Monday, January 9, 2012

RECYCLED MIRROR CEILING

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the fairest ceiling of them all? Mine ... now!


I absolutely despise my kitchen ceiling. It's old, and yucky.I need a vintage cool one. 


Hmm what could  I put up there that was recycled.......thinking.....thinking....I GOT IT, MIRRORS!!!!     


 I have a bunch, but no where near what I'll need to cover an 11 x 11 ceiling. So off  thrifting I go...


*

                      These are some I had laying around.




                               Here is a day of thrifting...



This is what my ceiling looked like before.Yuck!


I removed all the mirrors and painted all the frames gloss white , with a dusting of mica glitter. Then I reassembled them....




This is my dining room table...there were many TV tray nights in the living room sacrificed for this project..HA HA !!!




A dab here and there with Quick Grab held the frames up long enough to drive a couple screws into them.
I can't seem to get any help around here, so I built my own helper from an old towel and post I found in the garage.We've built quite the friendship!LOL





My medallion had a piece missing, which worked perfect to get around the chandelier, and I  strategically placed a framed mirror over the missing spot.

I added some peachy pink roses to the center,cause I think they're pretty!


I was running low on small mirrors so I fashioned my own with a plaque, and a dollar store mirror....and of course PEARLS!













 

were getting there!.....
Just some trim work left!
                      


Monday, January 2, 2012

TOASTED MARSHMALLOW MOCHA





Ingredients:
  1. 8 oz. espresso or concentrated coffee 
  2. 1 cup marshmallows
  3. 1 tsp. premium unsweetened cocoa powder [ Ghirardelli]
  4. 1 tbsp. turbinado(sugar in the raw), divided in half
  5. 12 oz. whole milk or whole milk and half and half mixed to taste [ 2-to-1 milk to half and half]
  6. just a splash of premium vanilla extract (to taste), approx. one half-teaspoon
Directions:
  1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk mixture, half of the sugar, vanilla, and cocoa powder over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the espresso and add the other half of the sugar. Stir to combine.
  3. When the milk mixture just starts to steam, rinse the marshmallows in a strainer under warm (not hot) water for about 10 seconds to remove the corn starch and then add them to the warmed milk mixture. Stir for 20-30 seconds.
  4. Pour milk mixture into a blender, and on medium-high speed, blend the milk mixture for approximately 30 seconds. Meanwhile, divide the coffee mixture evenly between two 12 oz. mugs.
  5. Add the milk mixture to the mugs, pouring into and on top of the coffee. The foamy marshmallow milk on top will float and pour out mostly last if you're careful, making a nice creamy head on top of the mug.
  6. Garnish with a few marshmallows and a light dusting of cocoa powder or shaved dark chocolate, or instead top with whipped cream (if desired) with a few marshmallows planted therein and on top, dusted with cocoa powder or shaved dark chocolate.
  7. Top with a toasted marshmallow
  8.  Enjoy hot!
One of the keys to this recipe is rinsing the cornstarch from the marshmallows. Marshmallow fluff (or creme) could be substituted instead to skip this slightly unorthodox step. If marshmallows are used unrinsed, expect an unpleasant flavor of cornstarch throughout the cups.



IMPOSSIBLE CHEESEBURGER PIE LOW CARB



INGREDIENTS

1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup corn
1/4 cup peas
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup) or 1 shallot
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup ATKINS bake mix
 http://suzyhomefaker.blogspot.com/2011/12/atkins-copycat-baking-mix-recipe.html
1 cup WHOLE milk or 1/2 cup cream & 1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs

HOW TO DO IT

1. Heat oven to 400. Grease a 9-inch pie plate. Cook ground beef and onion until beef is brown; drain. Spread in pie plate; sprinkle with salt and cheese.


2. Combine remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl until blended. Pour into pie plate.


3. Bake for about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes.


8 or 4 generous servings
2 total for entire recipe, 8 servings @ 1.5g each



KATIE'S WEDDING

For this wedding, I was the cake designer, florist, and hall decorator.Way too much work for one person in one day...









Sunday, January 1, 2012

BRICK DEEP FRIED CHEESE CURDS


The people of the state of Wisconsin love their cheese so much that they even wear funky Styrofoam cheese hats at Green Bay Packers football games. They call themselves "cheese heads" and like to nibble on deep-fried cheese curds.Every restaurant, bar, and bowling alley in Wisconsin seems to serve them. They are usually a monster=sized appetizer, and they compete with French fries as a side order with sandwiches. They are also a favorite at local fairs, festivals, and fishing lodges. It is said that the folks in Wisconsin crave their curds.
Cheese curds, a uniquely Wisconsin delicacy, are formed as a by-product of the cheese-making process. Most cheese curd (at least the ones made in Wisconsin) are a cheddar cheese product. Some can be made from mozzarella, Colby, or Monterey jack cheeses.Tonight we had them made with famous Widmer's brick cheese.Thy were little bites of HEAVEN!!!


In a state known for its cheese, Joe Widmer is a proud cheesehead. He's heir to the Widmer cheese throne, the third generation in his family in the business. Joe Widmer is one of only eight certified Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers. I am fortunate enough to have him as my neighbor.  What that means is that Widmer cheeses are made the same, careful, painstaking way they have been for generations. Widmers' is the only factory left in the state of Wisconsin that still follows the authentic procedures of manufacturing Brick Cheese. In fact, the Widmers' still use the bricks that Grandfather John O. Widmer used in 1912 to press their cheese. A staggering 10 pounds of milk goes into each one pound of cheese. That adds up to make this the best brick cheese made in the U.S.A.

http://www.widmerscheese.com/pages/The-Story-of-Wisconsin-Brick-Cheese.html

Cheese curds are little-known in locations without cheese factories, because they should ideally be eaten absolutely fresh, within hours of manufacture. They have about the same firmness as cheese, but have a springy or rubbery texture. They are usually orange in color.  They are little nubs of cheese, roughly the size of peanuts, which, if very fresh, squeak when you bite down on them. The "squeak" is a very high-pitched sound. Unlike aged cheese, curds lose their desirable qualities if refrigerated or if not eaten with a few days. The squeak disappears, and they turn dry and salty. If you find them in supermarkets, they are probably a few weeks old and inedible. Cheese curds have become so popular that many Wisconsin cheese factories make the curds daily to meet the demand of cheese curd lovers.


Wisconsin is the leading producer of cheese in the United States, with much of Wisconsin's cheese made at small, family-owned and operated cheese factories. Cheese making began in Wisconsin around 1840, when word of Wisconsin's rich farmland spread throughout Europe and the United States. Settlers from the eastern dairy states of New York and Ohio, as well as immigrants from Switzerland, Germany, and other countries in Europe, brought their traditions of cheese making and secret recipes to Wisconsin. By 1922, there were more than 2,800 cheese factories in the state. Wisconsin produces over 2 billion pounds of cheese per year, and its cheese is considered among the best in the world.



Ingredients:
Vegetable oil (for frying)*
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup milk or beer
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 (9-ounce) package fresh brick cheese curds, room temperature

* Use enough vegetable oil to completely cover cheese curds while frying.

Preparation:
In a deep fryer or large pot, heat vegetable oil (375 degrees to 385 degrees F).
In a medium bowl, combine egg, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and milk or beer until well blended. Add flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder; mix until smooth. Drop cheese curds in batter. Using a spoon, turn cheese curds to coat thoroughly.
A few at a time, drop the coated curds into the hot oil; fry approximately 1 minute or until brown and puffed, turning to coat all sides (do not overcook, or the cheese curds will begin to melt and ooze through the coating. Remove from hot oil and drain on paper towels. Allow fried cheese curds to cool a couple of minutes before eating.
Serves many.


You can order and have your brick cheese curds sent to you at the link provided above. You won't be disappointed! Use ranch dressing for dipping sauce ,DELICIOUS!


BEST EVER EGG SALAD


Does your egg salad get runny after a couple hours in the refrigerator?


 NOT with this recipe.


 The secret is the saltine crackers, and you won't even know their in there!


Ingredients
  • 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon chili sauce
  • 6 crushed saltine crackers
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • 12 slices white or wheat bread
  • 6 lettuce leaves
  • 6 slices tomato
  • 6 slices bacon, optional



Directions

  • In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, chili sauce, saltine crackers and pepper. Stir in the eggs, green pepper, celery, onion, and parsley.
  • On six slices of bread, layer lettuce, tomato, bacon and 1/2 cup egg salad. Top with remaining bread. Yield: 6 servings.

Make a platter for guests on game day with some bakery dinner rolls.Its so cheap to make, beautiful and good for you!


 Here's a cute garnish idea.





Try serving chicken, egg or tuna salad in an ice cream cone instead of between bread.