Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Deeeelicious Pie Crust

I was spoiled as a child because my mom made everything and I mean everything, homemade.  Store bought rolls were a bad word in our house.  Refrigerated cookie dough? What was that?!  Meals from a box. No! So, the thought of buying store pie crust doesn't go through my head.  Maybe this is why I have only made pie crust twice in my life. I love my mom's but couldn't find the recipe, so I went to my go to blog Mel's Kitchen Cafe. I know her recipes are the best. They always are!  And I like that she blogs for herself not for other people.  So, trust me when I say that this pie crust is:
flaky
crispy
non soggy
delicious
buttery
goodness
aka
heaven in a pie plate

Here is the recipe, but she also has a tutorial on her blog.


*Makes 2 pie crusts (for 2 single crust pies or 1 double crust pie)
1 cup (2 sticks) very cold butter (I cut my butter into about 16 small pieces, put them on a plate and place the
plate in the freezer for about 15 minutes before using in the recipe)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup ice water, plus an additional tablespoon or two if needed
For the pie crust:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix to blend. Scatter the butter pieces across the flour mixture
and using a pastry cutter or two knives, work the butter into the flour until the pieces of butter are pea-sized and
the mixture is coarse and crumbly. Throughout this process, the butter should stay very cold and firm. If you
notice the butter is softening too much, refrigerate the mixture for about 10 minutes before continuing, although
this shouldn’t be a problem if you work quickly. Drizzle the cold water over the flour/butter mixture, and with a
fork, toss the flour and water lightly to combine. The dough should start to pull together in a floury mass of
dough. Add a tablespoon of cold water additionally at a time if the dough is too dry. The dough should not
resemble a sugar cookie dough – in fact, it may still be a bit crumbly when you start to roll it out, but it will come
together as you roll.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Best Pumpkin Pie...no lie!!!


This is not a joke, nor a lie! This pumpkin pie, in fact, won a Canadian Food Network contest. I can see why. It is creamy.  It is delectable.  It is perfectly pumpkiny.  Your taste buds will thank you.  Your five year old son will ask if he can eat it for breakfast.  Your seven year old will eat it in 30 seconds flat.  So, you're welcome!  
This is the first time I made pumpkin pie. My next pumpkin pie will be with real pumpkin.  Ohhh, fancy.  I plan on doing that when baby boy is bigger so he can enjoy it and not be grumpy at me.  Because who can be grumpy when there is pumpkin pie acookin'!

I got the recipe from the Hungry Hollow

The crust will be shared tomorrow.  That is also perfection.

No, I did not whip any cream.  I know. I know.

NOTE:  This recipe makes TWO pumpkin pies!!!

Best Pumpkin Pie!

2 cups brown sugar
1 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ginger
1/4 t. coves
1/2 t. nutmeg
4 whole eggs
3 1/4 c. canned pumpkin
1 c. evaporated milk
1 c. heavy cream or whole milk
pie crust

Preheat oven:
For pies: 450 for 20 minutes, then bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
For tarts: 375 for 30 minutes

Mix everything together.  (Minus the crust, of course!) Make sure there aren't any lumps.  Spread into crusts.  Place pies on the bottom shelf of oven.  Mine was a little full, so I put a cookie sheet under it. (I may or may not have set off the smoke detector.)

Friday, October 26, 2012

Lightened up Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars

Hello Readers and Pumpkin Lovers!
   These are so delcious.  These are so light. These are so heavenly. And pumpkin. What more could you ask for?  They are much healthier than my other version. The other version is also heavenly, but not putting two cups into a recipe makes me feel better about things. You will love these. They are so easy and fast.  My seven year old did most of the assembling. Never did I think three years ago when I had a 4 year old, 1 year old and newborn that I would have such great helpers, but I do!  Mothers of lots of young children, take heart!  You will someday have great helpers, if you don't already!  It will be awesome.  So, jump into the kitchen with your kids. Some of my best memories are making food with my kids.  I got this recipe from Cookies and Cups. If you don't know her, get to know her!

Lightened up Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars

8 ounce block of 1/3 less fat cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon water
16 ounce package angel food cake mix
15 ounce can pumpkin
3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375.  Spray 9 by 13 pan.  Combine cream cheese, sugar and water.  Set aside.  Mix the remaining ingredients.  Pour pumpkin mixture into pan.  Drop dollops of cream cheese on top.  Swirl through with a knife.  Bake 25-30 minutes.  Will make about 24 squares.  

Also, I made a new hair bow last night that I just loved. If you love it too, go check out my etsy shop and get it! Don't worry, I can make more.=)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Some giveaway, Some flowers, some jewelry, some fall

First of all, I know this post is funky looking!  But I didn't want a huge trail of photos, so this is as good as it's going to get!  My sweet sister in law said her Canadian grandmother asked why Belles Bazaar hadn't posted anything new in so long. She told her, "She has four kids!"  But it did get me motivated to write something new.

My 3 youngest and I went on a walk yesterday and I am just amazed at the beauty! I have never experienced a real Fall since I grew up in Las Vegas.  I hope I will always appreciate it and not get used to it!
Also, I made some other hair flowers. It is fun.  They are available in my etsy shop.  Button is on the right side.

Third, my dear friend from college who inspired me with her creativity to get creative....is having a giveaway on her blog! And it would just be wrong to not promote her talent. So, go to A Little Bit of Craft and leave a comment for a chance to win some beautiful jewelry!

I will be doing my own giveaway soon!=)






Monday, October 22, 2012

I have officially opened my etsy shop.  Would love any feedback you have to offer, good or bad!  We'll see how this goes!

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

A Word on Blogging:

1)  I love my cute little family blog.  I love that I have kept it up for six years and I have a family journal. I love that I have captured real life, not just the good times.  
2) I love this little hobby blog.  It is not my career. I love pretty blogs that are just amazing and the houses are gorgeous and the dishes are perfect and the children are clean.  This, however, is not my goal for my blog. I am not trying to get a cookbook deal. I am not trying to save the world one craft at a time.  I am really just trying to share recipes, crafts and my interests in real time.  So, that might mean that my pictures are pretty lame o most of the time.  Or that might mean that in the background of my pictures are untidy.  I am ok  with that.  I want people to feel comfortable here and not like they can't make this or that because it looks so super awesome. I am not putting down beautiful blogs. Seriously, I love them!! I secretly wish my house was decorated amazing.  Right now though, this blog is a hobby and my kids are my passion.  And I am a-ok with that!

That being said: Here is the most delicious Pumpkin Spice Pancake recipe I have ever had! Ever!! I have tried many and they haven't always been memorable.  This one is!!

1 egg, Separate whites and yolks
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/8 cup oil
3/4 cup pumpkin
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup and 2 T sugar
3/4 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
3/4 t.  nutmeg
1/2 t. cloves
Mix egg yolks, milk, oil and pumpkin. Mix together flour, sugar, soda, salt and spices.  Add wet to dry ingredients and barely mix.  Beat egg white till stiff and fold into other ingredients.  Pour batter and cook!  

Friday, October 19, 2012

Better Pictures of Hair Flowers I made

I know I have been going hair flower crazy recently. But I do have tons of awesome recipes on retainer.  Also, the best pumpkin pancakes I have ever tasted. Plus, 2 guest posts from a cute blog who has been waiting two months for me to get back into the swing of things!  
Any favorite hair flowers you see here?  I would love to know opinions.





























Wednesday, October 17, 2012

More hair bows...

Some more hair flowers. Also, thinking of turning into pony tail holders, pins, purse embellishments, necklaces, earrings, headbands.  Really liking this. I love having a creative outlet.  Hope to start an etsy shop asap!  Hope to see you all there!=)










Hair flowers I made

 I got on a kick last night and made a bunch of hair flowers.  I am thinking of starting an etsy shop. Couldn't hurt!  If anyone reads this anymore (lol) let me know what you think!  Prices?  Colors? Styles? I want to make some fancier ones too.











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