Cupcake Ideas

WFMW
Do you know how to make a cupcake looking like an alien or a penguin or even a cupcake with a shark jumping out of the water, mouth open, and teeth gnashing? WELL I DO! I have just found the cutest and best cook book for cupcakes called, "Hello, Cupcake".

It seriously has the most amazing and cute ideas that I have ever seen. Several breeds of dogs, an alien and its space trip, a cute Oreo panda bear, even some amazing April Fools cupcakes that look like corn on the cob. Not only are the ideas just as cute as a bug, all the items used are simple and edible.

They have some really simple cupcakes that you can start with and then you can work your way up with some that need a steady hand THEN.... if you dare..... you can try to make their replication of.... STARRY NIGHT BY VON GOGH! No joke... I am completely serious. They have this amazing laying out and template for the cupcake version of Starry Night. I have challenged my self that I am going to get it done! I mean.... not any time soon, but you know... at some point :)

But if you are looking for a fun cook book to add to your collection or just need some fun ideas so your kids can have fun decorating, than this is your book. It cost around $15 at most stores, but right now they have some listed around $9 on amazon.com. So have some fun, roll up your sleeves, and get "Hello, Cupcake".

Family Letters

Something I always loved making as a child was my own envelopes. I had a huge collection of them; some nature scenes from the Nation Geographic, some high fashion from women's magazines, and some cute cartoons from comic books. I just loved making them, plus now as a mom.... I love cheap they are to make and a great way to go through magazines and get some more usage out of them.

But what is truly great about this activity, is that it also presents a great way for the family to sit down and write some letters to loved ones.

1. Simply go throughout your house and find magazines and such that you and your children can cut up.

2. Then get some envelopes and unglue them to make them fold out completely.

3. Trace the unglued envelope onto the page that you want your envelope to look like.

4. Cut then tape.

Then, after you children have made them you have the kids sit down and write a letter to grandma and grandpa. This is a great family activity for all ages and for everyone in the family. Loved ones always enjoy receiving mail, plus it is fun to make a silly envelope.

If you are wanting to make really cute beautiful envelopes you can use scrapbooking paper. If you want one with more personal touch then on your computer make a photo collage and print that out as your pattern.

P.S. Sorry again for all of you that I haven't responded too yet, but my computer is still sick! I only have enough patients to get my posts up... which even then takes FOREVER. We are going to have it get fixed and probably throw down about $200 in the process! I could buy my pair of Citizen jeans and some shoes for that.... oh this is killing me :)

Alaskan Bear

Okay, normally I like to throw in my two cents or have a little blib about something, but this story speaks for its self. And all I can say is that.... I would have pooped my pants!!!!!

Here is the story....

These pictures are of a man who works for the US Forest Service in Alaska, and his trophy bear. He was deer hunting last week when the large grizzly charged him from about 50 yards away. The guy emptied his 7mm Magnum semi-automatic rifle into the bear and it dropped a few feet from him. The big bear was still alive so the hunter reloaded and shot it several times in the head. The bear was just over one thousand six hundred pounds. It stood 12' 6" high at the shoulder, 14' to the top of his head. It is the largest grizzly bear ever recorded in the world.

The Alaska Fish and Wildlife Commission did not let him keep it as a trophy, of course; but the bear will be stuffed and mounted, and placed on display at the Anchorage airport to remind tourists of the risks involved in the wild.

Analyzing contents of the bears stomach, the Fish and Wildlife Commission established the bear had killed at least two humans in the past 72 hours, including a hiker missing two days prior to the bear's own death. Backtracking from where the bear had originated, the US Forest Service found the hiker's emptied 38-caliber pistol. Not far from the pistol was the remains of the hiker. The other body has not been found. Although the hiker fired six shots and managed to hit the grizzly with four (that the Service ultimately retrieved, along with twelve 7mm slugs, inside the bear's body), it only wounded the bear and probably angered it immensely.

Think about this: If you are an average size man, you would be level with the bear's navel when he stood upright. The bear would look you in the eye when it walked on all fours! To give additional perspective, this bear, standing on its hind legs, could walk up to an average single story house and look over the roof; or stand aside a two story house and look in the upper bedroom windows.

Well, at least we don't have poisonous spiders :)

Places To Travel

I love traveling, but unfortunately my pocket book does not allow me that luxury. I don't know why, but for some reason I don't have thousands of dollars lying around at my expenses. So until I get money flowin' into my house I will just have to dream and plan about my future trips...
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Greece

Not just Greece, but a cruise through the Greek islands. One of these day I will go and hike through the old temples and enjoy the history and all its stories. I have been dying to go to Greece especially since I am an art history major and would love to see some of those amazing statues and buildings.
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Hawaii
I have been here many times. With growing up in Alaska it cost about as much to fly to Hawaii as it does the states.... so my parents chose Hawaii.... come on... who wouldn't. We spent much of our time and childhood there and there are very few places in this world that I love more than Hawaii; especially Maui. If you ever go to Maui check out a wonderful show in Lahaina called Warren and Annabelle's. One of my favorite things about Maui is that smell that hits you as soon as you step off the plane, the smell of plumerias. Nothing on this Earth ever smells as good.
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India
I don't know how many people would agree with this one, but my reasons are a little more personal. Besides the fact that I would love to go on a jungle safari, ride an elephant, and see the Taj Mahal, the main reason I would love to go there is because my parents are currently living there and will be living there for about 2 more years. So as you can guess I would love to visit them. Seriously!? Who can resist a chance to ride an elephant like a taxi through the busy streets of India!?
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Brazil
This country is close to my husband's heart because he grew up there for a bit of his childhood. I never knew much about this country, but my husband little by little educated me more on this country. Mainly by letting me try their AMAZING food like pao de queijo; a delicious cheese bread that is so fluffy and tasty. Plus all their good juices like guava, passion fruit, and cacau juice (from the chocolate plant, which explains why I love it). So besides me wanting to go down there and eat my weight in cheese bread, my husband has been really wanting to take me there, and I have no problem with that! :)
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London
And I don't mean England, I mean London. I am soooo very very much in love with London. I could live there the rest of my life and be happy! I went to school there for a semester and have been dying to go back ever since. I am a girl that loves side walk shops, musicals, shows, and European fashion. I believe everybody needs to go to England once in their life. See the beautiful country, the wonderful cities, enjoy the shows, and just soak in the culture. Heck London even made me fall in love with baked beans and toasts for breakfast.... who would have thought!?
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Thailand
I don't know what is it about this country, but it has always intrigued me. I have always wanted to see this country and its people, visit all the temples and sites. Plus enjoy some real Thai food like Pad Thai and some fresh spring rolls. Granted, eating them in a third world country might be a little risky and may make me sick.... but totally worth it if you love Pad Thai like I do.
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Australia
I would go there and play "I come from a land down unda!" over and over. It has always been a dream of mine to go and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. I wanted to be a marine biologist for the longest time when I was younger and since I never got the chance, I at least want to fulfill my Barrier Reef dream.
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Poland
I am of Polish descent.... so go ahead and get all of your Polish jokes out of your system. Like
"Did you hear about the Polish man that locked his keys in his car? He had to use a coat hanger to get his family out." or "Heard about the Polish hockey team? They all drowned during spring training" or "Did you hear about the Polish Helicopter crash? The pilot got cold, so he turned off the fan." So as you can see, my heritage is a proud one and I would love to go back to the mother land :)
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Spain
One of my dreams is to go to Spain and see two things. 1 being the architecture work of Antoni Gaudí, who is truly amazing and has the most beautiful and breathtaking buildings. 2 being able to see original paintings by Joan Miro who is my favorite artist. One of his paintings inspired me, even as a child, to love art and to keep it in my life.
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Italy
Girls... who wants to ride in a gondola? I DO!?!?! I mean, I really would love to see other things such as buildings, the rivers, and especially the statues, but mostly.... just the gondolas!
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A Cruise
Okay I know this isn't a destination, but I really really want to go on a cruise. I don't care where, just some place warm. I have heard that they are so much fun,amazing, and so relaxing, and what can I say.... I want to join in on the fun. I would just love to take a nice long Mexican cruise once I get back somewhat of my pre-baby body, which is looking further away than sooner, but still.... once I hopefully get that back, I will slide my self into a bathing suit and not get out of it until we come back home.
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Japan
I have heard nothing but good things about this country. The people are warm and friendly, the buildings beautiful, and the places to stay are just great! My brother lived there for a few years and my husband has been with his parents. They both loved it. And please.... could I pass up a chance to see a real sumo wrestler!??! No way! Large man in small undies.... yes please :)
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Chile
This probably wouldn't be on my list, but my in-laws are now living here and they are hopefully bringing us down to visit during Thanksgiving...so what can I say.... Chile is now on my list of places to go visit. I am really excited and looking forward to all the amazing things to do, hopefully Easter Island will be involved during this trip. Plus I am excited because out of all the places they have lived in South America, Chile hands down is the safest.


and last, but not least

Alaska
Okay, I know I live here so I have um... visited a lot, but you all haven't. Alaska is beautiful and breathtaking. Wonderful people, beautiful scenery, fun outdoor activities, and even mouth watering food. Only in Anchorage can you go fishing for for King Salmon, hike a mountain, go skiing, and see a musical. I love how we have outdoors and culture mixed... but maybe mixed too much. Because only in Alaska do you see people wearing carhartts while at a fancy restaurant.

Molly McButter and Home Made Popcorn

WFMW
I think of myself as a pretty healthy eater. Don't get me wrong, I love my pizza and can down a half of a pizza easily (I probably shouldn't be proud of that). But I try to use turkey instead of beef, throw in fiber where I can, and also use fat free whatever. So you can imagine why I would be over come with joy when I discovered MOLLY MCBUTTER!

This in only the best cooking trick I have discovered yet. It is a powder butter... yes.... I said it.... powder butter. Well, better yet... Fat-Free powder butter with 5 calories per serving. I know... amazing isn't it? We have just fallen in love with it. You can use it for so much, corn, vegetables, baked potatoes, and pop corn. We especially love it for home made pop corn. Simply pop some kernels in a little bit of olive oil and then sprinkle with Molly McButter and salt; then you will have some of the most delicious pop corn you have ever tasty and a lot healthier too. And I am not even really a home made pop corn kind of girl.

So run out and buy some guilty free pleasure. Sprinkle some butter on your food and cut back on fat. What is a health food trick you use for cooking?

Baby Booties

My dear mother-in-law gave me a sowing machine for Christmas last year and I have been dying to take it out and set it up. And yea..... I am very aware that it is almost May, but I finally got it out and had to time to sit down and read how to work it.... and what can I say? I am LOVIN' IT! I feel like some vintage homemaker. I have been sowing, fiddling and checking out books for sowing tips and ideas.

The thing that I have fallen in love with are the cutest baby booties that I have ever seen! And they are not too hard to make. Well, easy enough that I was able to sow them as my first sowing project and they turned out pretty good. Sorry, sorry... I am going on and on, but I am pretty darn proud of my self, I considered myself sowing retarded, until now. So, I am hoping to pass this feeling onto many of you out there.

I looked at a couple of tutorials that were online for different booties. I found one that I thought was pretty good at Stardustshoes. I found the instructions a little confusing at times, but I would push through and in the end it would always make sense. So, if you do make these shoes make a trial pair first to help give you an idea and truly follow the instructions. I did change a couple things here and there to make them more to what I liked, but again.... I didn't do any of that until my second pair.

Once you get the idea down they can be made fairly fast. There are so many wonderful patterns and ideas that you can run with. My next pair is going to be a nice cream corduroy pair. They are a great baby gift too, especially since these are the only baby shoes that I have seen that actually STAY ON! Lucy has not kicked them off yet. So make a nice pair of cute baby shoes and maybe a sunhat or matching blanket.Actually, I will be posting a tutorial for a sunhat here soon too, but for those of you who aren't into the sowing, I am going to be adding these booties and sunhats to my future Etsy shop.

But have fun and good luck. Also if you have any troubles or questions with making these perfect shoes feel free to write me at motherhoodfordummies@hotmail.com

Settlers of Catan

Thanks for all the kinds words about our computer.... and YES, we are still having problems. I can get on the internet faster now, but still having difficulties surfing and posting. So unfortunately my first official Family Moment Monday isn't going to be the big shin-dig that I was hoping for. Which is also fine, but it will help all you people out there get ready for next Monday's posts and you all can contribute your wonderful ideas and things you do to have fun with your families. So get thinking of ideas and activities to share.

This Family Moment Monday is going to be all about..... CATAN! Have you heard of it? Nooo? Well, then let me shed some light. "Settlers of Catan" is an intriguing game that takes place on an island that you assemble. Players spend the game building cities, settlements and such to gain points. Your resources you receive through out the game are determined by where players have placed their settlements and cities. Those resources help you build and gain the points the players are needing to win.

Over 11 million games of Catan have been sold throughout the world and the game has been translated into twenty-five different languages, the original being German. I love this game because it is well suited for family play, since no one gets eliminated, and players who are behind can strive towards goals that are within their reach. There is also a lot of interacting, trading, and bargaining that helps keeps the family talking laughing.

The game, once played, it actually a fairly simple, but you can also make it have more depth with strategy and even game expansions. They sell other additions/add-ons that you can work in with Catan. So basically, once you have master the game and become Lord of Catan, you can buy the expansion packs and make it have new twist. These expansions are called "Cities and Knights" and "Seafarers"

But be ye warned.... this game is highly addictive. We have introduced it into our family and it has spread fast than Mono on prom night!

Cheesy Beef Cassaroll

This is a tasty little number that can feed a truck load. All you need is...

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2 cups uncooked spiral pasta

2 pounds ground beef

2 small onions, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

1 (4.5 ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 pound American cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook the beef, onions and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and mushrooms; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

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2. Place 1/2 cup to 1 cup of meat sauce in a greased shallow 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Drain pasta; place half over sauce. Top with half of the meat sauce; spread with sour cream. Then top with American cheese and remaining pasta and meat sauce.

3. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Uncover, bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly.

As a side note.... I like to use more noodles and less meat. You could probably cute it down to 1 pound of beef. I also cut back on the cheese; just this last time I made it, I didn't even have enough room on top for the cheese. So I put a nice handful in the middle layer and also a bit on top. Don't be afraid to save calories by cutting back on the cheese. I only used about a cup of cheese total and it was still great.

Manely Enough For Yea!?

I love my husband's way of thinking.......


Curtis comes walking into the room and says, "Dang it, my hem in coming undone!"

"Well, if you remind me when you get home from work I will fix it for you"

"Yea thanks"

I can tell he was hoping for an immediate fix, "But if you have a safety pin you can at least fix it now"

"What?! I'm not a girl"

"Excuse me....what?"

"I'm a man.....and men don't use safety pins.....we use danger pins!"

Good Children's Books.... Besides Harry Potter

I'm so sorry about not having my Thursday Thirteen. When I was in the middle of posting it yesterday something got on our computer. It is a horrible virus that messes up your computer, but also has a pop-up stating "Your computer is at risk" then asked for about $50 to buy this virus scanner. So.... we have been bam-boozled and today we are going to go get the computer fixed. We can't really use it because every time we are on the internet uh...well..... an "Adult" website keeps popping up.....with VIDEO......yea... nice. So, Again sorry about not having my Thursday Thirteen up. I am going to go ahead and post one of my old ones. Thanks and sorry.

I love reading books, but I have not always felt that way. There were literally times where I remember my mom sending me to my bedroom and not letting me go out to play until I finshed reading a few chapters from a book she had checked out for me. I remember still to this day sitting in my chair swiveling around and around trying to think of a lie…umm I mean…reason…as to why I didn't need to read my chapters that day. I would even remind my mom that I still hadn’t finished some chores just to put off reading a little while longer. After a while of my mom forcing me to sit down and read I started realizing that these books weren’t half bad.

Soon my mom was getting calls from my teachers informing her that I wasn’t paying attention in classes and that I was reading my books instead of following along with the class. I thought I was pretty clever actually, I recall moving everything in my desk back enough so I could fit my book on my lap and still keep it hiden in the desk. I would then put homework on top of the desk and so it would look like I was doing work, but really I was reading my books.

On my path from being a book dodger to a literary lover I have found many good books and hopefully these will inspire other kids to read. So, if your child hates to read, here are some books that will hopefully get that literary ball rolling. And if your child already loves reading I hope to help feed that hunger! Here are a few I have treasured...


Island of the Blue Dolphin – by Scott O’Dell
A story of a young girl alone on an island where she spends years foraging for herself, fighting off wild animals, finding food, and trying to find a way home. An inspiring and gripping tale…now that I think of it…it reminds me of a sweet little girl version of “Lost”…but a happy “Lost”.



The Dollhouse Murders – by Betty Ren Wright
The main girl Amy discovers a beautiful old-fashioned dollhouse in her forgotten attic, she is completely unaware that the dollhouse holds a deadly, forgotten secret about the past, and it seems that the dolls want Amy to learn a deadly truth. This may sound too dark, but it was a classic with me and my sister.



Maniac Magee – by Jerry Spinelli
12-year-old Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee, is an orphan who lives with his bizarre Uncle and Aunt. He is a good athlete , but can’t stand where he is anymore and runs very fast on railroad tracks which one day brings him to a town. He soon discovers this town has some racial tension. The town is divided between the blacks and whites on different ends of the town. Maniac Magee soon finds himself bouncing between each part of town unknowingly changing the lives of everyone in it. This was a number one favorite of my husband.



The Farthest Away Mountain – by Lynne Reid Banks
In a village nestled in a mountain valley, lived a girl named Darkin. She wants three things more than anything else: to visit the farthest-away mountain, to meet a gargoyle, and to marry a prince. Everyone in her village thinks she's crazy, especially since no one has ever been to the farthest-away mountain. But one day she hears the mountain calling her. Darkin sets off on a journey that will change her life, and the lives of others, forever. Dakin is now trying to save her village as she fights the magic that seems to be controlling the mountain for the last 200 years.


Chocolate Fever – by Robert Kimmel Smith
Henry loves chocolate so much, it practically runs through his veins. Chocolate cake, chocolate cereal, chocolate syrup, chocolate milk, and chocolate cookies—and that’s just breakfast! Still, it comes as a bit of a shock when he suddenly breaks out in chocolate spots and is diagnosed with . . . Chocolate Fever. And, rather than be poked and prodded by doctors, Henry runs away, starting the adventure of a lifetime.



The Fairy Rebel – by Lynne Reid Banks
A Fairy Queen in the forest forbids fairies from using their magic power on humans. But after a fairy named Tiki accidentally meets Jan, a woman who is desperate for a baby daughter, she finds it impossible to resist fulfilling her wish. Now up against the dark and vicious power of evil, this fairy must face the Queen’s fury with frightening and possibly fatal results. This was one that my sister Melanie read over and over again.



The Phantom Tollbooth – by Norton Juster
Milo is a bored ten-year-old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey. He meets such characters as the foolish, yet lovable Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked "Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the "impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom.


My Teacher is an Alien – Bruce Coville
Susan Simmons can tell that her new substitute teacher is really weird. But she doesn't know how weird until she catches him peeling off his face -- and realizes that "Mr. Smith" is really an alien!
At first no one will believe her except Peter Thompson, the class brain. When Peter and Susan discover Mr. Smith's horrible plans for their classmates, they know they have to act fast. Only they can get rid of their extraterrestrial visitor -- and save the rest of the sixth-grade class from a fate worse than math tests!
(Bruce Coville has many more in this series called “My Teacher Fried My Brain” “My Teacher Flunk the Planet” and many more.)


Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher: A Magic Shop Book – by Bruce Coville
Jeremy Thatcher thought the multicolored rock he bought from Mr. Elives' magic shop was just some sort of marble. Instead the "rock" ends up being a dragon's egg that Jeremy must hatch and raise. His new fire-breathing pet Tiamet proves quite a handful, especially when Jeremy discovers only he can see and hear her -- even when Tiamet grows into a giant, beautiful creature of myth. (this is another book that has other in its series)


Sideways Stories from Wayside School - by Louis Sachar. (My personal favorite)
Wayside School was supposed to be built with thirty classrooms one on top of the other...thirty stories tall! That may be why all kinds of funny things happen at Wayside School...especially on the thirteenth floor. You'll meet Mrs. Gorf, the meanest teacher of all, terrible Todd, who always gets sent home early, and John who can read only upside down--along with all the other kids in the crazy mix-up school that came out sideways. But you'll never guess the truth about Sammy, the new kid...or what's in store for Wayside School on Halloween! Enjoy each chapter as a new level in the school.



What are some of your favorite childrens' books and your favorite authors?

Sandwich Maker

WFMW

My husband loves grilled cheese sandwiches.... and I mean LOOOOVES them. If I made them everyday for dinner, it would be one of his three wishes coming true. I literally know my husband would never leave me just because of my grilled cheese sandwich making skills. Sad....but true :) The only problem that I have with grilled cheeses is that sometimes I just don't feel like making them. I know, I know.... they only take, like what?, 10 mins to make. But still sometimes I just don't feel like standing by the stove constantly flipping and checking for perfectly tanned toast. Especially since I have a serious problem with trying to cook them too fast and burning them..... which still won't stop Curtis from eating them.
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But luckily I found my way around this problem; the glorious sandwich maker! Oh what a beautiful, simple, easy appliance it is. It is basically a waffle iron for sandwiches...brillant...I know! And the best part is, is that you don't have to stick to sandwiches. Something that is really popular with us is make pizza pockets. Just add some pizza or spaghetti sauce with meat or veggies and toast. It only takes about 3 mins and then you will have a nice toasted, warm, pizza pocket. You can also use muffin batter and make quick little muffins for breakfast and even prepare personal fruit pies with batter and filling. This is great especially for people like me, who doesn't like making a WHOLE batch of muffin...because A. They won't all get eaten in time and will get stale.... or B. I will eat them all to keep them from going stale. Either way...I end up unhappy in the end. With the sandwich press I can simply and easily make 4 muffins for Curtis and I in just a few moments.

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They are really easy clean up too. Simply take a wet cloth and wipe it over the ceramic plates.... and presto chango.... done! I am a sucker for easy clean up. But it isn't just the ease of cleaning that I am in love with, but also the price. You can easily find these any where from $15-$100 dollars. It completely depends on what brand and from where you get it from. The cheapest places I found them was at Target and Amazon.com (which surprisingly has a nice selection on-line).

If the sandwich maker isn't really your thang... then there is always a Panini maker, which simply toasts the sandwiches. So, if you are looking for a toasted sandwich OR a nice warm fruit stuffed muffin, the sandwich maker will be your new best friend. And if you don't believe me.... here is a short list of amazing sandwhiches that you could be eating soon. Please try and keep the drool from hitting your keyboard :)

Tex-Mex Chicken Sandwich - you'll need some shredded chicken breasts, salsa, bread or tortilla wrap, and shredded cheddar cheese. Once the sandwich maker is warm, place the bread or tortilla on sandwich maker with the buttered side facing down. Simply arrange the ingredients on the bread or tortilla and top with another slice. Cook for about one minute.

Cheesy Hotdogs - this sandwich maker recipe makes about two sandwiches. You'll need one whole hot dog, half for each sandwich, two slices of bread, one slice of cheese, and your favorite hotdog condiments such as ketchup, mustard, relish, chili, or sauerkraut. Arrange the items on the sandwich maker and cook for about two minutes.

Pizza Pockets - this sandwich maker recipe calls for a couple of tablespoons of spaghetti sauce, a tablespoon of mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, pepperoni, and two slices of bread. Place a piece of bread on top with sauce, mushrooms, pepperoni, cheese, and the spices of your choice. Cook for about two to three minutes.

Classic Tuna Melt - for this sandwich maker recipe you'll need a couple of slices of bread, a huge tablespoonful of tuna salad (your personal recipe), a slice of cheese, a tomato, and salt and pepper. Place the bread, buttered side down, on the sandwich maker then top with tuna salad, tomato, and cheese. Add salt and pepper and top with the other piece of bread. Close the lid and cook for two to three minutes or until hot.