Martha Stewart iPhone App

Let me explain the lack of postings lately....I finally got a iPhone. The tiny computer has been occupying all my "technology" time!! However, I found a fun Martha Stewart app to share. With the App, daily recipe ideas come straight to you, no more wondering "what's for dinner?" You can search for a dish among thousands of recipes, view photos, and choose "Quick Dinner Recipes" when you're looking for a meal that will be ready in no time. When you find a recipe you like, the App will create a grocery list for you, organized by aisle, which you can take straight to the store. This is perfect for me because I already organize my grocery list by the store layout, and now this does it for me. It is like Martha read my mind on this one!!

Dog Ball Launcher

While traveling recently in Colorado (where everyone has a dog!), I came across a really cool item. It is a dog ball launcher.

Throw farther, faster, and never bend down to pick up a slimy ball again with the Chuckit! Dog toy.
Durable plastic wand firmly grasps a tennis ball then releases it as you swing.
With a little practice, you can consistently throw the ball 100 to 140 feet.

What a perfect gift for a pet lover!

Find one here:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Chuckit-Launcher-Ball-Toss-Dog-Toy-Assorted-Colors-Dogs/3635465?sourceid=1500000000000003260550&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=3635465

Mexican Chocolate Pots de Creme

Recently, Food & Wine magazine started showing up at our house out of the blue. It is a very welcome addition to our weekly menus! We especially enjoyed this wonderful chocolate pudding on Valentine's Day. It is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

Total Time: 20 min plus cooling
Servings: 6

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole milk (I substituted skim milk instead)
1/2 cup heavy cream (I substituted half 'n half instead)
6 large egg yolks
6 ounces Mexican chocolate, preferably Ibarra, finely chopped
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, plus shavings for garnish
Whipped cream, for serving

Directions:
1. In a medium sauce pan, combine the milk with the cream and bring to a simmer over moderately high heat.
2. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks until combined. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot milk, then transfer the mixture to the saucepan. (Get the eggs pretty warm first with a little of the hot milk or they will scramble when you pour them into the saucepan!)
3. Cook the custard over moderate heat, whisking constantly until it is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
4. Immediately add the finely chopped Mexican and bittersweet chocolate and remove saucepan from the heat.
5. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted, then strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large measuring bowl or cup. It is important not to skip the straining step or your pudding will be grainy.
6. Pour the chocolate mixture into 6 small bowls and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings when serving.

I also think this would be a really fun dessert to do in the small glass shot-glass-like containers. It is so rich, you really only need a small amount and you could totally wow your guests with presentation! Remember, we eat with our eyes first!

Twigs and Honey

I just had to share this new website I stumbled across this week.

Check out http://www.twigsandhoney.com/

I can't get enough feathers, flowers, headbands, basically all things girly and vintage, so of course I adore this site. I wore a flower and feathers clip similar to these on my wedding day and wore a sparkly flower headband just last weekend, seriously.

Isn't this flowered belt pretty? Looks so springy.

Ohhh, or how about this as a statement necklace!?! Completely over the top, yet pretty. Lovin' it, ladies.

Cozy Decor

Check out these creative ways to recycle old sweaters from Country Living. All you need is an old sweater and a hot glue gun! Find instructions at http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/seasonal-crafts/staticslideshowcl.aspx?cp-documentid=23361974&gt1=32001

I am going to dig through my closet right now for old sweaters. What a great project for inbetween the Super Bowl commercials!

Valentine's Pizza

I am already planning our Valentine's day menu! It is so much easier to cook something special at home than to go out to eat on that crazy night!

Try these heart shaped mini pizzas.

INGREDIENTS

1	can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust or 1 can (11 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated thin pizza crust
1	can (8 oz) pizza sauce
24	slices turkey pepperoni with 70% less fat
3/4	cup shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)

DIRECTIONS

1.	If using classic crust: Heat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray or grease large cookie sheet. If using thin crust: Heat oven to 400 F. Spray or grease 15x10-inch or larger dark or nonstick cookie sheet.
2.	Unroll dough on work surface. With sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into 4 rectangles. Place rectangles on cookie sheet. Cut 1-inch slit in center of wide edge of each dough portion; on opposite wide edge across from slit, pinch dough together to shape point of heart. Slightly separate each cut slit, and gently press dough into a 6x5-inch heart, creating slight rim on edge of dough.
3.	Divide pizza sauce evenly onto hearts, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edges. Top each with 6 slices pepperoni and 3 tablespoons cheese.
4.	Bake classic crust 13 to 16 minutes, thin crust 9 to 13 minutes, or until crust edges are golden brown and cheese is melted.

Cabin Fever Party

New Year, new parties to plan! With all this cold weather, I am planning a Cabin Fever party for later this month. I know by then everyone will be tired of staying inside and ready for some good old fashioned board game playing!

Going along with the Cabin Fever idea, I am encouraging invitees to drag out their flannel shirts (easy to find in stores this year!) and bring over their favorite games.

I probably won't do much in the way of decor, since we will need the table for our competitive game playing, but I thought this tablescape from Southern Living was both rustic and charming.

Love the wooden rings as risers for a decorate-your-own-cupcake stand. The plaid tablecloth would also fit right in with my flannel theme!