Monthly Archives: December 2011

Dec31

day 31: baking away/ New Year’s 2012 chocolate dipped strawberries, with or without kiddos!

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MY TAKE:

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FROM PINTEREST (a combination of the two below):

Source: kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com via Karie on Pinterest

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  • Project: day 31: baking away/ New Year‘s 2012 chocolate dipped strawberries, with or without kiddos!
  • Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 2
  • Would I do it again? yes, it tastes so good, you definitely cannot stop at one!
  • What I would do differently: according to the recipe it said to use semi-sweet, which we did, but unfortunately the white chocolate was the only one that set up and drizzled well, not sure why! Bigger strawberries would have been better as well, but hey, they still tasted really good 😉
  • Items used: Food Network Chocolate Covered Strawberry, 5-star recipe
  • Ingredients
    • 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
    • 3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
    • 1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried very well

    Directions

    Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate heat-proof medium bowls. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)

    Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.

    Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.

until ipinterest tomorrow!

Karie J 🙂

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Dec31

Won my first award!

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Check it out on this wonderful single mother of the cutest little girl: http://bumpyroadtobubba.com/2011/12/29/playing-catch-up-aka-awards-season-part-2/

“Like a lot of people, I’ve discovered Pinterest and have lost hours to it. The final blogger I’d like to introduce you to today is a wife and mumma of two who has set herself a year long challenge: to find something that interests her on Pinterest and attempt her own take on it – craft, baking, fashion, or whatever else she finds. She’s only just started the journey and I’m really enjoying it. I’m sure you will too! https://ipinterest.wordpress.com/ ”

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Dec31

day 30: fashionable momma/ winter holiday date night outfit/ New Year’s

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MY TAKE:

FROM PINTEREST:

Source: nyheter24.se via Karie on Pinterest

•

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Project: day 30: fashionable momma/ winter holiday date night outfit/ New Year‘s

• Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 1
• Would I do it again? yes, it was cute and comfy!
• What I would do differently: dress it up more with an up-do and shoes with color 😉
• Items used: Statement necklace: Sosie, black sweater: Rubbish from Nordstrom, leggings: Tart, shoes: Enzo Angiolini, watch: Chanel
until ipinterest tomorrow!
Karie J 🙂

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Dec30

day 29: organized chaos/ house decor necklace & jewelry hanger (out of an old cutlery tray!), part 1

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MY TAKE:

FROM PINTEREST:

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• Project: day 29: organized chaos/ house decor necklace & jewelry hanger (out of an old cutlery tray!)
• Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 3 (ok, I had my best friend Jackie to help me, so that was good!)
• Would I do it again? yes!
• What I would do differently: we are hoping to put paper behind it to jazz it up a bit more, and even paint the tray; maybe in part 2!
• Items used: Jackie’s old Ikea cutlery tray, the most beautiful knobs from Anthropology (anticipate spending a good 2 hours there though scouring through the hardware), and a drill!
until ipinterest tomorrow!
Karie J 🙂

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Dec29

day 28: fashionable momma/ holiday winter outfit and smokey natural bronze eye

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MY TAKE:

FROM PINTEREST:

Source: polyvore.com via Karie on Pinterest

Source: makeupbytiffanyd.blogspot.com via Karie on Pinterest

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• Project: day 28: fashionable momma/ holiday winter outfit and smokey natural bronze eye
• Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 1
• Would I do it again? yes, the outfit was cute and comfy for fall or winter, and the smokey bronze eye is great for day or night!
• What I would do differently: you could dress up the outfit more with a dressier sweater or blouse, and swap the boots for heels, wedges, or booties 😉
• Items used:

clothes: sweater (Merona for Target), jeans: James Jeans, boots: Uggs, watch: Michael Kors, scarf: Nordstrom, green earrings: Francesca’s

make-up: Urban Decay‘s Naked Palette eye-shadows and 24-7 eye liners

until ipinterest tomorrow!
Karie J 🙂

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Dec27

day 27: cooking it up/ the perfect homemade New Year’s margarita recipe, bar none

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MY TAKE:

FROM PINTEREST:

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• Project: day 27: cooking it up/ the perfect homemade margarita recipe, bar none
• Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 2
• Would I do it again? yes! The sweet and salty combination on the rim of the glass sealed the deal
• What I would do differently: read through the recipe, because it is only for one serving! Double for each person in your party, they will love it!
• Items used:
Ingredients
Ice cubes
3 ounces tequila
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce Simple Syrup, recipe follows
1/2 to 1 teaspoon orange liqueur
1 tablespoon Lime-salt-sugar, recipe follows
Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, and Simple Syrup. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready by the time the shaker mists up.) Place Lime-salt-sugar on a plate. Press the rim of a chilled rocks or wine glass into the mixture to rim the edge. Strain margarita into the glass.

Copyright (c) 2007 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.

Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Put the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. (Alternatively, heat in the microwave.) Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Yield: about 1 1/2 cups

Lime-salt-sugar:
Zest of one lime
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons sugar
Blend together lime, salt and sugar in a small blender or mini food chopper.
until ipinterest tomorrow!
Karie J 🙂

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Dec26

day 26: cooking it up/ Holiday Gouda Cheese Fondue, New Year’s appetizer

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MY TAKE:

 

FROM PINTEREST:

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  • Project: day 26: cooking it up/ Holiday Gouda Cheese Fondue, New Year‘s appetizer
  • Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 1
  • Would I do it again? yes, it was a big hit, so yummy!
  • What I would do differently: we did not do the herbed crostini, but rather did vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, red bell peppers), salami, and crusty french bread.
  • Items used:

Gouda Cheese Fondu Recipe:

Ingredients

  • Fondue:
  • 1 lb. Gouda, cubed
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup white wine
  • ¼ cup cornstarch, enough to coat the cheese
  • Kosher or sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • Grated nutmeg to taste
  • Shot of Tabasco (we used Cholula, our favorite!)
  • 2 tablespoons Kirsch or Sherry
  • Crostini:
  • ½ sourdough baguette
  • ¼ stick butter
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • Fresh herbs of choice (basil, oregano, sage, rosemary)

Preparation

Fondue:

Smash the garlic cloves and rub inside of heavy saucepan; then discard the garlic.

Put saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat and add the white wine, scraping with a wooden spoon to dissolve the garlic residue. Toss the Gouda cubes in a small bowl with cornstarch, add the cheese to the saucepan and melt; stir to prevent scorching. When melted, add the tomato, basil, Kirsch or Sherry, nutmeg and Tabasco. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve with crostini.

until ipinterest tomorrow!

Karie J 🙂

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Dec25

day 25: get crafty/ Elf on the Shelf good-bye letter, a note from Santa, gift for dad

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MY TAKE:

 

FROM PINTEREST:

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  • Project: day 25: get crafty/ Elf on the Shelf good-bye letter, a note from Santa, gift for dad
  • Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 1
  • Would I do it again? all were very fun, and a good note to end Christmas on!
  • What I would do differently: use a glue gun vs. a glue stick for the Guinness beer gift (hey it was late at night, and we were trying to get it done!). The girls absolutely loved their goodbye letters from Elfie and note from Santa (they wanted to keep them close all day!).
  • Items used:
  • Dad gift: Guinness, red pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners
  • Santa stationary (click on pinterest link above)
  • Elf on the Shelf good-bye letter: inspired from link above, but here’s what our said:

To the sweetest, most polite girls, Hayden and Morgan:

It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa is coming! You’ve both been such good girls this year and I have had so much fun coming to your house and seeing you every day.

I’ve got a special surprise for you, too. Santa said that I won’t need my magic tonight to get home because he is picking me up himself with his sleigh, and that if you want to, you can give me a goodbye hug. Just one big hug though – I still need a good dose of magic because as soon as Christmas is over I’m going to be back to work making toys in Santa’s workshop!

I can’t wait to see you two next year and how much you’ve grown!

Love,

Elfie

until ipinterest tomorrow!

Karie J 🙂

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Dec24

day 24: cooking it up/ Christmas Santa pancakes for the kiddos!

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MY TAKE:

 

FROM PINTEREST:

Source: google.com via Karie on Pinterest

Source: tasteofhome.com via Karie on Pinterest

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  • Project: day 24: cooking it up/ Christmas Santa pancakes for the kiddos!
  • Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 1
  • Would I do it again? well if you saw the girls’ plates afterwards, they would have said yes; licked clean 😉
  • What I would do differently: if we had bananas that weren’t green, I would have sliced those up for the eyes as well, strawberries, or cherries would have been fun too!
  • Items used: Pancake mix: Costco‘s Coach’s Oats Multigrain Pancakes (they are so good!), homemade whipped cream, turkey bacon for the hat, miniature M&M’s for the eyes, nose, and mouth

until ipinterest tomorrow!

Karie J 🙂

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Dec23

day 23: fashionable holiday momma/Fall/Winter outfit

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MY TAKE:


FROM PINTEREST:

Source: s1210.photobucket.com via Karie on Pinterest

  • Project: day 23: fashionable holiday momma/Fall/Winter outfit
  • Difficulty rating (1=easiest, 5= way too hard!): 1
  • Would I do it again? loved this outfit
  • What I would do differently: you could dress this up a bit more with heels for a fun date night!
  • Items used: cardigan: Juicy Couture, printed tank: Nordstrom, belt:BCBG, pants: James Jeans, boots: Uggs, watch: Michael Kors, Necklace: Stella & Dot

until ipinterest tomorrow!

Karie J 🙂

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