Spiced Holiday Cookies

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We did and we're not even done yet! When our older boys come home from their Christmas break we have more gifts to open. 

Back to the matter at hand.

Everything I gave as gifts was homemade with one exception: my husband's gift.  I made homemade Playdough for kids and for the adult I made these delish cookies.  Check out the video below for the tutorial.  However, if you're not into that you can just skip it and copy the recipe below that. =)

I hope you give the recipe a try and let me know how you like them. =)

Don't they look awesome?!  They were a definite hit!

McCormick Spiced Holiday Sugar Cookies

2 1/3 C flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 C sugar

1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 egg

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. 

2. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy.

3. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. 

4. Gradually beat in flour until well mixed. 

5. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight until firm.

6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

7. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness.

8. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place on greased baking sheets.

9. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.

10. Cool on baking sheet for 1 min then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

11. Decorate with cookie icing. (Optional)

Cookie Icing

1 C confectioners (powdered) sugar

2 tsp milk

2 tsp light corn syrup

1/4 tsp almond extract (or other extract)

food coloring

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients until smooth

2. Decorate cookies.

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Have a beautiful and safe New Years Eve. 

Many blessing over you and your family over the next year!

DIY Play Dough

This year for Christmas I'm doing all homemade and VERY frugal!! I don't have the budget to do traditional gift giving this year so I'm doing what I know best, making things and saving money!  I made this Play Dough as a tester yesterday and let me tell you, it's AWESOME!!  =)  It's so soft even I wanted to play with it.

Recipe:

1 C Water
1 C Flour
1/2 C Salt
2 Tbsp Vinegar
2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
Food Coloring

Instructions:


1. Mix flour and salt in bowl
2. Mix water, vinegar, oil, and food coloring in seperate bowl or cup
3. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredient and mix until smooth.
4. Cover bowl and microwave on high for 4 minutes
5. Let cool then knead dough until soft and smooth
6. Store in ziploc or airtight container.

If you're more of a visual person check out my video below. =)

DIY: Add Bead To Crochet Flower Earrings

Crochet Flower Tutorial: http://youtu.be/qH0m7PnzNFU

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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/VBrown3709
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Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VBAdornments

 

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 26, 2012

You can find me on these links:

FB: http://www.facebook.com/VBrownAdornments.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/VBrown3709

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/VBrownAdornments

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VBAdornments

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Members.

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 19, 2012

I was on an earring kick this past week. I made 10 pairs! I really like them. They're so pretty, colorful, and light weight. Some times my ears get irritated by heavy earrings so I'm really loving that these can be as big as I want  without pulling on my ears. =)  I hope you like them too. =)

If you prefer to see them "live" check out the video below.

Tutorials
* 5 Petal Flower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8vrd7Lr5SY&list=PLDA24025FB3AF0A9B&in...
* "Leaf Earrings": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM3IAIr97P4&list=PLDA24025FB3AF0A9B&in...
* 6 Petal Flower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH0m7PnzNFU&feature=plcp&context=C44e7...
* "Jumbo" Flower Earrings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYb1sx77Prg&context=C4dff082ADvjVQa1PpcFPy...

You can find me on these links:
FB: http://www.facebook.com/VBrownAdornments.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/VBrown3709
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/VBrownAdornments
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VBAdornments

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Members.

 

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 12, 2012

I have been REALLY busy this past week.  My new puppy, Samson, is the reason for that! =)

We got Samson on March 4th. He was my Anniversary gift from my husband. We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on March 7th! =)

We started training Samson the same day we brought him home.

I take him for multiple walks throughout the day, plus we play in the back yard.  All of this is not including the very frequent potty breaks he requires.  Even with all of the potty breaks, playing, walking, and running he is still a ball of energy!  And I still have my 4 kids and household duties to tend to.

When we go out he sits in the front seat of the car with me.  He likes car rides. =)

Due to this additional cuteness/business I've only been able to crochet one item last week...

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Fam. =)

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 5, 2012

Spiral Afghan Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1vkW99hdg&list=FLmp1KDFaerYggthgkiWt0MA&index=2&feature=plpp_video

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Fam.