Beautiful Photos...

By Sara Bateman... check out her blog to see some of her best work... I love looking at great photos from many different people. I will soon be posting some of my other favorite photographers, which may be in you area for you to use. Enjoy

Pancakes and Fat Sauce...

I am a huge fan of breakfast foods... one of my favorite places to go for breakfast is Magleby's Fresh in Provo, Utah. They have delicious, mouth-watering omlets and all you can eat pancakes and french toast. If you are ever in Provo you have to stop by. Anyway, good news... my sister-in-law, Cami, somehow got their secret pancake and syurp (which i call fat sauce) recipe and i'd like to share the goodness with you...

Pappy's Pancakes...
- 6 eggs
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 heaping tsp salt
- 2/3 cups of sugar
- 1/4 cups margarine, melted
- 1 quart buttermilk
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups of flour

Directions:
Mix well together. Pour mixture in medium sized circles on griddle, turn over ONCE when you see bubbles on top. Cook until golden brown. Serve immediately.

Andy's Famous Syrup
1 cup butter
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups of sugar
2 tsp karo syrup
2 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp baking soda

Directions:
Pour butter, buttermilk, sugar, and karo syrup into saucepan. Boil 3 to 5 mins. Add vanilla and baking soda. Watch carefully to not overflow. Pour onto Pancakes and Enjoy!

Picture Frames...

I love photos, i love picture frames even more... here is a tutorial for distressing a picture frame yourself. I love it!

For Your Home...

Anthropologie has some great stuff. For your living, dining, bathroom, bedroom, and anything else for your home needs... you can even shop their amazing clothes.

Nursing Aprons...

To all mothers who nurse.. Try this, made by my friend Leah...

-The nursing apron covers mothers while breastfeeding babies in public or private. The matching adjustable strap goes around the neck to provide further modesty for the mother and baby. The nursing apron is 34" wide and 24" long. The terrycloth corner on the inside can easily hold a pacifier, nursing pad, and/or can be used to wipe up mother and baby after nursing. The rigid neckline allows the mother to easily peek at the baby. All the hems have double stitching. They are 100% machine washable.

-It also comes with a matching diapers and wipes case with white lining that will hold a case of wipes and 2-3 diapers for travel. This is also 100% machine washable.

-The nursing apron and wipes/diaper case is $30 with free shipping to the U.S.

-Anyone who's interested can email me: leahshmeah@hotmail.com

-Also, I'm more than willing to make a custom apron/diaper case for anyone who wants them. They can even pick out fabric and send it to me and I will make the apron with their desired fabric.

Baby Shower Gift Idea...

I know you have heard of the ever so popular diaper cake... well this is something similar with blankets and baby clothes. Perfect for a sure to be loved baby shower gift! Here's how to make it:

Baby Shower Baby Cake* Directions:
(Items in bold are the things you need to make this)
{If you want to make a base out of something else skip steps 1 & 2}
1. Cut pink gift wrap to cover top of a 16"x1" Styrofoam disk; fasten with white glue.
2. Glue 1" pink grosgrain ribbon (get 1 1/2 yds.) around outer edge. Glue 1/4" green grosgrain ribbon (4 1/2 yds.) on pink ribbon.
3. Fold 4 receiving blankets in half, then thirds (lengthwise -- about 5" high. Roll one up snugly; secure with rubber bands.
4. One at a time roll remaining blankets around the first. Strech large rubber bands around two; pin the last with corsage pins at back.
5. Wrap 1 1/2" pink dotted ribbon (2 yds.) around center; pin in back.
6. Make 7 green ribbon bows 3 1/2" across. Pin 6 to pink band, evenly spaced.
7. Pin a large pink daisy (get 7) at center of each.
8. Fold in sides of 8 baby garments to measure 4 1/2'; roll and secure in center with rubber bands.
10. Insert sharp end of bamboo skewer into base at center of rolled blankets and press into Styrofoam disk.
11. Place rolled up clothing around skewer; secure with a large rubber band.
12. Pin pink ribbon around middle. Pin remaining bow and daisy at front.
13. Top your baby shower cake with a small stuffed toy, pin to secure.

*Feel free to personalize it or change it to your liking, like just tieing a ribbon around it and tieing a bow, etc...

Enjoy!
{seen in Woman's World Magazine July 31, 2007 issue}

Memo Board Tutorial...

For anything and everything! You can use this memo board (made by YOU) for displaying pictures to putting up your reminders. Use whatever fabric you want, use whatever ribbon you want, make it as creative as you want, or make it as simple as you can, no matter how you make it, just make sure it represents YOU!
Tutorial by J Caroline Creative {impress yourself}.

Making a purse?

In an earlier post there was a link for a purse tutorial. If you are making one or want to make one here is a place where you can buy purse handles... They have some very cute ones to add some spunk to your purse!

Well will NEVER forget...

How we felt and what so many people lost. Today is 6 years past the horrible 9/11. Please remember those families and friends that were lost, and all of the troops who are fighting for our freedom. God Bless America!

Kid Sized Apron Tutorial...

This kid sized apron is made from a dishtowel! It's the perfect size for your little one. It's easy to make and sure to be a favorite among the kids. As seen on "I Have To Say..." You should definitely try it and add it to your craft book!

Old Fashion?

For all things retro and vintage check out jackandfriends.com. I love this site! It has ton of cool things form home decor to kitchen gadgets. If you have a liking for the "old fashion days", you'll love this!

Banana Bread...

All you bakers out there, listen up! This is the BEST banana bread recipe ever. I have never tasted a better banana bread. My friend, Jaclyn, introduced this amazing recipe to me when i was in college. I was reminded of it when i had a ton of really ripe bananas the other day, so i had to make it! And... i could not resist sharing it with you. Try it, and i guarantee you will love it!!!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups very ripe bananas (mashed)

2/3 cups crisco
2 1/2 cups flour

1 2/3 cups sugar

3 eggs
1 3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt
2/3 cups buttermilk

1/2 to 1 cups chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions:

Cut Crisco into dry ingredients. Add 1/3 cup of buttermilk and bananas. Blend with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add eggs, 1/3 c. buttermilk and vanilla. Beat 2 more minutes. Fold in nuts and pour into well-greased and floured pans. Bake 45 min - 1 hour in 350' oven. Place bread on rack 5 minutes before turning out on wax paper to cool. If desired, frost with a butter cream icing.

Enjoy!

Basketball Season...

Is coming! It's the perfect time to get your little sport in to the game with this cool "Grow to Pro Basketball Hoop" from Toys 'R' Us. This hoop is sure to entertain for years to come, as it grows with your child! From beginner to pro in no time. It adjusts to 4 different heights. Kids, especially boys, love this stuff!

Tutu fun!

Ok, are these not the cutest? Every girl loves to dress up, this is the perfect accessory to an outfit! Tutu's are alway in style. The TUTU BOUTIQUE has all the tutu's you want! Whether she is playing at home or showing off her new outfit in public, it is sure to produce smiles! Buy one of their signature styles or have one custom made for your little darling. Click here to buy the fluffcake baby tutu shown above. $35 fit's newborn to 2 yrs.

Diaper Bags...

I personally think that petunia picklebottom diaper bags are the greatest! They are stylish and can hold alot! They have 4 bottle pockets, a detachable changing pad, key clip, wipe case, and much more. My favorite collection is the "boxy backbag" collection. With this you can wear it in a variety of ways. Wear it like a backpack, wear it over one shoulder, wear it like a purse, wear it over a shoulder across your chest. Anyway you do it works great! I'm sure you will love this!

Summer Shade Sale

Shade clothing is having a summer close-out. They have great tee's, tank's and swim suits for as little as $3.00 a piece! Get them before they sell out!

Ice Cream Cake...

I know summer is pretty much over, but you should definitely make room for this delicious treat! It's so easy to make and your friends will love it! I made it a couple months ago and it was a hit, everyone enjoyed it! I used the same ice cream in the recipe, however you can create your own version but layering your favorite flavor combos.
From the July 2007 issue of the Family Circle Magazine comes the Fabulous 3 Layer Ice Cream Cake...

Makes: 12 Servings, Prep: 25 mins, Freeze: 1 hour, + overnight

Ingredients

• 15 chocolate and cream sandwich cookies (such as Oreo)
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 8 to 9 ice cream sandwiches, depending on size
• 1 pint mint chocolate chip ice cream
• 1 pint vanilla frozen yogurt
• 1 pint strawberry ice cream or frozen yogurt
• 1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

1. Coat bottom and side of a 9-inch round springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line side with waxed paper, using spray to help adhere to pan. Trim paper to height of pan.

2. Finely crush 12 of the cookies in a food processor. Add milk; pulse just until mixture holds together. Set aside.

3. Unwrap 4 ice cream sandwiches. Working quickly, cut each in quarters. Stack strips of sandwiches on end, packing them snugly together, around waxed-paper-lined pan. Repeat with remaining sandwiches to form a stand-up edge. Spoon cookie crumbs into center of pan; press firmly over bottom. Freeze 1 hour.

4. Remove all 3 flavors of ice cream or frozen yogurt from freezer and let soften for 15 minutes at room temperature. Transfer mint ice cream to a small bowl and stir until good but firm

spreading consistency. Repeat with vanilla and strawberry. Remove pan from freezer. Spread

mint ice cream on bottom, then top with vanilla and strawberry, spreading all layers level. Top

with thawed whipped topping, swirling top decoratively. Crush remaining 3 sandwich cookies and sprinkle over cake. Return to freezer; freeze overnight.

5. To serve, remove side of pan, then waxed paper. Cut into wedges.

Halloween...

Halloween is creeping up fast, have you decided what you are going to be? Costumes go fast if you don't get them soon! Costume Craze has all of your Halloween needs. Need ideas? You can browse their site easily with the search button on the top left or you can click through their costume categories. Either way this site has any costume you think of! What are you going to be?

Modge Podge Letters...

One of my favorite things to do is making different crafts. I don't know about anyone else, but when i was younger my friends and i would decopodge EVERYTHING! From lunch boxes to suitcases. Here is a great idea using modge podge to spice up a room. Modge podge letter from Craft Apple. I am actually doing this for my laundry room and i can't wait to be done! Try it!

I LOVE PURSES!

Purses to me are like shoes to some. I can go to the mall and simply buy purses! But this site teaches you how to make a signature handbag for you! U-Handbag makes it easy for you. If you do not have a purse fetish, surely there is someone you know who does, make a purse as a gift! This would be great for a birthday, Christmas, your daughter, a thank you, or just anytime!

Baby Bows...

Looking for BIG, and a little OVER THE TOP Bows and headbands? Then this website is where to go! Sweet Baby Bowtique has fun , cute and girly bows and headbands. They have a variety of colors and designs to choose from. You can even purchase a pdf file, a cd, a dvd or a book to teach you how to make these beautiful bows and start a bow making business.

If you don't want to spend too much money on buying bows, or you just can't find that perfect bow to match your little girls dress, but you have the ribbon... here is a do-it-yourself tutorial from J Caroline Creative!

Digi Scrapbooking

I have found a new love for scrapbooking. No more lose paper, no more scraps, no more trying to find a place for all of it, no more wasting paper because i don't like the way it looks, no more mess! Digital scrapbooking is amazing, and the best part is that you can make a ton of stuff with it! You can make things from scrapbook pages, birth announcements, invitations, blog headers, and much more. Some of my favorite digi scrapbook websites are: Shabby Princess, 2 Peas in a Bucket, and Heather Ann Design. Shabby princess has free downloads and tutorials to get you hooked on this hobby.

Need a change?

We are moving in a couple weeks and we are trying to decide what we should do for flooring. My mother-in-law is an interior designer and she suggested that we try looking at Shaw Flooring. They have an awesome website! You can check out their flooring with an interactive room, or you can take a picture of a room you would like to change, upload it to their site and see how the floor looks in your actual room! Pretty cool!

Are you Baby Wise?

This book, On Becoming Baby Wise, is great for new moms. It was recommended to me by a few friends, I read it and i thought it was great! It talks about routines, and it claims to have your baby sleeping though the night as soon as 2 months! It has worked pretty well for me so far. Check it out... it's worth the read. You can purchase this book at your local Barnes and Noble Bookstore or online at barnesandnble.com.

These are a few of my favorite things....

I started this blog to share with all my friends and their friends some of my FAVORTIE THINGS that i think they would love too! If you have a fab fav let me know and i would love to share it! Feel free to post a link from your blog to Fab Fav's blog, and don't forget to share the favorties with your friends and family. If you would like to be added to our Friends list please leave a comment. Thanks! Enjoy!