{Recipe} Neapolitan Pudding Pie with Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Ganache

This pudding pie is extra sweet, easy to make, and a great little treat for Valentines Day.

The combination of the three layers gives this dessert a Neapolitan Ice Cream flavor.

Oreo Pie Crust

Strawberry Cream Pudding

Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Ganache

I got the Strawberry Cream Jello Pudding for less than a dollar at the grocery store.

It has a very strong artificial strawberry flavor...

Using the other layers really helped to cut into the strawberry flavor which was nice for me.

I am not overly fond of artificial strawberry, but decided to give this a try.

This definitely isn't my go to dessert...

But it was a great experiment that took very little time and tasted good in the end:)

Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

2 cups Heavy Cream
1 bag White Chocolate Chips
2 cups Powdered Sugar
1 Vanilla Bean, split and scraped

Directions

Heat the cream on medium until little bubbles begin to form on the edges.
Pour over white chocolate chips in a heat safe bowl and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
Using a hand mixer, mix until chips are melted and the mixer is smooth.
Add the vanilla bean seeds and powdered sugar, until smooth.
If it is too runny add a little more powdered sugar, more cream if too thick.
Place in the refrigerator until it firms up a bit.
This makes a lot in one batch, and works to use for a few different recipes.


Neapolitan Pudding Pie

Ingredients

1 Oreo Cookie Pie Crust
1 small box Strawberry Cream Jello Pudding
1 3/4 Milk
1/2 - 3/4 cup Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Ganache
or top with Cool Whip

Directions

Whisk together milk and pudding mix until completely smooth.
Pour into the pie crust and refrigerate for at 1/2 hour or until firmly set.
Lightly spread the Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Ganache over the top.
Place completed pie back in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
*This tasted better the second day after the flavors fused.

{Craft} Valentine's Wood LOVE Sign

I needed something cute to hang on my door for Valentine's Day.
It is so much fun to celebrate the holiday now that I have kids.

I picked up this pre-cut sign from a local wood shop.
The bead board letters and the heart shaped O were cute touches that made me happy.
I also had the idea to twist the wire into a heart shape, for the part that attaches to the hook.

I wanted the sign to have a weathered look.
So after I glued the bead board on...
I used a fine grit sand paper to remove and brush stroke lines and rough up the edges.
This makes a cute addition to our door...
Plus, it matches the rest of our Valentine's decor.




Click on link below to go to project-

Shabby Chic Key Decor

Valentine Ombre Heart Decor

Miniature Frame Fingerprint Hearts

{Craft} Valentine Ombre Heart Decor

I haven't really ever had Valentine's decorations.

I never really liked the holiday until I had kids.

Now it is a lot more fun...

So I wanted decor to make the holiday more exciting for the kids.

The color palette I am going for is Faded Brown/Tan, various shades of Pink, and White.

My first decoration can be seen HERE...

Below is the second...

 The Valentine Ombre Heart Frame

I have seen these ornate picture frames all over the blogosphere. 

I wanted one to add to my own collection...

So when Hobby Lobby had them on sale for 50%, I got one.

This project only cost me the price of the frame.

The paint chips I used for the hearts were free, 

I borrowed my Mom's off-set heart punch,

And used chipboard I already had on hand.

The greatest thing about this project is...

I can use this frame for multiple holidays/decor.

Hearts, 

Snowflakes, 

Autumn Leaves, 

Easter Eggs,

Baby Showers...

A very versatile project.

The Ombre Hearts are easy to put together.

Use the paper punch and paint chip strips...

Tape them to the chipboard using glue dots...

Slip the chipboard into the frame...

And you are ready to go with your custom decor.

Linking to~ Blissful and Domestic, Ladybird Ln,

{Craft} Shabby Chic Key Decor

Want to make a simple decoration,

That costs less than $4...

And less than 20 minutes to make?

This Shabby Chic Framed Key works great for 

Valentine's Day

Easter

& Spring decor.

I made it in time for Valentine's Day.

I guess I could say it is the key to my heart, but I painted one of those for Matt last year.

{Supplies}

1- Off White IKEA Frame- $1.99

1- Brass Skeleton Key- Michael's $.75 with coupon

1- 1x36 in Coordinating Tulle Strip

1- 4x6 Piece of Scrapbook Paper  

{Directions}

 Take the back off of the frame

Remove the glass

Place scrapbook paper in the frame, and place the back back on

Fold tulle in half, and tie a slip know with it on the wall hanging bracket

Flip the tulle to the front of the frame, slip the key on, and tie a bow

Trim the tulle until symmetrical once you have the key hanging to desired length

Display and enjoy this Shabby Chic little piece of decor.

Not bad for $3 and 20 minutes of nap time.

I started and finished this project during the kids' Saturday nap after working overtime. 

I was still able to take a nap at the same time as them... 

Now that's what I call speed crafting with high impact:)

Linking to~ Two Yellow Birds Decor, Ginger Snap Crafts

The Key to My Heart

For the 2^nd part of Matt’s Valentine’s Day gift, I gave him the Key to My Heart.  

I used the same size canvas as the Love Song Subway Art, so that they would match.  I pictured what I wanted the “door” to look like, and used craft paint to accomplish the look.  I wanted it to have a weathered feeling to it, and I like how the “door” turned out for the most part.

I went to the Joann’s and found the simple silver heart charm.  The key, however, is special… 

I grew up in Ogden, in a little old house built in the 1950’s.  Built onto the back of the garage was this old shed where we would play house.  We would bring in old vegetables from the garden, place them on our little dishes, and pretend to have a feast. (because who really wants to eat rotted squash;)  One day in 1989, when I was playing in the long shady grass next to the shed, I found a key.  I was so excited.  I was five years old and obsessed with pirates (still am).  I thought this key went to a hidden treasure. (It really went to the shed:)  It was a skeleton key, old and rusted.  My mom tried to help me get the rust that had built up from lying in the grass for almost 50 years.  But the rust just held on, giving it a look like it had been next to a sunken treasure chest waiting to be discovered.  It is one of the possessions I have had the longest, besides my teddy bear and Cabbage Patch Doll… Oh the trinkets we save from our youth:)

As one of my “prized” worldly possessions, I thought it was fitting to put it as the Key to My Heart.  The doorway to my heart is sometimes just as rusty as the old key; but the key still works, and the more the door is opened, the easier it is to love and be loved.

Valentine's Mini Cupcakes

For work I wanted to make something small and simple for Valentine's Day.  I went with Mini Chocolate Cupcakes (made from a $.58 box of JIFFY Chocolate Muffin Mix) in pink foil baking cups,  covered in pale pink Buttercream (made from scratch) and topped with Rainbow Edible Glitter and Wilton Mini Heart Sprinkles.  It took me less than an hour make and cost less than $1 since I had all of the supplies on hand.

This is Abbie's face when I told her, "No more cupcakes!"

Whoo Loves Valentines Day?

Asher and Abbie love and receive love from many different people.  This Valentine's Day I thought that it would be fun for them to pass out a card to some of those special people.  I know that Asher is most excited about giving some to his Sunbeam teachers at church.  He loves that class, and "Talkin' to the Gospel" as Asher puts it:)

I downloaded this super cute file created by Cierra at The Yellow House as part of her Friday Freebie Series.   It is perfect for little kids, or anyone for that matter, to give to those that they care about.  She has quite a few different options and ideas.  Plus, the concept to her blog, is great.  Go check it out for some beautiful photos.

 Obviously the Dusty Vintage Blue card was my favorite:)

Even though these are eye candy to me, I figured I should add some tangible candy for the little ones;)

To make the Valentines I just taped the printed and trimmed owl paper onto some white cardstock.  Then I took a sharp/ brand new razor blade, and cut a slit on the top and bottom following the curves of the wings.  I really like how they turned out. 

Sweet... Simple... with a touch of Retro Flair:)



Subway Art ~Love Song Style

I wanted to make something for Valentine's Day to give to Matt.  Since it has never been my favorite holiday, I wanted something that was functional year round.  With the huge Subway Art trend going on right now; I decided it was time to jump on the bandwagon... but I wanted to give it a unique twist.

I used the songs from our wedding CD, wedding video, and songs newly discovered... obviously all relating to love.  The songs hold a special place to us, and help us remember the different moments when we heard them:)

I got a 12x24 inch canvas and "antiqued" the edges with paint.  I got together with Matt's cousin Sarah, and we had a vinyl cutting extravaganza;)

Here are the songs I used- in no particular order

(click on the links for the lyrics... mushy, romantic, memorable sentiments:)

"Lost in the Moment" I Loved Her First- Heartland

"You Have Stolen My Heart" Stolen- Dashboard Confessional

"Be as One" Grow Old Along with Me- Peter Brineholt

"Forever with You" Ever the Same- Rob Thomas

"I am the Luckiest" The Luckiest- Ben Folds

"Never Never Never Let Me Go" Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me- Mel Carter

"I Can't Breathe Without You" Love Only Knows- Josh Groban

"But I Love You, Until the End of Time" Come What May- Moulin Rouge

"Hold Me So Close That I Feel Your Heartbeat" Lay Down Beside Me- Alison Krauss and John Waite (my favorite love song this year)

Asher helped me a little, and he was just as excited as I was to give it to Matt.  So we did... last night.  We couldn't help it, we don't like to wait;)

Asher ran upstairs saying, "Daddy it's your present, I have your present. We won't sing Happy Birthday to you, because it's not your birthday. Happy Balentine's Day!"  It was adorable.  Matt appropriately gushed.  Now we have something special to hang in our room to remind us everyday of how special our marriage is, and how great it is to be in LOVE.

Happy Valentine's Day