Chocolate Truffles with Sea Salt

12/28/2009

I attempted this yummy-sounding recipe from the Pioneer Woman for chocolate truffles with sea salt. They came out pretty good. I used Lindt chocolate from our Swiss friend Vlada –  1 dark chocolate bar and 1 70% cacao bar. Jason and I agree it still turned out a bit too sweet. (The condensed milk and milk chocolate shell are very sweet.) Next time I’m going to use some of our 85% cacao chocolate bars for the filling. Also, I grabbed fine sea salt at the store but I think coarse would have added a nice crunchy texture.


Happy Christmas Eve!

12/24/2009

I LOVE this picture. It captures the essence of Christmas decor I want to have in my home. It also sent my husband and me on a mad search for bottle brush trees. (Once I finally figured out what they’re called!) I’ve found some on Etsy but I was hoping to come across some vintage ones at local thrift stores. No beans.


God Jul! {MCM thrift store find}

12/23/2009

That’s Merry Christmas in Swedish. (Or “Good Yule!” literally.) This little green ceramic tree with tiny colored lights is a festive find from our holiday thrift store searching. We were on the hunt for bottle brush trees without much luck.

The Dálecarlian horse was a gift from my Uncle Bob several Christmases ago.


Best Peanut Butter Blossoms

12/22/2009

This is my mother-in-law’s recipe for the world’s best peanut butter blossoms. I’ve been told that they can be even better if you stick the kisses in point first. I’ll try that next year!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups Bisquick
sugar (approx 1/4 cup)
1 bag of Hershey’s kisses

Mix condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth. Add vanilla extract and bisquick. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Bake 6-8 minutes @ 375º on a greased pan. Press Hershey kisses into hot cookies. Kisses will melt and then slowly harden again—don’t touch them while they’re melted! Makes about 2 dozen.

Note: Cookies do not brown on top or sides. Don’t be tempted to over bake them! (There are no “raw” ingredients so no worries.)

I’ll post a blog about these plates soon!


Winter Lip Therapy

12/21/2009

The best exfoliation treatment for dry winter lips: mix a small amount of vaseline (or any moisturizer you don’t mind putting on your lips) with some regular refined sugar, rub on your lips and then rinse off. Result: smooth and sweet lips!


Phone Photo Friday

12/18/2009

I took a sick day on Monday. It was so nice of my hubby and my doggie to help me take it easy all day by joining in the relaxation!


Observations on Working from Home

12/17/2009

Last week one day my boss let me work from home for the first time. I LOVED it. Here are some reflections from throughout the day:

8:06 am
No shower, no make-up.
Holey jeans, zip-up hoodie, fuzzy socks that don’t match & my winter hat.
Sunlight is pouring in the window.
I’ve got a pot of my favorite tea, a bowl of cocoa pebbles and a clementine for breakfast.
I’m getting started an hour earlier than usual.

2:13 pm
Having a more productive day than yesterday and the day before.
Maybe combined.
But I set the bar pretty low the past 2 days.
Nonetheless, I’m feeling pretty good about this arrangement.
Thinking of taking the dog for a brisk walk before it gets dark.

I’m praying that this is a new arrangement I’ll be able to do at least once a week. I LOVE saving 1 hour a day (drive time) and gas money and most of all getting to work in a quiet sunny office 10 steps away from my bed.


Peddling Together into Marriage

12/16/2009

Between Christmas parties, cookie making, work, present wrapping and working on CCM, I’ve been finishing up two sets of Bicycle Built for Two wedding stationery this week. This is just one of several sets of wedding invitations available through my etsy.com shop Light Hand Design. It may not have anything to do with mid-century modern homes and housewares but I love designing wedding invitations! (Shameless self-promotion.)

Front of invitation, RSVP card & thank you card:

Backs:


Salem Biscayne China {a MCM thrift store find}

12/15/2009

I’ll never forget the first mid-century modern treasure Jason and I bought. We debated about whether or not we should pay $2 for a random platter and were surprised months later when we discover it was worth $50 and a legitimate collectible. A few months later we hit the mid-century antique furniture jackpot with our American by Martinsville end tables and coffee table.

A couple of weeks ago we struck gold again. Out on a leisurely thrift store stroll, we came across a set of mid-century modern dishes. What made this lightly used china so special was the size of the set. We couldn’t believe it: 9 teacups, 9 saucers, salt & pepper shakers, creamer, sugar bowl, gravy bowl, serving platter, serving bowl (not pictured), 6 dinner plates, 6 dessert plates, 6 cereal bowls and 6 small bowls.

Even though the price was amazing, I wasn’t sure I liked the pattern enough to own these so we walked out. (Not a big flower pattern fan.) As I suspected, after some googling a couple days later I regretted my decision and my wonderful husband went back to the place and scooped them up.

I can’t believe we almost missed out on these. Thank God for second chances. We’re thrilled with this Salem Biscayne china, especially after discovering it’s worth 6-10x what we paid for it—not that we plan on selling.


Metabolic Frolic in the Morning

12/14/2009

Every morning I sit down at my cubicle to check my e-mails and google reader while I sip a cup of tea. The past several months I’ve been delighted to have my absolute favorite tea.

Republic of Tea – Mango Ceylon
Metabolic Frolic Tea
Fruity Black Tea Blended with Blossoms

I am a tea lover but I prefer black tea (especially ceylon). Please don’t bother telling me about your favorite green tea or herbal tea. If you’ve never had Republic, give it a chance. They’re my all time favorite tea maker and they’ve got 100s of varieties. It’s a little bit hard to find. You can get it by the cup at Panera Bread or buy the canisters (50 bags for around $10) from Fresh Market, Books-a-Million, Whole Foods, Wegmans or online.