Petit Fours: The Results

Last week I shared our daughter's desire to make beautiful petit fours - just like the Harry and David catalog.  Well, on Easter weekend we were able to don our chefs' hats and do our very best Top Chef: Just Desserts impression.

I thought that I would share a few photos of our results.

I picked out twelve of the very best looking specimens and stunned the neighborhood with my baking prowess.  While I will not be getting an offers to decorate cakes for the next Royal Wedding, I did feel just a little like Super Mom through the eyes of my little girl.

Will She Always Think I'm Super-Mom?

J and I were browsing through the latest Harry and David catalog this week, when we saw this beautiful photo of scrumptious looking petit fours:

I'll let your mouth water for another few seconds....

Okay, so where was I?  Yes.  So, J tells me that we are going to make these this weekend!  Emphatically.  No question.  We're going to do it! 

My response was mixed, and I'm now second-guessing whether I let her down a bit.  I told her that it was really hard to make something this small and beautiful.  "Did you see how many layers are in the chocolate one?  Cake, filling, cake, filling, cake, filling.  Then it's coated with icing."

She was not deterred.  Her mom can do it.  Super-Mom.

I wish that I always had the confidence in myself that she has in me!  Stay tuned to see if Super-Mom and her trusty sidekick J can pull this one off...

28 Day Organizing Challenge - The Results!

Earlier this month, I wrote about having accepted the 28 Day Organizing Challenge hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.  I'm proud to say that our master closet is now reorganized and I'm posting today to show you the results.

I started out the month with the following overall plan:  make the master closet an organized and attractive place. The closet will house my clothes and there will also be some space for sewing craft supplies to be stored when not in use.

Here are a few before and after pictures:

 

And here are a few extra "after" photos to show some of my favorite new parts:

Shoe Organization (Finally!)

Jewelry Organization

Sewing and craft supply storage area

Coats, Jackets, New Wire Shelf and Ironing Supplies

Belt and Robe Organization

And finally, here are a few challenge questions to highlight my organizining effort:

1. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?

Aside from a small blood donation while trying to install a new wire shelf, the hardest part of the challenge was deciding how to organize my shoes.  At the beginning of the month, all of my shoes were thrown into three large storage containers, which wasn't good for the shoes, and it wasn't an effective use of time in the morning when I needed to find shoes for work.  As you can see in the after picture, I decided on two 15-cube organizers, which allowed each pair to have a home.  Because I had about 45 pairs of shoes before I started organizing, this was my biggest area to purge.  As a self-proclaimed shoe-lover, I had to focus on which shoes I really loved and said goodbye to the rest.  You may notice that I even have some extra space for new purchases in the future!

2. Tell us what kind of changes/habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?

By putting my shoes away and hanging up coats and jackets as soon as I take them off, I have found that it keeps the closet neat, and doesn't hurt organization in the rest of the house either.  I am able to use the new space as a small dressing room, which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!  Now that the space is organized, I have found that I want to keep it looking nice.  I also avoided putting too many items in the closet.  Because there is room to grown (more clothes, more shoes, etc.) the room isn't destined to be a mess later on.

3. What did you do with the “stuff” you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?

Lots of things.  First, my husband used to share the closet, so his things were the first to go.  He is now using our office closet, which was the first mini-organizing project.  Secondly, gently worn shoes and clothes have gone to the Goodwill.  And finally, there were about three large bags of trash and old shoes or clothes that were too rough for a new home.

4. What creative storage solutions were you able to introduce in order to create additional space as well as establish some limits and boundaries?

One of my favorite new places is my jewelry drawer, which uses plastic trays to separate my neckaces and bracelets and avoid tangling.  Adhesive hooks made space for hanging all of my bags and robes, which I used to just stash or throw in random places.  I also purchased a new belt organizer - I'm not sure how I went without one of these before!

5. Why do you think you should win this challenge?

Because I love my new space and it makes me smile whenever I open the door!  I feel like I put a great deal of effort into planning out what items should stay in the closet and which should be purged or moved to a more appropriate place in the house.  All of my clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry now have a place to call home and I am looking forward to keeping it that way.

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Hope that you like the look of my "new" closet!  Drop me a note and let me know what you think.  I am looking forward to seeing my challenge competition and I'm hoping that I win one of the super cool organizing prizes!

Recipe: Bow Ties Romano

I've adapted this recipe a bit since I found it on the box of Barilla Farfalle pasta.  This has become an absolute favorite at our house - so much so that I made it for Valentine's Day as a treat for my husband.

Hope that you enjoy!

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Bow Ties Romano

16 oz. Farfalle (Bow Tie) pasta
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
3 Cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 lb. prosciutto, chopped
3/4 Cup whipping cream
1 Cup frozen peas, thawed
3/4 Cup grated Romano cheese or Parmesan/Romano blend (divided)

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.  In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.  Add mushrooms and saute for three minutes.  Add prosciutto and cook for two additional minutes, or until mushrooms are tender.  Add cream and heat until almost boiling.  Add peas and heat through.  Add prosciutto mixture, and 1/2 cup of cheese to drained pasta.  Stir to combine.  Transfer to serving dishes and top with remaining cheese.  Enjoy!

**Deli Tip**
When requesting sliced prosciutto for the recipe, ask that the deli clerk NOT place plastic wrap between the meat slices.  It makes it much easier to transfer to the cutting board and then chop!

Menu Plan Monday - February 15, 2010

This is my third week participating in Menu Plan Monday, hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie  Here's what's on our menu for this week:

Monday:  Cereal - given the option of ANYTHING that she might want for dinner, our daughter chose cereal.  Hopefully, this not a reflection of my cooking.

Tuesday:  Taco Tuesday - a family tradition

Wednesday:  Pizza Night - our weekly family get together at my parent's house

Thursday:  Spaghetti

Friday:  Fish Sticks - welcome to Lent!  Meatless Fridays have returned.

Saturday:  Grilled Chicken, Brown Rice and Peas

Sunday:  Broiled Steak, Ranch Potatoes (recipe below) and Green Beans

Hope that you have a great week!

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Ranch Potatoes
2 lbs. red potatoes
3/4 Cup Ranch Dressing
1/2 shredded parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut potatoes into quarters and place in large mixing bowl.  Add dressing and cheese to bowl and stir potatoes to coat evenly.  Place prepared potatoes in 13x9 inch baking dish.  Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring half-way through.  Potatoes are done when they can easily be pierced with a fork.

Serves 6

28 Day Organizing Challenge - The Before Pictures

I'm a new fan of I'm an Organizing Junkie and I've signed myself up for the 28 Day Organizing Challenge. My husband and I have several goals for getting the house organized this year, but the first task I have taken on is the master closet. I'm throwing embarrassment to the wind by sharing a few "before" pictures, so that you can see the mess.

Overall plan: make the master closet an organized and attractive place. The closet will house my clothes and there will also be some space for sewing craft supplies to be stored when not in use.

Back story: My husband and I have made an honest attempt at sharing the closet for the past year or so, but in order to avoid some stress in the marriage, we've decided that our clothes-space is best left separate. My husband will be assuming the office closet again.

Before Pic 1: The barely-able-to-walk-in closet. My clothes on the left, hubby's on the right and a big ole mess in the middle.

Before Pic #2: Close up of the wire cubes that seemed like a good organizing idea at the time...

Before Pick #3: My side of the closet. That's a big Rubbermaid tub full of maternity clothes. Yeah, my daughter is 4 1/2 - I'm thinking that it's time that this gets moved to the attic!

Before Pick #4: Hi. My name is Kristi and I have a shoe organization problem.

Wish me (us) luck! I already spent some time in this space last weekend and am getting excited about the finished product.

Any big organization goals that you're taking on this year?

Savory Saturday: Herb Braised Chicken Thighs

Recently, I signed up to receive daily emails from SavingDinner.com. Every once in a while, Leanne Ely includes a recipe. The following recipe for braised chicken thighs looked like a perfect Sunday dinner, so I tried it last week. The meal was such a hit that a leftover repeat on Monday night was welcomed. (And we don't normally do leftovers!) Even my picky 4 year-old loved the chicken and potatoes. If you try the recipe, let me know what you think!

Herb Braised Chicken Thighs
Serves 6
Source: Saving Dinner


3 tablespoons flour
3 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 skinless chicken thighs
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cups (2-inch-thick) sliced carrots
2 large onions, cut into wedges
2 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 1/4 pounds small red potatoes, quartered

1. Combine first 6 ingredients (flour through pepper) in a large zip-top plastic bag.
2. Add chicken; seal bag, shaking to coat.
3. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.
4. Add chicken and remaining flour mixture to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.
5. Add carrot and onion; cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
6. Add broth, wine and potatoes; bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat and simmer for 35 minutes or until chicken is done and vegetables are tender.

Per Serving: 390 calories, 7g Fat, 35g Protein, 43g Carbohydrate, 5g Dietary Fiber, 107mg Cholesterol, 866mg Sodium.
Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch, 4 Lean Meat, 1 1/2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat.
Points: 8


Enjoy!