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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
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Charitable Gift Giving with a Fanciful Twist -- Glittered Gift Box Tutorial

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During these tough economic times, many of us have come to the realization that "less is more" and that "we already have enough stuff".  When it comes to holiday gift-giving, what does one get for the person who "doesn't really need anything"?  Charitable donations are one of my favorite ways to honor a person who already has a lot of stuff, by helping another person who has nothing.   There are so many incredible, worthy charities to choose from, and it's easier than ever to make donations quickly and securely online.   Many charitable organizations have certificates that you can print online to share with the honoree. But, if you're looking for a little something EXTRA -- a way to add some sparkle and magic to the gift of charity, then I have a whimsical and (believe it or not) EASY project for you! You can customize these glittered giving boxes to complement the charity you choose.  For my gifts this year, I chose two of
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A Hole in One -- Easy Mini Baked Donut Recipe & Sweet Gift Idea

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Last week Rook No. 17 featured a tutorial for making play donuts out of children's socks .  Today brings a recipe for mini donuts that you can really sink your teeth in to! My youngest daughter loves to bake and try new recipes, so when I saw the mini donut pan at Cost Plus last week, I knew it would be a perfect gift for her.  I must confess, it was kind of a gift for me (and the rest of the family as well).  After all, who doesn't love a donut?  I remember being in third grade and getting an "All About Me" book from the school book order, and filling in almost every blank with the word "donut".   So, my obsession with donuts goes way back.   We used a nice little mix (also purchased from Cost Plus) the first time we tried the pan, and the little baked donuts that it yielded were absolutely delicious.  It didn't make many, however, and we were eager to make more to share with friends and family.  I searched the internet for a simple re
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Holiday Ornament DIY: How to Make Paper MAGNOLIAS from Vintage Sheet Music

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Last year I shared a little online tour of my home decorated for the holidays.  The one thing that garnered the most comments and compliments were the vintage sheet music magnolias that adorn my Christmas tree.  Many readers requested a tutorial, and I'm pleased to say that I now have one available, for free, for you to enjoy and to make your own glittery magic blossoms at home. To print this tutorial, scroll down to the very bottom of the post and click on the little icon that says "PRINT FRIENDLY".  It will open the post in a new screen that allows you to print and edit as you see fit. PAPER MAGNOLIA PROJECT Materials Petal Template printed on cardstock (free download HERE ) 3 Pages Vintage Sheet Music (from which you will cut 10 Large Petals, 6 Small Petals, and make 1 small ball) Matte Mod Podge or craft glue (I like Mod Podge because it dries quickly) 9 pieces silver floral wire, 20-22 gauge, 8" lengths Glue Gun (optional) German Glass Gl
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SOCK UPCYCLE GIFT TUTORIAL: How to Make Play Donuts from Kids' Socks

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One not so fun day at home doing chores, the girls and I were sorting through the box we keep by the washer and dryer for collecting all the odd socks.  The box had reached maximum capacity, and after sorting all the wayward socks into pairs, we were left with a handful of strays that would likely never see their mates again.  "What a shame," I thought, to have to toss away all these sweet little children's socks, as I absentmindedly rolled one in my hands. That's when my nine-year old daughter said, "Mama, that sock looks like a donut!"   And that's how our sweet and simple little SOCK DONUT project was born. The girls and I spent the rest of the afternoon rolling the stray socks, cutting out felt "icing" and embellishing with bits and beads we found around the house. These plush donuts have gotten plenty of imagination time in our little play kitchen.  I've also enjoyed using one as a pin cushion while I sew! These littl
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GET YOUR GELT ON! Make your own gold coins for Hanukkah with this easy chocolate-dipped apricot project

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Because of my parents' different religious upbringings, my brothers and I had the experience of celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas each December of our childhoods. My mom still makes the world's best motzoh ball soup and latkes, and has us over on one night of Hanukkah every year to play driedel, light the menorah, and to enjoy her wonderful cooking!   For the past two years, my girls and I have enjoyed a new Hanukkah tradition of making our own Hanukkah "gelt", or gold coins made from dried apricots dipped in dark chocolate. They're so simple to make and are infinitely more delicious than the mass produced coins you buy in the store. Even if your household doesn't celebrate Hanukkah, these chocolate dipped apricots make a wonderful gift for friends and family at this time of year! CHOCOLATE DIPPED APRICOT COINS MAKES APPROX. 30-40 COINS 1 bag Dried Apricots (16 oz.)* 8 oz. good quality chocolate* Step 1:  Using a kitch
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GINGERBREAD FRIENDS -- Read the Book and Bake up some Memories with Your Family

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One of my favorite types of children's book is the kind that has a recipe to go with it!  Pairing such a book with a cookie cutter or baking supplies can make a wonderful gift for any child. Yesterday my daughter borrowed the book Gingerbread Friends  by Jan Brett from her Kindergarten class.  It inspired a project and a splendid gift idea. Our home library plays host to a few Jan Brett favorites ~ The Mitten , The Hat , and Hedgie's Surprise .  The girls and I love these warm-hearted stories, and we've spent many a happy time exploring Brett's intricate illustrations, and searching for the Hedgie in the elaborate borders of many of her books.   Gingerbread Friends was a treat that did not disappoint!  It was a sweet story about the Gingerbread Baby and his search for friends. My observant little one was the first to notice that the borders of each page contained a piece of a recipe for making gingerbread cookies.  Before you could say Gingersnap , sh
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