Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Roomie Calendars

I bought my daughter's dorm-mates store-bought gifts for Christmas but I wanted to make them something as well.  I decided to give them little date books (free ones from the popular card shop), which I love!  I covered them in heavy designer card stock from Stampin' Up and then added a happy embellishment in the centre (so they are reminded to enjoy life and be happy every day of the year).  The stamp is from the Think Happy Thoughts set and I popped it up on layers of card stock and a scallop.  I inked all the edges and added a pearl in the middle of the flower.  I wrapped these in Santa cello gift bags along with a package of caramel snowmen.  Yum!

On this last day of 2010 I am very proud to say that I have missed only one day posting this entire year!  I love to find something new on the blogs I visit so I really try to have something new for you here each day.  I hope you find content that inspires, educates, or entertains you and I will strive to offer you more next year.

I wish you all a wonderful and happy 2011!  Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday '48'

 
Here's a scrapbook layout I did for my DH's birthday.  I used the Beautiful Power Palette and took inspiration for the colour choices from the stripes in the gift bag near his cake (plus orange is his favourite colour).  I sponged the edges of the orange patterned paper with the brown chalk ink, as well as the edges of the '48'.  All the embellishments (paper ribbon, paper tags, and paper flowers) were all included in the Power Palette.  The title is from another sticker pack and I cut the '48' using the Creative Cuts Collection cutting tool.  All the products are from Creative Memories.  I even used a page template from the 2nd set of templates I bought from CM.  I loved using the Nancy O'Dell ones so much I thought I would buy the original pack for another 14 possible orientations.  They are just so easy to use and give me that nudge to get started.  The book of ideas is awesome and since it showcases examples using all different Power Palette Designer Print papers, there is always an idea that works with what I have.  Love it!

Quinoa

 Quinoa (pronounced 'keen-wa') is a very nutritious ancient whole grain.  It is a complete protein and high in fibre.  It is easy to cook and can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes.  It has kind of a nutty, earthy flavour and a texture similar to bulgar or couscous.

Quinoa must be cooked before eating.  It is brought to the boil in liquid (such as water or stock) and then simmered, covered, for about 15 minutes - similar to cooking rice.  In general, the ratio of liquid to quinoa is 2:1 but it's best to follow the directions included on the packaging or listed in the recipe being used.

I enjoy serving quinoa as a hot side-dish and have used this Martha Stewart recipe for Herbed Quinoa on several occasions, usually when I make Apricot Roast Chicken.  It makes an interesting change from rice or pasta and is certainly more nutritious.  The only downside is cost.  I purchased a 737 gram package for $7.99 (Canadian) but have seen it elsewhere for up to $10.99.  The bulk section at the health food store might be a better bet as you can buy a smaller amount to see if you like it before getting a whole bag!

Creative Cuts Collection

 
This is the new Creative Cuts Collection from Creative Memories.  Even though I have the Cricut, I wanted to try this 'no electricity needed' system.  It allows you to cut shapes & fonts, distress, and cut free-hand, and can be used with the original Custom Cutting System by Creative Memories.  The blade tool snaps into the clear dome, which stabilizes the cuts.  (You need to use this tool on the 12x12 cutting mat).  By allowing the blade to follow the interior contours of the various patterns, you can cut out the shapes in minutes.  I think this will be a great addition to my tool box - it's there ready to go when I need a quick title and it's so easy to take along with me when I travel.  Speaking of which, I bought the bundle containing the tool, alpha & number patterns, plus the distressing tip, so of course, I had to buy the cute storage box that holds it all neatly in place!  I was really surprised how big the storage box was and can't wait until more patterns are released to use with this collection.  I found it cuts like a charm - I just kept a light pressure and went slowly.  Here's a great video showing how it works... 

Homemade Raised Doughnuts

Is it crazy to make your own doughnuts?  A little...but they sure are tasty!  I just felt like making a batch and decided to film the process.  I'm not advocating making a habit of deep-frying sweet dough and rolling it in sugar very often, but once in a while it's a fun thing to do on a chilly afternoon.

By using the bread maker to mix, knead, and raise the dough, a lot of the work is taken care of by the unattended machine.  All that remains is the rolling of the dough and the cutting out of the donuts (which can be spelled either way, actually), and then frying.

It's been a long time since I've made doughnuts so I actually found two different donut cutters in my collection.  I used each of them, which along with the 'holes', produced 4 different sized products: the centres from the larger cutter were even big enough to fill with jam or custard (which I did not do, disappointing my son).

I fried my doughnuts in corn oil and rolled them in either powdered confectioner's sugar or a granulated sugar-cinnamon mix.  When surveyed, the family preferred the powdered ones.  I made notes to myself to use the smaller cutter next time because I can fit several smaller donuts into my deep fryer in one batch so the whole process goes a lot quicker.  They were a nice size for eating too!  (And that means you can have two!)  

Raised Doughnuts

3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp milk

1/3 cup water

1 large egg

3-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

4 Tbsp vegetable shortening

2 tsp fast rise yeast

vegetable oil for frying donuts

Ethel's Chocolate

During my trip to Vegas in October, I picked up a few bars of Ethel's chocolate.  It is actually made in Nevada and there are 8 locations across Las Vegas.  I know my chocolate and I must say...this is the creamiest, most addictive I've ever tasted!  It is super delish and I'm sad to say I ate the souvenir bars I brought home for DH and myself (I did actually give the kids theirs!) within days of our return.  Fortunately, I know a wonderful girl who was traveling to Vegas herself and I asked her if she'd bring home a few more bars for me (ok, it was 8 bars...).  She graciously agreed and I was able to put them under the tree for DH as a surprise (more like an apology, really...since I ate his souvenir bars too...:(

So if you are ever in Vegas, or would like to order on-line, check out ethel's website here.

Christmas Countdown: Day 25

 
Merry Christmas!  DH discovered his Christmas Countdown Day 25 box hanging on the tree...and found the ultimate gift of the season: the key to happiness!  (And that's the gift I really wanted him to find all along!)

Merry Christmas!

For all of you who celebrate Christmas, I would like to wish you a very merry one!  Thank you for taking the time to drop in and visit me to see what's happening over the kitchen counter...I truly appreciate you all and hope for health, love, joy, and happiness for each and every one of you!  Enjoy the holidays!  Peace...

Christmas Countdown: Day 24

 
I can't believe it's Christmas Eve!  Hunny found the means to a frosty, creamy treat in his Christmas Countdown Box #24...a gift card - so he can sneak in a few of his favourite root beer floats any time he wants!  There's only one box left for him to find...so if you want to pop in tomorrow to see what his last gift is, I will be sure to post the photo!  If you've been following these 25 Days of Christmas goodies, thanks for joining me.  I hope you enjoyed the fun of counting down to the holidays!

Mom's Monogram Cards

Here are mom's monogram cards - which I finished just in time for Christmas!  You might recall I showed you the Crayon Box I made to hold them last month but I only just got around to making the actual cards.

I wanted to keep them very simple and flat so she can mail them off to her relatives overseas.  I made 2 styles: both have patterned Old Olive paper with a strip of Chocolate Chip.  The monogram is from the Lovely Letters stamp set and I layered them on dsp, card stock, and a scallop.  I left the insides blank.  I added a belly band around the bundle - the For You stamp is from the For You Phrases set.

I think they look really good in the box, and it holds 4 cards and envelopes.  I added the monogram on
the back flap of the envelope and a little elephant (she loves elephants) from the Out of the Box set on the front corner.

Finally, I put the whole box in a large cello bag and made a quick topper with card stock punched with the Scalloped border and some dsp.