this and that

Mia might have started something when she blogged about completely unrelated things last week.  Since my life has been a series of random activities over the past few weeks, I thought I'd share a snippet of a couple non-related things myself.

First up, my sister was searching for a blessing dress for her darling, tiny Bentley.  Since I knew right where Jaci's was, I snapped a quick picture and sent it to her. Kind of as a joke.

Imagine my shock and delight when she decided to use it!  Who knew that the dress I made when I was 20 years old would turn into a family heirloom of sorts?  Back in 1994, I checked a book out at the library to teach myself how to smock the bodice. (there were no blogs or you-tube videos) I remember keeping myself busy after work and on weekends, finishing it just before Jaci was born.

I made a few changes to it, and Erica soaked it and brought it back to bright white.  Bentley looked like a little angel wearing it.  Here is a picture from the special day.  In case you can't tell, I'm beaming!

In other news, Phoenix had a very unusually rainy and cold day a couple of weeks ago.  It's a good thing I don't live in Seattle, because when the weather is dreary, I just want to be in the kitchen!  I whipped up a huge pot of one of my all-time favorite soups,  Chicken Ghocchi.  Thankfully, we had a steady stream of kids and adults in and out of the house all day and didn't have a drop left.  I posted this picture on Instagram (follow me! @jillegal) and had lots of friends call or email me for the recipe.

It completely defines comfort food.  If you are planning a day indoors, or need to take a meal to a sister in need, I highly suggest this recipe. As an added bonus, when I can get my family to eat this much spinach without complaining, I call that a motherly victory.

In case you don't know what gnocchi is, I thought to take a picture of the box before I disposed of it. Gnocchi is a petite bundle of love in my humble opinion, a little potato dumpling that is sure to please.

You can find it lined up with all the other dry pasta at your grocery store.  I have found that the texture of the gnocchi changes if it's refrigerated and reheated, so it's definitely best the day it's made.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup 

1 T. olive oil

1 small onion, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, shredded

1 pound cooked, cubed chicken(rotisserie chicken works great!)

4 cups chicken broth

1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi

1 (6 oz) bag baby spinach

1 T. cornstarch

2 T. cold water

2 c. half and half

salt, pepper, and a few shakes of red pepper flakes (optional)

Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat.  Cook onion, celery, garlic, and carrots in the hot oil til onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.  Stir in cubed chicken and chicken broth, bring to a simmer.

(OR, just put about 4 cups of water in a pot, add a pound of raw chicken, add all the veggies and a little bit of chicken bullion, salt and pepper and cook til chicken is done.  Cube up your chicken and you're at the same spot!)

Stir gnocchi into the simmering soup and cook until they begin to float, 3 to 4 minutes.  Stir in spinach; cook until wilted, an additional 3 minutes or so.

Whisk cornstarch into cold water until smooth.  Stir cornstarch mixture and half and half into simmering soup.  Cook until soup thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.  Season to taste.

And finally, tis the season for a little Spring Cleaning.  I have decided to sell my {gallery wall of mirrors} as well as the two lamps I did a tutorial on way back in 2011. I'm selling all the mirrors together, and the lamps as a pair.

I've had so many compliments, and I have really enjoyed the mirror wall, but I'm ready for a little change in there.  I feel like with the accessorized {bookcases} in the same room, it's just too busy.

I'd really love to do one large thing over the buffet, and have the Thrifting God's aid me in finding two big lamps at Goodwill for $7.99 each.  I'm going for a much more clean lined and simple look to balance out the ornate sideboard.  Who has an idea for me?  I'd LOVE to hear what you think I should do!   I'm really at a loss.....

Email me at meandjilly@gmail.com or leave a comment with your email address if you are interested in purchasing the mirrors, the lamps, or the whole package.

And that concludes MY most random post to date.

perfect sugar cookies

If you are on the hunt for the perfect sugar cookie recipe to mix together, cut into hearts and frost for Valentine's Day, your search has just ended. I've tried dozens of recipes over the years but they have all come up short.

Until now.

I can't even describe to you how perfect these cookies are.  They are beyond exquisite.  I'm confident that the addition of powdered sugar in the dough is the secret weapon.  The cookies have the most amazing texture, and topped with a light pink butter-cream frosting lightly laced with almond flavoring, they simply can't be beat!

So, go on, whip up a batch and have one for me.  I chased the escaped herd of sheep around the block in my rain boots this morning, so I can handle the extra calories.

Perfect Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup butter, room temp(please don't even consider using margarine)

1/2 cup Crisco

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Mix all ingredients and chill.  Roll out nice and thick (around 1/4") on a lightly floured surface.

Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.  

The edges might start to barely get golden.  Don't overbake! 

Cool completely before frosting. 

Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter, room temp (again, use the real stuff)

1 teaspoon vanilla (or almond extract, which I prefer)

2 teaspoons whipping cream

drop of red food coloring, optional

Beat powdered sugar and butter til well mixed, 

then add the extract and whipping cream.

Add more cream if necessary to develop a spreadable texture.

To get a perfectly smooth top, after frosting the cookies, dip a butter knife in water and lightly run it over the surface.  Works every time.

Today is my Mom's birthday.  She has been in the Philippines for 6 months now, and I miss her more every day.  I'd give anything for a hug from her, or to spend a day sewing and baking along side her.  Here is a recent picture of her in the front room of the home she and my Dad are living in for 18 months.  Isn't she so darling?

 Happy Birthday Mom.  I love you.

thinking ahead

It's never too early to start thinking about gift-giving for next Christmas, right?  Mia and I try to come up with something that's simple, delicious, and perfectly packaged for our dear friends every year.  Have we ever talked about the Christmas caroling adventures with our families?

Do you like to laugh?

Every December, we pick a night to gather our families together for soup and homemade bread...... and Christmas Caroling Rehearsal.  Each person has a very important singing part coupled with festive choreography. After dinner, we work on our dance moves and harmonies together, then head out all bundled up in silly hats, scarfs and mittens.  We visit the homes of about 10 mutual friends and bring each family some holiday hilarity.  One year, Mia sang Santa Baby while sitting on Santa's lap as the rest of us sang background ooh's and ahh's.  Another year, Jaci rode in atop Brody's shoulders for the grand finale, hanging on for dear life as he galloped right through each front door. (a real crowd pleaser!)  This year, we sang a rousing rendition of Feliz Navidad, trusting each of the little boys with a solo.  The nino's part MAY have been the highlight! Some of us didn't make it into the picture, but most of us are here.

 Our families act annoyed when we start planning the big night, but we know that they secretly wait all year for it.  And the homes we visit..... well, rumor has it they plan their whole December around our arrival!

This past year we made and gave away rolls and rolls of {oatmeal cookie dough}.

We have surprised even ourselves this year by already having a plan for Christmas 2013!  It all started when I showed up at Mia's, headed straight for her holiday treat station, and began munching on the most delicious {popcorn confection} I've ever tasted.  As soon as she told me it was the easiest thing she's ever made, we looked at each other and BOOM!  We read each others minds. Which isn't odd at all.  

The next challenge comes with the packaging of the treat.  I forced myself into Fry's this week as soon as we were down to one egg and the heel of the bread.  Somehow I found myself in the holiday aisle, where everything was 50% off.

No on the mincemeat yule logs.

No on the Christmas whoopie cushion.

YES on the slightly tacky plastic containers for $1.

Do you see a tiny glimmer of potential with that darling scalloped lid?  They had several different color combinations, some with red or green lids, but I swooped up on the white ones.  Once I had them washed and dried, I started to think.....

It doesn't take too long to think of spray paint.

Straight to Lowes.  I found a can of Valspar Color Radiance in the most beautiful robin's egg blue called Mirage.  (flat finish)  It's made for painting over wood, metal, AND plastic, with the primer already added.  With the container face-down, I sprayed two light coats over the bottom and sides.  The inside is still completely clean and food safe.

I tied it up with a festive red and white striped ribbon and stuck a live sprig of something that looks just like mistletoe and grows like a week along my fence.  Of course every package needs to be tagged, and I was happy to find these adorable {vintage inspired tags} on Pinterest.  They are a free download and come six to a page. I tied mine on with some baby pink silk ribbon.

Now, I have no idea what I'm making for dinner tonight, but I do know what treat my friends and family will be getting next Christmas!  And now so do they.  Luckily, it's worth looking forward to all year long.

If you live near a Fry's grocery store (also called Kroger in some states), you need to race over there and secure yourself some containers!  I've also seen Christmas tins spray painted that are really cute.  They are always around $1 at thrift stores.  I think I will definitely apply a finish coat of spray matte poly over the painted part to protect it from scratching.

If the sweet vintage tags aren't your thing, here are some more darling options for you to choose from.

 

They are all downloadable {here}, plus a bunch of other really cute designs. 

On another note, my sister had her baby the day after Christmas.  She is so tiny and adorable that I can hardly stand being away from her for more than a day!  My kids are begging to see her constantly, and the minute Andrew saw her in the hospital, he decided that she had "lady lips".  I've never heard that term before and it makes me giggle, but every part of her is perfect, including her teeny, tiny lips!  Mother and baby are doing great and we are counting our blessings that everything went so smoothly. 

Here is baby Bentley with Jaci.  I sent this picture right over to my parents in the Philippines the day after she was born.  Jaci is their 1st grandchild, and Bentley is their 20th!  A new baby is such a miracle.  Congratulations to Brett and Erica!  You certainly don't need an invitation to drop by whenever you want!

     

this one's for the girls

Girls night out started a long time ago when my cousin and her neighbor decided to get a group of girls together to play a game called "Bunco".  Heard of it? 

We spent the first night eating delicious food, laughing ourselves sick, then peeling ourselves away from each other at one in the morning. It was as exhilarating as my first kiss, and much like that momentous night, I was HOOKED.

Now 12 years later we're the best of friends, who have been by each others side through thick and thin.  We've loved on new babies, cried at funerals, braved divorce, and celebrated birthdays, twins, and bridal showers.  Last year we were honorary bridesmaids at Nicole's extraordinary back yard wedding.

Two girls who had moved away came back for this party and let's just say it's a memory that will stand the test of time. 

We don't play the dice game when we get together anymore, but we do get creative with the prizes.  A few months ago Nicole and I were co-recipients of Cheesecake Factory gift cards for holding the splits longer than anyone else.  That's right.

I get to host every September and last week I cleared my calendar, cooked for two days, and prepared for an evening with my best girls.  Have you ever had waffles and dinges (din-juz) off the food cart in New York?  Imagine a light, crispy waffle topped with salted apples, buttery caramel sauce, crispy bacon, and whipped cream.  Little piece of heaven.

Or how about a waffle smothered with slow cooked, smoked pork, cole slaw (I'm usually not a fan of slaw, but I make mine with fresh cream instead of mayo), cracked pepper kettle chips, and home made tangy BBQ sauce. 

Have you ever had fried chicken and waffles under pecan syrup?  Or a waffle topped with strawberries, {spekuloos}, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream, finished off with a buttermilk syrup drizzle? 

We ate...and ate...and ate...

...while we cut out and embellished {gift tags} for every occasion.

Jilly and I have tried and tested many a waffle recipe and Mommy's are the best. 

Mommy's Waffles
2 C whole wheat flour
2 C white flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 heaping Tbsp sugar
1/4 heaping C powdered milk

Mix all ingredients together and add

2 eggs, beaten
3 1/2  C water

Mix together and add 1/3 C oil last of all.  Stir it up and pour the batter on a hot waffle iron.

I have the Waring Pro double wafflemaker found it at Sam's club for $69.95.  It's worth every penny! 

I served fresh limeade with a dash of cream in mason jars, with name tags.  

Click on the tags to print your own.  I used my current favorite font, Century Gothic, and the pink swirly straws are from {Pick Your Plum}.  Lots of fun stuff there!

For the last 12 years these girls have made me laugh harder, smile brighter, and made my life better.  I hope we're still getting together in 50 years, by then we might be using the mason jars to soak our teeth.

i heart girls camp!

Every summer I spend 3 days with some of the most awesome girls ages 12-18.  I look forward to it as much as any other summer trip and this year did not disappoint. 

We hiked through the pines of northern AZ, tipped every canoe over at Woods Canyon Lake, dared each other to eat disgusting food, danced until 2:30 am, drank pina coladas, hung bras on the flagpole, painted our faces with toothpaste and went snipe hunting, and learned how to hula.

The purpose of camp is for each girl to leave feeling happier, more loved, and more secure than they came.  It's about knowing who they are, what their purpose is, and how to increase their relationship with Heavenly Father.  In a world that is so chaotic and demoralizing to young girls, I can get behind anything that helps build them up. Our camp theme was "Be your own kind of beautiful" and every day we talked about how to be kinder, stronger, more courageous, beautiful daughters of God.

Before camp the girls bagged gently used womens and kids clothing from people in our neighborhood for a shelter that houses abused women and their children.  We took a tour of the Butterfly Boutique where these clothes are sold to help raise money for the shelter.  Then we sorted, hung clothes, and cleaned the store.  It was a great way for the girls to give back to the community and we left feeling happy and thankful.

Our fearless camp director shared a quote with the girls and I LOVE the message.  It rings true for women of all ages, no matter how old, pretty, or confident. 

{click on the 8 x 10 image to print}

While at camp we were spoiled with some delicious cooking.  My next door neighbor, Charde, and our friend Randi, came up and made a feast three times a day.  One of my favorites was the Hawaiian, ham and swiss sliders.  They're so easy to make and they're to die for!  Don't worry about counting calories while eating these puppies, there's enough butter here to grease a pig at the county fair.

Hawaiian Sliders
1 pkg Hawaiian, sweet dinner rolls (12 ct)
1 pkg deli ham
12 slices swiss cheese
1/2 c butter, melted
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp onion powder

Slice tops from rolls and place bottoms in baking pan. Layer ham and cheese on rolls. Replace tops. Combine butter, poppy seeds, mustard, Worcestershire, and onion powder and mix well. Drizzle over rolls.  Cover with foil and bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cheese melts. Uncover and cook for 2 additional minutes. Serve warm.

the dog days of summer

Recently, a friend of mine happened upon a load of the coolest industrial crates, and after putting our heads together, we decided they would make very stylish dog beds.  Old, heavy and awesome!  They have the perfect patina and would meld effortlessly into several different types of decor. 

I hauled one down the street to my friend and neighbor Liz's house for a mini photo session.

If you were a dog, wouldn't you want to make that your own?  And look at that beautiful peach tree, laden with fruit!

Liz plucked a fuzzy one right off the tree and handed it to me.  During the summer, a good peach is undoubtedly my favorite fruit and I've been known to make a meal of them.  I told Liz about the {peach pasta recipe}. It's still one of my favorite dishes EVER!  Perfect for summer.

My sister-in-law Janey shared this delight with me many years ago, and I consider her an experienced, gourmet cook.  She is also fancy, every single day.  The first time we ate at her house, Jaci was only 7 and was certain the cloth napkins set at the breakfast table were just for looks.  Janey had a good laugh about that, and it was then I resolved to use cloth napkins for every major holiday so my kids didn't come across as the redneck cousins from Arizona.

After I shared my recipe, Liz told me that she loves to make fresh peach lemonade during the summer.  Oh, hold up!  This is a beverage for me.  She made gallons upon gallons of it for her daughter's wedding in their backyard a few years ago and it was a hit.  I'm going back to pick a box of peaches so  I can have an endless supply of this drink to get me through this summer.  It might be the one and only thing that pulls me through!  Did I mention I've been working like a dog?

Liz's Peach Lemonade

4 C sliced yellow peaches

1 C sugar

2 cans frozen lemonade + water to mix

peach slices to float

Cook peaches and sugar, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Simmer 3-4 minutes. Skim and press through a strainer to yield 2 ½ cups syrup. Pour frozen lemonade in a 1 gallon container, adding syrup and water to make a scant 1 gallon. Chill. Add ice and float sliced peaches before serving.

Makes 1 gallon

Liz has shared many great recipes with me over the past four years I have lived on her street.  Everything that comes out of her kitchen is a party in my mouth, and I'm sure this is no exception.  I'm surprised she finds the time to make anything, because her full time job is raising puppies.  And five children.  If you are looking for a mini schnauzer, I promise you won't find a better breeder in the world.  She will have some ready to go home (with you!) in September.  Visit her {website} to learn more about her incredibly organized operation and adorable dogs.  And maybe tell her she can seal the deal with a glass of chilled peach lemonade that you can enjoy on her porch swing.

It's all I could do to say no to this face.... thank goodness he was sold! 

The dog beds measure 32" wide, 21" tall, and 21" deep.  This is the perfect size for a dog 25 pounds or under.  They each come with a thick, custom cushion that zips off in the back for washing.  Because they are truly vintage, each one will look slightly different in finish, but they are all equally awesome.  If you are interested in a bed for your furry friend that is super unique, email me for a price at meandjilly@gmail.com.

I can hardly wait to share with you my undertaking of the summer.  I've already had to call in the pros on two different occasions, but I just consider those slight hiccups. Ever get yourself into a project and realize you're in over your head?  Ya.  Me too.  Like every week.

tasty tidbits

Did you know our summer is already coming to an end?  We get so violent around here when everyone talks about summer with dreamy eyes and wild anticipation.  I officially call summer a wrap when it starts to maintain 100 degrees or hotter 24 hours a day.  Summer then becomes a 4 letter word and it's not pretty.  So while I'm still enjoying sitting on my porch swing in the evening without an ice pack, I thought I'd share some of the food I made this weekend in honor of our beautiful summer, that will end in two weeks, tops.

Since completing the 28 Day Plant Based Challenge, I'm trying to transition into something that I think will work for me and my family's lifestyle. So when I discovered that Brooke of {The Cheeky Kitchen} has put herself and her family on a vegan and mostly plant based diet for the year, I was encouraged.  Brooke is too funny and she is also an excellent photographer.  I've tried several of her recipes so far, and had great luck with them.

This weekend I had all the ingredients for her {Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad}.  It was so good.  Fresh and light for summer.  The dressing has lime and cilantro, two of my favorites.  I absolutely loved it, and I think you might too.

Brooke can sell anything with the pictures she takes of her creations.  You want to jump right through the computer screen and devour everything she makes.  So check out her blog.  Maybe you will want to be vegan too?

Almost every Sunday evening, we head over to some of our closest friends (and once next door neighbors) house for dinner and conversation.  There is always a lively crowd, and everyone brings a dish or two to share.  It's one of the highlights of my week, and when we have to miss it for some reason, I'm sad.

When we walked in on Sunday and I saw a certain someone there, I was super hopeful she had brought the same dish she had the last time.  And I was in luck!  Of course, you have to be an avocado lover to enjoy this, but I honestly don't need meat the rest of my life when this is in front of me.

I'm calling this recipe Chelene's Avocado Masterpiece, and if you make it, you'll know why!  Absolutely divine I tell you.  I'd almost rather have this than a cupcake, and that's sayin' something.

Arrange avocado wedges on a plate or platter.  In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup olive oil, the juice of 1 medium lime, 2 cloves of fresh, minced garlic, a big pinch of salt, and a little pinch of pepper.  Pour over avocado wedges and watch them disappear.  The lime juice keeps them from browning, but I've never seen them last longer than 5 minutes.  The perfect summertime snack.

We were also lucky enough to visit some other friends on Saturday night.  We go to church with the Packards, and they are such a dear couple and family.  They have become wonderful friends, and I aspire to be as well spoken and intelligent as Chris when I grow up.  She had hosted a beautiful bridal shower earlier that day, and invited us over to help clean up the food that was left.  It didn't take much convincing, and we sat down to a feast around 10:30 p.m.  Everything was delicious, and she gave me a print out of all the recipes.
 
I whipped her breadsticks up for dinner, and it was all I could do to salvage these for a picture. They were so puffy and light with a crispy, buttery bottom.   So easy.  So good.  So summer.  You'll never pull into Little Caesars for Crazy Bread again when you can make enough to feed your whole family for approximately $1.00 in less than an hour. 

Quick Breadsticks
3 1/2 c. flour
1 T. instant yeast
3 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 cube butter, melted

Mix first four ingredients in a large bowl.  Add the warm water and mix to form a soft dough.  Cover and let rise in the bowl for 20 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375 and melt butter in preheated baking sheet with raised edges.  Take pan out once butter has melted and let it cool a bit.  Knead dough a few times on a floured surface.  Roll it out flat and cut into strips about 3/4" wide using a pizza cutter.  Fold strips in half and twist together.  Lay twisted strips on cookie sheet and roll them in the butter until they are completely covered.  Sprinkle with seasonings as desired.....parmesan cheese, kosher salt, dill, italian seasoning, sesame seeds, garlic powder, season salt, etc.  Let rise 20 minutes in the sheet pan, then bake for 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden.

Sunday afternoon was a lazy one.  I took a much needed nap, then decided to whip up some popsicles that G had told me about.  They are super simple and I think the best thing about them is that they take so long to eat.  It forces you to really enjoy them, and keeps the kids occupied for a good 15 minutes.  They taste like strawberry cheesecake, but you could use any kind of berries. 

16 oz. vanilla greek yogurt
Vanilla wafers
Strawberries
5 oz. Dixie cups
Popsicle sticks

Crush some vanilla wafers.  You probably want about a cup of crumbs.  Mix with the greek yogurt, and add a little honey for good measure.  Wash and chop strawberries.  I wish I had pureed about half the strawberries and added it to the yogurt mixture to turn it a touch pink.  If your strawberries aren't nice and sweet, might I suggest you sugar them a little?

Now get your best helper to spoon the yogurt mixture into the bottom of the Dixie cup, followed by a layer of chopped strawberries, and some more yogurt on top.  Finish them off with a stick and head for the freezer.  If you have popsicle molds, you're fancy.  And lucky.  I'm crossing my fingers my mom is going to leave her coveted, Tupperware popsicle molds to me in her will.  I hope my five siblings are reading this.  I called them first!

Erica, I'll split them with you. I guess.

When you are ready to eat them, simply peel the cup away.  If you have molds, they will be really pretty.

Lastly, this week I'm working on a project that includes a makeover on this cute french chair.  And guess what?  She has a twin sister!  Tune in next Tuesday.