art nestweekends
This is what my kitchen table looks like this morning. The sun is barely out and I woke up early because I was just too darn excited to sleep! I wanted to continue cutting into my stash for a January project. I'm taking a small break to make some French press coffee and I'll probably eat a cookie with it (yea)!
(Jeff and I)
Yesterday we took the kids downtown to The Wax Museum and for ice cream. The museum was c.r.e.e.p.y. but I was impressed with how many historical figures my children could name - they were most excited about 'seeing' Albert Einstein and Jack Sparrow (not that he is a historical figure)!
I hope your weekend is as relaxing and sweet as mine! What are you working on today?
snake bites
Snake Bites are, quite possible, my favorite appetizer! I have devoured more than I should probably admit over the holidays. I make large batches and put them in the fridge so I can bake just a few to nibble on while I'm making dinner. You can make as many or as few as you like. I will tell you the ingredients but the amount you need will depend on how many you are going to make. IMPORTANT: WEAR SOME DISPOSABLE GLOVES WHILE YOU TAKE OUT THE SEEDS - THEY CAN BURN YOUR HANDS!
You will need:
jalapeno peppers
cream cheese
sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
cooked bacon (I buy the pre-cooked stuff for this)
Directions:
Put on gloves. Wash and cut jalapeno peppers in halves. Scrape/Cut out the seeds - sometimes there is a white 'vein' that runs up the center of the pepper - I cut as much out as possible - I don't know if it has heat but I know when I've left the vein in my snake bites are much hotter! Rinse peppers once more in cold water and lay upside down on a paper towel to dry. While peppers are drying, mix cream cheese and shredded cheddar in a bowl at a 1:1 ratio (you can eyeball this....if you like more cheddar than put more in)! Now stuff your peppers with cheese mixture, next, lay cooked bacon on top of cheese and press slightly so that the bacon 'sticks' to cheese mixture. Cover baking sheet in foil and place peppers on foil. I like to put a wire cooling rack on top of the foil and put my pepper on the rack as this keeps them from turning on their sides while baking but it is not necessary! Bake in 550* oven for 10-12 minutes or until pepper is cooked thoroughly and bacon is sizzling!
You can bake these right away or they will keep for several days in your refrigerator - a great 'make ahead' appetizer! Enjoy!
Quilt Giveaway WINNER...
...is 'Shivani' who said:
"This is so pretty! I love the colors and the design. It indeed shows the love and hard work you put in making this. Thank you for the giveaway."
Happy New Year
I caught Bella making a list of 'New Year Resolutions'. Just kidding...she was actually 'writing' a grocery list and I thought it was sweet! I wasn't going to post today but I was inspired by other blogs making New Year posts, so, I am.
Sometimes my son, Hayden, says the funniest things - ever. Example:
Jolie : "I had a dream last night that I was at a birthday party"
Hayden (in all seriousness): "Were you the cake?"
(enter entire family giggling)
I love my family, our new home and the promise that a new year brings. Some of my favorite things about 2011 were graduating from college and going to Sewing Summit. Also, Jolie has achieved a 6 year goal in her ballet and received her first pair of pointe shoes...I am truly proud of her and a bit in awe as I never made it to pointe!
Thanks to all my readers who have encouraged me to keep blogging and please subscribe to my blog if you haven't already (see RSS Feed button to the right)~