Easy Peasy Toffee

If you are on Pinterest there is a good chance you have seen some recipes floating around called "saltine toffee" or something of that sort.  Well, they continued to catch my attention so today, when I decided to make some kind of Christmasy goodie I tried some.  To my surpise it was delicious and super easy!  No candy thermometer, nothing.  In fact, I was so skeptical of it...I didn't even take any pics at all till I had eaten two pieces of the finished product!  Since there are so many recipes that are quite different you can feel free to google around, but this is what I did and it worked really well, so I recommend it!  :)  Best part is that it can be ready to eat in about 30 minutes from the start!  Great huh?

Easy Peasy Toffee:
1/2 sleeve Saltines
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1 stick butter, salted
2oz. chocolate (milk or semi sweet)
toppings (nuts, more saltines, etc...)

1.  Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and line a 1 lb. bread pan with foil or parchment paper.  Then put one layer of saltines down breaking them if necessary to cover the bottom.
2.  Put butter and brown sugar in a sauce pan on medium high heat until butter is melted.  Continue by stirring until it come to a boil.  Once boiling set a timer for 2 minutes and continue to stir the toffee mixture.
3.  After the 2 minutes of boiling, remove from heat and evenly pour over the saltine lined pan.  Place in 400 degree oven to bake for 5 minutes.
4.  While the toffee is in the oven, soften the chocolate in the microwave.  So once the toffee comes out of the oven you can evenly spread the chocolate on top of it.  While it is still warm and gooey you can sprinkle nuts, saltine pieces or anything else you would like on top.
5.  Let set for 20 minutes in the freezer.  Then break up into desired pieces using a knife.  Enjoy!

Mini Cini Crust

I'd seen this type of thing before...but since I'm not a huge fan of cinnamon I didn't give it a second thought.  Until Thanksgiving came around this year, that is.  I got to thinking of desserts, and wanted to make an apple pie with a crumble top.  I got to thinking that this type of crust would add something different, so I thought I would whip it up and see what happened....just so turns out that I loved, like, l.o.v.e.d. it!  So here's how you can try it for yourself....

What you'll need:

Favorite Pie Crust Recipe (I like BHG here)

1 t. cinnamon

1 T. Sugar

Rolling Pin

Sharp Knife

floured surface

Once you have your pie crust dough roll it out to an oval/rectangle.  Then sprinkle/spread cinnamon and then sugar over it.  Tightly roll it up and pinch shut.  Then carefully slice into little cinnamon rolls and place together on floured surface.  Roll to desired thickness and use as normal pie pastry.  Enjoy! 

My (our) new toy!

My hubby and I have both been really wanting a Digital SLR for a few years now.  Each year when I get Christmas or Birthday money I hope to save it up for a camera but something else comes along to gain my affections...ususally clothes, shoes or things to craft with...  

This year my husband and I both decided to pool our Christmas money together though and *hopefully* be able to afford a DSLR.  I have been checking specs and prices on cameras (and so has he) for as long as I have been interested in getting one, so when we saw a great deal on Black Friday we went for it.  It just arrived in the mail on Thursday and we got to try it out a bit that evening and today after Church too.  I must say, that we are impressed. :)  I still have a ton to learn, and I'm sure the Mr. would say the same, but it's already taking great pics for us!  Can't wait to learn more about it and how to become a better photographer!!  It's exciting I get to share this all with my hubby too.  Just one of the perks of being married to my best friend. :)

DIY: Canvas Hymn Sayings

 I get so inspired to do do crafting when I look at pinterest.  I usually don't get around to doing much of what I pin (and like) though.  A few weeks ago I made these Canvas Sayings featuring lyrics from some of my favorite hymns.

 I used a paper transfer technique.  I just used GIMP to create the words I wanted and add a bird on one, and later a tree on another.  Then I reversed the image in GIMP and print it.  I very lightly wetted the canvas, placed the paper ink side down and brushed water evenly over the paper.  I pressed the letters down, and left it for a couple of minutes.  Then I gently peeled the paper up.

 I was faint, but it was there.  I continued with the other three until all were transferred.  Let dry overnight.

Then I carefully took a couple of different sizes of paint brushes, black paint and darkened up the words (and images).  Let dry overnight.

 I almost left these white because we have a red wall that they would go really well on...but I decided to lightly paint them my favorite color - turquoise.  (I did a kind of weird effect that I like, but not everyone would I'm sure...)

I have these on some built in shelves in our home now, but I am still trying to find a more permanent spot.  I like the versatility of them being together if I want or separate.  (currently they are separated...)

Mexican Gumbo (like Qdoba's)

Here's a somewhat homemade quick and delicious dinner!  It tastes almost exactly like Qdoba's Mexican Gumbo too!  Which is one of my very favorite things ever!

What you'll need:

Rice, cooked
Beans, heated
Chicken Tortilla Soup, heated (Progresso's is the most simliar to Qdoba's)
Pico or salsa
Shredded Cheese
Chicken (optional)

Layer and Enjoy!  :)