Do-it-yourself Candles!

I'm out of control.

I never thought I would go so far, but let's make some candles!

You always need little gifts for random events that come up, they're perfect to give as a gift. It's great to have something like this on hand to grab as you walk out the door.

Cast of characters:

• Wax paper (to protect your work surface)
• Pot
• Glass container (this measure cup works perfectly, even has a spout)
• Cutting board and knife
• Candle or candy thermometer (VERY IMPORTANT!)
• Bulk candle wax (purchased at Michaels, or you can use old candles)
• Candle wax coloring (I'm using a Yankee Candle tart)
• Wicks
• Containers for the candles (these adorable mini wine glasses were cheap at the Goodwill)

Here's a close up of the important supplies.

Seriously, protect your work surface. You'll most likely spill some wax, and wax paper perfectly holds the spilled wax an keeps it from going all over your table.

Okay, so cut up your giant wax block into small chunks.

Place the chunks into the measuring cup.
Place your pot on the stove, add a few inches of water, then put the measuring cup into the pot.
This is really important. You obviously don't want to heat the measuring cup up on the stove directly and it's difficult to melt the wax in the pot directly. The water in the pot helps to slowly heat the wax up.

Slowly heat the wax, and I mean it, slowly on LOW.

Cut up a piece of the wax tart and add to the wax mixture. This serves two purposes, to color the wax and to add scent. You can use crayons to color the wax, it must be waxed based not things like food coloring. You can use liquid scent as well but it's easier to add pieces of the tart.

Grab the thermometer, and place in the melting wax. DO NOT HEAT THE WAX ABOVE 200 degrees, because, surprise, wax is flammable.

While it's melting, get your containers ready and place the wicks inside. Make sure they're straight in the container.

Dip the metal end of the wicks in a small amount of melted wax and place in the bottom, it'll help keep the wick in the right spot when pouring the wax.

Okay, when the wax is completely melted and see through, it's time to pour.

Pour till you reach the top, make sure the wick stays in place.

Let cool.

Repeat process until you fill all of your containers.

Mmm Cookies.

I know, I know. Everyone's probably cookied out from the holiday season, but come on, these are worth it.

White chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

Let's get started.

Cast of Characters:

• 1 cup of butter (or 2 sticks) softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Add the brown sugar, white sugar and butter to a large bowl (and fyi, I spelt bowl as bowel before realizing.. oh being a nurse..) Also, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 

Cream it together. All that means, is use a beater and get it to all mix together nicely. Trust me, this will be easier when the butter is soft.

Add 1 egg and beat the mix together. Add the second egg, and beat again.

Now from here on out, I forgot to take pictures as I was going along (super dumb, I know, sorry) but you can handle the rest. Add the vanilla, almond, salt, baking powder to the bowl and mix together. Add the flour in slowly and mix. Add the white chocolate chips and mix in. Make sure to chop the macadamia nuts up a little before adding. Then lastly, spoon them onto cookie sheets.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes until browned on top. 

THEY WERE DELICIOUS. 

Chili That Will Warm Your Heart

It's cold outside.

Some days all you want is something to warm your heart, so let's make some chili in the crockpot!

Cast of characters:

• 1 lb ground turkey (or beef)
• 1/2 onion
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans
• Spices:
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 1/2 ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

First, start to brown your turkey.

While that's browning, let's mix the spices. I had to buy almost all of these random spices, but they won't go bad for a looong time. 

You'll want a resealable container, you'll have a little bit left afterwards.. It almost smells like taco seasoning, wonder if it'd substitute well..

Cut up roughly half an onion (depending on your love for onions, you can use less or more) into small pieces.

Keep an eye on your browning turkey, add in the onion and 3 teaspoons of the spice mix.

Now it's time to add everything to the crock pot. Open the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and 1 can of the kidney beans, add to the crock pot.

Pour the last can of kidney beans in a small container, and mash it up until the beans are mostly broken. This helps to thicken the chili but still provide bean-y flavor. You could use a blender, but that's too much work.

Add that to the crockpot, and the fully cooked turkey. Add 2 more teaspoons of spice to the crock pot.

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. 

When it's done, enjoy!

More glitter and glue?

I told you, winter and glitter go hand in hand.

Tired of boring old taper candles (that remind you of your grandmother's tapers), yeah, so am I.

Cast of Characters:

• Taper candles
• Glitter
• Mod Podge
• Sponge brush
• Drop cloth (prevents a giant mess)

Spread a generous amount of mod podge on the taper candle using the sponge brush.

Throw some glitter on the drop cloth.

Roll the candles in the glitter until covered completely.

Throw em in some taper holders. See how much better it brings the table together than just plain white tapers?

Glitter and Glue

It's winter, that means that it's perfectly acceptable to put glitter on everything (well, almost everything, pending tackiness.)

After taking down all of my Christmas decorations, I realized, I needed more winter. I saw an idea and I ran with it. 

Glitter sign!

Cast of Characters:

• White spray paint
• Glitter (white)
• Glue gun
• Pencil
• Canvas

Use the pencil to trace out what you're going to say. I used "Baby it's Cold Outside" Don't worry, the spray paint will cover the pencil marks, and if you suck at doing things right the first time like me, you'll appreciate using a pencil so you can erase mistakes.

Use the hot glue gun to trace over the pencil marks.

Spray paint the canvas.

While it's still wet, sprinkle the glitter on top.

Let dry, and viola.

Sorry I've Been Gone...

I went on a hiatus. 

The Christmas season was a tad stressful, and I wasn't able to craft as much as I'd like.

Rest assured, I'm back up and running!