CRAFT: Paper Christmas Tree

Since the name is called MIX IT UP, I figured it would be okay if I threw a few crafts in the mix. So here is a pretty and easy paper tree I made a couple weeks ago!

• Styrofoam/floral foam cone in the size of your choice
• Flat head pins or decorative straight pins
• 1 inch by 6in strips of paper (length can vary)
• black/neutral sheet of paper
• ornament 
• Scissors or cutter

Start off with your foam cone:

I covered the bottom portion with black paper, because part of the bottom showed, and I didn't like how the foam looked. I used plain straight sewing pins.

Use a cutter (or scissors) to get your straight pieces for the branches. My paper was already 4.5 x 6.5 inches, so I just cut them in strips 1 in wide, 6.5 inches long.

You'll need to bring the bottom edge of the strip to the top, DO NOT CREASE/FOLD, and pin them this way onto the cone. The first row should be placed so it barely touches the ground or bottom of the cone. I used these pins left over from our wedding flowers because they looked nice showing on the tree!

Keep going all the way around the cone for the first row. Keep them at the height, or close.

 

Repeat these steps again for each new row. Overlap the rows, starting each new row about an inch above the previous. As you go up higher, you can space the rows more if you like.

 

Here is one finished tree. Mine was made with more fun/whimsical patterns.

 

Here is the finished tree I made for my mom. Her's was more basic green/red prints. The stars were attached to a stick/wire and we found them at Michaels. They worked perfectly to stick through the middle of the cone and hide the bare top! I also placed a circle of the black paper on top to hide the foam.

 

These are super easy and can be made in various sizes! I hope you try one out for your holiday decor! <3

 

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

I didn't use her recipe, but I was inspired by my favorite baking website, Picky Palate! She is awesome! These cookies just looked like a lot of fun, and I love cinnamon rolls!
You will need: your favorite sugar cookies dough-Chilled, flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter. For the frosting, Can cream cheese frosting, milk, and powdered sugar.

I don't like the dough I used for this recipe, but I might just share a family sugar cookies recipe closer to the holidays! =)

Split a full batch of dough in half, and roll out on a floured surface. Use extra flour on the top/sides when needed. Mine was about 12-15 inches long and about 5-6 inches tall. Just work it out into a long rectangle/oval and you will be fine!

Spread the dough with 1tbsp of softened butter. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top of the dough, be sure to cover it and don't skimp! =)

Sprinkle ground cinnamon over the brown sugar. Once again, lay it on! Now its time to roll. Start from the top and roll towards yourself. Slowly tucking down the length of the roll. 

 

Chill the rolls in the fridge for 10 minutes, or freezer for 3-5. Also chill between batches. Cut your roll, and because I wanted more cinnamon, dip the top of each cookie into cinnamon sugar! Bake @ 350 for 8-10 minutes. They will still look doughy, but let them sit on the pan for a softer cookies. 

Meanwhile, you can mix the frosting. I used canned cream cheese frosting and added some milk and powdered sugar. I wanted a thinner consistency. You could also make any real cream cheese frosting you like.

Oh man! Those look wonderful! Let cool on the pan a minute or 2. Move to cool and lightly ice with the frosting. They are also good without the frosting, if you prefer. I can't wait to try these with a better sugar cookie recipe. Hope you will enjoy them!

My Chili

From my experience, everyone makes chili their own special way. Here is how I make chili, shaped by David and my mom! =) This recipe would feed 4-6 people. For us 2, we still can get 2+ meals out of it!
You will need: 1 lb of hamburger, 2 cans of tomato sauce, 1 or 2 cans of crushed/diced tomatoes, 1 or 2 cans of beans (pinto, black etc), 1 envelope taco seasoning, jalapenos, fresh onion, and garlic. Top with cheese, fritos, or whatever you please!

Brown your lb of hamburger, drain and (if you like) ass in jalapenos. David likes his spicy!

Add the taco seasoning the the hamburger meat and mix. Also add 1/4-1/2 a medium onion, and a clove or 2 of garlic. Garlic powder would also be good.

 

Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, beans, onion and garlic. I used about half each can of beans, but if you like them, use all of both. I also added more jalapenos and some hot sauce. ;) Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Be sure to stir occasionally. Top with lots of cheese and enjoy!

*I didn't have any, but I like to add a little beer to it before simmering. Learned this from my family and it gives it a great flavor!*

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

I threw this recipe together one night. We had extra chicken and this is pretty easy!
You'll need: about 1/2 pound chicken (I used breast), about 3 tablespoon butter, fresh garlic, your favorite hot sauce, tortillas, cheese, lettuce and whatever toppings you enjoy!

I cut up the chicken into smaller chunks and put it in a heated, oiled pan. Cut your butter and start melting it in a sauce pan for the buffalo sauce. Prep your garlic.

Mince or use a garlic press to smash the garlic. Place this in the melted butter. Let the garlic saute a few minutes. Add hot sauce to the butter/garlic. I added quite a bit. Just add some, and taste. If you need to add more, keep tasting =). By the way, we love Texas Pete hot sauce! It is super cheap and awesomely good!

When the chicken is done cooking, shred it in the pan and keep on low to keep warm. When the buffalo sauce is where you like it, add to the chicken. Heat on low for a couple minutes. Enjoy in tortillas with lettuce, cheese, ranch, and anything else you have around! =)

Cheesy Chicken Simmer

This recipe actually came from Kraft Recipes. It was too delicious not to share!
You will need: a little bit of oil, 2 chicken breasts (1lb), 8-10oz velvetta cheese, 10-12 oz frozen broccoli, 1 can cream of chicken soup, and 2 cups cooked white rice.

Start with your oil and heat it in the pan. Start cooking your chicken breasts on medium to medium-high. While these cook, poke several holes in the broccoli bag. Place on a plate, microwave for 5 minutes.

Flip the broccoli, and cook another 4 minutes. Flip the chicken also. I actually cit the breasts in half horizontally, they were just so thick! Let the broccoli sit for 3 minutes and then cut it in the bag.

Cut the velvetta into cubes and place in a pan (I used the same pan as the chicken) and add the cream of chicken soup, WITH NO WATER. Mix and let simmer for on medium for 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and simmer another 2. 

Serve with the chicken over cooked white rice. Mmm. Also, the cheesy broccoli mixture and the rice alone made DELICIOUS leftovers! <3 I want to try this again with broccoli and cauliflower!

Broccoli Cheese Soup & Breadbowls

SO I tried to post this earlier this week, and I guess it didn't work. So I am trying again, because this is a very good recipe to share!

You will need 10oz of frozen broccoli (florets are better), some butter, a medium onion, flour, 16oz half & half, 14oz chicken broth, and velvetta cheese!

 Alright, so I followed the recipe and got the cheaper version of frozen veggies, aka not the steam-n-bag kind. So poke a few holes in the bag. Microwave 5 minutes and then flip and put in for another 4 minutes. Let sit 3 minutes. 

 Melt 3 tbsp of butter. While this is melting, chop your onion. You will need about a 1/4 of a medium onion. A little more would be okay too, it gives great flavor.

 Let the butter and onion saute for a few minutes. Don't let the onion brown though. It will start to smell delicious! Add 1/4 cup of flour and mix well! It will be thick, this is to help the soup.

 Now you can add the half & half, chicken broth, and some salt and pepper to season. Stir well. A whisk would be nice. Cut 8oz velvetta (or a little more =] ) and add to the soup. Stir occasionally until the cheese is melted.

 And finally, chop the broccoli and little bit and put it in the soup. Stir and you are ready to eat! Mmm! Queue the breadbowls!

Broccoli-Cheese soup

1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped broccoli

3 tbsp butter

¼ medium onions, finely chopped

¼ cup flour

1 (16 oz) carton half-half cream

1 (14 oz) can chicken broth

1 (8 oz) package cubed velvetta cheese

·      Punch several holes in broccoli package and microwave for 5 minutes. Turn package over and microwave additional 4 minutes. Leave in microwave for 3 minutes

·      In large saucepan, melt butter and sauté onion, but do not brown. Add flour, stir and gradually add cream, chicken broth, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper

·      Stir constantly and heat until mixture is slightly thick. Do Not let mixture come to a boil. Add cheese, stir and heat until cheese melts. Add cooked broccoli. Serve piping hot. (6-8)


Breadbowls:
There are 2 ways that I have made them, I will start with the most successful first!
You will need a Loaf, or loaves or frozen bread dough, i used rhodes, and it came with 3 loaves. Each loaf will make 2 or 3 bread bowls. After it defrosts, break a loaf into 2 or 3 pieces and roll into balls. Let them rise as the bag says and bake.  When they are fresh out of the oven, cut the middle out and make sure you don't hit the bottom. Fill with soup and enjoy!

      The second way uses frozen roll dough. It was small pucks of dough. I didn't want to wait the overnight or 2 hours to defrost, so I used the defrost button on my microwave. =)  I used about 6 of the small rolls and made them each into a large round roll. As above, rise, bake, cut and enjoy!

 

Cake Mix Cookies

So this recipe should be well-known, but if it is not, I am making it my business to share it. I used Devil's Food Cake and rolled them in powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar. Enjoy the photos and check out the end for the recipe! =)

Here is the line-up. And like I said, try with any flavor, and the powdered sugar is unneeded if you want to roll them in regular sugar!

 Start with your cake mix. You will need 1/3 cup of oil. (I added a tiny bit more, the dough was drier than I wanted)

Add two eggs and 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla!

Mix it all together with a spoon. It will be thick, but make sure it is all mixed! Stick in the fridge for 15-30 minutes, or if you're impatient like me, the freezer for 5-8 minutes.

Time to get sticky! Use your hands to roll the cookie dough. Roll in powdered sugar and put on greased pan!

Yeah, I currently am using a big-girl easy bake oven =) Thanks Mom! Bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes!

 

Oh man! Check out that powdery, ooey, gooey-ness! I am ready to try some new flavors now! Enjoy!

I have already have 3, and I can't lie...The proof is in the powdered sugar on my shirt.. =)

Ingredients

• 1 box cake mix (any flavor)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix cake mix, oil, vanilla and eggs with spoon until dough forms. It will be thick.
2. Refrigerate dough 15 to 30 minutes or as needed for easier handling. Or place in the freezer for 5-8 minutes. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar (regular or powdered). On greased cookie sheets, place balls about 1-2 inches apart. (Mine didn't spread very much)
3. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute on the pan. Let cool completely before storing in airtight container. Enjoy!

**So, I didn't realize that the regular sugar in the recipe was for rolling (that is way too little to roll in) so I put it in the recipe, and I love how mine turned out. So just for your reference, mine have 1/4 cup sugar actually in the recipe and rolled in powdered!)**