Fence Board Friends

When I saw this on Pinterest I just had to make my own, but there were no templates and no instructions. But, as they say, “A picture is worth 1000 words.” So, by looking at the picture I decided I’d make these using fence boards and other materials. I did want them to be water proof if I was going to place them outside, or if I’d put them in a window, I could use just about anything from Styrofoam to thick poster board or whatever that stuff is called. It’s always fun to see what’s available at your favorite craft store.

spooktacular day 1_edited-2

The pumpkin is relatively easy to make with all the templates available on-line for carving pumpkins. You could get a suitable face to paint on or cut out of other materials. The same is true for the ghost and even Frankenstein. Now, the mummy is what caught my eye with the burlap and muslin wrap. You’ll be able to find the burlap and muslin at your local craft store, cut out some strips and have this project wrapped up in no time. Add embellishments and you’ll have some Halloween friends that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Do You Know About Annedroids?

Annedroids is an exciting new science based action-adventure series for ages 6 to 9 years old, but I’m sure the fan base is much wider. It’s a series about a genius kid-scientist Anne and her kid assistants Nick and Shania and of course her android creations. As you can imagine when you put together three kids, three androids, science experiments taking place in a junkyard laboratory, you’re going to get some hijinks, misadventures, problem solving excitement — especially with curious androids out and about.

Click the banner to get in on the fun!

 

 

Tombstone Cupcake Toppers — Free Printable

Create a little grave yard scene on top of your favorite cupcakes and you have a winning treat for your guests. The tombstones are quite appropriate for the season: Overdosed on Candy, A Very Sweet Ending, Death by Chocolate, RIP. I print them out on cardstock, glue them on a toothpick and I’m ready to put them on my frosted cupcakes, but they need something else. That’s where you can be creative with a variety of chopped up mini candy bars and melted white chocolate chips. You can either create your designs on parchment paper by drawing them out freehand or you can use candy molds.

Halloween-Graveyard-Cupcakes-SpookyCelebration-shop_edited-1

Image Compliments of http://www.happinessishomemade.net

Here are the Tombstones

Compliments of http://www.blog.chickabug.com

If you’re not comfortable drawing out your own hands and bones, here’s a candy mold you may find helpful:

    Thanks for stopping by!

National Root Beer Float Day Has Finally Arrived

AW3

Root Beer Floats are the definite taste of summer. For National Root Beer Float Day you can always celebrate this taste in cookies — sandwich cookies — Root Beer Float Sandwich Cookies. Yes, I do have the recipe for you.

I was surprised that a number of my friends who participated in our annual Christmas Cookie Exchange went crazy over these Root Beer Float Sandwich Cookies. The look of pure delight on their faces when they bit into a cookie let me know these are definite winners and the taste of summer needs to be added to the winter season.

Now for purists, on this National Root Beer Float Day I have root beer float recipes for you:

Traditional Root Beer Float:  two scoops of vanilla ice cream topped off with cold and refreshing root beer.

Black Cow: two scoops of chocolate ice cream topped off with cold root beer.

Double Root Beer Float: two scoops of root beer flavored ice cream topped off with cold root beer.

Or for those who want a little bit of each:  a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a scoop of chocolate ice cream and a scoop of root beer flavored ice cream in a glass or mug topped off with your favorite brand of cold root beer.

Now for The Root Beer Float Sandwich Cookie Recipe

Root-Beer-Float-Cookies2_edited-1

Image Compliments of http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com

Ingredients yield 2 dozen cookies

Root Beer Cookie:
    • 2 sticks softened unsalted butter
    • 2 cups light brown sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tsp McCormick Root Beer Concentrate
    • 3 1/4 cup flour
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp baking soda
Vanilla Buttercream:
  • 6 Tbsp softened unsalted butter
  • 6 Tbsp shortening
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp milk

Instructions

  1. Bring out the stand mixer with the paddle attachment to do some serious mixing. In the bowl cream the butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and root beer concentrate. Mix and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  2. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda.
  3. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combined them together.
  4. I love the scoops for cookie dough balls, but if you don’t have one you’re going to use about 1 1/2 tablespoons of cookie dough and make them into balls.
  5. Place these balls on a parchment lined baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 13 minutes.

Now you’re ready to make the Buttercream.

  1. Using regular beaters in your mixer, place the butter and shortening in a large bowl. Beat until the mixture is smooth.
  2. Add the vanilla and milk with about half of the powdered sugar. Mix well.
  3. Add the remaining powdered sugar. Mix well.

Once your cookies are cool, it’s time to make them into sandwich cookies.

  1. Get out a sandwich size zip-lock top bag, snip off a corner, put in the buttercream.
  2. Flip over a cookie and squeeze out some buttercream icing. You’re going to top the buttercream with a cookie. (The undersides of the cookies will be stuck together with the buttercream and the outsides of the cookies will show on top and bottom of your sandwich cookie.)
  3. There you have your first Root Beer Float Sandwich Cookie!
  4. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
  5. Store in an airtight container.

Now, wasn’t that fun! You get the root beer flavor from the cookie and the ice creamy flavor from the buttercream icing, Root Beer Float Sandwich Cookies.

You could ice the cookies instead of making them into sandwich cookies. It’s all a matter of taste. I like more cookie to icing, but you may like equal amounts.

Enjoy!

Adult Root Beer Float Recipe

Here’s an adult beverage you may enjoy to celebrate National Root Beer Float Day.

Rachael Ray put together this concoction of a White Russian and root beer with a scoop of coffee ice cream, a spritz of whipped cream with a cherry on top. That will definitely make your taste buds twang!

Here goes:

  1. Get out a tall glass. First comes 2 shots of vodka, then 2 shots of Kahlua and 1 shot of heavy cream. Stir with a tall spoon.
  2. Fill the glass up with root beer.
  3. Flatten the bottom of a scoop of coffee ice cream and place it on the glass to look fancy.
  4. Top the coffee ice cream with a spritz of whipped cream.
  5. Put a maraschino cherry on top of the whipped cream.

 

AdultRootBeerFloat_edited-1

Image Courtesy of http://www.rachaelray.com

Now, not to be a spoil sport I may forget the vodka, Kahlua and cream and try out the coffee ice cream topped off with root beer. I may even pour a little Kahlua on the coffee ice cream. Goodness, you could come up with all kinds of variations.

Enjoy!