Week 1 of Elf on the Shelf

So I broke down and adopted an Elf. Mind you, my older boys (whom still live with us) thought this was the creepiest thing they ever saw. And David, well he's only 16 months so he really doesn't care about him (yet). But my hubby and I are loving him!

So when he arrived I made it a point that the whole family had to agree on a name for him. CJ and Cordell liked this idea. And we settled on Hermie. (You know from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.) There wasn't many options prior to Hermie we all loved the idea.

So this is what Hermie has been up to for the past week.

Night 1-  I went to go read David the story and when I returned to put the book back with the box I noticed Hermie was missing. I later found him in the coffee cup cabinet.

 

Day 1 - We woke to find Hermie got the coffee ready for my hubby (since he's the first up).

Day 2 - This time Hermie decided to have a little fun and draw on my Step-Children's kid picture we have hanging up in the hall. Cordell, my youngest stepson, said elves aren't suppose to do stuff like that because it teaches bad things. (Such a smart 17 year old LoL)

 Day 3 - Hermie thought it would be a good idea to just hang out today.

Day 4 - Because my older step sons stay up late (got to love a 17 year old and a 20 year old, they never sleep) and my hubby wakes up really early (normally 5/6am) Hermie has to be really quick with his trip to the North Pole. Well this morning, he was trying to sneak a candy cane, but my hubby woke up and caught him stuck in the box.

Day 5 - Today, Hermie watched the whole house from on top of the fire place (I think he was hinting to not having any decorations up yet. I'm still trying to find them all)

Day 6 - Hermie watched himself on TV this night. It was funny because I didn't know Rudolph was going to be until after I found Hermie watching TV earlier in the day.

Day 7 - Hermie got a sweet tooth again and tried to sneak candy out of the candy jar

So Hermie hasn't done too much destruction in my house. Believe me, I talked to him that first night he pulled the disappearing act on me to not follow in his fellow Elves footsteps and to try to keep my home clean. I've already have 3 boys, a husband, 2 dogs, and 4 cats to clean up after. I don't need an elf to add to the mess. So far he's been GREAT! We'll see what happens this coming up week. :)

See Ya.

-Nicole

Pumpkin Cake/Bars

I love this time of year and one thing I love about it is pumpkin. I LOVE pumpkin. I have pumpkin creamer for my coffee, I've made pumpkin muffins (which weren't that good), made pumpkin pie, and now this pumpkin cake. This was my first time making them, I made them for my stepdaughter and her husband for our special Thanksgiving. They couldn't join us for Thanksgiving day so we had a special Thanksgiving the Saturday after. They loved the cake. And my stepdaughter doesn't like pumpkin. But it has the slightest pumpkin flavor, she loved it. So I thought what a great recipe to share to all of you!!

I have no clue where the recipe came from since I got it from my mom and she's had it for so long she doesn't remember.

I have to say this, I had to make this into a cake since I don't own a jelly roll pan. My mom however does and hers are normally "bar" size.

Pumpkin Cake/Bars (from my mom's kitchen)
Bar ingredients
1 cup oil
2 cups pumpkin (or 1 can of Pumpkin)
2 cups sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour

Icing
3 oz pkg cream cheese (soften)
1 tsp vanilla
1 stick butter (soften)
1 tbsp milk
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Mix together bar ingredients and put in greased jelly roll pan or a greased cake pan.
3. For jelly roll pan, bake for 20-25 mins. For cake pan, bake for 30-40 mins (when a toothpick comes out clean).
4. Remove from oven and cool on cooling rack for about an hour - hour and half.
5. For icing, mix together and spread on the cake/bars when its cool.

Marshmallow Delight

 My one step-son, Cordell, absolutely loves anything to do with marshmallows, so when I came across this recipe on Pintrest I knew I had to make it.

I didn't take any pictures of me making it because your hands get a little messy making these. And my finish product "exploded." However they were very good.

Here's the recipe:
From allrecipes


Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
8 large marshmallows
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted


Directions
Separate rolls into eight triangles. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip each marshmallow into butter, roll in cinnamon-sugar and place on a triangle. Pinch dough around marshmallow, sealing all edges. Dip tops of dough into remaining butter and cinnamon-sugar. Place with sugar side up in greased muffin cups. Bake at 375 degrees F for 13 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

I will make these again and hopefully have someone help take pictures.


Also, there is a Easter story behind these as well. Another name for these are called "Empty Tomb". This can be found here: The Girl Who Ate Everything (plus she has better pictures than mine)

Hot Cross Buns

Last night, I attempted Hot Cross Buns. I know they are normally for Easter but I had a baking itch.

I think they taste a little dry to me but the hubby said they tasted good. Cordell said the middle needs a little something (which in his words means its dry)

Maybe I over-kneaded them? Or added too much flour? I don't know. My buns never got "smooth". I wonder if it would have been better in the bread machine.

 Please if you have a hot cross bun recipe I would love to try it out.

 

Hot Cross Buns

Adapted from: All Recipes

Makes 6 Buns

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 dash ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

ICING:

• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon 2% milk

Directions

1. In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in milk. Stir in butter, egg, sugar and salt. Combine 3/4 cup flour, raisins, cinnamon, allspice and orange zest; add to the yeast mixture and mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down; shape into six 2-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross on top of each bun. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
4. Beat egg yolk and water; brush over buns. Bake at 375 degrees F for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Combine icing ingredients; pipe over buns.