My Pinstrosity

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If you are a fan of Pinterest, hopefully you've come across the site Pinstrosity, which showcases people who have attempted to make Pinterest projects but have failed miserably.

I've had pretty good luck so far with my own crafting adventures, but I have shared my loathing of baking before.  I was so excited when I found a way to make sugar cookies without a huge mess, so last night I thought I'd try my hand at this "baking" thing again.  Only this time, it didn't involve actual baking, but I think "baking" and "candy making" definitely fall in the same category for me - JUST STEP AWAY, JAIMIE.

All over Pinterest are these cute little pictures for making your own butter mints.  As a butter mint fan myself, I thought I'd try it out - only instead of using Pinterest (where you can at least read comments for tips and feedback), I thought I'd use a recipe from my new cookbook!  BAD IDEA.

A good friend of mine purchased this cookbook for me, and it is beautiful.  It has many different sections, of which I should confine myself to, but last night I decided to venture into the Confections section. Bad idea.

The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook

Butter Mints.

Don't they look so dainty and pretty?

I got out all of my ingredients and started mixing.  My first mistake was probably in using my knock-off Kitchenade that was made by Sunbeam.  It does a fine job, but doesn't come with different attachments for one thing, and pretty much only beats soup well. (I jest- it actually works quite fine for $40, just apparently not for butter mints).

Then the rolling began, and this is where it got bad.  I rolled up some white ones and realized they looked more like something that should have come out of the bathroom than the kitchen.

And then I turned them red.  They were meant to be an ever-so-pretty shade of light pink, but I got a little too happy while squeezing that food coloring, and, well, it looked like I was making candy canes.

Hmmm..."something is not going well here," I thought, but I had to finish this candy hack job.

I started out cutting them nice and neatly. Then I got tired, fast.  And just started chopping away like I was a contestant on Top Chef.

And there you have it, folks.

Butter Mints.

I guess you could say I need a Pintervention.

Next time, I'll listen to myself and just walk away.

The Big Giveaway!

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If you are hopping over from the 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party '11, WELCOME!  I am so glad you have stopped by, and this is the best time to visit, because I am hosting a BIG giveaway this week!  (Scroll down past the info. about me if you'd just like to enter the giveaway)

I am a huge fan of 5 Minutes for Mom and always enjoy their Ultimate Blog Party.  Recently I was honored to be a guest blogger for them and wrote an article entitled "Taking the Leap: Thinking About Starting a Photography Business?"

Here I enjoy blogging about my family, my faith, photography, home decorating, recipes and more.

I invite you into my messes.....

(Left: Micah, now age 5 / Right: Jaden, now age 3)
You can read about the food coloring incident here.

My parenting adventures

(The story behind this photo is here)

My cooking experiments

This dinner disaster was blogged about here.

My photography mishaps

My home decorating "hits" AND "misses"

And my walk with the Lord.

Photo courtesy Anne Elliott

So why should you follow this blog and all of it's messiness?  Because it is here that I hope you will be encouraged, laugh a little, and know that you are not alone.  AND.....

This week is The Big Giveaway!  There are two great items being given away this week.

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Giveaway #1 - The Ultimate Blog Makeover!!! 

SH Blog Design is donating an extreme blog makeover where one winner will receive a custom header with coordinating background, font colors, 1-2 columns, post title image, sidebar image, custom signature, and a link button. The winner can choose any digital scrapbooking paper kit from SH Blog Design selection to use in the design.  

Visit the SH Blog Design website for samples. Even if you don't win this giveaway, Shannon offers affordable blog designs starting at $50.  She also designs custom invitations.  Thank you Shannon for donating this awesome prize!
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Giveaway #2- Snippity Clip-Its!!!

Snippity Clip-Its offers fun, affordable, creative accessories for every little princess! This giveaway is for a bundle of goodies: a Busy Bee Headband and Buggin' Around Bee Clips (a $15 value)!   Become a Fan of Snippity Clip-Its on Facebook and leave Shannin some love!

Snippity Clip-Its is also having a Spring Blowout Sale, so visit their page today to see photos and place your order. Whether you are a mom, a grandma, an aunt or a friend, these make great gifts for little girls!  Thank you Shannin for your donation of this prize!
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To enter this giveaway:

1) Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know which item you would like to win.

2) You can gain up to 2 additional entries by becoming a Facebook fan of Snippity Clip-Its and/or following the SH Blog Design blog, and then coming back here and leaving a comment letting me know you did so.

3) Tweet and/or Facebook this giveaway for up to 2 additional entries (and again, be sure to leave a comment letting me know you did so).

Feel free to copy and paste this tweet:  I just entered The Big Giveaway!  You can enter to at:  www.wonderyearsof2.blogspot.com @jmebowman @5MinutesforMom #UPB11

(In all you have 5 chances to enter, so your chances of winning are pretty high!)

This contest will run from April 1-April 8th.  Entries will close on midnight of April 8th. Winners will be announced on Saturday, April 9th.  Thank you for entering and good luck!

NOTE:  Be sure if you enter this giveaway that you have contact information connected to your account where I can reach you!  Or simply leave your email address in the comments.  Thanks!

P.S.

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I just had to share this photo from the "archives" that I found today - when Micah was around Jaden's age (about 17 months), I walked into the kitchen and found him naked in the kitchen cupboard.  He had found the food coloring!  It's a good thing he was naked (I think I was about to give him a bath or something).  It was really funny...