Snow Way! Christmas Card Hanger and Happenings of Late.

Here's a couple things that have been happening lately (to catch you all up) and of course something fun to create.  This will be a picture intensive post - I know, there's much rejoicing that i won't be typing much.

First, it snowed yesterday before my first final.  Snowed people.  People are stupid here when it snows. So there's that.  Oh yeah, I also finished my first final! Woo-hoo! Now only if three weren't three others to take...

Kora remains herself as always, cute and playful. We found out yesterday that she LOVES snow. I mean LOVES. She tried to snort it up her nose and then barked at it.  Just normal stuff ya know.

And Mike remains the same as always, cute and playful. Woops! That was the dog.  Mike did no-shave November and this is him finally shaving it off bit by bit.   There was much rejoicing on my side but I think his face misses the warmth.

Oklahoma State beat trounced OU.

But lost out on a national championship.

And somehow amidst all the finals craziness, I made this lovely. I have to brag because I kinda made it up my self. (Yes, I am patting myself on the back.)

It was super easy.  It might have taken me thirty minutes to make.  I used:
Yard stick (mine had handy holes at each end for hanging, but you cold always drill your own if they're missing).
Ribbon
Clothespins
Scrapbook paper
Glue
Mod Podge

Basically, I glued the ribbon to the yard stick.  It did leave some little discolored spots so if you don't like that I would recommend double stick tape.  I didn't think of that, so learn from my mistakes people.  I cut the ribbon a couple inches longer than the yardstick to wrap around to the back; it hides the edges that I'm sure will fray eventually.  Just glue them securely.

Clothespins were the easiest thing I've ever done.  I had a TON just hanging around from a previous project.  I cut out a piece of scrapbook paper a little larger than the surface of the pin (you can pick either side or do both if you wish!).  Mod podge it onto the clothespin.  Wait till the surface of the paper is dry. (By the time I finished mod podging my last pin, the first one was dry - works out perfect!) Then cut away the excess.

Voila! Christmas card hanger.  If you'll notice I only have one. card. Someone please send me some cards!

Let me know what you think! Stay warm wherever you are!

DoNUT guess your Christmas Present

I really like to get a jump on Christmas shopping - especially now that I'm a student and finals takes up half of December.  So to much eye rolling from Mike, I began my Christmas shopping back in September (I told you I liked to start early!).  One of his early presents was a deep fryer. 

I ordered it to the store and since we share a car, Mike went to with me to pick up the fryer; he graciously waited in the car while I carried this mammoth monstrosity around the store.  As we're on our way to our next destination I casually mention how large this is.  

Now here's some backstory - I am notorious for ruining his surprises by guessing them; it is both a gift and a curse.  Mike doesn't usually ruin surprises though.  So when we get out of the car and he says "It's a deep fryer isn't it?" words fail me.  I was shocked.  I couldn't even try to formulate a lie and say no.  Needless to say, Mike got his Christmas present early and we agreed we would no longer guess things unless the other one said it was okay.  

Here's our inaugural food we made in the deep fryer:

Jelly filled donut holes - you can stop drooling now; you're getting your computer screen all dirty.  Suddenly after making and eating about half of these, I suddenly felt better about Mike guessing his present and simultaneously felt sick to my stomach from so much sugar.  

To close out the post I will leave you all with the recipe.

*Warning - it makes about 50ish donut holes and by the time they were all made, only 1/3 were left uneaten.  Once you start you can't stop so don't blame me for the extra 5lbs.* 

Strawberry Filled Donut Holes with Lemon Glaze

Adapted slightly from The Family Kitchen and The Comfort of Cooking

Donuts:

oil for frying
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup heavy cream

Glaze:

1/8 cup water

1 t lemon extract

1/8 cup lemon juice

1 cup powdered sugar

Filling:

Strawberry or raspberry jam, preferably seedless

Instructions:

Heat 4-5″ oil in a medium-sized saucepan to 350 degrees F. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a large bowl. Mix in sour cream and then fold in heavy cream to make a soft dough. If the dough seems a bit dry, add in a bit more cream, one tablespoon at a time.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll out until it is 3/4-1″ high. Using a small round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out donut “holes.”

Fry for three minutes in 350-degree oil or until golden brown, and then flip and fry an additional three minutes. (Time will vary depending on your deep fryer/oil so watch the first batch carefully). Drain on a wire rack lined with a paper bag or paper towel.

While the donuts are still warm, mix together powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of water, just enough to make a thick glaze, about the consistency of white glue, except must better tasting. Dip one end of the donut into the glaze and immediately dust with blue sprinkles.

Using a pastry bag fitted with a medium-sized round tip (or a filler tip works beautifull if you have one!), insert the tip into one side of the donut and pipe desire amount of jam into the center of the donut - we liked a hole lot but decide your own tastes. 

While the donuts are still warm, mix together powdered sugar, water, lemon juice and lemon extract to make a thick glaze, about the consistency of white glue. If you like it thinner, great! Thin out the glaze with more water.  Submerge the donut hole into the glaze; slightly shake off excess before setting on a pan or wire rack.