Carrot Pretzel Rods

I just got a catalog from Olive & Cocoa, their stuff is quite expensive but it's a very pretty catalog to look at! They sell gifts, flower arrangements, home decor, and edible gifts and I've gotten many ideas in the past from flipping thru the pages. I love these carrot pretzel rods and they'd be easy to make - yep, I'm still not able to use my right hand (carpal tunnel surgery) but I have a growing list of things I want to make as soon as I can - carrot pretzels are definitely on the list before Easter.

Dip each pretzel rod in melted orange chocolate leaving about an inch and a half or so at the top, sprinkle with tiny white sprinkle balls. Lay on a cooling rack and let dry. Then dip the end that isn't orange in melted green chocolate and let dry. Drizzle melted green overtop of the firm green chocolate end simulating the green tops of a carrot. Let dry. 

The bunny pretzels are a little more involved but doesn't seem too hard - spoon melted white chocolate on a pretzel twist leaving the outer part of the pretzel showing (see photo), lay on a cooling rack until dry. Pipe on melted pink chocolate for the ears and nose, and melted milk chocolate for the eyes and whiskers. Let dry. 

4.3.24: summer pasta salad

4.3.23: limoncello

4.3.22: 🔥 week 14

4.3.21: Easter white chocolate bark

4.3.20: neighborhood messages

4.3.19: sheet pan pork chops

4.3.18: peeling potatoes tip

4.3.17: K-cup bunnies (fun Easter craft!)

4.3.16: chicken soup

Grapevine Bunny Wreath

Last year I posted a cute bunny wreath using a wire form, twine, and artificial flowers (click here to see that post); I found another cute idea that is completely different - I plan to make this in the future but right now I'm still not able to use my hand so crafting is pretty much on hold for the time being, I'm sharing this inspiration photo I saw on bhg.com in case you want to make one. 

Their description is only "use two inexpensive grapevine wreath forms. Customize your wreath with your favorite faux flowers. We chose a mix of garden roses, ranunculus, pom-poms, and dried seeded eucalyptus" with no other instructions I can find - I don't know about 2 grapevine wreath forms, we can see the one that is the head is just a round wreath form, for the ears I guess I'll check out what is available at the craft store - maybe two small ones that I can shape into ovals for the ears, or maybe they took a round one apart and reworked it into the ear shapes, or maybe it's one smaller wreath that they opened up like a book to make two ears and then wound grapevine around them to keep together. I'll attach the ears to the head using craft wire. Then wire on bundles of fake flowers and plants all around the head-shaped wreath form. Attach a chenille stem loop on the back to hang. I think this is adorable!! 

photo found here 

4.2.24: tt microwave egg scramble

4.2.23: 🔥 week 14

4.2.22: shortcut tiramisu

4.2.21: godzilla rampage

4.2.20: cowboy pasta

4.2.19: stringing beads tip
4.2.18: yarn and tulip wreath
4.2.17: BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes
4.2.16: cleaning glassware

April Challenge - Sleep!

Everyone knows we are supposed to get enough sleep, and when we don't it affects all kinds of things negatively. This month I want to consciously try to get a better quality of sleep and lots more of it! I have an apple watch and downloaded a sleep app, if I wear my watch to bed it'll track how long I'm asleep, how long I'm awake, and the types of sleep (REM, deep, light). In addition to tracking, I'm going to turn off my light by 10:30 (I go to bed earlier already but I read wayyyyy too long!) and shoot to sleep until 6; not eat anything after 8pm; and move as much as I can during the day - I also started taking melatonin and hopefully that'll help. 

That's my April challenge for myself if anyone else wants to join me and work on getting more/better sleep! 

Here's a Tip-sy Tuesday tip - I can't wear my apple watch all day and then sleep with it all night and have enough battery, so any time I have a window that I'm just sitting around and don't really need the watch then I throw it on the charger; or charge it while taking a shower or getting ready for bed - it charges pretty quickly. 

4.1.24: april fools' 

4.1.23: words

4.1.22: april fools' day

4.1.21: meatloaf cake 

4.1.20: American Sign Language alphabet

4.1.19: microwave bowl cozy 

4.1.18: Easter and how to make a jelly bean tree

4.1.17: perfect baked sweet potatoes