Hopeful Housewife

Ok, so here are the two winners…aka, the two entries, LOL!! Thanks ladies! Your prizes will be going out Thursday or Friday….I expect pictures.

In the same order in which I rec’d them:

Sam’s Caleb, and her nephew Jeremyah (Amber, did I spell that right?!) I love the look on J’s face, and I love the mess on Calebs.

And Miss Suz’s neice (?) in the apron Miss Suz made her! (WTG Mama!) She looks Sassy, doesnt she?? As you can see, our little apron model’s name is Hannah, and she looks darling.

thought I’d throw in a shot that shows off the apron itself.

Thanks Ladies and Congratulations

Enter the baking w/kids picture contest and I’ll send you my recipe.

I saw this on a bumper sticker the other day, and briefly considered it as a tattoo.

ok, not really, but its a great quote.

While we’re pondering the wonders of butter, contemplate the following recipe:

2 cups (yes, 2 cups) butter, softened

1 packed cup light brown sugar

pinch of salt

3 3/4 cups all purpose flour

Beat butter and brown sugar together. add pinch of salt, slowly add about 3 cups of the flour until its a dough ball. sprinkle the rest of the flour onto board, knead dough for about five minutes, then roll out 1/2 inch thick. Slice into rectangles (or whatever shape you want), prick with a fork in four rows, bake at 325 for 20 minutes.

The best Scottish Shortbread EVER.

Here, just as I’ve described:

and here, rolled into 1 inch balls, pressed with the backside of a 1/4 teaspoon, and filled with strawberry jam prior to baking.

It’s time for another picture contest. J With Valentines Day coming, I’d like to see pictures of you baking something special! Bonus points will be given to those baking with their (or someone else’s) kids. J

1^st and 2^nd place winners will win one of the following “Family Fun Baking Kits”. Contest will run for a week, winner will be announced next Monday J

   Here’s a pic to get you motivated.

Happy Valentines Day!

I cant figure out how to get the slideshow to show up here, but here’s the link. It’s worth pointing out that I didnt have any pink or yellow in the dining room before the party, LOL!! I also didnt spend more than 30 dollars to do all of the decor

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e394/marsupialmayhem/?action=view&current=cea16822.pbw

my towns “Most Romantic Couple” for 2009.

I entered a 500 word essay on why Art and I are the most romantic couple in our town, and we actually won. We rec’d a nights stay in our historic hotel  (king suite!) for Valentines day/night, dinner in the local italian restaurant, a photo session with a local photographer, a floral arrangement that will be delivered to our hotel room before we arrive, and I also rec’d heart shaped earrings with matching necklace, bracelet, and ring, all from a local jeweler. Our picture and the essay will be in the local paper on Thursday, and will also be put in the “shopper” that every household receives every Thursday. They told me its roughly 20,000 homes that will read it!!

I’m so excited, and so proud of what Art and I have. He keeps congratulating me, saying I wrote our entry well, but what he cant seem to get through his head is that he gave me the inspiration, which is something I cant write without.

Had Art’s Grandmothers 80th birthday party here yesterday. It really was nice, and went off almost flawlessly. I was really nervous about hosting it…80th birthday’s dont happen all the time!

I’m working on a slideshow of birthday pics, but I thought I’d pass this on for now.

This was my kitchen after the party. Mind you, I had already loaded the dishwasher when I took this pic!!

Here’s the kitchen after I spent a solid 25 minutes in it. (I really thought it was going to take much longer!)

Amazing what 25 minutes time can do.

Just for fun, here’s some of my valentines day kitchen decor that I’m loving right now.

My “dress” towel

My barn star that manages to change with the holidays somehow

My valance that I purchased on Ebay. My shamrock one is on its way

and this is a thrifting treasure I found Its a crocheted doll dress, but I used the strip of fabric that the valance was packaged with (along with the “love” tag thats on the barn star) and tied it to the handle there to use as a little hand towel. It’s 100% cotton yarn, so it works well for this purpose. It was 2.25 at the Mennonite thriftstore downtown, and I love how it mimicks the oven towel dress theme.

And yes, I’m aquiring shamrock stuff left and right.

Ok, so only two of you entered, and I’ve decided you both win, simply for helping me not look like a reader-less idiot.

I’ll post the pics later on today, and you both can please send me your mailing address to Roamschooler@yahoo.com