Whatever Wednesday -- Marshmallow Fondant

I love the look of a cake covered in fondant, but I can't stand the taste of store bought fondant.  I stumbled across this recipe a little over a year ago and have never looked back.

Marshmallow Fondant

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 (16 oz.) bag mini marshmallows
• 4 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 pounds confectioners' sugar, divided

Directions

1. Place butter in a shallow bowl, and set aside
2. Place the marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 - 60 seconds to start melting the marshmallows.  Carefully stir the water and vanilla extract into the hot marshmallows and stir until the mixture is smooth.  Slowly beat the confectioner's sugar, a cup at a time, until you have a sticky dough.  Reserve 1 cup of powdered sugar for kneading.  The dough will be very stiff.
3. Rub your hands thoroughly with butter, and begin kneadint the sticky dough.  As you knead, the dough will become workable and pliable.  Turn the dough out onto a working surface dusted with confectioners' sugar and continue kneadint until the fondant is smooth and no longer sticky to the touch.  5 to 10 minutes.
4. Form the fondant into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.  To use, allow the fondant to come to room temperature, and roll it out onto a flat surface dusted with confectioners' sugar.

This stuff is great!  It actually tastes pretty good too.  It is very important to refrigerate overnight.  It is much harder to work with it you try and use it immediately after making it.  I forgot to take a picture of it before I used it, so I got this picture from the net.

Come back Friday to see my most recent cake.  I promise you won't want to miss it.

Transform Tuesday -- Fireplace Makeover

One of the things we LOVED about our house when we bought it was the fireplace.  I know it isn't everyone's taste, but we absolutely love it.  You can imagine how sad we were to find out that it wasn't safe to use!

Before:  The original fireplace grate was so UGLY.

After:  This after picture represents lots of frustration and hard work (don't ask...it's a really really long, expensive, hard lesson to learn kind of story) In the end, we finally got the fireplace into working order.  Eventually we will add a beefy mantle that I can actually decorate without worrying that everything will fall off of the 4 inch ledge that is currently there.  We will also change out the picture for one fits the decor of the room and the space better.  For now, we are quite happy with it!

p.s. Mr. Wonderful installed that wood burning stove by himself.  He also had to redo the fire box that the stove sits in and take down and replace 10 layers of brick at the top of the chimney.  Yeah, I'm definitely one lucky girl.

What have you done for Transform Tuesday?  Link it up!!

 

Here are the rules:

1.  Link to your actual post, not to your general blog address.

2.  Grab my Transform Tuesday button and post it somewhere on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBexbGxjHpZL6JzMWtJ6LjXwuOx1CYQvDi0AFQQtF5zCoYwRsjXfOuA01XuiMO7z9zWoFtrin0AtP_TO7tpxiEIDlNZ4c8yJGSGtH0pRC8EL_yBBhK-9zMey09kRZhyQ-m-kP5p8viTrSg/s1600/Transform+Tuesday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"> </P> <P></P> <P style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsCDvqby2iTPyQizTydbTZVZiArP7G4TNduTxKoM0o-jG-kXeSc5h7_cdRCJ_FmC4QXK4uFssdefoPMzIrg6UPrhnLzHkGYgTKvl5RHR6giopvCZ5Cp4BAkUQ-MnPnIkfgw3yu4wSQjw6/s1600/Button+Transform+Tuesday.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>
3.  Go see what everyone else has done and leave them some comment love!

I also linked to these sites.  Go check them out.
• Anti-Procrastination Tuesday@ New Nostalgia
• Take a look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Craft Edition
• Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
• We Did it Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
• Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
• Strut your stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
• Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of my Favorite Things
• Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
• Home and Family Friday @ Home is Where my Story Begins

Messy Monday -- Cornstarch Clay

First, the New You Challenge starts again today.  Read here for details and see my side bar for the training schedule.

I think I am in love with cornstarch.  Not only can you use it while cooking and on diaper rash, you can make cool stuff with it.  Like Cornstarch Gloop and Cornstarch Clay.  Who knew it was so versatile?!

Cornstarch Clay

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 1/3 cups cold water
• 2 cups salt

1. Mix 2/3 cup water with salt and bring to boil.
2. Mix cornstarch with 2/3 cup cold water and stir well.
3. Turn off heat, but leave pan on burner.
4. Stir in cornstarch and water mixture. Just keep stirring until thick dough forms.

5. Turn dough out onto cutting board and let cool a bit.

6. Once you can handle dough, knead it into a smooth dough.

7. Make whatever shapes you want and lay them out to dry.

8. Store the unused dough in a zipper bag in the fridge.

**These cannot be eaten and should not be used with food.

Once dry you can smooth them with some fine grit sand paper. If you want to make beads, put holes in them while wet. Allow for some shrinkage as it drys. Items can be painted once they are totally dry. You can also seal them with a clear sealer if you want to.

What have you done for Messy Monday?  Link it up!

Here are the rules:

1.  Link up using your actual blog post, and not your general blog address.

2.  Grab the Messy Monday button and post it somewhere on your blog.




</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CFLPhXbrx2LwLWzztjTAKUbY1LxAgoeJAny5EEDMNSHbhAXaRJIA1p6uvwMEs0Kqoktrq1h1Ti3As1RnnSGu1JevQnSDIGRyzpm0ZTy5PSWo9mGBEOunpPHNweSfrr_iq0HmexXqyXah/s1600/Messy+Monday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>   </P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BD-VrmJKY6MT9xweSmOq7FX955VNIRkgJegyM8_wwQgXVr07TsgjhgO8jqjj_sUB3BGezI-cR-YD3aBXmRp3TRvYtMjCWBRd5_yjLg8teUOEG0Tkl1zVM-XLJx1EDo9nK6uwEjT5dTJ6/s1600/Button+Messy+Monday.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>

3.  Check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love!!

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!

• Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

• Market yourself Monday @ Sumo’s Sweet Stuff

• Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter

• Anti-Procrastination Tuesday@ New Nostalgia

• Take a look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Craft Edition

• Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
• We Did it Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
• Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
• Strut your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
• Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of my Favorite Things
• Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
• Home and Family Friday @ Home is Where my Story Begins

Blog Swap with Sumo's Sweet Stuff

I am super excited about my very first Blog Swap ever because I get to swap with Summer from Sumo's Sweet Stuff.  She is just the cutest and her daughters are definitely squishable!  Hope you enjoy her tutorial.  Don't forget to go check out her blog for my tutorial!

Hello everyone!

I'm so excited to be guest posting over here today on The Pumpkin Patch!

I'm Sumo, from Sumo's Sweet Stuff!

My real name is Summer, but my husband nicknamed me Sumo when we were dating. (Should I be offended?) Now he's got all of my family, as well as lots of our friends, calling me Sumo. I think Aunt Sumo sounds pretty great, don't you? I live in Utah with my husband, and our two beautiful daughters!

Growing up, I never used to be all that domestic or crafty, so I think no one is more surprised than my mom at how I've ended up where I am today! I started Sumo's Sweet Stuff last May as a place to keep some of my crafting projects so that my personal blog wasn't overrun with them. Somehow, that developed into a place to host giveaways, share tutorials, share recipes, and feature fellow bloggers' ideas and blogs! I also use my blog to promote my etsy shop, so if you're ever in the market for some baby girl accessories, come on over! Every Monday is Market Yourself Monday, where you can link up your latest projects, and visit other blogs to get some inspiration!

I thought I'd share a quick tutorial on some simple fabric flowers. They are quickly becoming one of my favorites!

These fabric flowers are ridiculously easy to make, and I just love the way they look!

What you need:

fabric

hot glue/gun

bling

scissors

clip

circles to trace (I used plastic cups)

You'll want to start out by tracing various sizes of circles, to layer one on top of the other.

Next, put a dot of hot glue in the center of the flower...

and pinch it. (Let the glue cool a bit - I've burned myself many a time making these!)

You can kind of play with the lay of them, but they are really unique!

After you've done however many layers you're planning on, hot glue the layers on top of each other.

Add your bling. (Apparently I spaced it on taking a picture of that step!)

And glue it on to a clip.

Cute, right?

They are also super cute on the fabric/elastic headbands. You can see on some of them that I added some layers of tulle between the fabric.

You can find something every day of the week at Sumo's Sweet Stuff:

Market Yourself Monday

Tutorial Tuesday

Mouth-Watering Wednesday

Things to Try Thursday

Feature Friday

Showcase Saturday

Sponsor Sunday

Thanks again for having me! I hope to see you all over at Sumo's Sweet Stuff soon!

Thoughtful Thursday -- Doing what is right.

Do you ever feel like you have 1000 things pulling you in all different directions?  You know you can't possibly do it all, but you have to because it is all good stuff that you are "supposed" to do.

When I was in college I really struggled with this (and still do).  I felt like if an opportunity came up to do something good, then I should do it!  I spent my days doing good things, but I couldn't figure out why I didn't feel as happy as I wanted to feel.  I was talking to my friend's mom one day and after listening to me for quite some time, she simply said, "The enemy of the BEST isn't the WORST.  It's all the other GOOD that gets in the way."  Did you catch that?  Read it again.

It is so simple yet so profound!  I was spending so much time doing "good" things that I lost sight of the best things...like taking care of myself, reading the Lord's words in His scriptures, saying my prayers, staying connected with my family...

I really took it to heart and realized that although I was filling my life with good things, I was letting those good things crowd out the best things.  I had to re-evaluate my priorities and cut out alot of stuff that wasn't necessary.  It was not easy, but I'm so glad I did!  Once I was focussed on the BEST things I found the happiness that I was trying to find all along.

I have had to go through this process lots of times since then and have learned over and over again that when I am focussed on the BEST I am happy and so is my family.

New You Challenge

I don't know how many of you have noticed the "New You" tab on my sidebar.  If you haven't noticed it, then you are missing out on a really great opportunity!  If you don't want to read the whole post, I'll give you the Cliff's Notes version.

A really great friend of mine emailed me in February and asked me if I wanted to run a half marathon with her in October.  I said YES!!!  We decided to do the walking training schedule first, and then to follow the running training schedule second.  We started at the beginning of April and this weekend our walking schedule is done!  I can't believe it!  We have both done 1/2 marathons before, but it was atleast 1 kid ago for each of us.

I've learned/remembered several things during this process.  First, this is a major time committment, but definitely worth it!  Second, there is nothing sexy about pushing 4 kids on the stroller while dripping sweat from every possible pore in my body.  Third, I have officially graduated from the "spring chicken" category.

About a month ago I was reading my friend's blog and she posted about these amazing new shoes she got.  She said that wearing them while working out has made all of the hip pain she was feeling go away...completely.  I have been having knee pain, hip pain, and lower back pain since I started training, but just assumed it was because I'm not as young as I used to be.  As soon as I heard her talk about these shoes, I was interested.  My husband and I did some major research on these particular shoes, and decided to give them a try.

They are called Vibram Five Fingers.  They look really strange don't they?  I've only had them for about 2 weeks, but so far so good!

 

This is the kind I got.  I wore them to walk in for the first couple of days.  They feel weird the first few times you wear them and they are a bit tricky to get on at first, but it doesn't take long to figure it out.  My friend said that it would take a week or two to get used to them and to the way your feet will feel in them, but after the initial "breaking in" period, they will be the BEST shoes you have ever worn.  So far, I agree with her.  It did take about a week and a half to get used to them, but now I really like them.  Best of all?  All of my knee, hip, and lower back pain is gone. Completely gone!  However, my feet have felt a little sore when I finish running.  You know, like the soreness of being on your feet all day.  Not real pain, just a bit sore.  For now I am assuming it is because my feet and body aren't quite used to "running barefoot".

I wear mine ALL of the time.  I wear them to the grocery store, to the mall, around the house, and to the gym.  I get a lot of comments on them and even more weird looks.  I am loving the fact that my knee, hip, and lower back pain are gone.  I am interested to find out if the "sore" feeling in my feet goes away.  I haven't decided if I am going to train for the 1/2 marathon in only these, or if I'm still going to wear my running shoes too.  I plan to just take it a day at a time and see how my feet feel.

If you are interested in getting some, you can order them directly from their site, or you can find a licensed retailer to get them from.  We ordered mine from REI.  Here is what they look like on my feet.

Are you interested in joining the NEW YOU challenge?  Just leave a comment saying you want in on the fit and fun.  Every Sunday night I change the training schedule listed on my sidebar so you know exactly what you are supposed to be doing on what day.  I am not a licensed trainer, but if you have questions or need help with something I will do my best to help you.  So, let's get moving!!

DISCLAIMER:  I am not a Dr.  I am not an athletic trainer.  I am a stay at home mom who likes to run.  That's all.  In my research on these shoes I saw lots of people who think they are the absolute best things invented and lots of people who think they are the absolute worst things invented.  They are not for everyone.  You may really like them, or you may hate them.  Just don't hate me for recommending them.  :)

I am linking this up to these sites.  Go check them out!!

• Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
• We Did it Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
• Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
• Strut your stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
• Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of my Favorite Things
• Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
• Home and Family Friday @ Home is Where my Story Begins

Transform Tuesday -- Front yard flower beds

I've mentioned before that when we bought this house 3 years ago it needed A LOT of work.  Well, the outside wasn't any different.  These flower beds still need some work and some rearranging, but they are WAY better than they were.  We'll call them a transitional transformation.

Before:  Huge bush with dying trees and sickly hostas.  By the way, when I started cleaning the beds out to get ready to plant I pulled 2.5 garbage cans of rocks out of the dirt.  These were not bathroom garbage cans, they wer outside cans.  Big ones.  I hate rocks.

After:  Green and luscious.  I revived those hostas too.  Moving them to the other side and spreading them out made a huge difference for them and for the flower beds.  Anyone have any suggestions?

What have you done for Transform Tuesday?  Link it up!

Here are the rules:
1.  Link to your actual post, not to your general blog address.
2.  Grab my Transform Tuesday button and post it somewhere on your blog.




</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBexbGxjHpZL6JzMWtJ6LjXwuOx1CYQvDi0AFQQtF5zCoYwRsjXfOuA01XuiMO7z9zWoFtrin0AtP_TO7tpxiEIDlNZ4c8yJGSGtH0pRC8EL_yBBhK-9zMey09kRZhyQ-m-kP5p8viTrSg/s1600/Transform+Tuesday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"> </P> <P></P> <P style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none"><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsCDvqby2iTPyQizTydbTZVZiArP7G4TNduTxKoM0o-jG-kXeSc5h7_cdRCJ_FmC4QXK4uFssdefoPMzIrg6UPrhnLzHkGYgTKvl5RHR6giopvCZ5Cp4BAkUQ-MnPnIkfgw3yu4wSQjw6/s1600/Button+Transform+Tuesday.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>
3.  Go see what everyone else has done and leave them some comment love!

I also linked to these sites.  Go check them out.
• Anti-Procrastination Tuesday@ New Nostalgia
• Take a look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Craft Edition
• Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
• We Did it Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
• Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
• Strut your stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
• Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of my Favorite Things
• Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
• Home and Family Friday @ Home is Where my Story Begins

Messy Monday -- How to cut a watermelon

The winners of my ad spot giveaway are Lanie Ree from Life in the Pitts and Morgan from Meet Virginia.  Send me an email ladies and we'll get your buttons up!

Since today is the first day of summer, I thought I would show you how to cut a watermelon.  This can definitely make for a Messy Monday, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.  I can cut an entire watermelon in about 5 minutes and the mess in minimal.

How to cut a Watermelon

• watermelon
• long sharp knife
• shorter sharp knife
• cutting board
• large bowl

1. Gather your supplies

2. Cut watermelon in half and then in half again

3. Now comes the fun part.  We're going to cut a grid into each quarter.  Follow the pictures to see where to cut.

4. After your grid is cut, flip each quarter over and dump the pieces into the bowl

5. using your shorter knife, cut along the edge of your grid and cut off the rest of the watermelon.  It should look like this when you're done.

6. There you have it...a bowl full of watermelon and a much smaller mess!

What have you done for Messy Monday?  Link it up!!

Here are the rules:

1.  link up the actual post, not the address to your blog.

2.  Grab the Messy Monday button and post it on your blog somewhere.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CFLPhXbrx2LwLWzztjTAKUbY1LxAgoeJAny5EEDMNSHbhAXaRJIA1p6uvwMEs0Kqoktrq1h1Ti3As1RnnSGu1JevQnSDIGRyzpm0ZTy5PSWo9mGBEOunpPHNweSfrr_iq0HmexXqyXah/s1600/Messy+Monday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>   </P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BD-VrmJKY6MT9xweSmOq7FX955VNIRkgJegyM8_wwQgXVr07TsgjhgO8jqjj_sUB3BGezI-cR-YD3aBXmRp3TRvYtMjCWBRd5_yjLg8teUOEG0Tkl1zVM-XLJx1EDo9nK6uwEjT5dTJ6/s1600/Button+Messy+Monday.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>
3.  Go see what everyone else has done and leave them some comment love!!

I'm also linking to these sites, so go check them out!
• Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

• Market yourself Monday @ Sumo’s Sweet Stuff

• Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter

• Anti-Procrastination Tuesday@ New Nostalgia

• Take a look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Craft Edition

• Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
• We Did it Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
• Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
• Strut your stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
• Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of my Favorite Things
• Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
• Home and Family Friday @ Home is Where my Story Begins

Leaving on a jet plane...

Just kidding.  We're actually driving.  My little brother is graduating from Navy boot camp this weekend in Chicago, so we're going to support him.  I'm excited.  All of the kids are farmed out to really great friends and we're off.

Back to normal on Monday.

Car Scent Hangers for Dad

We made some little car scent thingies for our Dads in preschool and I thought you all might like to see them.  They are super easy, take little time, and very little money.  Can't beat that!

We went with a "Super Star" theme.  We are making little cards that talk about how our Dads are Super Stars and we're goiing to make them Star shaped sugar cookies.

Materials

• felt in desired colors
• mod podge
• yarn
• scissors
• cookie cutters in desired shapes
• pencil
• sharpie
• scented oil

1. Trace the desired shape onto your desired felt.  Make 2 of everything so that it can be the same on both sides.

2. Carefully cut out the shapes and write whatever you want on them.

3. Using an old paint brush, mod podge each side together, but don't put it completely together.

4. Put yarn in between and glue both sides together.

5. Once completely dry, put a few drops of scented oil on hanger.

6. Give to Dad so he can put it in his car and make it smell good.

*If Dad doesn't like it or doesn't want it hanging in his car, he can also put it in the ash tray, or in the glove box, or under the seat...it will still make the car smell good.

I am linking to these sites.  Go check them out!

• Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
• We Did it Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
• Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
• Strut your stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
• Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of my Favorite Things
• Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
• Home and Family Friday @ Home is Where my Story Begins