Project Inspirations: Birds and Sparkles

Inspirations are something that are essential to a young woman, particularly when that young woman is striving to bring glory to God through hidden arts.

I have loved looking through different magazines and art blogs for project ideas and I thought of starting a series on Project Inspirations.

So, each week I will be posting something that has encouraged or inspired me that week; it may be a portion of scripture, magazine article, or a post on an art blog.

And please comment if you have something to contribute too!

This week I'd like to share a link to my friend Cait's blog,

In Company With Sparkles.Cait is a sweet, creative young woman whom I have enjoyed to spend time with; although I live in the States and her in the U.A.E., we have been able to connect through a mutual friend and I have been blessed to call her my friend and frequent, creative inspiration.

Today she posted a great project idea for pillows!

So hop on over to her blog and be encouraged and inspired! It's so fun to see the different things she creates and how she uses them to bless others.

Week Two of AHC: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

Here is week two of A Homemade Christmas put on by Emily Rose at Simply Vintage Girl.

(It's always best to begin at the beginning)

Here is a wonderful recipe for Crusted Nuts that was given to me by some dear friends.
I love this recipe because it is one of those that can be changed and

adapted, however you like it.

This is a great gift for neighbors, you could couple it with a "thank you" note,

sprinkle them on ice cream, or simply leave on the counter for whenever you feel the least bit hungry!

They may not be chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but they really taste and smell yummy, in whatever weather you may be.

You start with:

~ 2 beaten egg whites

~ 1 tbsp. water

~1 1-pound bag of your favorite nuts (I used halved pecans but it tastes good with almonds or walnuts as well)

~ 1 1/2 c. sugar

~ 1 tsp. salt

~ 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees, then for an easy clean-up, I lined my pan with some greased wax paper.

2. Beat your egg whites until they are white and foamy (think sea foam, without the salt). Coat your nuts well; this is what the sugar mixture will be sticking too, so make sure all of the nuts are well covered.

3. Mix sugar, salt, et cinnamon and coat the eggy nuts well.

4. Pour nuts onto sheet et bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Et bon appetit!

You could store this in a glass jar with some cute ribbon or fabric and leave on the counter for some edible decoration.

A yummy option would be to add some dashes of nutmeg or allspice to your sugar mixture.

And, to add to the ice cream idea,

you could chop your nuts before using them so they fit easier on the spoon.