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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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Cupcakes Inspired by a Classic Easter Story -- "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes"

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Have you read  "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes" by DuBose Heyward?   This charming Easter story was originally published in 1939 and has since become a classic with generations of children. It tells the tale of a mother rabbit (a single-parent raising twenty-one children) who dreams of becoming the next Easter Bunny. The book is beautifully illustrated and tells an empowering and inspiring tale of kindness and courage winning over brute strength and convention. Even when the odds are stacked against her, the humble mother bunny persists and sets an incredible example for her children and the readers.   I first heard the story when I was in elementary school and it's been one of my most favorite children's books ever since.  When my eldest daughter was in Kindergarten, I was delighted when I learned that part of her teacher's Easter celebration included a reading of "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes" .  So, wh
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Speckled Robin's Egg Truffles -- Recipe & Tutorial Featured at the Spring Fling!

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Have you checked out the Spring Fling going on over at Mine For the Making ?  Each day Kara has shared her creative space with a different guest blogger and each and every project and recipe have been spectacular!  A few days ago I was fortunate to have the opportunity to share a new and original recipe with the Mine for the Making audience. If you'd like to see how to make these delicious and delightful chocolate truffles, just make like a robin and flap your wings over to the Spring Fling at Mine for the Making !.
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Just Hatched -- Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Eggs DIY

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When I was a child, my favorite thing about Easter was when my mom took me to a tiny little chocolate shop called "Hansel & Gretel".  There, I would marvel at all the beautiful handmade chocolate bunnies and exquisitely decorated eggs.  Every piece was a work of art (and I was certain that the Easter Bunny himself was busy working in the back).   There's certainly no shortage of commercially available Easter candy, but to me, some of the "magic" of Easter is lost in mass production.   So, I've made it a tradition, every spring, to make a little "magic" of my own -- recreating some of the Old World style chocolates of my childhood. This year I continued my tradition of making large chocolate eggs filled with whimsical little treats.  I also absconded with my friend Holly's vintage chocolate bunny mold, and whipped up a warren-ful of happy little hares!  Thanks Holly ! Making your own chocolate egg treasure boxes
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Egg & Nest Inspired Crafts & Recipes -- A Little Birdie Told Me...No. 15

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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've visited Rook No. 17 once or twice, you've probably noticed I have an appreciation for bird metaphors and nest inspired imagery... ------------------------------------------------ Here are some of the highlights of what was hatched last week... ------------------------------------------------- Lynda of  Something Created Everyday shared a lovely little project featuring eggs decorated with buttons, vintage lace and bric-a-brac. ------------------------------------------------ Beverly from Flamingo Toes has a simple and elegant tutorial for making these exquisite Rosette Nest Rings. -----------------------------------
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"Jellybean Factory" Glitter House DIY

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I've always been utterly enchanted by miniatures and still have my box of "tiny treasures" that I collected in my childhood.  The teeny-tiny toys, dolls, and lilliputian objects never fail to put a smile on my face. So, when I discovered the world of vintage German Putz houses several years ago, I was keen to get a collection going. Each year I enjoy setting up and adding to my little "Santa's Village", and am always a little sad when it's time to pack it away.   In recent years, there's been a resurgence of interest in the diminutive glitter houses, giving rise to an abundance of free templates and tutorials to get you started on creating your own little village.  This winter, my friend Holly (of 504 Main ) and I stockpiled our cereal boxes and had fun experimenting with a few different glitter house patterns.   With Easter just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to come up with an original glitter house of my own to sui
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Winners -- Vintage Inspired Blackboard Giveaway

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Tremendous thanks to new and long-time friends alike for taking part in the giveaway for the Vintage Inspired Blackboards . Using random.org, Holly and I each selected a winner... The 2 winners are: Tammy at she wears flowers and cheeksb Congratulations!
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EPIC GIVEAWAY! Lifestyle Crafts Epic Six Letterpress Combo Kit at 504 Main

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photo from Lifestyle Crafts website I don't typically devote an entire post to talking up someone else's giveaway, but it's not every day that my real life friend and blogging compatriot, Holly of 504 Main gives away a letterpress machine either! So, if you dig on letterpress, you'll definitely want to pay her a visit here: E P IC GIVEAWAY! Lifestyle Crafts Epic Six Letterpress Combo Kit Holly was so kind to invite me over recently to try out her new Epic Six Letterpress machine. The art of letterpress is simply incredible, and I've been trying to locate and purchase an old machine for years.  Kelsey Excelsior Letterpress Machine -- 68 pounds! But do you have any idea how much it costs to ship one of those old cast iron beauties? Sheesh!  So when Holly told me that there was an affordable and commercially available letterpress machine from Lifestyle Crafts, I nearly flipped my lid! Not only does the machine do letterp
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