Little Boys Are Messy

Little boys are messy. Today, one of my friends kids turned two and even though the party was at a public park it was crazy messy. It's school holidays here so there were kids everywhere and it was just chaotic. It got me thinking though, what could I do with my son that was both messy and awesome to keep him occupied over the break.

Yes, that is a Lego themed terrarium. My kid has heaps of Lego's floating around the house and what better way to put some greenery into the house AND keep his room a little bit cleaner then by giving his toys an interesting and pretty playground.

You Will Need;

Toys
Peat Moss
Various greenery
Soil, sand or gravel
Some kind of glass vessel or jug
Other bits like rocks and sticks

It's all very simple. Add a layer of soil to the bottom of the jar, then some peat moss to help keep in the moisture then fill it up with the rest of your ingredients however you like. with any luck you won't have to water it more than once a week and if you keep it trimmed and nice then your kids (and mine) will have a tiny jungle for their imaginations to run wild in for weeks to come.

Babies, Blues and Buttercream

In just over a week I have the pleasure (really?) of hosting my little sisters baby shower. I never even had one of those so I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm hoping to pull together something awesome. Her only instructions were that she wanted rainbow cupcakes with red coma-cream icing, blue and white for the colors and a nappy cake made of clothes instead of nappies! Help! Anyway, a dear friend of mine got me a little bit hooked on this incredible site called WeHeartit and I thought today I'd do a bit of a roundup and show you what I found off the site for my sisters baby shower.

Rainbow cupcakes are ridiculously easy to make. Simply separate your batter into equal portions for as many colors as you want, then add some food coloring. 
Food coloring itself has come a long way in the last little while, there are plenty of different types. Liquid is the most familiar form of food coloring. It gives the weakest color compared to other types of food coloring and, because of its liquid consistency, it will thin out whatever it is being mixed with. Liquid gel gives a deep, rich color without thinning and blends well. It is available online and in specialty stores. Gel-paste gives deeper, more vivid colors than gel or liquid. It is very concentrated and should be used in very small quantities. Powdered food coloring is very concentrated. It can be combined with sugar to decorate cookies, and with lemon extract to paint onto iced cookies (just roll cookies in it to color them).

The next thing is a new obsession for me. Fairy Floss Cocktails! Delicious fairy floss drowned in apple cider or, in this case especially for pregnant people, fizzing apple juice. A few months ago the most AMAZING store opened up near me and I have literally never been the same. Spun Fairy Floss is vegan, gluten free, fat free, sodium free, lactose free & preservative free. All their ingredients are certified kosher AND they have over a hundred flavors. For a sugar junkie like me there is just no equal. I was at an event recently where these guys had a stall and me-oh-my, I could have stayed there the whole day just tasting but once I got a hit of the Pomegranate I was hooked. Their flavors aren't overpowering nor is it a massive hit of sugar and you can't get a sugar high from sniffing it so I think my waistline is safe. They have a couple of online stores so please, check them out.

Now, you can't tell me these aren't adorable. My sister already has more bibs than she will ever need thanks to my own son but I had the idea of doing them with singlets instead. They're easy to make to and can be constructed in very little time. Simple take your bib or singlet (folded in half) and roll on a slight angle to produce the 'bud' in the middle of the fabric. Next, gather up a handful and wrap them in a sheet of pretty paper as though they were fresh flowers and tie off with a pretty ribbon! There are any number of ways to do this one, which is great because I simply hate doing things the same way.

According to an ancient Japanese legend, the gift of a thousand Origami Cranes will bring the recipient incredibly good luck. We might not get the full thousand but it's the thought that count. To make it special for a baby shower you could write something encouraging or helpful or inspiring on the right wing of the bird, the right being the side more commonly linked to the 'magic' of childbirth. Aside from all of that, hundreds of pretty colored paper cranes would be sure to brighten any little bubbas room. Instructions.

What childhood isn't complete with a rubber duck or two for bath time? This is a simple game which everyone can play whether you have kids or not. You can find cheap rubber ducks at any dollar store as well as colored permanent markers and paint pens and all sorts of other bits and pieces. Simply get everyone to decorate a duck and race them in the nearest body of water. The mother-to-be or whomever else you're hosting the event for can then keep all the ducks to remember the quacking good time!

And the guest book, no party is ever complete without a guest book and there is absolutely no shortage of ideas for these. I waded through literally hundreds of ideas before I came upon this one which, if I do say so myself, is absolutely perfect for a baby shower. The picture says it all really. All you need is a calender (it doesn't even have to be a current one or a fancy one just any old thing) and a Sharpie! All your guests have to do is find their birthday and sign their names on their date of birth and there you go! A simple but interesting keepsake which will help you remember your friends birthdays for years to come. Now that's what I call two birds with one stone!

Lastly, who doesn't remember Tupperwares longest standing product - The Shape Sorting Ball. I had one as a kid growing up and bought one for my son when he was born. I doubt there has been a baby shower in the last forty years where one of these wasn't used. There are heaps of team and individual games that can be played with a Shape-O but my favorite is the Treasure Hunt. You'll need two or more balls and all their shapes. Hide all your shapes around the place before your guests arrive and have the balls ready. Split your guests into two or more teams and give them a ball each then send them running like loonies around your home till each team has found one each of all the shapes. The first with a complete set inside their ball wins!

Have a great weekend and keep yourselves amazing!
Sonne

In Reverse Weather Patterns.

While Sonne enjoys her beautiful beach spring weather, some of us (like me) are starting our autumn weather. the days are getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change color. I actually do enjoy this weather, not because of all the holidays and treats coming up but because of the feeling in the air. I enjoy the crisp air and sprakling winter snow.
There is just so much going on in this time of year that there is always something to do.
Now, usually I would try to put up a tutorial for you here but since I am on my phone that is going to have to wait. However, I will fill you in that I will soon be making video tutorials for those who enjoy that more. I will always keep posting the written tuts aswell but if you prefer the videos I will soon have those coming up for you. :)
I do hope everyone is enjoying the weather no matter where you are -Emily

Hello Beach Weather!

I love the beach, and I'm lucky to live in a tropical region where the majority of the year the weather is good enough that I can go and chill out on the beach pretty much whenever I like. It's just hit spring though so the weathers warming up and you just know that in a few short weeks the rain's going to abate and the sun's going to shine down making the beach a hot destination. Fortunately for me, there's a beautiful beach not more than five minutes from my home. Speaking of the beach, I met one of the owners of a gorgeous little boutique website today called White Coconut, They were having a pop-up sale in my local mall and I swear, it was love at first sight. They had jewelry from a local jewelry designer, gorgeous Moroccan candle vases, fun handmade cushions and these outdoor lamps made of driftwood. Holy moly, I had to practice some serious self control.

My favorite pieces by far were the hand pressed metal candle votives and it reminded me of a tutorial I found a while back. I adore this look and it's such a simple thing to recreate.

Credit

You will need:

recycled tin cans
hammer
nail
bailing wire
pliers
spray paint
tea light candle

Step 1:  Remove labels and glue from the cans.  I've found WD-40 to be very helpful with removing the glue.

Step 2:  To keep the bottom of the can from bulging out, put 2 or 3 inches of water in the can and let that freeze, then top off the can and freeze again.  Leave them in until the ice is solid.  This helps the can hold its shape for the next steps.

Step 3:  Take your frozen can out of the freezer. Using a hammer and nail, pound a hole near the top of the can.  Flip the can over and make another hole straight across from the first hole.  These will be used for the handle later on.

Step 4:  Make your design.  Use the hammer and nail to start punching out a design in your can.  You can draw it our before hand or wing it.  Either way, they turn out nicely.

Step 5:  Once your design is all finished, let the ice melt out of the can and dry it out.

Step 6:  Upon turning the can over, you'll notice a big bulge in the bottom.  This comes from freezing water in it.  But, it can be fixed!  Just pound it down with a hammer so that it sits flat.

Step 7:  Time to make a handle.  Cut a 12 inch strip of bailing wire and curve the end of it to form a hook.  Stick the hook through one of the top side holes.

Step 8:  Twist the hook around to secure it.  Make a hook on the other end of the wire.  Stick it in the side hole on the other side and twist it around.  There's your handle!

Step 9: Time for some spray paint!  Paint several coats on to cover the entire can and handle.

Step 10:  Once the paint is dry, insert tea light candles and light them up! You're all ready to go!

Happy crafting!

Calluses & Sonnes new addiction

Alright, I admit it. I am obsessed with pole dancing. I started three months ago with a friend because we wanted to see how hard it really was (both of us having been to a strip club before) and see if the benefits of the sport were as advertised. Mission accomplished. Pole dancing is hard! Really hard! I've got bruises on my bruises and calluses everywhere I'm only just starting level three. I haven't even gotten to the inverted, fun stuff yet. As far as a work out goes, it's not terrific but it's a good start. There's lots of strength work in your limbs (arms and legs) but until you get past the first couple of levels there's not much core work. Combine it with an extra class of general gym training which doubles as strength training for the upper levels and you've got a pretty easy routine which is lot's of fun.

The worst part has to be the calluses though, especially when they split in the middle of learning a new trick. One of mine between my third and forth fingers gave way practicing a combination spin this morning during open session and I had no way of dealing with the thing until I got home nearly an hour later. So, I found this wonderful little DIY to help make sure that emergencies, and having to wait to fix them, become a thing of the past.

Miss Emergency Rescue Kit

You can chop and change as many of the items as you like but this is what wound up in the pictured kit.

You'll need:

• bandaids *
• pain medication *
• nail file *
• clear fingernail polish
• little scissors
• mini toothbrush *
• emergency cash *
• tweezers *
• feminine needs
• hankie
• pen & small post its
• needle and thread
• hair tie *
• bobby pins *
• cough drops
• safety pins (aka risque cleavage rescue) *
• deodorant
• stain remover pen
• mirror
• breath mints
• dental floss
• lip balm
• specialty medicine (i.e. cold sore medicine) *
• spare earring backs *
• glasses repair kit *
• nail clippers *
• mini flashlight *
• extra house and car keys *
• chocolate (because who doesn’t need emergency chocolate from time to time * (Friendly tip, Tootsie Rolls don’t melt!)

If you know what is going into yours, here are the supplies you’ll need to wrangle up:

• wallet
• empty Tic Tac container
• thin cardboard (like from a gift box)
• regular cardboard
• felt
• thin elastic
• embroidery floss and needle
• spray adhesive
• fabric marking pen
• optional – spray paint

Step 1: If you want to change the exterior color of your wallet, go ahead and do that first. Mine started yellow and wound up silver! Use as many coats as necessary to get a nice, even finish. Allow to dry fully before moving on.

Remove the inside portions of your wallet. If you need assistance, shove a butter knife into a credit card slot for a bit of extra leverage. Trace one of the inserts on your felt plus your light and regular cardboard twice (one for each side). Trim the felt and light cardboard exactly as is, but trim the heavier cardboard a smidge (about an 1/8th of an inch) in from your traced line.

Step 2: Place both pieces of your felt face up in front of you. Gather your rescue products and put any small things together in your Tic Tac container. Situate your supplies on top of your felt pieces until you get as many as you can to fit.

If you have more items than room, you may have to cut out one or two of your less needed items. Don’t forget that the edges will slip underneath to hold the insert in – that space needs to be left clear in order for that to happen.  I kept a quarter inch all around clear, just to be safe.

If you want a pocket, cut out of your felt and place with your other items. I added a little strap onto my pocket to keep my emergency safety pin.

Step 3:  Use your fabric marking pen to trace the outline of each item as it lays on the felt.

Take your embroidery thread and begin stitching on your drawn outlines. I used 6 strands for very heavy lines, but the amount of floss you use is up to you. The more strands you use the thicker the lines, the less the finer.

Step 4:  Elastic is what will hold in the majority of your items. For longer things, like tweezers, it is a good idea to use two pieces – one near the top and one near the bottom.

While stitching your drawn lines, include your elastic as needed. This will save you from having to go back and stitch your elastic on later.

If you’re adding a pocket, sew that on now also. You can also add extra storage room by cutting a ponytail holder in half and tacking it down in the middle. You will be able to use that to tie in things like other ponytail holders!

Step 5:  Now it’s time to put your wallet back together. Place your heavier piece of cardboard in first. If it’s a bit too big, trim as necessary.

Spray your lighter weight cardboard liberally with spray adhesive. Allow to become tacky and then place your felt piece onto the glue to adhere. Use your hands to smooth out and remove any creases or air pockets. Allow a few minutes to fully dry.

Step 6: Place your inserts into the wallet. If they are side specific, make sure that you’re placing them correctly. Shove two of the sides directly under the metal rim. The other two you’ll need to use an implement, like a small flat screwdriver to help seat the felt piece fully.

Fill your rescue kit with all of your emergency goodies, snap it shut, toss it in your purse and call it a day! The next time you find a run in your hose,  a splinter in your finger, or any other little emergency decides to rear its ugly head, you’ll be fully prepared to take it on!

Mission Statement and Traveling

My Mission Statement

I don't want to live a life that's just like everyone else's. I do not want to be stuck in the same place working the same boring job that I don't enjoy for just a little pay. I want to live.
For this year I have a responsiblity to my exchange sisters so I will be staying in Utah. But in order to make this more fun and not the boring day to day life, I will be recording different things in Utah that visitors (or even natives that don't know of these places) can enjoy while here.
Then next june I will be leaving to Ohio for a little bit. I will do the same there and video tape some fun things that people can do. But I don't plan on staying there for too long.
I will be earning and saving money so that i can travel all over. I may even go to Austraila and visit Sonne. :) I will video tape different things about the culture, country, people and show you many different things that you can do. I will give you tutorials on things you would need to know if you went to that country and answer questions you may have. If you want to know a particular something or with to see me do a particular something you can ask me and (as long as it is not vulgar or will get me locked in jail) I will do my best to do those things for you.

       If you wish to help me out then I will be putting a donate button on this blog soon and I will make sure if you help that your answers get answered sooner. But it's alright if you don't wish to help me or can't.

Besides, this blog is called Unsimplistic Dreaming. So why keep it simple ;)

Writer's Block

We all get writers block. The question is how you can get past it.
Some ways that I have personally found to help is simply rereading what you have already wrote or trying to daydream the rest of your story.
But there are other ways;

• Just force yourself to sit down and write. Just don't over stress yourself or you'll get no where.
• Evaluate your work area. If it's cluttered, noisy, or filled with distractions you need to fix it up.
• Relax! If your mind is other places you wont focus and if your body is tired or sore you wont want to do anything.
• Drink some hot tea. It's relaxing and since there's so many different kinds out there your bound to like one.
• Don't stress it! It wont do you any good to worry about it.

Sometimes your just going to have to give up and try something else to do. If you try to give yourself a deadline or stress yourself out over how the story is going then your only going to bring on more writer's block. It's all in your head. Remember that. Have a clear head and a relaxed state of mind and body and you'll do just fine. Remember that EVERYONE gets writer's block at least once in their lives. If you have to write anything chances are your going to have some trouble somewhere.

So relax, enjoy, and keep on writing.
~Emily

Your kidding me right?

How could anyone do anything like this! now I've got to try;

Trick or Treat Eyes by =KatieAlves on deviantART
This is just so amazing, it might be a bit early for Halloween but this was just too good not to share!

Happy Birthday Sonne!

It's Sonne's birthday today! Be sure to wish her a happy happy birthday :p

Birthday Cake Recipe:

Ingredients

* 140g butter , plus extra for the tin
* 175g golden caster sugar
* 2 eggs
* 225g self-raising wholemeal flour
* 50g cocoa powder
* ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
* 250g natural yogurt

TO DECORATE

* 300g golden icing sugar , sieved
* 2 tbsp cocoa powder , sieved
* 1 tbsp butter , melted
* 3-4 tbsp boiling water
* 50g each white, plain and milk chocolate , broken into squares

Method

1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter and line the base of a 18 x 28cm cake tin or tray. Put the butter and sugar into a bowl; beat together with electric hand beaters until light and fluffy. add the eggs a little at a time, beating well between each addition.
2. Sieve the flour, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda into the bowl, then tip in any bran left in the sieve. Pour in the natural yogurt. Stir everything to a smooth mixture and spoon into the prepared tin. Bake for 20-25 mins until just firm and shrinking away from the sides of the tin. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
3. For the icing, sieve the icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl, then pour in the butter and 2 tbsp just-boiled water. Stir together to a smooth, spreadable consistency. if it’s too stiff, very carefully add a little more boiling water, drop by drop.
4. Spread the icing over the top of the cake, using a palette knife dipped in hot water. Will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
5. Melt the chocolates in three different bowls in the microwave on High for 1 min or over a pan of simmering water. Spoon the melted chocolates into three plastic disposable piping bags. Snip the ends off and pipe 12 simple shapes on top of the cake. Leave to set. Just before serving, cut the cake into 12 squares and push in the candles.

Credit: Pa-rty.com

I'm just guessing on the time but it should be the 20th in Australia now... Correct me if I'm wrong Sonne.

Hair dye, masks and Bond villains.

So, last Friday I re-dyed my hair because the color was fading out pretty bad. My hair now thinks I am the most evil person alive since the invention of the Bond villain. I'm pretty bad with bleach, I have an addiction to bright, unnatural colors like pink and blue and I'm always changing the color. My hair dresser hates me for the way I treat my hair and is always telling me to stop dying it otherwise it'll start falling out but it hasn't happened yet. It needs help, I should probably stop dying it more than once every couple of months but that's unlikely to happen so instead I have compiled and found a list of incredible make at home hair masks and conditioners which are just as good as the salon uses.


Coconut cream mask

Soften a large chunk of coconut cream in your hands and massage into hair. Wrap your head in a warm towel and leave it on for an hour. Wash out with a gentle shampoo.

Egg mask

Beat two full eggs with 2 tablespoons of water. Apply to clean, damp hair, massaging in well. Leave for 10 – 15 minutes and then wash out with mild shampoo.

Banana smoothie for hair – not for drinking!

Mix 1 mashed banana, 1 full egg, 3 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of milk and 5 tablespoons of olive oil. Make sure it’s well combined and then apply to hair. Leave for 15 – 30 minutes and wash out with a gentle shampoo.

Yogurt hair mask

Separate an egg and beat the white until it’s foamy. Mix with 6 tablespoons of natural yogurt. Massage into the hair and leave for 15 – 30 minutes. Wash out with a very mild shampoo.

Avocado hair mask

Mash the flesh of one ripe avocado. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until creamy and then apply to your hair. Leave for 20 minutes and then wash out with a gentle shampoo.

Olive oil hair mask
Whisk up 5 tablespoons of olive oil – it doesn’t matter which sort – with 2 full eggs. Massage thoroughly into your hair and then cover it with plastic wrap or a shower hat. Your body heat will help the oil to penetrate. Leave for a minimum of 30 minutes and then shampoo out, rinsing well.

Honey and Olive oil mask

Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply to your hair and wrap your head in plastic film or put on a shower hat. Leave for at least 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual, rinsing well.

Banana and almond mask for dry, damaged hair

Mash a ripe banana and add a few drops of almond oil. Mix well and massage into your hair. Leave for 15 – 30 minutes. Wash out with gentle shampoo.

Milk and honey mask

Mix a tablespoon of honey in half a cup of full fat milk. Apply to your hair and leave for 15 minutes. Wash out with a mild shampoo.

Ok, so here's the deal. I feel horrible today, so I have just been surfing the web and I found this person: NoxSatuKeir@DA
Basicly, if you click the link, you will see a lot of idea's on how to have a fun healthy level of insanity.
I'm making it all into a wall of insanity above my bed and I'm going to actually try out these 'tips' on people. >:D I'll post video's of them whenever I can or I'll just tell you what happens! I hope this will be fun!!! LOL
~Emily
P.S Yes, my nose was in fact itchy, no, I was not picking it...

Emilys blog update

Well as I'm sure you have all noticed, I have a new friend to help me out with this blog :)
Sonne is a really good friend of mine whom I met through our similar diy interest. While sometimes she gets a little over zealous of something she is passionate about and forgets the practical aspects of things she sure does know how to find good things and is very creative. I trust her judgment and sure hope that everyone who reads this blog will see her the way I do.

I do want to appologize to all the grammar Nazis out there (cough Sonne cough) I am not feeling good today so I'm in my room with the lights out on my phone. Nonetheless I felt that I wanted to post this so that is exactly what I've done, I'm sure Sonne will come through here and correct any huge mistakes I've made because she's boss.

Anyway, as for an update on what's going on; fall officially starts september 22 this year, so it is really close. On that day, while my household is at school/work I will be putting up a few surprizes for them. Now on off chance that they stumble across this blog I will not yet be posting what those surprizes will be, but when the day comes I will be sure to inform you and I will even post a video of what happens (with everyones permission of course).Throughout the holidays I will do my best to keep you all informed of whats going on because I have a lot of fun things planned and hopefully you will think of your own ways to have fun with your family. If you do anything
special and wish to inform us please do. Or if you simply have an idea but will not be using it you can comment your thought and if I see it I may post it on this blog. Just make sure to be very discriptive so everyone knows what you have in mind.

Also, this is an informative blog so if you have any questains you would like answers to; feel free to comment or privetly message Sonne or me and we will do our best to answer you. If you dont want your name on the blog with the question or comment then just tell us. We will respect your privacy.

With love from Emily and Sonne, enjoy your life and remember to have fun.

Dang... my foot is asleep and it hurts...

P.s. Sonne did edit the crap out of Emily's grammar and spelling.

Gasp - New contributer!

Hey new friends!

It's always hard trying to think of a catchy opening statement so people think "Jesus, that girls got it going on, I'll have to keep up to date with her shit". I literally spent about ten minutes going "How the fuck do I introduce myself?" but nothing came to me that wasn't cheesy or ignorant or made me sound like one of those poser wannabes, so instead you get this. My name is Sonne (pronounced Sun-uh) and I'll be your guide on this wondrous and weird journey, along side the impressive Miss Emily. I am DIY obsessed, I'm surviving on a shoestring (literally) budget so it's not very often that I get to indulge in the fancy stuff and I'm the kind of girl who falls in love with things easily. If it's shiny, has spiky bits or just looks pretty I'm on it like a fat kid on Subway Cookies.
I have been collaborating with Emily for a little while now, someplace else that was not really working for us, and when she asked if I would prefer to contribute to her shiny little blog, I threw my hands up and went "heck fucking yes!" and here we are. I'm always finding new stuff, I know some of the ladies in my local opp-shops by name, and I'm generally spending what little free time I have trying to figure out how they did stuff. So, for the foreseeable future, I'm going to be bringing that childlike curiosity and attraction to all things shiny to you. Every couple of days I'll post something that just bleeds awesome and one day (one day people!) I shall find the most awesome thing of all. The perfect shoes. Oh, and I swear a lot, I'll try and tone that down but, no promises.

Sonne

My Fall Bucket List

Sorry, this is my first video... >.< And I was busy cleaning my room and doing laundry...

Anyway, my list is this

• Go apple picking and bake apple pie
• Go on a autumn picnic
• take a drive to see the autumn foliage
• Celebrate Oktoberfest
• Carve lots of pumpkins
• Pick your own pumpkins in a pumpkin patch
• take a nature walk with a camera
• Make some Hot Toddies
• Plant Daffodil bulbs for next spring
• Bake and decorate cookies
• Host a fall dinner party with grandma
• Decorate for Fall
• Rake (and play in) leaves
• take a hay ride
• Make some think and chunky homemade soup
• Watch Hocus Pocus
• Go on a haunted trail
• Frightmare at lagooneee
• Have a photoshoot in a leaf pile
• Visit a Corn Maze!

If you have a bucket list of your own for fall please feel free to share :)

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

These just look so yummy! I'm gonna make them soon. :)

Found the recipe on lifesabatch.com

_____________________________________________________

Pumpkin Spice Roll-Out Sugar Cookies(recipe by Nicole Cleghorn)

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 cup turbinado sugar

• 3/4 tsp. baking powder

• 3/4 tsp. salt

• 2-1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

• 1 egg

• 1 Tbsp. milk

• 2-3/4 cups whole wheat flour

Cream together the butter and brown sugar until light & fluffy (about 3-4 minutes on medium speed). Add in the turbinado sugar, and cream for an extra minute or so. Add the baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice; mix well.
Add the egg & milk; beat well. Add the flour, mixing until well-combined. The dough should be soft & not sticky. Turn out onto sheets of waxed paper & roll. Cut out shapes, and transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper or Silpat liners. Freeze sheets for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 365°. Remove cookies from freezer and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to have a hint of brown. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate with royal icing, if desired. These are FABULOUS plain, too!

Spending

I just thought this was too cute!
I had to show you, I'm buying it and when it comes in I'll take a pic wearing it ^.^ I think that sometimes it's ok to spend a little money. It's not expensive and I've been working hard... Right? Do you think it's alright to spend some money on yourself once in a while or am I wrong?

What Happened?!

Well... What happened to you Emily?
It sounds like a bunch of excuses but I really was just really busy. I'd go to work all day and then I would come home and work some more and then I'd need sleep. -.- I haven't been getting a lot of sleep lately.
Just yesterday I had to wake up at 5:30am go to work until 2:00pm, come home and pack, then work on more work at home, avoid getting killed by my sisters cat who was in a killing mood, then my father, sister Han, and I all ate a dinner around 6ish and watch one half hour TV show. By then it was 7:30pm, but the 'day' wasn't over yet. We all threw our stuff in the car, talk to our neighbor about watching our house for the weekend and took a drive up to Las Vegas, Nevada to visit our grandma. Han slept in the car (she looked so cute!) but my pa and I stayed up keeping each other awake so we could arrive safely. We finally made it to grandma's house around 2am the next day, ate some food and went to sleep.
Since grandma is usually by herself we don't have separate beds so dad sleeps on the couch and Han and I share a king mattress in the guest room (grandma just moved to this house and doesn't have the whole bed up yet) Han is a bit of a bed hog and a blanket hog but she's just so cute it's hard to do anything about it. So I ended up sleeping half on half off the bed.
Well, I'm back now at least! and I have a lot of new and wonderful stuff for everyone :D so ta ta for now!