Things you can get for a dollar!

On a recent quick run into our local Dollar Tree, I was so happy to find a few cute surprises...who knew it could be so fun at the dollar store?? I mean,really, how cute is this gelato lip gloss, rose covered sticky notes, and pink sewing kit?..
These are just too cute! I bought one for me and one for sweetie pie. She just freaked when she saw it.



What is it about miniature stuff? I just love it. I had to refrain from buying the sour apple, jolly rancher flavor (also known as "happy farmer" at our house), as well as hershey's kisses lip gloss. I just figured, what's the point of licking my lips, tasting fake chocolate, but not actually getting any? Isn't that some form of torture in some prison somewhere? The guards probably walk back and forth in front of your cell eating tons of hershey's kisses, and then throwing the little balled up pieces of foil at you.....obviously, we skipped that one. Then, we also found round, rectangle and square paper doilies. We plan on using them for our Valentine's decor in some way. That's always fun...
Know what else you can get for a dollar? A chance to win the "True Love" bracelet on my other blog! Every cent that comes in for the raffle will go to Adier. We are hoping to raise 250.00 (the price of one cow). So, if you haven't already, hop on over there, and buy a ticket for heaven's sakes. You know when you're at the dollar store, one more thing in the basket does add up, but it is affordable. That's kinda what we're hoping for here. If a lot of people give just 1.00, it will add up fast. Not to mention the fact that you may win a sterling silver, custom bracelet! If you do head that way, and buy a ticket, let me be the first to say "Thank you!" Your dollar will count!

With gelato flavored kisses & love~

Lori

Fancy breakfast eggs

Ok. I'm going to pretend that I'm some famous "foodie" person, and show you how to make my favorite eggs. This is super easy, but looks like you went to a lot of trouble. I overcooked mine a little, but, here it is anyway...

It has some hoity toity French name, but we'll just go with "Eggs cooked in a water bath" (or) "egg custard." Either way, if you like custardy-style eggs, you'll love these. Just for your info, I never liked under cooked eggs until I had them this way. I prefer it over the ususal way now. So, don't despair. You may love it after you try it.

First step is to have small ramekins.
Then, butter each one making sure to butter the bottom.

Next, crack one egg per ramekin leaving the yolk intact. Try to remove the white piece without breaking the egg yolk.

You'll need eggs (1 per ramekin) half and half (approx. 1.5 tbsp. per egg),any type of grated cheese, salt, pepper, and any additions (I added bacon at the end)
Now, add your cream only on one side, more on that later.

Now, add your cheese, also only on one side.

Now, add your ramekins to a heavy pan filled half way with water. I used cast iron, but you can use any pan that can also go in the oven. (Preheat oven to 375.) Cook eggs on Med. heat & simmer just until you start to see the bottom of your egg start to cook. It will start turning white. This is why you put everything on one side.
Now, make sure you use an oven mitt as the handle will be hot, and place it in the oven to cook for 6-7 more min. The egg should be jiggly when it comes out. I overcooked mine a little bit. It's ok, but not as custard-like.

I like to add the salt and pepper at this point since it seems to do something to the eggs when you add it before cooking. Now, just add whatever you like or eat it like it is. I added peppered bacon crumbled on top. Yowzer. It was good! I like it a little less cooked than I did, but it has a wonderful flavor. The only thing that changes is the texture.
I hope you enjoyed seeing my first ever recipe step-by-step post. You really should try these. If you do, you have to tell me what you thought. Please. I would just be so happy. I should mention this is Julia Child's recipe. I talked like her the entire time I made these the first time as if I was on a cooking show. My poor kids. They were looking at me as if I lost my mind. "Mom, seriously, that's getting annoying" ....me: "ok. I'll stop, but you guys are no fun..."

Bon Appetite!

Anna Banana ~ Eco-chic

I already added this on facebook, so sorry if this is a repeat for all you facebookers! This idea we got from the Pioneer woman's blog (click on her link on the right.} This woman, Ree, is so cool. I secretly want to be her *wink wink* (jk) She seems to have a pretty cool life though, and I think part of my envy is my secret life wish. I always had a secret dream of living out west on a ranch with gorgeous horses running wild through the prairie. Too many western romances I've read/watched, I'm sure, contributed to this secret fantasy. Anyway....she homeschools her kids, makes yummy food, and is really funny. Really. I cry from laughing almost everytime I read her blog. So, one day, we stumbled on this craft project on her website, and my little Anna Banana got her wish. She wants to be a "jewelry designer." Hmmmm, wonder where that thought came from?? She makes her momma proud. We worked on our first necklace, and oila! We loved it!! We now have tons of eco-chic jewelry ideas to go with the recycled theme. Just so you know,(time to confess) I'm no tree-hugger. I simply wanted my daughter to have her own little business she could be proud and excited about. One that was affordable. I figure it's a win-win situation. Mommy can save the planet while making sweetie pie a jewelry designer! Now that's eco-chic! Want to see how they're made? This is all you need! Pick your favorite ribbon, with a needle and thread, sew the first styrofoam piece to the ribbon and tie it off. Now, add til it's the length you want, and sew your last piece of ribbon (6" long) to the end. We used a crystal bead on either end to make it more beautiful. Isn't it adorable?
Anna Banana necklaces are available for 7.50 if you don't want the hassle of making it yourself. We will have several more colors, and styles coming soon as well as a really cute Valentine section on the way....see ya then, cowgirls!

Baby, it's cold outside!

I won't go on and on about how anti-cold I am, but seriously,I'm freeeeeezzzzziiiiinnnnggggg!!! I do have an amazing remedy though! Dulce de leche coffee! All I can say is... DELICIOUS! Seriously, you have to try it. I made it last night after dinner for me and my sweetie to drink by the fire. It'll warm you up in no time. One way it will do that is give you extra padding-ha! (just bein' honest) Anyway...here's the recipe:

4 cups brewed strong, good coffee
6 oz. dulce de leche (bar or liquid form-I found mine at Publix)
2 tbsp. sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
chocolate shavings for garnish

Brew coffee, add dulce de leche and stir til dissolved. Whip the cream with the sugar til stiff. Pour coffee halfway in glass, then dollop on a generous amount of the cream on top. Using a microplane, shave any type choc. over the cream. The recipe was originally on the Pioneer Woman's blog(link button on right.)
I knew something was wrong when my ipod kept randomly choosing workout songs. The signs were everywhere, and I just kept on ignoring them. I think if I make this drink very often, I will have to truly face the music-no pun intended :)

Enjoy!
p.s. Isn't my gigantic Starbucks cup cool? I got it at a garage sale for.25! How bout that for bargains!

Some fun randomness...

While in Kansas City visiting my sister, we went to the coolest antique store I've ever been to. I can't remember the name of it, but I think it was in Prairie Village. It was a three story old building that had tons of character. It had an old, rickety lift for bringing goods up the three floors crammed packed with antiques and vintage finds. It was amazing how much stuff was there. I could have stayed there for days! I'm planning another trip there to shop with my sister sometime soon. We can shop to out heart's content, and not worry about crying 5 yr. old's looking for the bathroom every 10 minutes. Bethany, my niece sweetly took her to the bathroom for me so I could have a few extra, precious minutes to look around. My sister bought me the COOLEST ever vintage green metal, filing box. As soon as it's organized, I'll add pics then. It was perfect!

I also have the most absolutely AMAZING crepe filling recipe that my sister made up!! It should win awards. We embarassed ourselves at how we made it twice in 2 days! It was that good. You start with the crepes which are easy peezy.

Crepes:
2 eggs whisked, then add 1 &1/4 c milk, 1 cup all-purp.flour,2 tbsp. veg. oil and a pinch of salt. Whisk all together til creamy. Should be consistency of heavy cream when you're done. Cover in fridge and let sit for one hour. Cook on non-stick pan(wiped with oil or butter) on med-high heat til bubbly. Make it cover the surface in a very thin layer. Flip, and cook for 20 more seconds.

The Italian filling:

1 pkg (8 oz) mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup brewed coffee
6 egg yokes
1/2 c sugar in the raw
3-4 oz cream cheese (this will give a little body to the filling)

mix together until smooth and creamy. Spread over warm crepes.
Oh me-oh my! Prepare to make this more than once, double the recipe, and find reasons to make it, such as.."first Monday when it's 20 degrees outside" etc..ha!
I'll post pics of this next time I make it, which will probably be tomorrow! Good thing I bought the Biggest Loser workout. I'll probably need it just to maintain, let alone lose weight. Oh well!

Next up will be my cool, green cabinet, and a diy project that I think is so neat! Hope you will like it too. Have a great first week of the New Year!

God bless you all! :)