Create-Celebrate-Explore

Project 366: Week Six

 

I see that only a month into this project and I'm already slacking off.  I forgot to take photographs a couple of days, so may have used photographs from days when I took more than one as fillers, and I'm about 3 days late in posting my week round-up.  I'm surprised that I've managed to stick it out this long though.  I have commitment issues.

February 5: A book finished - I've now finished reading 2 books since the beginning of the year when I made my 40 by 40 list and aimed to have 5 books finished by June.  I really enjoyed Shearwater, by Andrea Mayes.  It was a very easy read and I recommend it for some light summer reading.

February 6: Thrift Store Finds - Do you love thrift shopping as much as I do?  I have a favorite Goodwill store that I visit at least once a week.  I never walk out of there empty handed.

February 7:  Klout Perks - Every now and then I get a Klout Perk.  I need to start taking better care of myself.  This is a good start.  This old chook is starting to see a few wrinkles ... I mean laugh lines.  At least there are no grey hairs yet.

February 8: The Principles of Knitting - I received this book in the mail during the week to review.  It's big.  With lots of pages.  I cannot wait to open it and learn a few new techniques.

 February 9: Wine Tasting - Fresh & Easy hosted a virtual wine tasting.  They supplied me with a gift card to pick up the 3 bottles of wine we were tasting, including a chocolate wine. The three bottles were: Montcadi Cava, Ombretta Chianti, and Chocolate Shop Red.  I enjoyed them all, for different reasons.   I may have purchased a few snacks to go with my wine.  I called it dinner.

February 10: Happy Pills - These are my happy pills.  They are delicious.  I may have eaten them all in the car before I even made it home from the store. 

February 11: Golf - The little man has started golf lessons.  Since he was diagnosed with ADHD we've been looking for activities that require concentration and discipline.  He loved his first lesson.

 

Documenting our day.  For 366 days.

Photographs were taken and edited using a combination of Camera+, CameraBag, and Instagram iPhone apps.

You can view full-size images and keep up with my Project 366 on Flickr and follow me on Instagram too.

Recipe: A Festive Pavlova with Kiwifruit

Thank you to California Grown for encouraging me to connect with California growers and encouraging California consumers to "Choose California Grown" when they can.

I miss Pavlova so much.  This is only the second time I've made it since moving to the US from Australia, although I always indulge on my trips 'back home'.  Last Christmas we served pavlova at our extended family Christmas party when I took the kids home for an Aussie Christmas ... along with plum pudding of course. 

Ingredients:

• 6 large egg whites (bring eggs to room temperature before separating)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 tbs corn starch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• salt

            Topping:

• Heavy whipping cream
• kiwifruit
• raspberries
• Lindt white chocolate

Turn the oven onto 275F.  Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.

Combine the sugar, corn starch and salt in a bowl and set aside.

Blend the egg whites and cream of tartar on low speed at first (then gradually increase to low-medium) until soft peaks form.  Gradually add in the sugar mixture about 1-2 tablespoons at a time increasing the speed of the blender gradually to medium-high.  Continue blending until the mixture becomes shiny, thick and peaks form and hold on their own.

Pour the mixture either into individual size servings on the cookie tray, or into one large round (cake size - which is what I did).   Build up the sides slightly higer than the center.

Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until firm on the outside.  Turn off the oven, but don't remove the pavlova.  Crack the door on the oven and leave the pavlova inside until completely cooled.

Top with freshly whipped cream and fruit, then shave white chocolate over the top. 

Looking for more recipes using California Grown produce?  Try these:

California Kiwi Cream Cheese Ice Cream

Cherry Chicken Mole

California Bartlett Pear and Spinach Salad

 

Disclosure: I received 2 large boxes of kiwifruit from Jasbir Kullar of Kullar Farms and Sunrise Kiwi Packing.

Thank you again to California Grown for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about all of California Grown growers. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #CleverCAGrown #spon

Pom-Pom Monsters (and a give-away)

UPDATE: This giveaway has ended and the two winners Megan and Kathy have been notified.

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I think my friends at Klutz knew about my little obsession with adorable monsters when they asked me if I'd like a copy of Pom-Pom Monster Salon.

Aren't they just as cute as can be.  And super easy to make too.

Also, check out this video for an even better look at how to make them (it's only 47 seconds long).

Honestly, I don't know who is more excited about this kit, the kids or me.  Sure they love their little monsters and cannot wait to make more, but I can finally throw away the cardboard circles I cut out years ago that I've used over and over to make pom-poms.  Now I have a fun pom-pom maker ... I mean the kids have a fun pom-pom maker.  Being a knitter I have baskets and bags full of yarn, we could curl up on the couch in front of the fire and make pom-poms all winter long.  We can decorate gifts and attach them to scarves and hats. 

And guess what, I'm giving two of these Pom-Pom Monster Salon kits away, and if you are looking for the perfect gift for the holidays I have a coupon code too.

With Pom-Pom Monster Salon, anyone can make pom-poms and turn them into stylish monsters. Use our exclusive pom-pom maker and follow our cutting and styling instructions to create perfectly coifed mop tops, afros, pigtails, and mohawks to name a few. Add tiny hair bows, punch-out feet, and foam horns and teeth for the final touches.  

Sweepstakes Details:

Winners: Two (2) will be chosen via random.org

Prize: Pom-Pom Monster Salon

Value: $16.99 each

Entry requirement:  Leave a comment below letting me know which other Klutz products you love.

This sweepstakes is open to entrants with US mailing addresses only , who are over the age of 18. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Ends Monday, December 12, 2011 at 9pm PST.

Promo cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer expires 12/31/2011

Don't forget to follow Klutz on Facebook

 Arts, Crafts & Laughs! KLUTZ books are the Perfect Holiday Gift for Any Child!

 

Disclosure: Sample & Prizing courtesy of Klutz

Make and Takes: Reindeer Ears

The kids and I made reindeer ears before decorating our Christmas tree today.   Aren't they adorable!

They are from my friend Marie's new book Make and Takes.

This book would make a wonderful holiday gift for your child.  Package it with some supplies to make some of the craft projects.  It also makes a wonderful teacher gift as there are 50 kid-friendly craft projects (and a sprinkling of food crafts) for every month, season and main holidays.

Make and Takes is available at all major book stores and online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Wiley.com. 

Take a look at some of these other fun crafts you'll find in there:

 

If you are looking for a wonderful creative resource, check out Wiley Craft and follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: Marie had a copy of the book sent to me to review ... and my kids are very grateful.

Pumpkin Cake Pops

I've been wanting to try my hand at making cake pops for the longest time but had no idea how to even begin.  Coincidentally I was sent a copy of Crazy for Cake Pops recently to have a look at.

So I made these.

I think they turned out pretty cute, for my first try.  A couple of them developed cracks.  I'll have to master the art of how to prevent this.  The instructions in the book were so easy to follow though, and I think I may become slightly addicted to making these now that I know how.  I need to try a few more from the book though before I venture out on my own and come up with some new styles.

Title: Crazy for Cake Pops

By: Molly Bakes

Publisher: Ulysses Press

RRP: $14.95 (Amazon)

 

Disclosure: I received a copy of Crazy for Cake Pops from Ulysses Press

Creativity For Kids: Cardboard Dolls

I'm over at Creativity For Kids today showing you all of the wonderful things you and your child can do with the My First Dress-Up Play Set.

Come over and say hello.  This is a wonderful kit for kids ... I hope you'll add it to their holiday gift list.

Recipe: Asparagus Risotto with Chervil

This was absolutely delicious.  To make it more child friendly (the twins won't eat asparagus), I served their risotto (minus asparagus) with extra cheese and added chicken on the side.

I also couldn't find chervil at my local grocery store and I was too lazy to drive to Whole Foods to look for it (I'm sure that would be the only place who sells it), so I substituted with parsley.

You can watch a video of Chef Marco Pierre White cooking this dish here and click on the image above to take you to the recipe on the Knorr site where you can print it.

 

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my role as Knorr Homestyle Stock Campaign Leader for Collective Bias.  You can follow the conversation on twitter #NewKnorrStock

How To: Host A Sub Lunch Bar (and a giveaway)

UPDATE:  This giveaway has ended.  The winner of the $300 gift card is Kathy Murphy.  Congratulations!

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I am always looking for new ways to feed guests who come over, and more importantly feed both adults and children without making a lot of different dishes.  I don't want to spend the entire time in the kitchen.  Quite often my husband will grill and I will whip up a few sides, but I like to mix it up, especially when the same group of friends come over regularly, I don't want to be seen as too predictible with what they will be fed.  So recently we put together a Sub Lunch Bar.

We went with 4 different types of subs: Pizza, Chicken Alfredo, Meatballs, and Vegetarian.

This is what we put out:

 

• Assorted sub rolls
• Cheese: Swiss, American, Cheddar, Provolone
• Green and red bell pepper
• Olives
• Banana Peppers
• Spinach
• Tomato
• Mushrooms
• Pepperoni
• Pizza sauce
• Chicken alfredo (recipe below)
• Turkey meatballs with pasta sauce (recipe below)

Turn the oven on before serving lunch so that it is heated before guests begin to load up their subs.  Those guests who want to have their subs toasted can put their sub onto a cookie tray and pop it in the oven for a few minutes until the bread is toasted and the cheese melted.  Everyone ended up having toasted subs, it was a big hit.  The pizza subs were a favorite of the kids, they loved theirs toasted with cheese, Ragu pizza sauce and pepperoni.  Adults and bigger kids though seemed to go for the meatball and chicken alfredo.

Meatball Subs

Turkey meatball ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• thyme (approx 1 tbs)
• Everyday seasoning (Trader Joe's have a great one that comes in a grinder)
• salt & pepper to taste
• Ragu® Old World Style® Traditional Pasta Sauce (with 2 servings of veggies)

Combine ingredients in a bowl and then roll into meatballs.  Heat oil in a pan and cook the meatballs, turning until browned on all sides.  Once cooked through poor the Ragu sauce over the top and simmer until ready to serve.

Chicken Alfredo Subs

Chicken Alfredo Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• 2 tbs butter (melted)
• 2 tsp Everyday seasoning (Trader Joe's have a great one that comes in a grinder)
• Fresh basil
  
• Ragu ® Cheesy! Classic Alfredo Sauce

Combine the butter and seasoning in a bowl, brush over the chicken breasts.  Grill until cooked through (I cooked ours on the George Foreman Grill).

Once cooled a little cut into slices and transfer to a pan that has been sprayed with a little cooking spray.  Pour the alfredo sauce over the top and heat, mixing every now and then.  Add in the fresh basil and turn the heat down to low and simmer until ready to serve.

Note: I made both the meatballs and chicken alfredo at the same time, then had the pizza sauce heating on a 3rd burner on the stove.

Pizza Subs

Aside from the toppings that were already out on the bar, I heated up a jar of Ragu® Pizza Sauce in my lovely new red Le Creuset Saucepan (thanks to Ragu) and then transfered it to a dish with a spoon.

Here's a fun tip for you.  I used the jars from the Ragu® sauce to make lovely vases for our table.  Wash them out, take off the labels, fill with pretty flowers and then tie a ribbon or piece of raffia around it.

It's football season and a sub bar would be a great way to celebrate with friends and family if you love homegating parties.

Now about that giveaway!

With thanks to Ragu® I have a $300 gift card to giveaway so you can host your own party.

Entry requirements - you can do just one, or all of these things, just please leave a separate comment for each:

1.  Subscribe to my blog - via email or RSS feed

2.  Follow me on Twitter (leave me your twitter handle for verification)

3.  Follow @RaguSauce on Twitter (leave me your twitter handle for verification)

4.  Tweet the following: You can win a $300 gift card to host a party with thanks to @RaguSauce and @TonyaStaab http://bit.ly/pYsQNZ #momstheword (you can do this once per day)

Entry is open to all U.S. residents over 18 years of age.  This giveaway will end and winner will be selected via random.org at 10pm PST Friday October 7th.  You must leave me some way to contact you in the event you are the winner, no anonymous entries without email addresses (will not be published and will remain confidential) will be accepted.

Disclosure: This post has been compensated in connection with my appointment as an ambassador in the Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program.  Visit http://www.facebook.com/ragusauce to join the conversation.

Recipe: Orange and Ginger Caramelized Chicken Wings

During the Cheap Sally Party at BlogHer11 Kmart had a cabana set up where they were showing guests the new line of Gordon Ramsay Cookware which debuted in Kmart stores this past Sunday.  Along with showing guests the new cookware they also provided everyone with a flash drive containing recipes from Gordon Ramsay.

Not only did I pick up Gordon Ramsay's Santoku Knife and Cutting Board over the weekend, but I also made his Orange and Ginger Caramelized Chicken Wings.

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil (for cooking)
• 6-8 shallots, peeled and sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
• 2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed and bashed
• 5cm knob of fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
• Zest and juice of 2 oranges
• 150g / 5.3oz Granulated sugar
• 160ml / 5.5oz water
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1kg / 2.2lbs chicken wings
• Sea salt and crushed black pepper

 
Preheat the oven to 180C (Fan 160C and Gas 350F).  Heat the oil in a pan and add the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, ginger and orange zest and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the ingredients have softened.  Add the sugar, water, orange juice and fish sauce and allow to dissolve.  Cook until the mixture has reduced and thickened.  This should take 3-4 minutes and the sauce should start turning syrupy.  Remove from the heat and set aside.

To prepare the chicken, place a large frying pan over a high heat and add 3-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil.  Season the chicken, then, in batches, sear the pieces for 3 minutes, until browned.  Add the chicken wings to an ovenproof dish and pour over the caramel sauce, mixing well to coat.  Cook in the oven for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and sticky.  Halfway through cooking baste the chicken wings.  Remove the chicken wings form the oven, season with sea salt and crushed black pepper and serve with the sauce spooned over.

Note:  These wings are so darn good.  My husband is not a big fan of wings and when I told him we were having wings for dinner he looked at me like I was trying to starve him.  He ended up going back for seconds and probably would have gone back for thirds, but I have had to instil a new rule in our house that everyone can leave the table after daddy has eaten his second helping.  I served the wings with couscous, salad greens and orange slices.

 

You can view more photographs from my shopping trip and Gordon Ramsay cookware here.

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias

Organizing My Craft Room

Have I mentioned I have a craft room and office in our new house?  No?  It's huge.  Like master bedroom size.  The teen is none too happy that I put my name on the door and claimed it as mine before he had a chance.  It has a beautiful big window overlooking our cul-de-sac and a thick beam running under the roof line.  There are no built-in closets or shelves though.  Well, unless you count the bench under the big window.  It is also one of the last rooms in the house to be unpacked.  I have been digging through boxes looking for supplies, spending a fortune at craft stores when I can't find what I need, and the room has somehow become covered in glitter and paint and stickers.  Already.

Last weekend I had my husband assemble shelves for me.  I have 5 large 5-shelf shelving units along the back wall.  This will house the majority of my party planning and craft supplies in containers and boxes.  I've been gathering a lot of inspiration for my craft room/office from Pinterest.  You can view my 'decorating' board to see some of the gorgeous craft rooms I have pinned.

With my shelving now up I started picking up containers this week to store some of my craft supplies in.

I found some large First Street brand plastic kitchen storage containers at Smart & Final this week. They were only $3.59 each.  They are the perfect size for my shelves and although I love the look of glass jars and containers, unfortunately with small children who think my craft room is also their play room these aren't very practical for me.

I plan on filling quite a few shelves with these.  They are perfect for holding foam letters and shapes, pom poms, buttons, sequins, fabric scraps, feathers, stamps, and cookie cutters.  There's a smaller size too that are $2.39 each so I plan on picking up a few of those too.  They'll be great for holding items such as popsicle sticks, glue sticks, and tape. 

I used some small wood rectangles, painted them aqua and then stamped each with the contents of the container and then glued them to the front.

Did you know that Smart & Final is giving away 10 $200 American Express Gift Checks, 10 $100 American Express Gift Checks, and & 20 First Street bags filled with First Street products plus a $50 SmartCash card.

To be in the running to win, purchase at least one participating First Street item at your local Smart & Final between September 7th - 20th.  You will receive a unique code on your receipt. Enter the code on the First Street Grand Event site and you are entered to win.

 

AS SEEN ON:

Babble

Disclosure: This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias #FirstStreetGrand