For the Love of Housewares

I recently had a birthday. This will be my last year to live up my twenties and I've decided that it's going to be really great.

My Husband and some very sweet friends made my birthday very special. It was nothing extravagant (this is the way I like it), but they let me know I am loved.

My dear friend Amanda gave me this beautiful red pitcher, with an even more special note, because "she knows how much I like hoursewares." Don't you love it when friends just get you?

It's been sitting on my kitchen table for a week, unused, because I like staring at it. So I thought you might like to too.

Preserved Goodness

Remember my tip about always keeping lemons on hand? In fact, in my new Ina Garten Cookbook she suggests that you should always keep lemons and fresh parmesan on hand at all times. I'd have to agree with her! Well, I thought I'd help out a little bit and suggest preserving your lemons so you feel like it's easier to always keep them on hand. Check out the Williams Sonoma site for a great way to preserve your lemons so you can have them accessible at any time.

A Lover's Treat

I'm always surprised how many people don't realize how easy it is to make chocolate covered strawberries. These would make such a nice (and easy) dessert for your special someone, on a special day.





Perfect Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Small Batch:


2 pints strawberries, room temperature
6 oz milk chocolate chips
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbls shortening

Rinse berries and let dry on paper towels for a couple of hours until they're completely dry. Line bottom of baking sheet with waxed paper and place in freezer. Slowly melt chocolate chips in the microwave, stir in shortening until smooth. Remove baking sheet from freezer. Hold each berry by stem and dip in chocolate to cover about two-thirds of the berry. Place berries on baking sheet. Let berries stand at room temperature to harden for at least an hour. Eat within 24 hours. Never refrigerate!

Customized Valentine

I've never been very fond of the conversation hearts that line the aisles for Valentine's Day, but when I saw this over at realsimple.com I couldn't resist. Try taking a box, lightly sand off the message with a fine grater, and use a food coloring marker to write your own message. Maybe you have an inside joke together? or words that trigger a memory? or funny pet names? The ideas are limitless.

Side note: If you're a fan, I figured you would want to know that my friend Jessica mentioned that the sweetheart brand changed the flavor of their conversation hearts and they just aren't the same.

Another good reason to check out realsimple.com: they have a link to create a customized crossword puzzle. You can fill it with clues centered around your relationship.

Valentine's for kids

I'm loving this idea over at Martha Stewart.com for Valentine's Day treat packages. What a fun way to involve your kids in love day and a great craft to keep them busy for the afternoon.

All you need is to cut out a picture of your child, scan and print onto heavy cardstock. Let your child write a cute message and attach to bags of sweets. That easy, that cute.

Everyday

I feel like lately I've had to replace a lot of my everyday kitchenwear. Not only am I in need of flatware (see this post - thanks for all the ideas btw!), but I'm also desperately in need of new glasses and pots and pans. Well, I am happy to say that I finally found some new everyday glassware. Everytime I looked at buying new glasses I felt like I would just break them too easily (I'm pretty clumsy). That is until I found Pottery Barns Cafe Glassware. I love seeing them everytime I open up my cupboard.

Valentine Dinner

I think the trick to making a really good meal is finding the perfect balance for your palette. I love my new cookbook, because you can find great menu ideas that do just that.

The first recipe that caught my eye was the Tuscan Lemon Chicken. So easy and so good. When combined with Confetti Corn and Stephmodo's Herb Roasted Potatoes it was perfection.

Really, the best part about this meal is that I didn't have to pre-plan my menu. I just searched for recipes for items I already had on hand.
This meal is definitely going to be a staple at my house, and for those of you celebrating Valentines Day at home, this would be sure to impress.

Easy...Peasy

I saw this recipe over at Sweet Paul and figured it was so easy that I didn't have much to lose by trying it. It literally took me 4 minutes to whip up and throw in the oven. The only change I made was that I only cooked it for 20 minutes instead of the suggested 30.

It's nothing to fawn over, but is actually quite good. It would shine best served with ice cream and chocolate sauce on top. Keep this recipe in mind when you need something quick and easy.

Back To Basics

A new cookbook it just what I needed to get me out of the funk I'm in. I had this book in my hands for one day and had already tried 3 recipes, all with acclomades. In Ina Garten's Back to Basics she leaves us with great tips, menu 's and ideas of what to keep stocked in our pantries and refridgerators to prepare a good meal at a moments notice. Many of her recipes have items that I generally keep stocked up on and every recipe has a picture, which is a must for me. Trust me, get it and you'll love it.

FYI - It's currently at Coscto for $19.99
This would make a great Valentine's Day gift for those who love to cook.

Restaurant Love

I had the best girls night out last weekend. My sister and I first went out for manicures. I don't typically get a manicure, but it really does make you feel girly, and for $10 it makes for some nice girl time. Afterwards we headed over to Cannella's for some fabulous dinner. We started out with the risotto cakes, I highly recommend them. Everything else was good, I just wish we left room for dessert. I couldn't help but oogle all the sweet goodness at others' tables. Next time I think I'll go for appetizers and dessert only. Check it out here. I also hear their outdoor dining in the summer is fantastic. You'll have a nice view of the main library in downtown Salt Lake.

Inspired

I came across another fabulous kitchen via A Delightful Blog. It's seriously gorgeous. Would you cook more if your space looked like this? I'm going through a dry spell and haven't cooked much lately. I did buy a new cookbook in hopes that it will kick me in gear. If it goes well, trust me, you'll hear about it.

Decisions, Decisions...

I am in some serious need of various everyday kitchen ware. Specifically flatware. What remains of my existing flatware (does anyone understand how forks just dissapear?) is sparse and in bad condition, considering I got only a cheap set for my wedding 8 years ago. Yes 8! don't judge.

So I've started the search, but my problem is that I don't want another cheap set, nor do I want to spend $200! Why do I feel like there is no middle ground here?

I just want something classic, simple, and long lasting. Crate and Barrel has some great options, and while I was in Chicago I checked them out and they are beautiful, but seriously! it's outrageous to charge that much for utensils! Anyone else have good luck on the subject?