Happy Thursday!

A few photos on this beautiful (but cold) Thursday:



My mom made this wonderful salad during our weekend together. Warm brie and shallot dressing, so good.



Another shot at sweet and russet potato fries, with spicy ketchup.



First burgers of the season! Yum.



Now that I'm on spring break (and Husband is at work), I've been spending lots of time in the kitchen. This yummy treat popped up a few days ago when I was bored and craving something sweet.



Buttermilk ice cream, recipe coming soon. Especially tasty with some strawberries on top...





My latest craft--magnets made out of some old pins from Uncle Jack! A little silly but I like them. :)

Speaking of things I like, isn't this amazing? I am such a sucker for cool necklaces...
Hope you're having a great week off, teacher friends!

Birthday and a Wreath

Wednesday was my 24th birthday. Huzzah!

Poor Husband had to work late, so my lovely parents came out and had dinner with me at Big Star. Yep, still obsessed with the Tinga De Pollo. Luckily Husband got home in time for cake. Speaking of....

Check out this amazing chocolate cake my mom made for me. Amazing, right?  It was totally delicious and a great birthday treat.



On another note--in case you need some sort of decoration to fill a large space, here's an idea. I found the frame by the curb on trash day and used it for my wedding as a place-card board, and the wreath I made myself. I don't even know where I saw it first, but look here, here, and here for some help on how to make one.

(Looks lopsided, but it's really just the floor...)

Finally, our bedroom is complete!

(I like to craft.)

Heart-Attack Sugar Cookies

Our first ever Christmas tree together!

Merry late Christmas!

I really meant to tell you all about this great family recipe sooner, but I got a little hung up on my crafting (see below)...

These are my all-time favorite Christmas cookie. Forget about the ingredients--they are incredibly good, regardless of the insane amount of butter that goes into them. My friends always love these cookies too; I get asked for the recipe constantly whenever I bring them to a party. They are a great crowd pleaser!

Again, props to Mom for these. It's all your fault for this sweet tooth--I hope you know that.



Heart-Attack Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1 cup oil
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Using a standing mixer or a hand mixer, beat first four ingredients and combine well. Add and mix in eggs. Whisk flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a large bowl and add slowly to the butter mixture. Add in vanilla and mix well.

Put mixing bowl into refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let dough harden. Take the bowl out and form dough into balls. Fill a small plate or low bowl with sprinkles. Using a drinking glass sprayed lightly with cooking spray, dip the bottom of the glass into the sprinkles and flatten each dough ball on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 7 minutes or until desired crispness.



On another note...

Incase you were wondering about our New Year's Eve Appetizer Menu:
--Sweet potato fries with aioli and spicy ketchup
--Jim Lahey's Pizza Bianca
--Lasagna Cupcakes
--Chips and salsa (Husband might eat all of the salsa himself)
--Aperol-Orange Fizz Cocktails


Happy 2011, lovely friends!


Did I mention that I like to make things?  Owl ornament stocking stuffers that took me way too long but are way too cute...