The start of Christmas

The Christmas season is upon us and so are parties after parties after parties. My first big party to start off the season was a cookie exchange and this is what I brought. I was thrilled at how they turned out.

Nutmeg Eggnog Sugar Cookies in a jar. Recipe: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies/eggnog-frosted-nutmeg-sugar-cookies/

Holiday Guest

Hosting. I love when people come and visit. Especially when it is my family! Since we live in a small apartment our spare room is also our office. But we make due with what we have.

Baskets full of toiletries and and some snacks are a great addition to getting ready for guests. And a perfect way to show them how you appreciated them.

Guest Basket: Shampoo/ Conditioner. Soap/Lotion Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, razor wrapped in plastic and tied. Mints and chap stick Some goodies and a drink A candle Towel and Washcloth

I am so thrilled to see my family for the holidays!

I have a Store.

I have a store.

With the weather turning cooler we have been battling cold so I have found myself stuck indoors for the past while. With all this extra time on my hands I decided to do some projects that have been mulling over in my head for quite some time and try and make a little side cash for the coming holiday season. You can find my store page on facebook. Pipit designs. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pipit-designs/440965662620569

Grocery Shopping

I hate grocery shopping. I really do. I don't know if it is the fact that I have to drag two busy, energetic boys and stuff them in a cart for 45 mins while I run around the store. Or if it is having to stand in from of the meat aisle trying to decide if the 80% lean ground beef is a better deal than organic 90% lean ground beef that is on sale. Or if it is having to watch my already small grocery budget get quickly spent up on items like toothbrushes, plastic wrap and bread instead of beer, chocolate and organic papaya. Or just how darn right expensive everything seems to be getting now. Whatever the reason, I do know I just don't enjoy it. And to make matters worse, I am no good at planning ahead. Weekly menu planning is a passing and as a foggy day in Casper. One week I nail it. The next week it just does not happen. That is why I am loving bountiful baskets. Some weeks I am indifferent about the items I receive. Others I am absolutely delighted. It forces me to think outside the box. Look up different recipes and cook things I would not typically. It gives us a variety of produce I would not ever think of buying at the store and I always know exactly how much money I spend on produce each week. If you have never tried it. You should.

A photo of the pears I received in my basket this week.

Apple Pie. Pure and Simple.

Eddie was complaining about the lack of sweets in the house over the past week. So to show my commitment to his happiness I made an apple pie for dessert. It turned out lovely.

And we hate waste in our home so with the pie crust scraps we cut out acorns, sprinkled them with cinnamon and sugar and baked till they came out as a warm flaky treat. Great addition to the after work tea time.

Here is the pie recipe: http://theblissfullycontentlife.blogspot.com/2011/10/pie-filling-to-freeze.html

The Start of Autumn

It has been a year since my last post. Probably time for a new one. Here is just a simple post on food. Fall always inspires me to bake. I love autumn flavors and spices. .

Rainy day tea time. London Fog and Currant scones. Scone Recipe here: http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2006/11/dream-a-little-dream-of-scone/

Breakfast. Fried Egg on Olive baget tops with peppered turkey, leaf of spinach and Dubliner Irish Cheese. Broiled on high till cheese is melted.