Liberty of London Loot From Target!

Target's Liberty of London merchandise is like eating sweet, colorful, yummy candy. How can you stop from not taking one of each?! Besides, the more they sell, perhaps the more likely LOL will return next year in new colors and prints! Now before you think I flipped my crazy switch to the "On" position, these are not all for moi, but also gifts and special requests for friends. However, it sure was fun hunting and shopping for them...and me!

(Left) Chiffon robe - I plan to wear it as a wrap top over a tank or to yoga class. It's quite pretty!

(Above right) Collection of black and white Dunclair or Dunclare. Two of the three canisters set (the largest was just too big), mug, small plastic tumber, 1" binder notebook, hat box style gift box, 24 notecards (3 designs, 8 each)

(Left) Mark Pink paisley umbrella, Dunclair 25 gallon Pop-Up Bag (L wants to take it to college as a hamper), Dunclare teapot and 2" x 3" opening photo frames. Medium weight 100% cotton "Bright Blue" boxers (L grabbed these for summer shorts), Medium weight 100% cotton "Dark Navy/Floral" men's shirt-Size L is perfect for us 6 foot tall-ies. And they even sewed extra buttons at the bottom! The print has red tulips, pink and green flowers! My opinion, I think this is a little too fou-fou for a guy, but great for a gal. Dunclair print scarf in lightweight 100% cotton - fringe trim with extra tassels in the corners, it measures 42" x 60". It also comes in two other floral prints. Ladies, if you want to get away from the LOL polyesters in our department, head over to the men's department. All cotton, all silk (ties)! And bonus if you sew, you can easily alter the boxer shorts (sew the fly shut), add darts to the shirt and/or roll the sleeves, or repurpose the scarf fabric making a pretty tank (using the fringe edge for a hem!) or applique or trim for clothing or home dec.) Actually the scarf is quite nice as it is -- generously sized with a very nice hand and tie-ing drape.

(Right) Large Tapered Bin, Milk Crate and Media Box. $9.99 Candles (10 oz, glass jar inside) left to right - Lotus and White Flower, Violet Fig and Spiced Black Tea. The other scents are Vanilla Bean, Sugared Grapefruit and Ocean Minerals. The grosgrain ribbon-trimmed container is a potential repurposing bonus!

Backdrop - Girls Size XL smocked top maxi sundresses. Bonus the one on the left is that cool Susanna print! I plan to chop off the top and turn them into skirts. (Another benefit of being tall - if you can't wear them if you are petite, work with what you've got. Long legs!) They are already lined with a band of contrasting fabric and hemmed. A quick elastic casing and voila! Cute summer skirts for only $16.99. Each has two small ruffled patched pockets I may end up removing and using again someplace else. Sixty print file box, clipboard, file folders...and the teapot! Another pair of boxers in Red (L LOVES them! Shorts for $5.99 - a bargain!) Apparently a Target employee dropped the box of Maynard canisters, breaking the lids. So they are selling them lidless for $10, OK by me, I'm using it as a makeup brush holder! And I grabbed the other two square scarves/pareos - Poppy Blue and Jennifers Flowers Pink.

Fuchsia Garla print cloth padded flip flops. Pretty knotted/braid detail! Sizes S-M-L (5/6, 7/8, 9/10) I wear a Size 10 and they fit me just fine.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

GREEN Velvet Cupcakes from Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique

UPDATED - Liberty of London at Houston Target Stores - who has what - Pearland Store Added!

By now the word is out that not all Target stores have all the Liberty of London merchandise.
But it was fun to check around and see, enjoying the thrill of the hunt. For the most part, all you need to do is look for the Liberty butterfly dangling from the ceiling. It will help guide your way!

I am really loving the Dunclaire/Dunclare black and white floral design. I've seen it spelled both ways on the display tags and am still trying to figure out the correct one.

I went to four different ones in the Southwest Houston area and as of last night and this morning here's what I found --and remembered--

UPDATED 3-17 - Second Pearland store added!

Super Target - FM 518/Pearland

Only store which had the Fuchsia padded cloth flip-flops. Sizes Small (5/6)-Medium (7/8)-Large (9/10) Lots of Mediums and a good number of large - $12.99
Gardening has a good selection, both Dunclare and Sixty Pop-Up Buckets. Garla gloves!
Very good selection of stationery, with file boxes and gift boxes
No mens clothing

Target - Beltway 8/Pearland Parkway (Between Telephone Road and Blackhawke)

Best selection of stationery - including the file boxes, file folders and clipboards
Teapots - the Sixty (!) and Dunclare
All candles
No gardening
Good selection of women's clothing including bathing suits, maxi dresses and the Dunclaire jumpsuit, which I have not seen anywhere else. They do not have the yellow coat.
Best selection of linens -- all quilts, comforters and pillows
Very good selection of lampshades and lampbases - including the Sixty and the PINK! Peacock
Best selection of Liberty for Men - all the ties, shirts and boxers
Good selection of boots (I saw another size 10, is it following me?!)
Very good selection of lingerie

Super Target - Sugar Land

Gardening tools, planters - a few
Best selection of nighties
Best selection of plastic glasses
Good selection of 3-piece prep bowls
3-18-10 Men's section just put on display, and there's a butterfly to guide you!

Super Target - Missouri City

All the candles ($9.99)
Best selection of stationery, notebooks, hatboxes
Container storage boxes (back towards the frozen food)
Best selection of dishes
Best selection of the 3-piece prep bowls
Good selection of ladies clothes

Target - Meyerland

Lots of the pink umbrellas -- be sure to check the snap closure
Some bucket hats
All the piggy banks
Skinny crinkled patchwork scarves
All the mugs
Good selection of rain boots, including a size 10 (tempted...but they are $29.99)
Good selection of canisters
No teapots
Best selection of lamp shades and lamp bases
Quilted quilts in King size only - Garla and Dunclaire

Super Target - South Main/Reliant Center

If you are looking for the clothes, this store had the most stocked, best selection, and in larger sizes!
Lots of mugs
Lots of piggy banks
1 black and white Dunclaire/Dunclare teapot
Gardening gloves, planters, pop-up bags (the black & white Dunclaire and another floral one)
Men's shirts, ties and boxers (on a rack towards the front, but not on the aisle. Just luck I found it, no butterfly)
Scarves - including the square tasseled ones (This is the only store I've seen the squares)
Bucket hats, wallets, plastic totebags
Best stocked selection of bras and panties
They are selling the Maynard (pink floral) medium sized canister without the lid for $10.51.

Biofeedback for allergies?

Hey, it worked for me! The tree pollen is listed as "Extreme" in the newspaper, and I have been MISERABLE the past eight days. The last straw was yesterday morning when we were in Costco. Just walking from the parking lot to the store was enough to trigger a coughing and choking fit to the extent I couldn't even speak and tears were running from my eyes. I headed back to the car and gave the list to T and L - hoping for the best, who knew what else those two would find?! - and scoped out some free wi-fi on the iPod Touch. I emailed my sister to whine and chat a bit, and mentioned my quarrantine in the parking lot. She suggested I try biofeedback. I must admit I was a bit skeptical at first - I've had allergies all of my life, done the shots, the year-round antihistimine. I told her I just have to wait it out and suffer certain weeks of the year. And bless the person who invented Puffs Plus. But for those of you who also have allergies, you know what we go through - it's just awful. This tree pollen season seems to be particularly worse than previous years. I don't know if it was because of our crazy weather or what. I thought what the heck, I'll give it a try. When I was having bad migraines in the 80's, my neurologist suggested biofeedback, which was very successful for me. But it never occurred to me it could work for allergies, too.

Surprise! It did! I woke up this morning with my chest clear, my throat unsore, and able to breathe - through my nose, without choking! I'm still a little stuffy on and off this morning, but I have definitely turned the corner and feel a thousand times a thousand better. I even cleaned the house this morning and I'm getting ready to hit the sewing room. In the interest of full disclosure, my sister's boyfriend is Bill Nolan of Planet Bioscan. I was not asked to write this nor received any other compensation. I just wanted to post it because it worked for me. And it can work long distance. They live in Phoenix, Arizona - I'm in Houston, Texas. Honestly, if you have reached the end of your rope, email or give them a call. ( bill@planetbioscan.com - toll free 1-877-728-4101) Mention you heard about them through Peggy at The House of Kent blog. They are also doing special allergy sessions this month. Click here for their latest newsletter.

Netflix Stars - Coco Before Chanel

5+/5 stars - Now this one was off the charts! Even in French with English subtitles, L and I loved the movie. A great introduction and look into the life of Coco Chanel before she was and as just as she became famous. And further credit it won the Oscar for Best Costume Design. I loved how it showed the fashions and attitude of the era, and how Chanel came along and 180'd the style and behavior. You can see how her past influenced her designs. Loved it! And be sure to watch the special features section.

Netflix Stars - The Time Traveler's Wife

2.5/5 - One word - Disappointing. Disappointed because of the new Time-Warner/Netflix policy of holding back new releases 30 days before allowing them to be rented so hopefully people would buy the movie instead. (and I would have been even more disappointed had I done that!) Disappointed this failed to live up to our expectations and all the hype. Disappointed there weren't any special features on the DVD. Even disappointed one of my fav songs which was playing with all the movie's previews wasn't even in the movie (Carolina Liar, "Show Me What I'm Looking For") It almost seemed set to be spoofed by Saturday Night Live. Afterwards upon reading the reviews and hearing other people's comments, evidently it would have helped to have read the novel by Audrey Niffenegger first. Not much background detail was provided and we were left to ourselves to try and stitch it all together.

Netflix Stars - Post Grad

3.5/5 - A cute, lightweight movie with several storylines bouncing around throughout. Gosh, does Alexis Bledel have the bluest eyes?! I'm not really a huge fan of Michael Keaton, but he was really funny in his role as the father. Surprised to see Carol Burnett, too! Remember that hunky guy in "Love Actually"? (Rodrigo Santoro) He plays the hunky neighbor across the street. The movie editing is a bit choppy and disjointed in some places, obviously some scenes were deleted, but no proof as the DVD did not have any special features other than movie trailers.

Ahh-chooo!

I love trees but not when they are looking for love!

(This is my front yard Red Oak tree.)

Anyhoo, while on a "Benadryl Bender" yesterday, I bought 7 yards of fabric at High Fashion Fabrics. I'm getting ready to try Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1164 in the short sleeved version and whip up a couple of old fav 2945's. Seriously, have you grabbed these two patterns yet? Discontinued 2945 may still be available on the Vogue website. And one of my 1164 versions was passed around the ladies room at last weekend's Houston ASG Sue Hausmann event. (She was great by the way!) All shapes, all sizes, all loved it. (FYI: Next Vogue $3.99 sale is March 18/20)

Toodles! I need to finish washing the fabs and hit the sewing room -- I'm not wasting this antihistimine buzz!

Thank you, floozy oak tree!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Tazo Green Ginger "A dazzling blend with sweet, spicy ginger and a touch of pear"

Pear?! Cool!

Cost: $3.59 at Super Target

Number of teabags: 20
Caffeine: Yes
Type of tea: Green
Steeping time: 3 minutes
Double-Dipping potential: Yes, 5 minutes
Mix ins: Honey
Teabag fragrance: Ginger
Ingredients: Green tea, natural flavors, ginger and lemongrass
Taste: Ginger without the hot bite, slightly fruity

Opinion: I brewed a mug of this when I was being assaulted by the Spring March of allergies and needed something strong yet soothing. This did the trick! My sore throat felt much better after drinking it. I've been drinking several mugs a day all week -- I definitely think it is helping to stall and hopefully prevent the sinus infections and bronchitis I usually get this time of year while the trees are pollinating. So far, so good - keep your fingers crossed!
Rating: 5 teabags

H(app)y Days

More Cupcakes!

Just found this one today - half the fun of cupcakes are decorating them (the other half eating!). But this app is calorie free! It also seems to get frequent updates based upon user suggestions. Be sure to check out the St. Patrick's Day options. 99 cents

Fly Kiwi, Fly!

Cute game. You tilt the iPhone/Touch to make the kiwi fly. Earn money to buy equipment to help his journey. 99 cents

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

March 7/13
Simplicity $1.99
50% off notions wall

March 18/20
McCall's $1.99
Vogue $3.99

Netflix Stars - The Hangover

I hate to say it, but we actually give it a 3. There were lots of funny and some tasteless scenes. Particularly during the end credit roll, you may want to shield the youngsters. But overall, not that bad. Zach Galifianakis (remember him as Davis from the morgue on "Tru Calling"?) stole the movie.

Cooking Light - Blue Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Buffalo Sauce

The good, the bad and the ugly!

Blue Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Buffalo Sauce - Cooking Light, March 2010 - page 117

This recipe is found in the section of "Oops! The 25 Most Common Cooking Mistakes" - and this was Mistake #12, "You Turn the Food Too Often" -- "Resist the urge to turn the chicken before it's time; otherwise you risk having the breading stick to the pan."

I should add -- or risk burning and not browning enough. And for good measure, repeat sticking to the pan, too.

In my case, two chicken breasts started to burn, and the others didn't even brown all the way or just barely. What a mess! And then I thought the oven baking would help finish browning and make it look pretty. It did not.

The chicken tasted rubbery and was tough. Unusual because we usually have good results with Costco's chicken breasts. I probably overcooked it because it just looked raw and awful.

It was my first time using Panko crumbs and bottled roasted red peppers. I must admit that Cooking Light does stretch my culinary muscles and increase my pantry with new items to try.

But on the positive side, we loved the sauce and will make that part of the recipe again --with a tried and true breaded chicken tenders recipe. And turn that leftover blue cheese into a dipping sauce instead.

Here's the Buffalo Sauce recipe -

1 1/2 teaspoons butter

6 tablespoons finely chopped drained bottled roasted red bell peppers --I chopped them in the food processor
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce -- just a drop made it hot enough for us!

Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons butter, bell peppers, water, Worcestershire, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer; cook until butter melts. Remove from heat, and stir in hot sauce.

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Stash Vanilla Chai Decaf BlackTea

Cost: $2 on sale at Kroger, regular price $2.59

How could this not hop into my cart? The box description reads "Natural vanilla adds rich and creamy flavor notes for a luscious dessert-like drink" Huzzah!

Number of teabags: 18

Caffeine: No

Type of tea: Black

Steeping time: 5 minutes

Double-Dipping potential: Yes, 6 minutes

Mix ins: Milk and sugar, milk and honey. Both combos work and taste great!

Teabag fragrance: Very pleasant - cardamon and ginger

Ingredients: Naturally decaffeinated black tea, vanilla flavor, ginger root, cinnamon, allspice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon flavor, cardamon oil, clove oil

Taste: Smooth, creamy, soothing. The fragrance is heavenly. You taste more of the cardamon and vanilla and a touch of cinnamon when the tea is brewed. It's not peppery at all like other chai teas.

Opinion: DELICIOUS! This is definitely my "Tea of the Week". Each night I've been preparing a mug of this after dinner to keep me away from dessert. This is better and healthier substitute! Bonus it is decaf, too.

Rating: 4.5 teabags

Carolina Jessamine

Penzeys $5 off Coupon

Time to replenish and try some of the new recipes in the latest Penzeys Spices Catalog - Spring 2010 - with a $5 off a $10 or more purchase coupon on the mailing cover. (Online orders, use product code 00002C Offer expires May 23, 2010.) That Banana Blueberry Cake on page 49 sounds yummy! And Chipolte Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bites (chocolate with cinnamon and ground chipolte - great combination!)...and Cinnamon-Topped Oatmeal Muffins. Yes, I need to get myself to the store ricky-tick.

A special shout-out to my Upstate New York peeps - the Buffalo Penzeys at 783 Elmwood Avenue should be opening soon if it hasn't already. Give them a call and see -- 716/887-9777.

Everyday Food Fresh Flavor Fast

Finally, a follow-up book to Everyday Food: Great Food Fast.
Just-released Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast has 250 recipes, divided into --

Breakfast
Sandwiches, Burgers and Pizzas
Appetizers
Salads
Soups and Stews
Main Courses (including vegetarian)
Side Dishes
Desserts

I can't wait to try some of them. Right now I seem to be on a Cooking Light bender. I like the format of this book better than the first, which was organized by seasons.

If you subscribe or buy the Everyday Food magazine, you may recognize some of the recipes. This is a good way to "catch up" on what you've been missing, or be able to grab and thumb through at a moment's notice. I don't know about you, but my attention span is easily diverted when I start delving into past issues looking for recipes. At least I can hope to resurface relatively faster with this book handy.

With these two books and the new iTunes Martha Stewart Everyday Food app for the iPhone and iPod Touch, it's a triple crown Everyday Food recipe win!

Paperback, ISBN: 978-0-307-40510-4
$14.99 at Costco, $24.99 publisher's price

H(app)y Days - Everyday Food App!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Boy, was I happy to find out there's an iPod Touch/iPhone app for MarthaStewart's Everyday Food! Definitely well worth the 99 cents. It will even "push" the recipe of the day to your home screen. You do need to be connected to the Internet to enable the recipe search function.

Here's a link so you can grab yours, too!

Free Amy Butler Patterns - Updated Post

Last year, before Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine and website folded, she had a link to free Amy Butler patterns. I mentioned it in my January 3, 2009 post.

I've been noticing my blog gets quite a few Google hits looking for "Free Amy Butler Patterns" and just checked the links, only to discover they are no longer active.

However, I did find a current link for 22 (!) free Amy Butler patterns and would like to update my blog to include them. Hopefully everyone will get redirected to the new site. And do it now, before these disappear, too.

Sexy Hexy Love Quilt - updated instructions!

Love & Peace Wall Art

Just In Case Pillowcases and Shams

August Fields Duvet Cover

Nora's Mid Mod 2 Quilt

Daisy Chain Strippy Quilt

Amy's Mid Mod Quilt

Thea's Puzzle Quilt

Amy's Nigella Quilt

Nigella Silhouettes

Fabric Leaves

Fabric Necklace

Sweet Greetings Portfolios

Nigella Yoga Bag

Amy's Lotus Brick Path Quilt

Sash with Beaded Fringe (from Amy's book, In Stitches)

Belle Quilt

Charm Quilt

Ginger Bliss Quilt

The Hourglass Pillow

Birdie the Cat Pillow

The Cozy Scarf

Thanks for reading, and I hope you plan a return visit back to The House of Kent!

My daffodils are blooming!

The first daffodils of spring! The wall background is Sherwin-Williams "Reflection" (SW2122). We used it in the Master Bathroom update last fall. I love this gray-blue color, it goes with everything...even daffodils!

Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Peeps!

Happy Easter, indeed! These are just yummy! New for Easter 2010 (I heard there's also a milk chocolate version), I like them even better than Hershey's chocolate covered marshmallow eggs. The dark chocolate is rich and the marshmallow puffy and creamy. 79 cents at Walgreens.

Coming in at 120 calories, 3g fat (2g sat fat), 0g trans fat, 5 mg sodium, 21g total carb, 11g sugar...but Iron weighs in at 6% Daily Value!

Thank goodness, one's enough to satisfy. But I want to see lots in my Easter basket!

Keeps Getting Better -- Vogue 1164 - Versions 2 and 3

Can't stop making Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1164! (click for the first one)

"Berry Angora Cerebral" knit from High Fashion Fabrics, Houston. So soft!

(The snow leopard velour knit was the end of another bolt at High Fashion Fabrics. )

and the 4th one is on the runway cutting table..."Fushia Rae" pleated knit, also from High Fashion Fabrics. I hope to make it this weekend.

The slightly raised waistline closure makes me feel and look slimmer in the middle. And I love being able to showcase a cool button, too!

Then I think I may be done with View A and this cold weather. Can't wait to make a gazillion short-sleeved View B versions. It will be warmer here soon enough.

Made in (Houston) Texas

It is always a pleasant surprise to discover something you like is actually made in the USA, better if in Texas and best right here in Houston!

I bought this Seidio Innocase protective case for my new Blackberry Curve 8520 at Best Buy. The color is called "Rose Pink," a pretty pearlescent pink-violet. Because of selling rack real estate space limitations, Best Buy only has one color for each BlackBerry model and other "smart phones." I lucked out with my model's color. However, online you can select different colors and more accessories. (And, as I discovered when I found my link, $5 cheaper. Oh well.) I like how it feels - I think they call it "soft touch" And I like how it snap-fits all around, including the section separating the screen from the keyboard. That little bumper helps protect the screen from scratching. Though I did notice they also sell the screen protectors at a much more affordable price than what are in the stores. I'll have to grab one of those, too. It's not just a phone, but a lifestyle!

McCalls 4 for $5 Pattern Sale at Hancock

February 25-28 - 4 for $5 McCalls patterns

The in-store Hancock Spring Savings Sale also has 50% off buttons and notions this weekend.

Their email I received today has a link to a printable, barcoded 40% off regular priced fabric coupon, good February 25-March 7. You need to sign up on their webpage to get the coupon, if not this one, for the future ones!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Tazo Organic Apple Red -Herbal Infusion-

Cost: $3.59 at Super Target
Number of teabags: 20 paper-wrapped "Filterbags"
Caffeine: No
Type of tea: Herbal
Steeping time: 5 minutes
Double-Dipping potential: Yes, 6 minutes Not that noticeable loss of flavor
Mix ins: A little bit of sugar. I tried honey the first time, thinking it would bring out the caramel - patooey! Dumped that down the drain.
Teabag fragrance: Sweet apple
Ingredients: African Rooibos, cinnamon, natural flavors, apple and chamomile
Taste: Like buttery apple cider. Not overly sweet or cinnamon-y
Opinion: Pretty caramel-red color. The more I drink it, the more I like it. Definitely a contender for iced in the summer. Soothing warm. I would buy this again.
Rating: 4 teabags

Cool! One of those things you don't think you need, but glad you have it...

My treadmill "warm-up" usually includes 5 minutes trying to untangle my iPod earphones. Now I can burn more calories because of this nifty gee-gaw from Levenger --

Genius, slap-upside-the-head, why-didn't-I-think-of-that?! There's a little snap on the underside. I can use the clip to attach to my key ring so I don't lose it while working out. I'm sure one could easily figure out and make their own version, but hubby needed a Valentine's Day gifty for me and this fit the bill perfectly. It's red and helps keep our hearts in good working order. Less time in the locker area, more time on the treadmill.

Levenger "Pocquettes" Earbud Holder

Cooking Light - Maple-Mustard Pork Chops

Action photo! ---------->

Yummy!

This recipe by Ellie Krieger is featured on the cover of Cooking Light magazine's March issue. (page 132)

It is difficult to find frozen butternut squash in this part of the country, so I cooked a sweet potato instead. Still colorful orange, still tasty. I liked adding the touch of maple syrup (1 1/2 teaspoons) and butter (1 tablespoon) to it. Add enough of the 1/3 cup of chicken broth so it doesn't get too watery.

Per usual for Cooking Light recipes, the slightly off-beat ingredients create a flavorful combination. I really liked the sauce, though I think next time I may cut back a little on the Dijon mustard. It also tasted good, even cold, the next day for lunch. We will definitely be adding this into rotation.

4 (6 ounce) bone-in, center-cut pork chops

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallots (used 1 tablespoon)

1/4 cup fat free, less sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (omitted)

Sprinkle both sides of pork with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until cooked through, but with a slight blushin the center. Remove from pan; keep warm.

Return pan to medium-high heat. Add butter to pan, swirling pan to coat. Add shallots; saute' 3 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add broth; bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Stir in mustard, syrup and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook 1 minute or until slightly thick. Return pork to pan. Cook pork 1 minute on each side or until thoroughly heated (be careful not to overcook pork). Serve each pork chop with 1 tablespoon sauce. Garnish each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley.

Cooking Light - Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

- From the January/February 2010 Cooking Light issue on page 190.

Instead of the 3 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate, I used 3 ounces of Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate. And for the cherries, Stoneridge Orchards Montmorency Dried Cherries. Both are from Costco, so they are super big and delicious! I also weighed the flours.

I learned this from a friend of mine whose German born and raised mom was an excellent baker. She used the Burda recipes and if you remember, the older Burda' World of Fashion magazines had recipes with ingredients using weight measurements, not volume. There is a difference. And I believe the success of this recipe was because I used my scale.

I was able to squeeze out 40 cookies by making them slightly smaller. (Then you don't feel as guilty when you sneak an extra one!)

They definitely made our family favorite cookie recipe team -- Give them a try!

1.5 ounces (1/3 cup) all-purpose flour
1.5 ounces (1/3 cup) whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup dried cherries
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 3 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk.
Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; add brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Add sugar mixture to flour mixture; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add cherries, vanilla, and egg; beat until combined. Fold in chocolate.
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool on pans 3 minutes or until almost firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks. Makes about 30 cookies depending on the size.

Netflix Stars - Serious Moonlight

2.5, 2.0, 1.75.../5 - Quirky, HATED the ending! Funny-sorta. But bizarre would be an understatement. Really, the more I think about it, the lower the star number falls. L and I even watched the last part with the commentary on, trying to figure out the ending. It didn't help. Put it in your queue only if you, too, want to look around your living room/viewing area and say aloud, "What the...?!"

Netflix Stars - Couples Retreat

2.25/5 stars - An ensemble romantic (?!) comedy that kind of sputters along. Some funny scenes, most not. There were some sexual situations which were not really necessary and a little awkward to watch with a teenage daughter - and this movie had a PG-13 rating! At least there's the beautiful Bora-Bora scenery...

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Tazo Berryblossom White Tea

(The Tazo website is interesting, but a bit difficult to navigate, therefore I don't have a direct link)

Cost: $3.59 at Super Target

Number of teabags: 20, paper-wrapped

Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: White

Steeping time: 3 minutes

Double-Dipping potential: Yes, 6 minutes it is a bit weaker but still drinkable.

Mix ins: A little bit of honey

Teabag fragrance: Faint blueberry

Ingredients: White tea, natural blueberry flavor and natural cranberry flavor

Taste: Interesting--the blueberry flavor alternates with the cranberry flavor.

Even the box says, "...you may be surprised by the dazzling notes of blueberries and white cranberries. If this caught you off-guard, try another sip and see if it happens again."

Opinion: Can't wait to try this as iced tea, too! Even the box is pretty. I would definitely buy this again.

Rating: 4.5 teabags

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

3-Day Sale - February 26/28

McCall's $1.99
Vogue $3.99
50% off Olfa
50% off all buttons

March 4/6 - Butterick 99 cents

(Photo collage by Karen Ross Smith of Junk in My Trunk)

Thursday Tea Time

This week, Celestial Seasonings Honey Vanilla Chai Tea

Cost: $2.99 at Super Target and Whole Foods (on sale)
Number of teabags: 20
Caffeine: Yes
Type of tea: White and black
Steeping time: 4-6 minutes
Double-Dipping potential: Yes, go the extra two minutes
Mix ins: Honey (of course!) and milk.
Teabag fragrance: Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, honey
Ingredients: White tea, black tea, roasted chicory, cinnamon, natural honey and vanilla flavors with other natural flavors, ginger, cloves, cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg and honey.
Taste: HONEY! Then cinnamon with a bit of bite, yet still very smooth.
Opinion: Another Celestial Seasonings Chai winner. I like them better than the other Chai's I've tried because they are not too peppery and strongly spiced. If you need something sweet and comforting and you love honey, make a mug or two of this.
Rating: 4 teabags

Free Valentine's Love Songs download from Amazon

Google "Amazon Free Valentine's Day Playlist" for the link to these songs --


When We're Apart by The Morning Benders...To Feel Love by Butterfly Boucher ....For You by Peter Bradley Adams....40 Dogs (Like Romeo And Juliet) by Bob Schneider...Don't Do Anything by Sam Phillips...I Love You Baby by Aldo Vanucci


There are actually seven songs, the missing one is Craig Toungate's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." (I can't stand that song) And honestly, I haven't listened to any of them yet, nor have I heard of these artists. But free is free and worth a check out!

And during this Valentine season can I say again how much I love Amazon's MP3 Player downloader? Easy-peasy, it downloads and puts the songs right into your iTunes library automatically. In the past, I have been able to take advantage of Amazon's special promotions of new music CD's (Lyle Lovett, Susan Boyle) for $3 or even free.


The Valentine's music offer is good until February 15.

Vogue 2989 - View D Skirt

Vogue 2989 is now out-of-print, but I was able to find it for only $1 in High Fashion Fabrics's discontinued patterns table last weekend. The View D skirt caught my eye. You hardly notice it in the pattern photo, but you can definitely see the stylishness in the line drawing --

I was glad I checked the reviews of this cute skirt first (thank you, Sharon!) -- so I knew I would definitely have to lengthen (4 1/2 inches to reach a finished 25" length!) and probably go up a size. But it was well worth the extra steps, as I have already made this skirt twice!

Here's the first version, a plaid double-knit from the stash, originally a $1/yard Wal-Mart wonder. Not enough stretch for a top (alas, I tried), but just enough for this skirt.

The second one is a nice double-knit ("Black Sophia Double Knit") from High Fashion Fabrics in Houston.

It sews together so quickly, just two pleats on the offset center front seam, sides seams and what I call the Kwik Sew method elastic waistband - serge-attaching the elastic to the inside of the waistband, folding over and topstitching. You are done and out the sewing room door in less than one hour.

With the extra length (and width) needed, the modified yardage is now 1 3/4 yards for 60" (actually 1 1/2, but with knits I usually get a little extra in case of shrinkage and layout options) ...and 2 1/4 yards for 45" I'm hoping to try it in a woven with a little Lycra. Wouldn't this make a cute summer skirt?

A fashionable bonus alternative wearing this skirt -- move the pleated front seam to the side! It looks nicer and less busy in the front when I wear it with the Sandra Betzina 1164 top.

As this pattern was just recently discontinued, you may still be able to find this online or in your pattern stash. I love discovering and sewing hidden gems in these wardrobe patterns!

Puppy Bowl VI

Tomorrow, starting at 3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central, tune into the Animal Planet Channel for Puppy Bowl VI. New this year are Bunny Cheerleaders! And don't forget the Kitty Halftime Show, Water Bowl Cam and the Hamster Commentaries. Which of the 20 puppies will become the MVP? (Most Valuable Puppy)

Today's Costco Find

Kirkland Organic Instant Oatmeal is back! With more packets and more flavors -- 7 Original...16 Maple Syrup...12 Apples & Cinnamon...10 Cinnamon Roll...10 Chocolate Chip -- 55 in all for $9.99

Each packet has 3g of fiber.

Original - 110 calories, 80 mg sodium, 1g sugar, 4g protein

Maple Syrup - 160 calories, 140 mg sodium, 10g sugar, 5g protein

Apples & Cinnamon - 130 calories, 160 mg sodium, 11g sugar, 4g protein

Cinnamon Roll - 160 calories, 140 mg sodium, 10g sugar, 5g protein

Chocolate Chip - 170 calories, 140 mg sodium, 12g sugar, 5g protein

Available for a limited time. Stock up (this box is good until July 2011) to hold you over until it reappears in the warehouses next winter.

Cooking Light - Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna Noodle Casserole - another winner from the January/February 2010 issue of Cooking Light on page 98. (I'm going to try the Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies next!)

I added a drained can of mushrooms and used Seasoned Pepper instead of regular pepper. I also cut back a bit on the frozen peas, as all I could find were "petite peas" and a little went a long way! Instead of chopping the carrot, I sliced into circles.

Typical of most Cooking Light recipes, a lot of "mise en place" prep work and dishes were involved. But it definitely helps, as once you get started, things fall into place and order rather quickly. There isn't any time to stop and measure along the way.

The sauce was tasty and exceptional -- we loved the combination of cream and shredded Parmesan cheeses, and the Dijon mustard. Next time may try it with rotisserie chicken instead of tuna. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I didn't have any problems reheating the leftovers in the microwave for about 1 1/2-2 minutes. The sauce stayed nice. And as someone else had suggested, the ingredient amounts would be easy to cut in half. It made a lot for just three of us, and after two days of leftovers for lunch, there is still some remaining. (I don't think it would freeze well because of the noodles and the sauce.)

This is another great example of how Cooking Light can combine lots of interesting and different ingredients into one tasty dish!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice
Cost: $2.99 at Whole Foods

Number of teabags: 20

Caffeine: No

Type of tea: Herbal

Steeping time: 4 minutes

Double-Dipping potential: Didn't try yet, due to enthusiastic kitchen clean up help!

Mix ins: Sugar and milk. I'm certain just a touch of sugar by itself would be delicious, too.

Teabag fragrance: Cinnamon, vanilla, ginger

Ingredients: Cinnamon, roasted chicory, roasted carob, natural spice and vanilla flavors with other natural flavors, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cloves and nutmeg.

Taste: Like cinnamon toast! It reminds me a lot of Bigelow's Cinnamon tea from the 70's/early 80's

Opinion: Perfect on a gray winter day. According to the box flap, it is Celestial Seasonings' caffeine-free interpretation of Chai (without too much of that pepper bite).

Rating: 4.5 teabags, would definitely buy again!