The Study Series

I have always loved to read and it is one of my hobbies that I share with my sisters Kylie and Marie. I have not picked up a book since I read " The Uglies" series over a year ago and now that my baby is getting older I looked to Marie for a good suggestion for a book to read. She turned me onto the  Study series.




Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down! I love that my attention was grabbed right away and I didn't have to wade through a slow first few chapters to get to the good stuff! The concept of this book was different than anything I have read so far and I enjoyed getting lost in it's story! I can't wait to read more from this author!






Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not get through the 1st book fast enough and was very excited to start this one! I really enjoyed seeing Yelena discover her magic side. It was fun to meet the southern characters and see what life was like down south!

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have loved this whole series! I did find all of the traveling in this book to be a touch annoying, however there were so many twist and turns in the book it kept me on the edge of my chair. I loved all the suspense and action through it. What a perfect ending! I will definitely read this series again!

Have any good book suggestions for me? 

What are you reading?

-chelz

Frugal Friday- Acne Solution

This may be hard to believe, but this acne solution is totally FREE!  Drink a mug of hot water every morning on an empty stomach. REALLY, that's all it is. Once you drink it, you can eat what you normally would for breakfast.


Fill a mug with water and put it in the microwave for about 1 minute. Drink it as hot as you can stand it, you may need to let it cool for a minute.

 I used to have breakouts really bad as a teenager, but Buff got me started on this and my skin cleared up! It will take about a week for your skin to really clear up.

Even if you don't have breakouts this helps brighten your complexion.

Why it works... you get pimples from many things and among them is dirt and bacteria not only from the outside but from inside our body. The hot water kills any bugs that you may have in you.

We also use this trick when we are sick and we recover so much faster when we do. About a month ago a stomach bug was going around and we were able to recover within two days instead of a week like everyone else.


The best part.....IT'S FREE! So, from here on out make it a part of your morning routine to drink a mug of hot water every morning on an empty stomach!


Give it a try and let us know how it works for you!




-chelz & Buff

Maori Bread

We have received a bunch of requests for us to share our Maori bread recipe, so here it is....

Maori Bread

2 C. real warm potato water*
1/8 C. of canned  pumpkin
31/2 - 4 C. Flour
1/2 C. sugar
1 Tbsp. Dry yeast


Place in your bread maker in this order and put it on Dough cycle. When cycle is finished, then place dough in greased loaf pan and let rise till almost double. You can leave the dough whole or split in half to make two loaves.

350 deg. for 30-40 minutes.
Tastes yummy when served warm with butter.

* For potato water I put a 2c water on the stove and place some instant potato flakes in it and stir til the flakes mixe well. This should only take a min so be sure to not let the water get too hot or it will effect the yeast.


To keep the crust soft, once I pull it out of the oven I rub butter on the top of the bread and it keeps it moist.



-Buff-

WIWW: Chelz

Jacket & Necklace-Target (old)
Blue Top- Kohl's
White tank- Downeast
Jeans- Nordstrom Rack
Shoes- Discount Shoe Factory













I love everything about this jacket! I love the length of the sleeves and the color! It is one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe.

-chelz

Linked to:

French Napoleons

These are a family favorite in our family.  They make the cutest Valentine's dessert, or any time of year, really.  They whip together super quickly and you can prep most of it ahead of time. 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup cold milk
• 1 (3 ½ ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 cup Cool Whip
• sliced fresh strawberries

garnish (optional)

• powdered sugar 
• melted chocolate 

Directions

1. On a lightly floured surface lay out the puff pastry.
2. Cut out 9 Napoleons per sheet. You can use a cookie cutter or just cut them into squares.
3. Place on ungreased baking sheets (or use a Silpat).
4. (If your dough has become too warm, place in refrigerator to chill. The pastry will not "puff" well if warm.).
5. Bake at 400º for 8-11 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove to wire racks to cool.
7. In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip.
8. Split puff pastry shapes in half.
9. Place bottom halves on serving plates.
10. Spoon filling over each; top with strawberries.
11. Top with pastry tops. (Add just a dab of filling on top of strawberries so the pastry top will stick.).
12. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and chocolate, if desired.

You can make the filling, slice the strawberries, and cook the pastries ahead of time and assemble when ready.  I've even assembled them completely and stuck them in the fridge for an hour and they tasted great. 

-marie

Chocolate Truffle Bundt Cake

Sooo Yummy but sooo Easy.....Chocolate Truffle Bundt Cake, just fill the center with the excess warm frosting. Then fill your mouth with a deliciously warm chocolate rush with  a large scoop of ice cream or cool whip on top.The day after when it is cold, just zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds & back comes the fresh baked chocolate rush again. Always a favorite at work or family event's. Sorry I am a Chocoholic enabler, see recipe below.

Whip up & pour into your bundt pan, it's prettier this way.

Cool till it is warm & easy to handle

Chocolate Truffle cake

1 Chocolate cake mix

1 small pkt. instant Choc. Pudding
1 bag chocolate chips

16 oz Sour cream

5 eggs

1 stick melted butter

1 tub of Pillsbury chocolate frosting heated (remove foil lid)

Mix by hand (it is a rather heavy dough):

Mix dry ingredients.  
Add chocolate chips to dry ingredients so they won't sink to the bottom.

Add sour cream, eggs, and butter. Mix well. Pour in greased Bundt Pan.

Cook 50 min.  350 deg.

When still a little warm, Pour 1 tub chocolate frosting that has been

heated in microwave for approx. 30-40 seconds.

Then pour warm frosting on top & in the middle as a bowl for the excess.

Now decorate it so it is irresistible.

Sunday Best: Fashion & Crafts

Welcome to another addition of G*Rated Sunday Best!  We've loved seeing everyone linking up their outfits.  We're gonna change things up a bit and would love to see any crafts or projects you've been working on, too!  So feel free to like up outfits or crafts, or both!

Here are a few of our favorite outfits from last week:

Oh my gosh I LOVE, no NEED this dress!  And the necklace. And the belt. And the shoes.  Oh, and the cute underskirt used as a slip.  Yeah, I need it all!  Check out House of Shoes for all the details.















I love this outfit from Shabby Kitten.  And would you believe it's almost all thrifted?!  I'm loving that ruffle tank.















This is such a classic and beautiful look from Modern Modest Beauty.  I love the dress with the dark tights and shoes.

<center><a href="http://griffithsrated.blogspot.com/search/label/sunday%20best" target="_blank"><img alt="g*rated" src="http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd14/kiwibacon4/button2-1.jpg"/></a></center>

RULES:

1. Link to a specific post on your blog.

2. Add the g*rated button to your post.

3. Make sure you check out other links to get ideas.  And no one would mind if you left a comment on their blog. :)

4. Follow g*rated.