Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Meet my new best friend, TJ Maxx

Ok, so my favorite stores are Williams-Sonoma, and Crate and Barrel when it comes to kitchen items. I don't have the time to bargain shop and go through stuff all jumbled together on shelves. I like a nice presentation. That was until I moved into the Cozy Kitchen by the Sea, where not only the Kitchen is "Cozy", but so is this town. Unless I online shop, I'm frankly out luck. TJ Maxx opened up this summer about 30 miles away. I had an appointment on that side of town today, so I ran in real quick. I came out with these goodies... I love nothing more than a good bargain, especially in this economy. I'm really looking to save where I can. Having a Cozy Kitchen stocked with fun goodies keeps me home, happy and cooking !

These came home to the Cozy Kitchen...
WILLIAMS -SONOMA CANDLE for $9.99 ! ( I bought Peppermint! Think Holidays!!) was 19.95

"Autumn" Nonpareils by The Gourmet Baking Co. for $3.99 ( was 6.00) Looks like I'll be baking in the near future! They are a gorgeous blend of fall colors !

Mrs. Myers Clean Day Handsoap in "Gingerbread" ! I can hardly wait to set this on my sink !! It smells so good! $3.99 ( was 6.00)

Saturday, September 20, 2008

The Cozy Kitchen's Pizza Tradition





I was completely inspired by Donna Talley and her article in The Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications ITALIAN magazine ! She shares the story of her own pizza making traditions with her family and the recipe that her Sicilian grandmother created 100 years ago ! I loved the idea that making pizza could truly become a 'family tradition' in my own home. I love to cook, and I'm always, and I do mean, ALWAYS in the kitchen and I love it. But I also want to have those memories of spending time together in my kitchen, where it's ok for the kids to help... and this is the perfect solution. I'm beginning my own PIZZA TRADITION TODAY ! Thank you Donna Talley for inspiring me !

I can't believe it. I finally made my first homemade pizza....and it turned out perfectly ! Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can do it ! I got tired of spending $35.oo every Friday Night for Pizza Night. We can't start out a weekend without PIZZA NIGHT ! As much as I LOVE to cook, I have just been too terrified to ever try and make my own pizza dough. UNTIL NOW ! There's something to be said for that quote...."Just do it"....




Dry yeast .59
Tomato sauce .49
4 c. cheese 4.00
toppings ? depending on what you choose... $2 - $5.00
** feeds my family PLUS we have leftovers ! HELLO !

$35.00 FOR 2 LARGE pizzas at our favorite place...



Or HOMEMADE BY YOU for $10.08 !! What a wonderful family tradition ! I know I can count on the Princess to "help" me ! (priceless!)



I think I might do this Christmas Eve !
The best part is that my family likes mine better !!!! Yippee !!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

My first decorated cake !



I can't belive it. I can actually decorate a cake !
I was getting so sick of buying store cakes, because I just don't enjoy eathing them, that I was determined to make and decorate one for the first time. It was fun, and I'm looking forward to trying this again, now that I know how to do it !
Cake pan by Wilton.


The Princess is having a birthday tomorrow...
It took me 3 hours to decorate the cake !








Thursday, September 4, 2008

Baking Cookies

If you're old enough, maybe you remember this cookbook in your Mom's kitchen !
I can't tell you how much I LOVED flipping through this book when December rolled around, and I would stare at all the pretty cookies and dream of them ! I was thrilled beyond belief to find this at Costco one year. I snatched it up simply because it reminded me of my childhood !
Now, all my kids love it when I dig it out and put it on the kitchen table. The kids have left sticky notes on pages pointing to the cookie they would love for me to bake one day !


Well, as Hanna approaches, I figure I'll be in for the weekend. I got out this cookbook today, ran to the store, and the Princess and I are going to bake...






CHOCOLATE CRINKLES
!!
by Betty Crocker

1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar

1. In large bowl, mix oil, chocolate, granulated sugar and vanilla. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours.
2. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray.
3. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls into powdered sugar; roll around to coat and shape into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly in center. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Baked French Toast


Happy Labor Day ! As I type, I have Baked French Toast ( The Gourmet Cookbook ) in the oven. It smells heavenly. The kids keep asking me how many more minutes until I serve it ! 7 minutes left, so I better type fast.

I can't tell you how crazy my kids are for this. It is simply delicious, and soooo easy to prepare the night before ! Write this on your calendar right now, to prepare on Christmas Eve ! I can't find the recipe online right now, but if you have this cookbook on your shelf, dig it out right now !

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