Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Engagement Party Brunch!

On Sunday my parents threw us an awesome engagement party. I was too busy talking to everyone that I forgot to snap a few pictures of our versions of these great recipes. Here is the menu. Everything was so good and we had a great time catching up with old friends!


Uncle Bob's Famous Sausage
3-4 links kielbasa
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick of butter


Slice the kielbasa into 1/4 inch slices. Brown in 2 tbs butter for about 5 minutes. Add the remaining butter and the cup of brown sugar. Mix until a thick coating forms. Keep warm and serve.


Mini-Frattatas: we started with this Giada recipe and made some modifications below. 

  • 1/2 pound linguine pasta
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cream
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • 6 ounces diced left over Christmas ham
  • 5 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced (1 cup diced)
  • 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 muffin tins greased with melted butter
Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Once done drain and rinse with cool water. Once it is cool to the touch cut the pasta into 1 inch pieces. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, cream cheese, and spices. Then mix in the cut linguini, ham, cheeses, garlic spinach and parsley. Scoop the mixture into the greased muffin tins. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes. 
Picture from Food Network


Cheese Balls! Lizzy made these for a friend's going away party and they were a huge hit! I think I could eat the cheddar and cranberry one by myself. 
Picture courtesy of Lizzy Sall
Blueberry Muffins: I made these twice while at home they are simple to make and taste so good. I used frozen blueberries that Sal saved from the summer. We didn't make the yogurt sauce but I bet that would be good too. I used brown sugar on top and did stir the recipe more than the required 10 times. YUM! 
Picture courtesy of Pioneer Woman

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Holidays!

 
Happy Holidays from Michigan! Today has been a day of hard work and family time. We pulled out all of the boxes of holiday decorations and have been organizing, wrapping gifts and putting holiday touches everywhere. My parents call their house the Keego Cottage and not only does it feel like a cottage but it is looking like a winter wonderland. Here are some pictures of our hard work. We also got a fresh dusting of snow. Kevin comes on Christmas Eve and I cannot wait to share Michigan with him. Hope you are enjoying good food, good wine and good times with your family and friends.

Stockings waiting for Santa!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Winter Adventures!











On days when both of us are not working we try to find something unique to do around DC. Today we took a drive down the GW parkway to lock 27 and the Monocacy Aqueduct. To our surprise there was a group of dog sledders training their dogs. Who knew that Maryland had a dog sledding community. It was a beautiful albeit cold day but we had fun and explored an area of Maryland and Virginia we had never before visited. The key to an outdoor outing in the cold is the layers. I wore my lundies such named by Molly, lundies ie long underwear, Smart Wool socks and of course a huge puffy jacket. It was a winter wonderland.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Turtle Love Co.

My reading list lately does not include as many medical journals or text books as it should. Instead it is full of fantastic wedding blogs, style blogs, and food blogs of course! I stumbled upon this great little jewelry company and I just love the name, Turtle Love Company. They have some unique pieces at reasonable prices.  Here are a few favorites. I love that they introduce unique and different ideas for engagement and wedding bands. Had I not been so lucky to inherit a beautiful family ring I think I would have loved one of these non-traditional stones or styles. Maybe a prefect gift for that last person on your holiday shopping list.



 And my absolute favorite: Water Lily earrings!
All images courtesy of Turtle Love Co. 

When Parents Text

I am sure we have all been there, reading messages that just are not quite up to the etiquette of texting or Facebook etc. Some brilliant person created a website called "When Parents Text." Go there now! Its a huge time suck but since my schedule is pretty open right now, I have plenty of time for a time suck. Some of them are so funny.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Christmas Cookies!


This is one of my favorite pictures of my grandmother. There is something about the expression on her face that I just love. I can imagine running up to her and sitting on her lap. Snuggled so close to her, smelling her perfume and soap. Yesterday I made Christmas cookies! This was an activity that I learned from my grandma. We made cookies every year. Trays and trays of cookies. I loved taking warm cookies right off the tray and popping them in my mouth. My favorites were the Russian Teacakes and Thumbprint cookies. Although my grandma is not here to bake Christmas cookies I thought of her all day yesterday as I beat sugar and butter, spooned dough on to cookie sheets and rolled balls in powdered sugar. Baking is the type of tradition that lives on through generations. The Russian Teacakes tasted just as good as if my grandma herself had made them. I baked up tins of cookies to give to the maintenance workers in our building and of course the neighbors.

Here are the recipes I used to make cookies yesterday. Thanks Martha for making timeless recipes for all.
Cranberry Noels: I added about 1 tbs chopped fresh rosemary to this recipe and it was delicious. A bit of savory in an other wise sweet treat was amazing.

Thumbprint Cookies: I used raspberry jam, my favorite and walnuts. I wish I would have made a double batch these were gone fast after dinner. 
Noel Nut Balls: In my family we called these Russian Teacakes. Last night we had dinner guests and these delicious powdery guys have different names in different families: Mexican Wedding Cakes, Butterballs etc. I don't care what you call them they are my favorite. In fact I had the last two for breakfast this morning. Delish! 

What is your favorite cookie? Happy holiday baking! Ho Ho Ho! 

Monday, December 13, 2010

Snow

I awoke to a slight dusting of snow this morning. Nothing like the epic snow storm of last winter but enough to bring a smile to my face and prompt the making of some hot cocoa! Wishing you all a white Christmas and a warm place to snuggle up with those you love. Some pictures from the blizzard of 2010.





Thursday, December 9, 2010

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yesterday was a hard day. A classmate of mine and her amazing husband had their first baby in November. This tiny sweet baby was born with a broken heart and sadly after only 21 days with them he left. We went to their house last night with flowers and blueberry pie to help take their minds off the loss of their sweet boy. We watched a slideshow of his life and it was clear that they loved him so much for every second of his short life. It was hard to see them in so much pain but they are so strong and have done an amazing job keeping his memory alive. After we visited and shared their sorrow, a few classmates came over to my apartment for warm chocolate chip cookies and wine. Nothing fills a soul more than hot cookies with cool ice cream sandwiched in between. If you have not seen this video it is a real tear jerker. 99 Balloons. Hard and sad days are part of life but there is always something to be learned from them. I hope that you are surrounded by friends, warm chocolate chip cookies and love during your hard parts, as we were yesterday remembering Kai.

Our Amaryllis in bloom!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Favorite Gifts under $40

1. Linda and Harriett's 2011 Calendar: $30 plus shipping

2. Subscription to Pandora! Seriously no ads. Brilliant! $36 for one year of glorious music to your ears.

3. Ann Taylor Loft Asymmetrical Moto Jacket: Ok this one is more than $40 but it is 40% off right now plus free shipping! I have a similar version and never take it off. In fact I am wearing it right now. So soft!

4. Cyclades Cinquefoil Necklace from Anthropologie: $38 so unique and cute!
5. Heifer International Honeybee Hive: $30 two things I love giving back and honey!

6. Zingerman's Peasant Bread gift box: $35. I mean who doesn't love carbs sweet sweet carbs. 

7. Crate and Barrel's 10 Piece Nesting Bowl set: $29.95
8. A gift certificate to a favorite coffee shop. Starbucks or Caribou are easy because they are everywhere. Who doesn't love coffee.

9. A subscription to Food Network Magazine. $25 for 20 issues. Remember food is love! 

10. A trio of Christmas Classics: Home Alone, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Love Actually. Everyone should own these movies!

Happy Shopping! I hope everyone finds the perfect something for those special people in your life. Although I am not doing much shopping this year, it is fun to think of great, timeless gifts. Happy Holidays!


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Wedding Dress

I went with a friend today to try on some dresses and I think I found THE dress. Big problem. No wedding date yet but the dress happens to be on sale right now and only for this week big problem. And by on sale we are talking about $500 off the price. UGH! Fell in love. No money and no details yet. Oh what is a girl to do? The dress is by Watters I'll take guesses as to which one it is... It fit really well. I felt like a bride in it which I was not expecting the only thing missing from the experience was my mom. I wish she could have been there! I would try to go again in Michigan but there aren't any stores that have it in Michigan. All of the drama! Who knew.

Wreaths!

I have strong feelings about holiday decorations. I love a little splash of the holiday spirit but overdone is not for me. A few tasteful touches here and there are my ideal but I'd rather leave Clark Griswold style decorating to the movies.  My time these days has been full with interviewing and helping Kevin with some work. My role of fiance comes with the added responsibility of secretary in my time off. If I had more time I just might take myself on a Christmas crafts expedition and build one of these beauties for our door. Not having time or space to put up a tree or make my own holiday wreath will make our holiday trip to Michigan all the more enjoyable. Here are a few beautiful wreath ideas from none other than Martha Stewart herself.


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Amazon and Paperless Post

Friends of mine sent out their save the dates with the link to their wedding website. I had no idea but you can register at Amazon.com. Brilliant idea. It is possible to register for anything you can buy on the internet through the Amazon website. The wedding is still very far off but since there will be engagement parties and showers to look forward to I put a few things on the list. It was fun to shop and dream of our future house filled with love, good food cooked with our trusty kitchen gadgets and soft sheets.

I was gone for the past few days interviewing but had fun visiting some favorite Bates friends. I spent a day in Charlottesville, VA home of the Clifton Inn. We just might have to make a trip back to do some investigating for future wedding sites or just for fun. Now time for making a favorite dinner on this cold, crisp winter night. Wishing you warm sweatpants, good red wine and someone to snuggle up with for the night.

I have written about Paperless Post before but I love their holiday cards and save the dates. Although I am sure that e-cards will never take the place of snail mail these colorful creations sure do bring a smile to my face. 
Paperless Post is great for holiday cards!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Philly

I am headed up to Philadelphia today for an interview. The first of three back to back. I am super excited because I will be visiting a good friend from Bates, Nate. In fact this week will be a whirlwind of Bates visits as I head down to Charlottesville on Friday night to see the G-ster. Even though my time in Philly will be short, it will be nice to catch up with old friends and hopefully enjoy a nice dinner in the city of brotherly love. Today is also December 1st which means that we are getting closer to Christmas and the Monforton Christmas party which is my favorite big annual event with my whole adopted extended family. Kevin will be inaugurated this year as the newest member.

Happy December!