Broccoli Lover

I love broccoli. This recipe is extra delicious.


http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html

S'mores cupcakes!

How delicious do these cupcakes look? I really want to make them. Not like today.... or this weekend... but eventually.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Woman's Day.

Active Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Crumbs: 

6 graham cracker boards (oblongs) 

2 Tbsp each sugar and melted butter 

1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips 

Cupcakes 

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 

1 1/2 cups sugar 

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

3/4 tsp baking soda 

1/4 tsp salt 

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs 

1/2 cup each canola oil and water 

1 Tbsp vanilla extract  

Marshmallow Topping 

6 large egg whites 

1 1/2 cups sugar 

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Small handheld butane torch

PREPARATION

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. Crumbs: Process graham crackers in food processor until fine crumbs. Add sugar and butter; pulse until blended. Spoon about 2 tsp into each muffin cup. Top with 1 tsp mini chocolate chips.

3. Cupcakes: In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt until blended. In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil, water and vanilla until blended; whisk into flour mixture until smooth.

4. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

5. Marshmallow Topping: Put egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a large metal bowl. Set over a saucepan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, about 3 to 4 minutes.

6. Transfer to large bowl of an electric stand mixer. Beat 5 to 7 minutes, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Beat in vanilla. Spoon into a large ziptop freezer bag.

7. Snip a 1-in. opening off one tip; pipe topping onto each cupcake. Using handheld torch, lightly brown the topping, taking care not to burn the cupcake liners. Serve immediately, or store in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 2 days.

La Casa de Claudio

I've recently realized how much I love to organize. I guess it makes sense, considering I was constantly rearranging my room growing up.  Once I even make a blueprint of my room/furniture on graph paper to find ways to move around my bed, desk, bookshelf, etc.

So when Daniel recently got his own apartment, this pastime resurfaced. Every time I come over, I want to go shopping so we can better organize his living space (usually it's to Wal Mart, Ross, JoAnns, or my favorite new thrift shop- Thrift Town).  Sometimes Daniel will just tell me to sit down and relax because I'm looking around for something I can "fix". Also, he has also told me time and time again that NO he does not need a shoe rack for his 6 pairs or shoes. Fine. Here are some things we have collected/made.

Grocery Bag Dispenser
Daniel picked out this awful...I mean lovely red checkered fabric shortly after I got my sewing machine. It took me a while to figure out what to make from it, but soon realized that something had to be done with the growing of plastic bags he was collecting. I like to think I'm a huge advocate for reusable grocery bags, but to be honest I often forget. Anyway, I found a pattern for a grocery bag dispenser (click here) and made one. I'm happy to report that it has been very handy, and that the fabric actually looks pretty good in the kitchen.

Chalk Board
We found this under a pile of frames at Goodwill. It didn't have a price on it but I wanted to get it so bad! Luckily it was only $5!!! Oh and it's IKEA. I added some screw-hooks on the bottom to hold towels, hot pads, and whatever else.

Guitar & Frame
If you didn't know, Daniel is Argentine. It's a big deal. He gave me one of his Argentine flags to hang on my wall after a few months of dating. It's ok though, because it is a beautiful flag and I had wanted to visit Argentina even before I knew he was Argentine! Anyway, Daniel inherited this beautiful ivory guitar with carvings of horses and gauchos. It is so beautiful! It has a little hole in the top to be hung up, but the problem is that the guitar camouflaged into the white walls of his apartment.
Solution: We bought a cheap black frame at WalMart. Then we bought some Argentina Blue fabric at JoAnns. We secured the fabric to the frame backing with hot glue. Then, put a nail through the fabric, the back of the frame, and straight into the wall. Since the frame is really light weight, it holds up the whole ensemble. Hopefully we can someday give this beautiful guitar justice with a better display, but for now it isn't bad!

Recycled T-Shirt Bags

I stumbled onto this brilliant idea on recycling old t-shirts into tote bags. They are super easy to make, come in very handy, and also give you some use for old t-shirts that I don't want to get rid of.Just make sure you don't accidentally make a bag out of a shirt that your boyfriend actually likes. (Sorry babe!)

I might also love this tutorial (find here) because it was made as project for a Girl Scout. Awww.

This link (here) also was handy to show how to square the bottom of the bag.

Magazines Galore

I have a bazillion magazines. I just can't get rid of them! I remember when I parted with a huge box of the Cosmopolitans I collected in high school. It was sad, but necessary. Since, I probably have collected just as many, if not more magazines and thanks to school fundraisers & gift subscriptions, I continue to have a constant inflow. That's really ok though because I do enjoy a good magazine. Problem: What to do with them after my pile is getting a little embarrassingly huge. Here's a start.

 
A Bowl
I made this while watching TV in two nights. All you need are magazines, a glue stick, and hot glue. The tutorial I followed also suggested using scotch tape, but I just went all out with my glue gun.  After you are done wrapping, spray with a sealant. Mine is a little on the fragile side, but it definitely does the job. I really like my magazine bowl, especially since my brother said he saw the same thing for sale at Urban Outfitters. Suckers!! (Click here for the tutorial I used).

Coasters

Can you have enough coasters? Ok maybe. But I really like these and they were easy to make too. All you need is magazines and hot glue. You can spray them with sealant afterward, but it really isn't necessary. (The first one I made I accidentally sprayed with spray adhesive instead of sealant. It still sticks to the table- haha). (Click here for the tutorial I used).

My New Yellow Skirt

I am embarrassed to post this photo of my messy room/dirty mirror for the world to see, but I really wanted to show you (Christine!) my skirt. Hopefully I can replace this photo soon. :)

Hedgehogmania ♥

Tell me this isn't the cutest little guy you've ever seen?!!
Apparently pygmy hedgehogs are all the rage in the UK.
I want one!

Anyway, I found a pattern to make a hedgehog pincushion and it was obviously love at first sight. You can find the pattern and tutorial [here]. It was really easy, and the materials (felt & embroidery thread) are super cheap.
Below is how my little guy turned out.
I think I'll name him Pablo.