Christmas 2011 Ribbon Wreath #1

I can finally post a Christmas gift I made this year! Since this one was delivered to my friend last Friday, I decided I could finally post it...woo hoo! This is the same size wreath as this one, but the same technique I used for this one. Of course I had to change it up a bit and attempted to add a HUGE wooden letter (painted white at first then I used extreme glitter paint in silver). The "S" was problematic, but eventually stayed glued with some E6000 and small wooden balls underneath for support.

Pretty ribbon! That's 169 ribbon strips (plus a few extra b/c sometimes I lose count...ha ha)

I did put a hanging ribbon on the wreath, but since the letter is so heavy it actually looks better if the wreath is sitting on a hook instead of hanging.

Super 8

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From the mind who brought us Lost, Fringe and Person of Interest comes Super 8. (totally just felt like the movie trailer guy)

I didn't know this, but Super 8 is actually the type of file they used in video cameras back in the day.

Super 8 was actually a good movie! It's not scary in case that's why you haven't watched it yet. This movie is about a group of friends creating a zombie movie (using Super 8 film) and while filming they witness a horrific train accident and everything goes crazy from there. Throughout the movie you see how powerful friendships are and how the craziest things can bring a family back together.

I would give this movie a solid B.

Chocolate Covered Popcorn

Doesn't that look mouth watering???

There is this place called Chocolate Pizazz and they have this amazing chocolate covered popcorn! The downside is that unless there is a special going on it can be a little pricey...sadness. There is also this thing that goes on in November called the Nutcracker Market where Chocolate Pizazz sets up a both and where for 3 years straight I had bought popcorn, but didn't buy any this year.

Why didn't I buy popcorn this year? Because I told myself I could probably make it for a fraction of the cost. It might not taste exactly the same, but it has my favorite food items so if anything I would still be happy!

What you need:

1 microwave bag of lightly salted natural popcorn
1/2 bag of melting chocolate
1/2 bag of melting white chocolate or vanilla
1/2 medium size bag of M&Ms
1 to 2 crushed Heath bars depending on how much you like toffee (not in the picture above)
Small bowl
Large baking sheet
Wax paper

What you do:

Pop the popcorn (don't burn it! or I'll hunt you down)
While popcorn is popping cover baking sheet with wax paper and pour your chocolate melting chips in the bowl
When popcorn is done spread it out on the cookie sheet and look for and leftover kernels

Melt the chocolate according to the package
Drizzle chocolate over popcorn

Repeat with the white chips
Spinkle M&Ms and crushed Heath bar over wet chocolate popcorn and let harden

Break apart and enjoy!

Of course you can tailor this to your particular candy likings or a particular season...red and green M&Ms perhaps...I think yes!

Thanks! Card

I wanted to send my Aunt and Uncle a little thank you for letting us stay at their condo while on vacation and of course a store bought card just wouldn't do. I based the design of this card off of this one I found on Pinterest.

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Mmmmmm... I have made this dessert for the last 4 office Thanksgivings and it's always a hit! To top off the awesomness of this cake...it's so simple to make! Can I get a Woo Hoo?!?!

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2 eight oz. cans of Crescent Rolls
2 eight oz. pkgs. of Cream Cheese
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 cup Butter (melted)
1/2 cup Cinnamon sugar

Flatten one can of crescent rolls on the bottom of your 9x13 pan. In a bowl cream both packages of cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla. Spread mixture over flattened crescent rolls. Lay last package of crescent rolls on top and spread it out to the edges/pinch seams together. Pour melted butter over the top. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

And it comes out looking like this...(minus the missing piece and isn't pre-cut)

Tower Heist

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I really didn't think this movie would be funny so I wasn't gung ho about seeing it. However, after hearing good reviews I thought I would check it out.

I actually really enjoyed this movie! It made me laugh and it made me re-realize how snooty and deceiving the extremely wealthy can be...ha ha. It certainly did teach you that payback is a bitch! he he he

Cranberry Pomegranate & Tangerine Sauce

This is another recipe we tested out before Thanksgiving and this one DID make it to the table. This is also from HEB.

I love cranberries and my favorite are the canned jellied ones...yummy! But these were really good too! The only bad thing about these is the pomegranate juice is a little pricey...my mom called it the Golden juice...ha ha. We also found out that if you cook them uncovered they end up kind of runny, but if you cover them while cooking they get really thick (jello like). I like mine either way, but in case you are one way or the other it's good to know.