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UltimateMama enjoys beautiful centerpieces when she entertains. A quick, easy, and inexpensive do it yourself DIY centerpiece idea is the Floating Candle Centerpiece.

You need:

-Vases

-Flowers

-Floating Candles

-Water

 

To do:

-Fill the vase with water

-Place the candles in the middle

-Cut stems off flowers and place the brightly colored flowers around the candles

Enjoy!

UltimateMama always likes to bring a little something when stopping by a friend’s home.  These hostess gifts are usually quite unexpected but definitely greatly appreciated.  Recently, UltimateMama found chocolate boxes from MarieBelle New York really bring smiles no matter what time of year! Her favorite are the 4 piece chocolate ganache blue box sets which feature beautiful designs on hand-made chocolate.

UltimateMama and her kids made the most delicious and simple blueberry pie that was met with much applause this weekend! A store bought crust helped us out but the rest was simply homemade.

To make –

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust or another brand

6 cups fresh blueberries (remove stems, wash)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven according to pie crust instructions (sometimes it is 425 degrees F but double check)

Make the filling – Get a large bowl and fill with the blueberries, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Stir

Put blueberry mixture in the bottom crust

Place top crust over and fold under edges with bottom dough

Score the top pie crust with 4 cuts so steam can move freely out

Bake the pie on middle rack for 20 minutes at 425 degrees F and 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Cool pie, serve, and enjoy!

 

 

Recently, Ultimate Mama was in Austin, Texas and visited Kendra Scott’s aesthetically gorgeous store location on South Congress Avenue. Not only were the salespeople extremely friendly, but also very helpful.  There were so many beautiful gifts for girls, tweens, teens, and women of all ages.  The Elisa gold pendant necklace in rose quartz at $55 was a huge hit with some of my younger teen daughter’s friends.  My older teen loved the Brooke cuff bracelet in gold at $60. Look for new collections each season!

UltimateMama’s children will actually roll out of bed if they smell baked oatmeal for breakfast.  It is an easy recipe that can be made all year long!

To do:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Grease a 9 x 13 pan

Mix:

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup 2% milk

1/3 cup olive oil

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Add:

3 cups rolled oats

1 1/2 – 2 cups of fruit or nuts that you like (we like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and walnuts and usually save a little to put on top)

Bake in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes (check at the 15-20 minute mark and rotate)

Enjoy!

UltimateMama recently learned about a 3 color piping bag kit that will turn any ordinary cupcake into an extraordinary delight. The Wilton color swirl decorating kit is easy to use with fantastic results. Pick any 3 colors of frosting and you will have gorgeous cupcakes that look professional!

UltimateMama has an easy, comfort food style recipe that all will enjoy for dinner tonight. Best of all it takes less than 20 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

4-6 ounces thinly diced prosciutto

4 gloves garlic

1 1/4 cups frozen organic peas (thaw before use)

Dash of crushed red pepper flakes (or more for taste)

1 pound Mafalde pasta

1/2-3/4 cup pasta water

To do:

Cook the pasta as directed. Keep 1/2-3/4 cup of pasta water for “sauce”.

In a big skillet heat the olive oil and add the diced prosciutto until crisp. Remove and place on a place (draining the oil).

Chop the garlic finely, add to the olive oil in the skillet, and cook for a few minutes.

Add the peas to the skillet as well as the crushed red pepper flakes.

Add the pasta to the skillet, using tongs.

Add 1 cup of the cheese to the pasta in the skillet then 1/3 cup of the pasta water and mix to form a sauce.

Finish adding the remainder of the cheese as well as the pasta water until desired consistency and creaminess is achieved.

Place in a large pasta bowl or platter.

Top with crisped prosciutto and a bit of crushed red pepper flakes for color.

Enjoy!

 

UltimateMama made and decorated tennis ball inspired cupcakes for her daughter’s recent team dinner party. The tennis ball cupcakes were easy, cute, and yummy! These cupcakes were made in green wrappers, decorated with vanilla frosting with a few drops of green food coloring, and detailed with Wilton’s white decorative icing.

UltimateMama and her kids are passionate about food insecurity issues in the community.  A productive way to get kids involved in helping those in need is to contact your local food pantry, soup kitchen, community center, or religious organization and ask them how they can use your assistance.  This morning, UltimateMama and her crew of two made 22 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole wheat bread (wearing gloves during assembly) and put them into individual bags which were dropped off by 9 AM at the New York Common Pantry.  Help reduce hunger in your neighborhood today!

UltimateMama discovered a new kitchen must-have that makes creating mini pancakes or pancake “cereal” incredibly easy.  The pancaker is sold by the Container Store and offers an all in one measure, mixing, and shaking product complete with a spout for an easy to pour experience. Just use your favorite mix and you can whip up creative mini pancakes in minutes! Add chocolate chips if you feel decadent.