Michigan Sauce

Happy Memorial Day!

When BBQs hit our family we need a batch of Michigan Sauce to go with the hot dogs. This is a north country New York thing, but I don't know anyone who doesn't like them.

This is our family's recipe, it's a lot of taste and see :) It should be a spicy meat sauce with a bit of a tomato feel (it is not a chili dog). But some like them super spicy and some like a lot of tomato taste. This freezes great so feel free to make it ahead.

Ingredients:
ground meat (traditionally beef 80%)
crushed tomatoes
chili powder
crushed red pepper flakes
garlic powder
season salt
ketchup
mustard
Adobo

Brown the meat, drain it, add a bunch of the seasonings and tomatoes. Simmer for 2/3 hours. Taste as you go and add more spice as needed. And then put it in a blender so it's nice and fine :)

Grill or boil hot dogs and serve with this on top. Traditionally you should chop up onions and bury them under the hot dog or the sauce and squeeze mustard on top.

If you are headed up to Plattsburgh anytime soon I suggest the ones at Michigan's Plus (besides my Mom's and Gram's their's were my favorite).

Adding Soul

The DH and I just purchased our first new car! WOW! Another very grown up thing for us. The salesman was very intrigued when I asked how wide and tall the back was. He asked if I owned a cello- my retort, no but I need to put in a tent and folding tables for craft shows. Most people don't know how to respond to that. :) Above isn't it, but it is a Kia Soul in Alien Green!

PS-I'll be away for a bit - (Mother in Law's Graduation and a quick jaunt to Florida to see Grandmother in Law) so all orders from the shop ship 6/1 -Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

WINNER

Drawn by the Birthday girl from the Jello cake post aka my friend Kristen from work- thepugnaciousvegetarian has won the mini mum hair bobbies!

Thanks for playing one and all! Pugnacious I'll be getting a hold of you to send out your new treasure :)

PS- Another pair are here if you can't live without them.

Rock n Roll Style

I knew that Slash album was creeping in somewhere. Here is a special order I've been working on.

**Giveaway**

You can still sign up for the Mini Mum Bobby Pin Giveaway! Here

Winner picked on the 23rd :)

Jello Cake

Jello Cake- Yes really Jello and Cake. I had my doubts about this recipe. My friend Kristen LOVES it and I decided to try to make it for her for her birthday.

1 yellow cake mix (3 eggs, 3/4 cup vegetable oil for my mix)

1 package strawberry jello (1 cup boiling water, 1 cup cold water for my mix)

1 container whip topping like Cool Whip
Bake cake according to directions. (I did 2 9in rounds)

Mix Jell-o according to package (minus the chilling).

Make several holes in top of cake and then pour Jell-o mix over cake.

Chill cakes (I did it over night)

Frost with Cool Whip.

WOW is this yummy and super easy!

TIPS- make this in a pan that can easily turn a cake out, I had trouble popping mine out (nothing more cool whip couldn't cover).

Next time I think I'll add berries to add extra crunch.

The cross section is great, the jello makes a beautiful marble effect.

And here is the Birthday Girl!

GIVEAWAY!!! Mini Mum Bobbies

Want to Win????

How do you ask? Easy!

1st Follow My Blog

2nd Post a Comment about which one of my shop items is your favorite Little Gems Shop

Do you want more enteries? Blog, tweet, or plurk about my giveaway and post the link and you are in again (again and again even)! I'll post the winner on May 23rd!

Open to everyone not just US residents :)

Good Luck!

Newsletters are Back!

Click on the Image to see May's Newsletter- Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! And of course to all women who give their love freely with and without children.
I'm lucky to come from a long line of creative loving women. People who always see the potential in everything (scraps of paper, empty jugs, you name it!).
If you have a minute vote for my Mom in the Michael's Creative Mom Contest here , you can vote once a day all this week.

New Items- Lariat Necklace Sets

I am so darn proud of these lil newbies. Lariat necklaces with matching earrings: Chalk Turquoise, African Turquoise and Freshwater Pearls some of my favorite things. These lariats have lassoed my heart. What do you think?

Mother's Day is Coming Quick!

I celebrated Mother's day with my Mom and both of my Gram's last weekend they have already opened and enjoyed their goodies and already picked out my mother in laws and grandmother in laws (I'm VERY lucky to have so many great moms). Then I stumbled upon this idea! A decorated jar filled with reasons why they are so wonderful. I might just have to make this as a just because gift.
Here are the directions on the creative memories site.
My sister the creative memories lady has also hooked me into digital scrapbooking so I'll try to put up at least a page of my book I'm creating about my trip to New Orleans. Interested in scraping or digital? Find Steph here.