Friday, January 21, 2011

s'more quiet please

Today after all my homeschooling, house cleaning, kid tending, etc, etc, etc duties were done I hung up my virtue for a few short moments and sneaked into my bedroom with two little treats....okay three. I grabbed some of the leftover s'more-making-stuff in the cabinet and created two little sandwiches in my toaster oven, then I grabbed the latest copy of Free People and closed the door...I even turned on my heating pad and stuck my feet under it. It was glorious, it was quiet, it was sweet, and it was all mine.

I really enjoy them without chocolate too...wierd? Try it!






If you've never experimented with oven-made s'mores I highly recommend them. They are fantastic for a little afternoon pampering and even better for entertaining friends at a winter party. No one will expect that summery smell in your kitchen as they open you're door, and when arranged on a colorful tray they look better than the average hors d'oeuvres. I've kind of got them down to a science, so here are the guidelines, folks:



Oven S'mores

You need:
Graham crackers
Chocolate bars
Big, fat marshmallows
Marshmallow fluff (optional)


Take half of a graham cracker and stack 2 sections of chocolate on it. Then slap a little bit of marshmallow fluff on top of the chocolate to act as glue (the adventurous can slather on some peanut butter or Nutella if they wish). Then plop the marshmallow on top and put it in the oven at 225 degrees. (I tend to put mine in the oven without anything underneath if I'm making one or two, but you can arrange a whole bunch on a cookie sheet if you're making them for a party.) Leave it in until the top of the mallow reaches your favorite color of brown...at least 6 to 9 minutes (if your the type that usually enjoys the burnt s'mores when around the campfire, then I advise you to watch them carefully). Take it out and smoosh the other half of the graham cracker on top. Serve immediately.



Bon Appetit!









Tuesday, January 18, 2011

short winter

My husband says I'm cold-blooded like a lizard...if I get cold I get slow, tired, and sad. Cold to me is painful. As a result of this, I wear long johns under everything I put on starting in October and don't stop until  April...and I live in Virginia. But even though cold is my lifelong nemesis and even though I struggle to never, ever, ever to feel even one spindly finger of jack frost touch even my nose, well, I can't help but want to try the shorts in the winter look...and I doubt it would be the same with my lovely long john's peeking out from underneath. Maybe if I dye them black.....

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

sick kicks

I have spent the last few days in my pajamas nursing sick children and a sick me back to health. I'm adding my husband to the list today. Honestly, as yucky as it can be to be sick, I actually find it a pleasure in many ways. It puts me in a slow motion mood where sitting on the couch watching videos with the kids, and drinking warm drinks, and taking long naps are as high on the priority list as my usual pressing duties. You can't beat that, man! When me-time becomes mandatory, and kid-snuggle time an absolute need. Hot showers, hot soup, hot chocolate (never overlook the medicinal properties of chocolate at times like these)...these are the things lazy sick days are made of.
Though I am enjoying the downtime of all this sick day sweetness...I will admit that the fashionista in me is growing tired of being in the same pajama uniform each day. I will further admit that I am looking ahead to better health hopefully by the weekend...and I'll tell you why. I've got a pair of hot, new Betsey Johnson's in the closet (hubby, you have the best taste in gifts!) and I'd love to take them out on the town for a spin. Now that's just what the doctor ordered.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

in the year of our Lord


My New Year's resolution:


"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil"  Psalm 23:4 





Happy New Year.