Crochet Animals

Recently I have been interested in crocheting, and I'm currently learning the basics of crochet.  For those of you who do not know what crochet is, it is a craft that many people like to do on their free time.  In order to crochet you need the basic materials- a crochet hook and some yarn.  The sizes or the hook and yarn depend on what design you are making.

Anyway, while I was looking in a crochet book, I discovered a cute crochet animal.  It was so adorable that I decided to look for more crochet animals and other characters.  In Japanese small crochet animals and creatures are called amigurumi (ah-mee-guh-roo-mee).  Here are some that I found:

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(Click on photo to go to website for this image)

Safari crochet animals by Amy Gaines

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Cute crochet cupcakes by "Cute Designs"

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A crocheted chicken next to a real egg

By Howie Woo

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Sweet Sunday: Chocolate Delights

Happy Sunday!

I hope your week went well.

This is a post that I created a while ago, but forgot to post.  

Anyway, (once again) my wonderful Aunty Donna and Janelle baked some chocolate treats for my family.  (Thank you!)

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Chocolate cake= mmm, mmm, goodness

Droplet wants some of this chocolate cupcake!

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Once again, thank you Aunty Donna and Janelle for always thinking of my family in a sweet way! :)

xoxo,

Julia

http://julia-juliatalk.blogspot.com

Copyright © 2012 Julia of Julia Talk.  All rights reserved.

Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker" Part 2)

Hello Friends,

As promised this is the continuation of my two part series, Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker Part 1").  In part 1 I taught you how to make your own batch of brownies using "Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix", and I made two batches myself.  One with the oven and one with my "Babycakes Cupcake Maker".

In this next part of my brownie baking day, I got together a group of the finest judges in the business, who are experienced tasters and chefs.  They will be tasting both brownies and seeing which brownie they like better.

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Please welcome...

 Chef Butler

 Chef Baxter

 Chef Droplet

 and Chef Berrington

Since dogs cannot eat chocolate, and therefore definitely not triple chocolate brownies, Buddy had to sit out on this one.  Sorry Buddy. 

 Buddy smelling the brownies through the window

Today the judges will be tasting two different brownies: 

Oven brownies

"Babycakes" Brownies

The two competitors side-by-side

Each judge will receive one oven brownie, one "Babycakes" brownie, a plate, a fork, and a napkin.

 So get your tasting materials, and let's get started!

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Baking Day: Brownies (Oven Vs. "Babycakes Cupcake Maker" Part 1)

You know those days when you have the sudden urge to bake?  Today was one of those days for me.

So, I opened up my pantry and found a box of "Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix".  Perfect.  Next, I got out materials and other ingredients needed for the brownies.

Ingredients:
-1 package of "Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix"
-1 egg
-Non-stick cooking spray
-1/3 cup vegetable oil
-1/3 cup water

Materials:
-8x8 metal pan
-Medium sized mixing bowl
-Measuring cup
-Mixing tools (whisk, spatula, etc...)
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 Materials needed: Pan, mixing bowl, mixing tools, measuring cup

 Ingredients needed: Egg, brownie mix, vegetable oil, water, cooking spray

 Step 1: Mix together water, egg, and oil in medium sized bowl

 Step 2: Add brownie mix and mix thoroughly

 This is how your brownie mix should look after blending ingredients together

 Step 3: Pour brownie mix into metal pan

Step 4: Put brownie mix into oven at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes

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While I was waiting for the brownies to come out of the oven, I got bored so I decided to make another batch.  However the second batch I decided to bake with my "Babycakes Cupcake Maker".

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