<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/turtles-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1363" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/turtles-1.jpg" alt="cashew turtles" width="500" height="315" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;">With a bun in the oven and a high-maintenance toddler, things have been even busier this holiday season than they have in years past.  That said, next year promises to be even busier!  Instead of making proper posts on all that we have been up to, I've chosen a few of the highlights and put them together.  Above, is a very inviting photo of <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2014/12/16/recipe-for-cashew-turtles/uSPS7Ri65fKPnncafsfX0H/story.html">cashew turtles </a>that I shot for the Boston Globe.  Since I had so many leftover packaged caramels from apple orchard season, I decided to try the author's suggested method of melting them down and adding a bit of cream.  It worked like a dream and could not have been easier.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bark-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1357" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bark-1.jpg" alt="peppermint bark" width="426" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I also had the pleasure of shooting this very yummy version of <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2014/12/16/recipe-for-microwave-peppermint-pretzel-chocolate-bark/IdqsvC33e2Cqt3442kvUSK/story.html">peppermint bark</a>.  The salty pretzels buried in the milk chocolate layer make them irresistible.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/paint-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1362" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/paint-2.jpg" alt="homemade paint" width="457" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Illness and the <a href="http://www.3daypottytraining.com/">3-day potty training method</a> (SUCCESS!) left O and I trapped in the house for a whole week in November.  We made good use of our time, crafting away.  One of her favorite projects was the homemade paint.  We used this <a href="http://theimaginationtree.com/2011/09/easy-homemade-paint-recipe.html">simple recipe</a> from Imagination Tree.  The only comment I'd make is that the paint quantity was quite large, and it does not hold well for long periods of time.  So, in the interest of saving resources, I'd cut the recipe in half.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/paint-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1361" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/paint-1.jpg" alt="homemade paint" width="500" height="354" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We also could have used slightly less food coloring, but I wanted to guarantee that our colors would overshadow the blue tint from the dish soap.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/crayons.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1359" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/crayons.jpg" alt="crayons" width="450" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">O has a compulsive habit of peeling crayons.  We put that habit to good use when we decided to gather up the broken ones and melt them into new fun shapes.  The only silicone molds I had on hand were for caneles, but they worked perfectly.  For tips on how to make your own, check out this<a href="http://sisterssuitcaseblog.com/2013/07/kids-craft-make-your-own-shaped-crayons.html"> link</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/kitty-cakes.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1360" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/kitty-cakes.jpg" alt="hello kitty cupcakes" width="374" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I have made quite a few birthday treats for O's friend, Rachel.  This year, she went with a Hello Kitty theme (<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/526-hello-kitty-2-0">again</a>), but I kept it simple.  Vanilla cupcakes with my standard buttercream and a store bought decoration we all I could muster.  The end of the second trimester is hitting me hard, and this mama needs to be off her feet a little.  Still, the kids (especially O) enjoyed them.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/BES-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1358" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/BES-1.jpg" alt="Bonne et sante bars" width="394" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm closing out the year with as many work projects as possible - have to earn some money to make room for baby and plan for whatever might come of a "maternity leave". These bonne et sante bars will run in the Globe in January, and are chock full of healthful ingredients like chia seeds, flax seeds, almonds, cranberries and much much more.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Happy cooking and crafting to you all during this magical season.  Stay tuned for pics of our TWO pink bedrooms.</p>
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