Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I admit it: I REALLY want this.

The Nuwave Oven. It broils, roasts and and bakes! It toasts and BBQs! It steams, fries, and dehydrates! It even slices and dices! Okay, maybe it doesn't slice or dice. But it still looks awesome.

This compact cooker claims to utilize three different types of cooking-- convection, conduction, and far infrared-- to bake even frozen foods quicker and with less fat. The infomercial states that you can heat your meats and veggies all together, and can even bake cookies, pizzas, and dehydrate fruits and veggies. All for just 3 easy payments of $39.99 (plus s&h, of course).

THAT'S NOT ALL. Order "now" to get the bonus items: a cookbook and user guide, recipe cards, instructional DVD, carrying case, warrantys, pizza kit, and best of all, the Party Mixer and Nuwave Twister blending appliances.

I'm sold.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

New items listed on my Etsy site :)

Just in! I just listed to handmade organizers: one in Birthday theme, which is intended to remember the birthdays of your friends and family, store greeting cards and postage stamps, and collecting your party planning ideas and gift receipts. The other is a Recipe Organizer, which allows you to keep your favorite recipe cards and organize by category.




Contact me for custom orders. I have Birthday and Recipe organizers listed HERE on my Etsy site, but have also made a Christmas Organizer and can do any theme of your choice!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Handmade Gift ideas.

For once, I hope my girlfriends aren't checking out my blog.




Last year, I saw an article in Cosmo magazine that featured three handmade "foodie" gifts for the holidays. I was really excited about the Vodka recipe, and bought some cute bottles to make gifts for my friends. The idea never panned out, however, and I am planning to give it a go this holiday season.


The article had instructions for an Orange Poppyseed Pound Cake, and a Chocolate Chip and Dried Cherry Cookie Mix in a Jar, as well as the Raspberry and Lemon Vodka . Here are the instructions for the first two foodies-- I'm keeping the vodka recipe to myself ;)


Orange Poppy-Seed Pound Cake
This cake is an indulgent treat! I like to give a box of tea along with it.
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon orange extract
  • 6 large eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and poppy seeds. In another bowl, use an electric mixer on medium to beat the butter, sugar, orange zest, and extract until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time. Turn the mixer to low, and add the flour mixture, beating until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is golden, about 50 minutes. Cool completely before wrapping.

Chocolate Chip and Dried Cherry Cookie Mix in a Jar
Perfect for the baking-challenged friend. Print the instructions on a card, and attach.
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ²⁄³ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
  • ²⁄³ cup brown sugar
  • 8 ounces chocolate chips

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then add the granulated sugar, cherries, flour mixture, brown sugar, and chocolate chips to a jar in layers. Seal the jar, and tie with a ribbon.

Attach this recipe to the jar:
To make cookies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 stick of room-temperature butter until creamy. Add 2 eggs and1teaspoon vanilla. Stir in cookie mix. Drop by the tablespoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until golden. Cool. Makes 36 cookies.

Season's Greetings!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

I'll make your wedding invitations, and marry you too!


Contact me for details!

Christmas gifts for everyone!



Tell me you've seen this commercial.

Designer [looking] jeans that you can sleep in and wear to the grocery store! With flare legs and pocket rivets. No way. These sweats can be yours for only $39.95 and an $8 shipping charge. Free crew neck t-shirt with purchase.

Christmas made easy! You're welcome.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Can NOT wait.

Hot off the press:

Los Angeles (April 20, 2010) – Two great forces in entertainment have combined with the announcement of an unprecedented arrangement between The Estate of Michael Jackson, represented by Executors John Branca and John McLain, and Cirque du Soleil for the creation, development, production and promotion of Michael Jackson projects, featuring touring and permanent shows, based on the music and songs of Michael Jackson. Special lifestyle projects, including a nightclub to open with the Las Vegas production, will also be developed.

The first of these projects will be an arena-touring show in which fans will experience the excitement of a Michael Jackson concert, expected to debut in late Fall 2011. That arena show is anticipated to enjoy an extended run in Las Vegas in conjunction with longtime Cirque du Soleil partner MGM MIRAGE. The Las Vegas permanent show, also in partnership with MGM MIRAGE, is expected to open in late 2012. MGM MIRAGE will announce the location and plans for the permanent theatrical venue at a later date.

Read the full story HERE.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

A Mother's Love:

Check out this beautiful story about a little boy's preschool Halloween costume, and the scrutiny both he and his mother faced:

http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/


Cheryl Kilodavis wrote My Princess Boy in response to the cruel reactions her 5-year-old son receives when he dresses in sparkly, shiny frocks:

http://www.watoday.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/princess-boy-sparks-gender-furore-20101101-179rn.html

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

One of the coolest products I have ever seen!

While watching The Food Network's Unwrapped last night, I was introduced to a really amazing [looking] product that I can't wait to try.

The Hat Creek Candle Company creates "Cookie Melts": wax candles that melt in warmers, that look AND smell exactly like the different cookies they represent. The show featured four cookie candles, but the website has many more including chocolate chip, maple pecan, ginger snap and snickerdoodle.

It wasn't until I went to their site that I saw the other interesting "home baked" candle products they offer, including these adorable cupcake and pie candles:

I can't wait to grab one of these warmers and check these cookie melts out!