Tea Biscuits With Apples And Cinnamon Spread

There’s nothing more comforting then a warm slice of apple pie topped with whip cream.   Today’s recipe is inspired by this classic dessert!

How To Dress Up Your Carrot Walnut Loaf

Has this ever happened to you?

Yes that's a Carrot Walnut Loaf with a great big chunk missing in the middle!  I had just finished baking this lovely loaf to take to a friend's house when all of the sudden I noticed a huge piece missing from the top.
It happens to me ALL the time.  I turn my back for a second and my curious lil monkeys get into my baked goods.  Of course Sapphire blamed it on Pearl (the baby) and Opal blamed it on the sneaky leprechaun who escaped our trap.

I didn't have time at this point to make anything else, so I forced to improvise!  Somehow I had to disguise the obvious crater in the cake!  The good thing was, I knew our friends would be totally forgiving of my mischievous kids.  They're parents as well, so they get it.  In fact, this is what I gave them for Christmas.  I'm very thankful for their sense of humour.

So, how did I improvise?  Well, I grabbed some green twine and a paper bag

Much Better!  I used a glossy gift bag, some twine and a wine charm to resemble carrots!

I think it looks cute!  What do you think?

O.K., I know what you are thinking?  Why didn't you just slap some icing on top and call it a day?

To be honest, I thought of that, but I needed something to blog about.  I figured this would be much more entertaining! BTW-Have you tried these disposable loaf pans yet?  I found mine at Loblaws grocery store.  You'll never have to hunt down your pans again!

Bird's Nest Ice Cream Dessert

Yesterday we had the opportunity to see a magic show at our local library!  What a great experience for the kids and I absolutely love that it was free entertainment for the afternoon.  The magician/comedian was so funny I had tears running down my leg (I gave birth to 3 kids, need I say more).
After that, I decided I would give the kids a shot at making supper and dessert!
When my three jewels are in the kitchen, I always try to use the motto, "don't stress, expect a mess".  On the menu last night, homemade pizza and bird's nest ice cream dessert!   

No big deal if the pizza ends up looking like this...

....Just add some more cheese and your good to go!

Next came the bird's nest

We used waffle bowls for the nest, added our ice cream, then topped it with nuts, pretzels and cadbury easter eggs.

I wish I had of added some caramel or chocolate syrup! Yummm!  I bought some and forgot it in the fridge! Darn!

Candied Carrots-Three Jewels Style

While trying to think of some handmade Easter basket treats, I came up with this idea.
Candied Carrots~These aint the kind your Mama served you for supper!

I bought 3 boxes of reese's pieces, separated the colors, filled a cake decorating bag with the orange ones and ate the yellow and brown (I had to hide the evidence...we wouldn't want them finding out the truth about the Easter Bunny)

Then I went on to make some of these...    Pudding Carrots!

Tint your vanilla pudding, fill a cake decorating bag, snip the end and enjoy! *Tip-Use the gel food coloring so that your pudding doesn't become runny.

I'm pretty sure Opal will resent me for taking this picture when he's older, but for now he's still five and loves the bunny ears that I just bought him.

So, until he refuses to pose for pictures like this...

....I'm gonna keep on taking cute snap shots of my baby bunny in his silly rabbit ears while I still can!

Craft Your Own Spring Time Placemat From A Gift Bag

It's raining outside today and that signals Spring is on it's way!  I've had several Spring activities floating around inside my head and these ideas need to be purged ASAP, otherwise my intracranial pressure will exceed 25 mm Hg and treatment will be necessary to reduce it!
{Sorry, I just went all medical on you}

So here's a fun activity that the kids can help you make during the March break.

Upcycled Gift Bag Placemat

 
Raise your hand if you have plenty of gift bags hangin' around!  *raises hand*
I love gift bags because they're reusable!  This time I'm going to use one to craft a seasonal placemat.  You could also use wrapping paper for this craft but I just happened to have this cute lady bug gift bag at home.  {Frigg, I'm such a bad liar.  Fine...I'll admit to purchasing this gift bag specifically for this craft project.  Why else would I have the matching sticker decals}

Supplies:

• large gift bag 
• 11"x14" frameless picture frame  (does that make sense?  If not refer to the picture below)
• scissors
• decorative stickers

Cut the string off the gift bag. {Don't throw out the tag because you'll use this as the name plate}  Measure and cut the gift bag to fit the frame.  If you don't have a frame you may be able to use a glossy paper gift bag and cut it to 11"x14".  I'm pretty sure it would be easy enough to wipe down and reuse!

Wait, don't leave.....  I'm not done!

What about a 3D placemat?  Yep, two crafts in one post.  I'm spoiling you today!

Take a look at this Mickey Mouse Placemat that I crafted from scrapbook paper.  Your kids will love eating off this three dimensional placemat.  They may even be distracted long enough for you to introduce a new entree. 

Use an exacto knife to give your paper some dimension.  

 

O.k., you can go about your day now!  Before you go, I would love to hear about your March break plans!  Thanks for stopping by and checking out today's craft idea!  Be a dear friend will ya... share this craft project with all your pals on twitter and facebook! Thanks!

*btw* Linking this post here so head over and check out all the other creative projects.

Blog Spotlight

Today I'm away, so I'm shining the spotlight on Rachel from Bubbly Nature Creations.  Sometimes I come across a blog and blogger that I instantly fall in love with.  Bubbly Nature Creations is one of those blogs.  I'm sure it helps that Rachel hails from one of my favorite areas of the U.S.A, Oklahoma.  Why Oklahoma?  Well here's a little know fact about this Canadian girl, I have TONS of family in Oklahoma and I visit regularly.  Hey Y'all to all my family in Oklahoma!  Anyway, Rachel has this fabulous blog that I've been following for sometime now.  She recently published a post on how to make homemade Veggie Goldfish Crackers and I asked her if I could share with all of you!

Here's the amazing part, not only did she make this cute snack from scratch, she actually figured out a way to make a homemade cookie cutter by using a tin can!  Ok everyone say it with me, "Hello Rachel aka Little Mrs Crafty Pants"! 

For the recipe and to see this entire post, including a very adorable video of her kids helping her make them, visit Rachel at Bubbly Nature Creations.
A big thank you to Rachel for letting me share this idea with you and for allowing me to post these pics!  Ok, hurry over and check it out!  She has the full step by step tutorial ready for printing! 

Chocolate No Bake Cookies With Just A Hint Of Mint

Chocolate No Bake Cookies with a Hint of Mint!  Chocolate No Bake Cookies are definitely one of my all time favorite cookies to make and EAT!  What I love is the rich, ooey, gooey texture of these cookies!
As much as I love the traditional recipe for this timeless cookie, I also love to experiment with it!
So how did I experiment with this cookie?  Well, by simply adding just a hint of mint extract, you can enjoy a subtle mint chocolate flavor with each and every bite! 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups of sugar
• 3 cups of oats
• 4 tbsp of cocoa
• 1/2 tsp of mint extract

Directions:
1.  Place butter, milk, sugar, cocoa in sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Once the mixture comes to a boil continue to stir while boiling for 90 more seconds(**important-do not under or over cook the mixture at this point)
2.  Add the mint extract, stir to evenly distribute flavor.  Add the oats and stir well
3.  Spread into a parchmment lined baking pan
4.  Grab a big glass of milk, the latest copy of Simple magazine and enjoy!


I would typically try to blame this next picture on my 3 Jewels but not this time....this my friends was all me!!!  I couldn't help myself!

A few did eventually make it to the display plate, I promise!

St Patricks Day Treat!

Spring Fever has hit Three Jewels In My Crown.  I'm officially done with winter.  Let me repeat, DONE!
Here's the good news friends, exactly one month today marks the beginning of Spring.  March is just around the corner and this makes my, completely swollen valentine's heart, warm and fuzzy.
Why do I love March so much you ask?  It's my birth month of course.  March 13 to be exact. (I expect lots of birthday wishes on this day, so mark it on your calender. In permanent marker so there's no excuses)
Another reason, St. Patrick's Day falls in the month of March.  Now for most people, March 17 isn't really that big of a deal, but when you've married into a Hardcore Irish Catholic Family, St. Patrick's Day rivals all the other major holidays.  (They don't call them the Fightin' Irish for nothin')


What qualifies you as a "Hardcore Irish Catholic Family"?

• potatoes must be served with every meal
• the grandparents are direct descendants of Ireland
• the majority of your family has pale skin, tons of freckles and red hair
• you must remain community and family oriented
• the street you live on is named Shamrock road (no joke)
• you're kids attend a catholic school

Me, my blood line is Scottish!  But isn't everyone considered Irish on St. Paddy's Day?  In fact, St. Patrick himself was considered merely a patron saint of Ireland, he was not born in Ireland.
So, if nothing more, St. Patrick's Day is a day to have a (Sham)Rockin good time!  So dig out your green garbs, dust off your drinkin' mug and join 3 Jewels In My Crown, as we salute the Irish heritage during the month of March. 

To get you started, I want to share this cute pillow box craft that I found online.

                                                                  (source)
The printable pdf can be found here.

Here's the one I made!

I plan on stuffing these pillow boxes with rainbow colored sunflower seeds.  These little pillow box treats would be perfect gift to give your loved ones on St. Paddy's Day, don't ya think? 

On The Go Snack Packs

On the go kids require on the go snacks.  That's why I try to have perfectly portioned snacks ready
for my Three Jewels.  Show me a kid (or adult) who wouldn't love these tiny snack packs filled with yummy treats.  Like these candy coated sunflower seeds or yogurt covered raisins.  Of course there are tons of healthier options, but remember these treats are perfectly portioned in a snack sized serving!

Everything you'll need to make these tiny packages of yummy goodness can be found at your
local bulk food store.

The miniature bags come in a package of 50 for $2.99.
If you're really ambitious, you could add a treat bag topper.  Check it out

 There are tons of free printable bag toppers online.  I found this cute Robot "Nuts and Bolts" card here. 

Next time your out and about, just throw a few of these snack packs in your purse and you'll be ready for anything!