Magic Chopper

I use lots of onions when I cook but I hate cutting them.  Many years ago my hubs DLP bought me a "Magic Chopper".  I believe it was one of those "As seen on TV"type products.  It's dangerous for DLP to watch infomercials because he inevitably is drawn like a moth to a flame and like a sheep to the home shopping network slaughter he'll follow and believe that the product (as they claim) will change my life.  It's sweet and thoughtful of him and I do love him for it. Well, I ended up LOVING the chopper.  I used in continually for many years. So my old original chopper chopped it's last onion a few months ago.  I looked all over (Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Sears, Walmart, etc..) for a new one to no avail.   I finally found one here in Nashville at Old Time Pottery.  It was still under $20!  I would have paid way more.

                  The Magic Chopper

      Cut off onion ends and peel it

      half it and into the magic chopper it goes

       Give it a few turns and like magic---

Chopped onions with NO tears or smelly hands and easy clean up.  Wash it in some warm soapy water and dry.  I don't usually put it in the dishwasher.  I probably should have picked up two. :)

Beautiful Watches

Isn't a watch a terrific thing?  Not only does it adorn your wrist and look lovely, but it serves a real essential purpose in keeping time.  The high price watches aren't significant to me.  You can have your Rolex, Cartier, and Tag Heuer (I can't come close to affording them anyway).  My favorite watch ever was one I found in a pawn shop when I was nineteen. It was around $15.  A very thin, flat and large face with a plain roman numerals and a flat black band.  Simple and classic.  I think it must have been some weird off brand because I could never find a replacement once the insides stopped functioning.  Here's a few of my favorites right now:  
                  

Remember SWATCH?  I had two in high school. They're still around and have some really cute styles.  I love this one they call "Frozen Breeze" $50. http://store.swatch.com/special-collections/watches/page/1/GN231

FOSSIL 
I like Fossil watches.  They are affordable and have lots of cool styles.  This style called the Three Hand Convertible Silver watch caught my eye.  $95
http://www.fossil.com/en_US/shop/women/watches/convertible_watches/three_hand_convertible_silver_dial_watch-es2665p.html?departmentCategoryId=30000&N=0&Ns=p_wsc0%7C0%7C%7Cp_weight%7C0&rec=1&pn=c&imagePath=ES2665

BULOVA 
This watch is actually a man's watch.  I like the simplistic flat face. I'd prefer a black band tho'. It reminds me of my favorite pawn shop watch.  $175

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=306882&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

TIMEX 
Very nice.  $575

http://www.timex.com/510-Series-World-Time-Continental/dp/B002R5AAS8?ie=UTF8&id=510%20Series%20World%20Time%20Continental&field_availability=-1&field_launch-date=-1y&field_browse=2224433011&searchSize=12&searchPage=4&searchNodeID=2224433011&class=quickView&refinementHistory=watch_movement_type%2Csize_code%2Cband_material_type%2Cdial_color%2Cprice&searchRank=salesrank

Newport KY

Cincinnati at Sunset

            I took this picture on our trip back from KY.  It was Halloween and I thought it would be a good haunted house

                               The Creation Museum pond was beautiful, even in the fall.

                                              Big red barn

                       No, we didn't eat here but it looked like one of those great hole in the wall places in downtown Cincinnati.

Roasted Chicken with vegetables

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES:


Roasted chicken is a great dish any time of year, but it seems fitting for fall.  Maybe it's the glistening hues of the orange carrots or the roasted browned chicken that are reminiscent of fall to me. When the cooler weather hits here in TN I use my oven 100% more than I have in the past 6 months, so it's kind of exciting when I get to crank it up once again.  I know my hubs, DLP is more than elated when it happens. :)  My boys get pretty din-din happy too about it.

Roast chicken is something that anyone can make.  If you can't cook and you'd like to impress someone-roasted chicken is your dish.  Easy and decadent at the same time.

I don't have a set recipe.  I will give you my amounts of what I usually use (which can depend on what I have on hand).  You really can't mess this one up.  Trust me. 

I buy the big roaster chickens so I don't have to mess with gross giblets, necks, all that other ishiness (yes, that's a word my Swedish grandma uttered frequently when she was in the presence of grossness.)  I miss her.  She'd dig this chicken, no doubt.  

Roast Chicken with Vegetables

1 large roaster chicken (5-6 lbs is good) 

2 garlic heads

rosemary sprigs (if you don't have fresh use dried, but crush them in your hand to release aroma)

fresh thyme (if you don't have fresh you can use dried)

4 T. melted butter

kosher salt

fresh ground black pepper

potatoes, chunked BIG (1 potato per person)

2 large onions, chunked up big pieces

4 carrots, sliced in 2 " chunks

celery, sliced 2" chunks (optional)

1 c. chicken broth

tin foil

roasting pan 

1. Start by cleaning your chicken well and then patting dry.

I lined my roasting pan with foil which saves a lot of pan scrubbing later.  Take the bird and place in in your roasting pan.  

2. I then take 5-6 garlic cloves peeled put it inside the cavity.  If you have fresh thyme and rosemary put it in the cavity too.  This time I just sprinkled a little bit of dried thyme (don't overdue it)  and dried rosemary into the cavity also.  Liberally sprinkle kosher salt inside the bird.

3. Now melt your butter.  Brush the butter on the skin all over on the outside and then sprinkle with salt and fresh ground black pepper.  Cut little slits in the skin and put a few garlic cloves underneath it.  See the bumps under the skin in my photo below?  Those are garlic cloves.  It gives fabulous flavor.

4. Cut up your veggies.  I cut up the potatoes (big chunks), carrots (2"chunks), onions (big chunks), and celery if you prefer in 2" chunks also.  Toss them w/ some (1 T.) olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Add some garlic cloves to the veggies too.   5. Toss with clean hands and spread the veggies all around your chicken.   6. Pour 1 c. chicken broth over the veggies. 7.  Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for 2 hours. 
The picture says 325 degrees but I changed it to 375.  Oh the smells that will fill your house!


                    Dear Mr. Chicken,


                    I just want to say you look maaaavelooos, and thank you


                   in advance for your deliciousness.  :)
                                      


                                        

                               All dressed and ready to roast

                                 You gotta peek in on it a couple times.

When you take it out of the oven, let it sit about 15-20 min before you cut it.  This lets the juices redistribute through the bird so it stays juicy when you cut into it.

  Let me just say this was absolutely delicious. My family had seconds and thirds even!


                      Now, go roast your own chicken.

Rice Cookers

If you want to make really delicious rice, like you get in Thai and other Asian restaurants you need a rice cooker.  I use mine all the time.  I often use a Korean rice called Botan.  It's very good. I also like Jasmine rice.  Take a trip to your local Asian Market.  You won't believe all the different kinds of rice they sell.

Using a rice maker is easy. Follow instructions on your rice package.  You rinse the rice first and then add the water.  I just push down the cook button and when it's done it pops up all by itself.  No worries about burning the rice.  I believe this machine made by Cuckoo was under $20 when I bought it a couple years ago.  If you eat a lot of rice like my family does you should consider a rice cooker.

Pepper beef

Tuesday night stir fry.  Made with top sirloin sliced very thin.  Good stuff. :)

M&M's cookied

On my boys way out the door to their last robotics meeting of the year. They  informed me there were no cookies for their lunches tomorrow.  They attend home school tutorial all day on Tuesdays.  Being the loving, caring momma that I am :) I decided to whip them up some quickly after dinner.  

I do a lot of baking in the fall and winter so I keep large bags of baking staples on hand.  

                                         Cookie dough is magical.

 My mom got me these terrific industrial cookie sheets.  I love using them.  They are the best I've ever owned.  The cookies always come out wonderfully and the sheets are easy to get clean and stay looking new.

You may think M&M cookies are boring, but this is a very good recipe. Unlike chocolate chip cookies, M&M cookies have an almost cake like taste to them.  I always use butter rather than shortening.  I may not have a fluffy cookie, but I do have a delicious buttery cookie. I save the shortening for pie crusts.  

M&M's cookied

• 1 c. packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup shortening (I use BUTTER)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 c. M&M's

1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, shortening, and vanilla thoroughly. Add flour, salt, and baking soda to creamed mixture. Blend well. Add 3/4 cup of M&M candies.
2. Drop dough by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Slightly push a few candies on top of each dough ball with remaining candies.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 9 to 11 minutes.

Christmas Wish list

Printmaker's sideboard by Restoration Hardware $1679 (that's why it's called a "wish" list)

Cat, You Better Come Home

Last week my oldest son, a freshman in college, received a package in the mail.  I could tell it was a book.  I figured he'd bought one of his college books on Amazon as he's done before. When he got home from school I gave him the package.  A while later he came back downstairs and handed it back to me.

"Open it mom" he said  "It's for you."  I took the package and unwrapped it.  When I opened it I was so overjoyed (and a little choked up) to see one of he and I's favorite books from his childhood-Cat, You Better Come Home.   We checked it out from the library when Connor was probably about 5 or 6.  We loved the book from our first read and we read it together countless times.   It's about a diva cat named Puff who leaves home because she thinks she deserves a better life.  She finds in the end that no fanciful life can compare to the comforts and love of home.  It's the sweet tale of a cat learning contentment.  It's hilarious, really.  

It was such a thoughtful sweet thing to do, and something I wouldn't have expected from my oldest.
I love that kid so much.  I am so thankful to the Lord for giving us Connor.

My youngest son loves the book now.  

No matter how cliche' it sounds, reading to your kids is so important.  It's making an impact and you're making memories together. :)

Random Friday

It seems like the weeks are flying by. The first quarter of school is already done!  This weekend is going to be super busy.  Cayden has his robotics competition all day tomorrow from 8-5. Wow.   Then DLP has a dinner for work we have to attend in the evening. That's gonna be a looong day.  Above is  Cayden (red hoodie) with his team last week at Cool Springs Mall.  They needed to make some major adjustments to their robot for the competition tomorrow. Go Lipscomb!

* My little buddy Spurgeon looking super cute as usual. :)




BUCKYBALLS!  Have you seen them?  My middle son has been begging asking nonstop for these things for months! Then my youngest son caught on and had to get in on it also (the whining asking for Bucky Balls that is).   Finally, we gave in. These things are pretty fantastical (that really is a word.:)  They are little, powerful magnetic balls.  Obviously you don't want to get them too close to your laptop or other electronics.  I wouldn't buy them for kids younger than 9 or so. 

Look at this cute little ring they made me. Purdy! :)

Chanel COCO #7

I

This is an oldie but such a goodie!  I had a sample vial of this I got a few years ago that I used up (slowly) and enjoyed it very much.  It came to my mind the other day and I thought I must revisit it. COCO is a must if you love oriental scents.  I will tell you it's quite decadent, and a little goes a long way.  If you aren't a fan of heavier scents, this one may not be for you,   Notes in this one are coriander, pomegranate blossom, mandarin orange, peach, jasmine and bulgarian rose; middle notes are mimose, cloves, orange blossom, clover and rose; base notes are labdanum, amber, sandalwood, tonka bean, opoponax, civet and vanilla.  
If you want staying power this one has it.  Something about this scent goes so well with autumn.  

DOLCE & GABANNA rose the one #6

Dolce & Gabbana's "Light Blue" is a scent I love.  I received a bottle a couple years ago and I don't think I ever used a bottle of fragrance so fast. When I say "fast", I mean like 10-12 months time. Rose the One is another winner from D & G. I really enjoyed this scent which surprised me since I'm not a big fan of rose. Black currant, pink grapefruit, mandarin, lily of the valley, rose, litchi, peony, Madonna lily, along with ambrette seed, sandalwood, musk and vanilla are listed in Rose the One's description.

That being said, I do wish it had a bit more staying power as it lingers. I kept sniffing it all day and never tiring of it, but it faded too fast.  :(  Can we find a lovely light scent that will stick around?

Scent tally

In the running:Givenchy PLAY
Chanel COCO


No thanks:
Calvin Klein's BEAUTY
DKNY's PURE
Kate Spade's TWIRL


Maybe:
Juicy Couture's VIVA LA JUICY
DOLCE & GABBANA'S rose the one

VIVA-LA-JUICY by Juicy Couture #5

Viva La Juicy isn't t a super new fragrance.  I tried this when it first came out back in 2008.  I wasn't a fan back then but I guess my scentbuds have changed since turning 40.  Viva's notes are: Wild Berries, Mandarins, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Jasmine, Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Praline.  This one stays with you.  The scent is slightly heavy and warm.    I really like this scent.  The downside to it is that I may be a bit allergic to it.  When I wear it,  it makes my throat itch.  Bummer.  I do love the scent though and am going to try wearing it again before finalizing my juicy"no".  

Kate Spade's TWIRL #4

Kate Spade's newest fragrance Twirl debuted in September.  I was excited to try the scent being how I love Kate Spade's bright and crisp take on design.  I don't think I've ever eyed a K.S. bag I didn't have a serious jones for.  
Twirl is described as having notes of pink watermelon, blackberry, and red currant.  The heart includes orange blossom, star jasmine, tiare flower and magnolia, resting on a base created of glittering musk and French cookies (Macaroon).  
I loved the bottle.  Uh oh...that  doesn't resonate much fondness for the fragrance itself does it?   It smelled very similar to a couple other fragrances I'm familiar with, particularly  Yves Saint Laurent's Baby Doll.   I prefer something with more staying power.  Twirl faded too fast and wasn't original enough to interest me.

Cinnamon roll Saturday

After reading Pioneer Woman's cinnamon roll post this a.m. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/  I had to try the the cinnamon roll recipe she called"the best" cinnamon roll recipe ever. I'd seen this  method before but never tried it.  I will say this is better than my usual Cinnabon recipe that I make with the help of my bread maker.  But they can't beat the cinnamon rolls my mom used to make when I was growing up.  I do like that there is no kneading these.  They're definitely worth the time it takes to make them.

1/2 Whole Wheat- Buttermilk- Blueberry Pancakes

  That is a mouthful to say.  This a.m. I used my regular buttermilk pancake recipe (that I could assemble blindfolded with my hands tied behind my back) and replaced 1 c. of regular flour with whole wheat flour.  My kids eat whole wheat bread but they are picky when it comes to their pancakes.  I have to say they loved the results and I will be making them this way from now on.  Of course nothing tastes better on pancakes than 100% pure maple syrup.  Happy Friday. :)
1/2 Whole Wheat- Buttermilk- Blueberry Pancakes:
1 c. Whole wheat flour
1 c. All purpose flour
4 T. sugar
4 T. baking powder
big dash salt
2 eggs
2 c. buttermilk (add more if you like a thinner cake)
4 T. canola oil.
blueberries
butter
Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Butter your skillet and pour in a large spoonful of batter.  Take a handful of blueberries and place them onto your pancake.  Cook until bubbles begin to appear.  Flip and cook until done (about 1-2 min.).

Donna Karan DKNY'S PURE #3

This fragrance came out summer of 2010.  Pure DKNY fragrance is said to be built around a “drop of vanilla in water” 
My first impression was that of a cheaper drugstore type perfume.  It smelled just okay when I first applied it.  It's very light, but I don't think the word "Pure" is a good description.  Pure makes me think of clean scents.  It lasted all of an hour on my wrist and then I wasn't able to smell it anymore.  I don't know if ingredients were skimped on but there's no staying power with this one.   I'll pass on Pure.  That is all.

Calvin Klein's BEAUTY #2

Calvin Klein's new fragrance BEAUTY is the second fragrance I'm sampling.  This is another new fragrance coming out in October 2010.  Supposedly this fragrance is geared toward women 35+.  I don't quite know how you put an age on a fragrance.  It claims to represent the mature woman's maturity and self esteem. Okay.  That kind of description seems to evoke the  negative "old lady" perfume jokes-ya know?? It's kind of like every time I smell Estee Lauder's Youth Dew I think about my grandma.  That, of course is not a bad thing, but   I could never wear Youth Dew myself because I associate that scent with my favorite octogenarian.   Anyway, that being said, I wasn't crazy about BEAUTY.  It's a light, feminine fragrance.  It's not bad, it's just not good enough to be in the running.  It kind of reminds me of Estee Lauder's Beautiful...YAWN. 

Scent search Givenchy PLAY #1

It's about the time of year I start my search for a new fragrance.  Once a year for Christmas DLP likes to buy me perfume, and being that I'm not a huge perfume wearer anyway that works out great.  
My tried and true standbys are Trish McEvoy's Blackberry Vanilla and L'Artisan Vanillia.  Are you sensing I dig Vanilla?  I do like vanilla but both of these fragrances are quite subtle and don't scream VANILLA!  L'Artisan's vanillia is rich and smokey which I love.

**New in October 2010
The first scent I'm trying is Givenchy PLAY.  Try and ignore the tacky faux  iphone or whatever that is supposed to look like (can you tell how tech-savvy I am?)  I enjoyed this scent.  It's top notes include pink peppercorn and orange blossom.  It's light and quite pleasant.  It was long lasting and after a few hours I still enjoyed the scent.  This scent has made my list of possibilities.  

CaRRs

Carrs, my soon to be 9 year old shootin' some hoops:)

Tennessee History

One thing I love about Nashville and the surrounding areas is the rich history here.  While driving around the other night my youngest son and I found the Battle of Nashville monument.  Just knowing we were standing in a spot where the battle was fought gave me chills.  I love civil war history.  I love all history really.
 Here's a little info (forgive my copy and pasting Wiki) :)
The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15–16, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood and Federal forces under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. In one of the largest victories achieved by the Union Army during the war, Thomas attacked and routed Hood's army, largely destroying it as an effective fighting force.

                        My boys (gray shirt second from left-Cayden, red shirt with curls-Carrason, navy shirt holding Carrason- Connor.  These are their cousins from Indiana.  Photo taken in 2004 I believe.

Apple Dumpling Love

Do you love apple dumplings but not the time it takes to make them?  Here is a really wonderful and simple recipe for apple dumplings using crescent rolls.  I've seen this recipe quite a few times in a few different ways but the recipe with Mountain Dew always intrigued me.  These are really easy and very delicious.  Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you've got an easy and comforting warm dessert for those chilly days ahead.  I'm using my oven and thinking of apples -- so-- fall (my favorite season) is undeniably around the corner.  

APPLE DUMPLINGS

• 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
• 2 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 oz. Mountain Dew

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Lightly Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish

Cut each apple into 8 wedges and set aside. Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough starting at the smallest end. Pinch to seal and place in the baking dish.

Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour over the apple dumplings. Pour Mountain Dew over the dumplings.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Cayden David Trust

                      Cayd's middle name is Trust because we trusted the Lord for him.  Cayden is an amazing child.  I am so thankful for him and all that he is becoming.  He loves robotics and building things.  I think he may be an engineer someday.  To know him is to love him. :)