Yummy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Prep Time:
25 Min

Cook Time:
10 Min

Ready In:
1 Hr 35 Min

Serves 40

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
2. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan. by allrecipes.com

Work, Kids, Family and Fun: Having a Bridal Shower?

Work, Kids, Family and Fun: Having a Bridal Shower?: The season for weddings is upon us, and the last minute preparations are quite exhausting to say the least. Although, getting married is a u...

Having a Bridal Shower?

The season for weddings is upon us, and the last minute preparations are quite exhausting to say the least. Although, getting married is a unforgettable day filled with excitement, laughter, anxiety, happiness, nervousness, and LOVE. But, before that special day arrives there has to be a fun filled bridal shower and I have some interesting fun ideas to share for any upcoming party throwers!

One idea is to have a theme party of the brides favorite. It could be vintage style, beach and sand, 70's style, Luau, western, or maybe a Mexican fiesta. The list goes on and on, just do something fun and enjoyable for the bride and guests. Also, when a theme is chosen find foods and decorations to fit the occasion. I have listed a few items that can be made by hand to help cut down on costs, but also make it unique and fun!
1. Handmade theme invitations (stamping, scrap booking decor, computer, etc) go to your local craft store and there are many embellishments to use for decorating cards.
2. Table Centerpieces are fun and easy to make with just a little imagination and creativity. If needing some help get a friend or family member to assist in this area. (examples: flowers, candles, theme decor, etc) A great way to get ideas is to get on the computer and research for themes.
3. Food can get expensive, so have a few close relatives or friends prepare a few dishes to share and of course have food that is easy to eat like salads, fruit, finger sandwiches, or pick foods that fit with your theme!
4. Games can sometimes be a little drawn out so bring in some new fun and stir it up a little. (play guess "what is the bride's favorites" then share it with everyone, tell a funny story of the bride and you, dress the bride up in her favorite toilet paper veil, try a scavenger hunt, or play teams with drawing and guessing things about the bride.
5. Gifts are the most entertaining to the bride, since this is an excellent way she can get some really  great new home and personal gifts. Though, handmade gifts can be extra special too if someone crochets, paints, sews, makes handmade jewelry, or does crafts. Monogrammed towels are nice to have for the new couple, frames, crochet a blanket, paint a picture, or make a craft to go along with a decorative home decor.
6.Outfits are inexpensive and fun to create out of your own closet! If it's a theme for the beach, get your summer gear out and dress up for some fun in the sun! Be creative and have fun! Dig through your friends closets or family to get your supplies or hit a garage sale or goodwill stores.
7. Decorations and Paper Products ask friends and family for decorations to contribute if you have a theme picked out or shop for clearance items and sales. I made some lovely napkin holders at my shop thebloomingcorner.com for a customer who is  having a shower and they are really pretty silk purple and white flowers with dried heather to go with her linen napkins.

The bridal shower should overall just be fun and entertaining for the bride and her guests. Another good idea is to have someone take pictures for keepsake memories and put the pictures in a photo album. This would make a nice and special gift too! So, as long as there is food, games, entertainment and gifts the party should go great!

Have a "Blooming Bridal Shower" this year!
The Blooming Corner LLC

Making a Garden!

Spring is here and time to start planning the garden! If your lucky to have some land to cultivate an area for gardening vegetables then soon planting will begin! Check this website out called National Gardening Association for climate maps for planting http://www.garden.org/zipzone/ . This is important to know because of different regions that have potential frosts and temperature changes.

Now, that you have done some research on when to start planting, get your supplies in order now so that when planting time comes your ready to go. However, if you are living where there is not much land to plant a garden, then I have a few ideas that will still allow you to grow some of your favorite plants!

My first idea is to make an area like a planters box for a small garden using landscape timbers. A good size is 4' X 8'  and make sure to mark out the area and dig a small trench where the landscapes can be placed. If wanting to raise the bed then stacking the timbers can be done and filled in with soil, but remember if wanting to keep any moles out of your garden then make sure to lay down some small wire fencing on the ground so they will not burrow into your soil and snatch all your tasty plants! I live in the country where there are many moles and most of their "families" too!

Another idea if not wanting or having the room for that large of a garden is too use colorful and decorative planting containers to grow a few special plants. But, make sure to place your containers where they can get plenty of sunshine and water daily. Also, if it's not vegetables your wanting to grow then make a beautiful display of your favorite flower blooms to enjoy this summer! Do you have a porch or back patio to display them on? Make a flower garden of your own in lovely containers or plant an area with a variety of blooms with many different vibrant colors. There are so many different designs from garden magazines, landscape books, floral books, and many sites on the internet too. This is an interesting site to check out http://allgardenplanters.com/photo-gallery/ it has some pictures and ideas for different styles.

However, when you decide to start a flower or vegetable garden have fun and be creative! Make sure to do a little research on climate for planting and have a variety of color to enjoy. I make many of my silk and dried floral designs as I would from fresh flowers!

Enjoy happy blooming!

Annette
The Blooming Corner LLC
www.thebloomingcorner.comhttp://www.thebloomingcorner.com