Measurements of Merriment

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Valentine's Wreath

Here's a really cute idea to make for Valentine's Day. I saw a picture on Pinterest so my friends and I got creative and made our own versions. They are really easy and lots of fun!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Hi everyone, I know it's been awhile since I posted anything...so here's the most recent baby shower my friend and I hosted. We were inspired by the old Dick and Jane books and vintage toys. Photographs by Samantha Lovett.

Photographs taken by Samantha Lovett Photography

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Christmas Day Dessert

I made this and it was sooooo good, I just had to share it!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Marthastewart.com

Ingredients

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
8 ounces pitted dates, finely chopped
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Toffee Sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine dates and 1/2 cup boiling water; set aside to soften, at least 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt to combine; set aside.
With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add date mixture, flour mixture, and vanilla; mix just until moistened.
Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare toffee sauce.
Remove cake from oven; cool in pan 5 minutes. To ensure it will come out easily later, carefully invert hot cake then return it, right side up, to pan. Using a toothpick, poke holes all over cake. Pour about 1 cup warm sauce over cake; let absorb at least 20 minutes.

Toffee Sauce

Marthastewart.com

Ingredients

16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine butter, heavy cream, light-brown sugar, and salt. Heat over low, stirring, until sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Simmer mixture over medium heat until reduced to about 2 1/2 cups, 8 to 12 minutes. If desired, reheat sauce over low before serving.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Card 2011

Hearts And Home Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for unique, personalized Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Ornaments

My family has a Christmas tradition of making home made ornaments and swapping them instead of presents between families. Every year I come up with an ornament that features things around the area where we live. Since, we live in the middle Pinot Noir wine country I decided to use wine corks that I have saved over the years. It was really simple and turned out wonderful. I was inspired by a photo on Pinterest.

Here's all the tools you will need:
* Drill with small bit
* Wine corks
* Thin ribbon
* Different colored beads with large holes
* Crystal charms or tassles
* Darning or beading needle
* Scissors

Instructions:

1.Carefully drill a hole through the center of the cork lengthwise using a small bit drill.

2. Slide one or more decorative beads over the loop of the crystal charm or tassle.

3. Cut approximately 1 foot of ribbon and slip one end into the crystal charm or tassle loop (above the beads) then bring ends of ribbon together.

4. Thread the ribbon (now attached to the crystal charm or tassle) through the darning needle and bring up through the center of the cork then pull till the beads and tassle are in contact with the cork.

5. Slip one or more decorative beads over the ribbon then knot the ribbon several inches up leaving a loop to hang from Christmas tree branch.

6. Cut excess ribbon above the knot and use Fray Check (available at Joann.com) to prevent ribbon from fraying. You may also carefully use a lighter or match to slightly singe the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying.

7. Glue the beads to the top and bottom of the cork to ensure they remain centered and in place.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Cinnamon M&M's

If you LOVE cinnamon and haven't tried these yummy cinnamony chocolate morsels......you better go get some before the holiday season is over!! I found mine at Target.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Elf on the Shelf

This year I added a new tradition and a new addition to our family......Zippy the Elf joined our family on Saint Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th). Usually for Saint Nicholas Day, Liam sets out his shoes and the next morning he is surprised with little gifts and candy. But this year, there was a special surprise waiting for him to discover at the end of a ribbon trail. It was so exciting watching him open this special delivery. We read the elf's story book and even adopted him online with the name Zippy. Since then Zippy has been surprising Liam with new hiding spots and little gifts every morning. It's been so much fun starting this holiday tradition and bringing some fun Christmas spirit in the house. Here are a few pictures of Zippy caught in action.