Red Velvet Peppermint Cake...Yum!

I made this cake for our family progressive dinner, and it was so yummy!

Red Velvet Peppermint Cake

Yield: 1 (3-layer) cake
Ingredients

* 1 (18.25-ounce) package white cake mix
* 3 egg whites
* 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 (9-ounce) package yellow cake mix*
* 1/2 cup buttermilk
* 1 large egg
* 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 tablespoons liquid red food coloring
* 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
* Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
* Garnishes: Holiday Trees, 6 (5-inch) red and white peppermint candy canes, crushed; 12 (5-inch) green candy canes, broken; 12 round peppermint candies

Preparation

Beat first 4 ingredients according to cake mix package directions.

Beat yellow cake mix and next 6 ingredients according to package directions. Spoon red batter alternately with white batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Swirl batter gently with a knife.

Bake at 350° for 22 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

Spread Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. (Cake may be chilled up to 2 days or frozen up to 1 month.) Garnish, if desired. Serve within 2 hours.

*1 3/4 cups yellow cake mix may be substituted

NOTE: For testing purposes only, we used Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe White Cake Mix, Jiffy Golden Yellow Cake Mix, and McCormick Red Food Color.

If cake is frozen, thaw completely before garnishing to prevent crushed candy from running. Do not refrigerate after garnishing.

Peppermint Frosting ~


Yield: about 5 cups
Ingredients

* 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 (2-pound) package powdered sugar
* 2 teaspoons peppermint extract*

Preparation

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at low speed until smooth. Add extract, beating until blended.

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract may be substitute

9 Great Christmas Entertaining Ideas While Staying on a Budget

by Marley Majcher – (a.k.a. The Party Goddess)

1. Think like a Beatle.
Or at least his wife. Currently Yoko Ono has a “Wish Tree” project installed in cities around the world because when she was a child in Japan she used to write wishes for the coming year and leave them in the temple. Why not create your own wish tree? Cut out squares of paper and pre-string them. Invite guests to write their wishes for the new year on a card and place them on your tree (or in a vase). Then, when the holidays are over, save the cards and put them in a scrap book to whip out the following winter.

2. Get personal.
Place card holders should be fun and festive enough to glam up the table while also letting guests know where they will be sitting (think individual snowflakes, ornaments or even mini evergreens tied with beautiful ribbon scraps and each person’s name).

3. Collect it yourself.
Take a nature walk and pick up fallen branches, evergreens and pinecones. Take interesting branches and evergreens and “flock” them using the store bought canned stuff or spray paint pinecones silver. Don’t forget to use spray adhesive to add a little extra glittery fascination. Create a centerpiece or buffet decor with what you found and adorned.

4. Repurpose what you’ve got.
Tired of your old holiday gear? Why not just switch it with a neighbor. You deliver two boxes of ornaments or supplies to them and they deliver two boxes to you. That way the house will feel totally festive and no one has spent a cent!

5. Or just reorganize your manpower.
Don’t feel like switching with a friend? Then why not simulate your own version of Trading Spaces? Pull out all of your usual holiday decorations and have a few close friends or family members decorate your place using your own stuff (then of course you do the same for them!) Tuck things in unexpected places like the bathroom windowsill or even the counter of the master bath. You’re guaranteed not to get stuck in your same old holiday decorating rut.

6. Spell it out.
Create unique and memorable place cards for your guests by using seasonally inspired “Thank You/Gratitude” cards. The hostess (or family members or dinner guests) should jot down on the card why they are thankful for that person. Place the card in its envelope (the envelope can also be seasonally decorated if you enjoy creating paper crafts) and with a calligraphy pen (color coordinated with the predominate color from your holiday decorating palette or gold), write their name and place the gratitude card at their assigned seat.

7. Be healthy, drink tea!
Tea has gotten a big boost in the media lately for its healthy properties, but it’s also easy to make and a really inexpensive addition to your bar menu. Get creative with options like Sweet Tea with Rum and Funky Tea-tini’s that will get your buzz on and keep you cancer free (well sort of.)

8. Back to the basics.
The really basic, like 1950’s basics. No one believes me but casseroles are fabulous. They are so inexpensive to make, can use leftover ingredients, freeze well and will KNOCK YOUR GUESTS SOCKS OFF. Guaranteed!

9. Create edible centerpieces.
Individual sweets on a pedestal in the middle of each table double as décor and dessert. Example: Picture candy apples dipped in caramel or chocolate and then individually wrapped in cello with beautiful ribbon and nested among evergreen sprigs. Not only will the centerpieces look festive and different, guests can either eat their candy apples for dessert or take them home as favors at the end of the party.

*****

More info on Marley:
Leading Entertainment Expert, Entrepreneur, TV Personality, Coach, Author and Sought After Speaker, Marley Majcher is CEO of The Party Goddess! and publisher of the ezine, “How To Be A Party Goddess.” If you are ready to take your career or business to the next level, make more money and just be happier with your work life, then get your free tips on how to be a rockin’ event planner at www.howtobeapartygoddess.com.

Happy Birthday America!

There is just something about the 4th of July that makes me so excited! I'm not sure if it's the thrill of seeing how many different things I can do with the colors red, white, and blue, or maybe it's the thought of BBQing with friends, the smell of burgers on the grill, sticky watermelon faces, or my hubby buying hundreds of dollars of fireworks, and praying he doesn't set himself, the kids, or anything else on fire. :) Whatever the reason may be...I love celebrating the 4th of July!

Most of the decorations for this holiday are outside, and for the most part...SIMPLE!

These pictures were from a 4th of July table at our Southern Living at HOME convention a few years ago. They simply used different fabrics for the tablecloths, and then used 3 Cinnibar Vases, and tiered the flowers with blue agapanthas, red roses, and white posies. Add some flags, and it's a perfect centerpiece!

Want to designate an area for drinks or food? Use your drink buckets as stands, and insert a PVC pipe, tie ballons together and it makes a cute canopy!

And don't forget...food is always a great decoration!

I loved this simple idea from www.marthastewart.com. Fill different containers with sand, and add fun pom-poms attached to skewers for a fun sparkler effect!

Also using layered colored sand makes a fun statement, and if you are not a perfectionist...a great thing for kids to help with!

Happy Birthday AMERICA!!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Mower Fathers Day Ideas!

These sweet lawn mower cupcakes are a cut-above choice for Father's Day.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Chocolate-frosted cupcakes
Coconut, flaked
Green food coloring
Hershey's Nuggets
M&M's
Frosting
Black licorice laces

1. For each cupcake, mix a handful of flaked coconut with a few drops of green food coloring. Press a chocolate-frosted cupcake into the coconut to cover.

2. The mower is made with a dark chocolate Hershey's Nuggets body, brown M&M's wheels, and a red M&M's engine, held in place with dabs of frosting.

3. Shape the handle from a piece of black licorice lace, then insert the ends into the cupcake.

It will leave him wanting MOWER! :)

(Familyfun.com)

Graduation Caps

These are so cute!!! By using Reeses Peanut butter cups, Godiva or Andes mints, and then sour straws for the tassels...how sweet is that!!!

Creating an Outdoor Room

With more and more people staying home these days, dining in has become extremely popular.
Most of us in California and other warm states can comfortably eat outdoors March through the end of September. Why not maximize your space by creating an outdoor room? You'll save money and won't have to worry about overstaying your welcome at a restaurant with time constraints.

The first step is to clean your patio. Power wash if you need to. Next, visit Target for a neutral-colored outdoor rug. This will create the illusion of another room. Imagine having another family room! I found beautiful patio furniture last year on sale at Target. The base is a chocolate-brown wrought iron and the cushions are a peppery terra cotta. I picked up a few inexpensive cushions in fun accent colors to complete the look. Add some pizazz with glimmering hanging lanterns.

Now, I did keep my tried-and-true (ugly and outdated) outdoor table. I gave it a quick makeover with a pretty tablecloth. In the center of the table, I used a wrought iron round tray. Inside I placed a pretty flower pot and $6.99 gorgeous hot orange flowers from Trader Joe's.
Stunning hanging baskets - Wisteria Planters with Hangers from Southern Living at Home - tied everything together. I attached three to my overhang. Because they are high, I used red faux geraniums from Joanne's ($9.99 each). I am a stickler about faux flowers - they have to look real. There's nothing worse than cheap, plastic flowers. However, these ones really do look real and come in baskets of red and white.

To complete your look, add artwork outside. I picked up a city-chic painting of the Eiffel Tower last summer at Target. Last week I found a black, wrought iron stand at Ross for Less for just $19.99. When guests come to visit, I place the painting on the stand and crank up my favorite Parisian cafe CD.

See? It doesn't have to expensive. A few quick tricks will help you to save money, dine in, relax and enjoy your favorite people just a little bit more.

written by Antonia Ehlers
SF Budget Decorating Exhaminer, fellow SLAH sister, and friend!

All-Natural Egg Dyes

Thanks to bhg.com for this great "green" idea!

Pink
1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Lavender
1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Brown
1 cup strong coffee and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks. Add cabbage to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water. Bring to room temperature. Remove blueberries.

Dark Pink
Cut 1 medium beet into chunks. Add beet to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove beets.

Yellow
Remove the peel from 1 orange. Add peel to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove orange peel.

Have a colorful Easter!!!

Cake Balls...the newest crave!

These have got to be the cutest thing-on-a-stick I have ever seen! I am going to attempt to make something like these for the kids on Easter. I got the recipe from www.bakerella.blogspot.com

Wish me luck!

Cake Balls Recipe:

1 box cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)

1 can frosting (16 oz.)

Wax paper

Yellow candy melts (1 lb. pkg.)

Lollipop sticks

Edible ink pens
After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
Mix thoroughly with 1 can frosting. (I use the back of a large spoon, but it may be easier to use fingers to mix together. But, be warned, it will get messy. Also, you may not need the entire can of frosting, so start out by using almost the entire can and add more if you need to.)

Roll mixture into quarter size balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50)

Melt chocolate in the microwave per directions on package. (30 sec intervals, stirring in between.)

Dip the tip of your lollipop stick in a little of the melted candy coating and insert into the cake balls. (Insert a little less than halfway.)

Place them in the freezer for a little while to firm up. Once firm, carefully insert the cake ball into the candy coating by holding the lollipop stick and rotating until covered. Once covered remove and softly tap and rotate until the excess chocolate falls off. Don't tap too hard or the cake ball will fall off, too.

Place in a styrofoam block to dry.

Once dry, draw faces with an edible ink pen and allow ink to dry!

Note: I think cake pops are a little more difficult to make than the cupcake pops because of trying to get the candy coating smooth. So, If you haven't made them before, check out this post for red velvet cake balls and this one for cupcake pops.


Here's what I used to decorate:Pink Candy MeltsYellow Candy Melts White Candy Melts Pastel Confetti Sprinkles Sanding SugarsLight Corn Syrup Paper Lollipop Sticks Styrofoam BlockParamount Crystals

Small Paintbrush

Toothpicks

To decorate:
Shape the cake balls into an egg shape.
Dip in candy coating color of your choice.
Let sit in the styrofoam block until dry.
When dry, use a small paint brush to paint on a thin layer of corn syrup in a line around the egg. Do one line at a time. Right after you paint on the syrup, sprinkle on one of the sanding colors until all of the corn syrup is covered. Use a bowl sprinkle over.
Repeat with varying designs and colors.
You could probably also do this with the melted candy color, but this time I was experimenting and tried the corn syrup.
For the confetti sprinkles, either dab a little bit of the candy color with your toothpick and glue on the sprinkle shapes or use a little bit of the corn syrup to act as the glue. The corn syrup will take a little longer to dry. Dry completely.

Going Green....

I just love the month of March! The hints of spring, flowers blooming, and the smell of fresh rain, it's just so refreshing! What better time to "go green", and bring some of the outdoors, indoors! Not only is it economical....it always freshens any room! It's also amazing how long fresh cut branches last! Combine a variety of leaves and branches, or just make a statement with a single blooming branch.

Using fresh fruit for centerpieces always is stunning! Whether you use a few lemons, or cut them and add flowers, the citrus scent is always so nice! My favorite fruits to use are: lemons, limes, oranges, cranberries, and apples!!

Flowers are always a nice "pop" of spring, but you don't always need to buy bunches at the store! Visit your local Lowe's or Home Depot, and check out the variety of 6 pack annuals. Keep them in their plastic container, and just line your container with plastic wrap, and top with moss. This is always a great, and unusual centerpiece that lasts much longer than store bought flowers!


March 26-27, I am having a Spring Fling Decorating Event at my house! Come get decorating tips, and see first hand decorating ideas! I will be having prizes as well as specials on your favorite Southern Living at HOME products! Contact me for a personal invitation! Friends are welcome!

Southern Living at HOME fresh ideas!

This past weekend, I attended an event in Concord, CA, and got so many new ideas for our new Spring line of products! It's so awesome to be able to get so many creative ideas! Thanks girls for letting me copy! ;)

The art of the Throw

Nothing warms a chair, bed or sofa like an artfully arranged cozy throw. Here are some Do's and Don'ts to make your throw look just right....

*Don't fold a throw in half--it looks far too formal and proper.

*A throw is a popular, updated dash of color and texture and should look casual and vibrant.

*The art of a throw is in the actual motion of throwing. Unfold the throw, ridding it of any folds and wrinkles, and find a point just off-center. Do hold the throw, allowing it to hang, and just flick the wrist, tossing the throw on a sofa or chair. Leave the throw just as it landed.

*Do use a throw to cover mars, rips, or other imperfections in fabric. A throw can be a marvelous decoration and covers a multitude of shortcomings.

(Article by Pam Milam... www.reinventedrooms.com)

January Blues...

Happy New Year! There is nothing better than flipping the calendar, and starting a fresh new year! Ok, let me ask you, how many of you took down your Christmas decorations, and forgot where things went? Does it feel a little bare? And I don’t know about you, but after 2 seasons of decorating, I’m kinda in a slump. And then, there is question, how or what do I decorate with? It's too early for spring, not quite Valentines day...so what to do?

Personally I love white! Yes, I know, it's really not a color, but it always seems fresh and new, and CLEAN! If you just can't live without color, red and blues always will do!

Adding things to your decor like little hints of spring...lemons, limes, greenery, etc., always adds a pop of freshness, and life to the duldrums of winter.

We also have our NEW Spring Southern Living at HOME catalog with tons of ideas as well! Feel free to check out my website and view the online catalog! I would love to LIVE in the rooms of these pages!! :)