Best Gift Ever!

Love my little man!

TV Chef Love

Do you watch Food Network or the Cooking Channel? Is there a Chef(s) that inspires you? For me it has always been Giada De Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Bobby Flay and Tyler Florence. Their food is simple. Their recipes are easy to follow (so important to me) and they are down to earth people.

I got the pleasure of meeting Giada a few years back when she was doing a book signing at the South Coast Plaza, Williams-Sonoma, for her book "Giada's Family Dinners". She was so sweet and so beautiful. I could not get a word out other than "Hi"...oh and "Thank You":). I love her love for food... it is contagious. Her recipes are so clean and simple.

Ina by far has the best recipes. Everything that I have made from her cookbooks are amazing. Super simple to follow. I neeeeeed her newest cookbook, "How Easy is That?". The Barefoot Contessa always seems to enjoy everything she makes and loves sharing it with others. Her recipe for a Summer Fruit Crostata is my new fav..I have made it four times now(minus the plums) and it is amazing. Keep forgetting to take a pic...but if you are in need of a new Spring/Summer Dessert try this one..you will love it.

Bobby Flay...oh Bobby. He is an all American guy. I love his style of cooking...total man in the kitchen. Not super refined but always makes everything look so amazing. His new show on the Cooking Channel "Brunch @ Bobby's" is the best show ever. Being that Brunch is my favorite type of meal to eat I love all his recipes. I recently made Scott a Poached Egg dish....delish! Bobby made it look so good... we looked at eachother and said we had to make it ASAP.


Last but not least...Tyler Florence. He is another Chef who I just love to try out his recipes. They are easy to follow and so comforting. He is known for Tyler's Ultimate...where he takes very popular dishes and makes them his way..which is awesome! He is full of energy and is all over the place. That is what I love about him..others may find it annoying when watching his show...his cameramen have a hard time following him...but that is how I am in the kitchen..when I know what I am doing and am loving a recipe. Total opposite when I am baking...I am in relax mode:). Anyways...back to Tyler. I have tried many of his recipes and they always turn out great..his whole roasted chicken is great. I do not have one of his cookbooks..sad to say. I have not bought a cookbook in so long with all the recipes online..but I need to get back to buying them. They are such a great resource to have in your kitchen. Hope you try out some of these recipes I shared and are inspired by your favorite Chefs to get cookin'!

Adventures in Couponing

Have you seen the new show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing"? If you haven't I highly suggest you check it out. Before the show I was a casual couponer. But since I started watching the show a few weeks ago I have stepped up my game. It is so addicting. It is amazing how much you can save your family if you are willing and able to put in the extra hours. Right now I am new to the game so it is taking me awhile to learn all the secrets. I learned quickly that people get the deals probably on the first day they are released so you have to be quick. You also have to learn all the crazy coupon jargon. It is easy to mis-read something and then there goes your deal. I learned a lot from The Krazy Coupon Lady who was featured on the show. Her website is amazing and has a lot of great tips to get you started.

I decided to set some rules for myself...because I was so excited about getting things for free or super cheap that I was spending way too much time searching for deals. I decided to only clip coupons and search for deals when Shane is sleeping. Limit it to 30 mins a day and to not buy something unless our family actually needs it or will use it in the future. Many of theses Extreme Couponers have stock piles that look like a grocery store within there own home!!!! They buy diapers when they don't have kids and pet treats when they don't have animals. Many of them do give them to family members and charities...so that is good..but I still think that they buy way too much of certain items just because they are free. It becomes a bit of a hoarding issue at that point. Anyways, I want to use this opportunity to save my family money if I can. Prices are so high these days..work is slow and we have done everything we can to pay the least amount on bills...so if I can get stuff for cheap or free...with a few hours work..hey why not.

Here is what I picked up this week:

Target:

Head and Shoulders(don't have dandruff...just want to clear that up..they make normal shampoo too:)).
Retail-4.74 each
MFR Q-BOGO So only paid 4.74 for both plus....
Store Q -1.00
Total:3.74 for both or 1.87 ea.

Huggies 112ct. Not shown
Retail-29.99
MFR Q-1.50
Store Q- 3.00
Total: 25.49 this may not seem like that great of a deal but it is hard to get good deals on name brand diapers and that is what I notmally buy so to get an additional 4.50 off I am pretty happy...Monday there is a really good deal on the Jumbo packs at Target so I am going back for more:)

Rimmel Mascara-
Retail-5.69
MFR Q-2.00
Store Q- 1.00
Total: 2.69

Kohl's
Easter Shoes for Shane:)
Retail-29.99(Seriously???)
Sale-16.99
Kohl's Cash-10.00
15% Q-3.21
Total- 3.78.... Score!!!!


Staples
HP Paper 
Retail- 5.99
Easy Rebate-5.99
Total: FREE!!!!! Came just in time..using a lot of paper printing out coupons:)

Fondant

Of all the baking I have done, I never have made or even used fondant. I have never taken any cake decorating classes, so, I really am a novice when it comes to cake decorating. Another reason I never cared to try to make my own or buy the premade fondant is because I think it tastes gross! I really love the way it looks and decided I at least need to cross it off my baking bucket list and make some.

To my surprise it was not that hard. Very sticky but actually really easy and fun to make. With my son's 2nd bday approaching I wanted to do a test run before and see if I could pull it off. I left most of the fondant white but made a yellow and green batch as well. I am going to let it rest over night and then hopefully make a cake tomorrow....fingers crossed...I will post pictures of it..unless it is horrible then most likely not:). Here is the original recipe I found...but tweaked it a bit using some ideas from other recipes. There are not too many pics because my hands were filled with Crisco for most of the process.

My fondant recipe

1 bag of mini marshmallows(10.5 oz)

3 TBS water

26 oz powdered sugar

In a greased microwave safe bowl add marshmallows and water. Microwave in 30 second intervals. I did 30 seconds, 30 seconds and then 20 seconds. Depending on your microwave my take more or less. Then top the marshmallow mixture with about 3/4 of the powdered sugar. Grease your work surface and then your hands generously. Now dump the mixture out on the work surface and begin kneading. Add the rest of the powdered sugar once the first amount is incorporated. Continue to grease your work surface and hands as needed. If at any point your fondant because dry and cracks you may need to add more water. I did not need to but I read that tip in case it does happen. I would knead for 5-10 minutes until you get a mixture that will stretch without tearing. (you should also not be able to see any bits of powdered sugar).

It is best to let it sit over night but you can let it sit for as little as 10 minutes and begin using. I covered my fondant in Crisco and then plastic wrap and then in a plastic baggie. One recipe said it will keep for months at room temperature and another said weeks in the fridge..so I don't know which to follow...I am going to go ahead and put it in the fridge and see how that goes.

***Notes***

***I used liquid food coloring because that is all I had. I crossed my fingers and hoped it worked. I think it came out well and didn't effect the consistency at all. I believe you can use the gel food coloring as well.

***I began to use my KitchenAid stand mixer..but it got so thick I was afraid it was going to break my mixer and I would have cried for days! So I took it out and just hand kneaded it as another recipe had suggested..much better!

***As always..Mise en Place...have all your ingredients prepared and measured and ready to go before you begin..oh and make it once the kiddos are in bed...I accidentally added the wrong amount of powdered sugar because my kiddo came in and distracted me:). Hopefully it turns out...more to come tomorrow...hopefully!

Preschool...or No Preschool..that is the question???!!

"Knowing what to expect from a teacher is a really good thing, of course: It lets you get the right answers more quickly than you would otherwise. Indeed, these studies show that 4-year-olds understand how teaching works and can learn from teachers. But there is an intrinsic trade-off between that kind of learning and the more wide-ranging learning that is so natural for young children. Knowing this, it's more important than ever to give children's remarkable, spontaneous learning abilities free rein. That means a rich, stable, and safe world, with affectionate and supportive grown-ups, and lots of opportunities for exploration and play. Not school for babies."By Alison Gopnik



On my MSN homepage I found an article that stood out to me "Why preschool should not be school" . The Hubs and I just had this conversation with some friends about whether or not our kids would go to preschool. The Hubs was very adamant about our son going...while our friend did not think it was right to put children in "school" that early. He had more of the idea of let kids be kids...while The Hubs was on the side of preschool being a great tool for social skills. The Hubs is very social and loves people and our friend(who I always agree with) is not a social person.
I did not go to preschool and so this whole idea is new to me. I am so worried about making the wrong decision. The Hubs went to Kiddie College..spelled Kiddie Kollege or something clever like that I am sure(misspelling college though is not a very good idea for a school if you ask me..but I am just assuming that..forgive me Kiddie College if I am wrong).  Anyways...I found this article on Slate.com to be so interesting. They write about a few learning experiments done on 4 year olds. One approach is the teaching method where the children imitated  exactly what the teacher showed them in a series of tests with a toy. The other approach, the adult acted clueless and tried to get the toy to work but left the kids to figure it out themselves. The point of this article was to show the two different learning styles of children and which produced a more positive or productive outcome. One reader suggested that maybe the teacher should act as if she did not know how to work the toy but then figure it out and walk through the steps with the children until they figure it out. That was my thoughts as well. Isn't that what a teacher is suppose to do? Teach...help our children to come to the correct answer/outcome??? But also is this style of learning to be left until they are of age to truly be able to understand what the teacher is trying to accomplish.
The whole "your baby can read" infomercials are a crack up. I don't want my baby to read..I want to read to him. I want to teach him his ABC's and then once it is time for preschool or Kindergarten he can further hone his reading skills. I have friends who are like "my baby can read" or "my sister's baby can already read at 2 years old"... oh isn't that special:). Learning is a beautiful thing and if your child can read at an early age that is great and I am not opposed to that but when it is forced and you become a "proud parent"..the kind of parent that boasts of their child's achievements to EVERYONE...you need to ask yourself if it is for the good of your child's education or for your own self worth.
I have friends who their child has not said more than a few words..when my son is talking up a storm...but their child excelled in walking way before or other skills that my son took forever to pick up.
In conclusion I think that the pressure on kids is so amazing these days. American kids are already stressed out by the time they reach elementary school. I remember my sister taking all these AP classes in High School and even Junior High. She was doing homework at all hours of the night and then had to read during the summer. She never got a break. She loves education...me on the other hand I passed all my classes..never put much effort into anything "extra". Would be darned if I had to do anything school related during the summer and tried to finish all my homework within an hour of getting home or in homeroom.I never understood why we had to spend hours at school and then another few hours on homework. Completely different learning styles. I have to say my sister is smarter than me but I have an amazing job. She is still experiencing the college life...I never did. I worked my way up and maybe she will not have to. Hey but I have no school loans!!! Actually she got most of her schooling paid for because she is a smart smart girl! Two different roads but would either of us change it NO. We learn differently but are happy with the results. I think that is the approach that we are going to have to take with our little one. We really need to be aware of how he learns and if preschool will be right for him. Here are my pros and cons and then I will stop...didn't realize I had so much to say on this topic!!!!

Pros:

1. Make new friends..a good social outlet
2. Learn from someone else other than Mommy and Daddy
3. Rest for Mama...hehehehe

Cons:

1. Force learning too young..not enough free time to explore
2. The cost of preschool
3. Learn bad habits

P.S. I looked up Kiddie Kollege online and it came up. One in the area The Hubs grew up..so I will have to ask The M-I-L if that was the one:).

Tie Dyed Eggs...literally!

 

I saw these eggs on Our Best Bites and could not believe that you can dye and egg using a 100% silk scarf. The print on the tie will actually transfer onto the egg. Eggcellent! You have to check this out...I see a thirft store run in my future!

Spring has Sprung!

I know we still have another week...but I bought some daffodils and Robin's Egg Whoppers at the store yesterday. That is spring for me:). Outside of my office window I can see the beautiful peach blossoms and this blue and yellow bird that visits it everyday. My bestie had her baby on Saturday... new life is all around me:) Happy Spring!

Miss Sydney!

Fat Tuesday Gumbo

I was craving some Louisiana cooking..so was happy that Mardi Gras was coming up and I decided to make some Gumbo. I love this recipe. I have made it a few times before. A spicy bowl of goodness!!!!

Ingredients:
2 TBS Flour
2 TBS Butter
1 Onion, diced
1 Green Bellpepper, diced
1 TBS Garlic, minced
2 c. Smoked Sausage, sliced
4 c. Chicken Breast, cooked, diced
4 c. Chicken Broth
1 28oz. can Diced Tomatoes
1 tsp. Dried Thyme
2 Bay Leaves
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2# Shrimp deveined and tails removed
1 tsp File
s/p TT

Directions

1. In a large pot combine Flour and Butter to make a roux.
2. Add Onion, Bellpepper and Garlic. Saute 5 minutes.
3. Add Sausage, Chix, Chix Broth, Tomaotes, Thyme, Bay Leaves and Cayenne Pepper.
4. Simmer 45 minutes
5. Add Shrimp, File and Salt and Pepper.
6. Serve with rice.

Can I get a do-over???

Have you ever just wanted a do-over? A Mulligan? Or a complete renovation/makeover of your life? I have been at that point many times in my own life. I ask myself why did I not do this. Or why didn't I start something earlier in life? Why don't I have more self control...why didn't I share my true feelings...why didn't I get involved in the lives of others. I begin to examine my life and it is full of what ifs and why nots.
Being shy doesn't help these feelings of regret. I miss out on so many great events and relationships. The fear that runs my life is crippling at times. This is when I cry out to God and pray for a do-over. I tend to think I need to run away..start a new life...a life where no one knows that I am afraid...or knows of my short comings.I get an urge to transform my outer being about once a year. A makeover can make me feel like I am starting over...but we all know that it needs to be a makeover of the inside and not the outside. Praise God that each day is new. I don't need to start from the very beginning. God gives us a chance to start new each day..each moment. Can I get an "AMEN"?

"Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:21-23

The idea of this post came into my mind when I read this post. The blogger had picked up a book titled: Everything I Know I Learned from Home Improvement. One of the lines in the book that really made me think was from the chapter titled: Mistakes Create Possibilities. It states: "We all want a makeover because it feels like starting over. Yet we forget the real change requires planning and hard work". This is referring to a home makeover, but also is tying it into our own day to day lives. We think that if we do something so drastic that is will detract from the pain...fear...worry..or whatever is going on in our lives. By transforming the outside it will somehow make the inside change. But it couldn't be more opposite. We need to work hard and making the real change in our hearts and minds.

1 Samuel 16: 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”


I am thankful for the wonderful life I have. A loving husband...the cutest, smartest..most talented son:) and great friends and family. I am thankful that I don't need to start over...but if I did...I would hope I would come back as a Black Woman..mmmhmmm...you read right....a Black Gospel Singer to be exact. And I would sing this song below all day to my Lord. Who knows maybe I do sound like a Gospel Singer to God...praying that at least when I get to heaven I can sing with some great power and soul!


Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Amy Sedaris' Vanilla Cupcakes

I needed a cupcake fix. I only had 2 sticks of butter so I had to make a small batch..but all I really needed was one cupcake...ok two. Amy Sedaris is a comedian/actress...I knew her name sounded familiar..recipe sounded good..so I crossed my fingers and hoped this actress knew what she was doing...and she sure did. The cupcakes were moist and a perfect soft texture. I had to 1/2 the recipe...which always scares me..but they turned out great and I got a baker's dozen out of it. I also made a new recipe for the frosting. It was a mixture between a creamy buttercream and whipped frosting. I had to really make a small batch of this and it turned out really good. Here is the recipe for Amy Sedaris' Vanilla Cupcakes via Epicurious:

Amy Sedaris' Vanilla Cupcakes(Full recipe...I cut it in half)
Epicurious
October 2006
by Amy Sedaris

Ingredients
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups milk

Turn oven on to 375 degrees F.

Put butter in mixer and beat at medium speed until somewhat smooth. Pour in sugar and beat well. Add 2 eggs. I like to crack the eggs on the side of the bowl while it is moving, which can be really stupid. I like to take chances. Yes, I have had to throw away my batter because I lost eggshells in the mix. Yes, it was a waste of food and yes, I know how expensive butter is, but what can I say? I'm a daredevil. Mix well. Add: vanilla, baking powder, salt, flour, and milk. Beat until it looks like it is supposed to and pour into individual baking cups, until they are about 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Should produce 24 cupcakes; I get 18 because I'm doing something wrong, although my cupcakes were voted second best in the city by New York Magazine.
***Notes by Amy:) NY mag named them 2nd best and I can see why! She also has a buttercream recipe...but I had my heart set on trying a different one..I'll have to try it out and let you know what I think.


Oh and here is the Buttercrean Frosting recipe I used in case you are looking for something a little lighter(in texture not calories). Can't remember where I found it...some blog out in blogland.

Buttercream Frosting (Sorry no photo..having issues..I am not able to put more than one pic up...argghhh)

2 c. butter
4 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
1/4 c. milk or heavy cream ( I used milk..but want to try the heavy cream)

Beat butter and powdered sugar on low until creamed..then add remaining ingredients one at a time at medium speed for 3-4 minutes..until well combined and the desired consistency. Add more powdered sugar if it is too thin or less milk..whatever works for you.

Enjoy and happy baking!

Cooking/Baking Bucket List

I recently stumbled upon a new site called http://www.browneyedbaker.com/. On the site the blogger has a bucket list of sorts for all the recipes she wants to make. There is no time limit, just 100 items that she would like to make in her lifetime. I love this idea. I have made many fancy smancy desserts and savory dishes...but it doesn't have to be complicated. It is also a list of recipes that maybe you have tried but want to master them. I have many of those...so I came up with my own list. My list is only 50 long but I can add to it through out the years and hopefully can get through these recipes and come up with some that I can pass on to you and others. After watching Julie and Julia I thought immediately that I needed to do that. Go through a revered cookbook and spend some time blogging about it, just like Julie. I never could get inspired to choose one cookbook...so this idea is perfect. I can try recipes of well known chefs, home cooks and bloggers. Bon Appetit!

Breads

• French Bread
• Challah
• Parker House Rolls
• Pumpkin Bread

Cakes/Cupcakes

• Red Velvet
• Cheesecake
• Vanilla Cake

Pastries

• Beignets
• Baklava
• Doughnuts
• Danishes

Pies

• Lemon Meringue
• Blackberry
• Banana Cream
• Apple Hand Pies

Other Desserts:

• Some dessert with Nutella
• Stuffed French Toast
• Buttercream Frosting
• Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Bread Pudding
• Souffle
• Cinnamon Rolls

Soup/Stew/Bisque..etc

• Broccoli Soup
• Shrimp Bisque
• Gumbo
• Chili

Sandwiches

• Po Boy
• Croque Monsieur

Italian

• Lasagna
• Polenta

Mexican

• Chilaquiles
• Carnitas

Sauces

• BBQ
• Bernaise
• Gravy
• Hollandaise

Other

• Poached Egg
• Fritata
• Fish Tacos
• Fried Chicken
• Coleslaw
• Jambalaya
• Halibut
• Pizza
• Lasagna
• Quiche
• Paella
• Wontons
• Rack of Lamb

The Business of Busyness

Yes, that's right I am in the business of busyness. What is this business of busyness you may ask??? Well, I am pretty sure you are in the same line of work. It isn't one of those fancy businesses..with jets and assistants. It isn't a multi-million a year business. However, this business of busyness consumes your precious time, you put in way over the 8 hour day...in fact you work over time everyday. Just when you think your ahead..BAM..your business of busyness takes a hit. There are the typical stacks of paper on your desk, "associates" pulling at you from every which way...financial woes and don't even think about taking a sick day in this business of busyness!!!
Sound appealing??? No??? Come on the benefits are great...or are they..come to think of it there are no benefits in this business of busyness.


Busyness-Sustaining much activity..such as a busy morning or busy street.
Busyness-Meddlesome;prying.
Busyness- Being in use.


All these definitions from freedictionary.com are pretty applicable to how I am feeling about the busyness that I call life. The second would be a busybody of sorts..which is being meddlesome..which is a good definition of how I feel about being busy...it causes tension and destruction. The third would refer to more of an object, but again still pertains to the act of being busy "being in use"...unavailable to your spouse, children and other loved ones.


I only have one child and he is not at the age where he needs to be driven to football practice and then boy scouts. So, why am I feeling this way. Why am I feeling as though I am too busy to play outside, to read a good book or to spend time serving God. My priorities are out of whack. I work full time and am also a full time mom. I work from home so there is no break. I am on 24/7. I am beginning to see the importance of a stay at home mom. I am frazzled. I have to admit though..I am new at this and just like a new job..you soon get the hang of it and things run smoother. Being busy these days just seems like the norm. I am not saying that you need to sit at home doing nothing. Taking your kids to their activities is great. Being involved at church is great. It is when the busyness takes you away from these things that we as parents should be doing is when this business of busyness needs to be closed down.


As a working mother I am blessed to be able to stay at home. But...something has to suffer. I can't give 100% to my son when I have to ignore his needs to get my 8-5 job done...or visa versa. I almost always choose my son over my work..but that is not fair to my job and it is not fair to my son that my time is divided. The Hubs and I talk all the time about the possibilities of me being able to stop working. You hear all the time about the Lord providing..I hate to say it but I am so afraid to take that risk. I have the best benefits..good pay and three weeks paid vacation! The Hubs works commission..enough said!

Just something I wrestle with. I get overwhelmed..and then I think about having another little one...I think my heart just stopped beating! God has been teaching me to really spend my time wisely. The busyness I talked about early, right now, is being on the computer for hours or watching TV. Not using the time I do have wisely. I consider it meaningless activity. Yes, watching TV and going on the computer are not bad activities..but when they are chosen over activities that are meaningful that are bad. Max Lucado put it best:

“Those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good.” Titus 3:8


"Being busy is not a sin. Jesus was busy. Paul was busy. Peter was busy. Nothing of significance is achieved without effort and hard work and weariness. That, in and of itself, is not a sin.
But being busy in an endless pursuit of things that leave us empty and hollow and broken inside—that cannot be pleasing to God."

So, my prayer is that I choose to spend my time wisely..that I am busy with activities that are pleasing to God. Hopefully this new business venture pans out and I don't go back to my business of busyness.

Mise en place

One of the most important phrases that I learned and actually remembered from Culinary School was the phrase "Mise en place" meaning "everything in its place". Having all your ingredients chopped, measured and ready to go is key to a successful dish. In many kitchens there is a prep cook or many prep cooks. They are low on the totem pole but really are so important to the success of the Head Chef and all the food that goes out of the kitchen.When a Chef is not prepared it definitely effects the flow for the day and the end product is not usually his or her best.

I use the term Mise en place in other areas of my life as well. When my life seems to not be in order, there is chaos. When I choose to sit on the internet instead of grocery shopping or keeping up with laundry..my household falls apart(FYI-my chores are all done..so I can continue to write):). I have to say I use to be so organized. I was an Event Planner for two years and that position really taught me that I needed to be prepared for what I knew was going to happen..that way when something happened that was not planned I had time to sort it all out. Many times we go about our lives as we have planned and that is usually when God likes to throw in a test or two. Now, sometimes I have to admit I am so not prepared and I just about lose it...most of the time I can identify the test and know something great will come out of it. God always has a great plan for us. You hear it all the time that God's timing is perfect. We have to remember that He is far greater than us. He works supernaturally and sometimes we can never imagine what great things God can do and has planned for us. Also, God is patient. Have you ever been in such a rush while cooking a meal that it ends up in the trash? Totally ruined...a mess. If you had everything in its place then it most likely would have a different outcome. If you had put a little love and time into it you could produce something worthy of Top Chef...ok maybe I am going too far. Seriously though when everything is going right in the kitchen and I am putting my heart into it The Hubs is always like "this is the best____ ever! It does the heart good. Wouldn't that be great if we did that in our personal lives with Christ? At the end of each day He could look at you and say this was the best day yet! Keep it coming! Instead of "pack your knives"(good thing God doesn't give up on us and wouldn't say that after one failure).

Daily preparation in the Word is key to a great relationship with God. When you are prepared you can face any obstacle that may come your way. For some reason I want to shout "If you can't stand the heat...stay out of the kitchen"!!! Ok, sorry enough with all the cooking metaphors and puns!!!

In Isaiah 40 God is comforting His people. I love how this chapter refers to the majesty and glory of our God. "In the desert prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken". Isa 40:3-5.  Wow...talk about some preparation..making mountains low and rough ground level! Later on in the chapter it talks about how God measures "the waters in the hollow of his hand" and also "held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales" (vs 12). This would definitely comfort me. The most I have ever weighed out on scales was a few ounces of flour!(although the scale in my bathroom holds almost the same amount as a small hill...oh geez). How soon we forget that when we are hit with something we are not prepared for that we needs to turn to God for help. We can't do it all on our own. We all have so much on our plates...step back and let God be the "Head Chef". It will turn out much better that way:).  Mise en place:)

Floating Holiday Project

                                  



                                   



Shane taking a pic of mommy's work too...and the laundry I should have been doing instead:).



Today I took my second Floating Holiday for theWinter. We usually get two that we can take any time between the first of January until the end of February. So..I had grand plans but then I saw my ugly... used to be coffee table..turned bench begging me for a redo. So I decided that I definitely wanted it to be white and then I was debating on doing stripes or a chevron pattern. I knew that my perfectionism would probably never be satisfied with the chevron pattern so I decided upon the stripes. I used left over paint from my hallway and trim. I started at the beginning of Shane's nap and finished by the end(luckily it was one of his two hour naps!). I am really happy with it. It looks really beachy. I wish I would have done 5 stripes instead of 4 but I think I will leave it. I may add some trim or paint out some other parts with the beige color..but for now it still looks really fresh. It originally began as a pine coffee table with doors and hinges. Then I wanted to get away from the country look and painted it a green to match my "Tropical" theme I had years ago and removed the doors. Next it was painted an ugly chocolate brown and it stayed that way until today. I was glad to do something different today and even more happy it could be done while the little guy slept!





There it is before...ugly brown...I know it is hard to see but Shane looks cute and there is that darn basket of laundry again!





Peanut...Peanut Butter..Cookies!

I was surfing the web for some new cupcake recipes and it made me really crave something sweet. I knew that I had a bunch of peanut butter so Peanut Butter Cookies it is. I whipped up a batch in no time and I used a random recipe from Cooks.com. I don't particularly like Cooks.com..just because their recipes are always missing steps or are really strange methods but the reviews were good so I gave it a try. I am so glad I did. They turned out chewy and delicious!

THE WORLD'S BEST PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES(revised)
From COOKS.COM

2 sticks butter, room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups peanut butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

Mix butter, sugars and peanut butter together. Add eggs and vanilla. Then mix together flour and soda and add into mixture. Bake at 350°F for about 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.