Chalkboard Sign Christmas Tree

Chalkboard Sign Christmas Tree

If you are looking for a Christmas tree that makes a bold statement, add some flare with a red and white chalkboard signs. Some signs will nestle nicely in your tree's branches, but for those that need more support, add a few eye hooks from your favorite craft or hardware store. Dress it up with ornaments, ribbon, and a tree topper and you have yourself a unique, fun, and festive centerpiece for your holiday home.

Land of 10,000 Calories

Minnesota Made Pretzel M&M Skillet Cookie

What do you get the person who has everything? This year, I got my husband a cast iron pan in the shape of his home-state for his birthday. The American Skillet Company, based in Wisconsin, currently produces skillets in the shapes of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. The cast iron pans are well made, beautiful, and a unique addition to any kitchen. These are the more affordable versions of the original limited edition, made to scale, skillets of the 48 contiguous states. If you have a several hundred (or thousands if you are from a large state), the originals are a true work of art. But if you're lucky enough to be from the upper mid-west, you can purchase these smaller, mass-made pans that look good on the wall, and on the stove.

What can you cook on your state?

2014 New Year's Resolutions

1. I will write more the old fashioned way; with a pen and paper. I will send 104 friends and family members notes and cards and letters because they are special and should get more than bills and Victoria's Secret catalogs in the mail.

2. I will stop bitching about things I don't like about my body and do something about it. Ugly spider veins on the legs; zap them. Bikini line nicks; laser them. Aches and pains; massage them. Lines and wrinkles; photo-facial. Heck, I may even get laserlipo on my stomach pooch that never, ever goes away.

3. I will cook 52 new recipes, a goal I've met the past two years that gives me tremendous amount of happiness in achieving.

4. I will ride my bike at least 100 miles. Not at once, don't be crazy. In total. 

5. I will do at least 250 group fitness classes at The Firm.

6. I will send at least 20 friends my best pictures of them, their dogs, and their kids. Like printed on old-fashion photo paper.

7. I will fix the paint patches in the tasting room. Paint the patch next to the fireplace. And paint the dining room a color that is not hideous. 

8. I will sell some of my Creative Memories inventory. It's taking up space and worth gold these days.

9. I will plan at least one date a month with my husband. Planned date does not include impromptu stops for burgers and fries because we don't feel like cooking.

10. I will do whatever it takes to get one g-damn, non-assisted pull-up by the end of the year.

2014 52 Recipe Challenge

The 52 recipe challenge is a way of bringing together our friends far and wide who love to cook and share their successes and failures in the kitchen. The challenge; to make 52 new recipes in a single year. This is our third year of sharing food, recipes, kitchen catastrophes, and culinary creativity with friends far and wide.

Top 5 of 2014

2. Pumpkin Pie Bars- I brought these into work and had over a dozen people request the recipe

1. Sausage Gravy- I made this for a bunch of Texans and they were impressed

42. Pan-Roasted Swordfish with Tarragon Mustard Sauce- Better than anything in a restaurant

10. Mustard Braised Lamb Shanks- melt in your mouth, great marriage of flavors

53. Whiskey Praline Pecans- addictive, easy to make, great for gifts

Honorable Mentions
8. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas- simple to prepare, leftovers great for breakfast with eggs
11. NYC Black and White Cookies- Spot on for the real thing
15. Chinese BBQ Spareribs- bright red ribs just like at a restaurant, tasty
35. Smoked Barbecue Baby Back Ribs- Fell off the bone, great flavor
46. Herbed Fauxtisserie Chicken- Excellent go-to chicken recipe

* denotes a dish we'll make again

- denotes a dish we didn't like or wouldn't make again

1. Sausage Gravy ***
• Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
2. Pumpkin Pie Bars ***
3. Mussels in White Wine -
4. Samoa Bars *
5. Acorn Squash Fritters *
6. Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
• Ravioli Dough
7. Cold Sesame Noodles *
8. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas **
9. No-Knead Bread *
10. Mustard Braised Lamb Shanks ***
11. NYC Black and White Cookies **
12. Crispy Udon Noodles -
13. Asian Chicken Slaw *
14. Shrimp Toast 
15. Chinese BBQ Spareribs **
16. "Chinese Take-out" Crispy Beef -
17. Shanghai Chicken Wings 
18. Firecracker Shrimp *
19. Pork and Chive Dumplings *
• Coconut Ice Cream *
20. Stout-Braised Short Ribs -
21. Parmesan Grits *
22. Corn * and Flour ** Tortillas
23. Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins *
24. Tuscan Vegetable Soup
• Wonton Chips
25. Truffled Mac and Cheese *
• Watermelon Mimosas *
26. Yellow Cake with Fudge Frosting -
• Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
27. Bourbon Brined Turkey *
28. Creamy Baked Asparagus with Aged Cheddar
29. Scalloped Potatoes with Ham *
30. Waffles
31. Ham and Asparagus Frittata *
• Maple Bacon Bourbon Ice Cream - 
32. Softshell Crab Sandwiches
• Tartar Sauce
33. Broccoli Rabe with Sausage
34. Orecchitte with Sausage and Kale
35. Smoked Barbecue Baby Back Ribs **
• Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita *
36. Tequila Glazed Chicken with Jalapeno **
37. Jalapeno Honey Garlic Chicken *
38. Fennel Garlic Chicken Legs *
39. Arugula, Beet, and Blue Cheese Salad
40. Roasted Shrimp with Chile Gremolata *
41. Blue Cheese and Bacon Tomato Salad
42. Pan-Roasted Swordfish with Tarragon Mustard Sauce **
43. Pioneer Woman Marinated Flank Steak *
44. Bacon and Onion Swiss Chard
45. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
46. Herbed Fauxtisserie Chicken **
47. French Onion Soup *
48. Hollandaise Sauce -
49. Broccoli Strascinati (Broccoli with Garlic and Hot Pepper)
50. Beer-Roasted Pork Shoulder *
51. Braised Pork Steaks *
52. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Almonds -
53. Whiskey Praline Pecans ***

2013 52 Recipe Challenge
2012 52 Recipe Challenge