Hello everyone, I have the rest of the week off from subbing (so far) so I'm going to be productive around the home front today. But I wanted to say hello and just chit chat for a bit.
A few of you have asked why I am not posting all of my Etsy creations on the ol' blogaroonie. The answer is that I love to keep my Etsy shop full of new creations....but I don't feel like blogging every day of the month. So I create new stuff that's just for fun and goes into the Etsy store without taking the extra time to do a blog post. I have been taking those days when I don't blog to focus more on my family, home and other crafting ventures like quilting, sewing and scrapbooking. So be sure to check my Etsy store for lots of new cards that aren't sometimes shown here on the blog.
So what have I been up to? I just finished reading the latest book in the series of The Elm Creek Quilters called The Lost Quilter. Such a good read about a runaway slave and her courageous life. If you like historical fiction, you'll love these books!
Now I'm finalllllllllllly reading Twilight! Josey is finishing it up and I just started so I have a lot of catching up to do. Our goal is this: We both finish the book and then I rent the movie. Josey's already seen it. Then we read New Moon before the movie debuts in November. We're going to get a bunch of us together and go see the movie at our local theatre. I finally decided it was time to jump on the Edward bandwagon. I didn't want to miss out on these memories that Josey will surely talk about when she's grown up!
We're also busy planning Jordan's 11th birthday party for this weekend. She's having 5 little girlfriends over and it's sure to be a fun time. We're going to have a nature scavenger hunt (an all time favorite and I might add that I'm THE WORLD'S BEST SCAVENGER HUNTER ORGANIZER!) We'll also have a weenie roast complete with S'mores in the timber.....and lots of time swinging in the hammock, building forts and playing in the tree house and creek bed. Good times!
I've discovered Nutella. Why oh why didn't someone urge me to try this sooner in life?? I've seen it used in the cooking shows a lot, especially The Everyday Italian show on the Food Network, but have never tried it. Oh. My. Goodness.........heaven in a jar. Hazelnut flavored, thick and gooey chocolate. The only recipe I know is this: Stick spoon in jar. Lick off. Repeat. What else do you do with Nutella? I'll be googling new recipes for sure!
EDIT: Here's a site that offers a couple hundred recipes for Nutella! Who knew??
Sweet potatoes. My mom and dad have bushels full, it was a bumper crop this year! I have to admit that sweet potatoes are not on the top of my favorite foods list. Jordan loves them though at Thanksgiving with the ooey gooey marshmallow topping. However.......I have found a new recipe for Sweet Potato Fries that will make you want sweet potatoes every day of the week. I'll be sharing that recipe soon on the blog. Crispy.....a little salty with other flavors mixed in.....we dip them in honey. Yummoooooooo! Can't get enough. And my mom brought over sweet potatoes that were as big as footballs, no kidding. I didn't know they could get so huge!!
Okay, I think that's enough chit chat for this morning. I've got lots of catching up to do around the house since I was sick for a few days. Catch you girls later!
Posts
45 comments:
I put Nutella on my waffles. It's great with just Nutella, but I have also added sliced strawberries or bananas. Yum!
Like Elizabeth, I love it on fresh Strawberries, oh my pure HEAVEN for me. And, you know the good thing about Nutella, it is healthy for you! Added bonus. :O)
Nutella IS heaven in a jar. If I could, I would frost every cake with it. What I do in real life is spread it on graham crackers (did your mom ever put frosting in between when packing your lunch? Same concept.), dip pretzels in it, spread it on toasted/frozen waffles, spread it on croissants, club crackers etc., etc. I personally love the sweet/salty combination. You know you can get a two-pack from Costco. Evil and heaven all at the same time. :)
That Twilight series is to die for! (pardon the pun)
I just finished the third book this weekend (loved 5 hours in the car!!) and I can't wait for the 4th book to come out in paperback. And I think I'm going to have to break down and watch the movies...I just don't usually like movies based on books that I already love!
As for nutella, I love it on my waffles and pancakes and right off the spoon. It's even good on Ritz crackers in a pinch! Just beware of searching the recipes online...you'll gain weight just reading them!
Nutella is the best. I make a quick and easy Nutella Mousse. I am at work right now so I can't come up with the recipe. Will add it later. Also, on the sweet potato front, I love them baked with butter and brown sugar on top or you can mash them adding cream and a little cinnamon and nutmeg. Having a meat and potatoes husband, I like having more options than the standard white potatoes. Enjoy. Good luck with the B-day party.
WARNING! Nutella (and Twilight, BTW!) is addictive...been eating it for years. :) It's great to find a happy mix of blogging, crafting and family...it'll keep you happier (and stamping) for sure.
I know a lot of people who LOVE Nutella but I'm afraid to try it. I hear its very addicting. I do love sweet potatoes though. I'm looking forward to your s.potato fries recipe.
So I haven't tried Nutella either... better add it to my grocery list this week!
Now for a sweet potato recipe your family will love!
Go here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/if_you_think_you_dont_like_sweet_potatoesthink_again/
Pioneer Woman can make anything taste great!! I made this last Thanksgiving and it was a big hit!!
You are so CUTE!! I live in Croatia and Nutella to us us what Peanutbutter is to Americans. We put it on our pancakes, bread (toast) I even make muffins with Nutella filling!!!.
I'm a self confessed Nutella addict, since I was a child. I originally tried a product similar to it when I used to visit my relatives in Serbia, and Nutella was the closest thing available at home. I love it as a peanut butter and nutella sanwich with a glass of milk. YUM!
You are gonna love the Twilight books! Yes, just like Nutella..they are very addicting! Enjoy the books! I am also awaiting the New Moon movie in November and can't wait! Have a great week! P.S. I love all your creations you share with us on the blog!
You'll love the Twilight books. As for Nutella - all I can say is YUM. For a recipe - chocolate wontons. put a scoop into a wonton wrapper fold and seal. then fry it up like you would a regular wonton. you can dust it with a little powdered sugar when they come out of the fryer and cool a bit too. Whats better than fried dough and chocolate :o)
Mish,
Substituting nutella where you would use peanut butter is a good start. Another thing is to make nutella empanadas. One of my fave things to do it take won ton wrappers and put about a teaspoon of nutella in the middle and seal the edges and make sweet ravioli. You an fry these in canola oil and dust with a little powdered sugar.. YUM!
As for the sweet potatos.. man where do I start.. how about sweet potato dounuts? Sweet potato fries are amazing try adding a little season salt to them instead of plain salt.. ooohh heaven. Twice baked sweet potatos.. mmmm. of course the usual sweet potato pie and sweet potato pecan pie. Sweet potato mash.. how do I love thee let me count the ways. LOL
Be warned once you start Twilight you won't be able to put it down. My daughter also got me started on the series. I'm glad she did we have had so much fun talking about the books and going to see Twilight.
I'm like you I have never been a fan of sweet potatoes, but a couple months ago I had sweet potatoe fries at a resturant in Napa now I'm addicted! I can't wait for you to share the recipe.
Oh, nutelle! I love it!! I have had it in hot crepes... so good!! I can't wait to see your recipe for sweet potato fries... one of my faves!! I can't wait for sweet potato pie at Thanksgiving!! My boyfriend wanted to make one now but for the sake of my waistline I asked him not to... b/c willpower just doesn't work!! Love your blog!!
Your Nutella recipe made me laugh!! Really enjoy your blog!!
What a fun little post Mish! I need to get the last two Elm Creek Quilts novels (I usually get them at the library) but I do love them so much. I can't wait for more to be written. And nutella...my sister is a huge fan of it!! Have a good one!
You're adorable Mishie...I love visiting your blog whether it's for some beautiful creations or just to listen to you chat.
Enjoy reading and planning and cooking and quilting. You are my kind of girl.
Melis
I am glad you have discovered Nutella. My mom used to have Nutella on french baguette ready for me when I came back home from school. I prepared the same snack, Nutella on bread for my two sons, and now that my oldest one is in college he of course has his Nutella jar for his snacks...It is also delicious on crepes, waffles and pancakes !!!
I grew up eating it whenever we went to Germany to visit my grandparents. (Back then it wasn't available here!) So my favorite thing is still just to spread it on bread or toast...So yummy. For me it is nostalgia in a jar. One taste, and I am instantly transported in time...
Love Nutella~
The Twilight series is great! FYI you may want to read the last book BREAKING DAWN first before your daughter. There is some actual sexual content in that book! You should judge for yourself if you think it is age appropriate or not!
Mmmmmmm. I haven't had Nutella for quite a while. But it is so good. I like it smeared on apple slices.
Oh, dip the Nutella with pretzels...yum, yum, yum!!
I don't know if you ever make "PudgiePies" on the fire, but they are SO awesome!!! I don't use nutella, but I do make a sandwich with peanut butter and chocolate chips, throw it in the pudgie iron, and you have a delish, goeey melty chocolately sandwich.. Mmmmmm.. we have backyard fires every weekend, and that is my fave, altho I am fond of the pizza one as well.. ENjoy!
Others have said you're going to love Twilight, and you likely will. It's not a super deep series, but it's a really sweet love story with the vampire twist. I like how Stephenie Meyer puts a slight twist on what people think about vampires. But, why I'm posting is because (a) you should read the "outtakes" on her site, and (b) you HAVE to read the unfinished Midnight Sun that she has on her site. It's book one from Edward's point of view, and it fills in some holes, though like I said it's unfinished. I already have my ticket for the New Moon premiere. :-) I do have to say that the movie did NOT do Twilight justice, but I'm hoping New Moon will be better.
My number 2 son, who doesn't normally read books, has sat down this past 2 weeks reading 1-4 of Twilight. I asked him if they were any good and all I got from him was a grunt, not even a missed beat on reading the book, oh that good then lol.
*hugs* Heather x
We have a wonderful crop of Sweet Potatoes this year as well. My Maggie loves them fried like french fries and then we sprinkle with chili powder and salt. Soak them in some salt water before you cook. This will help them stay firm. They are also just as good tossed in a little olive oil and baked in the oven. The best is to dip them in some blue cheese dressing!!! Delicious!! P.S. Love the new notepads!!!
Nutella is good on toast and sandwiches...so I have been told, because I don't actually eat it. I am more a vegemite girl LOL!
You will fall in love with Edward just like the rest of us. Welcome to the twilight club....As for Nutella nothing is better than sitting on the couch reading twilight while having Nutella,you can try it in muffins as a middle and on bread and crackers. My children like it on fruit like strawberries and bananas.
http://danatreat.com/2009/09/nutella-pound-cake/
Try nutella pound cake!
I am just gearing up with subbing again, it seems as soon as I have one job, everyone stops me in the hall and the next thing you know I am booked til Christmas...maybe a slight exaggeration!
Love the new note books, I will be making lots this year for little gifts!
I was at a ladies retreat this past weekend where they did a scavenger hunt with pictures, but it was all pictures of the ladies doing silly things that "met the requirements" of the scavenger hunt list. Like "frog on a log" - would be one of the ladies acting like a frog on one of the logs, "monkey in a tree" had one lady (an *older* lady yet!) hanging by her hands and feet from a branch... "ladies in a boat", "a path less traveled", " deer in the headlights".... etc, etc. When they were done they uploaded all the pictures to a laptop and had a "slide show" of what each team had found. Too fun!!
BTW - we found a great place to stay outside of KC and thoroughly enjoyed your part of the country!!! :-)
Lots of comments on Nutella, Twilight/Edward, and sweet potatoes -- but I'm only qualified in the s.p. arena. I'm somewhat of a s.p. fries connoiseur. There are some great ones to be had at restaurants around here. Honey does sound like a yummy dip, but ranch dressing is also really good on them!
careful with the Twilight series..... they are addictive! I have ALL the books at least three times!!!!
Nutella is the best! We live in Germany and Nutella is EVERYWHERE here. :)
You and me both...late to jump on the Twilight Bandwagon that is *lol*. I have just finished the book, watched the movie today and am now ready to start New Moon. I want to be able to share what my nearly 14 y.o DD is talking about:)
Enjoy Michelle!
Hi Mish,
Start your Day with nutella!
Or best ever:Make a cake with it!
Buy, or better make a bisquit and fill it with this cream:
You need one jar of nutella and 500ml(I'm from germany, sorry for this measurement)Cream.
Heat up the cream with the nutella, to get the chocolate melt.
Put it in the fridge over night.
The next day whip the Nutella cream.
It's fantastic
On top of the bisquit cake give a thick nutella coat.
Leave it in the fridge until serving.
You need nutella, give me your adress, I'll send you some to thank you for all your wonderful Ideas!!
Jenni
My suggestion for Nutella - crepe, baby. My favorite memory of Paris is not Notre Dame, the Louve or a cruise on the Seine - it's a crepe filled with Nutella. Seriously, your life will not be the same! You can thank me later! Oh, and ps - feel free to slap some whipped cream on top! ;-)
Well, I've been stalking your blog for many years and have only ever left a few comments, but I felt inspired to chat today!
1. Nutella makes a great filling in between cakes layers. Beat it with whipping cream and spread on cooled cake.
2. I posted a marvelous Sweet potato pie recipe on my blog last week. TRY IT! http://kismetartlife.blogspot.com/2009/09/orange-zesty-sweet-potato-pie-fall-card.html.
3. Also, I make an incredible potato salad using sweet potatoes. Check my blog post here: http://kismetartlife.blogspot.com/2007/03/not-your-mamas-potato-salad.html
4. Jordan's party sounds superb! I love hosting and organizing scavenger hunts. In college my roomie and I did one all over the city, getting several local businesses involved for our boyfriends' birthday's. It was a blast, and now we are both married to those guys who had to tramp all over town finding and deciphering clues! Can't wait to hear about Jordan's!
5. I've never read Twilight. Am I officially the only person left?
Thanks for mentioning Nutella Day (I'm the creator) and all of our recipes :) I hope you participate on World Nutella Day on Feb 5th! :)
I love toast with peanut butter for breakfast, but find the Nutella is a little sweet that early in the morning so I mix the two together and it's absolutely yummy! I couldn't believe there is a world Nutella day--oh my! I'll have to check out some of those recipes. I can't wait for the dark chocolate version.
Oh I love them Elm Creek books! and you will definitely love the Twilight series, especially the last one!
If I had known you'd never tried Nutella, I'd have bought you a jar when you were here! OMG, I love the stuff! :)
Glad you're enjoying Twilight. I liked all 4 books. When you finish, try The Weight of Silence, by Heather Gudenkauf. Not vampires, but a good book nonetheless.
Hope you're enjoying your family time!
OMG Nutella.... I had a serious addiction for quite sometime. Jar after jar, straight. Over the course of two weeks I wiped out my grocery store's supply. I would sit at my craft table and go through half a jar in a night. It was crazy. Finally I had to quit cold turkey. And I ask myself why... because apparently it's not really that bad for you, right??? I think it's about time I jump off the wagon. Oh, I feel so liberated!!!! Where's my spoon?
Oh, happy reading!!! Loved Twilight and I'm lucky enough to live close enough to Forks to take a day trip and see the sights.
okay, World's Best Scavenger Hunt Organizer,I need help. My 9 year old is having a slumber party this weekend and I had thought of have a treasure hunt in the park. But a scavenger hunt sounds fun. Can you help me out and give me some ideas? Thanks
Nutella, whipped cream, mix together, dip fruit into mix. YUMMO!!!Enjoy but don't count the calories.....
Post a Comment