Soccer Bleacher Cupcake Stand

When I started planning our Soccer party, I had the vision of my cupcakes sitting on bleachers watching all the action.

I'm not entirely sure I succeeded, but I wanted to share the simple how to.

I started with 4 of these simple baskets from Walmart (but you can get them at the Dollar stores too) and a sheet of black foam core board.

I cut the foam board into three pieces along the width of the board.

The pieces were 2 1/2 inches wide, 5 inches wide, and 7 1/2 inches wide.

I used 2 of the baskets on the bottom and placed the largest (7 1/2 inch) board on top.

To finish the stadium, I used another basket and put the 5 inch board on top so it was sitting towards the back, but stable on the basket.

I did the same for the top tier with the 2 1/2 inch board.

Now the cupcakes can sit in the front part of each stadium seat and "watch" the game.

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Ingredient Spotlight-Cheesy Garlic Crescent Rolls

I am almost embarrassed to even call this a recipe, but the subject for today’s Ingredient Spotlight is crescent rolls and other canned biscuits and rolls.  These are so good.  You bite into them and find ooey, gooey melted cheese inside.

Any kind of cheese can be used in these.  I use mozzarella when I make them for Italian type dishes, pepper jack when using with Mexican type dishes,  and cheddar with lots of different dishes.  The cheddar cheese rolls are really wonderful with tomato soup.

I buy cheese  by the loaf, so I make cheese “sticks” that are about 1/4-inch x 1/4-inch x 2 1/2 inches long to make these.  If sliced cheese is used, just cut slices into 1/4-inch strips and stack them until they are 1/4-inch tall.

I sometimes add other herbs such as oregano, basil, rosemary, etc. to these.

Cheesy Garlic Crescent Rolls
1 can Crescent Rolls
3 T. butter
1/2 t. garlic powder
8 1/4-inch “sticks” cheese of your choice (see above)

Melt butter in a glass measuring cup.  Add garlic powder and let stand for 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.  Open can of crescent rolls and unroll a triangle.  Brush  triangle with the melted garlic butter.  Place a “stick” of cheese along the large end of the triangle.  Roll triangle from large to small end, encasing the cheese inside the dough.  Place on foil-lined baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Brush each roll with more garlic butter.  Bake at 375 degrees 11-15 minutes.  Remove from oven and brush rolls with any remaining garlic butter.   Makes 8 rolls.

Linking to:  Ingredient Spotlight

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Soccer Ball Chocolate Candy Box Favor & Free Printable

I always love fun, themed, EDIBLE favors for a party, and these soccer ball chocolate boxes are one of my favorite ideas of all time.  They are sweet treats filled with sweet treat for a unique and tasty gift.

And today, I want to share with you how to make them.

They are pretty easy with the right tools and mold.

For this project you will need:

Soccer Pour Box Mold

White Chocolate Wafers

Black Chocolate

M&Ms or other small candy

I REALLY love my candy writer and HIGHLY recommend these for filling in mold.

I do use my candy bottles for the basic colors, but for colors you can't get chocolate in easily (like black) these candy writers are AMAZING.

I'm hoping to be able to offer these soon in our store, but I did get mine in the baking aisle at Michaels.

To use them, simply put them in hot water and wait about 5 minutes.  The tube and chocolate inside will be "squishy" and easy to need.

Use the chocolate pen to outline the areas of the mold in the middle and every other side.  Its easiest to pick it up and tilt the mold.  Fill the outer edge of the area and then the inside.  Be sure to use a toothpick or the edge of the pen to make sure you get all edges and lines filled.

The mold is taller on the bottom side, so use a towel to keep your box level and place in the refrigerator to harden for a few minutes.

While your black is hardening, melt your white chocolate wafers.

WARNING: White chocolate burns very easily!

The easiest way to melt your chocolate is to melt it in 1 minute intervals in your microwave at 50% power.  Be sure to stir between minutes.

Once your white chocolate is melted, take your mold out of the fridge and let both sit until the chocolates are at room temperature.

You want your white chocolate to be as cool as possible (while still pourable) so it won't melt the black when you pour it in.

Once your chocolate is ready, fill your cavities with chocolate.

When they are almost filled, tap your mold (keeping it level!) on the counter.  This will cause the air bubbles in the chocolate to rise to the top and even out the chocolate.

Place your mold back into the refrigerator (once again making sure its level) to harden.  This will take a few hours depending upon your refrigerator temperature.

The chocolate will be ready when you can see that it has pulled away from the mold by looking at the bottom of the pour box.  It should pop out cleanly and easily.

You may notice there are little (or sometimes ALOT) of extra chocolate on the sides.  You can trim your chocolate by carefully using a butter knife on the edges if there is alot.  If there is a little, a clean rag can be dragged along the edges to mold them cleanly.

Now you can fill your chocolate box with fun treats like M&Ms of Skittles.

You can serve your guests these treats

or wrap them up in Saran Wrap by tucking the undersides and taping.

For a fun treat, tie the Saran wrap at the top with a black bow

Now add your favorite wish to our Soccer tags (free printable below) or use our Soccer Thank you Tag!

You can get the Soccer Ball Chocolate Mold HERE or purchase the completed Soccer Ball Pour Box Favor HERE.

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February Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Day

Today is the day to share what we received from our February Foodie Pen Pal.  If you don’t know about this fun swap, this is how it goes:  Your are given the name  of a blogger to sent food/kitchen-related items to.  A different blogger is given your name to send to you.  The spending limit $15.  Postage usually runs me around $11.00  This is all hosted by Lindsey at The Lean Green Bean.  She has swaps for both the US and Canada.  If it sounds as if it would be fun, you can head on over here to get all the details.  Applications for the March exchange close on March 4th.  The swap is month-to-month so you can "sit out" any month that you want to.

This month the blogger who sent to me was Jessica from Fit Talker (and Eater).  She sent me such a great package that the only thing I could say when I opened it was WOW.  In her note Jessica said she always tries to send packages that she would like to receive.  Well, believe me, I was happy to receive this one.

Aren’t these just the cutest measuring spoon?  Jessica says one can never have too many, and I agree.  They go so nicely with my favorite silicone spatulas.  I have put up a special hook in my kitchen to hold these as they just make me smile when I look at them.

Granola and dried fruit.  I like granola, but I don’t buy it because I am always going to make it myself.  Then I don’t, so I don’t have any.  I put the dried fruit and the granola together for a trail mix-like snack to take to work with me.  Very tasty.

I did not open these right away because I Knew, Knew that when I did, I would not be able to stay out of them.  I did force myself to ration them out so was able to enjoy them over several days.  Jessica really had me here as I will eat almost anything that is chocolate covered.

These little gems taste like a softer Butterfinger.  Butterfingers are a favorite of mine so I really loved these.  Through sheer will power I actually have a couple of these left.

Chocolate Chip Brownie and Oat Bars.  Very good and a favorite of Jessica’s.  I can see why.  They have oats in them so that makes them healthy, right?

Each package must contain something handwritten so here is Jessica’s note with some great mardi gras beads.  So fun, and she decorated my name up so cute.  Jessica, thank you so much.  It was all wonderful.

One fun thing about this exchange is receiving brands of goodies that are different from what you can buy locally.  This usually results in me going to the internet to see if they are available by mail.  This must be great for internet business. 

My package went to The Crazy Cooking Couple who blog in the Washington DC area.  You can visit them to see what I sent.

If you are curious to see what other Foodie Pen Pals received just hop on over to The Lean Green to check them out.

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Sausage Potato and Corn Chowder

Good Monday.  It appears there are no new followers to welcome this week.  I do want to say my usual thank you to all who take the time to read my blog.  I know that you all have busy lives, and I appreciate it.

Since February’s Foodie Pen Pal reveal is tomorrow and so is the start of SoupaPalooza, I decided to post a soup recipe today.  We love soup and have it often for lunch.  One type of soup that we especially love is potato soup.

When I posted the Confetti Potato and Ham Soup recipe, I said that it was one of my two favorite potato soups.  Sausage Potato and Corn Chowder is the other one.  This provides another use for breakfast sausage other than just cooking it for breakfast   If I can find it on sale, I love Jimmy Dean sausage in this, but any ground sausage will work.  I usually use a locally-made sausage that is sold for a very reasonable price.  The original recipe called for a can of low sodium chicken broth.  I have changed the recipe to use the water the potatoes are cooked in and Better than Bouillon chicken flavor.  Granulated bouillon may also be used.

This is a hearty chowder that makes a lot so it is a good choice for a “Soup Supper”.  Add some hot bread and a salad and you will be well fed at a very inexpensive price.

The chowder has a tendency to thicken up when it is refrigerated so a little more milk or water may need to be added upon reheating.  This soup actually gets better with age, so it is perfect to make ahead and reheat.

This recipe has been in the files on my computer for a very long time, and I do not know where it came from.

Sausage Potato and Corn Chowder
5 to 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 lb. pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 to 1/2 c. diced red pepper
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/2 c. flour
2 t. Better than Bouillon Chicken Flavor or granulated chicken bouillon
5 to 6 cups milk
1 (1 lb.) cans cream style corn
salt and pepper to taste

Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and cook until just crisp/tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Meanwhile brown sausage, onion, red pepper and garlic in a large cooking pot.  Do not drain.  Stir flour into sausage and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.  Add milk, 2 cups of the potato cooking water, and the Better than Bouillon.  Bring to a boil, stirring often to prevent scorching.  Boil 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add drained potatoes and the cream corn.  Return to heat and cook on low until ingredients are heated through.  Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Come join SoupaPalooza at TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by KitchenAid, Red Star Yeast and Le Creuset” 

Linking to:  SoupaPalooza

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Apple Pecan Spice Cake

Sorry to have been MIA the last week or so.  Life or something like it, a minor accident, ISP issues and very windy weather have kept my time on the internet to a minimum.

I want to say welcome to any new followers.  Thank you for following my blog.  Thanks also to all who take the time out of their busy schedules to read this blog.  I hope that you find useful information here.

Everyone knows my sweet tooth so I am posting a cake recipe today.

A few weeks ago when I made the Red Velvet Cherry Bars, I took some to work to share with my coworkers.  A question came up as to whether or not one could take a spice cake mix and apple pie filling to make another version of the recipe.  Well, always Curious George, I had to find out.  I am glad to say that I was very pleased with the results.  I added pecans to the cake mixture, poked holes in the cake when it was baked, and poured a caramel glaze over the top.

Since the apple slices are bigger than cherries are, I dumped the apple pie filling on top of the cake mix; and, using my kitchen shears held vertically,  just sort of snipped at the apple slices until they were as small as I wanted.   I then beat and added the eggs and mixed everything until well blended.

Since, I, personally, am not a real fan of spice cake mixes I think that in the future I will use butter pecan or yellow cake mix to make this.  I took some of the cake to the spice-cake-loving person at work, and she pronounced it very good.

I will keep a cake mix and a can of apple pie on-hand so that I can whip this up at a moment's notice.

Apple Pecan Spice Cake
1 pkg. Spice, Butter Pecan, or Yellow Cake Mix
1 (21 oz.) can apple pie filling
2 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped toasted pecans

Glaze
6 T. butter
6 T. white sugar
6 T. brown sugar
6 T. heavy cream or evaporated milk
1 t. vanilla

Place cake mix in a medium mixing bowl.  Pour the apple pie filling on top of the cake mix.  Holding them vertically, use kitchen shears to chop the apple slices into smaller pieces.  Add beaten eggs and vanilla and mix until very well blended.  Add pecans and mix well.  Turn into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 15 minutes.  With a barbecue skewer or other pointed instrument poke holes at 1-inch intervals or so all over the cake.  Combine glaze ingredients except vanilla in a small saucepan.  Cook and stir over medium  heat until mixture comes to a boil.  Boil 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Pour hot glaze over the top of the cake spreading evenly.  Let cake cool.  Makes one 9x13-inch cake.

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Shindig Saturday Weekly Linky Party #45

I've been a little slow in creating posts this week.  Hubby came home from 2 weeks away last Friday and that night I came down with the crud my kids have been fighting forever.  Great welcome home, huh?

So I've spent much of the past week in bed.  I've had no energy to do much of anything...

But my brain has been working overtime.  I've come up with LOTS of fun ideas (I hope it's true and not just my delirium talking) for my soccer party though, just haven't had any energy to work on them.

Hopefully, my energy is coming back.  So I'll be extra fruitful this next week and be able to share all the fun with you.

What have you been doing this week?

Show us your newest party or fun creations by sharing your favorite party themed craft, table scape, photo, favor, or whatever! I'm pretty flexible since just about everything can be used at a party...that's the great thing about us moms! We can see the potential in ANYTHING!

Linky Party Guidelines:

* Link up to your OWN project post, not just your blog, but your actual post. (We want to see it!)
*Grab a Shindig Saturday button for your post or blog page. (Hey, it benefits us all!)

*Stay and enjoy the party by visiting and commenting on other's projects. (It's fun to mix and mingle!)

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5 Soccer Party Favor Ideas

I've been under the weather this week, so I've been a little slow in posting as you may have noticed.  Hopefully I'm finally on the rebound and can spend the weekend making some of the fun projects I have in my head and idea book.

Since I'm not quite there yet, I wanted to take a quick moment and show you some of the fun soccer products that we have NEW in our shop today!

Soccer Jersey Candy Bar Wrappers

These fun candy wrappers can be personalized in ANY team color with any number or team logo.  Add a fun saying on the back with our Soccer Ball font to wish your team or player a good game.  Or use these as a unique graduation announcement by adding your graduate's school information.  These would also make a fun birthday party favor or invitation that your guests will remember for a LONG time.  These bars are available in girl or boy design with skin tones to match your favorite athlete.

Soccer Ball Cake Party Favor Boxes

This cardstock party cake would make a fun treat for your party guests.  Boxes can be filled with candy or party treats to give 12 unique favors that when placed together form a fun soccer ball.  This ball cake would be a perfect centerpiece to your dessert table or Thank You area.

Soccer Name Plaque

Personalize your guests' names on these fun personalized name plates for a truly unique party favor.  Everyone loves to see their name on treats and this door or wall plaque is a fun way your guests can remember your party forever.

Soccer Photo Personalized Whirlypop Lollipop

Put your whole team or just your favorite player's or birthday boy or girl's photo on a yummy 3 inch whirlypop lollipop.  Lollipops have a yummy fruit flavor and the sweet sticker on the front can have a team or birthday wish added at no extra cost.

Soccer Ball Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookie

Add a sweet treat to your dessert table with this yummy double stuffed white chocolate covered oreo.  These would also be a fun take home favor by adding these to take home bags with a fun thank you tag.

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10 Soccer Craft Ideas

If you are looking to do something other than just play soccer (and eat) at your party (not that it sounds like a bad idea to me)...I've been brainstorming (and checking out Google and Pinterest...which are surprisingly short on soccer party ideas) for craft ideas to make.

1. Soccer Clipboards with Pictures

I love this idea.  Hand decorated clip boards were all the rage for a while (are they still?)  I think girls would love to be able to use scrapbook paper and pictures to decorate a clipboard for their rooms.  What a great way to keep a team picture and get the guests organized at the same time.

2. Picture Frames

Have the guests make a picture frame decorated with fun stickers out of a dollar store frame or craft frame.  Then set up a fun photo booth with lots of props for some great pictures.

3. Soccer Name Letters

Let each guest decorate his or her name with fun soccer paper.  You can just decorate the first letter to hand on their bedroom door if you only have a few moments, or do the whole name for a more in depth projects.  I shared directions on how to do these letters HERE.

4. Soccer Ball Pillows

Make soccer pillows out of black and white fabric.  Let the guests sew them together or pre-make and let each guest finish the pillows.  Or make fun pillow cases using fabric markers.  Guests can draw them scoring a goal or a fun event from the party or season.

5. Safety Pin Jewelry

Use safety pins and beads to make fun jewelry.  Family Fun has a simple pattern HERE to add the beads to make a soccer ball.  Or get creative and design any pattern or initial.

6. Bottle Cap Necklaces

Craft stores have everything you need to make fun and cheap bottle cap necklaces for each guest. Pick up bottle caps, necklaces, and rings to score some a fun craft. Each guest can decorate a small circle to place in the center of the bottle cap or add a picture for a personalized treat.

7. Soccer Team Cookies or Treats

Decorate sugar cookies or Rice Krispie treats cut with gingerbread cutters as each member of the soccer team.  Use different colors, sprinkles, and candies to add jerseys, hair, and other details. You can see how we made our swimmers HERE.

8. Barrettes

Pick up some blank barrettes from the craft store and let each guest decorate with wooden soccer balls and fun ribbon for a fun hair decoration for the next team picture.

Finger puppets by Vegie Smugglers

9. Soccer Finger Puppets

Vegie Smugglers shared a fun printable file to make finger puppets to play soccer with HERE.  Let the guests color and cut out these fun pictures and play a round of soccer.  Or better yet, let them draw their own and let the guests make themselves playing the game.

.10. Fabric Bracelets

Use fun soccer fabric to decorate bracelets for each team member to wear.  Frame Worthy Shot shared directions on how to make these easy but stylish fashion statements HERE.

Hopefully that gives you a few fun Soccer Craft Ideas to try at your next soccer party!

If you make any of these fun crafts,

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Soccer Jersey Silverware Printable

Most of the End of the season Team parties that I've been to have been pretty boring overall.  The format is usually to get together, have a potluck dinner, and then give out awards.  It works.  But it's usually pretty boring.

Plus, one of the things I hate at potluck parties is trying to juggle your plate, your silverware (why do they always put that at the beginning of the buffet line?), and your food.

In an effort to help with the juggle and to spice up the party just a little, I created these fun Soccer jersey silverware holders.

These allow you to place all the silverware and the napkin in an easy "pouch" that will keep them together while gathering your food.  Or better yet, place them at the END of the food table and allow your guests to grab as they are leaving.

They are simple to print out on card stock.

Each jersey has a front and a back.

The jerseys are 4 inches by 4 inches with a 2 inch wide shirt base.

Cut out the jerseys around the outline.

The front jersey shirt hole is designed that you can use a 2 inch hole punch if you line it up.

Line up the front and the back jerseys (make sure the back is facing out) and glue or tape the sides together.  (I tried using a glue gun, but it didn't hold well once the silverware was in.  So I glued the shirt sleeves together and then used tape on the sides.)

Now it's easy to add your silverware and napkin through the top and bottom holes.

You can get the jersey with the white and black lines in our shop HERE.  We'll be adding more designs soon.  If you want us to try and make your jersey, just drop me a line!

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