Homemade

About once a year I get in the mood for some homemade projects. With Christmas around the corner, these projects tend to take place in November. I'm not really creative, more like a decent copycat. And almost all of my ideas have come from blogs. So here's my latest project: Necklaces! They were very fun and easy to make. Although it took me until the fourth necklace to figure out the easy part. I can make one of these now in about 15 minutes total. Very fun.

Step 1: buy beads and fabric

Step 2: cut long strip of fabric about 4" wide to the length your heart desires

Step 3: sew fabric with machine into a tube, seam on the inside.

Step 4: add beads. alternating between outside of fabric and in the tube

Step 5: finish off by hand sewing ends shut....and wah-la!

I loved the end result.

Please share your craft ideas too! I'll need new ideas for next year. :)

Cooking 101 Part 2

Snazzy and creative title huh? Pretty sad I couldn't think of anything better. I'll take your suggestions please. I tried a couple new recipes again this last week I thought I would share. Both are courtesy of Pioneer Woman. She has a way of making me want to try EVERYTHING she makes. My t0-make list is getting long.

Up First, we have Carrot and Squash Curry Soup

I successfully made this.....

Turn into this.....

Yes folks. P-dubbya is that good. The votes are in. The soup was two for two. Porter and I gave it a thumbs up. Taylee and Brock a thumbs down. My new ingredient in this recipe was curry powder. I know, I know! How in the world I ever got by without using curry powder, or making my own curry is a mystery. I love the taste and thought the soup was yummy. I would recommend some yummy rolls or bread to go along with it. This is a great winter time meal.

And for dessert, we have: Chocolate Truffles with Sea Salt

Yes these were made by me. I haven't ever really experimented much with desserts and chocolates. So buying baking chocolate and sea salt was kind of new for me. I ended up going with a milk chocolate center and dark chocolate coating. Very good. I was to scared to put sea salt on all of them, so it made it on only a couple. And I have to tell you I did like the final result with the sea salt. Next time I will try a dark chocolate center, milk chocolate coating, and sea salt on at least half of them. I want the outer layer to be a harder shell than I actually made. I don't think I found the right chocolate to make a shell. So I'll continue to research and find the right thing...unless someone can enlighten me.

Happy cooking!

Cooking 101

I've always enjoyed cooking. The best part about cooking is, hands down, getting to eat the delicious food. For the most part, I feel comfortable in the kitchen. I have been inspired by food blogs of late, and I have realized, that I am a NOVICE and somewhat naive about the plethora of recipes and ingredients out there. (Why yes I did just say 'plethora' because I KNOW what a plethora is....) The husband would be so proud of me sticking that line in here....but I digress.

So hence begins my food exploration. Please do come along. Click on any food title for the detailed recipe.

First Stop: Creamy Chocolate Cupcakes (ooohhhh...ahhh....ooohh!)

Ok, ok, ok. For those of you who know me. These are obviously NOT out of my comfort zone. I used this as my first recipe simply to hook you and force you to read on. It is, however, my first time making a cupcake with any sort of filling (please keep *gasping* and falling out of chairs to a minimum). This is a cream cheese/chocolate chip filling. I added my own chocolate frosting. I think I will also use mini chocolate chips next time. I have to say that these cupcakes are so much better the next day after the cream cheese center has set up. Much, much better. Take my word for it. No don't take my word for it. Go try them. Now. I look forward to more filled cupcake explorations. If you have some recipes....please send them my way.

Next Stop: Spicy Shrimp

I have been craving shrimp lately. Weird. I hated shrimp growing up, and the texture gave me the willies. On that note.....I am now craving shrimp. No I am not pregnant, but possibly past pregnancies could be to blame? Anywho, for some reason, those taste buds have changed and I find shrimp rather enjoyable. This recipe definitely has a spicy bite. This was something new for me, and I was out of my comfort zone for two reasons:

A: I have never bought shrimp before (obvious reasons already stated)

B: I have never bought fresh basil before (again: no *gasping* and keep your tushie on your seatie)

It's ok, for I overcame these obstacles. I was victorious. As long as frozen shrimp counts. The fresh seafood counter makes my chest tighten, heart rate increase, and head feel light. It's another battle for another day.

Overall, I thought the recipe was good. It wasn't fantastic or phenomenol. I look forward to trying more seafood dishes. Again send the good ones my way. And some advice about the fresh seafood counter, if you will. I also learned that you aren't supposed to refridgerate fresh basil. Whoops. Stay tuned for more Cooking 101.

Author's Disclaimer: Either I am a crappy photographer, or I have a crappy camera. Er...'crappy' is probably a poor choice of wording on a food blog....Either way, I'd like to blame this one on the camera. My pictures are amateur...to say the least. Click on the recipe links to see a much better picture.