Easter Flashback!

 

Doesn't my mom look elegant with long locks? I'm so crafty! Here's the how to for a quick, beautiful makeover:

J/K! That wasn't my crafty Easter flashback. When we were little, my mom always made us pretty, matching Easter dresses. This year I took it upon myself to make one, using this pattern!

 

I have really come to love sewing, but I'm not comfortable inventing patterns. So, as for a step by step how-to, there won't be one (that's called plagiarism). I recommend waiting until patterns are $1 at JoAnn, following all the directions, and you'll get something like this:

I also recommend ironing it  before wearing it (unlike I did in above picture). Also, gathers/ruching are tricky, especially with layered fabrics (I did a lace on a peach skin fabric) so don't be afraid of or too lazy for pinning.

 (practically-professional-looking photographs and poses compliments of husband James)

It's really so much easier than it seems to use a pattern. Don't be intimidated! To finish this little Easter piece, I crafted a necklace from some left over furniture trim, a jewelry clasp, hot glue, and some buttons and a flower.

Still not as cute as when my mom made the dresses, and none of my sisters matched me, but hopes are high for next year!

2 tasty recipes

My friend gave me this recipe for "healthy" cookies. I guess really healthy people reserve these for their treat, but I justify eating them all day long because they have so many healthy ingredients.

Mix together:
3 mashed bananas
2 cups of oats
1/2 c dried cranberries (or any dried fruit you like)
1/3 c olive oil
1/4 c almond milk
1 tsp. cinnimon
bake at 350 for about 15 min.
Less healthy version ( I recommend)
add:
dark chocolate chips
a drizzle of honey in the batter
pinch of salt


I made these mini-quiches (hate that word- and you know why, so they will henceforth be called cheese-baskets)for a brunch yesterday and they were a big hit, and totes easy.

basil & goat cheese baskets


3 tablespoons of fresh basil (or pesto)
1 package of puff pastry dough
4 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
3 eggs
1/2 c. half and half (2% milk works fine)
1 T. flour
3/4 C. tomato, diced
salt and pepper to taste

Blend together eggs, cream, flour, and salt and pepper. Set aside.

cut pastry dough into squares and place them into a greased muffin tin. Bake for 5 min at the recommended temp. on the package. Take the tin out of the oven and sprinkle basil, tomato, and goat cheese into each cup.

Pour the egg mixture into each cup, filling about 3/4 of each cup. Bake for about 15 min @ 400 (keep an eye on it though, because I can't really remember how long I kept them in for).



Consider these variations:
-sun dried tomatoes instead of fresh
- zuchinni & rosemary
-cheddar & parm if you don't like the tang of goat cheese

Post your favorite quiche filling combos in the comments so I can try them!!

PS these photos were ripped off google images. They are not mine, but they look a lot like the recipes