Candy Corn Garland...

I saw this candy corn garland here and decided that I need to make one.

I didn't read her entire tutorial. I tend not to do that but word of the wise. It's a must because you could make mistakes like I did. The only thing I read was candy corn, thread and needle. Nuff said right? Nope, she explains not to use the cheap candy corn, which is what I bought. Why, don't use the cheap stuff? Because it breaks when stick the needle through it.

After breaking about half a bag I decided I needed to try something else. Then it dawned on me that if the candy corn was a little warm it would go through easier. 10 seconds in the microwave seemed to do the trick, I had far less brake then before. But I would still say dont buy the cheap stuff.

Must be a trend to hang your spider from your light. I have seen it with a few girls here in town and a few more via the web. Trendy trendy!

Stringing them all together took some time, a lot of time. I saw on another blog someone decided to hot glue them to twine instead of string them all together. Hers were all uniform though and I kind of like this messy look better.

And I forgot to take a picture of the chewed on candy corn that S decided he wanted to eat. I had sprayed the garland and hung it out back to dry, well I guess it was in reach for the little boy and he started nibbling on it like it was a candy necklace. Yes he ate a few with clear gloss on them. Yuck!

Smiles for Life-AAWD...

I was VERY fortunate and thrilled to be asked to take part in the Smiles for Life-AAWD. AAWD is the American Association of Women Dentists, who have put on a fashion show for the last 3 years, this year makes 4. The Smiles for Life event creates a fund for victims of domestic violence so they can receive free dental care at UK. The event consists of a fashion show, brunch and silent auction as well as a few vendors who donate part of their proceeds. ALL of the money that comes in for the event is donated to the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Center.

How lucky was I to be a vendor? Second line on the left... Sage K and Co.

I asked my friend beth to help me out, I had a hunch that I might need it. She was super cool about staying with me when it got incredibly busy considering she has a HUGE test coming up.

There were a few vendors, one was Lexington Healing Arts which offered a short massage right there. Another jewelry vendor who sat behind us, I would explain her jewelry as old lady-ish. Don't get me wrong, I like some of it but I can see my grandma and Aunt Carol (grandpa's sister) going nuts over there. I was extremely happy to be selling my earrings to such a young crowd, it did me well!

The set up, left side

right side

I sold my earrings as singles but they did really well in sets too.

And yes I made (painted, attached and whatever else) the frames and fabric pin board. In fact I worked long and hard to 3 days straight to get ready for this.

I decided I would give away two pairs of earrings (marketing ploy), it was a total hit and by chance a mom and daughter who entered at different times won.

You might want to stay tuned you may get a chance like this every once in a while.

And me, looking like a dork!

The brunch was amazing and the fashion show was really fun to watch, everyone came out in super stylish clothes and had so much fun being up there. Even some of the teachers participated in the show.

This is Dr. Larken

Dr. Abadi

I didn't put any pictures up of the girls or guys because I thought that might be kind of weird since we're not best-ies! I am glad I could donate some of my proceeds, I had a great time and am so appreciative I was invited!

Smiles For Life...

I need to give a big THANK YOU to all of my customers who purchased earrings from me today. If you were not aware, a portion of your purchase is going towards the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Center, which will help women and their families.

As of right now, I am in the process of doing inventory and restocking. My Etsy shop will be opening back up as soon as I can complete this.

Please allow me a few days to get things back on track!

Again thanks a million!

Hope to hear from you all soon!

Mallory Johnson

Pizza Week Day 7...

The Artichoke Pizza

I have been talking for the last few days about the best pizza, well my friends... this is not it. This is the artichoke pizza. When I came across this recipe I thought "oh yeah". Now that I have made it and eaten it, I can tell you that it's more like the artichoke dip pizza. Very familiar to me, as everyone knows or should know that I am a sucker for artichoke dip and I undeniably make the best around, seriously ask. The only thing this pizza was missing that the dip has, was cream cheese. Would it have been better with it, possibly. So my final verdict was... so so, but yet I sit here eating another piece as I am typing. Weird

I did like this, honestly I did, there was just something missing that I can't put my finger on,spices or something. So with that I will still share the recipe, but please please, for the love, continue reading this post.

ingredients

1 pizza dough/crust

1 can artichoke hearts drained, rinsed, (squeeze the water out) and rough chopped

1/2 bag of spinach (I used remaining of what I had from previous pizza)

about 7-8 grape tomatoes

1/2 mayo

1 clove minced garlic

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Make dough, spread on pizza pan. Take chopped artichokes, mix with garlic (salt and pepper would be nice) and mayo, 1/2 parm and 1/2 mozz cheeses (That would mean you have half of both cheeses remaining...) Spread that mixture over crust, apply, yes apply spinach and tomatoes, then cover with remaining cheeses. Bake in 400 preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then enjoy your dip on pizza crust. If your daring, do try this.

Alright, now without further ado, the best pizza I have had. I believe I went into pizza euphoria when I had my first bite. Seriously the best pizza ever!

The Fruit Pizza

You wont be disappointed

ingredients

1 sugar cookie dough mix,bought or made. I guarantee you have a recipe, so I wont bother

1 package of creme cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Fruit of your choice or

3 kiwi

4 bananas

a whole bunch of grapes

pineapple

lots of strawberries

Layer the pan with foil so the cookie can be easily removed, I used parchment. Make you cookie dough and just like pizza dough, form it to the pan or buy the refrigerated kind that you can slice. Slice it up, layer it on the pizza pan, smush the slices together, making one big cookie.

Bake at 375 for 1-15 minutes. You absolutely have to watch your crust, its a huge cookie. Once the cookie is starting to look like a cookie should, take it out and let it cool. Then transfer the cookie to your serving plate.

Next, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until mix, then spread over crust. Here is where I cheated. I decided I would try something different and buy the philli cream cheese pre made cheese cake spread (TO DIE FOR) and I used about half the tub (and ate the other half plain).

Next cut up your fruits and layer them in any pattern you would like on the crust. SOme also suggest you use preserves to slather over when finished. It gives it a glossy look but I passed that one up. Last it the hard part... refrigerate it for about 2 hours. I did 1 because I couldn't wait anymore and it was just fine.

When I offered the dessert pizza to Nate he declined, then when he heard me in the kitchen munching on it making... um.. moaning noises, he came in to grab some. And as you can imagine he couldn't stop eating it. In fact I came home from a softball game later that night to eat some to find that there were only 2 pieces left.

Oh I just need to point out that you cannot save this pizza, the crust gets super soggy, trust me I tried, and yes I still ate it.

I am so surprised at how many people responded to our pizza week, how many people are making these pizza's and giving me new ideas. Nate has asked for an extension on pizza week, which I happily.. refused. I am so happy that I can share this with so many of you. Please if you have any feed back, let me know! And THANK YOU for everything!

So there ya have it pizza week is over and we, I mean I survived.

Pizza Week Day 6...

The Sorta Supreme

So the sorta supreme is my version of a supreme pizza. I don't mind sausage, I just wanted to try this with pepperoni since we haven't had any this entire week, I also added a few things I thought would taste great... and my verdict... yummo!

Ingredients

1 pizza dough or pizza crust (tried a new recipe for dough tonight, it was difficult to say the least)

1/2 cup pizza sauce (I will include a recipe for homemade pizza sauce in my special post)

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1/2 medium green bell pepper

1 small can of olives

a few slivers of red onion

1 green onion chopped

a heaping pile of pepperoni

1 vine tomato cut into slices then cut in half

4 or 5 mushrooms cut into slices

Follow the directions for your pizza dough, smear with pizza sauce, cover with veggies and pepperoni in layers (I did 2 layers, told you I don't skimp on toppings) and last cover with cheese. Bake in a 400 preheated oven for 15 minutes until browning, then enjoy.

Okay, so only one more day and I am totally seriously the best pizza is tomorrow. And Like I said in my previous post I will include a special post of dough and sauce recipes, plus some other random pizza stuff.

I am glad so many of you have responded, it's really fun and yummo, try it!

Pizza Week Day 5...

The BBQ Chicken

Forgive me for not posting this the day I made it. As my night came around things kinds crept up on me and before I knew it, it was midnight. I promise it wont happen again :)

Anyhow, this would be the BBQ chicken pizza, wish I could tell you first hand how wonderful it was but I can't, I didn't eat any because #1 I don't like chicken and #2 I don't like BBQ cheese pizza. With the other pizza's I picked the chicken off, but this one, no thanks. Nate on the other hand seemed to enjoy it and I hope it was delish because I made it (along with the Parisian) for a friend who just had a baby for their dinner last night.

So without further ado

Ingredients-

1 pizza crust or prepared dough

2 chicken breast cooked and chopped

a few thin slivers of a red onion

BBQ sauce (hickory smoke is best)

a bit of cilantro chopped

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Make your crust or pull it out of the package, whatever is easiest for you. Spread a thin and I mean thin layer of BBQ sauce over the crust. Mix chopped chicken and a bit of BBQ sauce together (pretty sure this is key), you need to coat the chicken but not too heavily. I did because Nate always, always puts more sauce on after I have baked it. So really it's up to you. Anyhow... once the chicken is coated spread on top of crust, add the red onion sliced red onion and top with cheese. Some people put gouda on, maybe I would have if I had it but I did not, still good without. Bake in a 375 preheated oven for 15 minuets or so. Remember my oven is way off on cook times. Once its done, sprinkle with cilantro. And ding, done!

I have had a lot of inquires about crust, I will post my recipes on a special post following pizza week. oh and yes I said WEEK, I have two more days and pizza week will be over!

PIzza Week Day 4...

The Hawaiian

An original...

I decided that it was time to actually have a pizza that had tomato sauce as the base and what's better than a lot, I mean a lot of pineapple to go with it?

So tonight I made the Hawaiian.. super duper simple

ingredients-

1 pizza dough/pizza crust

1 can of pineapple, chopped or diced

1 package of canadian bacon cut in 4ths

1/2 cup or so of pizza sauce

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Make your dough, slather with sauce, top with canadian bacon, pineapple and cheese. Then in my case top it all over again with canadian bacon, pineapple and cheese. I don't skimp on my pizza's people, they are loaded, especially when it's pineapple.

Did I mention we love pineapple?

Oh I also turn my broiler on for the last few minutes to give it a super bubbly top and curl that canadian bacon!

Stay tuned, the best pizza is coming soon!

Pizza Week Day 3

The Alfredo Chicken

From the brain of Mallory

This recipe is also everywhere, with lots of variations. I happened to have mushrooms on hand so I used them. I have seen recipes with or without the mushrooms, onion and spinach butnever have all three been together until now. Another good thing to use is fresh parsley sprinkled on after the pizza is cooked, I didn't have any on hand, thus no parsley.

Ingredients-

1 prepared pizza crust

2 small or 1 large chicken breast, cooked & cut into small pieces
1 cup of your favorite Alfredo sauce
1 bag of spinach

Minced garlic, to taste

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Red pepper flakes
A few thin slices of red onion

About 5 Mushrooms, chopped

Saute your spinach in a bit of olive oil until wilted. Mix alfredo sauce, a few red pepper flakes and garlic together, smear over pizza crust. Top with chicken, spinach (I squeeze mine so its not super watery) mushrooms, onion and mozzarella cheese. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven, or what the dough directions say, for about 20-25 minutes or until cheese it starting to brown.

I thought this pizza was good, very flavorful. I might have cooked my dough for a few minuets first before loading everything on just for that crispy crust that I love, but nonetheless is was delish!