Make memories today. 
Slow down. 
Enjoy the moment. 
Laugh.
Steal the good candy when they aren't looking.

That's a Wrap!

So my kids' school now requires us to only bring "store bought" treats to the class parties.  

Ok really...

We all had mom's homemade cupcakes at our class parties growing up...

we all turned out ok, right?

....crickets.....

Maybe you are ok. I am a true work in progress.

Anyway, with this new rule, I'm always trying to circumvent the system. I'm not going to give up the fun part of seeing the kids' faces light up when something comes in that they haven't seen before.

I found this great idea on Pinterest from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen 

and thought...Genius. 

"Store bought", BUT, with a creative twist. After approval from said teacher, I was good to go.

So here is an easy way to take something that is "store bought" and turn it into something whimsical. Cause that's why you're here.

Here's what you need:

• Twinkies 

(not only are they "store bought" but they have a shelf life to feed your future grandchildren)

• White candy making chocolate 

(choc chips just won't work and won't harden in the time you need) 

• Edible Googly Eyes

I have found these at Target in the cake decorating section made by Wilton, and my local cake supply store or Michael's.

• White Cookie Sticks

The cookie sticks are long so you will be breaking them in half for the perfect size.

Lollipop sticks work, but don't hold the weight as well, and these mummies are pretty heavy when they're done. 

You will also need to get a squeeze bottle from your local cake supply store or hobby store. In a pinch you could use a ziploc bag with the corner cut, but be prepared for a mess!

Unwrap the twinkies and place them on wax paper on a cookie sheet.

I know, they look really good. Try to restrain yourself. It's for the kids.

Ok, maybe you should try just one.

Ready now?

Microwave your chocolate in a bowl that has some depth to it, so you can get

 the length of a twinkie in there.

Heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring until you get a nice runny consistency.

 Break up all your sticks in half and dip the stick first in the chocolate about an inch and push it into the end of the twinkie in the center.

Now is a very important step. 

If you try to just put the stick in and dip these room temperature, disaster happens. 

Take my word for it. 

They MUST be put in the freezer first.

Once you've placed all the sticks in, put them back on the wax paper and 

freeze them for 30 mins.

Now you are ready to dip.

Allow the excess chocolate to come off, and help it along with a spoon to scrape the sides
 if you have to.  

Don't worry if they don't look perfect. 

Your "mummy strips" will hide the imperfections. 

Put the dipped twinkies back in the freezer to harden, about 10 minutes.

Now get some of your melted chocolate into your squeeze bottle and run "strips" back and forth. You can't mess this up. Place the googly eyes where you want and lay a strip of chocolate over a part of the eye for a true "mummy" look. 

Let them dry and you're done!

Just stop it. I can't handle how cute these guys are.

Again, I'm feeling the need to take it to the next level.

Let's bag up these adorable goodies.

And just for you, Michaela has included ANOTHER FREE Printable Tag!

Just download here 

And just like that...we beat the "store bought only" system!

Take that health department!

Have yourself a whimsical day.

Take a bite out of fall!

There is something about a beautiful caramel apple that makes my heart skip a beat and tells my tastebuds that fall has arrived. I've been making caramel apples every fall for years and look forward to the day my entire kitchen is taken over by the process. 

We would like to share with you how to make these beauties. 
If that isn't enough, we've even included a 
free printable tag 
for you to print out and cut yourself to use for your apples. 

Just scroll down to the bottom for the free printable tag link.

I always initiate with this.

I know God loves me every time I sip a 

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

I live in Southern California so there aren't many indications 

around here that fall has begun. The moment I'm in my kitchen 

surrounded by fresh apples and I take my first sip, I can daydream 

that I've just picked these beautiful apples in an orchard, surrounded 

by beautiful fall foliage in my chunky brown sweater and boots. 

And then my air kicks on, because it's 80 degrees in my house. 

Back to reality.

Here is what you'll need:

Large Granny Smith Apples
Wooden Sticks
Caramel 
Candy Making Chocolate
Nuts 

I have to talk about this caramel, because it's the only one I will use.  Your local cake supply store should sell it, but I found an online source for you here. www.mycandycrafts.com

If you can't find it, you could use the individual wrapped caramels, which is really time consuming and doesn't taste as good. Each 5 lb block gives you enough caramel for 12-14 apples.

Find the largest granny smith apples you can. 

Wooden sticks are best. Anything else runs the

risk of coming out when you are dipping. 

Some of the sticks will end up tilted. It's ok. Its more important that the apple lays flat and upright. Just do the best you can.

The caramel will need to be melted down. I do this in the microwave. It's the easiest way. It will take a while to do this, so be patient. Take another sip of your Pumpkin Spice Latte. Microwave at full power every 30 seconds till you reach a stirring consistency. If you can't easily stir it, it's not ready. 

Now comes the fun part.

Find a large surface and lay down wax paper so you can set your dipped apples to harden. FIRST, spray the wax paper with cooking spray before you set your apples on it. They will come up perfectly if you do this. If not, the wax paper will stick to the caramel, and trust me, its a challenge to get it off.

Dip the apple in sideways and turn the stick until all sides are covered but allowing some of the green apple to show.

Then hang it over the bowl, allowing as much caramel as you can get to drip off.

I help the process along by scraping off the bottom with a spoon.

Seriously....aren't they beautiful, even just like that?

Some people may want to stop here. They like a caramel apple to be just that. A caramel apple. If that's you, congratulations, you're finished.

For the rest of you, let's take it to the next level.

Once you can pick up the apples off the wax paper, you are ready to go.

I've tried lots of different chocolate over the years. The winner hands down is Ghirardelli Candy Making Chocolate in the Double Chocolate flavor. My Sam's Club carries it in the 2.5 lb block this time every year. One block will cover 10-12 apples. Chocolate chips melt fine, but it doesn't come together for hours. I don't know about you, but I don't have time to wait with my crazy life.

 I need something that is going to harden quickly.

Microwave every thirty seconds and stir, until the chocolate is completely melted. 

Again, dip the apple on all the sides so that you are still having some of the caramel and green showing.

I always use chopped walnuts as my topping and get them chopped before I start. The look of this apple with the chopped walnuts is kind of my "signature thing". You can add any kind of topping you want. The possibilities are endless. Find your "signature thing".

Sprinkle the chopped nuts as you turn the apple till the entire apple is covered with nuts. You'll have to have some kind of dish under you for all the drippings.

Place the apple back on the wax paper and let the chocolate harden.

There you have it!  Gorgeous right?

Now what are you going to do with of these autumn beauties?

You are going to share the love!

The day I give out my apples I feel like Oprah. 

"You get an apple, you get an apple, you get an apple!" 

The look on their faces is priceless to me. And when something is wrapped with some pretty ribbon and a tag, pretty much anything could be in there and people get excited. But its one of THESE apples, so I become everyone's friend on apple giving day.

I use clear cellophane bags to wrap my apples. The dimensions I use are 5x3x11 and I always tie it with a pretty ribbon and a tag.

We are so excited about the launch of our blog, that we wanted to share a free printable tag with you. Just download it, print it, cut it out, and add it to your bag.

You're welcome! 

You can download it here.

This is us.

This is us on a REALLY good day. 

Most days you'll find us in yoga pants and hoodies rushing around without a shower, asking Siri to remind us to change the clothes in washer that have been there for two days. 

What drew me to this girl was we shared the same heart for people. We are both givers and pay a sick attention to detail when creating something. I call her my "soul mate" in friend form.  And although I love my husband to my core, to me, there is nothing greater on this earth than a woman who "gets you" to share this journey of life. She loves my broken vulnerable side, my ridiculous and my quiet side, my "trucker mouth" when I'm upset, and my obsession with sweet things which has derailed her diet on more than one occasion.

We laugh. ALOT. 

Between us we have 6 spectacular little humans, with a fierce love for our kids, and a heart's desire to make a little magic for them.

Blogging has always been my dream. And blogging with my best friend...well that's like when you drive out to your favorite cupcake store and when you go to pay, they say "for you, it's on the house". 

We hope to share with you how we put the fun and whimsy into our journey here on earth. And maybe we will inspire you to do something that makes your kid's face light up, or awaken your sweet tooth. 

We aren't sure where this will take us.

Maybe only one person in the universe will read it, and that's ok. Hello one person. We're glad you're here. We're ready to share the love.