Monday, June 29, 2009

Paisley Print and Sparkly Stars




We are having several guests over the next week, so I my table is set in red, white and blue. I always get inspired to entertain around the 4th, and love a good tablescape to go along with good food. Instead of going with traditional stars and stripes, I chose a paisley print for the plates and coordinating navy bandanas offset in the center. Lots of sparkly stars keep the theme patriotic and fun. Inexpensive items like the crepe paper streamers hanging from the chandelier and gift bag filler used for the centerpiece, helped make this decor economical. Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the weekend spent with family and friends.

MIZZOU RAH!




Hey all you Tiger fans! Exciting news from Victoria's Secret PINK ....Mizzou apparel items have been added to their collegiate collection this year. Check out the cute tee and tank. I am ready for some cooler fall weather and now we have the perfect excuse to start back to school shopping a little earlier this year. Check out all styles offered http://www2.victoriassecret.com/collection/?cgname=OSPNKCLIMIZ&cgnbr=OSPNKCLIMIZ&rfnbr=5098


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Lemons and Zucchini

Lately, I have been all about recipes that include either lemons or zucchini. Strange combination, I know! Here are some I have collected this summer that just sound delish.

Italian Zucchini Crescent Pie
INGREDIENTS
2tablespoons LAND O LAKES® Butter
4cups thinly sliced zucchini
1cup chopped onions
2tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1/2teaspoon salt
1/2teaspoon pepper
1/4teaspoon garlic powder
1/4teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4teaspoon dried oregano leaves
2Eggland's Best eggs, well beaten
2cups shredded Muenster or mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
1can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
2teaspoons yellow mustard

DIRECTIONS
1.Heat oven to 375°F. In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and onions; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in parsley flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil and oregano.
2.In large bowl, mix eggs and cheese. Add cooked vegetable mixture; stir gently to mix.
3.Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place in ungreased 10-inch glass pie plate, 12x8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish or 11-inch quiche pan; press over bottom and up sides to form crust. Firmly press perforations to seal. Spread crust with mustard. Pour egg mixture evenly into crust-lined pie plate.
4.Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. If necessary, cover edge of crust with strips of foil during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Courtesy of Pillsbury.com

So Easy Lemon Bars
NGREDIENTS
1roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
4eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2cups granulated sugar
2tablespoons all-purpose flour
2tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2tablespoons grated lemon peel (2 medium)
1/3cup fresh lemon juice (2 medium)
1to 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS
1.Heat oven to 350°F. In ungreased 13x9-inch pan, break up cookie dough. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.
2.In large bowl, beat eggs with wire whisk or fork until well blended. Beat in granulated sugar, flour and butter until well blended. Stir in lemon peel and lemon juice. Pour mixture over warm crust.
3.Bake 20 to 30 minutes longer or until edges are light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. With knife dipped in hot water, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.
Both courtesy of Pillsbury.com

Lemon ricotta cookies with lemon glaze

Ingredients

Cookies:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 lemon, zested

Glaze:

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 lemon, zested

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cookies:

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.

Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis


Zucchini and Orange-Zest Muffins

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup sugar

Zest of one orange

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup grated zucchini

1/2 cup small diced drained canned pineapple

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. course salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Fit a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.

With a whisk or fork, cream butter, sugar and zest until fluffy. Set aside.

Whisk together eggs and vanilla, and then slowly incorporate into butter

mixture until well combined. Mix in zucchini and pineapple. In a separate

bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, then fold into the

wet ingredients. Fill muffin cups halfway. Bake for 20 minutes or until

the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 12.

Courtesy of Glamour magazine.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Beverage Jar


This 3 gallon beverage jar from amazon.com is perfect for lemonade, iced tea or even sangria. Order it now for your 4th of July party! Pink lemonade would look great in here with floating raspberries and blueberries for a red, white and blue twist.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Bump It


So, yesterday was a fantastic day for me...the Bump It arrived at Walgreen's!!! Yes, you have all seen it on TV and now it is finally available at your local pharmacy. And it is just as good as it looks on TV!! Seriously, this thing is awesome. I rocked it all day at work today and received mucho compliments! Thanks to all my work ladies for supporting my big hair love. It is super easy to put in and stays put better than you would think. I did adjust at lunchtime, but mostly out of boredom. Make sure to rat your hair up good before putting it in and then use quite a bit of hairspray to secure. The instructions and photos included are easy to follow. Have a great big hair weekend everyone!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Tom's Shoes


My much hipper and younger brother visited this weekend and shared a cool website with me. Visit tomsshoes.com The shoes are great and the cause is even better. TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what they're all about. If you have a stylin' dad and haven't found the perfect Father's Day gift for him yet, Tom's may be just what you were looking for. I am personally obsessed with the wrap boots for fall. Now I have all summer to save up and more importantly to decide what color I will get!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Food for Thought

Searching for some yummy breakfast recipe ideas for this weekend?
Check out foodgawker.com The photography is amazing and guaranteed to make you hungry!




Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Summer Glow

These fabulous tealight glass garden stakes from jcp.com just inspired my next party! Aren't the colors so summery? Perfect for lining a pool patio too. They would cast a lovely glow on the water. On sale for 1/2 off too! Snatch them up today, I have a feeling they won't stick around long!