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Showing posts from September, 2011

Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a

How to Host a Halloween Scavenger Hunt Party

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Here's a bit of Halloween tomfoolery that makes for a perfect party:   The Halloween Scavenger Hunt It's fun for all ages and couldn't be easier to put together! We've enjoyed rounding up our group of usual suspects year after year to traipse through the streets in a high-spirited hunt! Here's a list of tips and tricks for how to host a successful Halloween Scavenger Hunt party of your own: 1.  Set a date and send out invitations with all the particulars. Ask guests bring a digital camera and let them know they'll get bonus points for coming in costume.  3.  On the day of the scavenger hunt, give each family an identical bag of "tricks" which includes their scavenger list, pens & pencils, and some fun props, including a roll of toilet paper for "mummifying" one of the team members. 4.  Send all the teams out at the same time and print their "return time" on the scavenger hunt list (or b

Twelve Perfect Fall Recipes - A Little Birdie Told Me...No. 39

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"Autumn arrives, array'd in splendid mein; Vines, cluster'd full, add to the beauteous scene, And fruit-trees cloth'd profusely laden, nod, Complaint bowing to the fertile sod." - Farmer's Almanac, 1818 ------------------------------------------------ Welcome to  "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday! If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  join the party after the features below. ------------------------------------------------ In this week's spotlight you'll find a host of perfect recipes and ideas for Autumn's bounty... Libations 1.   "Unwined" Party and Custom Wine Label Idea   from Moonbeams & Fireflies. 2.   Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe   from The Garden of Yum 3. Ombre Mug Craft from Christine & Co. Breads 1. Levain Bread Recipe   from Fudge Ripple 2.   A

Fire Roasted, Kicked-up and Down Home Cookin' ~ The Homesick Texan Cookbook Review

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"If everything isn't black and white, I say, "Why the hell not?"" ~ John Wayne Up until a few weeks ago, the Duke's sentiments pretty well summed up my philosophy on purchasing cookbooks -- stick with black and white for substance and true grit. It's all there  in black and white , my collection of favorite cookbooks (pictured above) -- Julia Child: The French Chef Cookbook, America's Test Kitchen: The New Best Recipe, The New York Times Cookbook, The Cake Bible, The Frugal Gourmet: Our Immigrant Ancestors, and the ubiquitous culinary cannon Larousse Gastronomique.   Then along came The Homesick Texan Cookbook:   The glossy, full-color whirlwind that dropped a house on my black and white stocking clad doctrine of cookbook snobbery AND opened the door to a world of full color, full flavor, substance, and page after page of "I-can't-wait-to-make this" recipes. I have a heap of gratitude for the book's pu

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner

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Didn't win this time around? You can still save 15% off your purchase with this coupon! Thank you so much to everyone ~ old friends and new ~ for entering my Shabby Apple dress giveaway. Your participation and enthusiasm meant a lot, and I look forward to bringing more giveaways of this style and caliber your way in the coming weeks.   As a token of my thanks, I'm sending everyone who entered the link for an early download my newest vintage scrap sheet ~ Halloween Art Deco.   Here's a peek! Check your inboxes for the link! And now, the winner... Pamela J, who said: CONGRATULATIONS!

Terrarium Cakes -- Whimsical Woodland Scenes in a Jar (That You Can Eat!)

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At the turn-of-the-century, fascination with science, botany and collecting was at a furor. The "Wardian Case", the precursor to today's terrarium, was devised when physician (and botany enthusiast) Nathaniel Ward observed a fern flourishing inside a sealed jar. The idea of recreating a tiny ecosystem within a glass enclosure became popular with European travelers who were anxious to bring tropical plants home across the sea. With the resurgence of the interest in "Cabinets of Curiosities", the popularity of terrariums is once again on the rise; making their appearance in interior design studios, high-end garden stores, and across the blogosphere. Inspired by the charm of these  diminutive verdant worlds, I baked up a batch of Terrarium Cakes that are as delicious to eat as they are a delight to behold. TERRARIUM CAKES Individual Woodland Worlds in a Jar Ingredients/Materials Mason jars Chocolate Cake batter Funnel, batte

Ephemera Cameo Wreath Tutorial at The Silly Pearl

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Today, I'm guest-posting at The Silly Pearl with my Ephemera Cameo Wreath tutorial. It's my take on the popular book page wreath, and is a lovely way to showcase a collection of cameos that have meaning to you. Stop by The Silly Pearl , say hi to Steph, and take a look around at all of her creative and inspiring projects!  

Pumpkin Projects & Recipes ~ A Little Birdie Told Me...No. 38

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In this week's spotlight: Easy felt and flannel pumpkins made from upcycled clothing Pumpkin scones and Pumpkin Toffee Cheesecake ------------------------------------------------ Welcome to  "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday! If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  join the party after the features below. ------------------------------------------------ If you're linking up to today's party, a few reminders: 1) Looking for your link-up? Rook No. 17 uses a reverse listing, so your link will always show up 1st in line. 2) Keep the  camaraderie  and spirit of this party going by visiting and commenting on the two links after yours. ------------------------------------------------ If you haven't had a chance to enter to win the Spanish Steps Dress from Shabby Apple you can do so HERE ------------------------------------------------ If you're a fan of the foodie tomfool