DIY Bin Re-do

Years ago I went to Deseret Industries (Utah's version of Goodwill) and got a brown bin-like cupboard to keep our dog food in.  It wasn't particularly cute, but it was functional.  We poured our dog's food into it from the bag and then served them their food out of it daily.  I have been getting more and more interested in DIY furniture lately...it has been a really fun creative outlet.  A couple of months ago I decided that it was time to do something with that ugly bin.  Here's what it looked like "before"...

For the base color I used Krylon's Gumdrop spray paint.  Spray painting is soooooo fun!!!!!!

Here is the "after" shot.  I got the little fabric flowers at Michael's Crafts and I love them!!! I moved it to my two year old's room and it is now a home to some of her stuffed animals :)

PS...Since this picture my two year old ripped the flowers off and colored orange on the bin drawer.  Guess I get to DIY it some more!!!

Going Bananas...Banana Crack Cake

I don't know about you, but whenever bananas start to turn brown at my house I chuck them into the freezer figuring I will make them into banana bread "someday".  Truth is that banana bread is one of those things that I have made several times, but have never had that "perfect" loaf, so I really don't like making it all that much.  Searching Pinterest I found this recipe for Banana Crack Cake.  Love it!  Now I don't have to make banana bread with those bananas!!!  Here's the link:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2986068/fresh-banana-cake-

Enjoy!!!

Some-Bunny Loves You

Our sweet little Maya-Boo turned 2 in September.  This little bunny cake was inspired by several different cakes that I saw online...just pulled a little from each of them to come up with the idea for this cute little guy.

Cutting into these cakes is so hard to do after I spend so much time making them, but it's so fun to see the kids get so excited about them...so it's worth all in the end!

Gir

This little guy is the cake that we had at Kira's 14th birthday party with her friends.  His name is Gir and I had never heard of him until she told me she wanted a Gir cake.  I have to say I think he turned out cute.  Sorry...I couldn't figure out how to rotate this picture, so I guess you will just have to turn your computer sideways :P  Do you love his fruit roll-up tongue?  This was one of the cakes Kira and I had to create our own template...not too bad, eh?

The Cell Phone

I have to say this is one of my least favorite of all of the cakes I have done.  Too much white for one thing...and for another thing, don't you think it looks more like a calculator than a cell phone?  The buttons are rice crispy treats covered in almond bark.  The result...way too sweet.  Oh well, live in learn.  This cake was the one we celebrated Colton and CheyAnn's birthdays with in August while again picnicking in southern Utah.  It was Kira's birthday, too...her cake is in the next post :)

The Popcorn Cake

It just occurred to me that there are a few of my cakes I haven't posted on here yet!  We can't have that, can we?  The next few posts will be cakes that I have done the last few months with birthdays and graduations happening in our fam.

This cake was for Colton's (left) graduation and Bryson's (right) 17th birthday...we were in Southern Utah visiting them back in May and had a lil picnic at the park.  The popcorn on the cake is kettle corn.  The redstripes are licorice.  Got this idea from www.bettycrocker.com.

Freaking Amazing Lasagna Soup!

Lately I have become a bit of a Pinterest addict...I usually try a couple of new recipes off of there every week.  I found this  http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/2011/03/24/lasagna-soup/  recipe on there for lasagna soup (I know, right?) that looked fabulous....but then I took it a few steps further.  I changed it up a bit, and the results were FREAKING AMAZING!  Remember my Freaking Amazing Lasagna recipe (also on this blog)?  Well, the soup I made today is the beautiful sister (not ugly step-sister) of that lasagna.  Here's what I did...thanks to www.afarmgirldabbles.com for the inspiration that led to this yummy recipe!!!

2 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 huge tomatoes, diced (got them from my garden...if yours aren't huge, adjust number accordingly)
1 large onion, chopped up small

Saute all of the above (I do it in the same pot I am making the soup in, then add:

1 1/2 lb ground beef, drained (original recipe called for Italian sausage-didn't have any)
20 slices of pepperoni, cut in quarters (got that idea from my Freaking Awesome Lasagna recipe)
1 small can of tomato sauce
2 bay leaves (don't eat those...just seasoning)
7 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
handful shredded mozzarrella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. dried basil

Simmer on medium low for a couple of hours.  Season to taste with a little garlic salt.

A half an hour before we were ready to eat I added broken up lasagna noodles (probably about 4 or 5 lasagna noodles worth).  Cook for about 30 minutes on medium heat (maybe less time...just til noodles al dente).  Serve and garnish with a little extra mozzarella cheese.

PS...Thanks to my former roommate and all-around BFF, Becky, for her Freaking Amazing Lasagna recipe which inspired me to put pepperoni in this yummy soup!!!