Gimme Some Sugar...

Happy Weekend to you!

I thought I'd best get on here and do a 

little Valentine inspired post!

After all, it is the LOVE month!

And my birthday!

💗

(Smiles inserted here)

Do you gals go all out for Valentine's Day or do

you just keep it simple and real?

We keep it simple,

with having boys they aren't into anything foo-foo or pink.

Now, if we did a camo theme, they'd be ALL in.

But, that ain't happening!!

The most requested thing my boys ask for

are my frosted sugar cookies.

So, I'll more than likely bake some 

heart shaped cookies for the occasion!

When I was a kid, I hated that my 

Birthday was on Valentine's Day.

No one ever celebrated my birthday, just Valentine's Day.

I felt ripped off... forgotten...

How Rude!!

Now, that I'm older, I get extra blessed.

I just celebrate all month long....

(And my oldest son's birthday is two days after mine)

So see...Party Month!! 

Okay enough about me....

HA!

I thought I'd share a few of my posts on some easy DIY gifts 

to share on this special day or really any special day 

for that matter.

These walnut cranberry clusters are so yummy!

I make these often as they aren't overly sweet.

Click Here

These little pillow hearts 

were so much fun to make and easy too...

Click Here

I absolutely LOVE this Lavender salve.

Probably one of my favorite DIY gifts.

Click Here

I hope whatever you do,

you do it with LOVE!!

Have a delightful week &

Thank You so much for stopping by....

HUGS,

Spreading the Love...

Well, it's official Valentine's Day

 is right around the corner...

Since, it's my birthday,

 I've been celebrating all month!

To be honest with you, I haven't felt like baking

a whole lot, so I'm pulling some quick 

edible gifts from my archives...

Do you have big plans to celebrate

 Valentine's Day??

We normally do something special at home

and then the weekend after, we go out for a 

nice quiet dinner, just the hubby and I.

Well, whatever you do

I hope you have a lovely day!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

💕

If you are looking for something easy 

and oh so yummy, you really need to try my 

 delicious caramel sauce, click HERE

This is a must have in our home!!

And if you are looking for something chocolate

for your sweetheart, these are really 

good and very simple to make!

click HERE

💕

Enjoy your week sweet friends and 

Thank You for stopping by...

Hugs & Blessings,

Christmas Baking...

Tis the Season to be baking...

fa.. la.. la.. la.. la.. la!

I have all ready had one baking day with friends

and I'll be doing another baking day 

with my mom this week.

Whew...that's a  lot of cookies!

(Smiles)

Every year I make cookie platters

 for my hubby's work

my Father in Law's crew, my Aunt's office 

and a few of our friends.

I love to bake and give!!

Believe it or not, I really don't 

eat a lot of what I bake.

I might eat my fair share at times 

but I don't eat a lot of my goodies!

Sugar cookie cut outs are our most favorite!!

So I have have to make a double 

batch when I bake!

What are your most favorite 

cookies you bake this time of year?

I do a huge variety...

Almond Blossoms

Scotcharoo's

Cocoa Drops

Butter Brickle Bars

Snickerdoodles

Peppermint Shortbread

Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Ranger Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Fudge

Cashew Brittle

More Fudge

Just to name a few... HaHa!

I made chocolate covered cherries 

last year for the first time

and they were really yummy!

These are my father in laws favorite!

Click on the link below if you'd like 

to give them a try.

Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe

And by the end of the holiday baking season

you will feel like this...

Thanks so much for stopping by...

May you all be blessed with Christmas Cheer!!

Hugs & Blessings To You,

Easy Cashew Brittle...

Hello!  How are you?

I've been busy, but I think we all are this time of year.

Running here and there, doing errands, 

school, chores, baking, cooking

the list is endless...

But in the mix of all the busyness

I have been doing a little baking.

I'm getting my flow on cooking Gluten Free

so that right there is huge!

In the midst of all the changes,

I found this super easy brittle recipe.

Do you like Brittle?

I do!

It's sweet, a bit salty and I love the crunch!

Now, I'm sure you have had peanut brittle.

But, this brittle is made with cashews!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to give it a try.

Microwave Nut Brittle

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup cashews or nuts of choice

1 tsp. baking soda

In microwave safe bowl, mix together sugar and corn syrup.

Microwave for 5 minutes.

Add in butter, vanilla and cashews.

Microwave for 1 minute longer.

Stir in baking soda and immediately spread

 mixture onto buttered parchment paper.

Cool for 30 minutes to an hour.

Break into pieces and enjoy!

With the holiday season upon us, 

this would make a great gift!

I hope you have a delightfully sweet week!

HUGS,

DIY Lavender Salve...

Valentine's Day is fast approaching

and what better gift to give than 

some homemade lavender salve.

Here's what you'll need to make your own:

1/4 c. dried lavender flowers

5-7 drops lavender oil

2 Tbsp. grated beeswax

1/2 c. olive oil

Small round containers

First, grate or shave 2 Tbsp. beeswax.

(I used my knife and just shaved the bar of beeswax)

Set aside for later instructions.

Pour olive oil into a heavy saucepan and 

add in your 1/4 c. dried lavender flowers.

Stir to combine.  

Warm slowly over low heat.

Once warm, turn off heat and let sit for 20 minutes.

Place cheesecloth over a glass measuring cup 

and secure it with rubber band.

Strain the lavender oil and flowers.  

Remove the rubber band and squeeze

 excess liquid from the cloth.

Put a few inches of water into a large saucepan,

Place the cup of lavender oil 

(that's in your glass measuring cup)

into the pan.

Add in your 2 Tbsp. of grated beeswax.

Warm slowly over low heat.

Now add in your 5-7 drops of lavender oil.

Let the oil and beeswax sit in water and stir 

occasional until the beeswax has melted.

This step takes about 10 minutes or so.

Once the beeswax has melted, pour the oil

 into your clean containers.

Allow to cool completely before putting lids on.

Make pretty labels and give as gifts or keep for yourself!

This will store for up to 6 months.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you know that Lavender Oil has so many health benefits?

Well here is something I found online to show you what they are:

Pretty amazing, I think!

I always try to use the "All Natural" method 

first before having to go see a doctor.

We use our lavender salve for many 

boo-boos, cuts and bruises.

I used it under my nose, around my ears

 and on my chest while I was sick.

Lavender is one of those smells

 that remind me of Joy and Happiness

and who doesn't want that?!

Do you use essential oils?

If so what do you use yours for?

I also made a sore muscle rub

and I included into the essential oils:

Wintergreen

Myrtle

Basil

Marjoram

We really LOVE this one too!

I hope you all give both of these a try!

Have a wonderful day, Friends!

In His Grace,