Ordering

I still take custom orders; if you are interested in a custom creation, please email me for a quote (beadedbabyboutique@gmail.com)

Death of a blog....

Maybe death is too dramatic; yeah it is, how about retirement of a blog/site? I think that's much better. This site/blog was really fun to work on and gave me something to do while nursing, but it never really did much as a business. So, I've decided to retire this blog...now as many retirees now-a-days it won't just sit there waiting to die, I may still post the occasional recipe or whatnot, but as far as ordering things, the new order form will just tell you to email me & everything will pretty much be custom orders (I'm not keeping all my old supplies in stock).

It's been fun, thank you to all those who gave me feedback on my site and to the few of you who actually ordered, thanks a bunch.

Recipe Time

My husband recently discovered biscotti (I swear I've bought it before, but this time we were given a Costco purchased tub and well, we've eaten 2 Costco sized tubs.....)

Even at Costco they're still pricey, so I looked up some recipes, I didn't like the first one I tried and came up with my own. It's not quite as crisp & light as the Nonni brand (the one you can get at Costco), but it's  pretty close and I'm still playing with the recipe, if I get it any closer, I'll update the recipe.

Breanna's Biscotti
3/4 c sugar
5 Tbsp butter
3 eggs
vanilla (I don't really measure it, probably about 1.5 tsp)
3 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 nuts (I use about 1/2 chopped almonds + 1/4 chopped pecans)
1.5 tsp anise seed
1/4 c chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350

Cream butter and sugar (use the flat paddle on your mixer). While that's creaming, mix the dry ingredients (including the nuts and anise but not the chocolate) in a separate bowl.  In your mixer, add eggs one at a time, add vanilla mix a few seconds. Pour your dry ingredients in with wet ingredients, mix until combined.

Kneed dough a few times on a lightly floured surface. Shape into a flat loaf (approx 7"x14").

Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for 25 min.

Remove to cooling rack at least 10 min. (I use two spatulas to move the loaf to keep it from breaking).

Cut loaf into cookies (I like mine to be 7"x 0.5")

Stand cookies up on cookie sheet so they're not touching each other, bake again for 10-15 min.

Remove to cooling rack.

Melt chocolate until smooth and runny (takes about 45 sec in the microwave and some mixing). Cool just enough that you can stick your finger in it (you don't want to melt your plastic bag).

Place biscotti on waxed paper. Pour chocolate into a zip-top bag, press to remove air, zip, and snip off a corner of the bag. Drizzle chocolate over biscotti.

Once chocolate is set (if you can wait that long) enjoy!

Be sure to check out February's recipe it's super easy and super yummy! Also, don't forget the Sweet Cheeks Sale ends Feb 14th!

Super Easy Enchilada Chicken Soup

This Recipe is adapted from a friend's blog everydaydinners.blogspot.com; this is the original recipe 

Mix the following in your crockpot:
One large can of green enchilada sauce
8 oz (no salt added) tomato sauce
2 cups of water*
1-2 tsp Better Than Bullion

Add:
2-3 large chicken breasts (or 5-7 tenders)

Cook on low for about 4 hours.
Remove chicken and shred, return to crockpot.

Add:
One can of black beans
About half a bag of frozen corn (or more if you'd like)
one box of Spanish style rice*

Cook on low for 1-2 hours.

*2 cups of water and one box of rice makes this pretty thick, if you want it to be thinner, add more water or less rice.

Serve with avacado, tomato, cheese, sour cream, chips, anything else that sounds good!

There Will Be a New Recipe, but First.....

It's February, I love February, my little Valentine turns 1 this month! So, in her honor.....
The SWEET CHEEKS SALE 
What would be more appropriate for this sale than diaper cakes? So...here is: 40% off diaper cakes, plus some of the flowers/bows will be on clips so they can be used as accessories OR 20% off your entire order (when ordering a diaper cake). Hurry this sale ends Valentine's Day!

New Product!

We now offer family trees! Perfect for anniversaries, baby showers or even weddings.

Each tree hangs from a hand painted picture frame or wooden plaque. The frame comes with family name with any custom lettering you'd like printed on 48 lb. paper; you can replace it with a picture if you'd like. The plaque option comes with the family name painted on it (additional custom lettering is an option, but is priced differently).

For example, as pictured above the total cost is $24.50

When ordering please indicate your choices for the following:
Frame or plaque
Color of: male hearts, female hearts, ribbon, lettering in the hearts & heart trim color
Names of: the family (Last name), Wife, Husband, children written in order you'd like them to be on the tree (please indicate gender & if you are or aren't including spouses of children), and grandchildren

New Year, Let's Have a Sale

You can choose free shipping or 10% off your order.

Until January 31, 2010.

Monte Cristo Wraps

Well, my recipe is kind of late this month, I've been working on perfecting it....

I love Mote Cristo Sandwiches, but deep-fried sandwiches are not very good for you and make you (or at least make me) feel kind of yucky after eating to many (which I always do). So I thought that there had to be a way to still get the savory/salty/sweet tastes without all the grease. Here's my attempt at it, it's not the same as eating the real thing, but it's tasty and won't necessitate a triple-by-pass.

Recipe serves 2 adults--increase as needed
Ingredients:

Wrap:
5 flour tortillas (I like to cook up some raw ones, but do what works for you)
boysenberry jam (or your favorite, but I'd stick with a berry flavor)
5 slices of white cheese (like provolone or swiss)
5 large slices of deli turkey
about 2 slices of deli ham

Batter:
1 egg
2 Tbsp milk
1/4 flour
1 tsp of baking powder

Breading:
panko bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350
Whisk your batter together until pretty smooth (only a few small lumps should remain) set aside.
Assemble your wraps; you can spread the jam on the tortilla or serve it on the side for dipping. Put one cheese slice (I like to tear it in strips), one piece of turkey and about half a slice of ham on each tortilla. Wrap burrito style (fold the ends in).
Dip in batter.
Roll in Panko.
Place on foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 min.

I like to cut them on a diagonal & serve with salad and/or fruit.

Send Thanks to Our Troops

Candy Cane Brownies

Time for another recipe.... these are amazing & were a huge hit at the church Christmas party; I think I may have to rename them Christmas Crack Brownies.

Candy Cane Brownies
adapted from ourbestbites.com

1 Box of Betty Crocker Brownies (baked in 9x13 according to package directions & cooled)

Frosting:
2 c powdered sugar
4 T butter softened (10 sec in the microwave will do it; use real butter)
1.5 t peppermint extract (sounds like a lot but it's right)
1 T milk (mine took two see directions about this)
a few drops of red food coloring (I was out and just added a little pink writing icing that I had)

Chocolate Layer:
1 c chocolate chips (semi or dark, not milk)
5 T butter cut in pieces (you need to use the real stuff)

Topping:
crushed candy canes (I used Bob's "soft mint sticks" you can get them at Walmart)

Directions:
Mix all frosting ingredients together with mixer, if needed add more milk a teaspoon at a time (this is where I ended up adding 3 tsp; thus, 2 tbsp total). Spread on cool brownies--I stuck mine in the fridge to go faster. You will likely get brownie crumbs in your pretty frosting, but that's okay it will be covered with chocolate. Put back in fridge.

Put chocolate and butter in a bowl and microwave in 30 second increments (it took me 60 seconds total) until smooth (stir after every 30 sec--chocolate holds it's shape until you stir it).

Pour over frosting and spread quickly; I poured it all over (not just in one spot), spread it a bit with a spatula and jiggled the pan around to get it all over. (If you touch it too much it will mix with the frosting).

Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top. Place back in fridge to firm up.

You can cut & enjoy once the chocolate is set.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

These are SO good I had to share them, but also need to give credit where credit is due....The recipe can be found at http://www.bakedperfection.com/search/label/Muffin. Here's the recipe with my notes in parentheses:

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
adapted from Annie's Eats

Yield: 24 muffins (mine made more like 28)

Ingredients:

For the muffins:

3 cups flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

4 eggs

1 ¼ cups vegetable oil (I used half extra virgin olive oil and half canola)

2 cups sugar

2 cups pumpkin puree (I think Libby's is what most stores carry in a can)

For the filling:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened (I used neufchatel a.k.a. 1/3 less fat cream cheese)

1 cup powdered sugar

(I also like a little vanilla in it)

For the streusel topping:

½ cup sugar

¼ cup and 1 tsp. flour

4 tbsp. butter, cubed

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

To prepare the filling, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and whip until smooth. Form into a log on plastic wrap or foil, making sure that the diameter is small enough to fit into the well of a muffin pan. Wrap the log up tightly and freeze until slightly hardened, 1-2 hours. (I found that even after letting freeze for 2 hours, it was still not hard, not sure if I'll go to all the trouble of making the log next time, maybe I'll just scoop it with a spoon.)

To make the muffins, combine the flour, spices, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the eggs, oil, sugar and pumpkin puree.Mix until well combined. Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.

To make the streusel topping, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix together with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two muffin pans with paper liners.To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin well halfway with batter.Remove the cream cheese log from the freezer and slice into 24 equal slices. Place a slice in each muffin well. Divide the remaining muffin batter evenly among the muffin cups, on top of the cream cheese. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the top of the batter.Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely before serving (if you can wait that long).

Recipes

Here's where I'll put links to all the recipes on the site you can navigate here the same way you do to find out about products, from the picture on the right side.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Candy Cane Brownies

Monte Cristo Wraps

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Breanna's Biscotti

Chocolate Chip Cookies

As promised here's my chocolate chip cookie recipe; this is the one everyone keeps asking for once they've had one of my cookies.


1 c. butter (2 sticks)
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2  eggs
2 tsp. vanilla (at least, I just eyeball it)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 c. flour
chocolate chips about 2 cups, but it's up to you how chocolate-y to make them.

It's easiest in a mixer so that's how I'll explain it...
Preheat oven to 375
Cut the butter into a few pieces, add the butter & sugar to your bowl. Start on the lowest setting, once the butter won't fly out of the bowl turn to speed 4 and cream butter & sugar until smooth.
Add eggs and vanilla mix until smooth once more.
Add 1 cup of flour then the baking soda & salt on top of it, then the other 2 cups of flour; again start on the lowest setting, once the flour won't dust your entire kitchen turn to speed 4 for 30 seconds.
Turn down to lowest speed and add chips mix until evenly distributed (you may need to turn up the speed to do this).
Spoon dough on to sheet & bake 8-10 min.

Happy baking...more recipies coming soon :)

Today's the day! For the grand opening, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about the future of this blog-site store.

• First of all we will frequently have specials (like the 10% off we offered on orders before today). 
• The grand opening special is....Free Shipping on any orders placed before Friday. 
• I've decided to post favorite recipies at least once a month (probably more often). So, check back frequently for yummy things to make & if you'd like to share a recipe let me know.
• Please remember if there is ever an item you don't see offered but are interested in let me know as I can likely do a custom order for you & might just add it to my inventory.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you check back often for specials & recipies :)

Links

If you'd like to be considered to be added to my list email me at beadedbabyboutique@gmail.com


Parenting Sites:

http://www.babycenter.com/

http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/index.html  Sleep expert's site"Children can only stay happily awake for a certain period of time until they receive a biological pull towards a nap. Once that “pull” begins your child becomes fatigued and his cheerful mood begins to deteriorate. Each child has unique sleep needs..." No-Cry Nap Solution by Elizabeth Pantley.

Just For Fun:

Ourbestbites.com (my favorite place to find recipes)

http://www.dodtracker.com/oneaday/ (it's a collection of deal-of-the-day deals)

Web Directories--great places to find what you're looking for

The Grand Opening of Beaded Baby Boutique will be

.....drum roll please.....

09-29-2009

Welcome

I finally have the basics of the site ready. I'll be adding to it (especially adding pictures of products) over the next few weeks. For now, look around and feel free to ask questions via email or by commenting on the post of the product in question. You can also start placing orders now. 

Plus any orders placed before the official "Grand Opening" 
(date TBA) will receive 10%  the entire order!

Baby Annoucements

I not only love getting crafty with ribbon and fabric, I love using the computer too. I made this announcement when my daughter was born; we wrapped them around Twix bars and handed them out at her blessing. I can do candy bar announcements, photo announcements, or if there's something else you have in mind let me know. *Plus, I'm happy to do other announcements too: what about graduations, parties, birthdays, buying a house...the list is endless*

JPG Format--$30

• I create the file and email it to you so you can create as many announcements as you'd like.
• No shipping and handling on this one :)

Photo Paper Format--50 count minimum

candy bar--$0.65 each

4x6--$0.65 each

8.5x3.5 $0.75 each

5x7--$1.00 each

other sizes--email me for a quote

• I'll print them out and ship them.
• candy bars are NOT included.

Here's a shower invite:

Party Invite:

Graduation Announcement:

Valentine Cards:

First Birthday Invite & Thank You Cards:

Headbands & Flowers & Bows Oh My!

Flowers can be one or two colors; they are available in the following colors (the pairings are for example only, you can pick any two colors).

The band has a piece of velcro on it and the bows and flowers have a corresponding piece ***please be careful when changing out the bow or flower to hold on to the velcro so it doesn't damage the flower or bow***

Ribbon Headbands are also available, they come with the same flower choices as above, but the flowers are permanently attached, choose any ribbon color.

Flowers On Bobby Pins

colors:  white, cream, pink, rose, purple, yellow, peach, light blue, dusky blue, red

With the flowers you can pick the flower and clip color

If there is a color you'd like but don't see listed email me (beadedbabyboutique@gmail.com) and I'll let you know if I can do it.