Wishlist Wednesday March 2015

This month's wishlist is completely devoted to Easter which, just so everyone knows (since the date changes every year) is April 5th! I've got some tasty goodies, crafts, and decorations.

First up!

A Wish for Adorable Easter Yummies:

Nutter Butter Chicks from Sweet Simple Stuff

I know that the Easter Bunny is not the real reason for the season. I get that, but some of the Easter Bunny stuff is just too cute to pass up. These chicks are made mostly from Nutter Butter cookies, yellow candy melts, and Reese's Pieces candies. They're so simple and yet so creative and Bailey loves Nutter Butter cookies so these are sure to be a hit with her. I'm thinking I might set these up so Nana and Bailey can make them together.

Flower Pretzel Bites from Two Sisters Crafting

Another simple treat that kids can help make. Again, these are only three ingredients. The flowers are spring colored M&M's and they're glued onto the square pretzels using white candy melts that I'm sure could be swapped for a Hershey's Kiss or even Rolo candies. You could switch the M&M's for peanuts or almonds. They're pretty and impressive but easy to make. And, BONUS! They're that wonderful salty/sweet combination I love so much. I'm excited to try them out!

Bird's Nest No Bakes from Root and Blossom

This one's not quite as easy to make, but is still in the easy-intermediate range. If you've never had chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies you should know that they're not at all difficult to make. Actually, the most difficult part for me is waiting for them to set up because they're one of my favorite cookies. They're made with cocoa powder, peanut butter, and rolled oats and have a similar consistency to fudge. In fact, you can find them in the bakery or deli section of most grocery stores although they may be called "novaks" if you buy them pre-made. These little nests are easy to assemble as all you need to do is place some sort of egg shaped chocolate candies in the cookies before they are set. I would suggest using a mini muffin pan to get the proper shape because these cookies tend to spread randomly around the waxed paper as they set up.

A Wish for Kid Friendly Crafts:

Easter Bunny and Chick Fingerprint Craft from The Chickabug Blog

Kids love to put their fingerprints on everything. I remember when I was in Kindergarten half of our day was spent tracing letters in fingerprints if not just finger painting in general. With the exception of Bailey who doesn't like to get her hands dirty with paint or ink, most kids enjoy this kind of art. These don't take much time or energy on either the part of the kids or the parents. They don't require much in the way of supplies either, just some plain paper, pink and yellow ink pads, and a marker for the details. It's a great way to preserve a bit of your child's size as well because as we all know, they grow up way too fast.

Easter Bunny Silhouette from Katie's Crochet Goodies

I saw several versions of this craft when scanning Easter crafts on Pinterest. This one is done with yarn and tape. I saw others done with paper and glue. Obviously this is a bunny but I also saw lots of eggs done the same way. You could even do different holidays or seasons. What about leaves for fall or shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day? However you choose to make yours I'm sure it will be beautiful.

A Wish for Cute Easter Decorations:

Spring Baby Grass Wreath from Capture the Details

Wreaths have become a year round thing rather than just Christmas and I have found the cutest one! This is so cool, partly because the grass itself is one of those yarns that I have no idea how people knit or crochet with. I always see fuzzy yarn at the craft store and wonder how in the world I could make anything with it without it turning out looking like matted fur. I just think this is beautiful and would look lovely on anyone's front door.

Easter Peeps Centerpiece from Taste of Home

and

Layered Candy Filled Vase with Flowers from Creative Juice

I have no idea why but these layered vases really appeal to me. These are the first layered vases I've seen made with candy and they're perfect for Easter. Jellybeans and Peeps just scream Easter to me. These would make excellent centerpieces for your dinner table or decorations for the buffet table at your Easter dinner.

Jelly Bean Candles from Bossypants via Hub Pages

I've loved candles since long before my parents allowed me to keep my own in my room when I was 14 years old. I've always wanted to make my own (you know, real ones as opposed to melting down my old ones and combining them in a jar) and these are so colorful and playful.

That's all for this month but I'll be back on the first Wednesday of April with a non-seasonal wishlist!

Wishlist Wednesday February 2015

I realized at the start of the new year that I'm way far behind on trying out all of these wishes. I have a stack of post-it notes full of things to try. Some of them might eventually make it to the wish come true list, but now it's time to add a few new wishes to the list. This month I've included a few things that are Valentine's Day themed and also a couple of things I'm hoping to try for Aaron's birthday which is just around the corner.

A Wish for a Happy Birthday:

Dr. Pepper Cupcakes from BS' in the Kitchen

I have seen pins for Dr. Pepper cakes in the past but this is the first one I've seen that included a recipe. I guess the general idea is that you replace the water in the chocolate cake mix with Dr. Pepper, but this also includes a recipe for a Dr. Pepper reduction that you use to make Dr. Pepper buttercream frosting! It sounds a bit complicated (well, lots of ingredients in tiny amounts for all the flavors in Dr. Pepper) but it might just be worth a shot for Aaron. The man can drink more Dr. Pepper than anyone I've ever seen! And while I haven't been too keen on Dr. Pepper ever since I was pregnant with Bailey, I don't think it would bother me in a cake.

Wishlist Wednesday January 2015

Brrrr! It's freezing and of course that makes me crave hot soup and warm blankets so this wishlist will have a huge list of soups I want to try and some knitting patterns to keep me warm (and to keep away the cabin fever if I happen to get snowed in). There's a little surprise at the end too! Let's get started!

A Wish for a Warm, Full Belly:

Southwest Seafood Chowder from Food and Wine

Halibut and shrimp make up the seafood portion of this amazing sounding chowder. I might leave out the clams but every other ingredient has my mouth watering, from the ancho chiles to the fennel seeds but especially those shrimp! Chowder is my favorite kind of soup. Chowder is so hearty and filling that (contrary to Aaron's belief) it can be a meal by itself. One of these days I'm definitely going to try this recipe!

Wishlist Wednesday December 2014

The Christmas season is upon us and I've rounded up some of the best ways to make your Christmas as merry as possible. This month I've included several crafts and DIY gifts, a couple of drinks to keep you warm, a few cookie recipes, and more.

I think I'll start with the drinks.

A Wish for a Warm Belly:

Crock Pot Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from The Frugal Girls

Salted caramel and chocolate long ago surpassed peanut butter and chocolate for my favorite flavor combination. The salt brings out the buttery flavor of the caramel and makes it taste even more rich. I also love that this is made in the crock pot, a huge warm pot of love for your friends and family. This would be perfect to serve on Christmas morning or at a party.

Wishlist Wednesday November 2014

This month the wishlist is going to be all about Thanksgiving. I'm including a turkey recipe, plenty of side dishes and desserts, and a few decorating ideas. Hopefully if you haven't already planned your Thanksgiving down to the last detail some of these wishes will inspire you.

In case you didn't know, I've never hosted Thanksgiving dinner. My family has set plans. Plans that haven't been changed in years. We have lunch at Nana's at 1:00 on Thanksgiving. For years Aaron and I would split up for the day to cover both families. Since we had Bailey we've been attempting to make it to both family meals, but that's difficult when Nana wants to eat at 1:00 and then his family makes reservations at a restaurant an hour away at 3:00.

Wishlist Wednesday October 2014

This month includes several sewing patterns that I can't wait to try, a couple of adult beverages, plenty of comforting, fall foods, and a couple of odds and ends that I couldn't help but throw in. This is what I'm wishing for this month.

I'll start with the sewing.

A Wish to be More Eco-Friendly:

DIY Unpaper Towels from A Blossoming Life

I've been thinking of doing this for awhile now. I don't use too many paper towels but Aaron does. This would increase the weekly laundry but they're pretty, softer than paper towels, and sturdier for clean-up jobs too. They're small so the materials wouldn't cost much and they look like they'd be a nice, easy project. I could probably make a whole roll of them in a week of nap times. I bet they make great gifts too.

Wishlist Wednesday September 2014

Is it fall yet? Can it be? Can we just say it's fall and cancel the hot weather and get back to comfy outdoor temperatures and sweaters and my cute fingerless gloves that I love so much?

I'm ready for fall and I think this month's Wishlist will prove it.

A Wish for Something Pumpkin:

Mini Pumpkin Sticky Buns from Iowa Girl Eats

It's been almost a year since I first saw this post on Kristin's blog and these sticky buns haven't left my mind since. These little delights are made with pumpkin butter and crescent rolls (well, the crescent sheets) making them super simple to make even at the last minute. I say that because I'm always remembering that we have nothing for dessert as I'm serving dinner. I promise you these are in my near future!

Wishlist Wednesday August 2014

Oh man, I have some exciting wishes this month! I've been thinking about this post for weeks now and I almost couldn't wait until August to share it with you. Let's get to it!

A Wish for a Hearty Breakfast:

Black Forest Oats from An Edible Mosaic

As many of you know, I love oatmeal. I have several recipes I rotate regularly but none are as amped up as this and since cherries are in season now it's the perfect time to try this recipe. Chocolate chips, juicy cherries, and toasty pecans combined with rich, nutty steel cut oats are just what I need to jump start my day.

Wishlist Wednesday July 2014

Welcome to Wishlist Wednesday! I have some awesome wishes to share this month. There is a summer theme since we're finally really into summer. Let's jump right in!

A Wish for Something Pretty:

Tiny Dangles Silver Skeleton Key Earrings from For You By Q on Etsy.

I have this friend, Suzanne, from high school and she makes the most darling jewelry. She has a booth at the Market Square Farmer's Market here in town, but she also sells her stuff on Etsy. She also makes clothes. She sews and knits and crochets. Her stuff is all very unique and I would seriously buy most of it if I had the money. Check out her Etsy shop. It's worth a look.

Wishlist Wednesday June 2014

This is still a work in progress. I haven't completely nailed down the details of this feature yet so here's how it's going to work until I have it all figured out.

I'll post my wishlist once a month for now, probably on Wednesdays. I'll be including pictures and links to things I find interesting. I'll try to include a variety of things, not just recipes. Since I love to craft I'll probably be featuring knitting and crochet patterns, handmade jewelry, and possibly sewing instructions (even though I haven't quite mastered sewing) as well as some cute kids crafts.