LET'S GET COOKIN'!

To show my appreciation for the overwhelming response I received for my decadent dessert, I'm sharing my (Valentine) recipe for Foodie Friday. Hosted by the gracious Gollum. Take a stroll over to see the other Foodie fun spots.

The acclaimed day of Amor is right around the corner. It's the time of chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. Who am I to go against tradition. I'm prepared to sacrifice my die-it for the sake of "chocolate love." They say... "the way to a persons heart is through their stomach." I agree. So, I thought in the spirit of the occasion I'd share one of my secret desserts with you. I've been known to be a tad protective of my recipes.

I've been collecting them since childhood.

Before we head over to my recipe box....you need to put a little something on with your apron. It's a bit dusty where we're going.

This entails a short trip, but I'll do the driving. I know, not very efficient on gas mileage, but it's sure to get us there. We're looking into downsizing, possibly to a Hummer.

We're here....see that wasn't to far.

The (recipe box)entrance is down at the end of the hallway. Please excuse the appearance. We haven't gotten around to decorating this end of the house yet. It'll be in a future redo post. You'll be amazed to see what a little TNT &TLC can do!

Oops, looks like we've got some company...they'll just have to wait their turn.

A quick spin of the dial, the turn of a knob and voila!

While I grab the recipe. I'll have a couple friends show you around.

They'll be more than happy to give you a peek at my most cherished recipes.

Followed with a preview of the latest design in kitchen thermometers

How did you like the tour of my recipe box?

What? Vague you say......Hmmmm, you must have low blood sugar, so we'd better make our way to the kitchen and start cooking .

The best way to describe my style of cooking is; to have the plated presentation appear as if Ive had the chefs of a five star restaurant cooking in my kitchen all day. When in actuality, it took only simple ingredients in a minimal amount of time. The Valentine recipe that I've chosen to prepare......Napoleons!

No, not this kind

or this one either

These Sweet Delights!

More so like this...

and that

Here's what you'll need .

1. Puff Pastry Sheets -1 pkg.
   
2. Fresh Strawberries -1 pint
   
3. Mascarpone -8oz.
   
4. Whipped Topping - 1/2 cup
   
5. Powdered Sugar - 1/4 cup
   
6. Strawberry Jam (Seedless) 2-3 Tbls.
   
7. Nutella 4-6 TBLS.
   
8. Heart Shaped Cookie Cutters(optional)
9. (click links for product detail)
   

To truly appreciate this dessert click on and enlarge. I promise the pictures are calorie free.



Defrost dough at room temp 15-25minutes.
The pastry will still be slightly firm to the touch, but pliable. Cut heart or desired shape.
Pierce holes with fork. This will help keep puffiness to a minimum.
Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes (lightly brown)

In bowl combine, 8oz. Mascarpone, 1/4 cup Powder Sugar, 1/2 cup whip topping. Beat until smooth and fluffy.

The fluff is dense enough to use an ice cream scopper. Put a generous scoop on your (baked) pastry heart.





Cut Strawberries lengthwise(looks like a heart shape). Rinse and drain leaving the berries slightly wet. Add the 2-3 (heaping)tablespoons of Seedless Strawberry Jam. Stir until all the berries are coated and the jam thins to a glaze consistency.

Spoon the berries on to the cream fluff. Top with another puff heart and more berries.
Put 4-6 tablespoons of Nutella in Ziploc bag (heat in microwave 10 seconds). Snip a corner of the bag. Pipe across the plate over Napoleon.

Dust with powder sugar. I like to plate the dessert with my specialty dipped strawberries. Coconut, macadamia nut, toffee, pecans,white and dark chocolate.

***I wasn't sure if there was a need for instruction on chocolate dipped strawberries. If you want me to post a "how to dip berries with toppings" Leave a comment or email me***

BON APPETITE!

So there's my top secret Napoleon Dessert. Now, if you would be so kind and stop over to the "Men in Black" They're gonna show you that cool thermometer again........

I want to show you the Sweet Surprise I received from Miss Laura at Decor to Adore.

A dainty glassine bag with Laura's original (design) charm bracelet inside.

(click to enlarge)

The miniatures are a soft blue as are the pearls. Every detail from the tinniest leaves to the flowers are all so precious . The watering pail adds the perfect touch. I don't think I'll be waiting till spring to wear it.

Laura~ You truly touched my heart! Thank you my sweet friend .

Taking the DIE out of DIET!

Hi, my name is Angel and this is my story of how the first three letters in a simple word almost ruined the beginning of a new year.

I woke to 2009 with catnip hopes and salmon wishes...Until my mom said, "We need to get started on our *to do* list of New Year's resolutions."

The key words being "We" and "Our..." I don't remember signing up!

If I did I'm sure it was a catnip induced response. Following her announcement Mom grabbed me from my cushy covers and marched us towards the dreaded scale. It was time for the obligatory post holiday weigh in. With trepidation she lightly tiptoed onto the weighing machine. Her eyes started to glaze over as the numbers rolled on and on like a Vegas slot machine. (I say what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas.) When at last it stopped to reveal the final tally, she moaned as if the outcome was a big surprise. Then, she actually had the nerve to say , "Hmmm, as I think back...I may have indulged just a little."

Who does she think she's foolin'!!? Had that Christmas ham been boneless she would have swallowed it whole!

I can understand why she feels the need to hit the gym, but I don't see any problem with my lifestyle.

I could see, by the determined look in her eyes, I didn't stand a chance of lounging comfortably around the house any longer. I knew she'd be heading to the dark recesses of her closet for her arsenal of fashionista gym attire.

My retinas haven't quite heeled from last year's visions of the favored pink Converse high top tennies.

My mom really knows how to test the SPAND in spandex. Why does she test me too, by asking how she looks? Like I'm gonna say........You look like a giant bottle of Pepto Bismol! Instead I......

until she pulled out my outfit. Now the joke was on me. Oh well.

Time to hit the gym. I was hoping my gym ID would be in question. Instead they admired my fashion statement and led me to the workout zone. So it began. I tried to get lost in the masses of other New Year's Resolutionists. Somehow I wound up in a boxing class which wasn't a big hit. (Pun intended.)

I barely made it past the "one two" punch by my sparing partner. Ego still intact, I escaped sustaining only minor injuries. I thought I was in the clear until a gym rat came by and coaxed me onto the heavy duty equipment.

Some horses weren't meant to ride.
It suddenly dawned on me I hadn't seen my mom in awhile.

I ventured out through the crowd until I finally found her, the picture of grace and flexibility on a treadmill.

Ouch, it wasn't pretty. She'd had her fill and so had I. We made a hasty exit home. It was perfect timing, cause I knew dinner would be our next to do. I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into something juicy and fishy. Instead I was dished up a meal fit for Bugs Bunny.

Whats up doc? Where's the fish? That put this wascally wabbit over the edge.

I had to pull out the big guns....

.

No not those. These...SWEET CONFECTIONS!

After my mom crashed from her sugar high it was time to relax. That's when Dad came on to the scene.

He got Mom's bath ready since the bath and I don't mix company.

After Mom was settled into her bubble bath I knew it was my turn for a little R&R.

As I was laying there reflecting back on the day's events, I realized change isn't a bad thing. I just needed to teach my mom a creative solution.

Taking a whole new approach will open endless possibilities

To see the potential of what we really can become,

we just needed to find the right fit for us.

You can take the girl out of American Bandstand but, you can't take American Bandstand out of the girl. You just have revise it a bit.

Well, this is the end of my day and story. My bed never felt so good.

I think I'll sleep like a kitten.

THE END

Oh No! I need a hostess gift!

I thought you'd like a quick idea for the traditional gifted bottle of champagne or cider. This is a nice change from the festive printed gift bag. A "no sew" project, allowing all the items used to be repurposed.

Wine/Cider
Bags

Take a tea towel (of your choice). Fold it in thirds with the wrong side out.

Bind the end with cording, narrow ribbon, or a rubber band.

Get the cord as close to one end as possible without it slipping off. I wrap the cording a couple of times to secure it. Make a small bow with the loose ends.

Invert the towel. Set your bottle inside the pouch. Stand the covered bottle up and secure it with a bow or band. Embellish it with an ornament, antique broach, french lace doily, etc., preferably in items that would appeal to the hostess. The top of the towel can be left up or rolled down to form a collar.







May you be surrounded by those you love this New Years Eve!
Happy 2009!

She's making a list and checking it twice.

It's the last weekend before Christmas. The last weekend for scratching off the remaining names from your Christmas list. There's just one problem..

SNOW!

IN OUR BACKYARD!

SNOW! EVERYWHERE!

Poor St. Francis only has snow to offer. Don't fret, little critters we've filled the feeders to the brim and added a few apples for an extra sweet treat.

I had gotten so far behind on all Christmas Festivities, the thought of where to begin was overwhelming, so I didn't. Until... my hubby said "did you know there's a snow storm heading our way by Wednesday?" It was late Monday night, when this news flash blind sided me. I replied (casually). "How long is it going to last?" He gave me a long sigh with a soft even longer moan. Then utters, "probably through Christmas possibly New Years!" Me, now in a panic state exclaimed "that means I have Tuesday to get A-L-L my shopping done! ONE DAY-ALL MY SHOPPING -DONE!?@#!$?!
Well, that was the motivation I needed to spring into action. So, with the pedal to the metal I headed to our friendly neighborhood one stop shop. I got the Christmas and groceries covered, plus on the way home I took a drive through Starbucks for an eggnog latte and a gift card too. I surprisingly managed to stay in the holiday spirit, due in part to the many festive ensembles adorning so many shoppers. The Christmas sweater with 3D embellishments and the matching flashing Xmas lightbulb necklace. The holiday cheer that will humble almost any Baa Humbugger. There were a few Scroogies that weren't about to be swayed with glitter and sequins who were obviously heading for a snowman in July meltdown. Something like this....





It's still snowing, but my shopping is done. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus.

Pretty in pink. This year I staged my table with floral (opened) suitcases. It reminded me of the trunk shows I've attended. Lots of pink, glitter, chiffon, and vintage tags. My hubby did manage to squeeze in a spot for his garden cottage stones. I didn't get a picture before he sold out. I was happy for him. He worked in the summers heat creating each garden stone.

My Patisserie
I've got a detailed pic next.

Here's a closer look at my latest inspiration...sweet rolls, calorie free! Created from a tea towel. The consensus was most customers were going to keep them as faux pastry, rather then unfurling their rolls to use the towels. They're very easy to assemble. If you have any interest in making them, let me know.

These are the vendors seated directly behind us. They sold unique glass and wire wind chimes. My neighbor has a tree filled with these chimes. They glisten in the sunshine and perform together when a breeze moves them. It sounds like a choir singing.



It's a family production... daughter makes the wind chimes. Mom makes jewelry. Pop sets it up and breaks it down at the end of the day.
That's me (in the background) peeking over to chat. You wouldn't believe the comedy of errors that go on behind the scene. For example... I set up my inventory on tall baskets to utilize the space, but when we sat down we couldn't see over the display. We were two Jack in the Boxes popping up and down . Oh well, great aerobics.


This is my sweet friend Vivian, lovingly nicknamed (by all her customers) the "bag lady". We met after I purchased my first (of many) bags from her. I encouraged her to participate in the local holiday shows.
Years later she's still gaining popularity. She has a gift for sewing. The quality and workmanship she puts into each design is amazing.

Table runners are her latest addition. At $5.00 each, Yup, you read it right. I purchased several for Christmas Gifts. I'd show them to you, but I'm afraid the friends and family they're intended for would see their Christmas gifts prematurely. No peeking until the 25th.

I've participated in this venue for many years. Ive seen several artisans come and go. This year welcomed a new talent.

Her paintings are filled with vibrant colors. Each design had a touch of fanciful whimsy.

To my surprise, this is the young artist behind all the colorful pictures ...Madison.

Her mom expressed, this is a new venture.

The dedication to her painting passion is revealed through her paintbrush. The money she earned from the show, would go to future art lessons. Money well spent. Wouldn't you agree?

Selling her greeting cards at $1.75 was an affordable draw to the shopping crowd.

Meeting Miss Madison and her mom was a delight. This young talent has started on what I know to be to be a rewarding journey. By the looks of it she's off to a wonderful start.

LET THEM EAT CAKE....

Or should I say, cup cake

I've got a new line of cup cake
and ice cream cone clippies

They're listed at my Boutique. Click on the link at the top of the page.

You'll find some additional sweet confections there too.