening but yummy pasta 

recipe i was going to share.

maybe next time:)

poor guy...i know how you feel:)

let's just move on.

now, i make absolutely NO apologies for being a

JEANS kinda girl.

wearing jeans make me kinda REALLY happy.

i would wear them all year, every day, with the occasional ball gown thrown in.

(but only because i have to go to those stuffy things from time to time;)

and i wear the jeans i LIKE.

i only buy new jeans when my favorites fall apart.

and i can say.......proudly.....that i love faded, worn, ripped jeans.

not inappropriately ripped or anything.

and not soooooo ripped all over.

but yes, i do believe i might be one of the few moms who gets excited

over a perfect pair of faded/worn/ripped jeans.

for me and my girls.

so fashionistas everywhere.........

you would hate my "look".

but i love it!

now that i've rambled.........

come on, they're kinda cute, don't ya think?

yep, i LOVE a great pair of blue jeans.

what about you?

what's that one thing in your closet you just can't do without?

Christmas in July. . . . .Holly Jolly, Merry and Bright

Ho, Ho, Ho. . . . .

we LOVE Christmas at Shabby Chicks. . . .

and it wouldn't be July if we didn't have Christmas in July!

Today's theme is a Bright, COLORFUL,

Holly Jolly Christmas theme.

But first, welcome to my blog readers AND my facebook readers.

If you haven't stopped by facebook.com/shabbychicksnaples, 

please do!

Alrighty then, let's do this:)

While this theme isn't for everyone. . . .

(it is non-traditional and some don't like that)

it IS fun and festive.

Here is a simple way to add the brights to the Holidays...

simply frost those sugar cookies with pretty, bright color.

Who says Santa has to wear red!

What about a lime green Santa?:)

Okay, okay. . . .no haters.

To each his own, right?

What about the tree?  

You can add beautiful bright ornaments to any tree.

But if you have a big white tree like I do. . . . or like the one in this picture,

look at what you can do:)

You can make ornaments or buy them in brights or jewel colors.

All stores carry them these days.

This is what we did one year to add a punch of color. . . .

I had some bright glass bulbs and supplemented with a bunch of plastic 

bulbs from the dollar store.

Put them in a large glass vase with white twinkle lights and voila. . . .

instant, easy decorating.

Here are a bunch of other looks.

a few more ways to add color. . . .

colorful pompoms. . . .strung on fishing line or strong thread and they make a cute garland.

Colorful paper rings. . . .another of our traditions.

Who says snowflakes have to be white?

Cut out some colorful paper snowflakes:)

 I love this idea. . . .gift wrap wall hangings!

You could wrap current framed photos or art and hang them up as packages, 

or buy some blank canvases in various sizes.

After Christmas, unwrap the canvases and mod podge

 some favorite photos from the Holidays on them.

painted pine cones, brightly colored ribbon and colorful felt ornaments are cute ideas too!

You've probably seen tons of sites teaching how to make these

ornament wreaths.  If not, there are a couple of ways.

If you want a smallish wreath, you can un twist a wire hanger, 

thread ornaments on to it and twist back up.

Instant ornament wreath.

If you want to make a bigger, fancier ornament wreath,

here is a link for a you tube how-to video. . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjHKsG-L4Z8&feature=youtu.be

hint. . . .it's really easy:)

one of my favorite finds this year is the ornament "Ho Ho Ho".

This could be done so many ways. . . .threaded on wire or

glued on over sized letters.

Notice the colorful packages above and in the following pictures.

See these trees?

They are made from cupcake liners!

here's the link with instructions. . . .

http://papercrave.com/how-to-make-cupcake-liner-flower-tree/

here are two fun snowman ideas. . . .

on the left, wrap 3 cardboard boxes in batting and using hot glue, stick together.

add a scarf, some black pom pom buttons, a black hat and HELLO. . . .Frosty!

Don't you LOVE the snowman appliances?

These are window decals that you can find in various stores around the Holidays.

SMILE:)

don't forget the brightly colored gift tags. . . . .

Ready for some FUN Holiday treats?

Okay, I will say that today's theme calls for fun festive treats that are a bit

on the kid side:)

Most are self-explanatory too. . . . . .YAY!!!

Rice Krispie Tree. . . .

Color those Krispie treats green,

add m & m ornaments and you have an easy, yummy tree.

 Dressed in colorful candy scarves and top hats, these stylish, easy-to-make snowmen are sure to liven up any holiday gathering.

What you'll need

bag of 8-inch pretzel rods

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• mini chocolate chips
• orange decorators' gel
• fruit leather (various colors)
• gummy rings
• gumdrops
• How to make it:  Melt 1 cup white chocolate chips as directed.  One at a time, dip the end of one 8-inch pretzel rod in the melted chocolate and use a plastic spoon or knife to spread the chocolate two thirds of the way down the pretzel.  Place on waxed paper and press on mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons.  Use orange decorators gel to add a carrot nose.  When the chocolate has hardened, stand the pretzels in a mug or glass and tie on strips of fruit roll-ups for scarves. For each hat, stretch a gummy ring over the narrow end of a gumdrop and secure it on the pretzel with a dab of melted chocolate.
• source...spoonful.com

This is an oldie but goodie that we always did when my girls were little. . . .

and an awesome idea for a kid's party.

Frosted Christmas Trees!

Simply use ice cream cones, tip them upside down and frost with green icing.

then DECORATE:)

This one is SOOOO cute and delicious!

Santa Hat Brownies!

Make the brownie recipe of your choice, top with your choice of white icing or cool whip, then a Strawberry for the hat.

Really cute, don't you think?

And having a ballerina in the family,

I really love the "Sugarplums":)

cause what kid wants to eat a regular sugar plum:)

Dip a marshmallow in tinted white chocolate and add sprinkles.

Yum. Cute. Genius!

Do you make a gingerbread house?

We do. . . .or lately we've used the gingerbread mini house kit.

Well, it might take a bit of searching on your part but if you buy

 pastel or non-traditional candies,

look what you could make!

Okay, this is it.

Last idea for today.

My favorite "gift" for the neighbors.

My girls took these gifts to neighbors for years andit was always a hit.

Only thing we did different was we eventually quite making the cookies from scratch

and bought them.

And our tag read "From our family to yours. . . Merry Christmas"

Get it?  Our family to yours?  Gingerbread family???

heeheehee

Okay, but it is a good idea;)

Check back tomorrow to see what the theme will be.

Pink Christmas?

White Christmas?

Rustic Christmas?

Traditional?

Beach Christmas?

Hmmmmmm. . . . .

See Ya!

xoxo. . . .Suzanne

Apple Fritter Cake, Cute Quilts, and Shark Cupcakes. . .Good Stuff!

well my goodness...

even i don't know what to say after this latest absence!

sooooo much has happened in the past few months

that i want to write about.

one of these days i'll play catch up.

i have to...because i use my blog as a yearly memory album and there

are a few things i want included.

and i'm so sorry i haven't visited my special friend's blogs to

keep in touch.

i will...promise!

in the meantime, i have a shabby chicks facebook page 

that i post a lot of fun stuff on.

pop on over and like my page so you can follow along!

facebook.com/shabbychicksnaples

but for now, how about a light, kinda random post

to get me back in the groove.

ready?

let's do this:)

first off,

with school getting out, summer fun around the corner...

and shark week on TV,

how about some 

shark cupcakes?

awesome, don't ya think?

go to joanns.com for a supply list and info on the wilton shark cupcake kit.

summer decorating calls for a lighter hand, 

maybe a fresh new color or fun carefree accessory.

these pillows are just the ticket to lighten things up...

and you can find them at Pottery Barn Teen of all places!

speaking of teens (and the rest of us).......

great advice!

usually i make you wait till the end for the YUMMY recipe. . . . .

but not this time.

APPLE FRITTER CAKE. . . .

melt in your mouth goodness:)

Apple Fritter Cake

original recipe: http://nerdybaker.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/apple-fritter-cake-and-ufos/

Ingredients:

For Filling:

1 heaping cup of sliced apples (I cored and quartered and then sliced)

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

small pinch freshly grated nutmeg

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons water

Plus

1/2 cup brown sugar (I used a 1/4 cup each of dark and light)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For Cake:

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup greek yogurt (you could use plain yogurt as well or sour cream)

For Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

6 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

For filling: 

Make your filling by combining apples, sugar, water, cinnamon and cornstarch in a small saucepan.  Cook on low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickend and the apples are a bit soft.  Set aside to cool.  In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together until well combined and set aside.

For Cake: 

Preheat oven to 350°.  Grease and flour a 9×13 baking dish.  Set aside.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add applesauce and vanilla and mix till combined.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Sift the dry ingredients together.  Add the dry ingredients to the batter in three parts alternating with the yogurt in two parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.  Beat until just combined.

Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan.  Spoon the cooled apple mixture over the batter carefully and spread as evenly as possible.  Sprinkle 2/3 of brown sugar cinnamon mixture over apples and cover with the rest of the batter.  Sprinkle the rest of the brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the top.

Bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

For Glaze: 

While the cake is baking, make the glaze.  In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until the glaze is desired consistency.  When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately but carefully pour onto hot cake.  Try to pour as evenly as possible.  You might have to pick up the cake and tilt it to spread the glaze evenly.  I even poured some out that pooled at the corners and repoured that over the top.  Let the cake sit for awhile for the glaze to set.

beware...it's reallllly good:)

 awwwww.....

how about some mini munchies. . . . .

don't you love these ideas?

last, i really love this quilt!

so plush looking with the velvet squares and the pom poms:)

okay, that's all for now:)  

hope everyone is happy and healthy!

xoxoxo

Suzanne

Birthday Wishes...

Hello friends,

i've been a bad blogger lately, i know.

but i'm still here, just a little on the busy side.

however, i had to stop by to wish my 

wonderful, beautiful, loyal boy a 

huge happy birthday!

My Maui is 5 years old today, and even more loved than when he first came to us.

happy birthday big boy!

XOXOXO

Crack Sticks and Walking Tacos...Delicious!

hey y'all. . . . .

Here are a few recipes i posted on my fb page.

everyone seems to love them, so i thought i'd

share them with you:)

The first is for Crack Sticks...

so named because they are addicting!

CRACK STICKS

1 loaf (16 ounces) thinly sliced white bread, crusts removed

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup butter, melted

Directions
Flatten bread with a rolling-pin. In a bowl, combine cream cheese and

confectioners’ sugar. In another bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside.

 Spread about 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on each slice of bread. Roll up, jelly

 roll style. Dip in melted butter, then in cinnamon-sugar. Place on an ungreased 

baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 16 roll-

ups. Good warm or cold. ADDICTING!

Okay, and for Cinco De Mayo. . .

Tacos in a Bag.

or Walking Tacos

Really simple and very good!

I have since learned that they are even better with Nacho Cheese Doritos or

Chili Cheese Fritos.

And on a plate with chili. . . .you'll have frito pie:)

sorry for the quick post.

Be blessed. . .

Suzanne

Comfort and Joy on a Rainy Day. . . .

we've had a few really rainy days around here. . .

but i'm not complaining.

that's what happens when you live in the sunshine state.

a rainy day once in awhile is like a snow day:)

so what does that mean?

see. . . .just like a snowy day,

only in Florida,

and in the rain:)

rainy days mean comfort food.

and what is more comforting than a 

teddy bear egg and rice breakfast:)

awwwww. . . .almost too cute to eat:)

and when it rains,

out come the colorful boots and umbrellas.

okay, now for lunch.

i LOVE a good grilled cheese.

and i also love caramels, apples and brie cheese.

so how about a Grilled Caramel Apple with Brie Cheese Sandwich?

Y.U.M!

Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese

Yield: serves 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

4 slices multigrain bread

2 tablespoons butter

4 ounces brie cheese

1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced

3-4 tablespoons of your favorite caramel

Directions:

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

Butter the outside slice of each piece of bread, placing two of the buttered-sides down once the skillet is hot. Spread a bit of caramel sauce on the bread, then top with an ounce of brie cheese on both sandwiches. Add a bit more caramel, add the apple slices, and then more caramel and remaining ounce of brie for each. Spread the top piece of bread (sandwich-side down) with caramel too.

Grill or cook on each side until bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

source; howsweeteats.com

sigh. . . .i love a rainy day:)

did i say that already?

almost done.

dinner on a rainy day should be soup, don't ya think?

like Lasagna Soup!

You can get Bobby Deens healthier soup recipe HERE.

before i go,

look at these cute, precious kitties:)

gotta run through a puddle!

xoxo

Suzanne