attosa

Chewy Caramel Apple CookiesI love these cookies because they're kind of like a cross between caramel apples and warm apple pie. The freshly cooked cubes of apple really stand out under the gooey ribbons of caramel. My family enjoys these warm with vanilla ice cream- it tastes just like fresh apple pie a la mode (without the hard work). Give them a try!

 

Roasted Carrots with Carrot-Top PestoThis is a beautiful side dish with vibrant flavours. Use the carrots' own greens to make a pesto to serve with it. I added a bit of mint and lemon to really make it pop. I used pine nuts, but you can use cashews or something similar, too.

 

Making a Crab from a Scallop ShellI like to buy scallop appetizers at the seafood shop. They come in these beautiful shells, so I clean them and keep them for crafts. I've made a little red crab with one of them here. It's pretty easy to do and looks so cute. You can add a magnet to the back and put it on your fridge, if you like!

 

Washable No-Sew MaskYou can make this washable, reusable no-sew face mask at home. If you use something like a handkerchief, you won't even need to cut it. Aside from being able to wash this, it's also beneficial in the way that you can make it custom to your face shape to ensure you're covered over the nose and under the chin.

 

Purple Sweet Potato PieI'm sure many of you have had sweet potato pie. This pie is very similar but uses purple sweet potatoes. Baking the sweet potatoes in the oven (in lieu of boiling them) gives this a beautiful creamy consistency and not at all watered down. Baking them also retains their beautiful purple colour. Purple sweet potatoes can be found in grocery stores labeled as Okinawan, Hawaiian, or purple sweet potatoes. They are packed full of potassium, B6, vitamin C, and fiber.

 

Mexican Street Corn TacosThis is a delicious twist on tacos. I used Mexican street corn as my inspiration to fill these tortillas. It's creamy and zesty and really hits the spot when you don't have things like guacamole or sour cream on hand. It pairs very nicely with the meat, cheese, and salsa inside.

 

UFO Cow Abduction CakeThis UFO cake is just out of this world! The saucer and grassy ground area are two different cakes, so there is plenty for a big party. I saved a couple hundred dollars making this cake from scratch instead of calling up the local cake artistry. Plus, it was super fun. Here are the steps on how to make your own!

 

Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter CookiesEvery year around Halloween, I like to come up with a sweet treat that uses candies from trick-or-treating events. Either you have kids that end up with lots of them, or you have loads leftover from handing them out. My favourite candy has always been Snickers, so these peanut butter cookies are stuffed with them. The outside is a lovely sandy, crumbly cookie, and the middle is gooey and chewy from the baked Snickers. I've had a dozen people ask me for this recipe after an event I made them for last week, so be ready to share if you make these, too!

 

Pistachio Shell Birds PaintingI like to save the shells from my pistachio nuts to craft with. Here, I've turned them into birds on a tree I painted.

 

Herbed Chicken Rolls in Cherry SauceHere comes a winner-winner chicken dinner from my personal cookbook. This chicken breast is rolled up with herbed garlic butter, then cooked in a tart cherry sauce. It's a beautiful meal for these colder evenings... and I think quite pleasant visually! Enjoy!

 

Cheese and Crackers Mini PiesThese little cheese and cracker appetizers are super delicious. They double up as great presentation as they imitate little slices of pumpkin pie. They are sure to bring many oohs and aahs to your parties!

 

Spaghetti Squash FrittersI've been getting a bit tired of spaghetti squash in the usual form I prepare it; with spaghetti sauce or as a layered lasagna. I tried turning them into crisp fritters and they were delightful. You can add whatever bits you like in them, I went with onions, bacon and Parmesan cheese.

 

Snow White and the Undead DwarvesI love taking regular Halloween costumes and giving their storyline a bit of a twist. This year, the narrative of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves met a terrifying zombie apocalypse. The dwarves turned first, then got ahold of Snow. Obviously, it's a bit of a cute joke costume as I used little plush dwarf dolls for the planned attack.

 

Chocolate Chunk Banana Protein MuffinsI love making these little protein muffins. They are wonderful as a post-workout snack. I also like to have one for dessert as they keep me from waking up in the middle of the night from hunger pangs. When you have them warm out the oven, the chocolate chunks are super gooey and lovely. You can achieve this later on by popping one in the microwave for 10 seconds.

 

Making New Candles From Used OnesOne of our daily traditions and incredible comforts in this time is to light a candle for Dad every evening in front of a photo of him. At first, my mum and I were spending so much money on the mass amounts of candles. Soon enough, we realized it was best to turn the used candles into new ones. If you enjoy scented candles, follow the additional step to add your favourite aroma. My father's favourite aroma was Jasmine!

 

DIY Ear Saver and Mask ExtenderThese straps for your masks are great for many reasons. They relieve heavy strain on your ears from the mask loops pulling on them. They make your masks fit your face much better. They are also great for a little colour pop, working as accessories to potentially match with your outfits. :) I live in an extremely high COVID-19 rate area and always have my mask on.

 

Egg Carton PandaThis is an adorable panda you can make out of an egg carton. It's holding a bamboo stick, which is made from the straw from a kid's drink box. This is a wonderful all-ages craft, and it's virtually free. :)

 

Making Pastel Hair DyesYou can save lots of money mixing up your own shades of colour instead of buying multiple colours when you want to do your own ombre hair. Due to the pandemic, I've been finding ways to save money, but still have things like fun hair colours and styles. Follow along to find out how to get this thrifty yet beautiful mermaid-inspired ombre hair by making pastels.