Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

If anyone truly knows me or my sweet tooth, they would know I absolutely love any combination of chocolate and peanut butter. On the other hand, Mikey has more of a salty tooth; He loves pretzels! Over Valentines Day (yes, almost 8 months ago and just now posting), I decided to bake Mikey and I a little treat that we would both love. When I was looking for things to make, I about died and went to heaven when I saw this recipe: Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites. How much better could that sound? Or even taste? They were AMAZING! I thought Reese’s where addicting, however, it is incredible how addicting these little bites were. It is the perfect combination of sweet and salty!

I have yet to make them again because I am afraid how many I might consume in such a short amount of time. I might make them over the holidays with a drizzle color for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. We shall see! In addition, I doubled the recipe because I made a white chocolate and a chocolate covered version. I advise anyone to never do that due to it being heaven in your mouth! In addition, you just might be coming to visit me at work with a cavity ;)

Have you had enough just hearing about these delicious bites? Try them out yourself:

Ingredients:
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 60 square pretzels
• 1 semi-sweet Bakers Chocolate Baking Bar OR chocolate melts
• Colored Chocolate Melts of your choice

Directions:
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together peanut butter and butter. Stir in sugars until thickness forms.
3. Roll the peanut butter dough into 30 small balls. If it is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar.
4. Sandwich balls between two pretzels and place on prepared baking sheet. Freeze for 10 minutes (or longer if you get distracted like I do). If you had more peanut butter balls, try not to eat them like me – you can make more little pretzel sandwiches!

5. While the pretzel bites are chilling, break up the chocolate and melt. Melt the chocolate in the way you feel most comfortable. IE over the stove, in the microwave, or the Wilton Chocolate Melting Pot (like I used because I’ll burn the chocolate otherwise, once again, I get highly distracted).

6. Dip the pretzel bites into the melted chocolate and place sandwich bite back on baking sheet (I put it on a fork and then tap the edges to help some of the access chocolate to fall). Refrigerate the dipped bites for at least 10 minutes for chocolate to set.

7. Melt the colored chocolate melt of your choice. Drizzle your colored chocolate melts over the pretzel bites to add a little design to your bites! Don't worry about getting it on the paper. It will peel right off once they are dried and have a pretty little design.

8. Enjoy!!!!

Sneaky, Sneaky

I am turning into my mother. Yes, you heard me correctly. Never thought I would say that, however, it’s true. At 23 years old, I am already doing things my mother use to do. Growing up with two sisters, I’m not sure how my mom fed us with our wide variety of taste buds; my mom was always trying to make sure we all ate the same main course dinner and still got our veggies in. She was great at it too! Now that I have been with Michael, I have really noticed how I have to leave certain foods out of dishes or only on my half since Michael and I do not have the same taste buds. Some foods that I eat at least once a week are peppers and cauliflower. Michael cannot stand either of them! Every time I make them, he always hopes it’s for my plate only or for work. He will always tell me how much he hates them and will not eat them!

Over the summer, I decided to try a homemade pizza with cauliflower crust. I remember telling Michael how wonderful it was and so delicious! I remember exactly what he said in response, “Do not ever make me that healthy crap. I’ll order my own pizza if you ever make that around me.” Well the other night I put cauliflower on the counter to unthaw. Michael never said anything to me. After the gym, we did the typical wife/husband ordeal (yes, already). I was in the kitchen making dinner while Michael was watching Monday night football. When I brought dinner to him, he was so excited to have pizza with football. He knew I was trying to make it healthier with the shrimp, spinach, and mushrooms on top. Secretly, I was giggling as he was devouring the pizza. He was saying how delicious this was and even went back for seconds. As I continued to giggle, he was asking what was so funny. After the ENTIRE pizza was gone, I told him he just ate cauliflower pizza. He said he couldn’t believe it and never would have notice. Therefore, I snuck in a healthier version of pizza in on my man. I am quite proud of sneaking him into trying something new!

If you want to try it out, this is what I did:

Cauliflower pizza crust:
• 1 bag frozen cauliflower
• 1/2 C egg whites
• 1 whole egg
• 1/4 C coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

My Toppings:
• Shrimp
• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Shredded Cheese
• Meat Sauce

Instructions:
• Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
• Allow cauliflower florets to unthaw. Once unthawed, mix in a food processor or blender. Blend until it is "riced" (in very small rice-like pieces).
• In a small bowl, combine cauliflower, coconut flour, egg whites, egg, and spices.
• Spray the pizza pan and/or pan you would like to use. Press your "dough" onto one sheet to create a thin crust (1/8-1/4 inch thick). Cook for 15-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, saute toppings with a bit of olive oil. Chop other toppings to desired size.
• When crust is done (should have turn slightly golden and firmed up), Top crust with tomato sauce (or whatever you prefer) and toppings. Return to oven and bake for 10-15 more minutes.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with your favorite additions.
• Note: Your oven might be different than mine so always keep a watch on the cauliflower crust and toppings!

See, I told you -- we ate the entire thing:

Menu Board

I am probably one of the most indecisive girls you will ever meet. I never know what I want to do, eat, wear, etc. So after a long day at work and my drive, I have no idea what to cook for dinner. Therefore, back in September I thought a menu board for Michael and I would be the perfect idea! I had an old frame lying around as well as scrapbook paper. Therefore, I didn’t pay for a thing!

What you need:

Frame
Scrapbook Paper
Computer Paper
Glue
Markers

How to make:

1. Choose a design of scrapbook paper that you like/matches the room. Cut this paper to fit the frame of your liking.

2. Write (or print) the letters or words of the days of the week on plain paper.

3. Cut out your letters/words of the week and glue them to an accent color that matches the background paper. Use additional accent color paper to have to be able to write what you’re making/having for dinner that night.

4. Glue the phrases and pieces of paper onto your background paper how you would like to design it.

5. Place in the paper in your frame and use the markers to write on your menu!

6. Hang anywhere in your kitchen!

Teacher Pencil Vase

I came across this cute craft one afternoon while on the internet. Since I don’t have a classroom of my own (sadly), I thought I could still make it for my middle sister since she teaches in an elementary school. I thought a Pencil Vase that held matching colored flowers would be so cute (now that I think about it, I could have used color pencils to brighten it up a little especially for Lauren’s 3^rd classroom)!

What you need:

1. Container (I used a can)
2. Number 2 Pencils (or colored pencils now that come to think of it)
3. Rubber band
4. Glue Stick
5. Glue Gun
6. Ribbon
7. Flowers

Instructions:

1. Wrap a few pencils around a can and secure with a rubber band.
2. Continue to insert more pencils all around the can inside the rubber band.
3. From the inside, I used my glue gun to help the pencils stick together.
4. Once it was dry, I removed the rubber band. Cut some ribbon and tie around the vase.
5. Lastly, I put fake flowers in the can.
6. Enjoy an inexpensive craft to look cute for any teacher you may know!

S'more Lovin'

If anyone knows me, they know I absolutely LOVE anything to do with S’mores. For a family reunion back in December, I was making a dessert. I absolutely love making cake pops but wanted to try something different. I remember seeing on pinterest a long time ago a picture of a “S’more Pop” so I decided to make my own. It was so easy that I didn’t even have to look up a recipe. I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did!

What you need:
1 Bag of Marshmallows
Candy Sticks
Melting Chocolate
Graham Crackers (crumbled)

Instructions:

1. Take your Marshmallows and place each one onto a Candy Stick.
2. Melt your chocolate and dip the marshmallow on a stick, half way.
3. Before the chocolate melts, sprinkle the crushed graham cracker over the chocolate marshmallows.
4. Enjoy :)

Photo Coasters

I made these for Christmas gifts and they were a HUGE hit with my family and Michael's.

I actually found the idea off of Pinterest, you can view here. Trying to be a creative/personal person, I decided not to do scrapbook paper as the coasters; I wanted to use actual photos! So I tweaked the project a little to make it a little bit more from me and a “touch of Lou.”

To begin you will need:

Mod Podge
Finishing Spray
Sponge brush
Hot glue
Felt for the back
Pictures (be creative if you are making them for yourself or as a gift)
Four 4x4 tiles (you can purchase at Lowes/Home Depot – whichever one is closer or you prefer)

Directions:

1. First I began by cutting each picture to fit each tile size; you can cut them a little smaller to give it a slight border like I did.

2. Using a sponge brush, apply Mod Podge to the back of your picture in a smooth, thin layer. Place the picture to the top of the tile smoothly.

3. Repeat step 2 to apply on all tiles you would like to use.

4. Once your pictures are dry on each tile, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge on top of the pictures in an even layer. Make sure you apply to the entire tile to help seal the picture in place. Allow to dry and apply more coats as needed until you get the finishing look you prefer.

5. Once all Mod Podge layers are dry, apply the clear Finishing spray on top of each tile.

6. Cut four pieces of felt (I used black on all of mine) to cover the bottom of the tiles. My mom was thankful for this to keep them from scratching any furniture! On the back of the tiles, apply glue on the ridges. Place your fabric on the glue and let dry.

7. Tie up with a pretty ribbon for a wonderful housewarming gift or keep for yourself!

Now go get crafting “Lou” style :)

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Something that I learned from my grandmother, Muv, is that it is always better homemade. Let me tell you, these homemade Red Velvet Cake Balls are incredible!! I made two huge patches over Christmas and they were gone so quickly. In addition, I will be making them soon again for a co-workers birthday at the end of the month. Be careful though, it is impossible to have just one! So enough talking; get baking:

Cake Ingredients (my mom and I found this recipe years ago in the newspaper):

1 stick butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 ounces red food coloring

2 Tablespoons cocoa (heaping)

1 cup buttermilk

2 1/4 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

Cake Directions:

1. In a larger bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.

2. In another bowl, mix red food coloring and cocoa until cocoa is completely dissolved. Add to the creamed mixture.

3. Mix on low speed, add buttermilk and flour alternately. Mix well but do not over-beat to ensure a light fluffy cake.

4. Add vanilla flavoring, mix well.

5. Blend the baking soda into the batter.

6. Transfer into two 9 inch round cake pans or one 9x13 pan.

7. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Once the cake is cooked and cool, break the cake and crumble into a large bowl. Mix one cream cheese icing into the crumbled cake and mix thoroughly. Once mixed, get ready to get your hands messy! Make bit size balls with the cake/cream cheese mixture. Once you have completed the entire batch, you can either a) freeze for an hour or b) refrigerate for two and a half hours. After you think the red velvet cake balls are firm enough, you are ready to dip them in white chocolate! I personally have a Chocolate Pro Melting Pot (that I got 40% off at Michaels). I put White Chocolate Almond Bark into the melting pot to dip the red velvet cake balls. However, you may melt the chocolate any way you prefer; for instance, double boiler, microwave, etc. Place your freshly dipped red velvet cake balls onto wax paper until harden. Enjoy :)

You can also add Sprinkles to the top of the cake balls before they harden. Above you can see I added red and green for the Christmas season!

P.S. Ignore how awful these pictures are. They are old, taken with my phone, and I wish I knew I was going to make a blog when I took these!

Picture Perfect

Up to 500 prints for a penny each! What?! NO WAY!

I know I am not the only photo fanatic around here. I usually use Snapfish to print/deliver pictures right to my door! I absolutely love it; I order small prints, large prints, calendars, books, etc! One of my favorite deals they offer is "A Print for a Penny." Yes, you actually get one 4x6 photo for just one penny! Right now the have the sale going on up to 500 prints! That is 500 prints for ONLY $5!! This is one of my favorite deals and I did this to print out all my engagement pictures for Michael and I, my parents, and his!! So get out of here and go sign up to print pictures you have been meaning to print, update the outdated frames around your place, and tell your friends! Hurry before the deal ends and you're welcome ;)

My life is a creative mess!

Am I crazy to start blogging about my life with the things I do, cook, bake, make, and find online? Perhaps. Nevertheless, I created this to share with family and friends my “creative” messes I always get myself into. They are probably more messy than creative, but they are always entertaining and interesting along the way. I love to cook, bake, and make crafts out of anything. Give me anything you think is junk and I will find a way to make it a treasure. Let’s just say I am one big kid and don’t plan on growing up! There is nothing wrong with that, so I have been told…

So let the adventure of blogging begin!