Wednesday Fun: This is NOT the Swedish Chef You're Thinking Of

I...um...well. How to intro this one?

This link is from our beloved Kashka_z.

And it has bacon.

...and a man smearing butter on a pan with his feet.

...while speaking Swenglish?

Go watch it. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3d-qENAaNbM

Wednesday Fun #77 - Easter Egg "Tie" Dyeing Idea

Over on Cool Mom Picks I saw this kit for dyeing eggs using vintage silk ties. "Huh," I thought, "that doesn't sound too hard. I wonder if there are directions on-line for doing that, 'cuz picking up some ties cheap at Goodwill would certainly be less $ than ordering the kit..."

So I found this thing where Martha Stewart had been on the Today show back in 2007 demonstrating it. Doesn't look too hard at all, so I might give it a try.

Here's where somebody else tried out Martha's idea, with great pix.

And another, with super pictures of the eggs and the ties they came from.


So, anybody else thinking about giving these a try? If so, please post your pix!

(Or any other beautiful eggs you make! Dyeing eggs is my favorite part of Easter!)

Wednesday Fun #75 - It's Not Just For Food...

While looking through and old cookbook the other day I found a recipe for something I used to LOVE to make as a child that isn't food. What was it you ask? A Crystal Garden of course.

Did any of you make these when you were young? They're so much fun!

Hence, today's fun post of what non-food items do you have recipes for? Super salty and safe for kids to eat Play-doh maybe? A good recipe for big bubbles? Finger paints? Do share!

Crystal Garden
4 T salt
4 T water
4 T laundry bluing
1 T ammonia

Combine ingredients and pour over some pieces of coal, brick or clean stones in pan. (We always used charcoal, and a disposable pie tin works well for the pan.) Sprinkle a FEW drops of various food coloring over the mix. Do not disturb. In a few hours, tiny, colored crystals will begin to form and will continue to grow for a few days.

Cakes, good and bad... or awful and AWESOME

You might already know about Cake Wrecks, which are good for a laugh or wince of disgust.

But here, HERE is a cake that is way awesome - the Indiana Jones Temple of Doom Idol cake by Clever Cake Studio.

(via Accidental Hedonist)

Simple Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Open Face Sandwiches

I just posted this over at Musings & Mutterings, but I just know if I want to remember how I did them, I'm going to be looking over here, so I figured I might as well double-post these. Fun, and not as time-consuming as I thought they'd be.

Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Open Face Sandwiches

First, we used a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cheese. I used American slices (NOT individually wrapped!) and did three at a time. Peeling the outside edges before taking off the cutter works well.


After cutting out ALL the cheese slices, I cut out the jack-o-lantern faces. Again, keeping them together as the three-at-a-time I did before worked well, except that last one was always a little tricky to get the eyes and nose out. Still, MUCH better than one at a time!


Then it was time to cut out the bread. Unfortunately, that was one slice at a time, but it didn't go too badly. Pushing the cutter down and then wiggling the whole thing around on the cutting board for a little bit helps get through the last bit cleanly. Again, peeling off the outer edges first makes it easier.

Then I buttered the breads and we put a cheese pumpkin face on each.



Done!

(Aren't they cute?!)

(And all the leftover cheese and bread bits were used up in an egg bake for supper that night! Brilliant, if I do say so myself!)

Wednesday Fun #29 - Maybe NEXT Easter...

Instead of a question this week, I bring you this fabulous idea...

Easter Cakes Baked In Egg Shells!

Imagine it - peeling what you think is a hard-boiled egg (but probably a strangely lightweight one) ... and finding... cake?! Inside the eggshell? Cool!

No, seriously, Maggie over at Mighty Girl did it, and here's her post about it.

She links to this post where she got the idea.

It's too late for Easter this year, but oh, doesn't that sound like fun for next year?! I'm thinking that cake mix with the confetti dots inside would look really cool.


P.S. If you want to answer a question, HERE's one that's looking for responses.

Minas Tirith

Ok- not really a recipe, but it is food-related. And I really thought you should see this.
It's a candy model of Minas Tirith during the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Sort of the ultimate geek gingerbread house. (though I believe they used icing covered cardboard for walls, rather than gingerbread-but that doesn't make it any less cool). They've obviously upped their game from last year's Helm's Deep model. Here's the link for more photos:
Minas Tirith

Peep Jousting

Wog feels that if this site is called "recipeeps" that it should have some kind of Peep recipe. Especially since they make Peeps all year round now. This is the closest I can get. Fun for adults and children alike! (My dad loves it.)

1. Place two peeps of any kind on a plate, "standing", and facing each other. (We find this works best with ducks as they have the larger base.)

2. Place toothpicks into peeps as if they were each holding a lance.

3. Choose sides.

4. Place peep plate in microwave and set for one minute.

5. Peeps will expand as microwave runs. First peep to "impale" (hit) the other one with it's "lance" wins! (this will take under 1 min)