Two Things Wednesday?

Since I was baking a ton, in preparation for out-of-town guests, my two things today come from the kitchen.  If you can't tell already, it's one of my favorite places.  Both of my grandmothers loved being in the kitchen, as do my mother and sister.  Come to think of it, most all of the women in my family enjoy creating meals and sweets for their families.  And as with any other hobby, the tools are important.  The affinity I feel for certain cooking gadgets is intense.  My mixer is a treasure to me, and I actually adore some of my bowls.  We'll get into that more in a future post, but just get the idea that I like kitchen stuff.  A lot.

The first thing I'd like to share today, is this package of PaperChef Parchment Baking Cups.  These are unreal!  I never really gave baking cups much thought.  I mean, have you?  I, typically, grab the basic multi-colored pack and move on with my life.  Though, looking back, those are a flawed product compared to these beauties.  First of all, and the reason that I bought them, was that I thought they looked nice.  A plain, brown piece of parchment paper seemed like it would pair nicely with most any color cupcake or muffin I might concoct.  Secondly, and most importantly, the baked goods do not stick or attach themselves in any way to these cups.  I never knew I wanted that in a baking cup, but good golly do I ever!  It is so nice to serve a warm muffin that just pops right out of the paper.  I found them at Target, and you need them.

The second thing I'd like to share is this Pampered Chef Large Scoop.  I have both the large and the small scoop, and I use them for everything.  Cupcake or muffin batter is one of my favorite uses, because it makes the process of filling baking cups fast and clean.  I also use this with ice cream, cottage cheese, rice pudding, cole slaw, pancake batter and so on.  When you use this scoop with batters, your baked goods have a perfect shape and are all uniform in size.  Other foods, just plain look better when served by the scoopful.  This is worth every penny and has paid for itself over and over again!  Love it!  Mean it!

Weekend Review

Monday is once again upon us.  I like Mondays.  They are a fresh start to a whole new week.  Now, I haven't always liked Mondays, so if this finds you in one of those chapters of life, I get it. I mean, I REALLY get it.  It is hard to believe when you're in it, but another chapter will begin right at the very moment you need it to.  If it doesn't, start writing that chapter for yourself now.  

Anyway, back to Monday.  This one is extra-special, because it marks the beginning of a week spent with family.  We are headed out to explore this gorgeous Florida landscape together, and bask in the warmth of spring.  So, I wish you as much fun in your week, as we will be having in ours!

First, let's look at the weekend, then I gotta go!

* Grocery shop for fresh fruit and dairy items-  Done.  Easy. Fun.  And, yes, the strawberries have been washed and topped, placed in the paper-towel-lined freezer bag and are chilling in the fridge.  I've tried it with blueberries and raspberries this week, so we'll see how they do.  If you missed this tip on my Facebook page, it works.  Do it right away to keep your berries fresh longer!

* Bake Bread (wish me luck on this!)-  Done.  And, I think it came out better than last week.  I read up on over-proofing.  I thought that's what happened last week, and why my bread sank.  So, I avoided that this time, and things were really looking good......Then, it sank on one side.  Now, after researching a bit more, I think it's my pan.  It may be too thin which causes the crust to bake faster than the inside.  Next week I will try baking it in the pan for the first twenty minutes, then removing the pan for the final twenty minutes of baking. Thank goodness it still smells and tastes delish!  And, there's always next week, right?  

Isn't dough pretty?

Fresh out of the oven and all poofy!

Partially sunken on the right...

* Refresh my knitting skills (I recently came across a project   started that needs finishing)-  I ditched the knitting for this weekend, and decided to make a fast pillowcase for our guests. The cozy blanket that I chose to leave in the guest bedroom for our nephew is a soft, cozy Spiderman blanket.  It NEEDED a special pillowcase to go with it, didn't it?  I thought so.  

I used an idea that I shared on Facebook, as well.  I didn't have Spiderman fabric on hand, but I had fabrics in the Spiderman colors, and along with the themed blanket it is just enough "character" for me.  The problem was that I only had red cotton fabric and blue jersey fabric.  I used them, but as my mother later told me, you really need to use fabrics that are weighted the same. Using different weights led to some pulling and weirdness, and I know now for next time.  

I also, did not have a pattern, but using a pillowcase that I already own, I was able to trace it, and sort of make one. I have another pillowcase project coming up, and now that I have ironed out some kinks and built some character, I'll share a tutorial then.  

I know just about enough about sewing to get myself in trouble.

I was able to complete this, from start to finish, during my son's nap.  It doesn't take long to add a few extra touches around your house

You can see the strange pulling where the blue and red come together, but it's fun and a child would never notice!

* Greet my visiting family, and have a blast showing them around!-  They are here!  Yay!  


How did your weekend go?  

We're having guests!

I recently added something to my bucket list.  On the timeline of my life, I see it falling in between the time when my son will be of age to begin his own life journey and my dream of retiring into a community of golf carts, quilting bees and gray hair. With those two events as the bookends, I would love to spend my empty nest years running a Bed and Breakfast.  Will this ever happen? Maybe not, but it could.  A girl can dream, and do I ever!

My collection of family tea cups, given to me by my mother

I picture Laura Ashley rosebuds, mixed with wicker and doilies and knit throws, oh my!  The softest towels, the freshest smelling herbal soaps, classical music, just in the background enough that you can barely notice it playing, and breakfast!  Oh, breakfast! Delicate tea cups, just-browned-enough blueberry muffins, and I won't forget the molded butter.  Nope. Don't worry it'll be there.  See, I told you.  This girl can dream...

In the meantime, I love having guests come to visit!  In advance of family or friends coming, I try to think of things they might need, and then surprise things for them to enjoy.  Needs include, say, a bed.  The basic stuff is fine to pull together, but it really gets fun to ready the extras!  I love to bake and freeze ahead things that are easy to grab for breakfast (like the muffins I mentioned), prepare snacks that are good to take as we leave for adventures (like trail mix or granola), and I make a running grocery list of things to buy fresh.

Choose white towels for guests, as they are easy to bleach and keep clean

If children will be staying with us, special items, related to our planned outings, might greet them when they arrive.  I think it's even more fun to surprise little ones with a small wrapped trinket each day.  It's not expensive and it makes for such fun! Also, every guest should have a quiet spot to retreat to, if they need to get away from the fun.  For adults, I like to leave current magazines on the bedside table and a spot to set up their laptop.  For children, I think it is important to have a television and a cozy blanket.  Kids can get overwhelmed while traveling, and this allows them a spot in your house that feels like their own.  

I try to never forget coasters, tissues and a trash can

So, I'm off to bake, fluff, wrap surprise goodies, and mold some butter.  That last part is just a joke.  I'll save the butter for my inn.  

My weekend list looks like this:

* Grocery shop for fresh fruit and dairy items
* Bake Bread (wish me luck on this!)
* Refresh my knitting skills (I recently came across a project   started that needs finishing.)
* Greet my visiting family, and have a blast showing them around!

Have a wonderful weekend!  See you on Monday morning!

Recipe Card Swap

It's Thursday, once again, and you know what that means... It's time to share what's worked this week in the kitchen.  We don't really need to talk about what didn't work, right?  Let's think about that another day.   I added two great recipes to my collection this week.  In honor of family and friends up north, bracing for yet more winter weather, I wrote them each with my icy snowflake pen!  

My entry into this weeks Recipe Card Swap, is for a crockpot soup that I served company a few weeks back.  Somehow the tab was open and hiding on my iPhone for this long...sneaky little recipe! This Crockpot Taco Soup really hit the spot after a fun-filled day of local shopping.  I chose to make this with ground turkey, but any meat would work.  Make sure to pick up lots of different topping choices, and don't forget the tortilla chips!  This is a great recipe to serve a crowd, and crockpot cooking is spectacular when you have company in town.  Pop it in, get in the car, see the sights, and then return home to a warm meal waiting.  

The second recipe that I added to my recipe card box today, is for a warm and cozy Baked Banana Oatmeal.  I tried it out on my little guy yesterday, and if you follow us on Facebook, you know that he gobbled it right up!  If you missed it, hop on over to our Facebook page, and the recipe is posted there.  While you're at it, "like" our page to ensure you don't miss any future recipes I may share there!  

What worked in your kitchens this week?  If you found something yummy, we'd love for you to share it in the comments!

The Little Moments

Are you losing the little moments in your day?  I was.  I should go back a bit and tell you that in a previous life I taught school.  I think I learned to use the little moments in that role, but never translated it to home...until now.  

As a teacher, if you finish your lesson plan earlier than you expected, you are left a few moments to spare, maybe even just one.  You cannot imagine how much you can do with a minute until you try.  A teacher can assess students understanding of a lesson, clarify an element of the lesson if need be, or even work to build comfort in the classroom by sharing a fun story from the weekend.  Those little minutes are so easy to throw away, but if you use them, you can achieve so much!

When you have a baby in the house, at least for me, my first instinct was to use the little moments laying on my bed in complete silence, staring at the wall....at first.  As I became more comfortable in this role, started to get more sleep, and cut out energy-zapping gluten, I realized that those moments were where it was at!  I began telling myself, "Get busy momma, so you can cuddle and play with that little guy as soon as he wakes! Make these little moments count!"  I think lots of parents get to this place waaaay faster than I did, but I'm just glad to finally be here. 

The little moments are awesome for a fast load of laundry.  Try it!  Stop reading this and go throw one in! Just don't forget to come back... I also catch up on thank you notes, wipe down a bathroom, etc. in these tiny snippets of time.  It is mind-boggling to me how much time I wasted here and there (and still do, on tired days or days when I'm just not feeling it).  








Last night I used some little moments after bedtime to prepare some St. Patrick's Day decorations.  I love construction paper, and these shamrocks and paper chains were so fun to make! I felt like a kid again.  I only wish that I had some oak tag on hand!

Then, today, I stole a few naptime moments to hang my creations. What fun it will be to see his surprise when he wakes up!  Our boy is having the best time learning about holidays.

  















How will you use your little moments, today?

Two Things Tuesday

There are two things that I am completely loving right now.  One of them is a girlfriend thing.  So, if you have a girlfriend or a girl that's a friend or a wife or know any woman at all, buy it for her.  The other is a toddler thing. So, if you have a toddler or know a toddler or are a toddler, buy this.  I am not the pickiest person alive, but when I really like something, I like it!  Could life go on without these two items in my home? Sure. Is life a bit sweeter, more calm and just better with them? Absolutely.  Without further adieu:


The Girlfriend Thing

I recently visited a small town located here in Florida, and on the Gulf of Mexico, called Tarpon Springs.  It is a largely Greek community, and a picturesque place, not far from one of our favorite beaches.  The main draw in town, aside from some pretty spectacular Greek cuisine and baked goods, are the Sponge Docks. Here you can walk along the dock and watch the boats, shop local sponge vendors and other shops, listen to live music, as well as, learn a little history about the area and sponge harvesting.  

I have owned natural sponges before, but haven't earnestly given them the time of day.  What a mistake!  I bought a small sponge from a street vendor this day, and I am loving it! It gently exfoliates my skin, and when paired with a special lavender soap, it's nearly spa-like.  So, come on down and visit me.  I'll take you to the Sponge Docks, and we'll fetch you one, too.


The Toddler Thing

This cup.  I mean, I cannot thank it enough.  Our son chewed toys and cups and things, pretty constantly through the teething process.  This made finding the right sippy cup a challenge.  Our little rabbit, could munch the straw right off of most cups in no time flat. The worst part of that is the little bit of straw that is chewed off, becomes a mean and scary choking hazard. So, we had to watch him like a hawk with this.

Until, we found the Camelbak.  Hallelujah!  Thank you, universe for sending me into Target that fateful day last summer, and leading me to the smallest sale section, hidden in the tiniest corner of the store.  There it was, sitting among some other random sale items.  It was serendipity that led me to this cup, with it's sturdy looking straw.  It looked tough.  It looked like it could take a chewing or two, and I liked the dinosaur design. I bought it, and have never looked back.  This thing does what a cup is supposed to do.  It keeps the drink in (you wouldn't believe how many don't!), it is tough, and it really does take a chewing or two.  We have a few of them now, and have received some for gifts, as in the one pictured. On top of all of the functional perks, the designs are always super cute.  Yep.  This is one great product! 

Weekend Review

I hope this finds you excited for the week ahead, and feeling accomplished after the weekend behind.  I had a lofty weekend plan.  It included some things we needed to get done, along with some relaxation.  Let's see how it went:

* House of Cards-  I tried, House of Cards, I really did.  However, this season can't hold my attention.  I fell fast asleep during the first episode.  That's not a great sign.  Downton Abbey, on the other hand, never disappoints.  What an outstanding season finale.  I heart you, Mr. Carson!

 
*Dress Making-  Done! My niece loves the movie Book of Life, so here is her Maria dress.  What a fun project!  I was thankful for an excuse to dust off my sewing machine. 

*Bread Baking-  Done, sliced and frozen for the week.  This is still a science that I am working to perfect.  This loaf was the first to rise so high in the oven that the foil popped off.  It looked beautiful when I took it from the oven.  When I transferred it to the cooling rack, it acted as a deflated balloon.  Oops!  The thing went from standing a good 4 inches high, to a sad 2 inches low.  So, yes, it's done, sliced and frozen, yet somewhat flawed and weird looking.  Will try again next week.

*Taxes-  Started.

*Park Playing-  The weather did not cooperate for family fun at the park on Saturday, so we'll head there today.

*The Beach-  Nope. Sad. Boo Hoo. Frowny Face.

I rate this weekend pretty high as weekends go.  I enjoyed my crafting and kitchen time fully, and spent some rainy day family time at home.  I hope yours was as fun!