Robins Nest Easter Treats

Today at lunch my Mother-in-law and I reminisced about her Easter memories and we talked about mine. Low and behold way back when my Mother-in-law remembers these treats too. Although, back then they used a lighter ingredient than the ready made chowmein noodles, but neither of us has a clue as to what it was. So the texture is a little different but the idea is the same ;) Her mother like my grand-mother were very traditional and created very similar Easter traditions. The Robins Nests were one of her favorites too and she can remember looking forward to these beautiful sweet treats every year along with a lamb cake. We always had a bunny cake, but I was extatic to learn she STILL has the same lamb mold her mother used so so long ago. I look forward to an incredible Easter with my incredible family and all the traditions that we hold the same and all the new ones we will create together. Here is my simple guide to beautiful and traditional Robins Nests that your kiddos will adore, cherish, and remember for years to come.

Supplies:

Parchment Paper

Candy Melts-Chocolate, Caramel or Peanut Butter ( I tend to use chocolate)

Chowmein noodles

Cadburry malted eggs (they look the most realistic and are traditional, but you can use the whopper version if you know your kiddos love them).

*Peeps (only if you want, these I added just for our little ones because they adore them)

Large Cello Bags (or medium treat boxes)

1st and foremost, lay out a long stretch of parchment. Then follow the directions on your candy melt package ( I use these because they are easy to work with and set up fast, they are fail safe and you can add other flavors). Next, my son likes to lay out bundles on the paper ( I like to mix my chowmein right inside the bowl because it is cleaner) then drizzle some chocolate right over the bundles. The messy part is up next. use your hands to mold little nests and then add your robins eggs to the center. You may need to add a little candy melt to get your eggs to stick, but I think you only need to do this step if you are sending these off and they will be traveling. Let these set for at least 30 minutes before bagging or boxing them up. I recommend laying a piece of parchement under each nest to keep it from sticking and making your bags less than pretty.

Have fun and enjoy making new traditions this year!

Easter Crafting Madness . . .

So it is almost time to break out the messy dyes from the cheap-o box of easter egg dying kits, the peeps, the chocolate bunnies, and all those jellybeans! Or not . . . lets get a little creative here and think outside the box! What if there were a really cool way to create georgeous beyond belief easter eggs that are not only a breeze, but clean too! I have a blog for you to check out (because I have way too much on my plate to go back through my pictures and post directions for you)! Head to your local thrift shop and snag some .50 100% silk ties and get ready to chop em' up :) "Our Best Bites" has the best tutorial and the best step by step images to help you create "TIE" dyed eggs worht swooning over. My only input would be to blow your eggs . . . (for those who might be worried about the safety of the tie print transferring to your egg).
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/03/silk-dyed-eggs.html

Have fun and check back in a few days for edible nests filled with little eggs. These are a major hit in my family today, and I remember these were my favorite easter basket filler from my Grandma Jean when I was just a wee one :) I would barter by little brother for his too!

Happy Easter Creating,
~A

A Double Delicious Baby Shower . . .

For months now I have been so desperate to put together something "uber" girlie . . . after a miscarriage in December my passions fizzled down to a trickle and nothing sounded very fun or inticing. I wondered if my passion for baking, designing, creating . . . and all the other things I usually loved would ever come back. I half heartedly put together some small things here and there and I slowly started to get back into the swing of things. Finally about a month ago I got the hankering to create in a big way. But what excuse could I find to put together all of the things in my busy little mind? A baby shower? Of course! 2 of my very close friends are due to have babies within weeks of eachother . . . I know ironic that a baby shower would get me going given the circumstances, but they are both having girls! I just could not resist the temptations within. So it started out with table cloths . . . and then some swanky handmade banners . . . adorable giant paper Peonies, flower arrangements (with fab peonies I found at Trader Joe's for a fab price) . . . pink candies of many . . . the most precious simple pink double chocolate cupcakes with vanilla rum whipped frosting . . . vanilla covered brownie pops, decorated chocolate bar favors, a fruity pink trifle . . . and pink knickknacks galore! What was even more fun was that I had 2 rockers one for each mommy! I tied up 2 set of receiving blankets in super cute pink ribbon and then added handmade little tags (with my 1st attempt at calligraphy) and placed them on their chairs with gifts beside them. Sweet does not even describe the atmosphere here on that day. To top it off I made sure to play 3rd Days lullabies and to light my Laura's Lemon Loaf candle. Third day has the greatest CD out for your nursery. Here is the amazon link for their wonderful CD: http://www.amazon.com/Third-Day-Lullaby-Tribute/dp/B0014JBTVU.

I must say it feels good to be (close to) back to my old self.

Congratulations to the adorable mommies and their families!