Whimsy Wednesday-Heart Chocolate

Are you kidding me?  Leave it to Martha Stewart to think of something this simple yet this cute.  I love these little  hearts.

Menu Monday-Green Beans with Bacon.

I know I promised Chicken Curry-but again, I have to work on writing it down and I just simply have not had the time.  I'm going to go with something much simplier, and probably way less healthy.

2 cans of green beans (I use cut green beans, but any kind works)
1/2 pound of bacon

Slice the bacon into bite sized pieces.  Brown in skillet (I prefer to cook in an iron skillet, but anything works).  After the bacon is brown and crisp, add the beans (undrained) to the skillet.  Also, add two cups of water to skillet.  Simmer until the almost all of the water is gone.  There is usually no need to add salt, however, if you're bacon isn't salty enough, you might need to season with a little salt and pepper.

Sexy Sunday-Bradley Cooper

I mean, come on.  If he isn't eye candy y'all need to have your eyes checked.

Sleepy Saturdays-January 14th, 2012

My recommendation for a lazy afternoon chic flick is:  Anything with Julie Roberts.  :)  I'll just choose one that's fun:

Runaway Bride it is!

Friday Findings-Aunt Katie's Attic

For a few years now, my husband and I have driven by this old barn looking place and they always have these old school metal painted lawn chairs out front, and I always say...Oooo, some day I want to shop there.

A few weeks ago, I had a scheduled meeting with a woman from a shop called Aunt Katie's Attic.  Lucky for me I had GPS!  But, lo and behold, I pulled into the parking lot and there it was, that same house I'd been wanting to stop at.  I had no idea when I arranged to meet her that THAT was the place.  It was a pleasant surprise.

I can't wait to go back!

Thirty Thursday-Peppermint Patty.

This is the simplest yummiest warm beverage idea.

Make up your favorite cup of hot cocoa-instant, homemade-doesn't matter, just make sure you leave a little room at the top of the cup.  After it's all nice and hot, add a shot of peppermint schnapps.  Stir.  Top with Rediwhip-or any whipped cream.  If you wanna get all fancy, you can sprinkle chocolate sprinkles or cocoa over the whipped cream and add a candy cane for stirring.

Whimsy Wednesday #2-Luke Lamp Company

I guess I should have named Wednesdays "Etsy Wednesdays", but it just doesn't flow as well.

Here's today's pick-again it's from Etsy.  I LOVE THESE!  The store is called Luke Lamp Company.  He has some of the most amazing stuff.  Go there.  Buy stuff.

Tarot Tuesday-January 10th, 2012

PAST:  Your home life and work life are battling each other to the death.  Emotionally, you are a wreck.  Your judgement is impaired.  You lack creative energy.  Stop.  Reevaluate your life and what's important to you.  Focus your energy and figure out what you truly want and need before proceeding.

PRESENT:  You have experienced a loss or setback, but with a positive attitude you can overcome and prevail. Take the negative and turn it into a positive.

FUTURE:  Poor health lurks on the horizon.  (I hate giving negative readings-but you can change this by going to check up with your doctor and stay on top of your health.)  You have poor judgement and lack personal direction.  You may lose friends or lovers.  (Now that you are aware, you CAN change it.)

Menu Monday-Hamburger Stew

My Aunt Mary created this recipe, so I can't exactly take credit for it.  Although I have tweeked it.

Ingredients:
1 Pound of Hamburger
Garlic Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 large onion, diced
4 medium potatoes, cubed
1 can mixed veggies
1 can whole kernel corn
1 large can of tomatoes, crushed (I prefer whole peeled because I like the way the juice tastes, but you can use crushed or diced if you'd like.)
1 can of large butter beans
4 beef bullion cubes

Season hamburger with Garlic Salt & Pepper.  (There's nothing worse than bland burger in this soup.)  Brown, drain, set aside.   (I hadn't planned to pimp out Pampered Chef on my blog, but I can't help it with this particular recipe.  I use this Mix N Chop to brown meat and I use it to chop my canned tomatoes.  I drain the juice into the pot and then I use this handy device-it fits right in the can, to crush the tomatoes.) If you don't have one, go here and order one (My personal PC Consultant is Tina Spotts and she'd love to take your order.)

Place cubed potatoes, diced onion and bullion cubes in large pot.  Fill pot with just enough water to cover potatoes and onions.  Boil for 10 minutes.  Crap, it's yet another Pampered Chef Moment.  I use the Apple Wedger to do my potatoes.  I just cut the pieces and the core in half and it's good to go.  (I also use it for onions when I want crescents-like for chicken curry or fajitas or fried potatoes.)

Crush the tomatoes, add to pot.  Add corn and mixed veggies (I drain my veggies, but not my corn because I like the sweet juice.)  Boil 5 minutes.  Add meat and butter beans.  Boil 5 minutes.

Eat and enjoy!  Also, this freezes well and it's excellent the next day.

Note:  I just realized I also use Pampered Chef cookware (which is pricey but I have NO complaints and I am not gentle with my pots and pans-and I had a show so I got it at a steal) and Pampered Chef Bamboo Spoons and Pampered Chef Can Opener and Pampered Chef Ladle (my complaint about the ladle is that the handles are very heavy, so you have to make sure you use a deep pot or it will fall out and hit the freakin' floor and then you will curse) when I make this soup.

Note #2:  I also like this recipe because it's easy to double.

Note #3:  I've also used fresh veggies and corn and tomatoes-yum.  And frozen also works, but not as well as canned.

Sexy Sunday-Girl With A Dragon Tattoo.

Rooney Mara played an amazing character in Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  And although I find Rooney Mara to be beautiful...I think the character and the way she played it was sexy as hell.   So today's Sexy Sunday winner is Lisbeth Salander:

Sleepy Saturdays-January 7th, 2012

On Saturdays I'm going to recommend a book or a movie or maybe a favorite bath soak.  This weeks recommendation would be Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner.  It was her first book, and I read it years ago...and I've been a fan ever since.  I even drove to Massachusetts see her live at a reading.  She is a talented writer, and down to earth person, and a comedian.  :)

Go here to read her blog.  You can also order any of her books from her website.  Dooo ittttt.

Friday Findings-January 6th, 2011

On Fridays I'm going to post something that I've found.  It could be a tangible thing...like my favorite shirt that's been missing since last April.  It could be a new store I found that I loved.  It could be a person, that I find who's exceptional.  I'd like it to always be positive, but chances are, sometimes, it will be something that I find that's unacceptable or objectionable to me.

This week I've found a saying.  It may have been around forever, but this week it just touched me differently.  I wish I had the audacity to live by it.  And it is this:

Thirsty Thursday #1

CRANBERRY FIZZ

4 Limes
1 12oz can of Cranberry juice concentrate
3 cups cold water
1 pint raspberry sorbet (you can also use raspberry sherbert)
2 liters of chilled ginger ale
Zest of 1 lime

1/2 cup sugar

1.  Zest one of the limes.  Mix zest with sugar in shallow bowl.  Set aside.

2.  Slice limes.  Keep end pieces.  Put the rest in punch bowl.

3.  Mix frozen juice with water.  Add to punch bowl.  

4.  Add ginger ale to punch bowl.  

5.  Melon ball sorbet into punch bowl.  Stir gently.

6.  Rub rims of cocktail glasses with lime end pieces.  Dip in sugar mixture to coat rim.

7.  Fill rimmed glasses with punch.  

8.  Serve.

I'm going to make these tomorrow night, and I'll come back and post a picture.  ENJOY!

Whimsy Wednesday #1

FYI, it was Workout Wednesday...but I mean really who am I kidding?  So, I changed it to Whimsy Wednesday which will highlight something I find whimsical.  Could be poetry, art, crafts or anything else that comes to mind.

Today's whimsical moment will come in the form of a terrarium.  If you'd like to make one you can find out how by going here.    I first saw them here.

This pic is from Etsy.  Go here to purchase one.

Tarot Tuesday-January 3rd, 2012.

On Tuesday I will read Tarot for my readers.  If you read this, this is your reading for the week.  It'll be a Past Present Future Reading.

PAST:  TEN OF CUPS:  In its reverse form-you've been betrayed.  Your past is filled with sorry, perhaps surrounding family quarrels or with children who turn against their parents.

PRESENT:  ACE OF SWORDS:  Success & triumph are coming your way but you still must use caution and don't act too quickly. If you pay attention and take your time, you can overcome obstacles and your anxiety will dissipate.

FUTURE:  THREE OF CUPS:   If you are in a relationship, don't be surprised if you add to your family in the very near future.  You will experience growth and success.  In love you will rejoice in the sheer joy of being together.  Spiritual and artistic experiences are also looking like a strong point.

Menu Monday-Mock Thin Mints.

Mondays will be recipes...hopefully something creative, or just something I find yummy.  Let's start with something simple.  You'll need:

A semi shallow microwave safe bowl
A slotted spoon
A sheet pan
Waxed Paper
Ritz Crackers
Andis Mint Chips (you can find these in the baking aisle with the chocolate chips-if you can't find andis any mint chips will work I suppose)

You'll need to do this:
Cover baking sheet with waxed paper.  Put the baking sheet in the freezer.

Melt the chips in the microwave.  To do this, put the chips in the bowl, microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir.  Microwave for an additional 30 seconds.  Stir.  Continue this process until the chips are melted.  NOTE:  If you get water or any liquid in chocolate chips that you are trying to melt, it'll mess them up.  So, be careful.

Retrieve cookie sheet from freezer.

Remove melted chips from microwave.

Next, plop a cracker into the melted chocolate, flip it with the spoon, then fish it out, letting the excess drip off.

Plop it down gently on chilled waxed paper covered cookie sheet until the chocolate gets hard.

Eat.  Share.  Enjoy.

Sexy Sunday-Daniel Craig

It's Sexy Sunday.  Enjoy a little taste of Daniel Craig.