Christening Day Cookies

Baptism cookies for my cousin's little girl. I've used the dress cutter before for ladies' dresses and wedding gowns, but never christening gowns before. The cutter has a slim waist, I bent it out to get more of a baby-doll shape. I loved the way they turned out, it was so much fun adding all the different details!

Baking Monday – Peanut Squares

My aunt made these at Thanksgiving - they were hands down my favorite of the five-dessert selection. She called them Pay Day Bars, like the candy bar, which I've never had in my life (no chocolate? Why bother?) so I can't compare. But I can say that as a peanut butter lover - these squares are pretty much perfect. 

Um, they also happen to be super easy to make. Good news is they will probably require a trip to the grocery store, so they can't be made /eaten on a whim. Because nutrition-wise, they're pretty evil. Enjoy!

Baking Monday – PB Pretzel Cookies

Peanut butter + chocolate + pretzels? Sign me up! This recipe was a must-try. I don't prefer baking with M&Ms – I'd do milk choc chips next time – but they do look cute and (most importantly) there was Halloween candy to use up. (One of our neighbors gave out full size M&Ms! Times three kids = baking time!)

Definitely yummy – a fun kid cookie!

Happy Birthday 6-Year Old!

Welcome to Clark's Disney Birthday party!

What a fun theme ... I could have planned this one forever! But two weeks was what I had. 

He invited a few of his buddies over in the afternoon, followed by dinner with our family afterwards. And we got to do it on his actual birthday, which was extra special.



I used these bookmark printables from Family Fun to style tags for our guests. SO cute!!!



Favor bags: I'm usually a fan of practical favors, but it was hard to resist so many crazy cute Disney things at the party store. Each kid got a Disney Pez dispenser (assorted characters!), pencil, stickers, popping candy, and a Disney Dance Party cd for each family.



I knew I put the right person in charge of balloons: I never would have thought of decorating the bannister, it looked terrific!



My favorite decor: a collection of vintage-y mini posters of all Clark's favorite attractions from Disneyland last year.





Balloon girl also helped run the party – she and her good friend ushered all the kids downstairs and helped them with party games (character cake walk, freeze dance, Bingo and Mad Libs).



Favorite gift of the morning! Love this!



DIY dessert: cookie decorating.

Clark went a little crazy with the M&Ms! 

Happy birthday, little guy! What a fun six years it's been!

Grandma Crafts – Fall Collage

Found via Pinterest from Simply Kierste: fall leaf collages. I drew a bare tree outline and trimmed it out of dark brown card stock. Then punched leaves out of five coordinating scrapbook papers. (Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts purchased with coupons from Michaels.) I painted two flat canvases off-white and glued the tree down with Mod Podge. Then we used paintbrushes and Mod Podge and went to work gluing leaves. 

I let the leaves dry for a day then went over the whole thing with one coat to give it a sheen and make everything lay flat. This was a good Grandma project ... easy to do with very pretty results!

Baking Monday – Toffee Pretzel Bark

Don't get me wrong – these are pretty good, but I'd still call straight up pretzel / graham cracker bark slightly more addictive ... plus? Less butter! (OMG, just looked at the link and realize I used exactly the same photo set up this week ... whoops! Time to change things up!) Very similar to the bark made with Saltines that I remember a co-worker making years and years ago.



Anyhow ... these were definitely best the first day or two if you are inclined to try it out. Especially if you are a butter fan.

Baking Monday - Graham Cracker Brownies

Found another recipe for using up my crumby graham crackers! These easy bar cookies from Taste of Home. Line the baking pan with parchment for even easier cut-a-bility.

A chocolate chip-like cookie with a s'mores twist. Can't say it's one that would go in my regular rotation, but it was a yummy try.