The Bluebird's Nest

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Cinnamon Salt Dough Leaf Prints


What is your favorite fragrance? I love anything that has a woodsy, spicy smell! This time of year pumpkin spice is a popular fragrance!  The main ingredient in pumpkin spice is cinnamon.   A very pleasant autumnal scent.
     I have discovered a salt dough recipe with that beautiful cinnamon aroma! I love salt dough and so do my kids!  It's moldable, and versatile. I love it for making ornaments, my kids love it as a clay substitute!
    We're planning on making some pressed leaf ornaments for fall.  These would be great hanging on the Christmas tree as well.  (I'm thinking nice handmade gift for grandparents, teachers, etc!)
     Here's the recipe:
1 Cup of flour
1/2 Cup of salt
1/2 Cup if cinnamon
3/4 Cup very warm water
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Wash hands and then finish kneading with clean, dry hands.  If the dough is a little sticky dust your hands with a bit of flour and knead.   Amazingly cinnamon scented salt dough!
       For a good tutorial on making leaf print ornaments click here.
For other scent ideas click here.
I'd love to hear from you!  Please leave a comment and tell me what you made!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Mug Cakes

  
  Hi! No, I haven't disappeared into the frozen tundra of the North, but it has been a while!  I got kinda busy with the rest of summer, and then school started, and .....  well I could continue, but I won't bore you with the details.  I have come to a decision though.  Originally I thought I would try to post three times a week.  But the business of my life has caused me to reevaluate that.  So I will try to post once a week.  I think that will be a little more manageable for now.


     Today's post is a recipe I found today.  It is so delicious, but a little dangerous because it's so easy.  You'll see what I mean in a minute,  but first...
      I have to justify my reason for posting recipes on a blog supposedly dedicated to crafting.  Cooking and baking are ART forms.  Ask any chef (professional or otherwise), I'm sure they'll agree!  So when I find a good one, I love to pass it on.  Food is just something that brings people together.  I bet if I asked you what your favorite childhood memory was, it would include food in some form or another.  Many families (including mine) eat certain foods on certain occasions.  I mean what's Thanksgiving without Pumpkin Pie?

Chocolate Mug Cake (Image from Table for Two)

     Have you every heard of a Mug Cake?  I hadn't until today.  But what a fabulous (and dangerous) :-) idea!This recipe is from "Table for Two".  I tried it today.  My kids saw it and I made each of them one.  Still faster than baking a regular cake.  It was taste tested and approved by all.  Here's the link to the recipe. The Moistest Chocolate Mug Cake Since it's apple season,  I'm also going to try her Salted Caramel Apple Spice Mug Cake!
Salted Caramel Apple Spice Mug Cake (Image from Table for Two)





I hope you enjoy these recipes!  I'd love to hear from you!  If you have a favorite mug cake please share!!