Mini Strawberry Dessert Cake with REAL Whipped Cream

Mini Strawberry Dessert Cake with Real Whipped Cream

You need this in your tummy. 

I am totally serious.

It is light and refreshing and captures the essence of summer so perfectly.

Mini Strawberry Dessert Cake with Real Whipped Cream, 

I love you. 

I don't think it matters that you were the first dessert I had since banishing sugar from my life after 12 weeks. 

My love is true. 

And you... were yummy.

 Before this day, I had never tasted homemade whipped cream. Nor by any stretch of the imagination had I ever made whipped cream from scratch.
Not once.
Sure I had seen people serve it on desserts at parties, but I thought it would taste like the store bought stuff so I politely skipped that dessert.

Now that I have whipped up this deliciously sweet topping in my very own kitchen, it's like my world has gone from black and white to technicolor.
 Like I was blind, but now can see.
I am here to take a stand and say: Real Whipped Cream matters.

 To make this perfectly yummy summer dessert you need:
Heavy whipping cream
Sugar
round cakes from the grocery store
Strawberries
Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee bits

 I used the larger carton of heavy whipping cream
a little less than a cup of sugar and blended the concoction in my ninja blender.
It took less than a minute.

Epilogue (which really should have been the prologue):
I was asked to make a dessert for teacher appreciation day. Something they could serve the teacher's at lunch. I was trying to think of something refreshing that could serve a lot of people. This dessert came to mind and at first I was going to make a whole bunch of individual cakes.

But since I have a wee baby who loves to monopolize my time, I though to myself,
"Ain't no one got time for that!"
I needed something that I could just throw together without worrying too much about presentation. And for some strange reason I thought that I should try to make my own whipped cream so that my dessert had somewhat of a homemade feel to it.
Best decision of the day.
I layered the dessert like a lasagna, starting with the cakes on the bottom.
When the day was done, I posted my creation on face book.
These were some of the comments:
"This was such a hit. Both beautiful and yummy! Thank you so much!"
"It was delicious!! Thank you!!!!
" It was AMAZING!!! Thank you!!"
"You were responsible for that?!! Thank you!!"
"People were literally sticking their fingers in the pan to scrape every last bit of it off!"

The sad new was, I didn't get any. So I had to make it again so I could try it out.
So good.
So very good.
Especially when you let the whipped cream sit on the cake for a while.
You know, really let the cake soak of some whipped cream goodness.

Even my biggest critic loved it!  

 Make it.

 Share it.

Eat it now:)
And lick the spoon.

Happy eating!
XOXO,
Amy

Dr. Seuss Day!

 Dr. Suess

Happy Birthday to Dr. Suess!
As a former special education teacher, I love anyone who can get children excited about reading!! Dr. Seuss was concerned with letting an individual know of their value and self worth. He wanted you to feel special. He wanted you to know that you are in control of your life. He wanted you to know that you can choose who you want to be. He wanted you to have fun and use your imagination to make the world a better place. That is a message that I can really get behind!

Fun Facts about Dr. Suess:
 His real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel
He was Author and Illustrator of 46 children's books
He has won a Pulitzer Prize, a Peabody Award and a  Academy Award
His birthday of March 3 was dubbed as our annual "Read Across America" Day!

I made you some free printables from beloved Dr. Seuss quotes. Right click and save, then print.

Want some Dr. Seuss inspired activities to do with your family or classroom?
 Visit my Dr. Seuss board on Pinterest!

XOXO,
 Amy

Free Printable: Love You To the Moon and Back

My little niece turned one this weekend. She looks like my father-in-law. She has big brown eyes and is sweet as can be. I designed this print for her.

I also made one for my dear friend and gave it to her at her baby shower.

If you can right click and save the image, it is yours to print out. Sorry, I do not know how to make it "downloadable." it is an 8x10 image.

xoxo,
Amy

Grandma's Holiday Trifle...Yum!

Christmas, Thanksgiving, The 4TH of July, Easter...any time the whole big fam gets together, there is only one consistent food based request; Grandma's Trifle.

Don't you think that it would be so fun to have a signature dish? Something that your family and friends looked forward to eating? Something that was your specialty?
I gotta work on my signature dish.

I want people to say, "Oh, I hope Amy brings ______ to the dinner tonight!" Hmmmm, I'll get back to you when I have discovered my masterpiece.

This rich dessert is layers and layers of yummy goodness and I just happen to be very fond of the woman who makes it. I am kind of lucky to have the best Grandma in the whole world. She has been an anchor in my life. She was the one I could always go to if I needed a little extra love, or a listening ear or a whole pizza and the Disney channel all to myself.

When I would stay home sick from school, I knew if I called my Grandma she would bring me movies to watch and a snack to eat. She was awesome!!

To this day when anything happens in my life their are two people who I call, My Mom and my Grandma.

Isn't this trifle just gorgeous?!

 We were lucky enough to have my Grandma visit our house and show us in person how to make this decadent dessert.


 Here she is, whipping it up with my girls!!! Notice how the toffee is layered on the outside of the brownie? Remember that, ok?!

 How lucky are they to be learning to cook with their Great Grandma!!!

 Ok! Here it is:

 You need:
2 Boxes of Brownie Mix
1 Box Large Instant puding mix
1 Box small instant pudding mix
1 Huge tub of Cool Whip (16 oz)
1 Small tub of Cool Whip (8 Oz)
1 Bag of Toffee Bits (** Side Note Quote: "My grandsons always tell me there is never enough toffee, but one bag is enough. -Grandma)

Make boxed ingredients according to instruction. Let Brownies cool completely and get ready to layer!

Bottom Layer: Broken up brownie pieces. Use toffee to line the outside of every layer. Their purpose is decorative as well as being tasty! ( look at the picture again and pay attention to the toffee!
Next layer: pudding, decorate sides with toffee
Next layer: Cool whip, decorate sides with toffee
Reapeat
Top it with a strawberry, or cherry, or the left over toffee or whatever makes your little heart go pitter patter.

Depending on the size of your dish, you may have left overs or you may need to double your batch. But trust me, what I just gave you makes a lot! And it is rich so it is hard to eat very much.

My Grandma said she has never tasted this trifle. Isn't that funny. She must snack while she is making it and then finds herself full upon the completion of her masterpiece!

Hope you love it! Maybe it will become your signature dish!

XOXO,
Amy

Lula Roe Giveaway From Ashley's Skirt Closet!!!

I am SO excited to participate in a giveaway!!!!!

 A year and a half ago I had the privileged to meet a very sweet girl named 

Ashley (of Ashley's Skirts Closet of Lula Roe) at a Skirt party. 

Maxi skirts were the big thing then. I bought a few (for me and my daughters). I also bought the cutest blue and white striped pencil skirt (it was the first one I could find under $80)!!!
  
Now I have a closet full of Lula Roe maxi skirts, pencil skirts, dresses and tunics!
I wore them when I was skinny.
I wore them when I was pregnant.
And I wear them now when I am neither:)
The fabric is so silky and soft and beyond comfy.
Trust me when I say that you want own something from Ashley's Skirt Closet.

So would you like a chance to win a pair of super hip leggings (an $18 value)?
Wanna choose which kind??
Here are your choices...
Options one, two, three, four and five!!!

To enter:
*You must "LIKE" the Facebook pages: Ashley's Skirt Closet and  Amy's Craft Bucket. And say Hi while you are at it! We'd love to know when you came by to visit!
You must also comment on this blog post telling me what pair of leggings you'd like to win.
And... for two points everyday, you can tag a friend on Facebook whom you think would love some Lula Roe goodies!
BIG BONUS as a second and third place prize, two lucky people will be awarded 10% off to shop ANY Lula Roe product from Ashley's Skirt closet!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck my friends!!! Winner will be chosen Next Monday, December 8TH! 

Thanksgiving and Free Printables

As I reflect on this past year it is very easy for me to remember that not to long ago I was longing for a baby. I wanted a sweet little someone to love and cuddle and it wasn't happening. The previous two years of trying had proved fruitless and frustrating which led me to this comical adventure.

About a month after that we discovered to our great surprise that at last, we were expecting.

I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for what I have. My heart is indeed full of Thanksgiving. I have not been blessed with an abundance of money, or a big fancy house.

I have been blessed where it really matters. My house is full of people I love. My Family is the greatest gift I own. I have the best friends in the world. I want for nothing. I have a roof over my head and food in my kitchen.
I have a precious new life to hold in my arms.

I am feeling very thankful today.
There is always something to be thankful for.

 Maybe someday I will learn how to make this a "download" but today feel free to take this subway art and make it your own by right clicking and saving it somewhere that you can print it off.

xoxo,
 Amy

6th Annual Holiday Boutique!!!

It is that time of year again!!!!

Want some details????

*this page will be updated often with pictures of products! Scroll all the way to the bottom to see what is new!!

This is a great opportunity for you to not only support sales in Mesquite, but to support hard working moms who are trying to supplement their income! We have a great time hosting this yearly boutique and hope that you can join us. Come say hi and grab some goodies!!

Here are just a few of the things that will be on sale:

P.S. My booth will have huge discounts and get a free cookie when you follow my blog!

 SALE: $5 each skirt!!!

Subway art like this starting at $3

Bags and adorable organizational items like this from 31 Bags!

and this...

Posh, The most luxurious skin care!

Amazing Items from Younique!

*note: it is not September anymore.

Jamberry Nail Wraps!

Our Local Party Supplier: Moreno's Party Rentals!!!!

 



 and from Nest Feathers









you'll also see some of this:
Hair accesories

Signs

A few chalkboards

Two of these!


Two of these:


Come join us! We will have this and so much more!!!!