Dinosaur Birthday Cake

We had my daughter's fourth birthday party yesterday. She said she wanted a green dinosaur cake. I found directions on how to make one at http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/rex-the-dinosaur--cake. It was much easier than I thought it would be. What do you think?

I cut the shape out of two 9" pans.{one cake mix}. The website shows you how to do that.
Then I made a homemade Buttercream frosting and tinted it green, then I frosted the cake. When ever you are frosting a cake, always do a thin layer of frosting first. This is called the crumb layer because it collects all the crumbs. Chill the cake for about 30 minutes, then frost it again. You won't have any crumbs showing because of the first layer you did.
Then I used white Buttercream frosting for the mouth and dots on the eyes.
For the eyes, toes, and small dots I used chocolate chips. I pushed them into the cake with the tips facing down. The bigger dots are Hershey Kisses that I did the same thing to. Pushed them in, tip side down. I also used Hershey Kisses as the spikes along the tail, back and up the head of the dinosaur.
My daughter loved it! And it was so fun to make!

Halloween canning jars

Have no idea what these are for?

How about now? Aren't they cool!

I saw these on a blog somewhere but I can't find where! If you know where I might have seen these, let me know so I can give that blog the proper credit. I was planning on sending you to that blog for directions on how to make these. But since I don't know where to send you, I'll hurry and give you some directions. But I don't have step-by-step photos because I wasn't planning on doing this!

I took some old canning jars{the rims had chips in them, so they were no good for canning}. I brushed some Mod Podge on the jar, then put on strips of tissue paper. Then Mod Podge once again. When they were dry I cut the faces out of construction paper{vinyl would work as well} and glued them on. I also painted the lid rims to put on top. Then I put electric tea lights in them. {I might tie some raffia or something around the tops to complete the look}

Here they are all lined up. The monster ones don't work too well because the green tissue is too dark to let much light thru. But I still LOVE them all!

I'm thinking if it's not wet outside on Halloween night, I might put these out along the walk to light the way for trick-or-treaters. If I do, I'll try to remember to take some photos to show you! Have fun crafting!

Birthday Monkey cupcakes

My daughters' birthday is this weekend. So she gets to bring cupcakes to pre-school today. This is what I made.
They are supposed to be monkey cupcakes. I made chocolate zuchinni cupcakes{ you can find the recipe for them in my 'recipe' section}, and then got the idea for the monkeys off of http://servingpinklemonade.blogspot.com/. But hers look much better. Go check them out!
My daughter loved helping me bake these, a.k.a. licking the cake batter bowl, and she was so excited to share them with her class. I guess when I go to pick her up we'll see how the kids liked them!

Pumpkin Bread

I made this over the weekend and was going to take a picture to get your mouth watering. But I couldn't find the camera. My hubbie had taken it hunting! I think it might be time for me to get my own... Anyway, my three nieces and nephew were over, so by the time I DID have the camera, there was no bread left to take a picture of.
But let me tell you, this is really yummy bread. I loved it and the kids loved it! You need to try it out!
I got the recipe out of 'The Essential Mormon Cookbook'. Again. But honestly, everything I try in this book is yummy! And I have to share it! Plus, it will make your home smell yummy!
{This would also be a good treat to take around to your visiting Teaching sisters, or your husbands home teaching families}


Pumpkin Bread

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Cream butter, sugar, and eggs. Add pumpkin and mix; set aside. In another bowl sift dry ingredients. Gradually add dry ingredients to creamy mixture. Beat until blended. Add chocolate chips and pecans, if desired. Grease one loaf pan or four mini loaves. Pour batter into pans. For one loaf, bake at 350 F. for about 1 hour or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. For mini loaves, bake at 350 F. for about 35-40 minutes. Makes one loaf or four mini loaves.

Glitter Pumpkins

I saw these pumpkins on Martha Stewart's show, like, 5-6 years ago. They are so easy to make and look great for the fall season.

Here's what you need to make them...

Mini pumpkins, mod podge{or any craft glue, I've even used Elmers glue before and it works fine}, a paint brush, and glitter. Now some people will say you need to use the really nice, fine glitter. But I just use my daughters craft glitter.

Paint some glue on your pumpkin...

Then sprinkle on some glitter and shake off the excess...

There you go! I put mine in a long wooden plate I got at Wal-mart last year for cheap. I think they still have something similar in the dishes aisle. Then I added some leaves and I wish I didn't run out of berries, I might go buy some more to add....

I ran out of the gold glitter, so the middle pumpkin doesn't have as much on it as the red ones. But I think it still looks good. You get the idea!