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Posts Tagged ‘Savvy Entertaining’

instacraft

Alison Caporimo, a writer with a love of crafts, reading, tea and talking about London, recently put together a fun full-color book with 50 simple projects called InstaCraft.

You’ll find gifts, decor and more inside the pages of this book.

From seasoned crafters to first-time endeavors, this book offers something for everyone.

I liked that the projects use simple, easy-to-find things (some that you probably already have on hand.)

She offers some ideas for “One-Second Stamps) using regular house-hold items to create some unique stamps like cotton swabs for polka dots, rotelle pasta for a circle or wheel, and the bottom of a lighter for a fun retro print.

I also loved her idea for “Memory Wrapping Paper,” by photocopying photos onto a sheet of paper and wrapping a gift for someone special. I think that i just the coolest idea!

From brick book ends to bobby-pin coasters, you’ll find a great selection of craft ideas in this book from Ulysses Press.

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Banana cake plated

Since we both like bananas, I decided to whip up this banana cake the other day.

Boy, was that a delicious decision.

After scarfing down his piece, Captain Cavedweller looked at me and said, “If you add walnuts next time, I’ll like it better than carrot cake.”

This is a pretty big statement coming from him.

He’s not all that fond of desserts and his favorite, favorite cake for the past twenty years has been carrot cake.

Needless to say, the next time I make this cake, there will be walnuts in it.

Easy to make, this cake is moist, yummy and full of banana flavor. (So if you hate bananas, you might want to skip today’s recipe!).

Start with some simple, basic ingredients.

Start with some simple, basic ingredients.

Blend butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Blend butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time.

Add eggs, one at a time.

Alternate adding flour and milk then add mashed bananas. Use a big bowl because it makes more than you think it will.

Alternate adding flour and milk then add mashed bananas. Use a big bowl because it makes more than you think it will.

Pour in a greased and floured  9x13 baking pan and bake at 275 degrees for an hour.

Pour in a greased and floured 9×13 baking pan and bake at 275 degrees for an hour.

When the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, remove from the oven directly to the freezer. Leave in the freezer for an hour then frost with cream cheese frosting.

When the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, remove from the oven directly to the freezer. Leave in the freezer for an hour then frost with cream cheese frosting.

Then cut a big slice and enjoy!

Then cut a big slice and enjoy!

Banana Cake

1 1/2 cups very ripe bananas, mashed

2 tsp. lemon juice

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. banana flavoring

11/2 cups milk

Preheat oven to 275 degrees

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan.

Mash bananas with lemon juice and set aside.

Mix flour, baking soda and salt together and set aside.

In a extra-large mixing bowl (really, you need a big one), cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time then blend in vanilla and banana flavoring.

Stir in flour mixture, a little at a time, alternating with the milk .

Stir in bananas then pour into pan and bake for one hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for about an hour (heightens the moisture of the cake).

Remove from freezer and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Serve or refrigerate.

I served the cake with a drizzle of caramel sauce, but you could add chocolate sauce, salted caramel ice cream or dulce de leche ice cream, too.

She Who Would  Like a Piece of Cake

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apple logoOctober is National Apple Month.

How exciting is that? (Come on, it’s pretty darn exciting! Apple cider, apple crisp, apple pie, caramel apples…)

Living across the road from an orchard, the pickers have already stripped the trees and I miss seeing the bright red, juice-packed orbs amidst all those green leaves.

If you were an apple, what type of apple would you be?

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) helps you get to the core of the matter with AppletizeMe, a fun website that matches your personality traits to your ideal apple variety.

Are you a social butterfly? That makes you a Gala apple.

How about an intellectual? Easy as Pi. You’re a Ginger Gold.

Fitness fanatic? Then you’re a Fuji, living proof that crunches are worth the effort.

girly-girl

This will come as a surprise… to no one – I’m a Girly Girl!

According to the site: “No matter the occasion, you’re always polished with a snazzy dress and just the right amount of makeup. You’re not afraid to show off your feminine side—including a tendency to blush. But, you always keep it classy.”

What do you think? Is that a good fit?

Apparently, this makes me a Cripps Pink  A.K.A. Pink Lady. Naturally sweet with a juicy crunch.

*blush*

In addition to the fun little personality link, there are “perfect pairings” with tips on pairing different varieties of apples.

You can also click on the “Varieties” tab and choose a specific type of apple to learn all about it.

honeycrisp

Like Honeycrisp, my all-time favorite apple. You’ll  find details about the apple, its personality and suggested pairings.

If you love apples, or just want to spend a few minutes having a little fun, check out Appletizeme.com

She Who’ll be Telling Captain Cavedweller about being  Naturally Sweet  – the Apple Said So!

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Announcing fall has arrived!

There is no denying the fact fall is upon us.

Who’d want to anyway… that would be denying all that delicious apple and pumpkin goodness just waiting to be tasted as well as the spicy smell in the air, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and the glorious turning of the leaves.

If you really want to make your home feel like autumn inside, think about some wonderful fall scents.

Through candles or wall-plug-ins, you can create the most wonderful, inviting atmosphere inside your home that says “Ahh, autumn is here.”

Just think about walking into a home where the scents of pumpkin, apple, cinnamon or spices fill the air. It makes you think about fall and hayrides and pumpkin pie and all sorts of wonderful, comforting experiences.

My favorite, favorite scent right now is Apple Pumpkin from Yankee Candle. A couple of friends came over recently and one of them was convinced I was baking some decadent treat. Nope. It was just the candle – but my gracious, it packs a lot of scent.

The main thing to remember as you fill your home with the scents of fall is to stick with one scent at a time.

If you’re burning a sweet pumpkin candle in the kitchen, don’t light a heavily spiced candle a few feet away in the family room. Before you know it, you’ve got warring scents and quite possibly a headache.

When possible, I try to buy the same scent in varying sizes (a few big jar candles for larger rooms and votives for smaller areas).

Have fun finding your signature fall scent and see if the warm smell doesn’t make you (and everyone else who comes through your door) smile.

She Who Is Off to Light Her Candle

 

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