February 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008, by Leigh Anne
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I was planning on sharing another Lovely Lemon recipe with you today but we are a divided camp at our house. Half of my children are lemon lovers/mint haters and the other half are mint lovers/lemon haters. I love lemons and mint.
So when the doorbell rang this week and there was my cute little neighbor delivering my Girl Scout cookies (I actually had 3 different Brownies delivering cookies to my house - I can’t say no to them!) I remembered a recipe I have been saving for almost a year now for Thin Mint Pizza Supreme. So in fairness to the mint lovers at my house you will have to wait until next week for another lemon recipe.
Although I love many of the different varieties of Girl Scout cookies (except for Samoas - I don’t do coconut!) my favorite Girl Scout cookie is the Thin Mint -there is nothing better than a frozen thin mint cookie right out of the freezer.
I also love Girl Scouts. I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout growing up and my mom was my leader. Not only was she my troop leader but she was also the President of our Council and my dad was in charge of fund raising for the Council, so you can see why we love our Girl Scout cookies.
Wasn’t I a cute Brownie!
My girls have also been involved in Girl Scouts and I was a Brownie leader too. We have had our share of cookie selling at this house -hundreds of boxes over the years!
I found today’s recipe in a Rachel Ray magazine but after all my Thin Mints were gone so I have been waiting for this year’s delivery of Thin Mints so I could try it. It did not disappoint.
Leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite Girl Scout cookie is!
Thin Mint Pizza Supreme
One roll of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
Half of a box of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies (I used about 16)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. heavy cream or half and half
Preheat oven to 350. Line a 12 inch pizza pan or a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper. (I used my Pampered chef pizza stone and did not use parchment paper) using your fingers, press the cookie dough to fit the pan. Break the Thin Mints into quarters and gently press them into the dough. Bake until golden brown 15 minutes or so. Let cool.
Meanwhile, in a double boiler, whisk together the white chocolate chips and cream until the chocolate melts. Remove from the heat. Using a fork, drizzle the topping over the cooled pizza. Cut into slices.
Popularity: 49% [?]
Categories: Cookie Jar, Recipes, Traditions
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Last week I mentioned that I was in charge of the appetizers for our annual Beach Babes and their Boys Valentine dinner - a 13 year tradition. All of my Beach Babe friends are great cooks (o.k., except maybe Julie, whose husband William does all the cooking at their house) But Julie makes up for her lack of cooking skills in so many ways.
So before I share my appetizer recipes I want to share Julie.
I have known Julie for over 21 years and I can honestly say that Julie looks the same today as she did when I first met her. Julie does not age! (Even though she just celebrated her “Sexty” birthday!) Julie’s now grown children with children of their own use to babysit for my children. Julie is an amazing woman - there has never been anyone like Julie and never will be again. Julie gets more joy and fun out of life than anyone I know.
What Julie lacks in cooking skills she makes up for in your gracious heart and gracious living. Julie’s house is a revolving house of hospitality - no matter what time of day or what day of the week if you stop by Julie’s house the dining room table is set in full - china, chargers, crystal, silverware, candles etc. - ready for a meal and for you.
When we arrived at Julie’s house for our Valentine Dinner every square inch of her beautiful 112 year old house in the Hawthorne area of SE Portland was decorated for the holiday and our party. I think she has more Valentine decorations than most of us have Christmas decorations.
Julie adds her special touch to all she does. The house was ablaze in candles, there were at least a dozen heart shaped balloons surrounding the mantle and every flat surface of the house had hearts, bears, and other pretty decorations.
Everyone needs a friend like Julie and I am so blessed to have her as my friend!
Now for the appetizers.
Popularity: 28% [?]
Categories: Connect
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008, by Leigh Anne
For our annual Beach Babe and their Boys Valentine dinner I prepared some of my favorite “stand by” appetizers. Ones I know everyone will love.
Above picture - The Beach Babes enjoying my appetizers. One of our beach babes Patrice was visiting her sick daddy so wasn’t with us - we missed you Patrice!
One of my favorite appetizers, the one I make more than any other appetizer is Roasted Garlic and Artichoke Dip - yum! You can serve it with sliced baguette or crackers or just eat it by the spoonful. There are lots of artichoke dip recipes out there - the secret ingredient that makes this one so good is roasted garlic.
If you have never roasted garlic before I recommend that you pay a visit to Pioneer Woman Cooks blog (one of my favorite food blogs) and her beautiful pictorial and instructions for roasting garlic. I used roasted garlic in several of the appetizers I made so I roasted about 6-7 heads of garlic.
Roasted Garlic and Artichoke Dip
1 (6.5 oz.) jar marinated artichokes, drained and chopped
1 cup reduced fat or regular mayonnaise
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 head roasted garlic, mashed
salt and pepper to taste.
Mix the above together. Place in a 1 quart glass dish. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp. paprika on top. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbling in a 375 degree oven.
Serve with pita bread, baguette, crackers or vegetables.
Sun-Dried Tomato Tart with Fontina & Prosciutto
1 large egg yolk
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/4 cup finely chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup grated Fontina (or any mild Swiss like white cheese)
4 thin slices prosciutto, cut into thin strips
2-3 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Whisk the egg with 1/2 tsp. water.
Lightly dust a work surface with flour and gently unfold the pastry sheet. Roll out the pastry eliminating the creases to a 10 x 14 inch rectangle. Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise to make two 5 x 14 inch rectangles and if the edges are uneven or ragged, trim them.
Transfer both pastries to the baking sheet. With the tines of a fork, press a 1/4 inch border around the edge of the pastry. Brush the egg mixture along the border. Poke the rest of the pastry all over with the fork to keep it from puffing too much. Bake both pastry rectangles until firm and golden, about 12 minutes. Remove the pastry from the oven and increase the temperature of oven to 475 degrees.
Let the pastry rectangles cool slightly and press them gently to flatten any large air pockets. Scatter a thin layer of the sun-dried tomatoes on both rectangles. Scatter the Fontina over the top. Place the prosciutto strips on top of the cheese, either draping them in a random pattern or arranging them evenly. Sprinkle the top with the Parmesan cheese. Bake until the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and then cut into strips or small squares to serve.
Cambozola Cheese Tray
This is super easy and super yummy!
I bought a yummy wedge of cambozola cheese from Costco (this is a combination of a French soft-ripened triple cream cheese and Italian Gorgonzola)
I filled a ramekin with some sliced roasted red peppers I bought at Trade Joes and filled another ramekin with some of that roasted garlic.
I thinly sliced a baguette, brushed the bread with some olive oil and toasted it. Easy and yummy - a Cambozola Cheese Platter!
Popularity: 39% [?]
Categories: Nourish, Recipes
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Peanut Butter is not approved by airport security and is considered a gel!
Jim left early this morning for a quick overnight business trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. He and Clark will have dinner in Salt Lake tonight. (Logan is in California on tour)
Clark asked me if dad could bring him some food. (He requested no sweets, guess he still has plenty of candy left over from the Valentine package I sent)
“Do you have any peanut butter?” Clark asked.
I had just bought a new jar that day so I put it into Jim’s carry-on to take to Clark.
Jim called this morning from the airport and yes, peanut butter is considered a gel by airport security! He was early so he just went and checked his bag instead of carrying it on - think I would have just ditched the peanut butter!
Last summer we also learned that trying to carry an aebleskiver pan onto an airplane is also not permitted - it is considered a weapon… that one is a rather long story….
Popularity: 27% [?]
Categories: Family, Humor
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Monday, February 25, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Last week I made a new blogging friend, Rhonda, over at Because Mom Said So. I love the name of her blog because it reminded me of all those MOMMY-isms I use, my mother used and if you are a mother - you probably use too!
You know what I mean - those statements you make to your kids when they are driving you crazy or you just don’t know what else to say.
If you were to ask my children what MOMMY-ism I am most famous for I have no doubts that all four of them would answer - “Life is not fair”. If any of my children dare to even whisper the words “That’s not fair!” (can you hear the whine) in my presence they know my answer before it’s even out of my mouth…
“Life is not fair!”
They have told me that they are going to engrave those words onto my tombstone!
I first heard those words - Life is not fair- not from my mother, but from my high school chemistry teacher Mr. Winston -back in the good old days, at Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
My friend Hannah Kotz and I always sat in the front row of chemistry class. Often in answer to our response of “That’s not fair!”, although I have no idea what “wasn’t fair” about chemistry class, cute “old” Mr. Winston (he was probably in his mid-40’s!!) would say - ”When you were born - did a great big sign come down from heaven saying LIFE IS FAIR - no - LIFE IS NOT FAIR!”
It has been my favorite answer to the statement “It’s not fair” ever since!
Maybe some of these MOMMY-isms sound familiar to you…
Am I talking to a wall?
ANSWER ME!
Are you deaf?
Don’t make me come in there!
Go ask your dad.
Go play outside. It’s a beautiful day.
How many times do I have to tell you? I can’t believe you did that.
Why on earth would you do that?
I don’t care who started it…stop it now!
I just want the best for you.
If you’re too sick to go to school, you’re too sick to play outside.
I don’t know is not an answer
I’m not running a taxi service (one of my other favorites!)
Were you born in a barn?
Say you’re sorry and act like you mean it!
Some day you’ll thank me for this.
Someday when you have kids, you’ll understand
What part of no don’t you understand?
Do you have a favorite MOMMY-ism you say or maybe one your mother used. Let us hear it - just leave a comment in the box below!
Popularity: 33% [?]
Categories: Inspire, Motherhood
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Thursday, February 21, 2008, by Leigh Anne
I love lemons!
I love everything about lemons!
I love the taste of lemons, the smell of lemons, the color and shape of lemons!
I purchase lemons by the pound, not individually - last week I bought 5 lbs. of lemons. Wondering what 5 pounds of lemons look like? - see the above photo (you can also see my lemon tablecloth in the picture!).
Over the next few weeks I am going to share with you what I did with 5 lbs. of lemons!
But before I do that I want to tell you about two kitchen tools you are going to need if you are going to work with lemons.
First - the microplaner. I love this tool. It is a long, small grater type tool. You use it to “zest” a lemon which basically means grating the lemon rind. Fresh lemon zest adds great flavor to recipes.
Second - you will need a lemon juicer. I use this handy little hand juicer - it quickly and easily squeezes all the juice out of the lemon. I got mine for a couple of dollars at Ikea but both of these tools can be found at any kitchen shop or even Target.
You are going to want to use fresh lemon juice, not that fake stuff that comes in the green bottle at the grocery store for the recipes I will share with you so get juicing!
One of my favorite lemon recipes is Lemon Bars. Recently a new friend I met through my blog, Rachel, shared with me her recipe for Lemon Cheesecake Bars and promised me they would become my new favorite lemon recipe - she was right. The cheesecake layer makes for a much creamier and yummier lemon bar!
Lemon Cheesecake Bars - you will need 3-4 lemons for this recipe
Crust:
3/4 cup butter, chilled
2 cups flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Cheesecake:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Lemon Layer:
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup flour
Crust: Preheat oven to 325. Cut butter into pieces. In a food processor (or blender on low, pulse setting) Process all ingredients until mixture becomes tiny and fine pieces. Sprinkle mixture into a 9 x 13 baking pan and press evenly into bottom of pan. Bake for 12 minutes and remove from oven.
Cheesecake: In medium bowl, blend cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix well. Cream together the rest of the ingredients until smooth. Pour cheesecake evenly over hot crust. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 300.
Lemon layer: In a bowl whisk together eggs and sugar until combined well. Stir in lemon juice and flour. Pour over semi-baked cheesecake. Bake at 300 for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle powdered sugar over top if desired.
Cool for an hour and then refrigerate. Can be served warm but better after it has chilled. I let it sit out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before I serve it. For families, it will probably be eaten as soon as they are out of the fridge.
Makes 24 bars
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Categories: Cookie Jar, Recipes
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008, by Leigh Anne
This last week my 18 year old daughter was being spotlighted at church and she was given a short survey to fill out that asked her questions such as - “If you could be the 8th dwarf what would your name be?” She chose Spunky which fits her so perfectly. “What is a new skill you’d like to learn?” - my spunky girl wants to learn to bellydance!
Another question was “What is one of your favorite family traditions?” Being a family of “strong tradition” there were dozens of things she could have chosen. Anything from Santa’s elves dropping off new pajamas every Christmas Eve to the maze of string the Easter Bunny leaves each Easter morning for them to follow to find their Easter goodies - but no - her answer was JELLO!
You may wonder how Jello can be a family tradition but actually, in our family, it is. Having grown up as a child of the sixties and seventies there was a lot of Jello consumption in my home.
About twice a year my “Grandma Canada” would come for a visit. Each time she came she was amazed by the amount of Jello our family consumed. In fact she often said -”Your family must keep Jello in business!” I am not sure how often my mother really did serve jello but I remember it as being pretty much a staple of every Sunday dinner.
The Jello was usually served in individual little servings, having been molded in those little, metal jello molds - remember those? In fact, I still have a box full of my mother’s old jello molds in my kitchen cupboard.
My favorite Jello though was the 1-2-3 Jello.
It was amazing. I would get to help mix it up and after you poured it into the individual glasses (on Sundays we used my mom’s good crystal goblets to serve it in) my siblings and I would watch anxiously as the Jello magically divided into 3 different layers -AMAZING!
If you are interested there is actually a movement going to bring back 1-2-3 Jello - you can sign the petition too if you want!
When we were sick my mom would mix us up a mug of warm Jello - yes, we would drink it! O.K. so nutrition wasn’t big in the sixties and seventies in Wisconsin!
Well, we no longer eat Jello (or drink it) on a weekly or daily basis at our house, instead it is usually about twice a year - Christmas Eve and Easter. And let me tell you - it would not be an official Christmas Eve or Easter without my children’s favorite Jello dish. We affectionately refer to it as “Grandma’s favorite Jello” even though my “Grandma California” who loved her Jello too has been gone for many years.
Each year when Christmas and Easter roll around and we are discussing holiday menus one of the children will always ask “Are we having Jello?”
Food is an important part of family traditions, a link that ties the generations together, even if it is something as simple as Jello! Do you have a favorite family food tradition? A favorite family recipe that reminds you of a special family member? I’d love to hear - please leave a comment below and share!
See the next post for our families favorite Jello recipe and my sweet daughter’s favorite family tradition!
Popularity: 46% [?]
Categories: Family, Recipes, Traditions
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008, by Leigh Anne
This is the Jello recipe that we have been serving at our house for years - each Easter and Christmas Eve. The only difference is on Easter we use lemon jello mixed with orange juice and at Christmas we use strawberry or raspberry jello mixed with cranberry juice.
The color needs to match the season!
Grandma’s Favorite Jello
Easter Version
1 6 oz. pkg. of lemon Jello
2 cups boiling water
1 cup orange juice (really needs OJ, don’t substitute cold water)
1 cup Cool Whip, thawed
1 can drained, mandarin oranges
Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add orange juice. Allow to partially set up in refrigerator. While it is slightly thickened add in 1 cup thawed Cool Whip and 1 can drained mandarin oranges. Mix together and refrigerate, allow to set until firm.
Christmas Version
1 6 oz. package of strawberry or raspberry jello
2 cups boiling water
1 cup raspberry or cranberry juice (or you can use cold water too)
1 cup Cool Whip, thawed
1 cup of loose, individually frozen raspberries or strawberries.
Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add juice. If the berries are still frozen you can add them in right away and they will help the Jello set up quicker. If they are not frozen refrigerate Jello and wait until the Jello is partially set before adding them and the 1 cup Cool Whip. Mix together and refrigerate, allow to set until firm.
Popularity: 42% [?]
Categories: Family, Recipes, Traditions
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Monday, February 18, 2008, by Leigh Anne
This past week I was doing a little “cleaning out” of my files and came across a handout dated 1998. It was from a presentation done by a fellow “side line” in my direct sales company, Linda Hill. The presentation was entitled “Help! I’m in a Rut? How do I Get Out?”
Usually about this time of year, the newness and enthusiasm for the “fresh start” of a new year has worn off. We may even find ourself “Stuck in a Rut”. Using Linda’s “ruts” I want to share some of my ideas and tips with you for getting out of those “ruts”.
First - what is a rut? The dictionary defines it as a 1) worn track or 2) a fixed routine. On the “road of life” there are ruts everywhere. It is easy, especially if we’re not paying attention, to find ourselves in a DEEP rut. Sometimes it is easier just staying there, following it where it may lead us but we may find that it leads us somewhere we don’t want to go! So we need to learn to recognize those ruts, how to avoid them and most importantly, how to GET OUT of them!
Some Types of Ruts….
Style Rut
Do you find yourself wearing the same clothes day after day (jeans and a t-shirt), holding onto clothes you haven’t worn in years and will probably never wear again or is everything in your closet black?
Last year I decided to hire a stylist to come in and help me “update” my look. As we went through my closet (yes, a scary thing!) she pointed out that I had FORTY black tops hanging in my closet. I was in a “black rut.” We managed to remove 10 garbage bags of clothes from my closet - leaving me those things that I really like, look good in, that fit me and that I wear! It was a very “freeing” experience.
If hiring a stylist isn’t in your budget, ask a friend whose style you admire to come in and help you. Take them shopping with you - break out of your style rut whether it is a “jeans and t-shirt” rut or like me, a “black rut”.
Personal/Spiritual Rut
As women, our natural tendency is to always put others first. If you we don’t take time to “fill our own cup” we can find that cup dry, You need to decide how you can keep your cup “full”. It may mean 30 minutes of “alone time” or meditation each day. Working out at the gym on a regular basis, taking time to read a good book, or enjoying a cup of tea with a friend.
The first of this year I joined a women’s scripture study group at my church which meets every Wednesday morning. I marked off every Wednesday morning for the rest of the year on my calendar. Wednesday mornings have become “sacred” time for me.
Family Rut
When your children are small it may seem that they are always underfoot and family time is “all the time”. But as your children get older and involved in the millions of different activities, finding quality time together can be harder and harder. When my children were smaller we always had “family night” each week. One night dedicated to being together, learning together, playing together and enjoying a special treat together. Now that the boys are gone and the two girls are involved in so many activities and an unending supply of homework it has become harder and more irregular. We need to get back into the “rut” of regular family time.
In fact last night we had a family “meeting” and recommitted to having more regular family time. It may only be 30 minutes one night a week but it gives us an opportunity to connect and be together.
Clutter Rut
Clutter is a procrastinated decision. I have already shared with you that my “revised” clutter goal for this year is to declutter one area of my house a month. Take it in bite size pieces - don’t try to tackle all your clutter at one time. As I am going through the different areas of my house I do it with the mindset of “If I were moving tomorrow, what would I want to take with me?”. That has really helped me as I make decisions on what to keep and what to toss.
Perfectionism Rut
On my office wall I have a saying that reads “Remember you don’t have to be perfect, just get it going!” Getting stuck in a perfectionism rut, thinking we can’t do something unless we can do it perfectly, will bring you to a complete standstill. One thing I have learned is there is never the “perfect” time. You just have to jump in and do it! Take risks and realize you aren’t perfect and no one expects you to be perfect! Perfectionism is an excuse to stop before you start whether you are waiting for the perfect time to have a baby or work your business. Done is better than perfect!
Attitude Rut
My children have learned that if they have time to complain they have too much time on their hands. They learned at an early age that if they told me “I’m bored” there was a job to do. I have even been known to assign chores to neighbor children who dared to say “I’m bored” in my presence!
My youngest daughter has the habit of always telling me what she doesn’t want. I have to constantly remind her - “Don’t tell me what you don’t want - tell me what you do want.” It’s a matter of changing your way of thinking - don’t focus on the negative, focus on the positive.
My friend and former upline always says “Make it a Great Day” - not “Have a Great Day” because it really is up to us. We can choose to make each day a great day - it is not by chance or happenstance. We make our days great!
Business Rut
No matter how long we have been in business we all find ourselves in a rut. It may be in part due to that “Perfectionism Rut” - we’re waiting for the perfect time to work our business - when the children are older, when you’re more familiar with the companies products, when the grass turns purple (just kidding). Believe me I have heard all kinds of excuses over the last 17 years for not working the business - and some of them have even come from my own mouth!
If you find yourself with no events on the books, stuck in a rut -”get a life“. Join an exercise class (wear a t-shirt with your companies logo on it to class), a mom’s club, or volunteer somewhere. Put yourself in places where you will meet new people on a regular basis. Use the marketing tools your company has provided. Make a goal to handout at least one business card a day (don’t forget to “exchange” information) Intentionally LOOK for opportunities and ASK for classes!
Get on the phone and call your existing customer base - when is the last time you did that? If they are not interested in hosting an event, ask them for a referral - just keep ASKING!
Common Underlying Theme….
Maybe you have noticed that the common theme to each “rut” solution is ACTION on your part. There are people and resources to help but you have to decide you want to change and ASK for solutions and then put them into ACTION. An ancient Chinese proverb says..
“When you hear something, you will forget it.
When you see something, you will remember it.
But not until you DO something, will you understand it.”
A quick review
1. Identify what “ruts” you may be experiencing
2. Resolve to do something about it
3. Record where you are and where you want to be (set a goal)
4. Find a “mentor” (like my stylist or a friend) that has strengths you want to emulate and ask for help.
5. Once you get the information and advice you need, USE it and take an active part of making the necessary changes.
Have you found yourself in a rut? I’d love for you to share it with us by leaving a comment below - maybe I or one of your fellow blog readers will have a suggestion for you!
Let the changes begin!
Popularity: 53% [?]
Categories: Home Based Business, Inspire
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Thursday, February 14, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Happy Valentine’s Day - I hope you all have something special planned today, whether it is something with someone special or a special treat for yourself - you deserve it! My sweet husband I will be celebrating with our annual “Beach Babes and their Boys” Valentine dinner. I’ll introduce you to those friends sometime soon. I have to take appetizers and I’m still not sure what I’m taking so I better get busy.
I am excited to announce the winner of the February contest - which was chosen randomly using www.random.org
Yea Cariann! I know you like your chocolate dark and there is some dark chocolate in the package - so enjoy! It will be on it’s way to you tomorrow!!
Thanks to everyone who shared how they like their chocolate - it was so fun to read all the comments and preferences for chocolate!!
Popularity: 27% [?]
Categories: Uncategorized
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