melted snowmen (and peppermint buttercream frosting)

Every year, we make Eggnog Logs and Christmas Tree Bark.

And every year we try a new cookie recipe.

This year's new recipe was "Melted Snowmen"--

A regular Sugar Cookie with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting and marshmallow heads.

We made some content and others protesting,

and we made a few furious with their lot.

Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

1 stick of butter

2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

random faces and a (very unique) holiday appetizer

One morning as I was sweeping the leaves from our front porch (well, it's more like a front stoop), I felt like someone-- or something-- was watching me. I casually looked around, and realized I was IN FACT being watched by two sketchy characters:

A beautiful house is being built next door to ours (shake siding, three sets of oak French doors, lots of windows, copper roof.... I'll share pictures when they finish the exterior!).

Apparently, one of the contractors is a sculpture artist as well as a home builder.

And now, I have to share this recipe without photos.

I apologize for the lack of visual aid, but it will be a few weeks before I'll have a photo for you (as I won't be making it again until December 5)... and I hate to keep it to myself with Thanksgiving so near, knowing you all will have guests to impress! Let me assure you, this little dish is the bee's knees in the world of sweet tooth hors d'oeuvres. We had it at a friend's house recently, and I have been unable to find a recipe ANYWHERE. She found it pre-made at a specialty shop. So, it's as unique as they come!

Without further ado and ramblings, here's my reincarnation of it:

Blueberry-Vanilla Goat Cheese

served with gingersnaps

(I tried to have the title make up for the photo void)

Mix together:

1 cup frozen blueberries (because they mix without squashing)

1 cup blueberry jam

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon wild honey

Warm the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds. Pour it over a 16-oz log of Goat Cheese (Yes, that's one whole pound of goat cheese. Once it's wrapped in foil, you could use it in aerobics class!).

Wrap the blueberry-doused log tightly in foil and refrigerate overnight. Or, just keep it wrapped-up in your refrigerator as an emergency appetizer.

To serve:

Unwrap the log and allow it to sit on a serving dish for 20 minutes at room temperature (or until goat cheese begins to soften). Place the gingersnaps nearby along with a cheese spreader. Play some Chopin in the background (Vivaldi works, too).

Take my food-lovin' word for it, you will want to adorn your table with this unique combination at some point over the holidays.

fabric samples and funny friday

I ordered samples of all of these fabrics yesterday:

Lots of projects are in my head, including curtains, pillows, and maybe even attempting to sew a slipcover for a chair and ottoman this summer.

Any thoughts on these fabrics?

Now, for the funnies:

I took this photo on my last trip to Greenville, SC. I was tired and grumpy from unsuccessful househunting and being badgered by Realtors, so I decided to stop by Starbuck's for a bottle of water and some chocolate covered espresso beans. I sat outside in the sun and noticed this on the table where I was sitting:

Speaking of smoking, did you hear that a study has shown that smoking lowers the risk of Parkinson's disease? Of course, they weren't saying people should smoke, but they do hope to discover why cigarettes lower the PD risk and put that information to beneficial use. Article here.

Be back Tuesday with a report on the wedding shower!

funny friday

From the February issue of The New Yorker

I'm off to Greenville today for more house hunting! Have a great weekend!

funny friday: peanuts theology

funny friday and a hint

And here's a little peak at the talents of Monday's special guest.
Hint: you will probably need to love strawberry milk and hate naps to find this adorable little outfit in your size :)

What events will you be looking forward to most for this year's Winter Olympic Games?

I have been mesmerized by the figure skating for as long as I can remember.

Cartoon image via here.

abstracts, two easy (and printable!) weeknight suppers, and the favorites list

"Design in Concrete"

Mixed-Media: sidewalk, dirt, rain, digital camera

White Spaghetti and (turkey) Meatballs
This is a unique spin on the spaghetti and meatballs classic. The white sauce is flavored with nutmeg. It's simple to cook, but it takes about 45 minutes to prepare.
Find the printable version here .

Please let me know if you can't follow that link. I am still figuring out scribd!



And this one


is super quick




and EASY

and healthy as far as I can tell!


Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Cream Sauce
Find the printable version here.
In this recipe you can substitute plain yogurt for sour cream and omit the water to make it very low-fat. I omitted the water anyway because I wanted my sauce more creamy.

Your favorite Super Bowl commercials were:
The Dog Gets His Doritos Commercial
The Simpson's Coke Commercial
Betty White and Snickers Commercial
The Green Police Commercial
The Google Story Commercial

(links provided!)