Thursday, December 19, 2013

Toddler Felt Christmas Tree




I made this felt tree last year, so my two year old would have something to decorate at Christmas. Epic failure. I spent an hour cutting everything out and he couldn't have been less interested in it. However, this year, he had a blast with it. I just put it on the floor. We just painted our walls, so I didn't want to tape it on there. Plus I didn't think the tape would hold the felt very well. We decorated, undecorated "opened" the presents under the tree and then did it again. And again. And again. I was running out of things to "open". This year it was a lot of fun, so I'm glad I didn't get rid of it. I bought the green felt by the yard on sale 50% off and I had some other felt scraps that I used for the ornaments and presents. I figure I can get it out every few days until Christmas for something to do on these cold, winter days.

Sorry for the crappy iphone pics.

Timeless Felt Christmas Ornaments







I made these ornaments years ago. Like about 20. I think they held up really well and were really easy to make. I cut the shapes out of felt, stuffed them with polyfill and blanket stitched them closed. The eyes are peppercorns and I made the noses out of orange Sculpey (which was a new product if I remember correctly). I hot glued most things except for the mouths and buttons. The reindeer mouth is an upside down heart with a circle on top. They are fairly easy to make and cheap to boot.

These are great to give away as ornaments or decorate a package with them.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

BBQ Chicken Cheddar Pizza




I make homemade pizza dough all the time. At least once a week. It's so easy and so cheap. It's great for lunch or dinner. I'll do a pizza dough post soon. I normally make the usual, margarita. But I had some rotisserie chicken left from lunch and I thought it would make a great bbq pizza. I was right. It was super easy and sooooo good. I love caramelized onions, but my boyfriend, not so much, so I just did half. Sorry for the crappy iphone pic.* I actually took it to send to a friend of mine, not thinking about posting it. This recipe is so good, I had to share.

I recently made this pizza again on my new pizza stone and desperately needed to to retake this picture. That iphone pic is just awful, but the pizza was just as delicious.


Ingredients

Pizza dough - homemade or store bought
Cooked chicken (I used leftover rotisserie)
BBQ sauce
Shredded cheddar cheese
Caramelized onions (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

If you want to add the caramelized onions, make those first by slowly browning some sliced onions in a little olive oil in a frying pan. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Roll out your pizza dough to desired thickness. (I prefer thin, my boyfriend prefers thick, I go somewhere in between.) Mix the chicken with the BBQ sauce in a bowl. How much should you use? It kind of depends on how much chicken you have and how much you want on your pizza. Use your judgment. You can always add more. Sprinkle the cheese on top and add the caramelized onions. Notice they are only on half. 

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes 

Enjoy!