Argh Matey!

I have two reasons behind this post. One, to let everyone know that I seriously have the cutest nephew! And two, my sister-in-law really knows how to throw a great kids birthday party.

I love the creativity that goes into planning a child's birthday party, which is why I tend to post about them. This post is a little late, but I just had to share the details of this pirate party.

Kohen, my nephew, is going through a serious pirate phrase. If you run into him and ask him what a pirate says, he'll reply, in a "scary" voice, "Argh Matey!"

The party came complete with an amazing pirate ship cake, and a ship full of little pirates.

Just What I Needed

I spent the weekend with a few girlfriends at the beautiful Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah. It was such a nice, needed break from life. We ate lots of food, talked & talked, and shopped & shopped. These women are so amazing and so fun to be around. They indulged me and let me cook them breakfast. So I grabbed my favorite breakfast cookbook, of which I've shared many recipes from, Fabulous Fairholme. I honestly had a hard time deciding on what to make since everything in this book is golden.

I finally went with the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and was happy with my choice. It was so easy and something all palates could enjoy.

Serves 4-6
5 eggs spearated
zest 1 large lemon or orange
1 cup milk
1 3/4 ricotta cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
dash salt

Preheat griddle or skillet on medium heat.

Mix the egg yolks. Sift and mix the dry ingredients and combine with egg yolks, lemon or orange zest, milk and ricotta cheese.

Beat the egg whites until stiff. Gently fold into the egg-ricotta batter. Lightly oil griddle and pour a pancake-sized amount onto girddle with a 1/2 cup measuring scoop. Cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook other side until golden.

Serve with warm homemade maple syrup.

Tip: This souffle style pancake will melt in your mouth. Flip only once and don't flatten the pancakes after flipping. This keeps it nice and light.

This needs a good, large sized lemon for the right effect. Please, please use ricotta cheese (found next to the shredded cheese section of your grocery store). Substitutes just won't do this recipe justice.

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?

Valentine's for Him or Her

Valentines can be such a fun holiday. Really the hardest part can be finding that perfect gift. As usual, my ideas center around great food. So I thought I'd share some gift ideas that anyone would love, male or female.

How fun would it be to sign up for couples cooking lessons? There are numerous places around the Salt Lake Valley that offer them. Try Les Madeleines (I hear great things about them), Sur La Table, or Caputo's Market & Deli, to name a few.

For a fun and creative gift, head on over to Color Me Mine and paint a pretty plate, then top it off with some homemade sugar cookies. Trust me, they'll notice all the effort that went into this gift. Or even better, make a date of it and do both projects together!

I love this idea I found over at Stephmodo - Print up a t-shirt declaring your love for your Valentine, but wait for a big reveal by keeping it under wraps (hide under your coat) until you go out to dinner (may I suggest Stoneground) and when you sit down take off your coat. I bet they get a kick out of it!

I know a box of chocolates is a bit cliche, but if you were to give me a box from Condies Chocolates it would be worth every calorie. They really are the best, and I happen to know the family that runs it. Trust them when they say that they really do hand dip every chocolate (they even taught me how).

If you want to keep it simple, cook a great dinner at home and avoid the long waiting lists at restaurants. I've been dying to try this simple french meal from Stephmodo (can you tell I love her blog?). Instead of spending a bunch of money on gifts, try giving your Valentine a thoughtful card and let them know how much you love them.

Cooking Lessons

My husbands parent's live a few hours South of Chicago, so we made a quick road trip down to see them. It has been a year since I visited, so it was nice to give them a big hug. Before they knew we were coming out they had asked a family to come and teach them how to make tamales.

It turned out to be a fun cooking lesson for everybody.

Making tamales is quite the process, and I now understand why you only make them for special occasions. I also quickly realized why you wouldn't be able to just follow a recipe and figure it out on your own.

Just to give you an idea of the process; first you boil the meat for 2 hours, then you spend another 2 hours prepping and assembling the tamales, then another 2 hours to steam them. It took up all of Saturday morning, but it was really fun and the final product made it totally worth it. Can you believe this was my first time eating a tamale? I have a feeling I won't be able to eat one from a restaurant because I know it just won't be the same.

Chicago Style

My first adventure in Chicago was tasting Giordanos Famous Stuffed Pizza. The waiter told us that they put 4 pounds of cheese on every pizza! Seriously?! That means that in my one piece of pizza I ate a 1/2 pound of cheese. I kind of wish I didn't know that, but it was totally worth it! Guess what? They'll ship a pizza any where in the US! For a special occasion that would be really fun.

If you ever find yourself in Chicago, try Rosebud for an upscale Italian meal. The restaurant was beautiful and the food was amazing.

Now, if only I could get to Chicago when it's warm!

Chicago

I just returned from a quick trip to Chicago. The Husband had to go for work, so at the last minute I decided to tag along and enjoy the city while he sat in meetings. This was the view from our hotel room window looking over Michigan Avenue. It was breathtaking!

The white circular building at the bottom center of the picture is Crate and Barrel, which was four stories of heaven! Why can't we have great shopping like this in Utah?!

My quick weekend consisted of shopping, museums, great food, and then a drive further South to visit the in-laws. Don't worry, my next post will be all about the food, including some surprise cooking lessons.

Valentine's Day Prep

Seriously so cute. What a great Valentines day gift for your friends/neighbors/loved ones. Cute heart shaped brownies found via Twig & Thistle.

Sweet as pie...

You all know my love of pie. In fact, I've been dying to make my mini pies just so I can use these cute boxes found via Twig & Thistle. I'm thinking I could find a fun reason to give these out, say......Valentines Day?

Jam Labels

I previously posed the question asking if anyone had ideas on a pretty way to package jam and I finally found the answer with this free download found on Creature Comforts Blog via A delightful blog. This would make a great hostess gift or favor at your next dinner party.

Winter Picnic

I have a birthday coming up and this gave me an idea. Wouldn't it be fun to get a bunch of friends together for some cross country skiing and we can pack a winter picnic? Hopefully it would be like the one Sweet Paul suggested on design sponge, consisting of homemade cookies, hot chocolate and great sandwiches. The sandwiches above are filled with greens, chicken, avocado, tomatoes and aioli. I think you could get me all the way around the trail if I knew I could eat this at the end of it.

I covet

Everything about this home is amazing! It's rare that I find photos of a home where I love every room (not just the kitchen)! Found via here, and check out the rest of the home while your'e at it.

Decadent

I love serving this recipe because I know it will please the masses. It a rich, moist, decant chocolate cake and it's so easy to make! Whenever I'm in a hurry I whip this up and you can't mess it up (my favorite kind of recipe). It's from the "101 thing to do with a Cake Mix."

Death By Chocolate
1 chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup sour cream
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil
1 small package instant chocolate pudding
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat eggs, sour cream, water, and oil together in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Add cake mix and pudding mix. Stir in chocolate cihps. Place batter in a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45-55 minutes until a fork comes clean. Cook cake in pan. When cool, sift powdered sugar on top of cake, or kick it up a notch and pour chocolate frosting on top.

Stress Less Dinner Party Ideas

Real Simple has some great tips on a "Stress Less Dinner Party." I especially like the idea of skipping the formal tablecloth and using a roll of brown craft paper for the tablecloth. Not only does it look great, but makes for easy clean up. To add to this already great idea, I would place some crayons on the table if your guests include small children. It would provide the kids with some entertainment so the adults could actually carry on a conversation! I'm also really loving the simple place cards.
Take a look at the menu Real Simple provides, it looks tasty. If you try it out let me know how it goes.

Party in a box

I have a couple of nephews with birthdays coming up, and I thought this was a great idea.

Seriously, why haven't I thought of this? This esty seller has created a "party in a box." Talk about cutting your party planning time in half! Check it out here. How fun would it be to sell customized party kits? Almost as fun as the little chef's party I posted here.

This would be a great way to make it look like you put a lot of hard work into your child's party without any of the hard labor. And for $30 it's not a bad price.

Perfection! Chocolate Chip Cookies

I feel like for years I've been searching for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I was starting to believe it didn't exist. Even when I did get a recipe, it was always hit and miss. I know I promised this recipe a while ago, but I wanted to make sure that it really was a "no fail" recipe.


This recipe came from a good friends mother who passed away. I wish I knew her better, especially since she must have been an excellent cooks because all of her recipes always turn out to fabulous!



Deanna's Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter flavored vegetable shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
2 cups chocolate chips

Cream shortening, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flour, soda, and salt separately, and add to mixture. Stir in nuts and chips. Scoop and roll into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Makes about 32 cookies.

I've made this recipe probably a dozen times and every time they come out crisp on the edges and fluffy in the middle.
Tip: try the cookies frozen, they are really good.

New Year

It's a new year and I feel like it would just be wrong to start off without giving you something healthy. I wouldn't even call this a recipe, but it's my go to quick and healthy dinner. You can find the chicken strips and vegetables from Costco in the frozen food section.

On medium high heat pour about a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil into a frying pan. Place frozen chicken in pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden, about 15 minutes. Steam vegetables in microwave. Mix chicken and vegetable together and you have a very good, very healthy meal.

Since I like to eat this meal several times a week when I'm trying to lose those extra holiday pounds I try to finds ways of making it interesting. For example: add some garlic and purple onions in the frying pan, or try different kind of seasonings. I also like to have this with a red potato with about a tablespoon of fat free sour cream. Really, there are so many options, but trust me, it's really tasty.

Bahumbug!

Seriously, I have so many recipes and goodies to post for Christmas and it's like I just realized that it's two days away! Where has the time gone? The only consolation I can give are these great downloadable gift tags from How About Orange for those late night wrapping sessions you have ahead. Hope this help.


If you find yourself in a bind and need some great recipes for those holiday festivities check out my Chicken Corn Chowder Soup (that my brother refers to as "heaven") and Lauren's Crescent Rolls. For breakfast try the Fabulous Crepes, and for dessert maybe try the Surprise Cookies, or my favorite pie crust recipe.


I hope everyone has a great Christmas filled with lots of good food!

Get them here.

This is what I'm using this year. Get them here

DIY Paper Placemats

These DIY Paper Placemats fround via Twig and Thistle look awesome! This would be a great way to seasonally decorate for all those holiday dinners without having to spend the money. And talk about an easy clean up!