The Artful Potter

Mom was the hostess for Barlow Ladies Night this month and suggested we go to the Artful Potter to paint ceramics. Unfortunately, she ended up having to show houses and couldn't make it, but the rest of us had fun. I shared a table with the creative Mandy and Lynn.


Aunt Connie, Rachel, and Aunt Debbi were very creative too.


Here's my project ready to get glazed and go in the kiln.


Here's the finished project. I think I'm going to hang it in our future play room, and then take it down to be the special birthday cake plate. However, with having twins I'll have to paint another one. Lucky me!

Lacey's Oreo Truffles

My sister-in-law Lacey made the best dessert while we were in Idaho- Oreo Truffles! I wanted to preserve the recipe here so I can make them again and again.

Ingredients:
one package Oreo cookies
one package cream cheese
one package milk chocolate chips
one package white chocolate chips
food coloring paste (optional)

Directions:
Crush oreo's in the blender until they are the consistency of coffee grinds. Mix oreo crumbs with package of softened cream cheese until it is the texture of cookie dough. Form into teaspoon-sized balls and drop onto cookie sheet. Chill in fridge/freezer while you melt the chocolate. Melt a small bowl-full of chocolate chips in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stir, and repeat until completely melted. Dip chilled balls in chocolate and return to cookie sheet. For optional decorating, you can mix food coloring paste in with the melted white chocolate chips, and drizzle over the truffles. Once the whole batch is dipped, chill in fridge until ready to serve. Trust me, they are delish!

*I started thinking of some other flavor combos: peanut butter oreos with peanut butter chips or mint oreos with mint chocolate chips, yum yum!

Summer Crafty

So we are back in Taiwan and hopefully I'll have a new craft to post about next week. This summer I was able to do one craft, I painted a plate at The Artful Potter (will show pictures soon). I also got an awesome recipe from my sister-in-law Lacey (will share too), my husband made me an amazing photo DVD for my birthday, and my kids colored and drew lots and lots and lots too. I bought some fun beads that I'm just itching to string together, and I read lots of books. I was also inspired by the cakes Ms. Cakes made for my sister's bridal shower and wedding reception. Living Art Digital also took some fantastic pictures. I just love creative stuff!