Weekly Menu

Sunday: out to dinner with family :)

Monday: Chicken Cordon Bleu, veggies

Tuesday: Taco Salads

Wednesday: Something with chicken...

Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs

Friday: Frozen Pizza and salad

Saturday: Another meal with chicken, not sure what yet...

What's on your menu this week?

Valentine Sweets!

Below you will find a recipe for some yummy ice-cream sandwiches, Valentine theme. Beyond that are some inspiration for various goodies for your sweetie ;) Valentine's day is only 2 weeks away!

Photo: Flickr

Ice Cream Sandwiches (Martha Stewart)

Makes 24

Ingredients:

2 -3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2- 1/2 teas. baking powder

1/4 teas. salt

12 tbl. unsalted butter, room temp.

1-1/2 teas. pure vanilla extract

1- 1/2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 tbl. milk

2 to 2- 1/2 pints strawberry ice-cream, slightly softened.

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, vanilla, and sugar. Add eggs and milk, and mix until combined. Add reserved flour mixture, and mix on low speed until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula at least once. Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface; use an offset spatula to unstick the dough every few turns of the rolling pin. Roll dough to an 1/8-inch thickness. Cut dough using a variety of heart-shaped cookie cutters from 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, making sure there is a top and bottom cookie for each sandwich. Place hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet; chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Remove from refrigerator; use a fork to prick holes all over the surface of the cookies. Bake until firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly on baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Using half the cookies, spoon softened strawberry ice cream about 1/2 inch thick on each underside. Place matching cookie on top of ice cream, top-side facing out. Transfer immediately to freezer to harden; repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve directly from the freezer. Sandwiches can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 to 4 days.

Valentine Sweets Inspiration:

(all images found via Flickr)

Weekly Menu

Here's what's on my list of dinners this week:

M: Chicken Cordon Bleu (using laughing cow cheese), baked potato, broccoli

T: "Taco Tuesday" We will have some sort of mexican food H has to decide on what though. Some ideas: taco salad, quesadillas, burritos

W: Hoagies and baked lay's

H: Baked Ham, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes (not sure on this meal...)

F: BBQ Ranch skillet chicken, salad

S: Beef Hash

S: Spaghetti/Italian night: Spaghetti and meatballs or Lasagna!

Waiting....

......on this beauty to arrive in the mail.

I can't decide what I will do for my very first project. I definitely need something easy, for sure!

LOVE this blog!

I came across the Knock-off Wood blog over the weekend. I am in love! This chick is amazing and has serious skills :) Check her out here.

I have been wanting new living room tables and a coffee table and PB always has something gorgeous! I will keep my eye out on her blog to see if H & I can DIY some pieces together for the living-room. Go check it out NOW!

Eye Candy

I know Christmas is over...

but my birthday is coming up, and hey its a fresh new year!

Here are some items and ideas that I have my eye on:

Family Photo Wall. Pic found here. I plan to do lots of old and new family photos in B&W. I am obsessed with ancestry.com right now, and have been crazy successful in connecting with distant family :)

French Tumblers

Sorry, no pic. My grandma bought us the juice sized glasses, and we LOVE them :) I would love to have the iced tea or beverage size to complete our set. They make me think of my grandma every-time I use them.

These PJs. Love the pretty plaid :)

This PB rug, ah swoon! I saw it a few years ago and saved the pic of it...hoping one day they would bring it back- and they did!!!! I want, I want....I need (In the largest size please!)

Makeup brush set

I just recently went to Sephora...and along with frequenting a message board about makeup,

I think I may have started a new addiction. Finally learning about makeup :) I would LOVE these brushes!

Sharpie Pen Retractable Fine Point

I first heard about this on Urban Grace Interiors (love her and her sister's blog by the way!).

I have always used sharpies (the artist in me lurves it!), but the bleeding not so much! I reallly want one to see how well they work for everyday.

I've been M.I.A.

I can't believe I have abandoned the blog! It's been a crazy and busy (obviously) holiday season. From hunting down these beaut pillows from PB before Thanksgiving, getting my NEW (yes new and remodeled) kitchen together, celebrating the holidays with family (and anniversary with the Hubbs), cheap finds after the holidays, and so much more :) I have SO much to post about and hopefully will now have the time!

See that buffalo check pillow behind the santa one? Oh yes, that's the one (or two!) :)

It's a beaut.

I realllly wanted the santa one too, but too rich for my blood!