Men and their Toys! Salted Butter Caramel Sauce

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                                     Happy Father's Day!

My hero, my Dad. He was someone I looked up to, whom I idolized, and who helped form, who I am today. I miss him, but honor him on Father's Day and he honor's me, with fond memories. Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.

Risotto! It's Italiano!

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Risotto isn't as difficult to make, as some people would have you believe. Once you achieve the basic techniques, you’ll find it’s easy to make. I love that it's an all season food, I have Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring versions, and I’m always inventing new recipes! You can too!! I've said it before, think of what YOU like, then put it into the risotto, you will have a version you like and can claim as your own! Often, I just take a look at what's in the refrigerator and put something together! 

Peanut Butter Smoothie and Dark Chocolate Shortbread!

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 Peanut Butter Smoothie

This smoothie is one of my favorites! If you like peanut butter, this one is for you! It has just the right amount of banana, peanut butter and creamy goodness!

"Me want cookie!!" Cookie Monster Cupcakes!

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Happy Friday, everyone! I have another cute cupcake recipe I would like to share with you. I made these little guys for our grandma's 92nd birthday. It was really more for the kiddos as I knew they would get a kick out of them. 

This creative idea came from Robin at www.birdonacake.blogspot.com -she does some amazing things with cupcakes and cakes!

Shrimp dogs! A play on pigs in a blanket!

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OM Gosh!! Too fricken cute! On Pinterest I found the cutest little piggies in a blanket, that looked like little shrimp. I re-pinned, but found that the original pinner, had just pinned a picture,  no tutorial, no other information. Googling took us to a website in Europe, but no tutorial. This Pinterest pin was re-pinned over 400 times!!! Everyone was commenting and complaining!

Go forward a couple of weeks. I get a request for some cute ideas, for a little boys Birthday party. I immediately thought of the little "Shrimp dogs"! They look like the shrimp on "Shark Tales", especially in the eyes. I volunteered to make them as a favor to friends and gift to their son. Link to a movie clip with the shrimp http://www.traileraddict.com/clip/shark-tale/shrimp.

Sweet One was still here visiting, so she and I made them. I figured out how to make them, and made the tutorial! Sweet One and I laughed and had so much fun making them, I still am giggling!! They are easy to make, can be made ahead and frozen and do not take a lot of time. My friend was thrilled and said, "their too cute to eat!"

Back to Health Monday!! Joan's Wheat Berry salad

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Wheat berries pack a hefty nutritional punch. Just half a cup of the tiny kernels contain a little more than 100 calories and are a good source of fiber, protein and iron. Wheat berries are the native grain from which flour, bread and pasta are made. They are also delicious when cooked and added to soups, salads, vegetables and fruit dishes. Some recipes with wheat berries will specify that the grains be soaked prior to cooking. Although soaking the wheat berries is not a necessity, it will cut down on the cooking time.

Butterfly Cupcakes! 'Sweet Ones' Sweet Shop!

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Hi there! My name is Amy and most of you have seen pictures of me on the blog as well as some pictures of my sweet creations as Joan has featured me a couple times. This is my very first solo blog entry...ever! I am Joan's daughter-in-law, and her son and I live in Seattle with our two pups.

 One of my hobbies is baking sweet treats! My passion is cupcakes. I love color, design and sweets...and really love bringing all three of those things together! This is the place where I will be sharing my creative passions with you.