The unemployed nonsense rant

So, after going back to my home-from-another-life (aka Europe) and being denied work for lack of visa, I have been feverishly looking for other positions...ones that I like working enough to get the wonderful privilege of a whole 2 weeks off a year.  I have been exploring all sorts of other options as well, including a website called, "Find me a crew," which is more like an "old man needs companionship and would like to take you all over the world on his boat," thing.  I am still considering it.  Not gonna lie.  I have also been exploring art more and these are the current inspirations I have found that I want to recreate as my own.

Art...the gift that keeps on giving....

Sugar Cookie covered Oreos

Sugar cookie covered Oreos

1 pkg refrigerated sugar cookie dough, room temperature
12 Oreos (I used 6 Golden and 6 Double-Stuffed)
Rainbow non-pareils

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 12 paper liners for easy removal. Set aside. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, pour some of the rainbow sprinkles.

2. Using your palms, flatten out one square of cookie dough into a flat disk. Place a cookie on top of the dough and sandwich between another flattened disk of dough. Seal the dough edges together around the Oreo to enclose it completely. Roll the stuffed cookie into the rainbow sprinkles and place in the muffin liner.

 3. Bake for approx. 15-18 minutes or until the edges are light golden and the center appears set. Allow them to cool completely before removing the liners and eating. Best kept at room temperature, airtight, up to 2 days.

Bon appétit 

Holiday Party

I threw a last minute Holiday Party before I left for Europe.... right before Thanksgiving.  It was 90 degrees out and no one was quite in the "holiday mood," yet, but my friends were still troopers and celebrated with me.  A little known fact is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Holiday parties and cooking/baking for them.  I decided that since I would not be in the country to go to all the fun holiday parties, I would throw my own....6 days before the party actually took place.  Needless to say, Pinterest was a huge help.  I made 3 new pieces of art and lots of recipes for desserts and drinks! 

The Grinch

Spirit of Christmas

You cannot see it that well, but I wrote a secret message in lighter blue in the letters :)

JOY

For over our TV (with a fireplace DVD) I put JOY up and used a wreath for the "O"

Picture wall

I used 2 rolls of glitter wrapping paper on the wall and up the slogan over for fun pictures.  I also bought a few head props :)

 Dessert table

Rum mini Cupcakes

use THIS recipe, just use small cupcake holders and regular buttercream icing

 Cinnamon Toast Crunch mini Cupcakes

Joy was the theme of the evening... Joy for all the wonderful things I have been blessed with this past year and for all the wonderful relationships I have cultivated throughout my life <3 font="">

Cinnamon Toast Crunch mini Cupcakes

For cupcake

• 1 French Vanilla cake mix
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• Brown sugar to top cupcakes

For Icing

• 1 can of Buttercream frosting
• 1 3/4 cup cinnamon toast crunch cereal crumbs (run through a food processor)
• 5 tsp vanilla
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Pour your batter into cupcake liners and bake for 11-15 minutes at 350ºF (or until golden brown). Once a tooth pick comes out clean, set aside and allow the cupcakes to cool before icing. While letting them cool you can start making your icing.  Add Cereal and brown sugar as embellishments

Bon Appétit 

Oil painting with training wheels

Woohoo!  I got my first commissioned Art request!  The requester was my best friends mom, whom is from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.  She made my life super easy by sending her "inspiration piece," and telling me what she wanted specifically while being very laid back and letting me have creative freedom (something im not always the best with in the past...super TYPE A).  She let me know she wanted orchids and them to be more red than any color.   Plus she wanted a particular key on the window seal.  I looked at various pictures of St. Thomas, but inevitably just tried to get all the inspiration off the original piece she sent.

This was also my first time using oil paints...but not completely legit ones, the kind that can be mixed with water.  I call it oil painting with training wheels.  My decision to use oil paints was because it extends the longevity of the painting and gives a bit more of an "authentic look," with blending colors and what not....

Inspiration Art

Final Product