No Nudity at Work!

What is it about plain bulletin boards?  They are just all kinds of beige.  And I mean that in a bad way.  Boring.  Blah.  Beige. 


I was tired of looking at “naked” bulletin boards, so I grabbed some green felt and a staple gun. 

I feel better now. 

Much better!  I’m pretty sure there is a policy against nudity at work.  Bulletin boards included! 

;-)  *wink*  Marci

Chocolate Friendship Bread with White Chocolate Chips

You might remember my chicken whisperer, goat wrangler, dear friend gave me an Amish Friendship Bread starter bag for Christmas.  Well, I've been playing around with it and the idea of chocolate came along.  I never met a piece of chocolate I didn't like. 

Here are the complete directions.  I hope you like it! 

Please note:
DO NOT use any type of metal spoon or bowl for mixing.
DO NOT refrigerate.
If air gets in the bag, let it out
It is normal for the batter to rise and ferment
________Day 1- Do Nothing
________Day 2– Mash the Bag
________Day 3– Mash the Bag
________Day 4– Mash the Bag
________Day 5– Mash the Bag
________Day 6– Add to the Bag: 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk, Mash the Bag
________Day 7– Mash the Bag
________Day 8– Mash the Bag
________Day 9– Mash the Bag
________Day 10– FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW:

1. Pour entire contents of the bag into a non-metal bowl. ADD 1½ cups sugar and 1½ cups milk.
2. Measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each into a 1 gallon Ziplock Bags. Keep a starter for yourself and give away 3 others to friends along with a copy of this recipe (Note: you will be baking every 10 days if you keep a starter. ) The bread is very good and makes a great gift. Only the Amish know how to create a starter, so if you give all of yours away, you will have to wait until someone gives you one back. Should this recipe not be passed to a friend on the first day, be sure to date the bag, and be sure to let them know what day the bag is on.
Baking Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. To Remaining Batter add the following:
 2 eggs
 1 cup butter (or ½ cup oil and ½ cup applesauce)
 ½ cup milk
 2 cups flour
 1½ tsp baking power
 ½ tsp of each: vanilla, baking soda and salt
 1 large box of instant chocolate pudding
 1 bag white chocolate chips


3. Grease 2 loaf pans (or one loaf pan and one muffin tin.)
4. Pour the batter evenly into the pans.  Bake for 1 hour for loaf pan (less for muffins), cool until bread loosens from the sides.

Enjoy!  This stuff won’t last long! 

Thank you for stopping by! 

;-)  Marci

Love is… His and Her Coffee Cups

Sipping coffee and sharing dreams. 



Fuzzy slippers and crazy hair. 

How do you finish the sentence?  Love is…  

Blog Critique Swap

Hosted by Truly Lovely with the Laney Sisters

Last week I participated in a blog critique swap.  It was a wonderful learning experience. 

What is a blog critique swap?  I’m so glad you asked.  Basically, you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothin’ but the truth.  Then you are given specific criteria to check and two blogs to critique.  In return, you receive two critiques for your blog.  ‘Sounds scary, huh?  Sometimes the truth hurts. 

If you are curious about the criteria, you can find it at Crafterminds.  At first the whole thing seemed a little daunting.  Then I looked at the first assigned blog and fell in love! 

Life in the Thrifty Lane 
It was so much fun really looking at a blog, especially one with tons of helpful information. Her posts are very well written.  Meeting Veronica was such a treat!  I am now a follower of her blog. 

I felt much better after completing one critique.  I took a peek at the second assigned blog.  You’ll never guess what happened.  I fell in love AGAIN!

A Lil Dash of Diva 
What a great name for a blog!  There is a sparkly shoe in the header of her blog and she signs her posts with a hot pink lipstick smooch!  Chrissy is delightful, too!  I am now a follower of her blog. 

You may be wondering who was assigned to Stone Cottage Adventures.  Mandy over at Sugar Bee Crafts is super experienced and had tons of helpful tips.  Thank you, Mandy!  You guessed it.  I am now a follower of her blog! 

‘Not sure exactly what happened with my second critique, but I bet it is coming soon!  There was some kind of technical difficulty.  It was so sweet of Kassi at Truly Lovely with the Laney Sisters to share her knowledge.  Thanks, Kassi!  Veronica at Life in the Thrifty Lane also stopped by and gave me some suggestions.  Thanks, Veronica!   

What did I learn? 
1.  Bloggers are wonderful people. 
2.  You can’t have too many girlfriends, especially bloggy girlfriends. 
3.  My writing style and photos were well received. 
4.  My blog should have some cool gadgets I don’t actually know how to create. 
5.  You can find a tutorial for anything.  Even cool blogging gadgets. 

Off I go to read tutorials and create an even better blog.  There may be fewer posts while I tackle gadgets. 

Thanks so much for stopping by this humble little blog!  My bloggy goal was to spread joy.  I had no idea how much I would receive.  Thank you for sharing my joy!   

Marci  ;-)

Amish Friendship Bread

Dear friend, chicken whisperer, goat wrangler, and Mommy to Chili Dog with Cheese on Top (what an introduction) gave me this recipe and a starter bag right after Christmas! 
How exciting!  A new adventure begins!  (Dramatic music)  I copied and pasted the exact recipe emailed to me.  For some reason, the formatting got a little wonky. 

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW: The bread is very good and makes a great gift. Only the Amish know how to create a starter, so if you give all of yours away, you will have to wait until someone gives you one back. Should this recipe not be passed to a friend on the first day, be sure to date the bag, and be sure to let them know what day the bag is on.
 Please note: DO NOT use any type of metal spoon or bowl for mixing.  DO NOT refrigerate.
If air gets in the bag, let it out.  It is normal for the batter to rise and ferment.

________  Day 1  Do Nothing
________  Day 2  Mash the Bag

________  Day 3  Mash the Bag
________  Day 4  Mash the Bag
________  Day 5  Mash the Bag
________  Day 6  Add to the Bag: 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk, Mash the Bag.

________  Day 7  Mash the Bag
________  Day 8  Mash the Bag
________  Day 9  Mash the Bag
________  Day 10

1. Pour entire contents of the bag into a non-metal bowl. ADD 1½ cups sugar and 1½ cups milk.
2. Measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each into a 1 gallon Ziplock Bags. Keep a starter for yourself and give away 3 others to friends along with a copy of this recipe (Note: you will be baking every 10 days if you keep a starter. )  

Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. To Remaining Batter add the following:
 3 eggs
 1 cup oil (or ½ cup oil and ½ cup applesauce)
 ½ cup milk
 1 cup sugar
 2 cups flour
 2 tsp cinnamon
 1½ tsp baking power
 ½ tsp of each: vanilla, baking soda and salt
 1 large box of instant vanilla pudding
(Optional: add 1 cup of raisins or chopped nuts)

3. Grease 2 loaf pans. Mix ½ cup sugar and ½ tsp cinnamon. Dust the pans ½ this mixture.

4. Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top Bake for 1 hour, cool until bread loosens from the sides.

Enjoy!

Yep!  Part of it is gone.  You gotta be quick to photograph food around here!  ;-)  *wink*  Thanks for stopping by and sharing our joy!

Favorite Author - Dawn Denton

Northwest Arkansas is filled with amazing people. 

I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Big Stuff's favorite author, Dawn Denton.  His favorite book is "Oliver the Toad" followed closely by "Ruby & Rocket".  Both were written by Dawn and are part of her "Guest in the Garden Series" of books for children.  We just can't wait to meet Betzy!

   

I am horrible remembering credentials, so I am cheating!  Here is Dawn's bio from Amazon.com! 


Dawn Denton was born and raised on a farm in western Colorado. It was there that she first was introduced to the wonderful world of gardening. Her parents were stewards of the land, and they took the time to teach her and her siblings the value of nature.

She attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where she majored in Elementary Education. It was while she was in college that she fell in love with teaching young children.

Today, she lives in Siloam Springs with her husband Dave and owns her own garden design and consulting business, "Gardens by You and Me". She is a certified Arkansas Master Gardener and published author of two garden themed children's books: Ruby and Rocket, and Oliver the Toad. She has combined her love of nature and her love of teaching into a successful business educating others about gardening and the connection we have to nature.

Visit her website at http://www.nwarkansasgardendesign.com

Stone Cottage Play Dough

'Not to be confused with Stone Cottage Edible Play Dough .  It's fun, too!

Do you have energetic children that wake up early and need to be entertained while you cook breakfast?  Mr. Big Stuff is an early riser and, boy, is he energetic!  What a cutie pie! 

Get out the food coloring.  Let your sweethearts choose which color they like best!  Mr. Big Stuff likes blue.  He's already been called a "Man's Man".  *wink*  He's 5.  Does that make him a "Boy's Boy'?

Stone Cottage Play Dough Ingredients

1 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup Salt

1 Cup Cold Water

Toss the ingredients in a medium sauce pan.  Cook and stir over medium high heat for a few minutes.  It really doesn't take very long.  When it thickens and looks kind of like mashed potatoes, remove from heat. 

Let the fun begin!  Mr. Big Stuff LOVES adding the color.  I scoop equal parts into four snack size plastic bags. 

 That happens to be how many colors we got in our food coloring box.  

Squish a "pocket" in the middle of the dough for the food coloring.  The pocket will help things be a little less messy if the bag pops open.

Add your favorite color into the "pocket".

Pinch the "pocket" closed.

Smoosh and mash the dough inside with the bags in hopes of keeping the mess somewhat contained.

OK.  I repeat myself.  What a cutie pie!  Just know there will probably be a mess. 

But what a cutie pie!

Thank you for sharing our joy!

Burps Happen - Eyelet Rose Burp Cloth

If you have a baby in your life, you understand.  Burps Happen. Be Cute About It. 

 

 

Eyelet Rose Burp Cloth  

 

 

Here's what we're making together today!  'Very vintage-y looking! 

 

 

 Supplies you need: 

1 Custom Dyed Cloth Diaper

Eyelet Lace - I used two different kinds

12 Inches of 2 inch Eyelet Lace

30 - 36 Inches of 1 inch Eyelet Lace

Thread that coordiates with the Lace

Thread that coordinates with the Cloth Diaper

Chalk

Scissors

Sewing Machine

This cloth diaper is custom dyed with Rit Wine color dye.  I love this shade of wine!  In the photo below, you can see how it compares to an un-dyed cloth diaper and one that is Rit Petal Pink. 

 

If you are worried about the custom dye job, I've got your back.  Just go to my Custom Dye Job Tutorial .   

 

 

This 2 inch eyelet lace I'm using is similar to bias tape at the top.  Can you see it?

 

The end of the cloth diaper can be tucked inside for easy sewing.  Like bias tape, one side is slightly shorter. 

 

Sew on the shorter side to ensure getting both sides sewn well.  Once it is sewn to the cloth diaper, finish the edges with a zig zag stitch at each end.  For this step, you'll want to use your thread that coordinates with the eyelet lace.

 

It's already pretty!  You can stop here if you like!  Do you remember the Chubby Fashionista Rose Accessory ?  We're going to sew a rose using the one inch eyelet lace. 

Start by drawing a circle wherever you would like the rose to be.  Today, I want it in the middle of the cloth diaper.  I have a round pack of needles that is about two inches across.  It is the perfect size for this project.  

 

 

Can you see the circle?  For a two inch circle, I'll use about a yard of eyelet lace.

 

Please refer back to the Chubby Fashionista Rose Accessory before stitching.  First of all, finish the ends of the eyelet lace using a zig zag stitch.   For the next step, you'll want to change out your bobbin thread to one that coordinates with the cloth diaper.  This will make the stitch less visible on the reverse side. 

Beginning on the outside edge of the circle, slowly stitch the eyelet, swirling in toward the center. 

 

 

The eyelet will stand softly in a gorgeous rosette.

 

 

If your darling happens to make a mess, it will be mopped up in the cutest possible way!  You may have noticed, Chubby Fashionista's onesy is custom dyed  as well.  It's amazing what dying can do for a simple onesy.  Does your super model ever get bored with her photo shoots? 

 

Thank you for sharing our joy!

 

;-)  -Marci

Watch Where You are Going #2

With this post, I am sending a special wink to Kitty, Cupcake, Feathers, Shenanigans, Pete, Clucky, Cow and Snail Teeth!  ;-)  *WINK*  (Am I even close on the names?)

Thank you for making me feel so welcome in Wichita!  You gave me a lot of great direction!

 

 

 

 

Did you read my post after my trip to Kansas City?  If not, you can read it here .  Watch Where You are Going.   

 

 

 

 

The idea of the post is to Watch Where You are Going!  Slow down just a little and see the beauty all around you.  When I'm travelling, I love taking my camera along and snapping pix of whatever makes me smile.  

 

 

 

 

Winter is so beautiful.  I generally prefer winter photos to be black and white.

 

 

 

 

I just got back from a trip to Wichita.  On my way there, I travelled west on Highway 412 just past Tulsa and then took I 35 north.  'Paid a few tolls.  KAPOW!  There is Wichita.  'Easy trip from Northwest Arkansas. 

 

 

 

 

Just east of Wichita is a wind mill farm.  You can see it from Highway 400.

 

 

 

 

I've always wanted to photograph the wind mills. 

 

 

 

 

 

Fields are filled with wind mills. 

 

 

 

 

So, on the return trip, I left my hotel very early in the morning.  It was still dark, but so worth it!  This would be a cold Kansas morning filled with joy! 

 

 

 

The sunrise was spectacular.

 

 

Only God gets to paint the sky. 

 

 

I don't know where you are going, but I'd like to invite you to watch for joy!  God probably has a smile planned for you, just up ahead.  You have to watch for it though.  Watch where you are going!  After photographing the sunrise, I was smiling all the way home!

 

;-)  -Marci