Sunshine in my pocket

Taste Test Tuesday — Chips for dipping

By KariV on June 11, 2013 in Favorite Things, Taste Test Tuesday

It’s Taste Test Tuesday! I love this day. And today I am reporting on our taste test for TORTILLA CHIPS.

Here are the Tortilla Chip Contestants:

1) Santitas
2) Food Club
3) Doritos
4) Mission
5) Tostitos

This was a “blind” taste test. I numbered the bowls for each brand of chips #1-5. Then all the judges took one (or more) of the chips in each numbered bowl.

When I first tried all the chips, I liked them all. But we had some judges who are true “chip conneseuirs” and took this taste test VERY seriously. You may be just like me and not really care about a dipping chip…but many judges INSISTED that there is a big difference in chips and that you’ll be much happier with a truly delicious chip.

In fact, my sister and brother-in-law had already done some chip research for me and told me to make sure to include a couple brands of chips in this particular taste test. (Thanks Wendi & Kevin!)

We started out just trying the chips alone, then added homemade salsa to the mix. And most of the judges agreed on the TOP TWO chips. Care to make any guesses?

Here are the WINNERS:

First, Santitas and
Second, Tostitos!

Interestingly enough, these two chips are very similar AND they are both made by Frito-Lay in Texas! I was actually happy to learn that Santitas chips are very similar to Tostitos, but they cost much less (see the bag: $2 only!)
(Note: Doritos are also made by Frito-Lay, but they are only available in a yellow corn chip; Most judges liked the white corn chips better).

I always like to include a generic brand (ie: inexpensive) for each taste test. In this case, our generic brand did not fare so well.
Last place: Food Club & Mission. Judges reported that Food Club chips were “bland” and “boring.” They reported that Mission chips were “too thick” and “too crunchy/tough.”

{A BIG thanks to all the judges for this taste test!}

So, dear readers, let me know what are YOUR favorite tortilla chips. And comment if you have any suggestions for future taste tests you’d like to see.

Until next time…

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“I ruff you” Card

By KariV on June 11, 2013 in Father's Day, Paper Crafting

If you know me at all, you know that I make mostly “girly” gifts, packages, tea parties, cards, etc. I LOVE all things ribbon and lace, pink and curly. So when it comes to making more “manly” things, I have challenges!

My nephew had a birthday recently (he just turned 8), and he came down for a visit. I knew this was my opportunity to make something that he would like. I know that he loves dogs and so I got the most adorable doggie stamp set from Lawn Fawn to try out! Here’s the card I made for Porter:

and here’s the inside:

I tried some “masking” by cutting out a cloud from white paper and sticking it temporarily on the card front, then I used some distress ink on a cotton ball to rub on the sky color around those clouds. When I removed the cloud masks, I was left with a beautifully calm sky with the clouds left white!

I think this card turned out adorable (and not too girly). What do you think?

So guess who’s going to be using this set to make a nice Father’s Day card?! I think my Dad will smile.
Linking up to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge.

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Dose of Sunshine Monday — I can Do All Things Through Christ

By KariV on June 10, 2013 in Inspiration

Happy Monday! I can’t believe it’s Monday already again. I have had the BEST weekend with my nephews who are down visiting from Utah. We had a birthday party for my 8-year-old nephew whose birthday is just a week before mine.

This Dose of Sunshine comes directly from my watercolor practice book. It’s a favorite scripture of mine and it applies to everyday life. If you are feeling weak or overwhelmed or sad, or you just need a reminder that there’s always help…this is for you.

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Easy Paper Cones

By KariV on June 5, 2013 in DIY, Gift Ideas, Paper Crafting

I love to make these paper cones as a container for small gifts and treats. Last Christmas, I made them in green and red and filled them with homemade caramels. For my daughter’s Sweet 16 Birthday party I made them in black and white and filled them with popcorn. And more recently I made them in a sunshine yellow color to deliver Lemon Shortbread Cookies and Hugs.

They are simple to make and you only need 12 x 12 paper (I used paper from Michaels), red sticky tape (also from Michaels), ribbon of your choice, and a hole punch. (I also sometimes fill the bottom of the cones with shredded paper)

At first when I began making these, I couldn’t get them to look right. They were a little skewed and a little off-center. But when I took a class on piping chocolate (I know, strange)…the LIGHT WENT ON!! We made a little triangle out of parchment paper to fill with chocolate and pipe onto a plate. And that’s when I figured out I could apply the same technique to these paper cones!

First, cut the 12 x 12 paper in half Diagonally. Then tape and roll up, matching up the corners. I made a quick video to explain better:

So just take a few minutes to watch the video and you’ll be whipping up perfect paper cones in no time!

The great thing about these cones is that you can HANG them from a door knob if the recipient is not home. What fun to come home to a little treat hanging on your door! (If it’s hot outside, don’t put in anything that would melt)

And if you are the recipient of a pretty paper cone, why not enjoy the contents, re-fill with a treat of your choice and pass it on to another friend? The great Paper Cone Pass-It-On Project. That’s what we’ll call it. 🙂

Here’s some ideas of what to fill your paper cone with:

Popcorn
Caramels
Cookies
Hugs & Kisses
Hershey’s Miniatures
Small wrapped candies
Miniature Lotion or Hand Sanitizer
Nail Polishes, Nail Files
Gift Cards and Treats
Movie Passes
Flowers
Notes of Appreciation or Encouragement

The list goes on…What would you put in your paper cone?

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Lemon Shortbread Cookies and Yellow Gift Cones

By KariV on June 4, 2013 in Dessert, Paper Crafting, Recipes

This past weekend was my birthday. It was a big deal because it marked a new decade for me! So I wanted to do something special…something that I could share with people who have made an impact in my life.

I decided to combine two of my most favorite things: Baking and Gifting. I started by making some of these cones in a happy yellow color. The idea was to give out as many goodies as I was old.

I gifted these throughout the week; however, I delivered the majority of these little gifts ON my birthday. Some fun reactions: “You are giving me a treat on YOUR birthday? Best. Friend. Ever.” 🙂

Since I had a bunch of lemons from my mom, I decided to perfect a recipe I have been working on! These little Lemon Shortbread Cookies are buttery and citrus-y with a little bit of a crunch. Perfect!

I found that I love to add lemon juice AND zest to both the cookie and the glaze. Delicious Lemon desserts are among my very favorites and this cookie did not disappoint! They are simple to make and bake…you roll the dough and cut the chilled dough before baking. (so much easier than rolling out and using a cookie cutter!)

Then, drizzle the glaze over the top, let them “dry” for a few hours and then they are ready to wrap up!

I wrapped them up in a little glassine bag and closed them with a sticker. Then I filled as many cones as I could with cookies and Hershey’s Hugs (I love those)! I had them hanging everywhere…all over the kitchen cabinets and even some door knobs.

I think everyone loved these little cookies. I got some nice texts, notes, and cards back (thanks for the love!) And my favorite reaction: “Oh WOW! These cookies are amazing!! Need the recipe ASAP.”

I love these little shortbread cookies. My last birthday gift is to share the recipe with YOU. So here you go:

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:6]

And if you’re interested in how to make an EASY cone out of 12 x 12 paper, I’m sharing a quick tutorial here! Go ahead, make a few and see how many smiles you can inspire when you give them away filled with treats. 🙂

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