Pink Hippo Party!

So now that Halloween is over.. I thought it would be fun to start something new..

So here it is!  Every Monday I am going to be hosting a
Pink Hippo Party!

Rules Suck.. so here are some simple suggestions to make it fair.

1. Please link up to your specific blog post and not your main blog page.

2.  Please grab a button and share with your bloggy friends.

3.  Please share the love and leave some compliments.

Link Up Here for the First Pink Hippo Party!

Boo To You!

Yesterday was my Girl Scout Halloween party!  Yeah!  My lovely coleader decided that she was going to be in charge of everything.. but you know me.. I just had to do SOMETHING!  So I decided that I would like to make a Candy Corn Guessing Game! 



I made him out of some felt that I had, ribbon, a large recycled orange juice bottle, scrapbook paper and of course the candy corns!  My littlest guy and I had a great time tasting .. umm filling the bottle!

The winning guess was 596 candy corns.. the real answer was 697!  Needless to say she was VERY happy to take home all of those delicious candy corns!

This would a great Halloween gift for a teacher or just plain fun for Boo'ing!  Hope you try one!!

P.S.  I got my inspiration for this project over at Southern Fried Dreams @ http://southernfrieddreams.blogspot.com/

I linked this project to Upcycled Awesome @ http://www.thetshirtdiaries.com/

and at Wild Wednesday Link UP @ http://craftycierra.blogspot.com/
and To Making It With Allie @ http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/

Love,

Pinkapotamus

Witches Brew Cupcakes

Just to give a small insight into my very crazy busy life.. here is what I did today! 

I got up at 5 am and baked 2 dozen chocolate cupcakes to match the 3 dozen vanilla cupcakes that I made yesterday.  Then I got the kids ready, cleaned up a bloody nose after a tumble, dropped one off at school, got the second one to my sister in law, went to co op for my littlest guy, cleaned up from their pumpkin festival, got lunch, helped my grandma, came home to ice the cupcakes and decorate them, posted this blog and then off to the Harvest Festival!  When all of that is done then it is time to head home to make dinner and get the kids ready for bed, clean the house and get some rest!

So here is the reason for the post today.. just to showcase some cute cupcakes that I made for the festival.  They are witches brew cupcakes filled with some gummy worms!

Here are the green and purples ones!

So if you notice that my posts are not everyday and not always totally awesome.. it is just because I am really crunched for time!

Hope you have fun with your crazy day too!

Love,

Pinkapotamus

Paint Bucket Mummy

Every year at Halloween my kids and I buy the same plastic pumpkins for trick or treat buckets.  This year I decided to go green and use some of the old paint buckets that we had lying around the house from our recent renovations.   I have been REALLY crunched for time lately so I have only made one.. but here is the result!

He will soon be joined on his other side by a Vampire.  Then I am going to make a Frankenstein/Mummy and a Princess/Witch!  Can't wait to show you!

I will post a quick tutorial in a few days.. it was really easy and quick!

I am linking this to Thrilling Thursday @ http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/

and to A Crafty Soiree @ http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/ and to What Are Little Boys are Made of @ http://733blog.blogspot.com/

Love,

Pinkapotamus!

Hoo Are you... #19

Lets get to know each other a little better this week!  With Night Owl Crafting's Hoo Are You at http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/

Here are this week's fun questions!

1.What was your favorite meal growing up?

We ate a lot of boiled meat when I was a kid... so my favorite meal growing up was Pot Roast.

2. What's your favorite month?

My favorite month is October because it contains both my favorite season and holiday Halloween!

3. What store is most represented in your wardrobe?

Kohl's!  I love most everything from the Juniors department and they have great sales with coupons!

4. How many times do you go to the movie theater each month/year?

I have a date night with one of my girlfriends.  We meet once to twice a month for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and a movie. 

5. Fill in the blank- I've never been able to

Say NO!  It's a sickness really.. anyone needs something and I can't say NO!

Apple Fest!

I love anything apple related!  So Mr. Pinkapotamus and I took the little ones apple picking and then we came home and got to making some apple deliciousness!

We started by making applesauce and then moved on the apple pie and apple dumplings! 

Today I am sharing the apple pie recipe!

Ingredients:

Pie Filling

7 cups thinly sliced

(crispin and red delicious)

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

Pie Crust

4 cups flour

2 cups butter

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp white vinegar

1 egg

ice cold water to make 1/2 cup liquid

I like to start by making the pie filling so that the flavors can marinate as I make the crust. 

For the filling peel and cut the apples into thin slices. 

Then coat them in both sugars and cinnamon. 

Put aside.

For the the crust, I use the mixer. 

Combine the flour and salt. 

Make sure your butter is super cold from the fridge and cut into pats.  Add to the mixer and mix until crumbly. 

Once the mixture is crumbly turn the mixer off and add the liquid a little at a time.  I mix it with my hands until it is not too sticky. 

I then take the crust and split it into 4 parts (I save 2 parts for dumplings).  I take two parts and roll them each into a ball then roll it on a floured counter into a circle.  I add one layer to the bottom of my pan.. ( I use a cake pan becuase I broke all of my pie plates) 

Add the filling and cover with the second pie crust.   Squeeze the ends together and roll around the edges.  Then give it a quick egg wash, poke with a fork and sprinkle with coarse sugar. 

Bake at 375 for 1/2 hour and then at 400 for 10 minutes until golden brown.  Then let cool and enjoy!

And by the way I HATE making crust!  No only does my counter get really messy but it is a giant a pain in the butt!  Of course the results are sooo yummy that I make it anyway!  Its worth all the smiles!
Come back tomorrow for apple dumplings!

I am linking this to What's Cooking Wednesday @ http://notsohomemade.blogspot.com/

Love,

Pinkapotamus

Bubble bubble Toil & Trouble~

This is my submission for the Trick your Pumpkin contest at Plaid!  The rules are simple you must make a pumpkin that is 3 dimensional using plaid products.  I decided to make a pumpkin witches cauldron candy bowl!  Here it is with tutorial!

Start with a large carvable pumpkin.  I used a white one as I thought it would be easier to paint.

If you don't want to cut it yourself find an available husband to help.  Mine cut the top off with a rotozip.. quick, easy and painless!

Then I painted the pumpkin black.

Next I cut paper in the shape of potion drips and painted it purple.

Once the paint dried I then applied it to the cauldron using Mod Podge.  Then I covered the entire pumpkin with Mod Podge sparkle.

Once the Mod Podge was dry I used scrapbook paper and my trusty Cricut to cut out the words Witches Cauldron Co.   I Mod Podged this around a picture of a witch flying on her broom.

Fill the cauldron with the candy of your choice and display! 

I am going to display mine with a witchy mirror that I made.  My trick or treaters will be able to see themselves as a witch and eat her candy too!

Happy Trick or Treating!

I am linking this to Saturday Spotlight @

http://nv-craftenvy.blogspot.com/ and to Making the world cuter monday @ http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/ and to Market Yourself Monday @ http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

and to Craftastic Monday @ http://sewcando.blogspot.com/ and at All About You Monday @ http://texasmonkey.blogspot.com/

and at Sugar and Spice Link Party @ http://733blog.blogspot.com/

Love,

Pinkapotamus

Another blog Award... for you too!

So this morning I got another blog award!  In fact, this is the second Happy 101 that I have received!

I received this cute little award from both Kati @ The Multi Purpose Life and from Tana @ Little Birdseeds! 

The rules for this award are:

1. Post who it was that gave you the award.

2. List 10 things that you like.

3. Give this award to 10 other blogs and let them know with a comment

Ten Things I Like (in no particular order)

1. Coffee

2. Pumpkin Flavored Anything

3. Fall

4. Turtlenecks

5. Scarves

6. My kids and hubby

7. The gym

8. Baking

9. Crafting

10. Reading

Now for my ten bloggy friends who I am going to share this with!

1. Aumie @ http://aumiedoesit.blogspot.com/

2. Judy @ http://judyscardmakingandpapercrafts.blogspot.com/

3. Leslie @ http://judyscardmakingandpapercrafts.blogspot.com/

4. Carrie & Mike @ http://livingahealthybeachlife.blogspot.com/

5. Autumn @ http://theadviceofamadmother.blogspot.com/

6. Dana @ http://danajeanward.blogspot.com/

7. Amanda @ http://snipsandsnailsandtales.blogspot.com/

8. Jami @ http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/

9. AZ Party Mama & Elizabeth @ http://twokidsandaparty.blogspot.com/

10. Mrs. Jenk @ http://yourlittlebirdie.blogspot.com/

Have a great day ladies and share the love!

Love,

Pinkapotamus!

Science Experiements 101

If you didn't stop by my blog swap last week with Crafty Cierra.. here is a look at my Halloween project post!

My kids LOVE anything that has anything to do with science.  So this Halloween I thought that it would be fun to do some spooky science experiements for creepy Halloween decoarations.   We took several of our recycled glass jars and some bottles of corn syrup and for about $7 we had some FUN!

First we cleaned out our jars and removed the labels. 

Then we poured in the food coloring and added our creepy additions.  We used the items that GROW as they absorb water.. we are waiting to see if they grown in corn syrup (after several days of floating.. they didn't grow). 

Then we made labels that my son made up.  He called them "Green Death", "Eyeball Stew" and "Blue Venom"  Isn't he cute?

Then we glued the labels onto spooky Halloween paper and made cards that stand with the names. 

We displayed it all together on our shoe organizer (which I won't show you because it is too messy!) and viola we have a super creepy.. super cute display!

You can't tell in the picture but there is a skeleton floating in there!

And lastly here it all is together with the spider webbing that is hanging ALL over my house!  So glad the kids love to decorate for Halloween!

Happy Haunting!

I am linking this to a Crafty Soiree @ http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Love,

Pinkapotamus!

Toilet Paper Pumpkins!

Friday was my first Brownie meeting of the season!  (Phew, I made it!)  I have 14 third grade girls so I have to have projects that ALL the girls can make.  Sometimes this can be a challenge.  I have been seeing toilet paper pumpkins everywhere and thought that this would be FUN.  Also with Girl Scouts.. everything is on a budget.. so I have to find activities that are inexpensive. 



  I luckily (or unluckily) enough had a whole package of scratchy toilet paper from BJ's that we didn't like so we donated it to the crafting cause.  Then I went to visit my dear friend Joann and picked up 4 yards of orange burlap since it was on sale.  Then I also bought a package of raffia.  Total cost $8.  Whoo hoo!

First I cut the burlap into 16" x 16" squares on the cutting mat.  The I cut the raffia into bundles and packaged each one in a baggie (which I reuse for each meeting.. use resources wisely). with a piece of an old toilet paper roll

Place the toilet paper roll in the center of the burlap and tuck it inside starting with the corners. 

So easy my 3 year old made one too!

Then glue around the folded toilet paper roll and stuff it in the hole.  Then tie with a raffia bow. 

For the girls, I also gave them black felt to make jack o lantern faces.  It was soo much fun to see how different each one was!  For mine.. I used some old silk sunflowers!  Here are mine and my daughter's!

These were super easy, inexpensive and cute!  Hope you try them with your little ones!

Love,

Pinkapotamus

Old Lady SPICY Chicken!

Gotta start my week out right by saying a HUGE thanks to several lovely ladies for featuring my diaper trike this week!  This was one of my favorite projects.. so thanks to Jami at The Blackberry Vine @ http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/ and to Jill  at Creating My Way to Success @ http://jembellish.blogspot.com !  Also a HUGE thanks to Kati @ The Multi Purpose Life for Shooting me a BLOG AWARD!  Keep on the look out.. you might be next to get one! (hint.. hint.. check back tomorrow!)

This makes me sooo happy.. now on to the POST~

This post is NOT in offense to ANY old ladies out there!  In fact, old ladies are some of my favorite people, like my Grandma who is 90!

That is my little guy walking my Grandma!  Too cute!

This recipe is lovingly named "Old lady Spicy Chicken" for the lady whose name we did not get, who gave us this recipe at a party!  She was AWESOME and an AMAZING cook!  Also it is Kinda fun to say it!

(Also if any of you like the Frank's red hot commercial with the old lady who says, "I put that S*** on everything" .. it makes it all the funnier!)

So onto the recipe!

Ingredients

1 cup of olive oil

1 package of skinless boneless chicken

2 small cans of tomato sauce

Frank's red hot

cayanne pepper

salt and pepper

Start by heating up 1 cup of olive oil in a large sauce pan. 

Cut up chicken into bite size pieces. 

Then cook until no longer pink and season with salt and pepper. 

Add in the two cans of tomato sauce, Frank's red hot to taste (I can't tell you an exact amount as it depends on how SPICY you like it.. I like a lot so I add about 10 - 15 generous shakes!), and a few sprinkles of red pepper flakes. 

Let everything come to a boil, then simmer covered for about an hour. 

Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over rice with a salad!  Yum-O!

Hope this puts some spice in your week!

I am linking this to the Show off your stuff Party @ http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

Love,

Pinkapotamus!

Crafty Ciera Blog Swap!

Hey bloggers! This is Cierra from cRafTyCiErRa (you can visit Pinkapotamus there today!) I just started blogging last week, so be easy on me! I am a mother & wife. I love to craft & cook for my family! It seems to get me through those crazy days! I love doing anything that has to do with ribbon & paint! I like to do crafts that are cheap in price but look like they cost way more! I wanted to start blogging because I love crafting & sharing my ideas with others! My favorite craft right now are these Wooden Pumpkins for Fall! I have so much fun making them & I hope you will too! They are super cheap & easy to make but the best part is...how many compliments you will recieve on them!

ITEMS NEEDED: Orange paint, brown paint, paint brush, green ribbon, green wire, scissors, glue, small wooden pole (found at any craft store), & a pole of landscape timber (found at Home Depot)

COST: This entire project cost me $12 & once you have the wood you can make TONS more!

1. Cut the timber into 3 1/2, 5, & 7 inch blocks

2. Cut the wooden pole into 3 - 1 inch blocks

3. Paint the timber orange (I did 2 coats)

4. Paint the wooden poles (stems) brown

5. After the paint has dried, glue the stems onto the top of the timber

6. Cut off 3 long sections of wire & wrap them around the handle of the paint brush to make curls

7. Wrap the wire around the stems twice so it will hold well

8. Cut your ribbon into 3 strips & tie them into a bow on top of the wire

AND YOUR DONE!

I hope you will have as much fun making these as I did! Please visit me at cRaFtYCiErRa & follow my blog to see other fun crafts, recipes, & more! Thanks for reading & happy crafting!

Cierra Larsen