Friday, May 30, 2014

German Chocolate Tres Leches

My husband's birthday was last week, so I was asking him what kind of cake or cheesecake he wanted. Last year I made him a chocolate tres leches cake I had found on Pinterest, so I asked if he would like that again. He replied that he wanted a German chocolate tres leches.

German Chocolate Tres Leches; completely from scratch and completely amazing! | Apples to Applique #cake #baking #dessert #bestcakeever



Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Two-Minute Tuesday #5: How to Work with Dough

Welcome to Two-Minute Tuesday, where I share quick tips, tidbits, and ideas.
This is also the third installment of Cooking 101; today I want to share a quick tip for working with dough.

A Quick Tip for Working with Dough | Apples to Applique #cooking #baking #cookingtips


Monday, May 26, 2014

Meal Review Monday #7: Stuffed Mini Peppers

Welcome to Meal Review Monday, where I review Pinterest recipe finds.

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you all get some time today to relax with your family and friends and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The recipe I'm reviewing today would be quick to add to your picnic menu this afternoon: Stuffed Mini Peppers. They're so simple and tasty.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Ruffled Top Refashion

Happy Friday, everyone! Are you looking forward to the weekend as much as I am? Although I'm not working outside the home right now, I love weekends since I get to have my husband home for a couple of days.

So, I've told you how I am trying to extend the life of my wardrobe in the interest of saving a little cash. Last week I showed you how to lengthen shirts by adding lace. This week's refashion is a little bit more involved, but so much fun.

Ruffled Top Refashion | Apples to Applique #sewing



Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Two-Minute Tuesday #4: How to Measure Ingredients for Cooking

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links. Thanks for supporting my blog!)

Welcome to Two-Minute Tuesday, where I share quick tips, tidbits, and ideas.

In today's second installment of Cooking 101, I'm going to give you a quick rundown on how to measure ingredients in the kitchen.

Cooking 101: How to Measure Ingredients for Cooking | Apples to Applique


Monday, May 19, 2014

Meal Review Monday #6: Pan-Seared Brussels Sprouts

Welcome to Meal Review Monday, where I review Pinterest recipe finds.

I hope you all had a great weekend! We're busy packing and getting ready to move two states away, so it's been chaotic around here. We will be back in our hometown, though, with all of our immediate family and most of our extended family, which we are super excited about, especially with having a kid now.

In the midst of all this craziness, however, I am still (somehow) finding time to cook.
This week's Pinterest recipe: Pan-Seared Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans by Rachel Schultz.

PAN-SEARED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH CRANBERRIES & PECANS from Rachel Schultz
 Image from Rachel Schultz. Please respect the creator and pin from the original site!
I like brussels sprouts, but I don't have them often, because they're usually kind of boring. I had never tried them in a recipe like this.

Now, if you're not a fan of brussels sprouts, you won't like this recipe, but if you are, you should give it a try. This dish really fancies-up boring old brussels sprouts, and makes an impressive-looking side.

I would recommend using fresh sprouts, though. I used frozen (because the recipe doesn't specify) and mine didn't look nearly as pretty as hers. The taste wasn't affected, though! The combination really worked well: the tart cranberries, the tangy cheese, and the crunchy pecans all complemented the brussels sprouts perfectly.

It didn't take too terribly long to prepare, either. The longest part was prepping the sprouts, but it wasn't too tedious.

All in all, my final rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars. Give it a try the next time you want a fancy side dish!

Have you tried this recipe? Do you agree with my rating?

Need a tasty main dish to go with this recipe? Try my Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Meatballs.

http://www.applestoapplique.com/2012/04/barbecue-meatballs.html

Friday, May 16, 2014

How to Lengthen a Shirt with Lace

Lately, I've been going through my summer wardrobe trying to see what I can make work for me this year. Most of these clothes haven't been worn for two years; my daughter was born last summer, so of course I was not in 90% of my regular summer clothes after her birth. And, of course, my body is just not the same post-baby, so there's that. But I'm trying really hard to be frugal and not spend a gazillion dollars on a new wardrobe, so I've been looking for ways to make my existing wardrobe work.

How to Lengthen a Shirt with Lace | Apples to Applique #sewing #tutorial #DIY #fashion

The first project I took on was a simple one. I had this pretty black top that I like, but it's always been just a tad on the short side, so I never wore it. Last fall I showed you how to lengthen a knit shirt by adding a band in the middle, but that technique wouldn't work here. It wouldn't look right with the shirt, and this shirt is not made of knit fabric, so I knew I would need a different approach.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Two-Minute Tuesday #3: Cooking Abbreviations and Measurement Conversions

Welcome to Two-Minute Tuesday, where I share quick tips, tidbits, and ideas.

I had put out some "feelers" a while back to see if there was any interest in a series on cooking for the beginner. I received positive feedback, so I've decided to present some quick cooking tips through Two-Minute Tuesdays. I'm calling the series Cooking 101, and today is the first installment.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Meal Review Monday #5: Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

Welcome to to Meal Review Monday, where I review Pinterest recipe finds.

On the menu today: Bacon Cinnamon Rolls by Gimme Some Oven

Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
Image from Tablespoon. Please respect the creator and pin from the original site!

Bacon rolled up inside cinnamon rolls = the most genius breakfast idea ever!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

"Moem" for Mother's Day

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of MetLife Foundation. All opinions are 100% mine.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms and grandmas out there!
This is a special Mother's Day for me as it is the first one I get to celebrate with my daughter since her birth (although my sweet husband gave me a gift last Mother's Day, when I was 8 months pregnant).

Mother's Day in the past has always been a little bittersweet for me, as my relationship with my mom is not what I would wish it to be. However, I am blessed to have two amazing grandmothers who have always been there to encourage me and drive me to be the best I can be. That's why this year for Mother's Day, I have decided to write a #Moem in their honor.

#Moem

What is a Moem, you ask? A “#Moem” is a tribute poem written and posted on social channels, preferably rhyming, in 135 characters or less. Isn't that sweet?

But it gets even better, because for every #moem posted, MetLife will donate $10 toward Dress for Success’ goal of $50,000. How awesome is that? (Note: while you can make Moems after Mother's Day, the donation ends at midnight on Mother's Day).
 
Not poetic? No problem! Check out the Moem Maker www.moemmaker.com for a little help to get you started. I used it and it was really easy. There are several first lines to choose from, and then you type in the second line yourself. (It even gives you rhyming word suggestions).

I encourage you to give it a try, and then post a tribute to your mom or grandma on social media with the hashtag #moem for the world to see. It only takes a few minutes, will make your mom feel special, and make a difference in the lives of other moms, as well.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Friday, May 9, 2014

Cap and Gown Champagne/Wine Bottle Cover

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links).

It's graduation season! I'm sure you all know a few people who are graduating this spring. This champagne/wine bottle cover makes a cute and festive addition to a bottle of wine or champagne, making a nice gift for the college graduate. You could even use it for high school graduates by putting it over a bottle of sparking grape juice.


Cap and Gown Bottle Cover Tutorial | Apples to Applique #graduation #wine #gifts


I originally saw this idea on Pinterest, but when I went to the page, it was a dead link (so frustrating when that happens!) I tried searching for the original blog, but the blog had been removed. A further search brought up some results from Etsy, where these were being sold for $20. I knew I could figure out how to make this myself, and sure enough, I did, and was able to make it for about $2. I can spend that extra $18 on my graduate friend!

It took a little bit to figure out the pattern, but once I did it really wasn't so bad. Now I'm sharing the pattern with you, so you don't have to figure it out for yourself!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Two-Minute Tuesday #2: 15 Last-Minute Gifts for Moms and Teachers

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the links).

Welcome to Two-Minute Tuesday, where I share quick tips, tidbits, and ideas.
Today's overall post is longer, but each idea should only take you a few minutes, hence the inclusion in Two-Minute Tuesday. :)




This Sunday is Mother's Day...eek, that's only 5 days away! On top of that, this week is also Teacher Appreciation Week! Have you found the perfect gifts yet? If you're a procrastinator like a lot of us, you may still be needing a gift for the special mom or teacher in your life. Well you're in luck, because today I have some quick and easy ideas for you that moms and teachers are sure to love. You don't have to be crafty to put together these DIY gifts. They won't take you long at all to assemble, but they're still thoughtful and show you care. Moms and teachers deserve that, right?

Monday, May 5, 2014

Meal Review Monday #4: Peanut Butter and Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip

Welcome to Meal Review Monday, where I review Pinterest recipe finds.

The first three Meal Review Mondays have featured some not-so-healthy recipes. While I love a good splurge recipe as much as more than the next person, I also love finding healthy foods that also taste good, which is why this week I'm reviewing a healthy fruit dip recipe.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

May the 4th Be With You!

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.)

Star Wars Fans, anyone?

May 4th celebrates the Star Wars Trilogy that has entertained thousands of fans from all over the world. In honor of May the 4th be with you, Mabel's Labels is offering 50% Off Robot, Rocket, Princess and Star Sticky Labels for one day only, on 5/4 from 10am EST until 11:59pm EST

The force is strong with this offer - don't miss your chance to shop this great deal!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Mexi-Sketti Pie

This is another one of my weird throw-a-bunch-of-stuff-together-because-I-don't-feel-like-going-to-the-store recipes. We had some leftover taco meat but no more tortillas, and spaghetti but no spaghetti sauce, so it was time to get creative!





Thankfully, this was one of those creative recipes that turned out. My husband ate one bite and said, "You have to put this on the blog!" Win. He's even requested that it be added to our rotation of dinners. Double win.