Useful Tip - Blow-Dry Your Soaked Suede Boots

Earlier today, I had to run home in the pouring rain in my suede Bearpaw boots. Not fun. By the time I got home, they were soaked and possibly ruined forever. Here's a tip to recover your suede boots (Uggs, Bearpaws, and similar) if they've been exposed to rainstorms and are now wet.

What You Need
- blow drier

Directions
1.) Plug the blow drier in and take one boot. 
2.) Blow dry it on "high" setting, working your way through the wet parts. Hover on the really wet spots for longer.
3.) Pay special attention to the stitching and the edge that runs along the rubber sole, separating it from the actual boot - you don't want the sole to peel off because the water destroyed it!
4.) Repeat for the second boot - soon they will be good as new!!

WARNING! Be very careful - putting an electric blow drier close to water can be dangerous if one is not careful.

DIY Christmas Decor

Since Thanksgiving is today, why not get a head start and start to decorate for Christmas? These are some DIYs to get a bedroom into the holiday spirit. 

Pipecleaner Candy Canes

Some might say I went a little crazy with this project...

What you need: (to make 16 candy canes)
-8 red pipecleaners
-8 white pipecleaners
-scissors

1.) Take a red pipecleaner and a white pipecleaner and twist the two together.
2.) Cut the pipecleaner twist in half.
3.) Bend each half at the end to make the "curve" of the candy cane.
4.) Repeat! I also made this with green and white pipecleaners.

Mini Christmas Tree Decorations

I put this one on my desk. Gorgeous!

What you need:
-Mini Christmas tree (you can get these at craft stores like Michaels, Hollingworth 5 & 10, and Playtime)
-Ribbon / ribbon scraps
-Red, white and green pipecleaner scraps
-Small christmas ornaments

1.) Wrap the ribbon around the tree. Tie the ribbon scraps together, if necessary. 
2.) Hang the ornaments where you like 'em - they add a little bit of sparkle.
3.) Scatter the pipecleaner scraps and the place the tree where you want! 

This looks really good on a desk, dresser, or nightstand.

Throw Pillow!!

Who doesn't love a nice throw pillow?

What you need:
-about in 8.5in x 11in red felt
-about 4in x 5in green felt
-needle and thread
-polyester stuffing

1.) Cut out a Christmas tree shape out of the green felt. It helps to draw out a template before cutting.
2.) Sew the tree onto the top half of the red felt (the hamburger way) using a running stitch.
3.) Fold the red felt in half (the hamburger way) and sew along the edges in a running stitch. *REMEMBER TO LEAVE A SIDE UNSTITCHED FOR THE STUFFING TO COME IN!*
4.) Add an adequate amount of stuffing (not too much, and not too little), and then continue your running stitch to finish up the pillow. 
5.) Tie the knot, and you're done!

Happy Thanksgiving, and a happy early holiday!!!

QUICKEST and EASIEST Halloween Costumes

With Halloween in 3 DAYS, lots of people are stressing about what to be for Halloween. These are just some tips to get you started. You can add your own unique touches too!

1. Cat. All you have to do is buy ears and a tail, and wear black. You can accent with makeup (cat-eyes!) if you want. To do that, just use liquid eyeliner.

2. Soccer player. Put on a soccer jersey, athletic shorts, shin-guards and socks, and cleats, and you can use charcoal or black lipstick for stripes on your cheeks.

3. Witch. Throw on a black dress and buy a witch hat for a couple dollars at a local craft store. You could even carry along a broomstick to fly on!

4. Ballerina. Have your old ballet skirt? Well then you can put that on, with some matching tights and flats (don't have to be ballet slippers). Then throw on a cardigan and a white shirt. *Note: this is best for warmer weather.

Hope these are helpful! I'm going to go as the cat. ;)

Room Decor!

There are SO many ways you can make your bedroom nice and cozy for fall, and here are some of them... (THANKS TO Bethany Mota FOR SOME OF THESE IDEAS!)

Jars

What you need:

-3 glass jars

-fake leaves, candy corn, and acorns

-Twine, maroon or cream

1.) To make leaf jar, put fake leaves in a jar. Wrap twine around the jar 3-5 times, and tie off with a bow.

2.) Repeat with candy corn, and then acorns. 

(Thanks, Bethany Mota)

Candles

Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun, from Bath and Body Works

Apple Spice, from Yankee Candle

Spooky Candle JAR, from Bed Bath and Beyond

Happy Fall!

Fall Game

Fall is here! 

Here's a "Would you Rather" game we put together for fall. So grab a partner, or play by yourself, and enjoy!

1.) Would you rather...
a. Sit in a pile of wet leaves
b. Sit in a pile of dry thorns

2.) Would you rather...
a. Have one HUGE pumpkin thrown at you
b. Have a TON of little pumpkins thrown at you

3.) Would you rather...
a. Eat a soggy muffin
b. Eat a rock hard muffin

4.) Would you rather...
a. Look at pic #1
b. Look at pic #2
c. Look at both at the same time!!
(Left = pic #1, Right = pic #2)

Our Other Favorite Sites

Here are our favorite baking sites aside from this one. Enjoy these references!

1. Sally's Baking Addiction - Sally is a WONDERFUL writer, baker, and blogger. Her posts are REALLY creative and helpful! 

2. My Baking Addiction - My Baking Addiction,you are so amazing! These recipes are to DIE for.

3. Bakerella - Cool recipes + cool giveaways = AWESOME!

4. King Arthur Flour - Top notch recipes from the pros!

Which baking blogs do YOU love? 

Fresh Party Salad Platter

Ingredients

• large plate
• small cup
• cucumbers cut in circles
• tomatoes cut in circles
• carrot sticks
• celery sticks
• dip for veggies

Directions

1. Fill the cup with dip, then place it in the center of the plate.

2. Arrange the different veggies around the dressing.

3. Set the platter out for your lucky party guests!

Munchy, crunchy, and healthy!

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Ingredients

• thick pretzel sticks
• chocolate chips
• bowl of sprinkles (optional)
• cookie sheet(s) covered with tin foil
• bowl (for melted chocolate chips)

Directions

1. Melt the chocolate chips in the bowl.

2. Dip about half the pretzel stick into the chocolate sauce.

3. If you want, dip the covered pretzel in the bowl full of sprinkles.

4. Leave on the cookie sheet to dry.

5. Repeat for your other pretzels!!

Both tastes of sweet and salty come together in this snack!

Petite Cracker Sandwiches

Ingredients

• crackers (i.e. Ritz crackers)
• cheese
• cilantro
• sliced tomato

Directions

1. Place 2 crackers side by side.

2. Place a slice of cheese on one cracker.

3. Place a tomato on the same cracker.

4. Put a sprig of cilantro on the same cracker. 

5. Put the other cracker on top to make a sandwich. 

You can get more ingredients to make new sandwiches!

Eggless Chocolate Cake in Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup water
Any egg substitute you would like to use (check out Egg Substitutes to find one)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt 

Directions

1. Mix together the cocoa, baking powder, and flour add in sugar ,water, and butter and cream everything together.
2. Add in the egg substitute that you chose and keep creaming.
3. Pour the batter into your pressure cooker pan.
4. Turn the stove on with the cooker on it, keep it covered but without the pressure for 3-4 minutes on high heat, then put in the pan in the empty cooker (do not add water in the cooker). 
5. Cover it again without the pressure, lower the flame and let cook for about a half an hour.

Making Bread and Cupcakes

Here are some pics from when we baked chocolate cupcakes and bread...
They tasted really yummy!



Cupcakes...

And bread!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Earth Day is on the way, coming on April 22nd. It's important that we keep our planet in good shape, since we are living here and we don't want to end up knee-deep in garbage. 

Earth Day: AWESOME STUFF:

• water bottle from http://www.zazzle.com/
• reuseable tote bag from http://www.cafepress.com/
• coffee mug from http://www.cafepress.com/

Wear these goods proudly and show your support to the Earth! Happy Earth Day!

Spring Party Ideas

DIY Games

Pin the petal on the flower (a variation of "pin the tail on the donkey):

Materials:

• 2 or 3 sheets of foam (brightly colored)
• small sheet of foam in a different color (maybe lighter than other foam sheets)
• velcro
• bandanna or blindfold
• marker

Directions:

1.) Cut the smaller foam sheet into a circle. This is the center of the flower.

2.) Attach velcro around the foam circle.

3.) Cut the remaining sheets of foam into petal shapes.

4.) Attach the other side of the velcro to the petals.

5.) Write numbers, 1-5 or 6, on the petals and then on next to the velcro on the circle.

6.) Play by having a person blindfolded try to stick the petals on the corresponding number!

Homemade Party Treats

Springy Finger Sandwiches:

Ingredients:

• Bread, sliced into triangles
• cucumber slices
• butter
• cream cheese
• chopped olives

Directions, Cucumber Sandwiches: (Makes 1)

1.) Spread butter on each of 2 pieces of bread.

2.) Put a cucumber slice on each slice, also.

3.) Add salt and pepper, to taste.

4.) Make more sandwiches using more of the cucumbers, bread, and butter.

Directions, Chopped-Olive Sandwiches: (Makes 1)

1.) Spread cream cheese on each of 2 pieces of bread. 
2.) Cover the cream cheese with chopped olives. 
3.) Make more sandwiches using more of the olives, cream cheese, and bread.

Favors and Thank-You Gifts

Some spring-themed party favors:

• Plant-growing kits - they'll bloom just in time for summer!
• Flower hair clips - make 'em yourself by glueing a felt flower to a bobby pin.
• Spring garden decorations - encourage people to garden and make the earth a better place.

Enjoy these tips and ideas for your spring party!

Milkshakes!

Chocolate Chunk Milkshake

Ingredients: *

• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 3 spoonfuls chocolate powder (hot cocoa mix works)
• 1 scoop chocolate ice cream
• chocolate chips or chunks

Directions

1.) In a blender, combine milk, chocolate powder, and ice cream.

2.) Blend.

3.) Sprinkle chocolate chips/chunks on top. 

4.) Enjoy!

Banana Milkshake

Ingredients: *

• 1 banana, cut into slices
• 1 scoop banana ice cream
• cinnamon
• 2 1/2 cups milk

Directions

1.) In a blender, combine milk, banana, and ice cream.

2.) Blend.

3.) Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

4.) Enjoy!

Vanilla Milkshake

Ingredients: *

• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 3 cups milk
• whipped cream
• chocolate sauce

Directions:

1.) In a blender, combine milk and ice cream.

2.) Blend.

3.) Add whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top.

4.) Enjoy!

* You can add sugar as well!

One-Year Anniversary!

 Happy one-year anniversary, Bakers' Central! Our first post was published on this day, January 19th, but in 2013! In honor of this day, we wrote a story about baking. Enjoy!

I was racing to the grocery store to buy the ingredients for the cake. It was Billy's birthday and the party was in 2 hours! Why did I sign up to bake the cake? I thought to myself. I quickly stepped in store and ran to the baking aisle, not even grabbing a basket or cart on the way. Thank goodness, everything I needed was right here. I took out my shopping list: flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, vanilla extract. Then I sped over to the Self-Checkout and scanned all the items. Running home, my hands full with my purse and the bag, I nearly tripped over myself many times. Up the front steps I went, and into the kitchen. ONE AND A HALF HOURS UNTIL THE PARTY!!! I was panicking by now. I mixed, whisked, combined, and beat according to the recipe, and thrust the batter into the oven. The timer beeped after 45 minutes and the cake was ready. Holding my breath, I opened the oven. In all my rushing, I now wondered what the outcome of the cake would be. I gasped. It was beautiful! The cake was the pale color of honey and completely even without a single burnt spot. I stuck a fork through it and it had cooked all the way. I  ran at lightning speed to Billy's house and knocked on the door.

He looked at me in surprise. "The party is tomorrow! Didn't you remember?" 

I was mortified.

Hope you liked it!

B.L.T. Meals

I won't give away what B.L.T. Meals are just yet. See if you can figure it out!

Dessert

Blueberry Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Trifle (British dessert)

Dinner

Beef Teryaki (Chinese dish)

Lasagna (Italian dish)

Tacos (Mexican dish)

Lunch

B.L.T. :):)

Lobster Bisque

Turkey Sandwiches

Breakfast

Breakfast Sandwiches

Lemon-Poppyseed Muffins

Turnovers

Did you figure out what B.L.T. Meals are? Try making your own, and then eating them! Most of these actually are great for a cultural event.