Spring fiddleheads, a recipe.

I always saw the spring fiddle heads in the grocery store each spring.  Road side farm stands would have their wooden signs out letting it be known that fiddle heads were "this way".  Up until recently I didn't do too much investigation into their flavor or how to cook with them.  It was a foreign concept to use something from the forest floor in my cooking.  Then I discovered this recipe, this simple, simple recipe and I'm going to share it with you.  It's four ingredients! Five, if you count the pizza crust.....

Ingredients:
Pizza Crust
Fiddle Heads
Alfredo Sauce
Pine Nuts
Feta Cheese

Follow directions on the pizza dough to cook this up.

First, choose your pizza dough.  I prefer the dough that's grocery store brand in those plastic bags in the deli section, the whole wheat one.  But you can use what ever you want.

Then, pick out your fiddle heads!  I grabbed about two handfuls and chopped them up.  You could certainly leave them whole and place them on the pizza like pepperoni.









I also buy whole feta and crumble it myself.  I find that by the pound, it's cheaper this way.  I just got the store brand.  You could also use goat cheese, but I find the feta has that zing to off set the Alfredo sauce where the goat cheese can make the pizza too creamy.

 Pick your favorite Alfredo!  I usually make my own, but I was in a hurry this day at the grocery store.  After taking this picture, I opted for using the "light" Alfredo sauce on my pizza.

Pine nuts.  Are.  Expensive!  I went to my local farmers market to pick up this bag.  It was $5.50!  Yikes!  I'm not sure if there's a cheaper way to obtain these - but if you know of one - use it.  I only used half this bag on the pizza.

Ta da!  I put the feta on last...and I used all of it!

Then just follow the directions on the pizza crust and bake it up!

Enjoy!

Christmas in Eliot

It started with my eyes popping open at 6:17am Sunday morning.  Maybe it was my sense of Santa arriving that made my eyes open.  Or maybe it's the fact that since I turned 30 I am unable to sleep in anymore.  Either way, I was up and ready to host another party.  Tom and I were expecting our parents and their spouses for a ham dinner in the early afternoon. 

The table was ready for guests

I made my first spiral ham!  I'm not sure what I thought was going to be so difficult - all I had to do was warm it up slowly and then microwave the glaze.  My confidence was a bit shaken when I looked back into the kitchen and realized it was full of smoke.  I ran to the oven with hopes a fire didn't start...took the ham out and realized that the juice from the frozen ham had spilled over into the bottom of the oven!  We almost had a smoked ham for dinner instead!  My advice for cooking your ham - deep dish, placed on a cookie sheet.  And check on it!  Other than that, things went off without a hitch.
I pre-prepared broccoli, brussel sprout, carrots, rolls, and yams - then just timed it all out so it was ready all at the same moment.  My trick was to cook the yams with the ham.  And to double up veggies on single trays that had the same roast times.  And then load the oven, double stacking cookie sheet on top of foil covered casserole dishes to cook everything else all at once staggering the "in" times.

I'm going to share the brussel sprout recipe with you today, because they were amazing!

One pound of sprouts - washed, hard end cut off, and cut in half.
drizzle and toss with about 1/2 cup of olive oil
salt and pepper
place on cookie sheet and cook for about 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees

After sprouts have cooked for about ten minutes put about 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar in a sauce pan with a hearty pinch of sugar and bring to a boil.  then turn down the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes till its thick and syrupy. 

When the sprouts are all done, heap them onto your serving dish and drizzle the reduction over them!  The drizzle action needs to happen right before you serve them - so if you need to - save the reduction, keep the sprouts covered and warm and then have this be the last thing you do before people eat. Yum!  They are good just like this, but I opted to add golden raisins to the mix, and this was a special (easy) touch.

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We all went a bit over board on desserts.




We had an apple pit, lots of homemade cookies, almond stuffed dates, spiked egg nog, and little delightful chocolate cherry mice!

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Neeko and Lulu were all ready for the festivities

Lulu

Neeko

We have a great day in Eliot.  Tom was treated to lots of beautiful new clothes, a few manly things for this office, and a shop-vac!
I was treated to my very first pair of diamond earrings!  Cast iron skillets, and a new kitchen aid mixer!  Best Christmas ever!  My loved ones know me so well....


Enjoy those brussel sprouts!

Too many cookies in the kicthen!

 I chose to bake way too many cookies this season as gifts.  I decided to make sugar cookies with eggnog frosting, and chocolate chip cookies.  The eggnog frosting was super easy, and the recipe is below.  I won't be sharing my cookies recipes because I've finally perfected them and want to keep it for myself!
I made five double batches of sugar cookies, and four double batches of chocolate chip!  Wow.  They aren't all baked yet, but all the dough is made and in the freezer till next week.  The beauty of these two choices of cookies are that the dough comes together fast, freezes well, and keeps for a long time in the freezer.  The frosting also freezes well so I didn't have to worry about ruining the sprinkles!
I would suggest decorating frozen sugar cookies, then chilling them with the frosting (I did this by flipping cookie sheet upside down, and leaving them on our porch over night), and then you can place them in containers to freeze or layer then with wax paper in a bag to freeze.
I bought really cheap tissue paper to line the tins, they work just as nicely as those expensive liners!

Mass ingredients for mass production

Ha!  No, you're stirring in the chocolate chips

Stirring 24 ounces of chips into dough takes muscle

My frosted sugar cookies happily in their tins

50 minutes later....

Super cute tins from Michael's 

For those of you not in the know, baking "from scratch" cookies make excellent gifts!  Happy cookie baking!


Eggnog frosting:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch ground cinnamon
• Pinch kosher salt
• 1/4 cup eggnog  ( I just used the pre-made stuff)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the butter on medium speed until fluffy and light in color.
2. Add the powdered sugar and continue to mix until it is well incorporated.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until frosting is very airy and thoroughly mixed, about 2 minutes. Use immediately to frost cookies or cupcakes (or waffles, or pumpkin bread, or put on a spoon into your mouth)  or store covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.

If your refrigerating the frosting until use, allow to come to room temperature before spreading.
This batch will probably do about 36 cookies, more or less, depending on your love of frosting....

Fa la la la la la la la la

Large ornaments in our kitchen window

Kitchen mirror

 Tis' the season!
I took a few photos of the decorating I did this holiday season to maybe provide a few ideas for your own home!  My favorite thing was my dining room table this year.  I re-used the gold candles and lace from Thanksgiving and added ball ornaments, my love penguins, and some Persian perfume bottles to give it some Christmas flair.  Because we cut our own tree this year, I had the chance to decorate two trees!!  We had to cut the top off the tree that sits in our living room, so the top made the perfect little tree for the dog's out in the business room.  I've always wanted to wrap a tree with ribbon but never wanted to buy the amount of ribbon needed to do that!  so, the smaller dog tree was the perfect size for the ribbon I had left over from last years swags! 

Birdseye view of dining room table

Close up!

Our stockings by the fireplace

Me helping cut our tree down

2011 Christmas Tree

Dog's tree

Extreme close-up of dog's tree

The seven hour tree skirt

One night on Pinterest, I found this amazing picture of this beautiful white, ruffled tree skirt.  The link led me to HGTV website for the "no sew tree skirt."  I thought, "Awesome."  And it was double awesome because a client of mine gave me a half-a-life-worth of fabric.  So, I knew I knew I had enough fabric and hot glue gun to make this simple, elegant, tree skirt from HGTV.  And they way HGTV made it sound (two short pages of directions, with about three steps per page), it was gonna take maybe an hour, maybe two for the real beginners.  But, I am a hot glue gun champion, a no-sew fabric expert, a disciplined and fast, neat worker, I thought it would be as easy as baking four dozen, different flavored cookies on two cookie sheets in an hour.
Well, color me wrong.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.
First of all, HGTV doesn't mention how many glue sticks you'll need. It's way more than you think. HGTV also didn't make it very clear to me which fold to cut so I wouldn't have to sew anything.  I admit - had I thought for more than the three seconds it took to decide which fold to cut, I probably could have realized what I was doing....to say the least, my no-sew tree skirt required sewing because I cut the base in half on accident and had to sew it together.  HGTV also didn't even dance around how much time this would take.  The way it was written really didn't give the project justice on commitment.  Finally, HGTV did not tell me that I was going to get burned by the hot glue.  It's almost impossible not to.  and I am very savvy with a glue gun.  I've had my fair share of beginner burns.  But, this project brought me back.  I burned the tops, the side, the insides of my fingers, not to mention countless nail beds.
What I'm trying to say, is that this project is not for the faint of heart. It's not for those people who have an hour to whip something up. It's not for people who can't handle a glue gun.  It's not for people who cry when cutting onions. 
This is commitment.  A tough-as-nails kind of person should attempt this tree skirt. Someone who laughs at high heat glue as it blisters their delicate skin.  It's for people who have hours within days of craft devoted time.  It's for people who live near craft stores and can easily get more glue.  It's for people with four yards of fabric, that is the same, or will at least match.  It's for people who want a huge pay off!  So for you non-criers, you heat seeking blister makers....this...this is for you...

I started by squaring off a piece of white cotton fabric, 4.5' x 4.5'.  Then I folded it in half and half again.  Then, I made it into a triangle - and the "top point" of my triangle was the middle of the square.  This will make more sense once you fold it up and look at it...at least it did to me when reading off the HGTV site.

The photo above is the first one I took for this project.  So, you'll have to do you best on my first set of directions.  The photo also shows that I rounded the bottom of my triangle off.  I also cut the tip of the triangle into a half circle to create a place for the tree truck to go.  And I cut down one side for the slit, but I cut the wrong one and ended up cutting the whole thing into two pieces, and had to sew it together.  You'll want to cut the side with one fold.  you'll see it, just think, and look.  you could also cheat and open it all the way up, and cut your own slit.

 This is what it should look like all opened up.  with a slit up one side to wrap around a tree, and a hole in the middle for the truck.

The next phase of this project is to cut the strips your going to use to make the ruffles.  I was directed to cut 2.5 inch strips of 3 yards of fabric.  Honestly, I don't know how much fabric I cut up.  the plaid flannel I used from my client was all folded up and was heavy, and looked like a lot.  I bet it was close to four yards.  And that's my suggestion for you.  Four yards into 3 inch strips.  I also thought that I would only use half of the fabric, and I ended up using ALL of it!  All but one 16 inch strip!I couldn't believe it.  So, get four yards just to be safe.  Seriously.

My fabric was about 10' long and I don't know how wide

These are my strips that are folded into fifths.  I cut all the loops to work with shorter strips on the base cloth.

Then I started gluing!  I started in with a 10 inch strip of glue about one inch from the edge of the white fabric.  Start with small strips of glue, because it's going to dry fast.  As you get into the swing of things, you can lengthen you glue strips....but, start small.
Then you take a strip of fabric and pinch it and set it into the glue to create the ruffle.  Don't work with a length that is too over whelming.  Mine were about 24 inches. It was manageable.  This part was kind of tough for me.  I mean, it's easy to cinch the fabric - but doing it over and over again was tedious.   And, if you have a table to this one - please use it.  I did it on the floor and my back got sore.  And the dogs tried walking all over it.  Oh, I dream for the day when I can have a huge craft table!

 Go all the way around.  when you start your second row, got about 1 - 1.5 inches above the next one.  You want the ruffles to over-lay so you can't see the white fabric.

I don't have a photo, but you can take the same fabric or gos-grain ribbon and glue it to the bottom of the white fabric as ties for the slit.  I did three  (two on each side, 6 strips) to hold it together, so the slit disappears when its around the tree.

And now, I wish you good luck!

This project took me about SEVEN hours total over the weekend.  And a trip to the craft store for more glue sticks - plan to use about 45 maybe 50 regular sized glue sticks.  No joke.

Here is the big pay off.....

It's totally gorgeous.  The pictures don't do it justice.  I love it.  I worked really hard on it, and I love it.   It's perfect.  I'm not sure if I'll be making another one anytime soon - but now if I do, I know it will all be worth it!  This tree skirt is probably my new favorite holiday decoration. 

Happy gluing!

Baby shower idea. DIY nappy cakes!

A client of mine is pregnant with twins!  And beause ofher maternity leave, their dog won't be comping to my day care anymore.  I wanted to make something unique but useful for them and searched the internet and came across "Nappy cakes."  I am sure if you've been to a baby shower, you've seen them.  Typically made form diapers, bibs, bottles, etc the materials are shaped into cakes, flower bouquets, or bikes.  I thought the bikes were totally adorable and thought, "I could make that!"  So, I searched high and low for a website that told what the buyer would be getting for their $100.00 purchase. By the way, I made two of these for less than $100.00.....maybe I'm in the wrong business!  The same sight for that $100 cake also had a $399.99 Harley Davidson cake. whoa.  After pondering my career choice I hit Target and got to work.

First, I purchased....

the diapers: for the tires
pair of super cute socks: grips for handle bars (x2)
the swaddles:  one as the seat, and front wheel cover (x2)
two bottles: one the head lights (x2)
four receiving blankets:  one for the handle bars, one to tie the back tires together (x2)
gos-grain ribbon to tie handle bars together
two stuffed animals: the riders

I started by laying the diapers out, and then laying the ribbon across them so I knew the length it needed to be so I could tie it closed.

I tried a few different things to roll the diapers up.  But, the way I wound up with worked and looked the best.  I turned my laid row over, and folded the "tops" of the diapers into the middle of the row and then curled the "bottoms" over.  I had to lean on the pile, stretch my hand out, and remember yoga moves to get it just right.  I think once your diapers are laid out, and you think about it for a moment you'll figure something out too.

 Then, while stretching my hand and using my body to smuch the diapers, I got the ribbons around the created circle and tied it off.  Then after it was tied really tight, I re-shaped the circle.
I ultimately did 6 of these diaper rolls - three for each trike.  But you could do just one trike or a four-wheeler!






Then I took the receiving blankets and folded them up so they were about 2 inches wide, and put a length of fabric covered wire in the middle so I could shape them into handle bars.  I used a pair of baby socks on each end to keep it from unrolling.

Then I took two of the diaper wheels and put them side by side, so the knotted ribbon would be in the "middle" of the bike - un seen.  I took a folded receiving blanket and pushed it through the middle of one wheel, and the middle of the other and tightened the wheels together.  I took the long end ad used it to wrap them together.  So, the long end would fold around into the middle of the other wheel.  The short end of the blanket, I just folded back into itself.  You can create the wrap so its on the 'back' of the bike or in the 'middle' of it.  I chose the middle so it would look more real. 
I then took another piece of fabric covered wire and put it behind the ribbon of the third diaper wheel and twisted it around the back receiving blanket so all three tires would stay together.

After the tires were together, I took a swaddle and shaped it into a seat for the rider, and a front tire cover.  You could use use two bibs - I just like the idea of a swaddle, so I wanted to make it work. It was a bit tricky because of the weird shape and velcro.  But, I figured it out just like you can.

At this point, it should be fun.  If you aren't having fun - then you should take a break and come back to it - because this bike is going to be so cute.   This is the final stretch, where it all comes together and you can say, "oh man, this is cute."

I took the handle bar I made and pushed one end through the front tire, folded it up to the top and tied it off with my pretty ribbon.

Under your bow tie, shove the bottle in - so the bottom is facing outwards.  It makes for a not nippled head light...........................

Then all you have to do it add your riders!

I didn't realize how big the bike would, otherwise I would have opted for larger riders.  But, these guys were really cute and it was the first time I ever made anything like this - so lesson learned.  The size of the tires is also going to greatly depend on the size of the diapers you choose!  Another baby thing I didn't even consider.  The model I found online used size 1, just born babies.  As you can see above I chose size 3 because I thought it made more sense for the parents to get an assortment for when their needs change unexpectedly. 

Happy nappy trikes by me.  And soon, you.