(Repost) Life on Old Savannah: Our Work Here is Done!!

We are now finished with our Easter preparations...here is the Sunflower Peep Cake we made...well, Butterbean helped...Sweetpea was too busy with her program "Sonny With a Chance" to be bothered with helping. But it turned out precious. If you haven't seen them done before, there are numerous examples on the internet, however, we did ours a little different. Instead of the Peeps being upright, we turned ours upside down, that way we got more of a sunflower petal effect. Then we added a fondant ladybug (note to self..remember to slather hands with Crisco before coloring your fondant next time, now I have nice red hands for Mass tomorrow) and we used cocoa powder to color the middle above the chocolate chips. Let me know what you think and we are off the enjoy the rest of the afternoon!

I am so Lalaloopsy Thankful!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope today you are all sharing family time and making memories. I will be doing that shortly, but I am very lucky, I don't have to cook a big meal, my mom and step mom always cook. I am responsible for nibbles and that suits me just fine. So, you may wonder what I have been doing with my time lately...well, let me show you....http://www.zoolert.com/ ...that's right...I've been sitting in front of my computer on this fantastic website tracking the toy of the year!! THE TOY OF THE YEAR PEOPLE!!! What?? You don't know what the toy of the year is??? Mwaahahahaha (in my most witchy voice)...well, now that I have mine, I will share with you what it is...and you better not tell anyone or you won't get one and that would be devastating to your little ones....here it is....


Lalaloopsy are these adorable rag dolls, except they really aren't rag dolls at all...they have really big plastic heads and little tiny plastic bodies...they each are sewn from different peoples old clothing and they don't come to life until the last sewn stitch...OMG!!! Last sewn stitch brings them to life...I can just picture the little elf in Santa's workshop toiling away on these little precious things and then with a final flick of a needle and thread..."Hello..I am Mittens Fluff n Stuff"...ok...that's how it goes in my head..your vision may be a little different!!
Apparently the hottest one is the this one...

This is Mittens Fluff n Stuff....she is adorable and she's alllllll mine!!! Well not really, she is for the girls, but I got one and it's like hitting the lottery....There are others....go check them out at http://www.lalaloopsy.com/.

Your girls will love these...mine will be getting a few of them... so far we have Jewel Sparkle, Mittens Fluff n Stuff, Pillow Featherhead, Spot Splatter Splash and Bea Spells Alot...so, I think I'm done..maybe. So get out there now ladies and be sure to sign up for http://www.zoolert.com/ ...they will email you when things show up online....

I hope you have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving....eating today...SHOPPING TOMORROW!!!

Ode to Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte

So you know how you hear about something and always wonder what the big deal is??? Well as a creature of Facebook, I have noticed that the latest status update has been things like "woohoo, Spiced Latte" or "OMG!!! Spiced Latte" and "Thank you Starbucks for bringing back Pumpkin Spiced Latte!!". Really??? I always thought, why are you people posting this on your status...ode to Starbucks...ridiculous!!! Well, may I express my deepest sincerest apologies to my Facebook friends, for ever doubting you. I decided, on a whim, to try one of these delectable treats yesterday, and I have to say...they truly are worthy of the reverance that has been invoked....YUMMY!!! I, of course, got the Venti, which in regular speak is the "BIG ASS COFFEE" and it was fabulous. It had the right amount of spice, pumpkin and creamy whipped cream, it was perfect for a chilly day. You don't even have to add sugar or cream...it's the Taj Mahal of coffees!!!
So, much to my surprise, I came upon a recipe this morning and just couldn't believe my eyes....my Facebook and Blogger friends are going to be sooooo excited!!! I found a recipe, courtesy of Mommytopics.com that will blow your socks off.

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE CUPCAKES

- Betty Crocker Super Moist Spice Cake Mix or similar

- 3 eggs

- 1 and 1/4 cup water

- 1/4 cup vegetable or olive oil

- 1 cup canned pumpkin

- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

- 1 can evaporated milk

- 1 can sweetened condensed milk

- 4 cups divided, heavy whipping cream strongly infused with coffee

- 2 tbsp cocoa or canned chocolate frosting

- 4 to 6 tbsp sugar

- 1 tsp Vanilla extract

- Cinnamon Sugar mixture for sprinkling


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, or according to box mix instructions


2. Prepare spice cake in mixer according to box directions, adding 1 cup of canned pumpkin and 1/2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice

3. Divide batter into oven safe coffee cups filling each one 1/3 of the way with batter, leaving room for the cake to rise, and for lots of the Latte Whipped Cream topping

4. Bake until toothpick comes out clean

5. Mix 1 can evaporated milk, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, and 1 cup heavy whipping cream infused with coffee

6. Once cupcakes are baked and completely cooled, use a fork to puncture the tops of the cake and drench each cake with 2/3 cup tres leche and coffee mixture, store in fridge for several hours to chill and set


7. In mixer combine 2 cups heavy whipping cream strongly infused with coffee (through use of french press), cocoa or chocolate frosting, and 4 to 6 tbsp of sugar to taste. Whip on low/med for two minutes or until light and fluffy

8. Spread Whipped Latte Cream onto the tops of cupcakes, spreading smoothly to appear like a Latte

9. In mixer combine 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream with 3 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp vanilla, whip on low/med for two minutes until fluffy

10. Add dollop of Vanilla Whipped Cream to the tops of each Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcake, and sprinkle with Cinnamon and Sugar

*Tip – French presses can be purchased for as low as $8 in the kitchen sections of Ross and Marshalls. Slightly more expensive ones can be found at Albertsons and of course… Starbucks.



How incredible does that look??? I will definitely be making these, however, I may go the traditional cupcake route and add Cool Whip...the easier the better. You should definitely read her post, she has great step by step pictures and shows how she uses her French press to make the whipped cream topping. (Just follow the link above).
It's cold her today and I'm really thinking I'll stay in and snuggle by the fire, but not before updating my Facebook status..."woohoo..Pumpkin Spice Latte, how I love thee"...Have a great weekend!!!

Give Thanks....my mantel is done!!!

I think I can truthfully say, I am leaving my mantel alone...I have it decorated for Thanksgiving and I am not touching it again (except to change out the pictures in the frames) until the Christmas decorations are brought down from the attic...I think I have a real problem, I just can't stop myself when it comes to decorating my mantel. Nit picker queen is what I have resorted to calling myself....I just have to walk away!!! Now, I would love to see all of my followers' Fall mantels...please leave a comment with your blog link so I can have a look. Maybe if I look at other's I'll quit obsessing over mine...I may have a REAL PROBLEM!!!

Someone throw me a life vest!!!!

Hi all, just checking in! Ihave been so inspired and busy with so many crafts this month...I have had no time to keep up with my blog. So I am going to do a quick recap of some of the things I have been working on...fast, quick and simple things that have kept me so underwater I can hardly breathe...BUT I LOVE IT!!!
Here we go:

Sports Tutus

Headboard, Bench, and Pillow for SweetPeas Room

Old headboard from my Mom's

Christmas Tutus

Embroidered applique shirts

Cake Carriers

So, as you can see, I'm just about to drown in tulle, vinyl, fabric and glue...someone save me from myself!!! I'm out of control!!! Is there a 12 step program for someone like me??? Happy Halloween!!!!

Bon anniversaire!...a Marie birthday party!!

Bonjour...my baby turned 5 a few weeks ago...I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday (at least the day before yesterday) that I was sitting in the hospital waiting for this precious angel to be born. Born to a devastated Coast that had been destroyed by that awful Katrina. Homes were destroyed, my hospital had just reopened to delivering babies, and life around town was basically as bad as it could get ...but at least we had a home to come back to, we were the lucky ones. Not to mention, we had 3 beautiful children that were healthy, safe and sound. Speed forward 5 years and I now have a gorgeous child, with the personality that could charm a criminal. She is the funniest, sweetest, happiest gal you've ever met. However, along with the devastation of that awful "K" word, came a wild streak in my little one. I blame it on all the hormones and anxiety I had during the last few weeks of waiting for her. She is the most head strong, tumultuous, purposeful girl you have ever met. Wild as a March hare, I always say; she plays hard and loves strong. She is an absolute joy to have in our lives.

So, what type of party would a spirited little thing like this ask for on her 5th birthday??? How about Marie from the Aristocats?? REALLY??? My girls always do this to me...the absolute hardest thing to find and put together is what they want...have you ever tried to find anything with Marie??? IMPOSSIBLE!!! In addition, she wanted the party at a local cupcake shop, that her Aunt (mind you, the Aunt with no children who has no idea how expensive children's parties really are) had talked her into. So off I went to put this impossible thing together....oh Hobby Lobby...how I love thee...look at how it turned out....

If you have seen my previous birthday parties for the girls, you'll notice I love to use scrapbook paper for place mats...I love the way they look and it's very inexpensive. Throw in a boa and you have a very girly look!

Eiffel Tower compliments of Hobby Lobby!! It was her favorite thing!!

We used tiaras and BIG diamond rings for party favors, the boys had pirate eye patches and earrings...(we figured that would be what Toulouse and Berlios would wear at a party)

This was my first attempt at tissue paper pom poms...LUV THEM!!!

My sister made the cake...isn't it precious!!


I hope you have enjoyed our birthday party...we loved how it turned out and she had a great day with her friends. Bonne journee!!!

EEK!!!! It's a Mantel!!!!

I'm so elated that it is finally Fall!!! My absolute favorite time of the year. I love the nip in the air, the look of mum's on a porch and of course decorating!!! I finally finished my mantel this week and I think it turned out spookalicious!!! I did a little buying and crafting on this mantel, most of the decor I purchased at Michael's however, some of it I purchased at the thrift store and crafted it up!!!
I love the glittered pumpkins from Michael's...
I found this small candle holder at the thrift store and the skull at Michael's...a little spray paint and glitter....eerie huh???
Hello Cricut....my old friend!!!!

I purchased these candles at Michael's, then found this precious spider web clip...I pinned it on with a straight pin....precious!!!
So, what do you think?
I stole...I mean borrowed...my girls black and white boa to use for filler......and added some ribbon to the $4 tin containers I found at Michael's. The branches(spray painted black) were free off a tree in my yard...and I added the glitter crow....
I adore it...my only wish is that I wouldn't get the itch to continue to change it...I have a problem leaving well enough alone...we'll see...maybe some decor for the hearth...hmmm!!!

Decked Out Doors!!!!

Hello my friends....have I got something for you!!! There are so many talented people around us, I am always amazed at the creativity that some people posess. It truly makes me long for the apparent missing gene that I'm lacking....Let me introduce you to one of my favorite talented and creative people....

Amy Lee is a married mom of 4 beautiful children. She is a local entrepreneur who blows me away with the vision she has for making all things beautiful. In addition to being a super nice person, she is a trendsetter. She started a decorative frame business, Fru Fru Frames, a few years ago and the next thing you know they were everywhere...perhaps you have seen them in some of your local gift shops...

After selling her frame business, Amy started a door decor business...Decked Out Doors...and when I tell you her swags are the hottest things going here on the Gulf Coast, I am not exaggerating...Check out some of her designs...

Don't you just love monogram swags?

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How gorgeous are these Christmas swags???

She can do any and all collegiate swags!! Not to mention, any football team...have a look at the New Orleans Saints decor...

What about these fantastic Halloween designs???

If you need a birthday swag, these a absolutely precious!!

What do you think? Aren't these fabulous? Amy has generously allowed me to offer these swags, as well as the many other designs she has, to you...she can ship them anywhere and rest assured your door will be the talk of the town. You can contact Decked Out Doors via their Facebook page or by phone at 228-547-7159. I know some of my followers own shops and boutiques, she will also wholesale! Your customers will love these!!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing these works of art,they are a unique and creative way to add flare to any home. Remember, Halloween and Christmas are right around the corner, these would be a perfect addition to your decor, and a well received gift for friends and family!!
Thanks for stopping by, if you like what you saw and want to see more of my posts, please consider leaving a comment and becoming a follower. Thanks!!

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