I was feeling domestic this morning, and decided to flip through some of my cookbooks. I thought some fresh baked bread would do wonders to these dreary rainy days.  I found this 1950 Betty Crocker cookbook that was my great Aunts.  In the back of the cookbook are pages of great sayings and  tips for domestic life!  Some are so hilarious (even horrific) and some I love!

The heading over the page reads:

If you’re tired from overwork, Household chores you’re bound to shirk.  Read these pointers tried and true, and discover what to do.

• If you feel tired, lie down on the floor on your back, put your hands above your head, close your eyes, and relax for 3 to 5 min.

 Are you serious 3-5 minutes!  Whoa I’ve been taking way too long at relaxing!

Another great one -

• For personal outlook – Eat proper food for health and vitality.  Every morning before breakfast, comb hair, apply make-up, a dash of cologne, and perhaps some simple earrings.  Does wonders for your morale.  

So another thing I’m failing at miserably.  Shoving something in my mouth while rushing to the bus stop in my PJ’s.

Just when I was getting down on my homemaking skills, I was relieved to see something I’m expert in!  Yes it says KNIT!

• While the children are napping (this must apply to children at school – and means all day ;)  do something refreshing.  Write, Knit, or listen to pleasant music.

So after I make my Betty Crocker bread, I may sit and knit.  So domestic.

Tomorrow we will have an update on sweet Brooklyn, who is doing fabulous at home!

I am enjoying the festivities of this beautiful season.  Kevin and I spent a few days in NYC with my siblings and parents this past weekend, Ill be sharing some photos of that soon.  It is a fun place to be with all of the hustle and bustle, lights and shopping.

‘Tis the season for giving and cooking.  This easy and yummy recipe is a favorite to bring to all of our holiday gatherings.  You can embellish with different toppings and be creative with combinations!

I found this recipe on Cooks.com – I made some modifications of my own, my boys like peanut M&M’s much better than pecans.  I also drizzled with white chocolate for added calories :)

Enjoy!

My Nice & Knit-along progress had slowed for about a week, but this past weekend I was able to make significant steps toward finishing!  I have officially finished and bound off the back, now I’m onto the left front panel and it’s going really quick.  I have new energy to get it done! I’ll admit I was starting to get to the point of no return – ya know, when you leave your project for awhile and convince yourself that you’ll finish it just as soon as you finish another one? Yup, I was almost there and I know if I went there I probably wouldn’t be back to finish this.  Good thing this is part of a knit-along!

The weather has turned quite chilly here in New England so I will be ready to wear this as soon as it’s done!

‘Speaking of chilly…I have a chili recipe I want to share!  This one comes from my mother-in-law and is perfect for this kind of weather.  It’s healthy, it’s filling, it’s heartwarming. Enjoy!

Turkey Chili

servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground Turkey Breast
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 15 oz. can of Sweet Whole Kernel Corn
1 15 oz. can of Black Beans
1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 pkg. of Chili Seasoning
1 cup water
Green Tabasco Sauce
Red Tabasco Sauce
1/2 lb. of Elbow Macaroni Pasta
1 cup. shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey until brown. Add in the chopped onion, green pepper, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, and 1 cup of water. Add a dash of green Tabasco and a dash of red Tabasco and let simmer on medium-low heat for about 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
In a medium sauce pan, cook the elbow macaroni.
Fold the elbow macaroni into the meat and vegetable mixture until evening combined. Scoop into a small bowl and sprinkle with some shredded cheddar cheese and enjoy!

 It is a little spicy so if you don’t like the kick, don’t add the Tabasco!

I love this dish because it doesn’t require a lot of dishes and you can throw it all together and let it cook. It makes a big batch too so it’s great for leftovers!

We found a new favorite salad Dressing.  A little zip, but sweet and light.  Delicious.

We have some exciting news to share tomorrow (NO, I am not having a baby also ;)

My favorite vegetable to grow, eat, and photograph.

Spicy Black Bean burgers have become one of our favorites. I would make them for myself for dinner during Matt’s busy season at work and they were a perfect meal for one. After perfecting the toppings and order of operations for burger assembly, I convinced Matt to try one and they’ve now become the perfect meal for two.

When I’m hungry, quick is key and these are quick. Ten minutes, tops – start to finish.   They’re also realllllly simple. As in, so simple I can’t believe I’m posting this as a “recipe” but I want to share because I like them so much. So maybe let’s think of this more as a product review, k?

There is very little cooking… if you can start a microwave and plug in a toaster you have all the necessary skills to make this. Just a couple of ingredients and you’re good to go.

Simply take a Morning Star Black Bean Burger and a slice of pepper jack and microwave for about 2 minutes.

Or, even better, you can toast the burger in the toaster for a few minutes until hot all the way through. This gives it more of a “grilled” texture.

Once the burger is done set aside and put an Arnold’s Sandwich Thins into the toaster.

These are only 100 calories and they also make a great bun for an egg sandwich!

When the burger and the bun are done start adding the fixings (tomato, avocado and sliced jalapenos) to complete the burger.

A great option to add to your summer BBQs!

It was rainy, but sweet.  A great Saturday to make strawberry jam.

Scantic Valley Farms in Somers, CT began their strawberry picking this past week.  The berries are beautiful & delicious.  The farms is also gorgeous and a pleasure to visit!

I have happy boys!

I have a weakness for magazines, especially the Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications.  It is true, they are of special interest to me.  I have a dessert issue from this spring that is overflowing with the most incredible desserts.   I want to share my favorite – Triple-Chocolate Tiramisu.

Triple Chocolate Tiramisu

2  3-oz packages of ladyfingers, split
1/4 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
1 8-ounce carton of mascarpone cheese
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup chocolate liqueur
1 ounce white baking chocolate grated
unsweetened cocoa powder
chocolate covered coffee beans chopped (optional)

1.  Line bottom of 8x8x2 baking pan with lady fingers.  Brush with half the espresso, set aside.

2.  In a medium bowl combine mascarpone cheese, cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  Beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.  Add liqueur; beat until combined.

3.  Spread half the cheese mixture over ladyfingers in pan.  Sprinkle with white and bittersweet chocolate.  Top with another layer of ladyfingers.  Brush with remaining espresso.  Spread the remaining cheese mixture over the ladyfingers in pan.  Cover and chill for 6-24 hours.

4.  Before serving, sprinkle with cocoa powder and garnish with chocolate-covered coffee beans.  (I add chocolate to top as well.)

Makes 12 servings.

It is a fast and simple recipe, with an outcome that tastes like hours of work!  The only hard part, is eating just one piece!

Betsy graduated last night and we’re all so proud.  We’re having just a little party for her this evening and in preparation I ran a few searches on Pinterest for party ideas.  I was so excited to find this idea and thank whoever thought of this originally.

You need a few simple ingredients:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures
Lollipop Sticks
York Peppermint Pieces (her school colors are blue & white)
Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares
Icing (I bought pre-made in black so it would be hidden)
Bakery boxes (poke holes in the top) for display
Snippets of yarn for the tassle. If you think of an edible option for a tassle, let me know! I couldn’t find one at the grocery store, but now that I think of it…maybe a dyed, cooked spaghetti noodle?

If you have a graduate or are attending a graduation party in the near future these are quick and easy!