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Easter PEEP Show...

I wasn't going to get out all of my Easter crap decorations because it's just going to be the three of us this year - sitting in the dining room...the mister and me eating ham, the boy eating everything else.  The boy is not a ham-eater, which is bothersome to me because he was raised a ham-eater - and now he claims to hate it, along with...BACON!  Seriously!  Bacon!  I know!  I know!  How can anyone, especially someone who's genetic make-up is comprised of bacon, not love it?  I come from a long line of bacon-eaters...my dad fries it up every morning and leaves a grease trail to prove it...I'm always tempted to write my name in it...so to have a son who doesn't like bacon is down-right perplexing!

 

 

 

 

I harvested a bit more moss - soon my entire house is going to be covered inside and out!  But I needed a nice soft spot for some special Easter eggs...and a new wreath...with the help of some cheap, plastic eggs, not sure if I like it or not - it's already had a few incarnations but for now this is what it looks like!

 

 

 

 More plastic eggs - which make a very cute egg garland.  Using a big nail and hammer, I lightly tapped the nail into each end of the egg to make a hole for the ribbon to go through.  If you hit too hard the eggs will crack...but if they do crack you not notice once they are strung together.

My marbled, wooden eggs, which I made about 25 years ago, now have a sweet spot to rest, along with some Peeps.  The real reason I decided to drag out all of my Easter stuff was because of this cute little Bunny house!!   When I saw it at  Common Folk Company I just couldn't resist - it needed to come home with me but it looked rather forlorn without some eggs around it...so I HAD to get out all of my stuff!  

 

 You know how one thing leads to another?  Well, I happened across a picture of a Peeps Garland...and Dana of MADE  has an excellent tutorial for making one...but using spray glue is MUCH faster than sewing all those little Peeps together!

 

 

 

 

Made has a pattern for the peeps, and like I said, a great tutorial...but, if you're short on time or just hate repetitive sewing like I do, then lay the peeps on some freezer/waxed paper, and spray the ears with spray glue.  Lay the ribbon across, spacing your peeps how you like.  Next, spray the top of the ribbon and the entire peeps body, then set the coordinating peep on top and press down lightly.  That's it!  I'd still be threading my machine!!  After they are all glued onto the ribbon, lay them flat and add the eyes and nose.  I used the end of a paint brush, Dana used the end of an eraser - whatever works!  I used acrylic paint, poured out a little on the paper and dipped the end of the paint brush into the paint and then onto the peep...instant personality!

You can make your garland all one color of Peeps, like Dana made hers, or mix them up a bit, like I did - either way, it's going to be dang cute!

One last thing...I recently discovered a real, old fashioned hardware store...complete with every plumbing thingy, nail, light bulb and garden item anyone could ever want...AND the most wonderful gift/kitchen and toy area!  If you've not been to the Hardware and Variety Store in Snoqualmie, Washington, then put it on your list - it's a great spot!!  It's located at 8150 Falls Ave SE, Snoqualmie, WA.  

I found some much needed items there - like a pie bird!  I can't believe I've never owned one!  And my very own kitchen string with scissors!  Plus a new bunny cookie cutter and bunny mold - which I'll use to make bunny-shaped butter for our Easter feast...Hot Cross Orange Buns taste better with bunny-butter!

 

 

 

 

Maybe with bunny-shaped butter at our Easter feast I'll be able to forget about the boy not liking ham!

Gabby's Wedding...

The week before the wedding I went picking...in my friend's yards.  I picked laurel, jasmine, japonica, salal, heather, azalea, and mini-rhodies...all the greeney I would need to make 10 table arrangements, 2 large arrangements, 1 book table arrangement, 1 bride bouquet, 8 bridesmaids bouquets and 1 toss bouquet - it was a lot of greenery!    I put it all in buckets of water overnight and the morning I left for Salt Lake City I wrapped it in a big plastic garbage bag and stuffed it all into a huge suitcase!  (I threw in this pic of Mt Rainier because I wanted to show our recent house-guests that it does exist!  The day I flew out the sun broke through and I was able to capture this rare sight...and as the natives say, "The mountain was out that day!") 

By taking the greenery with me I saved my sister about $150...so it was worth the trouble.  (I purchased all of the flowers at DWF in Salt Lake, a wholesale florist that was wonderful to work with...they ordered everything in and had it all wrapped and ready to go when we arrived - and they had a fantastic selection of ribbon, tulle and vases.  I know Costco is now in the wedding biz but buying from a wholesaler is still cheaper and you can order what you want.)

 

 

 

 

Gabby and Mike got married at The Old Meeting House in Salt Lake - a beautiful old building that was once a church.  Everything looked great - the flowers were beautiful and the greenery I picked a week before still looked wonderful!  The morning of the wedding it snowed...of course, it's Utah!  The bride, who at the 11th hour turned from Bridezilla back into her sweet self, could not stop smiling.

 

 

 

Gabby's colors were Tiffany blue, pale pink and brown...Gabby ordered lollipops for favors and I stuck them into heads of cabbage, hidden in silver bowls, it worked like a charm!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six of the bridesmaids are in the pic above - the other two were always wandering!  Gabby's cake was amazing and was nothing short of a miracle.  The lady who made the cake was given a picture of the cake that Gabby wanted - it was, in a word, hideous.  So the cake lady, who could not bring herself to make the cake in the picture, changed it a bit and this is the cake Gabby ended up with - and she loved it!  And it was the best wedding cake I've ever tasted - as in, it was really, really good!  The bottom layer was chocolate with German Chocolate filling.  The middle layer was white cake with the same filling...and the top layer was chocolate...can you tell the bride loves chocolate?  Gabby's pretty shoes - which spent more time off her feet than on.

 Such a beautiful bride!  (So sad I didn't notice that coat hanging in the background - but alas, I am not a photographer!  That job fell to the girl, who is an excellent photog, so I know they'll have beautiful wedding pics.)

My sweet mom, my beautiful sister and the bride...it was a wonderful day!  And then there's Max...he and I spent quite a bit of time in the Bride's room...where I could corral him for a bit instead of chasing him around in high heels - he's so much faster than me!  It was a long week and now I'm home getting ready for the next adventure...Disneyland with Max!  WoooHoo!!

Picnic Quilt Winner...

Thanks to everyone who played along!!  With the help of Random Generator, I picked a winner...

#93

Marlene from Stitchin' By The Lake:

"You mean some husbands comment? They say actualy things about the quilts? They don't just raise their eyebrows? Who knew! blessings, marlene"

 

I just visited Marlene's blog and I LOVE her chicken/rooster quilt!  And her bunnies...you all need to check out her work - she's great!  And I discovered Marlene lives in Arkansas, don't know where but I used to live in Rogers, Arkansas before escaping!  So I kind of feel like we're kindred spirits!  Congratulations Marlene!!  I know YOUR picnic quilt will be very happy at your house!

I'm Giving Away a Quilt!...

 

To celebrate my good fortune of being a Guest Blogger once again over at Sew We Quilt/Stash Manicure, I have decided to give away my Picnic Quilt!

  

This vintage quilt was actually pieced from an antique quilt and newer fabrics.  I purchased it as a quilt top/flimsy and it was one of my very first quilts that I machine-stippled.  It has a bit of wear, but only because it was loved so much!  This quilt measures 58x58-inches and is as soft as a quilt can be!

The back of the quilt has blue and white ticking, and a label that reads: 

"I bought this quilt top in LaConner, WA while on a field trip with the Sew Whats.  It was pieced in 1998 from old fabrics.  I machine stippled in November 1999.  Nan Slaughter, Redmond, WA."

The quilt label was sewn on by hand so it can be removed, if you want.

  

It looks great tossed over the back of an old chair or an old chest - or hanging on a wall...it's a happy quilt that will bring a smile to your face, if you win, of course!

Now...here's what you do...Head on over to Sew We Quilt/Stash Manicure and leave me a comment and then come back and leave me a comment here TELLING me you left me one over there!  That's it!

No entries after 6:00 PST Sunday, March 27th, winner will be picked using Random Generator and announced Monday, March 28th.  Contest open to everyone...even those of you in the UK and Aussieland!  Just promise me if you win, you will give it a good home!

Cinnamon Toast...

When the Fashionista called to tell me about a new, fabulous food I must try, I took notes, literally.  I wrote as fast as I could...slather on the butter, leave no bread showing, dredge in cinnamon-sugar, bake for 25 minutes, let cool, eat, drool, better the next day. How could anyone resist that?!?

 

 

 

 

Cinnamon toast that's new and improved?  Yes, I too, was skeptical.  But tasting is believing.  When the toast comes out of the oven, do not immediately grab a piece...wait just a bit and let it cool, about ten minutes.  It will be painfully difficult, I know, but when you bite into the caramelized cinnamon-sugar you'll know it was worth the wait.  Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside...it will melt in your mouth!  And IF, IF, IF you have any left over, it truly is better the next day - and the next!  But don't take my word for it, or the Fashionista's...make it and try it for yourself...you're going to love it!

Cinnamon Toast - From The Fashionista

6 slices soft, white bread

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Completely cover bread, both sides, with softened butter.  Do not leave ANY bread showing.  Mix sugar and cinnamon together and pour onto a plate.  (This will make more cinnamon sugar than you will use so you can save it for the next batch.)  Dredge bread, both sides in cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure it is coated thick and even.  Place on a rimmed cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 25 minutes.  Allow to cool for ten minutes.  Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap.  Will keep for 3 to 4 days...hahahaha, as if you'll have any left over!

Gabrielle's Bridal Shower...

My niece Gabby is getting married...in three days...apparently she is old enough to do that but I don't know how that's possible!  Several weeks ago I flew down to Utah and helped to give her a family shower - it was great fun!  The morning of the shower we woke to TEN INCHES OF SNOW!!!  I was so worried that no one would come and insisted that my dad not leave the house as I feared he would be our only guest!  But then I remembered that Utah has snow plows - unlike Seattle - and by the time the shower started the roads were clear and dry!  Everyone came!  It was nothing short of a miracle in my book! 

The day before the shower we went to Macy's to pick up a few items from her bridal registry...she is always willing to pose, such a cute girl!

 

   

 

 

 

Those three little boxes held three little "nasty numbers" for the bride...she was tickled pink!  Sadie Ann Marie, mom's beloved dog, wore her veil with panache...alas, she is always the bridesmaid and never the bride!  We feasted on fresh fruit, mini muffins and cinnamon rolls, Ham and Cheese Strata, Sugared Bacon, Glazed Strawberries, Cherry-Chocolate-Almond Pie Bites and The Girl's secret-recipe cupcakes...it's secret because she does something different each time and never writes it down!  

 Callie (who could not be bothered to put on a decent pair of pants!) and Gracie, the bride's younger sisters, were talked into (okay, forced) telling the story of how Gabby and Mike met...holding up face masks of the bride and groom, with their lips pushed through the masks so they could talk.  It was hysterical!  Of course, they told their own version of how "Babe" and "Babe" met and the bride kept correcting them, which only made it funnier.  I love how Gracie's fingers are placed on Mike's mask...making him look rather sweet!  (To make a face mask, print out a full-page size, front facing pic, laminate it, cut out the lips- hold the mask up to your face and push your lips through, then speak away...let the lies fun begin!)

 

 

 

Mike proposed to Gabby by taking her to the library...he told her he wanted her to pick out her favorite book - it was something like Green Eggs and Ham (she'll never be accused of being a rocket scientist!) and then he pulled out HIS favorite book...one he made just for her.  He wrote the story of how they met and had pictures from all of their dates...

 

 

 

 

 On the last page of the book he wrote, "Mike said, "Princess Gabby will you marry me?""  (He thinks calling her Princess Gabby is a sweet thing to do...which it is...but what he doesn't realize is Gabby actually thinks she's a princess, and she expects to be treated like one for the rest of her life!  Hahahahaha!)   Isn't that a wonderful way to propose?  I thought it was very sweet and clever...

 

 This is the back of the book...and I hope he always does.  Gabby's shower was wonderful, she received beautiful gifts to help her and Mike start their life together.  Mom's house looked beautiful, filled with all of our family and friends!  And now she's getting married...congratulations Aubby, I love you! 

 

 

Cheesy Crab Dip...Crab-Stuffed Pea Pods...

Little Brooke is all grown up and married!  A few weeks back we had a bridal shower for her, and she is pictured here wearing her fake veil...she had to answer questions about her fiance to see how well she knew him - for every wrong answer a chunk of veil was chopped off.  I had hopes of seeing just a stubble of tulle on the top of her head but Brooke fooled us all and her knee-length veil was still past her shoulders by the time the game ended! 

It was a lovely shower with a lot of good friends and family and beautiful gifts - just what every bride deserves!  (I'd like to see the shower tradition changed up a bit...anyone who  stays married for 20 years should be given a bridal shower...after 20 years everything needs to be replaced!  Along with a new toaster, blender and dishtowels the wife of 20 years would enjoy opening new lingerie flannel pj's or a lovely moo-moo!  New towels and bedding and perhaps even a Merit Badge of Perseverance, translation:  a new ring!  Those of us who have been in the trenches, who run our fingers around the rims of glasses, checking for chips, before setting the table, would truly appreciate a new 4-slice toaster...we would probably swoon upon opening it!  New brides smile, politely say "thank you" and then move on to the next gift...hoping for a nasty little number to wear on their wedding night...they have NO idea how quickly lingerie turns into dust rags!!  Okay, I'm done...I'm going to give myself a Celebration Shower and replace every old thing in my kitchen and if the mister walks in, then I'll replace him, too!)     

    

 

 

 

 

We served this appetizer at Brooke's shower - it was a hit!  It's one of our favorites, so I make it frequently, although I usually only stuff pea pods with the crab mix for special occasions.  Sometimes we just have this as a dip with chips and/or crackers or I spread it on celery stalks or serve it with cut veggies - it has great flavor and it's so versatile, plus it's a snap to make!

  Cheesy Crap Dip/Crab Stuffed Pea Pods - Adapted From Joan Blair, Leawood, Kansas

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1 jar (5 oz.) Old English Cheese (comes in a small jar and can usually be found on the cracker aisle of the grocery store)

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cans (6 oz.) lump crab meat, rinsed and drained

48 Pea Pods, rinsed and dried or sliced celery

In a large bowl combine cream cheese and Old English cheese and mix well to blend.  Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic and cayenne and mix well.  Fold in crab meat.  If serving as a dip, fill serving dish and serve. 

If filling pea pods, remove stem/string from long end of pea pod, carefully open pod, repeat with remaining pods.  Scoop crab dip into a large Zip-lock style plastic bag, then snip off about 1/2-inch of the corner of the bag.  Place bag into pea pod and gently squeeze crab dip, filling pod.  (Mixture will be soft but will become more firm with refrigeration.)  Makes 48 pea pods.  Keep refrigerated until serving time. 

Happy Birthday Mom!...

  Another year older and wiser, too...happy birthday, to you!  I flew to Utah just in time for my mom's birthday dinner...the famdamly met up at Gepetto's Pizza (dang good pizza!  I'm a sucker for fried ravioli and there's was top notch - as were their salads...if you're in the Holiday area of SLC give Gepetto's a try!) where we sat in front of a big screen TV so the men could watch basketball...while the rest of us visited. Watching ANY TV during a birthday celebration would normally have been taboo but BYU was playing Gonzaga, the Mormons against the Catholics...the Lord's teams doing battle on the court...BYU won..go figure!

On the way to the restaurant my brother called to ask, "Who's bright idea was it to let Dad watch a basketball game in public?"  Dad does tend to get rather "involved" in the game...but none of us would have guessed that MOM would be the biggest fan in the place, letting out a few well-placed WHOOPS!!

We were having a great time when the live "entertainment" arrived...a lady with her guitar started strummin' and singing - she was quite good.  Dad told her it was mom's 79th birthday and mentioned a few other things to her about mom...and just like that she composed a little ditty for mom and sang it out - surprising her and the rest of us - it was hysterical!  Dad might have been given hero status right then and there had it not been for the fact that he said mom was 79...because she's only 78!

Sorry about the pic mom, I only had my cell phone camera and with all the cheering and laughing this was the best shot I got!

Happy Birthday Mom! 

Wishing you another 78!

 

Coconut Cake with Lemon Curd Filling and Coconut Buttercream Frosting...Mom's favorite, and look, we had just the right amount of candles! 

 

Faux Thin Mints...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! 

I have a friend who loves Thin Mints...those delicious chocolate-y, minty cookies that are only available this time of year.  This friend buys four boxes of thin mints from her Girl Scout cookie dealer/pusher/supplier, and immediately opens a box and eats both packages of Thin Mints in one sitting...then she'll put the remaining three boxes in the freezer in an attempt to fool myself herself into thinking I'm she's out of Thin Mints...that trick only lasts until the next time she opens her freezer and sees them, then she is forced to open a box and eat them all, one delicious cookie at a time, as if there is no tomorrow.  They are like a drug for me her...she is powerless around them and will eat Thin Mints until I have made myself sick, she is so stuffed she can barely move!  So THIS recipe is for my friend...my friend who LIVES for Girl Scout Cookie time...and now, she won't have to wait an entire year to purchase more drugs cookies, she can make them at home and eat them whenever she wants!

 

 

 

 

My dear friend Bev in MinneSNOWta emailed me this recipe...I read it, put on my coat, grabbed my keys and drove straight to the store to purchase Lindt Excellence Intense Mint Chocolate and Ritz Crackers (I accidentally grabbed the box of lo-sodium Ritz, but I would recommend using the regular Ritz because a little bit more salt would have been a little bit better!)  Bev has never led me astray so when she said these will taste "just like Thin Mints" I did not doubt...and they do!!! 

They not only taste like Thin Mints they taste BETTER than Thin Mints!  It's true!  I myself, personally, conducted a taste test...I ate three Thin Mints, to make sure my palate was completely saturated...then I ate a Faux Thin Mint...it was just so much better!  Better because the Ritz Cracker is a bit crispier and the mint chocolate I used a bit stronger...so I ate three more Faux Thin Mints just to make sure!

 

Bev told me to use Wilton's Dark Chocolate Mint Wafers but I opted for the Lindt bars - two of them will make two dozen Faux Thin Mints...you will no longer be a slave to the Girl Scouts...you will be FREE to make Thin Mints and EAT them whenever you want!  Thank you Bev!!!  These are seriously good...and addictive...so don't say you weren't warned!  And they are so quick  and easy to make...5 dangs on the ol' meter...FIVE!

Faux Thin Mints - Adapted from Bev Kowalski

1 box (1 lb.) Ritz Crackers (you will use one tube - almost -of crackers)

2 bars Lindt Excellence Intense Mint Chocolate bars, finely chopped

Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water.  When completely melted, drop in crackers, 4 at a time, and completely cover with chocolate.  Remove with a fork and tap lightly on the side of the pan to remove excess chocolate.  Set on parchment or waxed paper to cool completely, about 20 minutes.  (You can put in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.)  Makes 24. 

 You should know me well enough by now to know I would not lie to you about Thin Mints...I will lie about my age, my weight and how fast I drive on the freeway but I will not lie about Thin Mints!  That would be sacrilegious!

Chocolate Guinness Goodness...

OMGuinness...this truly is goodness!  In anticipation of St. Patrick's Day, I went looking for a traditional Irish dessert...and I came across this.  While it's not traditional, it was made by an Irishman, in an Irish Pub, with Irish beer - Guinness.  (The Irish love their whiskey and their Guinness...as someone once said, of their strong drinks, "It's like a torchlight parade goin' down me throat!")  Chocolate and Guinness are not two foods I would put together, I'm not a fan of Guinness as I'm not a beer drinker, but as you know, I AM a fan of chocolate!

 

 

 

Creamy, smooth, rich, chocolate-y...like velvet over satin.  You will NOT taste the beer, but you will discover a chocolate pudding with more depth than you've ever had before - and if you're worried about the alcohol, don't, it all cooks out and this is perfectly "safe" for leprechauns of all ages.

 Guinness has a dark, bitter, chocolate flavor, so it's the perfect background for this chocolate pudding.  Do not use Extra Stout Guinness, as it's too bitter (if you ask me), just use the "regular".   After the pudding is cooked, it's put into a blender for a quick whirl, then poured into glasses and refrigerated until it's set and ready for it's crown - whipped cream.  The original recipe called for 3/4 cup of Guinness, boiled down to 1 tablespoon then whipped into a creamy topping with heavy cream.  I followed the recipe up to this point, but the fumes from beer reduction, which was thick, syrupy and potent, made me gag so I opted to leave it out of my whipped topping.  So glad I did - this is perfect without it and If I knew what the Irish word for Hallelujah was I would be saying it with every bite - this is dang good, my friends, 5 dangs on the ol' meter!

You won't need to turn on PBS to watch River Dance to get your Irish on...just make this pudding, it'll make your kilt fly up and you'll be clogging like a pro in no time!

Chocolate Guinness Goodness - Adapted Slightly from Shane Philip Coffey via Epicurious

8 large egg yolks

1 cup sugar

1 (14.9 oz. can) Guinness Draught (you will only use half of this for the pudding - it's up to you as to what to do with the rest!)

3 cups heavy cream

7 oz. high quality bittersweet chocolate (at least 70% cacao), finely chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup powdered sugar

In large glass (do not use metal) mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar. Open can of Guinness and slowly pour into 4-cup measuring cup, pouring down side of cup to reduce foaming. Pour half of Guinness (about 7/8 cup) into heavy-bottomed 3-quart saucepan. Add 2 1/4 cups cream and whisk to combine. Set over medium heat and heat, whisking occasionally, until bubbles just begin to form at edges. Remove from heat, add chocolate, and whisk until smooth.

Slowly pour some of the hot chocolate mixture into eggs, whisking constantly, to temper the eggs.  Then slowly pour the egg mixture into the chocolate, whisking constantly. Return mixture to stove and  moderately low heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and coats back of spoon, about 15 minutes. (Pudding will look separated.) Pour into blender (in batches so you don't get burned) and blend on high for 1 minute. Divide pudding among glasses, leaving at least 1 inch of space at top of each. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled and set.

Beat remaining cream until soft peaks form. Add vanilla and powdered sugar.  Beat well.  Divide cream among 6 glasses of pudding and serve.

Oh To be Irish...

Be they kings, or poets, or farmers,

They're a people of great worth,

They keep company with the angels,

And bring a bit of Heaven here to Earth.

         

We had our annual feast a bit early this year so we could celebrate with good friends who were in town.  I was going to serve Irish Beef and Barley Stew, but opted for my favorite St. Paddy's Day faire, Blarney Stone Soup, Irish Soda Bread, Corned Beef and Cabbage Roll-ups, with a nice serving of Chocolate Guinness Goodness and a piece of Aunt Liz O'Neill's Shortbread, followed by a chaser of Shamrock-shaped Sugar Cookies...Magically Delicious!