Peridot Skies: Treats

Sweet Heart Pies

January 29, 2015

Cherry Pie is always a favorite in my home so I decided to make up a few special pies for my guys. After all we are in the season of love!

They’re very easy to make and bake up in about 15 minutes. You can use pre-made dough if you wish.

~Sweet Heart Pies~

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Roll out pie crust dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut out pastry hearts with a heart shaped cookie cutter.

In the center of each heart, place a dollop of your favorite pie filling (of course cherry here). Place another pastry heart on top.

Using a fork, gently seal edges of hearts together.

Prick each heart with a fork to allow heat to escape the sweet heart pies as they bake.

To get a shiny glaze on your pies brush them with egg whites before baking them. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

What have you baked lately?

January 29, 2015
3 Comments

I'm a morning person. And by that I mean... I enjoy a quiet house, a time to reflect, and a great cup of coffee. My boys gave me a Nespresso for Christmas two years ago so I could enjoy a latte in my kitchen without ever having to leave home. It was a perfect gift and one I use frequently. We don't have a Nespresso boutique here in KC so purchasing pods for my machine requires online ordering. I was contacted by HiLine Coffee Company out of New York to try their pods in my machine. Of course I would try them!! When they asked me my preference I told them, We like regular and decaf for the evenings, and lean towards dark blends. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my box to find such an assortment of coffees. The pods drop right in my machine like my Nespresso... the only noticeable difference was it slipped in a little tighter and I had to make sure it was straight.

They are all names so quaintly after areas and borough's of New York City. Who doesn't want to have a cup of Brooklyn medium roast, or Central Park dark roast? Cute concept huh? So.... what would any coffee lover do with all these blends? Start enjoying lattes of course!

Do you have a Nespresso machine? Share in the comments what is your favorite coffee.

October 06, 2014
0 Comments

Zoku Slush Maker

July 10, 2014

Cocktails

With the temperatures finally warming up cool refreshing treats are a must. I like a frozen treat or drink but not always chunky icy treats. Enter the Zoku Slush Maker. I received my Zoku Slush and Shake maker a few weeks back from Zoku to try out and make a few fun treats with it. With several colors to choose from I selected the blue. My son was all excited about it and was the first to want a shake.

It is so simple and perfect for a quick frozen treat without a lot of fuss or dragging out a blender. In a matter of less than 15 minutes you have a perfect treat. I want to get one for each of my boys for gifts so when they want a sweet treat all they need to do is just add their favorite cold beverage and stir.

First up is our raspberry limeade. Fill the insert that you froze over night with your cold beverage.

Stir after a few minutes and continue stirring and scrapping the walls until you have this....

Pure sweet slush!

The next thing we made in our Zoku was a chocolate shake. Want to know how simple it was? We poured chocolate milk in up to the line and stirred and scraped the walls as it froze. Less than 15 minutes we had a delish treat!

This little guy couldn't get enough!

Zoku has a wide assortment of fabulous products for cooling you down for the hot summer and enjoying a sweet treat or two!

Shop some of their other great products below.

July 10, 2014
1 Comments

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

June 05, 2014

Baking

One of my boys all time favorite snacks are the Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats. I can make a batch and it will be gone in a day they are that good. Today I want to share this pure goodness with you and hope they become a favorite at your home as well. Enjoy!

What you will need:

1 C light Karo syrup
1 C sugar
1 C peanut butter
6 -8 C rice cereal
4-6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
4 -6 oz butterscotch chips
9 x 13 pan
Butter or margarine (to grease pan only)

Grease your pan with butter or margarine and set aside until needed. Do not use pam as it will not release as well.

Place sugar and syrup in a pan large enough to hold the rice cereal when it's time.

Stir constantly until is reaches a rolling edge boil. Do not over boil or the sugar will harden once the treats are made and you will never… ever… get your teeth thru them. Yes I did it, but it only took once to learn that lesson. You just want it to start a consistent boil around the edges of the pan.

Remove from heat and add the peanut butter. Stir it in well.

Add the rice cereal and stir to coat all the cereal evenly. Now I have modified the recipe here a bit. My mom uses 6 cups of cereal and I think the original recipe calls for that amount as well. I think they are a bit too gooey so I increased my cereal. Just note that you can experiment with the cereal amount between 6-8 cups.

Once you have the peanut butter and the cereal mixed well pour it into the greased pan and press it into the pan. I have found the back of a greased spoon works well or a square of wax paper as the mixture is still very warm to use your clean hands.

Now, melt the chocolate chips and butter scotch chips together in a double boiler. If you prefer a thicker layer of chocolate increase the quantities to 6 oz each. (Again, I have done both and this is purely a preference) If you don't have a double boiler you may melt them in the microwave taken careful measures not to burn it. You will need to microwave for about 25 seconds and stir, then repeat that process until melted smooth.

Pour the chocolate mixture over the top of the pressed PB treats and spread to cover them.

Now with melted chocolate or baking chips they do not set up at room temperature. I place my dish in the freezer for a flash freeze of the chocolate taking careful notice of the time in the freezer. NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES!!! You may also place the pan in the fridge if you prefer and leave them longer until the chocolate sets.

Cute them with a large sharp knife into squares and enjoy!

What are some of your favorite family treats?

June 05, 2014
1 Comments

Four Favorites

March 12, 2014

Celebration

Happy Wednesday. Monday is St. Patty's Day and I already have my outfit planned! I have the perfect green blouse but I would love this Blouse with the checks for sure. Love anything with checks!! I make a green smoothie at least 4 mornings every week so when I found this Green Smoothie recipe on pinterest I knew I wanted to give it a try! Yum…pina colada! This Clutch is super cute and you can bet my toes at least will be painted with this Polish.

What are you planning for St. Patty's day? Green beer and brauts, or maybe finding the lucky green chop sticks at Kona? Don't forget today i'm linking up with the girls and here too!

March 12, 2014
3 Comments

DIY Flower Pots

June 04, 2013

Art

It was no ordinary Thursday, No, it was a special event night, spent with my sister, and a few of my best blogger friends, sitting side by side, painting and snacking on scrumptious macarons!

Me~ Meg ~ Erin

Carrie and Morgan, better know as Ampersand Design Studio our lovely hostesses

Last month, yes I am a little behind in sharing, a few lovely ladies met up at the local Anthropologie for a fun evening of DIY crafting for a sweet Mother's day treat! We mixed, mingled, and then painted and giggled. While waiting for our paint to dry we shopped! See? It was a perfect evening! The tables were lined with all the supplies needed to design your pot and even a cute little pick and flag to stick in your plant! We selected our succulents and proudly lined the pots up and proceeded to snap away at our lovely creations! Haha, mine was a bit elementary of sorts, but for once I didn't seem to mind that is was sub par for the course!

A messy table is a sign of a great time!

I think this would make a great craft for the summer with kids for an afternoon of activities! Although all my grandsons are too young for this, I will definitely try this with them when they are a bit older!

Thanks Carrie and Morgan, and Anthropologie for a fun evening and great memories with the girls!

June 04, 2013
2 Comments

Happy Valentines Day

February 14, 2013

Baking

Wishing you the sweetest of days with a hug and a kiss! I hope you spend your day, or evening with that special someone in your life. Regardless of your relationship status, its a day to show those closest to you how much they mean! So if your single girls, grab your best girlfriend and a bottle of wine and toast to finding happiness in yourself and the relationship will follow! Thanks for being mine!!

Happy Valentines!

February 14, 2013
2 Comments

Baubles and Bling and Everything In Between

May 03, 2012

Decor

Mother's Day is May 13th and you want to show her how grateful you are for everything she does. Hopefully this roundup will help you choose the perfect gift for your mom. If she is a lady after the bling then this first group is for her.

Spike bracelets Ettika//Tortoise link J. Crew//Tortoise bracelet Loren Hope//Necklace Design Darling//Bangle Kate Spade //Earrings Kate Spade//Starfish ringJ. Crew// Friendship bracelet Ettika

If she is sentimental what better than to show her you appreciate her with a hand written note. I am always touched when my boys write me a note in their cards.