A better world, one cookie at a time...

Just a quick gift idea for you - I attached this lovely quote,

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon..." - Robert Fulghum

To a container of homemade chocolate chip cookies, topped with a package of magic milk straws and finished it off with a ribbon bow. Isn't it so cute and delicious looking?

I found these plastic containers at Target on clearance for $1.25 and filled them with cookies. The magic milk straws are fabulous and fun - kids love them! If you are not familiar with them, here is how one website describes magic straws, "Simply pour a nice large glass of milk and insert your magic straw to enjoy the flavor of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or cookies and cream. The straws are filled with flavor pellets that release flavor and dissolve as the milk passes through." Pretty nifty, huh? I found them at United Supermarkets here in Lubbock but I have also ordered them online HERE.

A super easy, thrifty gift with a homemade touch = great for kids AND adults!
Just helping to make the world better one cookie, and glass of milk, at a time ;).

Chocolate + Peanut Butter = Cupcake BLISS

These cupcakes are HEAVENLY! I'm not sure if it is the peanut butter cup in the middle of the cupcake that gets all gooey after it's baked or the ganache frosting topped with more peanut butter cups that I like best. I was given this recipe by my friend Elizabeth (I think she got it from Taste of Home), who shares my mutual love for cupcakes. Try them...you won't be disappointed!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

1 package (18 ounce) chocolate cake mix

1 ¼ cups water

½ cup peanut butter

1/3 cup canola oil

3 eggs

24 miniature peanut butter cups

Frosting:

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup peanut butter

Additional miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, peanut butter, oil and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes or until smooth.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake. Cover each with 1 tablespoonful batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until it reaches a spreading consistency, about 10 minutes.

Spread over cupcakes; immediately sprinkle with additional peanut butter cups. Let stand until set. Makes about 2 dozen.

A Flower Shower for Baby Girl Davis

I have been a little MIA lately when it comes to blogging. Being 37 weeks pregnant will do that to you...

But I did need to show you some pictures of the amazing baby shower my sisters, mom, and a good friend had for me. You know I love me a good shower! They certainly came through for me in every way - adorable decorations and delicious food. Love can certainly be found in the small and simple details and I am very grateful for all their hard work for me and for my baby girl. To see more detailed pictures, you can visit my sister's blog HERE.

The food table.

Another food shot - I can't resist taking pictures of a great food spread!


The take-home favors table - My mom made white chocolate popcorn, tinted pink with a little food coloring. My sister added this adorable sign to thank everyone for coming.

Thanks for all your hard work Natalie, Mom, Roxanne, and Kate!

Thanks to all my amazing friends and family who came to support and celebrate with me.

Because every girl should have a pony...

Remember the brass figurines that were popular for decorating purposes in the 80s and early 90s? My parents had a couple - a small rocking horse and a group of geese in a row - that seemed to be part of their decor for WAY longer than was trendy. Now if you are a fan of these brass figures, and I am sure there could be a place for them in some households, you may want to avert your eyes. And who knows, maybe I'm just unaware of what a collectors item these figures have become... ?

I found this brass carousel horse (pictured above) at a garage sale this weekend for $1 and thought I could give it a little update. After some heirloom white spray paint and pink and green ribbons tied around the top for girlie flair, here she is:

I thought this would be a cute addition to baby girl Davis's nursery...at some point... when she has a nursery ;). Because every girl should have a pony, right?

I just love what a little spray paint can do!

Another Lamp Transformation

I bought this lamp last summer at a garage sale for $1. With a little Krylon Brushed Nickel spray paint and a new $6 lampshade it is definitely looking more sleek and modern:

It sits on a stack of old books on the dresser in Spencer's room. Simply lovely. I *heart* spray paint!

Stay tuned because I may have another lamp meets spray paint project to show you soon! And check out this American Flag throw pillow from Pottery Barn that I picked up at a garage sale this past weekend for only $1:

Modeled beautifully by my $5 red chair from last summer's garage sales! A couple weeks ago I had considered getting a flag pillow to go with the front porch's patriotic decorations - and now I have one at a fraction of the cost. Ahhh, I love a good garage sale find!

A Culinary Tour of Alpine, AZ

Where is Alpine, AZ you say? It's about 6 miles from the Arizona/New Mexico border in the central part of Arizona. Alpine is a small town with a population of about 330 people. I have been visiting Alpine since I was a child and have many fond memories of vacations spent there with family. The town was recently threatened by the massive Wallow Fire in Arizona this past month, but came through relatively unscathed thanks to the amazing fire fighters.

Now don't get me wrong: Alpine is certainly no mecca of culinary art. But, there are several places that are little jewels of food happiness nestled in this small town. Here are some of those places:

The Bakery. Need I say more? I think we probably went there every day of our last visit to Alpine, and we were there for almost a week. I guess I could blame the need for daily home-baked goods on pregnancy?

Look at that deliciousness... I am in love with the cinnamon rolls, the blueberry scones are to die for, and the cranberry peach strudel was delightful. Spencer enjoyed the homemade chocolate covered donuts and the jalapeno cheddar bread was tasty too. I wanted to buy one of everything. Their menu changes daily so I could have easily spent all my vacation money on baked goods and eaten my weight in pastries.

The Alpine Country Store is a small market with over-priced basics you don't feel like driving 30 minutes to get at the next grocery store. This is usually our fountain drink and slushies, beef jerky, and candy stop in Alpine. It's a quaint little store that also rents movies. We usually go to the market once a day while in Alpine to stock up on something. And if you look at the picture closer you can see the cute, old man in overalls and a cowboy hat standing out in front of the store. Having that man in the picture just made it 100% more authentic :). Love it.

The Bear Wallow Cafe is one of three places to grab a meal in Alpine - and is my restaurant of choice. They have great hamburgers, including the 1/2 pound Bear Wallow Burger that is bigger than the bun it is served on. I also enjoy the vegetable beef soup and I heard the homemade pie is AMAZING but have yet to try it for myself. I can't believe in all my years of visiting the Bear Wallow I have never tried the pie! Jeremy and I plan on visiting the Bear Wallow again for the single purpose of eating pie... one slice of every flavor ;).

The Alpine Grill is another Alpine eatery we usually frequent for ice cream. Mmm...strawberry cheesecake ice cream...makes me hungry just thinking about it!

Attached to the Alpine Grill is the delicious Lollipop Shoppe, known for their fantastic homemade fudge. I *heart* the Lollipop Shoppe fudge. Vanilla/Chocolate swirl and chewy praline are some of my favorite fudge flavors. I could certainly eat my weight in fudge too if my budget would allow! (And there I am in all my pregnant, swollen ankle glory... only 6 more weeks.)

So there you have it -some of my favorite Alpine, Arizona food spots. If you are ever in Alpine be sure to let me know what you think!

Patriotic pancakes and a refreshing drink

Our Sunday morning breakfast was just a little more festive and patriotic, courtesy of some red food coloring and blueberry syrup. I divided the pancake batter in half and colored one half with red food coloring. The blue came in the form of blueberry syrup topped with a little whipped cream. Even as an adult, I love adding some coloring to my food to make holidays more special!

The pancakes were very yummy!

And here is a refreshing drink idea for those hot summer days. I mentioned this recipe on my family blog last summer, but wanted to share it with you again. It's called Brazilian Lemonade and is oh so easy to make.

Mix together 1 container of Simply Limeade with 1/2 a can of sweetened condensed milk in a glass pitcher. I use a whisk to make sure that the condensed milk gets incorporated.

Pour yourself a glass and garnish with a lime slice if you like.

The taste is sweet with a little tang from the lime.

It is delicious and quickly becoming one of my favorite summer drinks!

Have a Happy 4th of July!