This recipe comes from Martha Stewart, Espresso Double Chocolate Chunk. I’ve made this several times and think you’ll enjoy too. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day, Cookie!
February 14th, 2009Valentine Sweets
February 13th, 2009
Sweets for Jonathan’s class party today have turned my green thumbs a rosy pink but were so fun to make. These are Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing and various sprinkles. Next post will have the recipe for Espresso Double Chocolate Chunk that were not for the kids but for his teacher. Can’t beat the combo of coffee and chocolate!
Recipe Repeat, Guacamole for Gameday
January 30th, 2009Some things just need to be repeated and this recipe is one of them! Always a hit. Never goes to waste. Charred Corn Guacamole is another tried and true recipe that I think you’ll all enjoy. I love the idea of grilling the corn as Bobby Flay recommends but IF grilling isn’t possible then a skillet such as this makes a good substitute. Two seasonings that I’ve now added are a bit of smoked black pepper which give a hint of the “grill” and some Adobo seasoning. Do enjoy!
Margarita Pie
January 29th, 2009
It’s that time of the year where everyone is looking for great recipes for Super Bowl Parties so I’m throwing my favorites in for consideration! This pie recipe is a make ahead dessert that makes entertaining easy. The crust is made of crushed pretzels giving a bit of crunch and saltiness that contrasts the creamy filling! I hope that Margarita Pie will become your favorite too!
Best Lemonade
Strawberry Lemonade
Crispy Corn Cakes
Avocado Sauce
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Green Onion Sauce
Sesame-Chile Chicken with Gingered Watermelon Salsa
Strawberry Lemonade
Crispy Corn Cakes
Avocado Sauce
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Green Onion Sauce
Sesame-Chile Chicken with Gingered Watermelon Salsa
Congratulations Peter!
December 21st, 2008
What a year this has been!!! This time a year ago…Sara newly engaged, us all anticipating Peter & Gloria’s wedding, just after Christmas. We now have 2 weddings & 2 graduations behind us.
Friday was graduation for my designer son, Peter! His oh-so-sweet-and lovely bride Gloria whisked him away for a much needed vacation and time away, visiting family in New Orleans. I just have to say how incredibly proud I am!!! The Creative Circus has been an awesome training ground for both Peter & his little sis, Sara, launching them each into a promising future. . Each has inspired the other, brought out the best in each other and closer together than ever before. I love you guys!!! You make me proud.
Here’s a sampling of their work: Sara and Peter.
Thanks Casey for the photography (that’s a bit of my kitchen). See more here!
A Singer Spills Its Guts
October 16th, 2008There was a lots of sewing that I’d started and was ready to complete. Tuesday was going to be a super day of finishing up projects and beginning to list brand new things in my ETSY shop. Suddenly the motor locked up in this sound that I hate and it’s usually a zipper foot is on and I forget and try to zig-zag or perhaps I accidentally hit a straight pin with the needle. Not this time. Cleaning didn’t help although it was overdue. Slowly I began to disassemble, hoping I could fix it myself. WRONG! Called to see what an inspection, repair, etc. would run. Um, no thanks! So the fixer of all broke things, the computer guy, my husband, to the rescue!
He spent the rest of the evening gutting, cleaning, oiling (very important, by the way, trust me on that!), putting back together the part he’d taken apart. I worked the next day on reassembling what I had taken apart with only one little mystery piece. I’m sure that the right screws are not in the right place and the bobbin winder isn’t exactly right but it sews! And without strain now that it’s had a nice little dose of oil and a good clean’n!
This blanket, above, and burp cloth set, below, were already made before the sudden failure of said SINGER and I was able to take pictures and write new listings today. The most NEW listings in one day since, I can’t remember when. Here’s to getting back to business — now go clean YOUR machine!
Also new today, Pink Stripe Flannel Crib Sheet, Diaper Clutch, Sky Miles Bib and Burp Set.
More of Ivy Walk
October 9th, 2008
Here are a couple of more pics of the townhouse at One Ivy Walk. The Lusterstone dining room walls pairs nice with the glazing on all of the wood trim and coffered ceiling.
Good Morning Atlanta!
October 3rd, 2008
A beautiful spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee here in this new townhouse in Smyrna, GA!
One Ivy Walk is the place where our little team has worked all week on a long list of projects in this beautiful, brand new townhome! Each morning Rhonda leaves her side of town at the crack of dawn, picking us up one by one. The big Atlanta gas shortage didn’t slow us down as we carpooled the 2-5 of us each day, loaded with ladders, brushes, woolies, a variety of paint products & tape!!! Lots & lots of tape!!! Ipods, sack lunches & gingersnaps kept up going.
The toughest room was this master bathroom; stripes, sky, clouds, glaze. I love the layout of this space; foyer leads from bedroom into either walk-in closet or to bathroom. His & hers vanity areas, flanking the barrel ceiling hallway, an enormous tub & mirror at the far end of the room. Double walk-in shower with built in bench opposite another foyer type area with built in linen storage armoire that leads to the separate toilet area. 
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Soups On!!! Pasta E Fagioli
September 27th, 2008
To the Mom who I talked to in Kroger tonight, looking for something new for dinner…this is for you! Enjoy!!!
Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli
1 T oil
2 lbs lean ground beef
12 oz onion, chopped
14 oz carrots, slivered
14 oz celery, diced
48 oz canned tomatoes, diced
2 C red kidney beans
2 C white kidney beans
88 oz beef stock
1 T oregano
2 ½ t pepper
5 t parsley — fresh, chopped
1 ½ t Tabasco sauce
48 oz spaghetti sauce
8 oz dry pasta shells
Sauté beef in oil in large 10 quart pot until beef starts to brown. Add onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse beans and add to the pot. Also add beef stock, oregano, pepper, Tabasco, spaghetti sauce. Simmer until celery and carrots are tender, about 45 minutes. Add pasta to cook about 15-20 minutes before ready to serve.
Makes 9 quarts of soup! Just cut the recipe in half if this is too much.
For more recipes, check out maryhanks.com !
Be sure & check out the Moroccan Chickpea Stew.
Going, going, gone!
September 25th, 2008
With the help of Craigslist, Goodwill, Men’s Warehouse Suit Drive, a weekend garage sale. You name it!
STUFF that has accumulated over the years is all finding its way out of here & boy does it feel good! I have had enough saving this & that. With Peter & Gloria married, Sara & Casey, married — beautiful wedding gifts & don’t need my old stuff. I’ve cleaned out closets, cupboards & cabinets, boxes of books in the attic. The fridge, the pantry, the freezer…scraps of wood from a variety of projects. More still needs to be done but I sure got things going & am on a roll.
I still have a few book boxes to go through — a HUGE box of personal trainer/fitness manuals that needs to go. My YMCA days are over. Retired from aerobics, personal training, etc. Any takers on these things?
I still have a few book boxes to go through — a HUGE box of personal trainer/fitness manuals that needs to go. My YMCA days are over. Retired from aerobics, personal training, etc. Any takers on these things?
Tiffany (warmfuzzies) made this great treasury today with my “Lemon Square Yo Yo Pillow” as one of the items. This fantastic collection of grey & yellow items made the Front Page on Etsy. Thank you to Jill in Utah for snagging my pillow!!! Be sure & check out warmfuzzies and her amazing shop. I especially am loving her Cathedral Window Pillow Covers .
I’m in my happy place when my hands are busy; creating in the kitchen or garden, sewing or painting, even occasionally sculpting this and that.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.” Colossians 3:23
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