JAMSquared

Author Archives: Jennifer

Boss’s Day

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According to Wikipedia, Boss’s Day (also known as Bosses Day or National Boss Day) is a secular holiday celebrated on October 16 in the United States. It has traditionally been a day for employees to thank their boss for being kind and fair throughout the year. I am fortunate enough to have a boss that is awesome. I have actually had great bosses the entire time I’ve worked at TxDOT, but my current boss, Lisa, is the best. (I will note that my tenure at TxDOT has all been in the same office, but my first boss retired and my second boss left to work for the Center for Transportation Research.)

Diana, a co-worker, and I decided that we would circulate a card among our branch for Boss’s Day. Below is the card I made to circulate. I made it the early part of last week so there would be enough time for it to circulate. I also made it on the large side (5.5-in. x 8.25-in.), so there would be room for the approx. 16 people in our branch to sign. I CASEd (Copy and Selectively Edit) this funny card. I used my laser printer to make the sentiment.

Bosss Day Card

Boss's Day Card

Inside of the Bosss Day Card

Inside of the Boss's Day Card

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Tailgating (wheel), Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Close to Cocoa
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Delicate Dots
Ink:  Stampin’ Up Basic Brown
Accessories:  dimensionals; Stampin’ Up Brocade Blue eyelets
Tools: colored pencils, Crop-a-dile

***As a side note, I scheduled this post to be published on Boss’s Day, so even though there is a new baby or will be (induction is scheduled for the 16th if she doesn’t arrive sooner herself), don’t think I published this today. The post was ready to go almost a week ago.

Andes Crème de Menthe Cookies

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Last night I was in a baking mood, so I made cookies for James. He had been giving me a hard time about the “excessive” quantity of chocolate chips I had squirreled away in the pantry, so I took out the package of Andes Crème de Menthe Baking Chips I had purchased one time specifically for him (ya’ll know about his affinity for mint flavored desserts). I looked on the back of the package and the cookie recipe sounded good, so I decided to try it out. The recipe was really easy and the cookies tasted delicious. James gave them his seal of approval. Now, he has a bunch of cookies to munch on at the hospital, assuming I ever go into labor (induction will occur Friday if baby JAM doesn’t decide to show up earlier).

Andes Crème de Menthe Cookies

Andes Crème de Menthe Cookies

Andes Crème de Menthe Cookies

Source: back of the bag and here

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup salted butter, softened (I actually use unsalted)
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 10-oz. package Andes Crème de Menthe Baking Chips
  • 2 2/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Directions:

Blend butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and eggs until mixed. Stir in Andes baking chips and then flour. Chill approximately one hour in the refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Measure out approximately 1 ounce of dough (I used a cookie scoop to get even size scoops). Form ball, place on non-stick baking pans and slightly flatten (I used the bottom of a drinking glass to slightly flatten). Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Remove to cooling racks.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Banana Chocolate Crumb Muffins

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I read a number of food related blogs (although I’m way behind) and a while back, I had bookmarked these muffins made by Ashley of Delish. I made them last week and James and I enjoyed them for breakfast for a number of days. I enjoyed the crumb topping; however, it became mushy (but still delicious) by the time we finished the last two muffins yesterday. So if you prefer a more crumbly crumb topping, eat them fast, which would so not be difficult to do.

Banana Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Banana Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Banana Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Source: Delish

Ingredients:

  • 3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (if desired, substitute 3/4-1 cup all-purpose flour for wheat pastry flour)

Crumb Topping Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cold butter
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line muffin tin with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, mix bananas and butter. Stir in granulated sugar, egg and vanilla. Sprinkle baking soda, baking powder and salt over the mixture. Add the flour; mix until just incorporated. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

For crumb topping: in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and flour. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Stir in mini chocolate chips. Sprinkler topping over muffins.

Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.

Yield: 12 muffins

Mojo Monday Sketch 107

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I enjoy sketch challenges and I especially enjoy the Mojo Monday sketches. They get me using more layers and I really like how the extra layers add depth to my cards. Below is my take on sketch 107. I made this card for my friend Kristy’s birthday whose favorite color is red.

Mojo Monday Sketch 107

Mojo Monday Sketch 107

Penguin Birthday Card

Penguin Birthday Card

Stamps: The Cat’s Pajamas Smells Like Cake
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Summer Picnic
Ink:  a crappy black that smudged when I colored since my Stazon Jet Black needs reinking
Accessories:  Stampin’ Up Bashful Blue brads; Stampin’ up Real Red 1/2″ striped  grosgrain ribbon; Stickles Xmas Red (cupcake sprinkles) and Yellow (star); colored pencils

Birthday Hugs and Wishes

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I made four of these cards back in August for some September birthdays. I think they turned out pretty well. What do you think?

Birthday Hugs and Wishes Card

Birthday Hugs and Wishes Card

Stamps: CC Designs Swiss Pixie Heidi Among the Flowers; Stampin’ Up Hugs and Wishes (sentiment)
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum
Ink:  Stampin’ Up Elegant Eggplant; Stazon Jet Black
Markers: Stampin’ Up So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink; Spica Clear; Sakura Gelly Roll Silver
Tools: eyelet border punch