Cute monsters

Behold, my little monsters. (Sorry, I seem to have had a Gaga moment there...)

These were actually fun and easy to make. I should probably have done it as a young women's activity, but seeing as I was just winging it, I'm not sure that would have been wise.

What you need:
4 pieces of 2x4, cut 8-10 inches long
Green acrylic paint
White acrylic paint
Googly eyes (opt, but fun!)
Permanent markers (black and red)
gauze
black foam board
scissors
glue
2 bolts
Black stamp pad

Hans cut the boards for me at 9 inches. The edges need some sanding to smooth out rough edges and make all the corners less sharp. I just think it looks better with slightly rounded edges.

Paint two pieces white and one piece green. Leave the last unpainted. One the painted boards, take your stamp pad and just kinda.... brush it all over. I focused on the edges and corners and did a few light streaks down the middle. I didn't use a brush or paper towel or anything, I just rubbed the stamp pad straight onto the wood.

For Frankenstein, I cut his hair out of the foam board and glued that on along with some googly eyes. I screwed the bolts in toward the bottom and used the permanent marker to draw on the mouth and stitches.

For Dracula: His collar and widow's peak are just triangles cut from foam board and glued on. The eyes and mouth are permanent marker. I supposed you could paint on the blood drops, but it was late and I happen to have a red sharpie, so there ya go.

The skull was made from cutting three wonky shapes from the foam board, and then using a sharpie for the mouth and the outlines of the top of the skull and cheeks.

And the mummy, who was probably the easiest. I glued his googly eyes on first. I found a roll of gauze in our medicine cabinet. I glued one end at the bottom, wrapped up and back down and then glued the other end in place. Then I brushed the ink pad all over him, just like I did for the other three.

And that's it! The cuts weren't exactly straight so they're a little wobbly. I might put some sort of little footie piece underneath to help them stand better. Then they'll go in the entry way. Can't wait to put all my decorations up this weekend!

(Inspired by these guys over here!)

Happy Hudson

Hudson is happy daddy's home.

Too bad he got caught red-handed upstairs.

All before 9:30 am

Today's one of those days where the universe is trying to tell me I should have stayed in bed.

We came home from the gym and walked into this....

The little stinker got in the trash and found a cake mix I had thrown away. He was covered in it. Hans was confused when we walked in because he actually thought a random dog was in our house.

And then Hans left for work with my keys. So I had to call him and make him come back because I was stuck. And late for work.

And then I got bit by a spider. On the top of my foot. No joke.

And then my 10-mile commute took 50 minutes.

And I should have just stayed in bed today.

Pumpkin pound cupcakes

It's time! I love when pumpkin season starts. So even though it's still 100 degrees, I'm trying to kick start fall by baking with pumpkin.

Enter these pumpkin cupcakes. I found the recipe from Sweet and Savory and I love that it took absolutely no time or effort. My favorite kind.

What you need:
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
4 Eggs
1/2 Cup Milk
3/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree
1 Stick of unsalted Butter, at room temperature

Add all ingredients into a stand mixer. Turn it on (I used speed 2) and leave it for 20 minutes. I watched part of an episode of Damages. It's a good show. Spoon it into cupcake liners. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

For the icing:
1 stick of unsalted butter
1/4 Shortening
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
3 Cups Powdered Sugar
3 Tbs. milk

Cream together the butter and shortening. Add in the brown sugar and cinnamon and mix 'til combined. Add in powdered sugar gradually and milk and beat to desired consistency. When the cupcakes are cool, ice and scarf.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

I'm all about the crock pot lately. Especially the "throw it in and turn it on" variety. This one fits that bill. And Hans loves it. That makes it a winner in my book.

What you need:
Chicken breasts (3-4)
2 T. butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 small onion, diced
salt and pepper to taste
Pillsbury grands (yes, I used the kind in a can!)

Put chicken in pot. Add butter.

Toss in soups and onion and season with salt and pepper.

Cook on high for 5-6 hours.

Pull the chicken out. Shred with two forks. Add back into the pot. Cut up the grands biscuits and toss them on top of the mixture. Cook another 30 minutes.

Yum.

Recipe originally from Bubble Crum.

Sugar hangover

I'm feeling like an old lady today. An old lady with a major sugar hangover. I think all you do on your birthday is eat (exhibit a, b and c below). But it was a truly marvelous birthday. Thanks to everyone for the calls, texts, facebook messages and generally making me feel spoiled and loved. 

Yummy birthday sampler with work peeps at Second Bar and Kitchen

My co-workers picked up these amazing cupcakes from Delish. These are just the leftovers!

Wonderful hubby took me to PF Changs where we got my favorite, the Great Wall of Chocolate

Boo! theme continues

Can you tell I'm on a holiday decorations kick lately?

I saw this cute boo sign on "Then she made" and thought, "hey, that looks easy!" And it was. Messy, but easy.

What you need:
Chipboard letters (Hobby Lobby)
Halloween scrapbook paper
Ribbon
Stickers
Modge podge
Brush

Hobby Lobby has these on sale all the time. I think it was 89 cents or something.

Don't cut the paper. Do not make any cuts yet. You didn't cut, did you?

Brush a pretty good layer of modge podge on the front of the first letter. Lay it face down on the back of the paper. Turn it over and smooth out any bumps and set it aside to dry. Repeat with the other two letters, giving the first time to dry.

The back of mine is messy. No clean edges here. No one sees... who cares?

Trim off excess paper, leaving about a half inch of paper on all sides. Brush the sides of the letter with modge podge and fold the paper around the edge to the back. It may require some ripping.

After all three letters are covered in paper, add on more thick coat of modge podge for good measure (to seal it in and give it the same texture throughout).

Add stickers. Tie together with ribbons. Annnnd done.