Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Yep, I feel off the face of the earth....

Yep, I fell off the face of the earth....and landed in Oz!

I have been out of town and life has been busy and my blog has suffered for it! I am so sorry! I just returned from a trip to see "Wicked" the broadway musical and I have to say that it is now my favorite! I didn't think anything could ever top Les Miserables but it is right up there! Wicked is clever and fun and the cast was just amazingly talented!

So, treat yourself to some culture and go see a play or musical.....and if you haven't seen Wicked, go see it! You will not regret it!

I promise to post some fun things soon and get back on the old blog bandwagon!

Be beautiful!

Heather

Monday, June 15, 2009

Feedback--How do you welcome people?

Hello all.....

Life has been super busy lately and the old blog has suffered as I get pulled in lots of directions....but life is good and I like to be busy so I am okay with it.

I was wanting to know how you welcome people to your church or neighborhood? In our local level of our church, we have "Welcome" folders that we give to people who have moved into the area. we include things like a listing of phone numbers of the local church leaders, the times for our meeting schedules, calendars, newsletters, a babysitting list of teenage girls who babysit, and local information that you can pick up from your local chamber of commerce or Convention and Visitor's Bureau, like maps, things to do in the area, etc.

I would like to see what you all do. I need to add a few things to our "Welcome" folders and maybe you can give me some good ideas!

Thanks!
Heather

Monday, June 8, 2009

Summer Fun: Rolled Vanila Ice Cream

This sounds like a fun way to make ice cream with your kids this summer. Remember to use pasturized eggs if you are at all concerned with raw eggs!

Roll into summer with an easy homemade ice cream

This is a fun recipe for everyone. Be sure to have plenty of ice to replenish as it melts, especially if you are working outside.

Change the flavor with the included variations or improvise your own. Makes 3 cups.

COFFEE CAN ICE CREAM
* What you'll need:
1 (1-pound) coffee can
1 (3-pound) coffee can
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup milk
1 egg, beaten (optional: pasteurized eggs are a good choice)
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup chopped strawberries
Rock salt
Crushed ice

* How to do it:
Pour whipping cream, milk, egg, sugar and strawberries into the 1-pound can and stir well. Put the lid on and place in the larger can. Alternate layers of rock salt and crushed ice around the smaller can (about 4 cups ice and 1/2 cup salt).

Put the lid on the large can and let the kids roll it back and forth on the floor for 15 minutes.
Open the larger can and pour out the excess water. Remove the small can, wipe the lid and open carefully. With a spatula, scrape the well-frozen ice cream from the outside edges and blend with the softer mixture in the middle.

If the ice cream is too soft, put the small can back inside the larger can and repack with ice and salt. Roll 5 to 15 minutes more or until hardened.

* Variations:
Vanilla: Increase sugar to 1 cup, and add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Omit strawberries.
Chocolate: Substitute 1 cup chocolate milk for 1 cup milk, and 1 cup mini chocolate chips for the strawberries.

Cooking Tip: Vanilla Paste

I came across this article in The Eagle Newspaper and I thought it was really interesting. I had never heard of vanilla paste but think that I need to order some and test it out!

Here is the article, its a Q&A with Chef Lisa:

Vanilla paste adds rich flavor without liquid

Dear Lisa: I am an avid Southern Living magazine follower and really enjoy the recipes. Lately, several recipes have called for vanilla paste. I have called several craft stores and whole foods markets in the area and have not located it. Is it possible to make it at home? -- Sheila B.

Dear Sheila: Vanilla bean paste is a sweet concentrated vanilla extract that also contains vanilla seeds. Cooks prefer to use it when they want an intense vanilla flavor but not the additional liquid that extract would add. For instance, when making frostings, even a few extra drops of liquid can compromise the consistency.

Vanilla paste is used measure for measure with vanilla extract. In other words, 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste equals 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean.

The seeds in vanilla paste are a bonus. They add the gourmet appearance -- without the expense -- in dishes that require splitting a vanilla bean and scraping out the pulp and seeds. Homemade ice cream, custards and crème brulee are just some of the foods made sublime with vanilla paste.

I haven't found a local source, either, and it would be cost prohibitive to make vanilla paste at home. You can find it at Williams-Sonoma and there are several online stores that carry it, including Amazon.com.

Busy Summer!

This summer is off and running and life is busy! I am sorry for not posting but will try to have some great ideas for you soon!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Free Rootbeer Floats at Sonic Wednesday June 3rd, 2009!

All Sonics will have FREE Rootbeer floats tomorrow night from 8:00pm to midnight!

Go enjoy.....free....ice cream...root beer.... (Sonic ice is awesome too!)...who could ask for anything more!

Beautiful Basics

Life is about a journey, and you are the only one who can make yours... So, embrace life: the good, the bad, and the ugly...it is the only one you've got.

Here's to being Beautiful, inside and out!