chick in a nest

super cheap supplies:

1 package white chocolate chips

1 container oriental noodles

Melt the white chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Stir in the noodles until well coated. This is enough to make about six nests.

1 Twinkie, cut in half

2 small sprinkles for eyes

2 lemon wedge candies or other yellow gummy candy

dab of yellow frosting

1 candy corn

This is the amount you'll need for one chick!

lickity split steps:

Take one half of the Twinkie and place it, cut side down, on a plate. Place two sprinkles on the rounded side of the Twinkie for eyes. Gently insert the candy corn for the beak. Using a dab of frosting, secure one wing on each side of the Twinkie.

art clips

I saw this idea at my friend Myndi Paras's house. I thought it was the perfect way to showcase my budding artists' work: both functional and nice to look at. I hung them over the craft table in the nook of our bonus room.

super cheap supplies:
2 cafe rods
2 packages of curtain clips

lickity split steps:
measure and mark the placement for the rod hardware (I spaced them 24" apart for ample room)
drill the hole (see package for correct size, be sure to use drywall anchors if needed)
mount the hardware
slip the rings onto the rod
secure the rod in place
pin up artwork, craft projects, pictures, cards, notes

celestial oatmeal cookies

my weakness in life is sweets.
i love cookies. i make them much too often.
i am always looking for health{ier} recipes that still deliver a sweet and satisfying taste.
here is one of those recipes. if you have another, go ahead and share it here!


Celestial Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brummel & brown yogurt spread (or 1/2 stick margarine)
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 1/2 cups flour
2 cups oats
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
for the chocoholic: 2/3 cup chocolate chips, if desired


super simple steps:
heat your oven to 350
mix up the sugar and spread until well blended
add pumpkin, egg whites and orange peal; beat well
combine dry ingredients in another bowl
add to wet mixture and mix well
stir in chocolate chips

lightly grease a baking sheet. drop dough by tablespoonsfuls on cookie sheets.
bake 11-13 minutes. do not overbake. cookie centers are soft and the shape doesn't change during baking. cool on wire racks completely.


Orange Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice

combine well.
drizzle over cooled cookies.
store tightly covered.

monogrammed bibs

super cheap supplies:
one plain terry-cloth bib
one piece felt
coordinating thread
letter template

lickity split steps:
make a template of the letter of baby's first name
pin the template to the felt & cut it out
pin the felt letter to the bib where you want it to be
sew a simple straight stitch around the outside border of the letter
trim your threads
give it to the babe of your choice

extra fab idea:
in another color of felt, cut out a heart, circle, flower or other simple shape. Use it in addition to the the monogram or instead.

Don't wanna make it? Leave me a comment and your specifics and I'll make it for you... lickity split! Cost is $5 plus shipping.

pint-sized chicken pies

ready? set... eat!

2 cups cooked chicken breasts, chopped
1 cup canned veggies (pick the ones your little tykes will eat... I used peas, carrots and potatoes)
1 tube refrigerated biscuits, reduced fat
1 can of chicken gravy
french onions

Take a long rectangle of wax paper. Fold it in half and stick one biscuit in the center between the paper. Roll out to a thin circle. Place in a custard cup or jumbo muffin pan. Do this til you fill up your dish.

Mix up your cooked chicken, veggies and gravy. Scoop out about 2/3 cup of filling into each biscuit shell. Bake 'em for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Sprinkle french fried onions on top, bake for about 2 minutes more.