Crafty

I have a weakness for craft fairs. I just love strolling the booths, looking at one-of-a-kind items... jewelry, clothing, art, you name it. While there isn't the same ambiance as getting to personally stroll and examine the items, I just love Etsy.

Artists sell their work at this online store. The site is very searchable... I recently bought some Star Wars photo artwork cards as a birthday present for a friend. Take a look, click around, type in something off-the-wall... you might be surprised at what you find.

Yum

For a little while now I have been receiving in the mail the hard copy of Kraft Foods & Family. Pictures are always scrumptious, and I like that most recipes seem fairly straightforward, simple, in plain English and use everyday ingredients I am more likely to have or acquire. The website has the added benefit of being searchable.

Even though we have been 90+ degrees today, I have Fall on my mind. I can't wait to try this recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Frosted Snack Cake

Enjoy the delicious flavor of pumpkin pie in this sweet and perfectly spiced cake. Each bite is lusciously moist thanks to a helping hand from Miracle Whip Dressing.

Prep: 20 min. / Total: 55 min.

1 pkg. (2-layer size) spice cake mix
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 cup Miracle Whip Dressing
3 eggs
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 13x9-inch baking pan; set aside. Beat cake mix, pumpkin, dressing and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 32 to 35 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating after each addition until well blended. Spread over cooled cake. Cut into pieces to serve. Store any leftovers in refrigerator.

Makes 2 doz. or 24 servings, 1 piece each.

See the website for variations, as well as other tasty recipes. Or sign up for your own copy of the magazine!

Baby Cheapskate

I love tapping into sites that do some legwork for me. One of my recent favorites is Baby Cheapskate. Check them out for peeks at deals and sales on just about everything from shoes to strollers to baby proofing items to those things we all need. Especially interesting is all the price comparisons on diapers and wipes and where to get the best deals/cost per diaper.

A Unique Kid's Booster

I am anxiously awaiting this product. My son is two, and has decided he will not stay in a high chair and dislikes traditional boosters immensely. The cool thing is to sit like the big people. Kaboost consists of "spring-loaded" arms that sit under the legs of a chair to raise the chair itself to the proper height of the table. It looks very portable, and so could even be toted to restaurants. What a great idea!