Creativity for Kids Activity Kits...Winners!!

In case you think I forgot to announce the winners for the Creativity for Kids kits...I didn't!  I just so happen to be enjoying our warm summer-like weather with my little ones.  Momma duty calls, yay summer!

If you are either of the following lucky readers, hooray you!!

Boy, don't both of these comments make this seem a bit cult-like!?  Ahem, a good kind of cult of course :-)

Please send my your mailing address information at SmashedPeasandCarrots[at]gmail[dot]com so you can get your prizes in the mail and start enjoying all the fun!!  

XOXO,

Rachael's Homemade Natural Soap Giveaway!!

Being a momma to three little ones means I'm always on the look out for all things natural and good for you that my whole family can use.  Well today I wanted to share an wonderful shop, Rachael's Homemade Natural Soap, full of the most amazing dye-free, perfume-free soaps around!!

Are you ready to win some beautiful natural soaps and get Rachael's exclusive offer just for Smashed Peas and Carrots readers?  Click HERE to enter now!!

XOXO,

S'mores Whoopie Pies {A Recipe}

I know many of you loved the Oreo Brownie Bites recipe I posted here, rave reviews all around was what I was hearing from you :-)  So, how about today I share another crazy easy recipe for whoopie pies of the s'mores variety?  Are ya in?

Thought so.

These are more sweet treats in mini form, my favorite way to eat dessert.  Can ya dig it? 

I knew you could, cause we're cool like that.  

S'mores Whoopie Pies -print this recipe HERE-

1 box Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix with Hershey's Syrup

2 eggs

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup water

1 pouch Hershey's S'mores Icing

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper and grease it along with the sides of the cookie sheet.  Stir together brownie mix, water, oil, eggs and Hershey's Syrup pouch  until well blended.  Spread batter in a thin, even layer onto cookie sheet.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, brownies should spring back when touched lightly.  Allow brownies to cool for 10 minutes.  Then, use a 2-inch circle cookie or biscuit cutter to cut out whoopie pie halves.  Allow circles to cool completely.  Once cooled, squeeze S'mores icing onto half of the circles and place the remaining circles on top.  Enjoy!

Grab your brownie mix WITH the Hershey's Syrup and your S'more icing...

Add in 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup of oil...

Then add in two eggs...

Mix it all up together...yeah, that is looking sooooo...like batter yo.

But wait!  

Please do not forget to add in your Hershey's Syrup!!

And after you remember, if some happens to get squeezed into your mouth on it's way into the bowl I won't tell.

Spread the batter into your greased and parchment lined rimmed cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes...

Let your brownies cool for about 10 minutes and then take a small circle cookie cutter to them.  

I used my handy dandy biscuit cutter, 2 1/4 inch to be exact.

When you are all done you may or may not have some scraps.  

And if you do, you may or may not eat them all.  

What they don't know about won't kill them :-)

Squeeze your S'mores icing pouch on to half of the brownie circles you cut out and then smoosh them together with the other half of your brownie circles.

When you are done Whoopie Pie-ing it up, stack them up nice and high...pretty!

Or make a sort of Jenga-ish, house of cards-ish pile of goodness...

Don't these look squeezably good?  That is so a word, I think Webster's added it as one of their top 10 New Words of the Year last year.  Naw, just kidding.  But they should've, it's such a great word isn't it?  It'll make the list this year, I'm sure of it.  

Mmmm....so squeezably good!  

Yup, they so are!

Enjoy!

XOXO,

Creativity for Kids...Activity Kit Giveaway!!

Oh yes, do I have the most perfect giveaway for you today!  Just in time for summer...and kids crying of boredom...and parents everywhere ready to pull their hair out!

TWO lucky readers of Smashed Peas and Carrots will win...

Well, what are you waiting for?

To read my review and enter the Creativity for Kids giveaway click HERE to enter now!!

XOXO,

Shabby Apple Review and Discount

So today I have a fun review for you all!  Shabby Apple contacted me a while back to see if I would like to review one of their beautiful dresses!  Ummm, hello!?  Of course I would!!  Have you seen Shabby Apple's Dresses, they are amazing...beautiful....gorgeous!  

This is the dress I chose:

The Spanish Steps Dress from their Roamin' Holiday collection...isn't it so pretty!!

I really love this dress, it is absolutely perfect for date nights with my hot hubby!  But before I get more into the dress, can I just talk about how awesome a company Shabby Apple is...really, truly a great company with such intent to help the world.

When you buy this dress, or any dress from Shabby Apple for that matter,  you will get a hang tag on your dress like this one.  Isn't this just so cool?  

Shabby Apple partners with Unitus and shares a percentage of all their profits to support work in India as well as sourcing many of their dresses and fabrics used to make their dresses from India!

Here's a little bit about that straight from Shabby Apple:

We at Shabby Apple Dresses love to help women dress but are also commited to helping women live as well.  Thus we are supporting the fight against global poverty by partnering with Unitus-a non-profit organization that accelerates access to life-changing financial services for those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Shabby Apple donates 5% of its net sales to support work in India (where Shabby Apple Dresses has sourced many of its dresses and the textiles used to manufacture its dresses).  In addition, each Shabby Apple Dresses customer has the opportunity to donate an extra five dollars to Unitus every time she buys a dress. Shabby Apple Dresses and Unitus are involved with 10 of India's most promising microfinance organizations that provide financial services to more than 1.6 million hard-working women and their families.

Every $100 donation from Shabby Apple Dresses provides at least 20 women with access to financial services - and the chance to live a life without poverty. 

And let me just tell you that this dress is not only beautiful but sooo comfy!  This particular dress is made of soft jersey cotton on top and a super pretty sateen skirt.  There is also a silk sash to tie toward the front which I think really gives this skirt such a romantic flair.  

I love how there are delicate ruched flowers adorning the sateen...such intricate and pretty detail!

Please ignore the wrinkled skirt!  Can you tell I wore this skirt out on a date!?  It was the perfect outfit for a little kid-free time with my man...although in hind sight maybe I should have taken pictures before we left!!

Well, if you can believe it, Shabby Apple has something fun for you too!!

Shabby Apple has given all Smashed Peas and Carrots reader an exclusive discount code so that you too can get yourself something beautiful from their shop!  You can each receive 10% off your purchase by using this coupon code, 

SMASHEDPEASANDCARROTS10off 

This code is only good for the next month so go now and pick something pretty out for yourself and help out a good cause too!!  Click here to see all their beautiful products!!

XOXO,

Creamy Homemade Mac 'N Cheese {A Recipe}

Mmm, do you like mac 'n cheese as much as I do?  How about your kids?  Uh hum, I thought so.  Today I am finally sharing my super delish recipe for the best homemade creamy mac 'n cheese ever (yes, I said EVER)  It's comfort food at it's finest, really.  If you follow me on good 'ol facebook then you know this has been coming, yes folks, today is the day!  

I love me some creamy mac 'n cheese, there is just something so good about smothering noodles shaped in ways that were just meant to be a vehicle for creamy, melt-y cheese (ahhh, have I painted a pretty picture for your head yet?)  Sorry blue box I find you kinda icky.  This recipe is from my momma...love her so much!  It is so delicious and easy and once you eat this you will never need to go buy that processed pre-packaged food stuff again.  For serious.  

Have at it folks!

Creamy Homemade Mac 'N Cheese -Print this recipe HERE-

8 oz macaroni, shells, farfalle, you name it...it's all good!

1 cup milk

2 Tbsp corn starch

1 cup of shredded cheese (I like sharp cheddar but any kind or a mix of cheeses will do!)

Salt and pepper to taste

Boil water in a medium saucepan and cook noodles to package directions, set aside.  Warm one cup of milk in a small saucepan, add two tablespoons of cornstarch to warmed milk and stir together with a whisk.  Then add one cup of shredded cheese to the warm milk mixture and whisk until completely melted and smooth.  Continue whisking while allowing cheese sauce to simmer and then pour over noodles, stir until combined.  Let the mac 'n cheese stand for a few minutes and the sauce will thicken and become nice and creamy.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Enjoy! 

Okay, so first boil up your noodles and while they are cooking away go ahead and start your cheese sauce.  

Take one cup of milk...wanna know a little secret?  Of course you do!  I microwave mine in a pyrex cup to help the warming process speed up.  Say whaat?  Yup, it totally makes this recipe super quick to make, no waiting for ice-cold milk to heat up!!  My momma's such a smarty!

Then add 2 Tbsp of corn starch to the warmed milk and whisk together.  You are making a roux by doing this.  A roux is basically a thickening agent for sauces that usually combines equal parts flour and fat...so this is really stretching the definition of a roux but it still does the same thing for this cheese sauce!

Pour your milk/cornstarch mixture into a small saucepan and continue warming on med-low heat.  

Next add in about 1 cup of shredded cheese.  I like Cheddar but I believe that most pre-packaged mac 'n cheese that you buy at the store use American cheese.  You can also use a combination of cheeses to give your mac 'n cheese a more gourmet flavor.  Good combos to try are Gruyere and Sharp Cheddar or try adding half Cheddar and half Pepper Jack for a mac 'n cheese with a nice kick!

Add in the cheese...it should melt rather quickly.

And whisk everything together until the sauce is nice and smooth.

Yup, just like this.  Can you feel the love?

Now go ahead and pour all that glorious cheese over your noodles.  Mmm, hmmm this is where it all goes down.

Side note y'all!  If your sauce seems a bit runny DO NOT FRET!  Just let it stand for a few minutes and it should thicken up nicely.  On the other hand if you make this ahead and it seems to clumpy then just add a little bit of milk and stir over low heat...easy peasy!!

Boom!  

Check out all that creamy deliciousness.  

Fan-freakin'-tastic.

Now it's time to sneak a little taste and add salt and pepper as needed...oh it's so hard to be the cook, ah well someone's gotta do it!  ;-)

Now serve up all that comfort food goodness to the ones you love...

Ugh, these pictures are killing me!

How long until dinner?  

Enjoy!!

XOXO,

Pork Be Inspired with Richard Blais

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being a part of the 'Pork Be Inspired' campaign that America's pork producers launched recently.  I was one of the lucky ones that had been asked to interview Top Chef All Stars winner, Richard Blais, during the one day only Pork Inspiration Cafe that was held in New York City.

If you are familiar with Richard then you know he is known for his avant-garde culinary techniques in the kitchen.   This made him the perfect host for the Pork Inspiration Cafe as he had many great tips and tricks up his sleeve.  He showed us how to make some amazing pork dishes that were quick, easy and family friendly.  Here's a peek at my interview with him (please don't laugh...satellite interviews are so much harder than they sound like they would be!):

And like Richard said in this interview, if you go and 'like' the Pork Be Inspired Facebook page America's pork producers will donate 125, 000 meals to Feeding America!!  How awesome is that...good food for a good cause, love it! 

Now, for your cooking pleasure (and because you know I just love giving you yummy and delicious recipes), here are a few of the recipes that Richard talked about in our interview:

Pear-Brined Pork Chop

Pork Bolognese

Ham and Herb Schnitzel 

Ummm, so are you hungry yet?  

Yeah, I thought so!

Go to the Pork Be Inspired website here to see more great pork recipes to fill up your weekly dinner menus...

Enjoy!

XOXO,

Little Girl's Crossover Pinafore Pattern {and Tutorial!}

Happy Monday, I hope you all had a great weekend!  We are diligently working on finishing up our raised garden beds, I'm so excited we have already picked out some great veggies for our garden this year!  

Since there were quite a few of you who requested the pattern for Eloise's dress in this post here (and by the way, Hello Blogger what did you do with all the comments?  Did anyone else loose a whole bunch of comments off your posts?)  I'm going to give you a pattern for that little cutie today, woot!

The pattern for the Little Girl's Crossover Pinafore that I'm sharing is for ages 6-12 months but really you could use it well beyond that age range as the pinafore could become a tunic and top later on as your little sweetpea grows. 

I loved drafting up this pattern because it was super easy to do, it's really just 2 pattern pieces drawn from an a-line dress, who knew!  What I love even more is that the finished dress showcases two beautiful fabric designs, swoon!  A beginner sewist could definitely sew this with no problems.  The hardest part might be the buttonholes but I'll give you some links for making those if you don't have a machine that can do it for you!

Ok, let's begin!

Little Girl's Crossover Pinafore (ages 6-12 months)

1 yard of fabric for the outer fabric

1 yard of fabric for the inner fabric

two buttons (I love using covered button kits...they rock!)

coordinating thread

sewing machine

scissors

rotary cutter and mat

the pattern pdf

First, print out the pattern PDF here!  Okay, so if that one doesn't work over at Scribd, try this one at Google Docs here!

Next cut one Front piece (using the pieces labeled F1, F2 and taping them together) from both the outer and inner fabrics doing so on the fold.  Then cut two Back pieces (using the patterns pieces B1, B2, B3 taped together) each from the inner and outer fabrics.  

*The picture above just shows the outer fabric pieces I cut out. 

Starting with the outer fabric, place one Back piece and the Front piece right sides together like the picture above.   

Sew together using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  I always serge my seams together after sewing to give them a nice finished look as well as a strong seam.  You don't have to though, if you don't have a serger you could use a zig zag stitch to finish the seam or just use pinking shears to reduce the amount of fraying that will occur over time with washing.  On the other hand, if you do have a serger you could just serge the seam.  I just choose to do both cause I'm cool like that :-)

Do this for all four seams, two for the outer fabric and two for the inner fabric!

Next, lay your sewn pieces one on top of the other like the picture above.  Right sides facing!!   Make sure you make a note somehow to yourself to leave about 3-4 inches open at the very bottom center of the pinafore for turning it right-side out.  I do this by using a pair of pins very close together on each side of the opening, you can see it in the picture above.

Then, sew around the entire pinafore, minus the 3-4 inch opening at the center bottom, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  

Once, it is sewn together take a pair of scissors and snip the curves so that when you turn the pinafore right-side out it will lay nicely for you.  Make sure not to cut into the seam you just made!!

Then using the opening you left unsewn (you did leave it unsewn right?) go ahead and turn your pinafore right-side out.  You may want to use a chopstick to push out all the curves.  

Press the entire pinafore and PLEASE don't skip this step, PLEASE!!  It will make your garment go from looking homemade to looking AWESOME!!! 

Then, topstitch the entire pinafore using a 1/8 inch seam allowance.  Topstitching will also close up that opening we left for turning!

Now for the buttonholes!  If your sewing machine makes buttonholes you may have an attachment similar to this above.  You separate the left end and place your button in the space to determine how big a buttonhole your machine needs to make...fun!

I usually place the buttonhole over where I need it on my garment so that I can get an idea of spacing and centering.  I use a disappearing ink pen to outline the general size of the buttonhole, you don't have to do this but I like to get an idea of size, etc.  My particular machine needs just the short bottom line to start the buttonhole process.  

Now if you don't have a machine that does buttonholes I found a few tutorials that can help you with that...why reinvent the wheel when these ladies did such a good job sharing their knowledge with us!

Dana of Made shows you here how to make a buttonhole using a standard buttonhole foot (for manual machines!)

Disney of Ruffles and Stuff shows you here how to make cheater's buttonholes.

Cal Patch over at CraftStylish shows you here how to handsew a buttonhole!

Once you finished your buttonholes, use your seam ripper to open them.  I place a pin at one end so that I don't rip through the buttonhole I just made, tell me just how sad would that be!  Now, all that's left is to sew on your buttons.  I usually do this by hand although many machines can do that for you too!

Now dress you little cutie in her new pinafore and you are all set for a hot summer day!

I used Amy Butler's Morning Glory in Linen for the outer fabric and her Full Moon Polka Dot in Cherry for the inner fabric (both from her Lotus collection).  I also used that same fabric to make Eloise a diaper cover too cause I just can't help myself to a cute little coordinating clothing set!

So vintage apron-esque and So sweet!

Happy Sewing!!

XOXO,