DIY Fabric Bookmarks

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Bookmarks are a pretty big deal. Like so big, did you know they date back into the Medieval ages? Now granted they were not as cute as the fabric bookmark shown below..in fact it was a heavy duty rotating disc bookmark. {tough huh?} Ladies times have changed..thank goodness and today bookmarks are bee-boppin' with style! These are so fun and easy to create! They make wonderful gifts for any bookworm you know!


Shall we?


The how-to:1. Grab fabric scraps, ribbons and felt2. Cut out bookmark to the size you prefer. Place them as step 2 shows. From bottom up: Felt, Fabric face side up, Fabric face side down, Felt.3. Sew the around the pile - leaving the bottom open for your ribbon.4. Trim away excess fabric.Now you want to flip the fabric inside out. You should now have most of your bookmark complete.Final step, grab ribbon and place it in the open end. Sew it shut.



Here is another way you can sew these bookmarks together!



Check out my other sewing projects here

Linda's Coconut Cream Pie

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I would like to introduce you to Linda Jean. Teacher of Home Economics among other subjects ,seamstress, cook, mother, grandmother and friend.  My daughter Carly tells me this is absolutely the best coconut cream pie she has ever tasted!

COCONUT CREAM PIE
**Recipe makes 2 pies**INGREDIENTS
2 cups white granulated sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt6 cups milk ( 4 half & half + 2 skim)7 egg yolks, beaten slightly6 Tablespoons butter1 teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring1 teaspoon Coconut Flavoring1/4 teaspoon Almond Flavoring2 cups finely ground coconutTwo 9 inch pie shells (baked) I use deep dish
DIRECTIONS
In a large microwaveable bowl, combine sugar, flour, and salt.  Blend with wire whisk to distribute evenly.Stir in milkCook in microwave, stirring every 3-4 minutes. (I use a wooden spoon).  It takes 20-25 minutes or more to thicken.Gradually whisk about 2 cups of custard into the egg yolks.Gradually stir egg mixture back into the custard mixture.Cook in microwave about 2 minutes. (stir it after about one minute).Remove from microwave. Add butter, flavorings, and coconut.Stir well.Pour filling into baked pie crusts.Cover and chill.To serve:  Add Cool Whip Topping.
   Linda we thank you for sharing one of your wonderful recipes with us.Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!Dolly
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We've Come a Long Way Baby!

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 Could you imagine this in this day and time?
 The other day my brother in law sent me a group of old advertisements in an email and I laughed in amazement.  I am sure you will too!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  






 




 Aren't they a hoot?


Most of you know that Dolly is Cooking has had to take a break because of sickness in the family. Those of you that have been and are continuing to pray for Mama "Dot" thank you it means the world to us.  I am going to post some recipes soon they may be without pictures but just so you will have them.  I promise you that they are tried and true recipes and will be delicious. Truthfully I owe most of what I have learned to Mama she has always been the best mother, role model and cook....Now for some fun!  I think I may soon start a Linky Blog Hop for cooking and cleaning would anyone be interested in linking up if I do this?
Have a great week all of you!
Dolly   


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Easy Cowboy Taco Stew

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 My daughter Catie fixed this for a school party and it is delicious!
 Cowboy Taco Stew1--Package dry Ranch Dressing Mix1--Package Taco Mix1--15.25oz can of whole kernel corn1--28oz can crushed tomatoes1--15oz. can black beans1--15.5oz hot chili beans1--15oz. can pinto beans1--10oz. can mild Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies2lbs ground beef
Brown the ground beef, then drain the fat offadd the rest of the ingredients including the liquid in the cans..don't drain anythingBring to boil then turn down on low until heated throughor Put into crock pot cook on low overnight 
Serve with sour cream and grated cheese and crackers of your choice, if desired


Enjoy!
Dolly 

The Country Homemaker Hop #54

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Welcome to the 54th Country Homemaker Blog Hop!Heidi of My Simple Country Living and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blogs is the creator of this blog hop and I have certainly enjoyed co-hosting with her.
I hope you all are having a good week!  Over at Hibiscus House we have a new dog.His name is Casper click Here to read all about it.
We are cooking up some Cowboy Taco Stew Click Here for recipe
It's time for you to share with us anything that makes your house a home, recipes, cleaning tips, decor, diy, gardening, sewing...etc. Please share with us as we get together for another week of interesting people, places, and posts!Happy Valentine's Day to you all!
communitychickens.com

DIY Valentine Wreath with Mod Podge and Yarn Bombing

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Valentine's Day Wreath
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and you still have time to whip up this sweet yarn wrapped wreath.  The heart in the center features, Mod Podge, stencils and the wedding pick of one of my best mates!  For complete instructions visit our project page at Plaid: Cathie and Steve for Mod Podge.

xoCathie and Steve
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DIY Photo Collage Block with Mod Podge! #Wedding #Valentine

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 Valentine's Day Photo Collage
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and you still have time to whip up this wood photo block.  The photo collage features Mod Podge, embellishments and the wedding pick of one of my best mates!  For complete instructions visit our project page at Plaid: Cathie and Steve for Mod Podge.







xoCathie and Steve
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Restaurant Review: Paula's Cafe in Downtown Cincinnati

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I had heard good things about this "7-minute burger". Apparently it takes 7 minutes to make. Did you guess that? Apparently it is also one of the 40 best burgers in Cincinnati according to Cincinnati Magazine.

So I made PJ take me out on a lunch date to Paula's Cafe, home of that 7-minute burger.

It's located on 4th Street in downtown Cincy so be sure to bring some change for meter parking! It's small inside with not much seating, and I hear it can get pretty busy with lines out the door, so be ready. But we didn't have a wait when we went luckily.



























It was a bit confusing when we came in. There was a big sign telling us to "Order Here" at the register, so we walked up to order. We had never been there before and didn't know how the ordering process went, and the lady rudely acted like we should know and handed us some paper to write our order on. We wrote down our burger orders.  You can choose which toppings you want on it. We remembered after she rang us out that we also would like something to drink. She did not offer that to us when we were ordering, no "would you like drinks with that?" or anything like that. No biggie, but then when I tried to add the drinks on she had the nerve to tell me that there is a minimum amount you must order to use credit card, and that I would have to spend more to reach that minimum amount to pay by card. Even though we JUST purchased $20 worth of food. I wanted to bop her in her face. There was no way I was spending more so we just had to suffer with no drinks. Great service!!! Sike.

Then we went to sit down and the lady who rang us out was saying that since we ordered at the counter that it was supposed to be a to-go order and kinda made a big deal about us dining in. Well then it needs to be more clearly displayed when you come in. I shouldn't have to come in to a restaurant and be so confused how or where is the proper place to order. If it really mattered, and she knew we had never been there before, she could have asked us if it was for dine in or carry out. I'm sure you have new customers there on more than one occasion so it would be nice to not assume that everyone who comes in knows the "correct way and place" to order. Sure hope that wasn't Paula herself.

Off to a bad start, customer service-wise.

On to the food.

PJ ordered the 7-minute burger ($7.45) and fries ($1.75). The burger is a half pound hand pattied fresh ground Angus chuck cooked to a perfect medium with whatever toppings you want on it. PJ got lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, sauteed mushrooms and onions (add $.50 each) and cheese. There may be an extra charge for cheese too.



















I also ordered the 7-minute burger and fries, but with different toppings on my burger. Mine had mayo, sauteed onions and mushrooms (add $.50 each), and fried egg (add $.95).



I was pleased with the burger. It was tender, juicy, and definitely had that fresh-not-frozen taste. You could tell they were hand pattied because they were so plump. It's hard to find good burgers so I appreciate this one. It's also a messy burger, so have lots of napkins on hand, and no white shirts! I liked the egg and runny yolk with it, but next time I think I'll try it with other toppings. I also liked the thin, crispy fries.

So food = win. Service, not so much. But I'd be willing to go back again. Definitely wanna get my hands on that burger again!

They also have salads and sandwiches if you aren't in a burger mood.

But you really should be :)


Peace, and bacon grease!

Valentine's Marshmallow Pops

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2 posts in one day? Cray cray, I know!

I just wanted to share these lil cuties with you all, it being Valentine's Day and all.


















These are so quick and easy, you still have time to make these for someone today.

There's really no recipe, just dip some marshmallows in dipping chocolate and then sprinkles. If you use white marshmallows, then use pink or red dipping chocolate. If you use pink marshmallows, use white dipping chocolate. I use the Wilton melting candies... you can find them at Michaels and sometimes Target. Or online.

I wanted to use the heart-shaped marshmallows to make them extra Valentiney, but they wouldn't really stand up. If you want them to stand up, probably use regular marshmallows, or stick the straw fully through the heart-shaped ones so that the straw can rest against the table and be a support.

























Valentine's Marshmallow Pops
from Echoes of Laughter

• marshmallows, white or pink
• straws or candy/lollipop sticks
• white, red, or pink melting candy
• Valentine sprinkles

Prepare a cookie sheet with a sheet of waxed paper. Plunge sticks into marshmallows. Place sprinkles in small, deep bowl. Melt chocolate wafers gently in microwave in a small, deep bowl. Stir with spoon until smooth. Dip marshmallows into melted wafers, then dip into sprinkles. Place on wax paper lined cookie sheet to dry. Printable Recipe  






















PJ is my main Valentine. But you are all my Valentine's too :)

Love yall!

Peace, and bacon grease!

  

Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce + Chocolate Dipped Potato Chips with Caramel

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Hey there friends.

Did you guys have a nice weekend? Mine was pretty uneventful. I like those sometimes though.

It's time for this month's Secret Recipe Club. I was assigned Danielle's blog, Hugs & CookiesXOXO, you know... the one with all the to-die-for creative treats! It was so hard to choose a recipe! But I was sold when I saw homemade salted caramel. You guys know about my love of salted caramel by now. 



 





















I did have some probs with the salted caramel sauce. But I tend to have problems lol. The sugar did melt when over heat, but when I removed it from heat like the recipe says, it got all clumpy and hard as a rock. I really thought my sauce was doomed. But I decided to just go with it and added the heavy cream and put it back over the heat to get that hardened sugar soft again. Not sure if I messed something up along the way, but I'd say don't remove it from heat. She also recommends adding the cream drop by drop... I added in a little at a time but more than a drop, stirring here and there. You can add it drop by drop if you like.

 






















Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce 
slightly adapted from Hugs & CookiesXOXO

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 and 2/3 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt   

Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal pot, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquefy. 

Use a wooden spoon and begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color. If you think it is cooking too fast, lower the heat and keep stirring. Be patient. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown. 

Add the heavy cream, stirring in a little at a time. Once smooth, add butter and sea salt. Remove from heat and let cool. Will store in fridge up to one month.

Printable Recipe

 























And then what to do with that caramel? (besides slurp it up by the spoonful).

 























Well, one thing I did with it was use it to top some chocolate-dipped potato chips, also from Danielle's blog. Another sweet and salty win. Ever since I tried some chocolate covered potato chips from Sweeties Jumbo Chocolates, I've been hooked.















Chocolate Dipped Potato Chips with Caramel
from Hugs & CookiesXOXO 

• thick, wavy potato chips (like Lay's)
• melting chocolates (I used Wilton's candy melts)
• Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce (recipe above)
• coarse sea salt

Melt chocolate, dip potato chips in chocolate. Sprinkle with sea salt. Allow to set at room temperature or in fridge. Drizzle with caramel.

Printable Recipe 

 























This is sweet and salty heaven. So much better than I was expecting. I think I'm gonna turn that whole bag of chips into chocolate and caramel-covered chips. Nothing wrong with that. Actually, it would be wrong if I didn't.

Don't EVEN try to doubt the goodness. 


Peace, and bacon grease!