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Two Bit, you say?

We are just two girls; living in a two-bit town; using this blog to make a name for ourselves in this world.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Sugar Cookies from the Heart.

 

Are you still searching for the perfect way to show your swee-T some Valentines Day affection? Maybe you want to ask that lovely girl from work out on a hot date or you want to let that hottie mchotterson from BIO 240 know that he is a QT. Well, 2Bit again has come to your rescue. Here are some sugar cookies that can express all of your feelings without you having to say a word. Use a gel icing tube, write your heartfelt message, and hand over the cookie to the object of your affection. 2Bit is almost positive it couldn't get any more romantic than that. 


Recipe from joy the baker.

Recipe:
 3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 Tablespoon milk
 
1.  Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.
2.  Beat together butter and sugar in an electric mixer until light in color.  Add egg and milk to the mixture and beat until well combined.
3.  With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour, mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4.  Divide the dough in half and stain with food coloring if desired (2Bit does desire this).  Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Color y sans Color. 2Bit liked having the contrasting colors. Diversity is the spice of life. 

5.  Preheat oven to 375.
6.  Remove one package of dough from the refrigerator at a time.  Sprinkle your work surface and a rolling pin with powdered sugar.  Roll the dough to 1/4”, rotating the dough around the work surface, making sure it doesn’t stick. 
              ********2Bit note- be careful not to roll the dough too thinly or your cookies will be crunchy and not as yummy. Sugar cookies are best when they are a little bit thick, agree?
7.  Cut dough into desired shapes and place on a greased cookie sheet, or a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. 

You could use cookie cutters if you have luxurious cooking products such as that. 2Bit however does not and used a knife to cut out the hearts. They weren't perfect, but neither is 2Bit so it worked out perfectly..
8.  Bake for 7-9 minutes, rotating the pan half way through baking.  Remove from the oven when cookies have barely started to brown on the edges.  If you’re not using a silicone mat or parchment paper, I like to remove the cookies from the pan when they are still very warm.  This will ensure they won’t cool and stick to the pan.  Just be careful, they’ll be a bit fragile.



Let them cool completely and go to town on icing them!

The Icing: (from food network
3 ounces pasteurized egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2Bit Option- add lemon juice or mashed thawed strawberries in place of some of the liquid from the egg whites.
 
In large bowl of stand mixer combine the egg whites and vanilla and beat until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar gradually and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated and mixture is shiny. Turn speed up to high and beat until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks. This should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add food coloring, if desired. For immediate use, transfer icing to pastry bag or heavy duty storage bag and pipe as desired. If using storage bag, clip corner. 

Use some gel icing to create your Valentines Day messages.

The only real benefit of using a knife as your cookie cutter is that you can cut out shapes or letters specific to your boo.
 Happy Valentines Day to Michael and AJ and all of you 2Bits around the world!

And as always, 

xoxo

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Valentine's Day Ideas

First and foremost, "Valentine's Day is not just to show, 'I love you", but rather, 'I love us..our relationship'..." 



How cheesy Hallmark is! BUT, it's true. Use Valentine's Day to celebrate your loving relationship. It's all about the LOVE, not the candy. But candy don't hurt. Do not stress about Valentine's Day. As women, 2Bit admits that a creative, sentimental attempt is plenty and perfect. It doesn't have to be pricey, just romantic.

I think both sexes will agree that ANYTHING homemade & sentimental is appreciated, such as:
~Picture album
~Scrapbook
~A poem
       ~Paint him/her a picture on a canvas(Hobby Lobby/Michaels for supplies)
                                     ~A framed picture (decorate the frame even)
~A song
                             ~Coupon Book (back rub, homemade dinner, dinner & movie, rented movie of his/her choice, night of dancing, day at the park, picnic, whatever he or she is into-you get the picture)
~Homemade Valentine card
~Breakfast in bed
~A favorite photo put on a canvas
~Homemade dinner/Candlelit dinner: need ideas? email 2bit for some din din options
~Take out by candlelight for those who don't cook
~ Go out to eat and have dessert either already done at home or ready to go in the oven...

{http://strawberrysue.com/2010/11/winter-strawberries-and-cream/}
~Have fresh strawberries dipped in melted chocolate or make your own homemade whipping cream for strawberries and creme! 




2Bit's Rum Cake adapted from easy recipe...

Lava Cakes adapted from this recipe or do a flourless recipe

or

2Bit Bourbon Balls

~Set the mood with wine, lots of candles, or flower petals or a valentine's poster OR hire a clown, whatever you WANT...be creative!
{Real Simple Magazine}

If there's any holiday that you can get away with simply making a gift, it's Valentine's Day, BUT for those who don't wanna make anything- TOTE fine...
For Him:
Favorite sport's jersey
Cigars
A nice watch
Fav beer
Fav candy
Fav movie
A his&her hobby to do together: tennis rackets, tickets to a game or concert, gym membership...

For Her:
Undies (be careful with this one... not if you have just met... actually, only if you're married :)
Makeup or Sephora gift card
Fav romantic movie
Perfume you picked out and would love to smell on her
Fav wine
Engraved jewelry(doesn't have to be pricey, just special)
Any jewelry- bracelets, !!!!  necklaces !!!!, earrings..no seriously, any of those, etc...

{You could even refer to 2Bit's Christmas Gifts Post for more ideas}

But remember, Valentine's Day is different for everyone... If your honey is fine with just a card and a kiss from you, then don't go overboard... Be responsible, all you Lovers!!!

A couple more sweet ideas...
{dogeared heart necklace}



Monday, February 7, 2011

Quote of the Week


This is such a powerful quote 2BIT heard in church yesterday...

"Anything God has ever done, He can do now. Anything God has ever done, He can do here. Anything God has done for anyone, He can do for you."
-A.W. Tozer

Great is His faithfulness!!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Kick-Off Treats

Decor Ideas:
Beer Koozies: Buy striped tube socks from store and cut top off, then simply slide bottle into..
Coasters: Fake grass from the hardware store (the stuff ppl put down in their patio) cut into circles.


{http://makemerryevents.com/2011/01/super-bowl-party-inspiration/}
For Whoopie Pie recipe, scroll to bottom!


Dip Ideas:


-Salsa

-Guacamole (the "taco"/4th one down recipe seems closest to 2Bit's)


-7 Layer dip

-Spinach Artichoke Dip (warning for those of you who don't care about healthy recipes: this is VEGAN) 

-Homemade Beer Cheese! (It is so easy to do and yummier than a lot of the stuff you buy at stores)


Dinner Ideas:
-Our Botto White Bean Chili
-Our Black Bean Squah Soup with Cheesy Cornbread!
-A fun & filling option is to make your favorite chili and top it with cornbread batter and bake at 450, but make sure to half the cornbread recipe b/c as it rises it will soak up a lot of the chili juice. Delicious and easy!

Easy Desserts:
-Chocolate Chip Cookies
-Brownies... add chocolate chips or for a healthier spin, change the oil ingredient to half apple sauce and half oil/butter. Don't overcook!! Moist brownies are key!
Football Cakes:
-Option 1
-Option 2
-Option 3


Whoopie Pies:
Chocolate cake mix and what it calls for (oil, water, eggs)
 Filling:
-1/2 c. softened butter
-1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
-1 c marshmallow creme (melted marshmallows if you don't have the creme)
-1 tsp. vanilla

-Heat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
-Follow the cake mix directions. Place tbsp-sized scoops onto prepared cookie sheet and try to mold into a narrow/egg shape if possible. No one is gonna hold it against you if they come out more circular than football-shaped.
-Bake ten minutes at at time until all the cakes are done.
-Mix the filling ingredients together in an electric mixer.
-Once the cakes have cooled, spoon the filling in between two and decorate the top with icing in  bag with a tiny, narrow opening.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Oh the Beauties of Baking Soda


Last night as AJ and I bathed our dog, Gracie, with a baking soda/water mixture, it occurred to me just how many uses baking soda has. So 2Bit decided to share...
Baking soda is inexpensive, nontoxic, environmentally friendly, fragrance-free and safe to use around pets and children!

1. For Pets: The said baking soda/water mixture is great to bathe pets because it is a mild cleanser with zero chemicals that could irritate sensitive skin. And the b.s.(baking soda) neutralizes odor and makes the coat shiny and fresh.  B.s. can also be used as a dry shampoo. Just rub it into your dog's coat and brush thoroughly to remove. (2Bit has not tried it as a dry shampoo, so no promises.) Baking soda on a wet toothbrush can be used to remove tartar and freshen your dog' breath.. Gotta try that one!!
{http://www.espressofacts.info/related/what-is-the-best-toothpaste-for-coffee-and-tea-stains}
2. Make toothpaste. B.s. is used in some toothpastes, so why not use it as an alternative to non-flouride toothpaste. You can make your own minty toothpaste below, or just wet your toothbrush and dip it into straight baking soda, which Bit C. has tote done. It makes your teeth whiter..no lie! It freshens your breath so you could also mix 1 tsp of b.s. in a cup of water and swish it around like mouth wash.
~1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1 drop peppermint, spearmint or cinnamon bark essential oil, and a few drops of water~
{Isn't it sad that 2Bit C. had whiter and brighter teeth before she began drinking coffee? And isn't it even more sad that she would rather have coffee than brighter teeth? Coffee also makes me sweat. Yet, this Bit can't stop drinking it. Maybe Bit should dab her pits with b.s.}
3. Don't have deodorant but you DO have baking soda???? Can't imagine how, but in the event that you are stuck in a kitchen before facing your day, no worries- just pat a lil baking soda under each armpit. 2Bit says it works.
4. Baking soda can be used as a safe antacid for heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion etc... Just refer to the box for directions.
5. Treat and soothe insect bites, rashes and poison ivy irritations with a paste of b.s and water. Just dab it as a salve on the affected area.
6. Deodorize your stinky refrigerator by keeping an open box of baking soda inside. OR throw away what's rotten and moldy...
You don't need that caddy to de-odor your fridge..
{http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID= 14856&itemType= PRODUCT &path=1%2C2%2C4%2C110%2C10006&iProductID=14856}
7. Remove odor from carpets by sprinkling baking soda and letting it sit as long as you can (a few hours to overnight) before vacuuming. And it will freshen your vacuum too.

8. Do your shoes smell like rotten feet? Right, neither does 2Bit's, but just in case...Sprinkle some b.s. inside when not in use and let it marinate.
9. Clean fruits and veggies with b.s. by sprinkling it on a damp sponge/rag then scrubbing. Then rinse your produce. 

{http://www.ehow.com/grow-potatoes/}
10. Cleanse your brushes and combs from natural and product build-up by soaking your brush/comb in 1 tsp b.s. in a bowl/sink filled warm water... 2Bit is definitely doing this since hubby Hochhalter decided my lil brush would be perfect to brush our lil Gracie with....
11. Like vinegar, which i have used, baking soda works the same way to really cleanse and rid your hair from styling product build-up and make it oh-so- shiny! And with baking soda, you don't have to worry that you wreak of vinegar. Just add a hand-full of b.s. to you shampoo and wash as usual.
12. Remove stubborn rust stains from your sink (or wherever) with a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice, and coarse salt. Make a paste and scrub with a scrub brush/rough sponge. Try letting the lemon juice sit for a while and then scrub with mixture and rinse. Repeat if necessary. 
13. Clean the oven. Sprinkle onto the bottom of the oven and and spray with water to dampen the b.s. and let sit overnight. Then scrub and scoop out loosened grime and residue. OR just don't spill crap on the bottom of your oven...
14. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.
{http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-1218128-hydrangeas-in-vase.php}
15. Have you ever cleaned your coffee maker? No, b/c you can't really..or can you?? Run your coffee maker with a baking soda solution, then rinse.

**Bonus one**
16. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, and use as a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub. Rinse your face clean. 
See, boys, baking soda is for you too!!
{http://www.ecollo.com/post/2008/01/How-to-exfoliate-using-baking-soda.aspx}