Really Tasty Biscotti and Hot Cocoa for Dipping

I've been experimenting with different biscotti recipes lately (I don't know why) and have found the most delicious combination of crispy, sweet, nutty and rich. It's pretty easy, but be warned, it makes a TON! Here's the recipe...

Biscotti:

12 ounces butter (4 sticks)
1 3/4 cups white sugar
6 eggs
2 teaspoon anise extract
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 C sliced almonds (I'm going to try pistachios next time)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 165 degrees C ).
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time; beat until fluffy. Stir in the anise and vanilla extracts. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; Add them to the egg mixture along with the chopped almonds. Beat on medium speed for a few minutes, scraping the bowl.
Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each piece into a log about 15 inches long. Place logs onto cookie sheets, 2 to a sheet, the long way. Flatten the logs out until they are about 3 inches wide with a slight hump going down the middle. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, loaves should be firm. Let cool for a few minutes. Cut the loaves into diagonal slices 1/2 inch wide, place the slices onto the cookie sheets and return to the oven. Toast on one side, then turn them over to do the other side. This will take about 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

AND, if you need a tasty cocoa recipe for the fall and winter, this one is fool proof!!!

Hot Cocoa:

1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

3 cups whole milk
3 cups boiling hot water

Directions:
In large saucepan over medium heat, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in water (mix well) and then milk. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Store covered in refrigerator.

Biscotti can be made with other things too, like craisins or added cocoa for chocolate biscotti. One of my favorites is biscotti dipped in or topped with melted chocolate. White chocolate macadamia would be delicious!!!

Mod Nursery

Jenny at http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/09/tobys-nursery-part-1.html has posted part 1 of a client's nursery redo. I love everything from the sailboat mobile to the hand painted pull down shade (she painted it herself, btw). I also love the long, flowy curtains and the little picture gallery above the crib.

She'll have part 2 posted soon, but for step by step instructions of what you see now, check out her blog at the link above. She's an awesome decorator!

Under Pressure

This is a great song to wake up to.

Free Template and a GREAT Idea

This is another great little project from Lori's "Be Different Act Normal" craft blog. It's two different treat baskets made out of patterned card stock. This is perfect for Visiting Teaching and so easy. You can change the card stock to coordinate with different seasons/holidays and other than the teeniest bit of ribbon, that's all you need!

Ooooh, you can also make a matching card and envelope!

Here's the link... http://thenshemade.blogspot.com/2010/09/tiskit-tasket-little-green-paper-basket.html

... party favors filled with candy as well? The possibilities!

What Do You Do?

What do you do when you're so angry you feel like your head might explode? Count to 10?????,.... walk away..... run for 5 minutes.... sing a hymn.... punch someone in the face...... seriously, WHAT DO YOU DO?!

Cool Quilts

I'm trying to decide on a quilt pattern for my girls' beds. I made yellow duvet covers for them the other day and am now looking for "non-matching" bedding at Grace's request. She's a double digit and does NOT want to have the same pattern or fabric as her little sister and I don't blame her.

So I've been searching for some modern quilt patterns and have found quite a few really pretty ones. The problem is, I don't have a lot of time, so cutting out tiny little individual squares or strips or whatever just doesn't appeal to me. It's definitely not my season for that!

Here are a few less time consuming patterns I've found recently...

Sarah Richardson's quilts are very charming, but not too country. I love how graphic and colorful they are. Happy colors too!

This zig zag pattern is from mmmcraft blog and is actually a duvet she's making for her daughter. This is a great way of using extra fabric or fat quarters. It's beautiful!!!

The bookshelf quilt is so cool isn't it?! Stacey H. sent me a link to Urban Patchwork a while back and I checked out her blog. All of her quilts are amazing! I don't think this would be hard to recreate or even applique bookends or pictures on the shelves. Such a great pattern!

This pattern looks neither simple nor quick, but it's lovely isn't it?!

Maybe for a pillow or doily? Ugh, maybe not... still too ambitious.

Quick and Easy Solutions

There are few things that give me more pleasure than finding a solution to a problem that will take less than 5 minutes and almost no effort!

Rather than make a bed skirt, why not put a fitted sheet on your box spring and call it a day? I always use white sheets.

Who doesn't have mismatched towels? Try attaching coordinating ribbon that will magically transform this hodgepodge into an eclectic, "I did it on purpose" set.

This is by far my favorite quick and easy (and cheap) decorating solution. I made a giant message board for my hall and can display cards, pictures and whatever, rotating it all easily throughout the year. Here are Martha's directions...

Pretty and practical, our ribbon board has been keeping work spaces clean since it was introduced -- and keeping party invitations, postcards, and photographs organized and easy to spot. The board can be made from Homosote fiberboard, available at lumber yards. Have it cut to size. Pull linen taut around front and sides of board, and staple it to back, securing two opposite sides first, then the other two. Be creative in arranging ribbons in a pattern on the surface. (The pattern at left is modeled after a garden trellis.) Use upholstery tacks to secure ribbons. Tuck your cards behind the ribbon; you'll need few, if any pushpins. Screw a picture hanger to the back, and hang the board on the wall.
From Martha Stewart Living, January 2001

Happy Fall Y'all

"Autumn is almost here, the first day of fall 2010 is officially weeks away; and depending on where you live in the U.S. and Canada it can feel like an autumn breeze is blowing (Vancouver) or like the high heat of summer like is for people in New York City. Officially, summer does not end until September 22 which marks the first day of fall 2010 at 11:09 EST. The September equinox is also known as the Autumnal Equinox. 'The sun crosses the celestial equator and moves southward in the northern hemisphere during the September equinox. The location on the earth where the sun is directly overhead at solar noon is known as the subsolar point. The subsolar point occurs on the equator during the September equinox and March equinox.'
Source: timeanddate.com"

So right, it's not fall yet, but I'm ready now.

Fall is such a lovely time of year in Tennessee and for the first time in months I'm excited about cooking again. Even with air conditioning you feel gross when it's 102 degrees outside and completly unmotivated to turn on anything that would make the air hotter or more humid! I especially love fall recipes, like breads, soups and PIES and was aghast the other day when half my YW didn't know what a chess pie was. WHAT!!!! How can you live in Tennessee and not eat chess pie? Well, this needs to be and will be addressed and I'm just the Amerikorean to do it. I make the best chess pie this side of the DMZ.

Here's a yummy recipe for you all to try if you'd like.

CHESS PIE from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar and vanilla together. Mix in the eggs, then stir in the cornmeal, evaporated milk and vinegar until smooth.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 40 minutes. Let cool. Cut and top servings with whipped cream. You will think you have died and gone to heaven.

There are many different variations so I didn't post my own recipe which is for a buttermilk chess pie. I wanted to go for something more traditional. You can also make a lemon chess or chocolate chess pie. Those are both delicious as well!

Depeche Mode - Somebody

I was in a music rut yesterday and wanted to find something I hadn't listened to in a long time. I found an old Depeche Mode cd and thought, why not? The kids, however, were horrified by the synth, and said it sounded like something from a Japanamation movie. They're probably right. BUT, WHEN THIS SONG CAME ON, it was like the weird feeling slapped me across the face and left me speechless. Aaaaah, Depeche Mode.... holy cow. I told the kids to shut it while memories of my teenage years in Germany came rushing back. Going to the lake wearing our mood lip balm and Burger King chicken nuggets we paid for with money we bummed off the commissary baggers and walking around downtown Frankfurt and eating Japanese noodles and Hanau High School and sucking at soccer, and tucking our shirts into our jeans pockets, and talking about our intense crushes and crying over heartbreaks etc... I miss my old friends and you know what, I miss being a carefree teenager sometimes. It didn't seem carefree at the time though. Funny.

Things I Learned Last Week

Grilled London broil, yes grilled, is MUCH better with caprese salad than canned corn.

Life is better when it's cooler outside.

If you're chopping jalapenos, wash your hands before rubbing your eye. (thanks dad)

Like morning sickness, PMS can strike at any time.

Cotton shrinks, so that grey and black tshirt isn't flattering anymore.

Some teenagers are clueless, CLUELESS... and no, I'm not talking about my own or any of my youth.

Morning prayer and scripture study are key to managing my anxiety.

Talking and chopping don't mix well.

My posture is terrible. I've actually known that for a long time, but now I'm starting to feel it.

Tegan and Sara

Scott and I took Oliver and a friend to a concert a couple of weeks ago. One of the opening bands was a young group called Tegan and Sara from Montreal, Canada. Loved them! The were way better than the other bands including the headliner, plus they're identical twins which makes them all the more lovable.

http://teganandsara.com/

Flea Market Fever

I've got the fever and I've had it bad for a long time. I know it's weird, but I can't help it. When I find something that Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware recreates, sitting in a tag sale for a quarter of the price or less, my hands get sweaty and my head gets light. It's magic.

Over the years, I've found some real treasures! Here are a few of my favorite things...

This 1942 lithograph I found framed and matted for 19.99 at Goodwill. I love Goodwill, don't you?



These cute little 1950's era roosters are so cute. I couldn't resist them at 7 dollars for the pair!

I also found the French armoire at a flea market in Tongren, Belgium years ago. It's cool because it folds down flat like a puzzle. The two prints were also flea market finds, matted and framed, 18 buckaroonies!

I keep my quilting fabric in this hutch from the "Peddler's Mall" in Kentucky. It was so cheap and crusty, I didn't feel badly about putting nails in the sides and hanging my quilting rulers where I could get to them easily. Another reason I love second hand... you don't feel anxious about doing whatever you want to make it your own. The inside holds a ton of fabric. My dad thinks it's ugly, but who cares what he thinks.

Occasionally my husband gets into it, like when he found this lovely antique recliner at a junk store for 50 bucks! It's got a brass rod in the back that moves up and down to adjust the position.

Grace's dresser is falling apart, so I've been on the lookout for a replacement. I found this Edwardian "gentleman's butler" a couple of weeks ago. It still has the original labels on the shelves for very British things like, "pyjamas" and "sundries". It smells like moth balls still, so I haven't actually put her clothes in it. All part of the game!

A cheapo bookshelf from a thrift store has been most useful upstairs for keeping bedtime books organized and handy. I did have to paint this one because it had stains all over it.

This rolling desk was just too cute to pass by. The only thing I had to do was repair the leg. I've used it as a desk, a small kitchen island, and now an entry way table. The print above it was bought in Kahl, Germany for 15 Deutsch marks = about 8 dollars at the time. It was my very first flea market find!

And if I had to choose one more of my favorites, it would be this little table. Nothing special really, it just fit perfectly in that spot and cost next to nothing. It also came with that finish.

I'm not posting this to brag about my fabulous finds, but to help anyone looking for inspiration on a budget. Keep in mind it takes a lot of looking to find one treasure, but it's worth it. I have so many fun memories when I look at these things too like, hauling around babies in front packs and strollers at 6 in the morning with other Army wives.... dragging our stuff behind us, exhausted and exhilarated! Bartering when I didn't have the money to actually purchase with cash! Walking my kids at various indoor flea markets when it was raining because I couldn't stand having them in the house for ONE MORE MINUTE. Using vinegar and baking soda to get the "old people/house" smell out of furniture. Fun stuff like that. It's a challenge to decorate a house, especially when money is tight but it makes it fun when it turns into sport!

If any of you like junk shopping as well, call me. I'm so there.

PS. I also love IKEA, can you tell?

August Babies

Our family births babies in cycles... even the in-laws can't escape. For example, my husband only has one brother-in-law (Gary) and one sister-in-law (Candice). It just happens that they have the EXACT same birthday. On top of the two in-law birthdays, Scott's grandmother's birthday is in Aug, my mother's birthday is in Aug (TODAY), my cute nephew Van's birthday was yesterday and I had two children almost exactly ten years apart in this most celebratory month! 1994 and 2004.

Phew.

Anyway, I just wanted to give a shout to all my people and wish them the happiest of happy birthdays, especially since we cannot manage to get cards out on time! We love you guys and will do better next year.

My August baby stats:

Oliver- born at 10 something in the morning... crazy hard labor and delivery, like 20 hours... with the help of forceps... 9lbs, 6oz and 22" long... most beautiful baby ever! Didn't sleep through the night for the next 5 years.

Sophia- born in the afternoon???... pretty easy labor and delivery, maybe 5 hours... 8lbs, 4oz and 21" long, I think... most high maintenance baby ever! Didn't sleep through the night for the next 5 years.

They love each other so much, it makes me teary.

It's Beginning to Smell a lot Like Christmas

I found an awesome homemaking tip in Martha's incredible September "Special Decorating" issue of MSL. Scented candles can get pretty expensive and be a little heavy as well, righ? Try this instead. Fill a pot or teapot about 3/4 of the way full with water, add orange peel, whole cloves and a cinnamon stick. Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat down to simmer. It will fill your house with the most delicious smell and you could probably add some honey and make a spiced tea out of it if you wanted. I'll wait until it's not 150 degrees outside first.

It's easy, inexpensive and it works.

Memory Keeping

I'd rather eat my weight in cheese than do genealogy work. Is this a good thing? Of course not, BUT, I'm lucky my dad really does enjoy it, and my husband's family is on the ball as well.

Something I would enjoy putting together is a family tree. I don't have one and would like to make a few for our home. One for my extended family, one for Scott's and one for our immediate. I don't want them all to look the same, however.

I found the first one (above) on a fun blog, http://www.mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/, and LOVE the 3-D leaves and photos! The little round picture frames are made out of metal labels from a craft store and the leaves are card stock.

These other three are from Martha's blog and are very nice as well. The white lettering on red paper is just that and very simple, but beautiful. You'd have to have really nice handwriting though.

You can download the other two templates from the links below and have printed on the size of paper you want at UPS or Kinko's. This will be a fun fall craft when my kids are in school and would also count for a Personal Progress project. Score!

They would make beautiful Christmas gifts as well. Hmmm....

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/family-trees?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/make-a-family-tree#slide_2

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/family-tree-fan-chart?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/make-a-family-tree#slide_5

DIY

I saw this project on Design Sponge and am in love! The directions are super easy and the results are spectacular, don't you think?! I'd like to make one for the pergola out back. It would be beautiful lit up at night for a BBQ or dinner? I guess it would be a fancy sort of BBQ, but still pretty.

It's just a planter basket, freezer paper and ribbon! Check out the full tutorial here:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/08/diy-project-brennas-paper-capiz-shell-chandelier.html

Here Comes the Sun

I am really into the color yellow right now, especially with grey or taupe as the neutral. I haven't really started decorating my house because it's taken a while to actually furnish it! To me, the fun decorating is all about the pillows and the art, the flowers and the lamps... not so much the couches and other necessary furniture. I can't wait to incorporate some strong punches of color.

I love the idea of picking one or two accent colors and going hog wild. Why not paint a mirror yellow, or dining chairs even?

My favorite is the porch photo. We used to have a swing on the side porch of our last house and we used it all the time! Until, that is, the porch was infested with bats and our neighbors' daughter decided to raise bunnies for a 4-H project on the other side of our fence. Yuck! We also found a possum out there once.

Pretty Party

I have 3 birthdays coming up, and was feeling a little out of steam and a lot out of money. I don't want to do anything expensive, but still have fun and be creative for the kids.

Well, I found a link to this page from Lorie's amazing blog, and am again inspired. Those are just strips of material hanging with twinkle lights. I already have both! So, maybe I'll convince one of my girls to scrap the "luau" theme and go with something a little more dreamy and original.... somewhat original anyway!

http://www.ashleymeaders.com/

The Best Meatballs

We bought a half a cow a couple of months ago, and I've been trying to find unique beef recipes since . This meatball recipe isn't really unique or groundbreaking , but it's by far the tastiest recipe I've found!



Italian Meatballs:


1 lbs ground beef
1 lbs ground pork
2 minced cloves of garlic
2 eggs
1 C Romano cheese
1 1/2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 C Italian bread crumbs
1-11/2 C water or milk

salt and pepper to taste

-Mix ingredients, slowly adding the milk/water til the mixture is moist but still "roll able". Heat about 1 C of olive oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs on all sides.


You can serve this with a marinara sauce, with a spicy BBQ dip or plain. You can even serve these meatballs Asian style with some rice, fresh chopped green onion, a drop of chili sauce, wrapped in steamed cabbage leaves. Sounds weird, but tastes so good!

Thankful Thursday

I haven't done one of these "Thankful Thursday" posts in a long time. Why??? It certainly isn't because I'm not "thankful" for the blessings in my life, but the 10-15 minutes of blogging I give myself a day doesn't allow for any deep thoughts. In the last 4 months or so, the rest of my time is taken up with my calling, my family and trying to get myself on some kind of a routine. While I'm extremely organized in some ways, I'm extremely undisciplined in others!!!

I'm thankful for opportunities to serve. I was called as the YW president a little while back and it's taken me out of my comfort zone for sure! From the full frontal hugs (ack!!!) to the missionary efforts that are necessary parts of this calling, I've become more reliant on the Lord... and it's a good thing. Becoming more spiritually in tune has helped in areas of my life that really needed some boosting... all areas really. Maybe there's hope for me yet.

I'm thankful for my friends. We've been here in Tennessee for over 3 years now and there is not a day that goes by, I don't recognize this blessing in my life. I love it here and for the first time in a very, very long time have a lot of true girlfriends again. Friends I can vent to and know it stays right there without judgement... friends I can call and go shopping with with no notice... friends who invite me to parties and LNO's.... friends who understand who I am and what I believe in. It's nice.

I'm thankful for creative outlets and time. While my blogging has been somewhat superficial, it's nice to have that time to be mindless or feel inspired. School's starting soon and I have so many little projects for the fall. This is what I enjoy and it makes me feel good to create a beautiful environment at home that my family and I can enjoy. Actually, I don't think that's superficial at all.

I'm now over my 15 minute blogging time by 35 minutes, but that's OK. My one pair of athletic shoes disintegrated at camp so I can't exercise anyway!