Packed with Love

It's always an exciting afternoon when a package is sitting on our porch. And even more exciting when that package has something like this on the side:



Because then we know it's from Weez, and there's going to be some good things inside! This time was no exception. She was sending Spencer his toy dog cage that he had left at my parents, but threw in some fabric samples for me, too. Weez, you're the best.



We are in the process of getting slipcovers made for two chairs in our living/dining room and an ottoman in the family room. There was one in particular that caught my eye:



Here it is in a room:



You like? I tend to upholster our sofas and chairs in solids because I'm afraid I'll get sick of a pattern, but since we are getting slipcovers, I kind of want to do something bold and fun. We'll see! [UPDATE: Weez just called me and told me that fabric was discontinued! She's friends with some folks in that showroom, so they let her take the larger swatches. No longer an option, which is probably good considering what the price tag would have been. But it's good inspiration, and maybe we'll make some pillows out of the remnants...]

In weekend news, we are having a little birthday dinner at our house tonight for our good friend, and I'm making this amazingly delish pasta that I found on The Pioneer Woman. I use grilled chicken instead of shrimp. Nothing against shrimp, just prefer chicken. It gets 5 stars from me, which in my rating system means it's not too complicated and super tasty.

Have a good one, friends!

[Last image from AGA in House Beautiful]

Sweets for my Sweets

How fun is Valentine's? I know for some it's not fun at all, but when you have kids it becomes this whole new holiday that isn't about romance so much, but friends and an excuse to eat sweets! We've been busy over here getting ready for school parties...

[Strawberry cupcakes topped with vanilla frosting and sprinkles/Nerds candy; I tried to sneak and top all the cupcakes with sprinkles, but the boys caught me and protested "I don't like those kind!" so we compromised]

[Pretzels dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles -- we just melted white chocolate morsels and dipped the pretzels in. Very fun for the kids to make, especially the sprinkles part, and they are delish. I used the paper dividers from the foil cupcake liners to separate them into different portions]

[Ring Pop Valentine's -- bought the rings 3 for $1 at Target and then taped the little Valentine message on the top. Super easy and what kid doesn't love a ring pop?!]

That's all for now -- hope your weekend is a fun one!

Why, Hello!

I may be late on the scene, but I just spotted the book Hello, Cupcake while perusing the aisles of Target yesterday. The cover immediately caught my attention, and since we've got a birthday in our house coming up next week, I quickly flipped through it [baby girl does not like shopping there...she seriously starts crying the second we walk in the store]. I love the photography, and there are some good tips and ideas in it. I mean, who doesn't love a good cupcake?!

Has anyone out there tried any of these playful creations? I'd love to know if so!

[Hello, Cupcake available for $10.37 on Amazon]

Oh, Salt

Since Ina has gotten my sisters and I hooked on Kosher salt, I was excited to find this wrapped up under the tree for me from Weez. I've got it right next to the stove top now, so there will be no more fumbling with the salt box in the middle of cooking.

P.S. Here is my latest fave recipe of hers -- Brussels Sprouts [from the Barefoot Contessa cookbook; it's super easy and delish!]:

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
3 tablespoons good olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
[*for the sake of full disclosure, I used regular pepper; I'm sure it would be even better with freshly ground, though!]

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves. Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour them on a sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. Sprinkle with more kosher salt [NOTE FROM INA: I like these salty like French fries -- um, me too], and serve immediately.

Domesticity

I went to Michael's the other day to look for wallet sized picture frames. While I was there, I happened upon these holiday cookie/treat boxes [pictured above and on sale] by Martha Stewart. I like her craft line. I do. I admit it. So, I had grand visions of whipping up all these different goodies to go in the boxes to give to my kids' teachers. HA! We did make chocolate peanut butter balls...

[the chocolate came later and was a HUGE mess, so the camera wasn't around!]
BUT they did not make it to school yesterday because I ran out of time, and while I always think that I will "just stay up a little later tonight", when 8:30PM rolls around I'm ready to hit the hay. So, we put one box to good use, and took some to our neighbors...

...and the others are stashed away until next year!

Do you have a favorite treat you make this time of year?

What's Cooking?

Maybe, just maybe, I could be persuaded to get back in the kitchen if I was cooking from these recipe cards...

[from Paper and Inkling / $4 for a set of 8 cards]

Meal Planning

I just received my mini-meal planner by Briones & Co. in the mail, and I am so excited about using it. I like the idea of writing down meals, so down the road when I can't think of anything to make for dinner I can just look back at past meals. Plus, the different patterned papers just inspire organization and creativity! You can buy one here for $8 + $2 shipping.