The spoils of my labor.
What's For Dinner?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Happy Birthday Tom
Hey, check me out at Happy to be at Home ! It is an elaboration of my post from yesterday .
It's time for another Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom or Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus:-)
Not many people know I have an older brother because he and I are so different. He likes cars; I like cakes. Not better, just different. This weekend, he turned 40 years old!! So, I thought I should dust him off for a picture and give him his bloggie debut:-) Happy Birthday Tom!
It's time for another Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom or Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus:-)
Not many people know I have an older brother because he and I are so different. He likes cars; I like cakes. Not better, just different. This weekend, he turned 40 years old!! So, I thought I should dust him off for a picture and give him his bloggie debut:-) Happy Birthday Tom!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tackling Grocery Maintenance
It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .
Now, you may or may not have noticed that my presence on the blogosphere last week was slim. There is a reason for that. In the beginning of the year, I wrote this post about how I needed to get organized to let my creative juice flow freely. Well last week, I was working on my grocery management for this house. We needed this to improve our physical and financial health. To that regard, I implemented two new systems.
1. The first was the Living Cookbook . I love this software! It manages your recipes, calculates nutrition, helps with meal planning, tracks inventory and creates grocery lists.! It does everything but the dishes:-)
2. The second thing is The Grocery Game . This little tool makes coupon clipping and implementing a breeze!
I am so organized now, I don't know what I am going to do with all this free time:-) Hee, hee, hee.
Now, you may or may not have noticed that my presence on the blogosphere last week was slim. There is a reason for that. In the beginning of the year, I wrote this post about how I needed to get organized to let my creative juice flow freely. Well last week, I was working on my grocery management for this house. We needed this to improve our physical and financial health. To that regard, I implemented two new systems.
1. The first was the Living Cookbook . I love this software! It manages your recipes, calculates nutrition, helps with meal planning, tracks inventory and creates grocery lists.! It does everything but the dishes:-)
2. The second thing is The Grocery Game . This little tool makes coupon clipping and implementing a breeze!
I am so organized now, I don't know what I am going to do with all this free time:-) Hee, hee, hee.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Semi-Homemade Spaghetti
I always serve Semi-Homemade Spaghetti on Mondays because it is easy. Monday is cleaning day and I need something simple after scrubbing all day.
Today is recipe day but I am going to take it a step further. In my attempt to become more organized, I am going to try to do more menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie . Here is what I plan on serving this week:
Monday: Spaghetti Dinner (See Recipe Below)
Tuesday: Garlic Chicken Risotto
Wednesday: Fish Sticks and French Fries
Thursday: Leftover Buffet
Friday: Eat Out
Semi-Homemade Spaghetti
Ingredients:
1/2 lb Spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 lb pasta sauce
Directions:
1. Cook spaghetti per package directions.
2. Brown meat in a large skillet with high sides over medium heat. Drain off fat on a paper-towel lined plate. Return meat to skillet.
3. Add pasta sauce to the meat and heat until warmed through.
4. Serve sauce over drained pasta and enjoy:-)
Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients)
Calories: 395.77 Calories From Fat: 165.72 Total Fat: 18.02g Saturated Fat: 6.61g Cholesterol: 56.70mg Sodium: 418.45mg Potassium: 542.81mg Total Carbohydrates: 36.75mg Fiber: 1.21g Protein: 19.68g
Recipe Cost:
Total: $6.02
Serving: $1.02
Today is recipe day but I am going to take it a step further. In my attempt to become more organized, I am going to try to do more menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie . Here is what I plan on serving this week:
Monday: Spaghetti Dinner (See Recipe Below)
Tuesday: Garlic Chicken Risotto
Wednesday: Fish Sticks and French Fries
Thursday: Leftover Buffet
Friday: Eat Out
Semi-Homemade Spaghetti
Ingredients:
1/2 lb Spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 lb pasta sauce
Directions:
1. Cook spaghetti per package directions.
2. Brown meat in a large skillet with high sides over medium heat. Drain off fat on a paper-towel lined plate. Return meat to skillet.
3. Add pasta sauce to the meat and heat until warmed through.
4. Serve sauce over drained pasta and enjoy:-)
Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients)
Calories: 395.77 Calories From Fat: 165.72 Total Fat: 18.02g Saturated Fat: 6.61g Cholesterol: 56.70mg Sodium: 418.45mg Potassium: 542.81mg Total Carbohydrates: 36.75mg Fiber: 1.21g Protein: 19.68g
Recipe Cost:
Total: $6.02
Serving: $1.02
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Gardening Thursday
This winter has been so brutal that I am dying for spring even more than usual. And so, I started some more herbs and other things I would like to try indoors. Here is what I sowed:
Chives (2nd attempt with new seeds)
Rosemary (2nd attempt with new seeds)
Thyme (2nd attempt with new seeds)
Sage
Radish
Sweet Onion
Green Onion
Marigolds (for my flower pots on my front fence)
Carrots
And after 3 days, my radishes have already sprouted!!!
Next month, I will start seedlings for outside. I can't wait!!
Chives (2nd attempt with new seeds)
Rosemary (2nd attempt with new seeds)
Thyme (2nd attempt with new seeds)
Sage
Radish
Sweet Onion
Green Onion
Marigolds (for my flower pots on my front fence)
Carrots
And after 3 days, my radishes have already sprouted!!!
Next month, I will start seedlings for outside. I can't wait!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Farewell Breakfast
It's time for another Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom or Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus:-)
In honor of my daughter's last day before going back to college, I (quite literally) took a page from the February issue of Martha Stewart's Living magazine. My daughter loves fried eggs and I thought this little "bird's nest" was so cute! Great for Valentine's Day or any day (like a going away party) when you want to say, "I love you".
In honor of my daughter's last day before going back to college, I (quite literally) took a page from the February issue of Martha Stewart's Living magazine. My daughter loves fried eggs and I thought this little "bird's nest" was so cute! Great for Valentine's Day or any day (like a going away party) when you want to say, "I love you".
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tackling Autism
It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .
ANGEL gives grants to Wisconin children that are affected by autism. They support children and their families by providing funding for needed therapies, networks for parents, education of Autism spectrum disorders and related biomedical behavioral interventions. They have helped 130 families and paid out over $57,000 in 2008. For more information on how you can help visit their website at http://www.angelautismnetwork.org/.
My brother's family is challenged with Autism and every year we participate in a walk to support the cause. This year was the ANGEL's 2nd Annual Indoor Walk 4 Autism and we were there. Here's our group in all it's glory:-)
ANGEL gives grants to Wisconin children that are affected by autism. They support children and their families by providing funding for needed therapies, networks for parents, education of Autism spectrum disorders and related biomedical behavioral interventions. They have helped 130 families and paid out over $57,000 in 2008. For more information on how you can help visit their website at http://www.angelautismnetwork.org/.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Breakfast in Bed Cupcakes
First off, don't forget to check me out on At Work, At Play or At Home All Day and my chocolate shop is being featured on Happy to be at Home today! I think I know how it happened now:-)
By popular demand, I am posting my recipe for my Iron Cupcake award winning cupcakes . And here it is:
Filling:
1 pkg cream cheese (8 oz.)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbls vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
6 oz. strawberries, sliced
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter jumbo muffin tins.
2. Mix all "French Toast" ingredients (except the bread) in a shallow bowl. Slice bread into 2 inch squares. Dip the bread into the custard. Overlap 6 to 7 squares in each muffin tin.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until the custard is set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and allow the cupcakes to completely cool.
4. Meanwhile, mix all the filling ingredients in a small bowl. Fill each cupcake with filling when it is completely cooled and top each with a strawberry. Enjoy.
Serves 6
By popular demand, I am posting my recipe for my Iron Cupcake award winning cupcakes . And here it is:
Breakfast in Bed Cupcakes
Ingredients:
"French Toast":
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup plus 1 tbls sugar
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 loaf of Brioche bread (1-1/2 lb.)
Filling:
1 pkg cream cheese (8 oz.)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbls vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
6 oz. strawberries, sliced
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter jumbo muffin tins.
2. Mix all "French Toast" ingredients (except the bread) in a shallow bowl. Slice bread into 2 inch squares. Dip the bread into the custard. Overlap 6 to 7 squares in each muffin tin.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until the custard is set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and allow the cupcakes to completely cool.
4. Meanwhile, mix all the filling ingredients in a small bowl. Fill each cupcake with filling when it is completely cooled and top each with a strawberry. Enjoy.
Serves 6
Saturday, January 17, 2009
On TV again...
I am Milwaukee's media whore! This is my second television appearance in 2 months. This time, my Iron Cupcake win had me in front of the camera but, it really was Sandy's night to shine. Great job Sandy! You and Jeff have really created something that we can all be proud of and have a great time!
Now go....check it out:
http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/2009/01/3-minutes-down-12-minutes-to-go.html
Now go....check it out:
http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/2009/01/3-minutes-down-12-minutes-to-go.html
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday's Foto Fun with Visions
It's time for Carrie's Friday Foto Fun:-)
I have visions for my blog (that I have already realized), for my chocolate shop , my cupcake shop and eventually my brand. I also have a tiny log from the Martha Stewart show. Because she is going to call. I am not ready yet but when I am, she will call. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
I was kind of grasping at straws today. So, I thought I would share my vision board with you. This is what my life will look like in the future:
I have visions for my blog (that I have already realized), for my chocolate shop , my cupcake shop and eventually my brand. I also have a tiny log from the Martha Stewart show. Because she is going to call. I am not ready yet but when I am, she will call. Hey, a girl can dream, right? Thursday, January 15, 2009
I Went a Little Nuts at Steins
Now, I have to redesign my garden to make run for all of these lovelies:-)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Team Susie
It's time for another Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom or Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus:-)
Sorry about the quality of the photo. It was dark in the corner we were hiding in:-) Anyway, this is my daughter and my husband at Iron Cupcake: Milwaukee on Monday. Thank you both for your support:-)
Sorry about the quality of the photo. It was dark in the corner we were hiding in:-) Anyway, this is my daughter and my husband at Iron Cupcake: Milwaukee on Monday. Thank you both for your support:-)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tackling Breakfast Cupcakes
It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .
We had another Iron Cupcake: Milwaukee Challenge yesterday! This month the theme was breakfast and my entry was Breakfast in Bed.
We had another Iron Cupcake: Milwaukee Challenge yesterday! This month the theme was breakfast and my entry was Breakfast in Bed.
When I first heard about the challenge, I thought "What is the best breakfast I ever had?" The answer was clear. Two years ago, I made Stuffed French Toast for Christmas morning and it was by far the tastest. So, I knew that was it. I just needed to figure out a way to incorporate it into a cupcake.
The first thing that came to my mind was a charolette. This is a molded dessert lined with sponge cake, ladyfingers or buttered bread. I figured that the bread would become the cup of the cupcake. But it wasn't just bread; it was French Toast. This traditionally is bread dipped in egg and milk but I wanted to kick it up a notch. So, I used the custard from a bread pudding recipe for this component. And the "stuffed" part is a cream cheese filling. I finished this dish with a fresh strawberry garnish.
I served these beauties up on a wicker tray lined with my Grandmother's apron. Coupled with "Bacon and Eggs" from Kid's Cookie Day (it's just for show) and a glass of OJ and you have Breakfast in Bed.
Oh, by the way...I won!!!
Yeah Me:-) And...I am going to be on TV again!!
TMJ was filming last night and if you are in the Milwaukee area, watch at 10p.m.!! I am a media whore:-)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Raspberry Cheesecake
Before I get started today, check me out on At Work, At Play or At Home All Day ! You may learn something new about me:-)
I don't know what happens in April in this family but a third of them have birthdays in January. Grandpa, Grandma, 2 nieces, 2 nephews and my brother all celebrate their birth this month. To keep the festivities manageable, my husband's side of the family have one big party. Of course, I bring dessert. I took a poll at Christmas and the vote resulted in my Pecan Pie and Raspberry Cheesecake.
It wasn't clear whether they wanted raspberries in the cheesecake itself or regular cheesecake with raspberry sauce. So, I make a cheesecake with both. Here's the recipe:
Raspberry Cheesecake
Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tbls butter
4-8oz. pkgs cream cheese
1-8oz. pkg raspberry cream cheese*
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp flour
1 tbsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
6 oz. fresh raspberries
6 oz. raspberry preserves
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix crumbs and butter in a small bowl. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan. Chill.
2. Beat cream cheeses, sugar, flour and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs one at a time on low it is incorporated. Fold in sour cream.
3. Pour cream cheese mixture over crust. Wrap the bottom and the sides of the pan in aluminum foil. Place this in a roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with boiling water until it is half-way up the springform pan.
4. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes or until center is almost set. Turn off the oven and let the cake sit inside with the door ajar for 30 minutes. Then, cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Wrap the top of the cake in aluminum foil and chill for at least 4 hours but overnight is best.
5. Melt the preserves in a small sauce pan. Arrange the raspberries around the edge of the cake. Spread the raspberry sauce in the middle of the arranged raspberries and chill.
*If you want a more robust raspberry flavor, substitute some of the regular cream cheese with more raspberry cream cheese. You can also make a Strawberry Cheesecake by using strawberry preserves and strawberries instead of raspberries. Both are perfect for Valentines Day.
I don't know what happens in April in this family but a third of them have birthdays in January. Grandpa, Grandma, 2 nieces, 2 nephews and my brother all celebrate their birth this month. To keep the festivities manageable, my husband's side of the family have one big party. Of course, I bring dessert. I took a poll at Christmas and the vote resulted in my Pecan Pie and Raspberry Cheesecake.
It wasn't clear whether they wanted raspberries in the cheesecake itself or regular cheesecake with raspberry sauce. So, I make a cheesecake with both. Here's the recipe:Raspberry Cheesecake
Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tbls butter
4-8oz. pkgs cream cheese
1-8oz. pkg raspberry cream cheese*
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp flour
1 tbsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
6 oz. fresh raspberries
6 oz. raspberry preserves
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix crumbs and butter in a small bowl. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan. Chill.
2. Beat cream cheeses, sugar, flour and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs one at a time on low it is incorporated. Fold in sour cream.
3. Pour cream cheese mixture over crust. Wrap the bottom and the sides of the pan in aluminum foil. Place this in a roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with boiling water until it is half-way up the springform pan.
4. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes or until center is almost set. Turn off the oven and let the cake sit inside with the door ajar for 30 minutes. Then, cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Wrap the top of the cake in aluminum foil and chill for at least 4 hours but overnight is best.
5. Melt the preserves in a small sauce pan. Arrange the raspberries around the edge of the cake. Spread the raspberry sauce in the middle of the arranged raspberries and chill.
*If you want a more robust raspberry flavor, substitute some of the regular cream cheese with more raspberry cream cheese. You can also make a Strawberry Cheesecake by using strawberry preserves and strawberries instead of raspberries. Both are perfect for Valentines Day.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Friday's Foto Fun with Repurposing
It's time for Carrie's Friday Foto Fun:-)
This is a former cassette holder repurposed into a baking supply organizer. Read more about it in my article at Happy to be at Home .
This is a former cassette holder repurposed into a baking supply organizer. Read more about it in my article at Happy to be at Home .
Gardening Thursday
It has been a really long time since I showed you my indoor garden so, take a look:
And the Basil and Parsley:
It looks a lot better than last time , doesn't it:-)
Here's the Romaine Lettuce:
And the Basil and Parsley:
And this is the harvest!!
Salad for dinner tonight!! And the herbs will last for weeks in a paper towel and ziplock bag!! I think I am getting the hang of this indoor stuff. But don't worry, I am still planning my outdoor garden so, stay tuned for that:-)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy Blogiversary to Me:-)
It's time for another Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom or Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus:-)
One year ago today, I entered this crazy thing called the blogosphere. Every anniversary party serves cake so...here is my year in cakes:
One year ago today, I entered this crazy thing called the blogosphere. Every anniversary party serves cake so...here is my year in cakes:
Tackling My Blog
It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .
This weekend was very, very busy. Here is everything I accomplished:
1. I relaunched my blog with a great new look.
2. I wrote and had my first article published on Happy to be at Home.
3. I designed and posted a button for my readers to grab and enjoy.
4. I co-launched a new site with my friends called At Work, At Play or At Home All Day: A Blog for Women by Women .
5. I also have yet to make a Pecan Pie and a Raspberry Cheesecake for a group birthday party this weekend.
So, I don't know about you but, I need a vacation for my vacation:-)
This weekend was very, very busy. Here is everything I accomplished:
1. I relaunched my blog with a great new look.
2. I wrote and had my first article published on Happy to be at Home.
3. I designed and posted a button for my readers to grab and enjoy.
4. I co-launched a new site with my friends called At Work, At Play or At Home All Day: A Blog for Women by Women .
5. I also have yet to make a Pecan Pie and a Raspberry Cheesecake for a group birthday party this weekend.
So, I don't know about you but, I need a vacation for my vacation:-)
Monday, January 5, 2009
At Work, At Play or At Home All Day
Sorry folks...no recipe today. I probably should have a trumpet coming out of my behind with all the announcing that I am doing lately but, I have even more great news to tell you!
Today, four of my friends and I started a new blog about women. It's called At Work, At Play or At Home All Day . Our tagline is A Blog For and About Women and that's exactly what it is. We have known each other for a long time but we couldn't be more different. It is in those differences we explore what it is to be a woman in this day and age and all that entails. I am going to be over there once a week so, I hope you can stop by and give it a look:-)
Today, four of my friends and I started a new blog about women. It's called At Work, At Play or At Home All Day . Our tagline is A Blog For and About Women and that's exactly what it is. We have known each other for a long time but we couldn't be more different. It is in those differences we explore what it is to be a woman in this day and age and all that entails. I am going to be over there once a week so, I hope you can stop by and give it a look:-)
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Stalk Me with Code
Update: I am a bonehead and put the wrong code on there! Duhhhh!! Try it again. I swear it will work now:-)
Check it out!! My button is up and yours for the taking. So, if you like me tell the world and copy my code and post it on your blog:-)
Check it out!! My button is up and yours for the taking. So, if you like me tell the world and copy my code and post it on your blog:-)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Mama's Got a New Bag!!
Happy New Year everybody!! I hope you had a great holiday season and you are ready for another fun year of blogging! As you can see, I am:-) How do you like the new look? I am kind of digging it:-) Let me show you around.
1. I would like to thank my husband Jeff for helping me with the techno stuff. I did the design but he made it work and look pretty. I think he should start his own business, don't you?
2. The left-hand side of the blog is all about me and all about you. In this area, you will see my Chocolate Shop , information about me and all the new stuff that is going on with me. I also have my favorite blogs and places I go to all the time listed here.
3. The right-hand side is all about food and indexing. I have added a "Recipe" area so you can find yummy things easily. After that, there are my favorite food blogs followed by labeling and archiving.
And that is the nickle tour. I also have some super exciting stuff coming up in the new year. Take a look.
1. I will be featured on Happy to be at Home a couple times a month as their new "Crafty, DIY" writer. So, keep an eye out for annoucements here on when to find me over there.
2. I am also starting a new writing venture with a couple of my friends. It's all kind of hush hush right now as we iron out the details but just to give you a hint, I will be exploring the woman-side of all that is Susie. It is going to be really, really fun and I will let you know when that happens too.
3. I will be participating in Iron Cupcake: Milwaukee again this year. The next challenge is January 12th and the press might be there!! So, I may have more press whore news to share with you soon:-) Also, if you are in the Milwaukee area, stop by and check it out. Press or no press, it's a lot of fun:-)
4. I will also be adding some new things to the blog in the coming months. I have a new button in the works. So, if you really love me, you can display me on your blog for all the world to see. I am also looking at some advertising space and other fun things so, I hope you keep coming back for more:-)
Whew! I think that's it. I am totally jazzed about 2009! It has the potential to be totally awesome. So, thank you everyone who has traveled on this journey with me so far. I hope you enjoyed the ride and will stay on for another spin:-)
1. I would like to thank my husband Jeff for helping me with the techno stuff. I did the design but he made it work and look pretty. I think he should start his own business, don't you?
2. The left-hand side of the blog is all about me and all about you. In this area, you will see my Chocolate Shop , information about me and all the new stuff that is going on with me. I also have my favorite blogs and places I go to all the time listed here.
3. The right-hand side is all about food and indexing. I have added a "Recipe" area so you can find yummy things easily. After that, there are my favorite food blogs followed by labeling and archiving.
And that is the nickle tour. I also have some super exciting stuff coming up in the new year. Take a look.
1. I will be featured on Happy to be at Home a couple times a month as their new "Crafty, DIY" writer. So, keep an eye out for annoucements here on when to find me over there.
2. I am also starting a new writing venture with a couple of my friends. It's all kind of hush hush right now as we iron out the details but just to give you a hint, I will be exploring the woman-side of all that is Susie. It is going to be really, really fun and I will let you know when that happens too.
3. I will be participating in Iron Cupcake: Milwaukee again this year. The next challenge is January 12th and the press might be there!! So, I may have more press whore news to share with you soon:-) Also, if you are in the Milwaukee area, stop by and check it out. Press or no press, it's a lot of fun:-)
4. I will also be adding some new things to the blog in the coming months. I have a new button in the works. So, if you really love me, you can display me on your blog for all the world to see. I am also looking at some advertising space and other fun things so, I hope you keep coming back for more:-)
Whew! I think that's it. I am totally jazzed about 2009! It has the potential to be totally awesome. So, thank you everyone who has traveled on this journey with me so far. I hope you enjoyed the ride and will stay on for another spin:-)
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