German Basil Lemon Sauce Chicken Parm Pasta

 My ten-year-old brother, Luke. Tens years old. Yes, it was his idea.
 Well, the German Basil and the Lemon Sauce was me, but seriously. Chicken parmesan pasta? How many ten-year-olds even know what that is?
  My little ten-year-old brother chopped and fried the chicken, followed my directions for the sauce, I mean, come on. That's pretty cool. And if a ten-year-old can cook, my friends, so can you.

Step by step, Earring Display Dreamcatcher

Welcome to the world of Thread and Butter. My world. A world where whenever you need something, you don't buy it, you make it. I wanted a dream catcher that I could hang my earrings on so they don't get lost (Because th

Momma James Quick Rise Garlic Dinner Rolls

  These are the PERFECT dinner rolls. I've searched and searched, but I needed not look any farther than my dearest, one of my oldest friends known as Momma James. She is the master of dinner rolls (among her numerous claims to fame), and I couldn't think of a better way to make rolls than how she does. Okay, I may have tweaked it a little, but the genius of these wonders all lies in the brain of my dear friend.

 So fluffy, so salty with a hint of comforting sweetness. The egg wash on the top just gives it the most delightful crunch during the first second of the bite, then you sink your teeth into the savory sensations of bliss within.
  I positively dip them into butter and I really don't think anything can beat these wonderful, beautiful rolls.
  This particular batch I made for my lovely Grandmother's birthday! They're her favorite treat that I make, and I can't disagree... She actually was put off when she heard I was going to post them. She would rather the secret recipe be kept in my hands so that she was the only one in the world to benefit from its magnificence. But I have to share it with the w

What you will need:
1 1/2 Cup milk, warmed on high for 1 minute in the microwave
2 Scant Tablespoons of Active Dry Yeast
1/4 Cup Olive Oil 

3 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1/2 teaspoon of Rosemary
1/2 teaspoon Thyme
1 teaspoon Minced, Dried Onions
1/4 teaspoon Dill
4 Cups Flour 

What you will do:
Preheat oven to 370 degrees
Warm milk in microwave. If you dip your finger in and find it uncomfortably hot, let cool until your finger can rest in it comfortably
Whisk in yeast with a fork, let sit for three minutes
Stir in oil, sugar, and seasonings
In a stand mixer with a dough hook, add flour 1/2 Cup at a time
Mix on high for 3 minutes
Let rise in bowl with wet cloth over dough for 15 minutes
Form dough into knots and place on greased cookie sheet
Bake 10-15 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown
Serve with mountains of butter. Forget cholesterol. 

 ENJOY! 

DIY Whimsical Nightlight

  As I was taking pictures of this little fairy nightlight, my mom shouts out the command that I must make one for her. A few minutes later my sister orders one as well. So I guess I'll have to go back to the craft store...

 Oh, I didn't make this for me! I'm not afraid of the dark............................... Most of the time...

 Whimsical Nightlight

What you will need:
Clear Ornament (Glass or plastic)
String of Rice Lights (Otherwise known as: Fairy Lights, small bulb string of lights), battery powered
3 Double A Batteries
Ornament Stand
Small box (Thin, wide as ornament stand)

What you will do:
Using the tiny screw that the rice lights should come with, insert the batteries.

Slowly push the string of lights into the bulb leaving about 6 inches so you can place battery  hidden from view.

 Push bulb top over string coming out of the top, hang on ornament stand. Hide battery pack under a thin, wide box and place the nightlight on top. Happy sleeping!

DIY Air Fresheners

If your car smells anything like ours do, these might be a good idea...



I got the idea for them when I saw these beautiful jewelry bags at a craft store.

Stamp on the name of the herb or spice

Fill the bag with something sweet 

Hang in your cars, stuff in your shoes, or slip it into your sock drawer and enjoy the fragrance and cuteness

Independence Day Cake Balls!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Independence Day Weekend! As I said I'm serving my Cookie Dough Cake Balls today for a BBQ with friends. Luckily I hadn't finished coating all of them with chocolate and white pearls before I realized I was missing out on a very festive opportunity... 

If you really want to amaze your friends, use the instructions to make a cake pop stand

So click HERE and get directions for cake pops and stand, and get your Independence on!

Cookie Dough Cake Pops (+ DIY cake pop stand!)

  I cannot get enough of cookie dough. My sister is constantly warning me of the dangers of food poisoning and salmonella and E. coli. So to avoid such paranoia, I made a cookie dough recipe without eggs that can be eaten as often as you wish without causing panic to overbearing sisters.

  Before I tell you how to make these delectable cake pops, I'll show you how to make a cake pop stand so you have something to put them on.

Cake Pop Stand

What you will need:

Foam Brick (found in gardening supplies)

Or: Shoe box and dish towels 

Wrapping Paper 

Sharp Pencil

What you will do:

For shoe box: Lay dish clothes in shoe box, filling about half the box (This will help cake pops stay upright)

Wrap the shoe box or foam brick with paper

Use a sharp pencil to poke holes a couple inches apart from each other

I didn't have a foam brick, but it works better. You just have to be more gentle poking the holes so you don't go all the way through. 

And now for the

          Cookie Dough Cake Pops

What you will need:

2 Sticks Butter (Room temp)

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar 

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla 

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 1/2 Cups Flour

11.5 Oz. Giredelli Milk Chocolate Chips*

2 Cups Giredelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 teaspoon Coconut Oil

White Pearl Sprinkles

Cookie Sticks

Cake Pop Stand (Directions below) 

*Mini chocolate chips work better for inserting the cookie stick. I took the risk... And a few times the stick pushed out the chocolate chips and broke the ball, plunging it into the melted chocolate.

What you will do:

Beat together butter and sugars until it starts to fluff and lightens in color

Beat in vanilla and salt until blended

Stir in flour 1/2 Cup at a time

Stir in chocolate chips

Form balls (about 1 1/2 Tablespoons each) and place on cookie sheet. Freeze about 1/2 hour.

Press in cookie sticks about half way. If it feels loose, press the cookie dough hard around the stick.

Put back into freezer

Melt bittersweet chocolate with coconut oil

Take out one cookie on a stick at a time and dip into chocolate, twirl around with your fingers until no chocolate is dripping, set into cake pop stand

Sprinkle pearls on top

Refrigerate and DEVOUR 

  They last for a fairly long time in the fridge. I'm serving mine tomorrow at a BBQ with friends. 

Just a parting thought:
Pearl sprinkles are pretty hard usually, so if you have delicate teeth you might try some funfetti sprinkles, or maybe you'd like to anyway because you like color. It's your decision, be creative. I just thought these looked very elegant, and I enjoy a good crunch.

Enjoy!