Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Bouquet

Hello Friends!

Have you tried chocolate covered pretzels?? It's amazing how something so simple can taste so good. If you've never had them: you have GOT to try them! I have made these before just for the sole purpose of eating them all or if I was craving chocolate (which is always).

I had planned to post this before V-Day but we went on a trip and I didn't get a chance to before we left. Gift giving and showing love shouldn't stop just because Valentines Day has passed. I would accept chocolate covered pretzels any time of the year (especially if they are pink and white and glittery) :) I also thought it would be fun to make them into a "bouquet" to show how they can be a fun gift or just put them in a vase and watch them disappear. (because everyone will be eating them... you got that right?)

Aren't they pretty?? You can use any topping that will stick to melted chocolate. I used slivered almonds, and different types of sprinkles. I also left some plain and drizzled chocolate on chocolate.

I doubt you need a step by step but here's what I did:

Melt chocolate (Follow directions on package to proper melting. If doing it in microwave, careful not to over melt and burn! It's such a sad sad sight to see wasted chocolate)

Dip pretzel stick into melted chocolate. It's easier to dip into a deep cup or bowl for better coverage of chocolate (For the bouquet version I left the pretzel sticks long but usually I break the pretzel in half and dip the broken end in. This gives you more chocolate, less pretzel. More chocolate is always a good idea)

Place on parchment paper and sprinkle topping. Or let cool and drizzle with additional chocolate (Or caramel?!)

Put in fridge for fast setting or let harden on counter for a few hours. 

 

EAT! or arrange into a bouquet, tie with a pretty ribbon and you have the perfect gift!

Valentines Day Party with DIY Polka Dot Plates

Hi!

I tried it. I drew on my plates with permanent marker. This is the oldest trick in the book (well, the newest oldest trick) :) But it really adds something special to your table and it's so simple its embarrassing. Plus I got these plates from the Dollar Tree for only a $1 each!

I mean, how easy and cool is that???

Draw a pattern. Bake in oven at 425 for 20 min. 
Turn off oven and leave the plates in the oven until they cool.
Safe to wash and use! (Some say its safe in the dish washer but I'm taking it easy for now)

Tutorial for the cookie pouches here! Fill them up with your favorite cookie and give out to your favorite people :)

 I put in one of my favorites: Oreshki (Russian nut shaped cookies.)

Did I mention I love Gold? and pink? and sparkly things?? :) 

Happy DIYing! Thanks for reading.

DIY Cookie Pouch Valentine for your Valentines

Hi!

Valentines Day is just around the corner and it's this time of the year I find it easiest to DIY. It must be because I love anything that is glittery and pink! Adding glitter to something is one of the easiest ways to spruce it up!

Today I want to show you how to make a simple "cookie pouch" to fill with homemade goodness and gift to your bestie (or to all your besties!) on this wonderful day of love! It's actually a great favor idea too (I love how it looks at a table setting!)

You need:

Cut out a template first to use for cutting out your pouch (so you don't have pencil marks) 
My paper is 12 X 12 scrapbook size paper usually sold in all craft stores.
Put two holes in each corner. One at tip and second an inch or so beneath it.

please excuse my wrinkles!!! Using the newborn card? ;)

Put in your filling of choice. I used our Russian Oreshki Cookies! Overlap two flaps so that the holes line up and pull the twine through. Tie. 

Starting with one remaining flap at a time, thread the two strings through the two holes.(#1) 
Do the same thing with the other flap (#2)
Tie once and attach corny Valentine inspired label (Optional) :)

Tie a bow. 
Give out to your loved ones to remind them that you love them :)

I'd be happy to answer questions if something didn't make sense..

Check back to see how I used it in a Valentines Day inspired party! Thanks for reading- XOXO

If you are in the local central Virgina area, we will be making these pouches with cookies available for purchase for your Valentine's! Email me with questions or orders!

Happy 2014!

Happy New Years!! 

I hope you met the new year with loved ones! Do you feel hopefulness and joy for the new beginning that you have been given?! I hope you do! I hope you have also set New Year Resolutions. I was working on them little by little trying to think of ways to improve on all areas of my life, including this blog! I believe if you don't set goals and plans for improvement, than you won't strive and aim to achieve them. 

I didn't write any down last year but had the same usual ones in my head.. To be a better mom and wife. To read more, pray more, and use my phone less.. I think that a lot of you had/have the same resolutions. They aren't bad but since they are so vague, I don't know if I achieved them in any way at all. Am I a better wife? A better mother? I resolve to be more specific in my resolutions. :) This year I wrote them down. Where will my phone be off-limits? What will I change in my attitude towards my husband? How will I aim to spend more purposeful time with my kiddos? Than we will be able to see how far (or how little) we have grown.. 


2013 was a blur. Am I being cliche in saying time flies?? I have to say I don't remember much of it. I worry that means I didn't cherish the time.. But I will always remember 2013 for one reason. It gave us an incredible gift from above: our third child. God has blessed us and continues to bless us regardless of our inadequacy. We are the most undeserving to receive them. I look at our baby girl's face and feel God's presence. His utmost LOVE for us through this sweet precious child. Where else can she have come from?? 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights... (James 1:17)

From God alone... 

There aren't words to describe our joy. I think if you are a mother you understand! 

We rarely get professional pictures done (said with great sadness) so I thought I would share these wonderful pictures taken of baby girl in the hospital. Instead of taking the usual traditional baby photo, the hospital had a photographer come in and professionally take pictures. She was there with us for like 10 minutes and produced these wonderful photos of our day old baby girl! How wonderful it would be to be a photographer! Sigh. It doesn't take much time to snap the photo but it takes skill to do it right, and you forever have created a beautiful image. 

Welcome baby girl. You are greatly loved and adored! 

 

 

 

 

The last one is my favorite and the one we used on our birth announcements. :)

Isn't she the most beautiful baby girl you have ever seen?? I may be biased.. Or maybe not ;)

Here's to a new year! New adventures in parenting, new memories and reasons to laugh and cry and create and the joy in the gift of life!

Have lots to share and can't wait! Two Christmas parties and a Parisian Garden Baby Shower! (Which happens to be the one my sisters threw for me!) Not to mention more DIYs and refashions!