Double Delicious

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I apparently was a good girl this year because Santa brought Double Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. I read the cookbook cover to cover yesterday afternoon and was so excited about it...I pureed a bunch of vegetables last night and have planned 4 meals for this week.

So happy to cook a little healthier for my family!

Santa's #1 Fans!

Mollie and Bea telling Santa what they want for Christmas ("MOM! GET ME OUT OF HERE!")

Here comes Santa! Needless to say she never left her Daddy's lap!

Its the Year of the Nutcracker!

Our families enjoyed a Santa brunch last weekend together...well, I should say the adults had a great time! Bea and Coplan not so much. On the way home Coplan told me she "hated Santa" and didn't want him coming to her house to bring presents! Very strong feelings for my 2 1/2 yr old.

So instead of fighting the crowd @ the museum to see the "Real Santa" and get our traditional Santa picture...we headed to the Jefferson to see the pretty Christmas Tree, Gingerbread House, and Nutcrackers.

Baby Shower Wine/Champagne Glass Charm

A few weeks ago I hosted a baby shower for a dear friend of mine.  I wanted to do something special for my friend to add just a little something to the shower, so I decided to make the little charms that go on the bottom of wine/champagne glasses.  I went to Michael's and bought "It's a Boy" charms (there various different baby themed charms), beads, and wire (all pictured below).  Using needle nose pliers, I cut the wire into about 3 to 3.5 inch segments and just threaded the beads and charms as I liked.  Then I used the pliers to bend the ends into hooks to clasp around the base of the glass and viola!  I wasn't sure if they were going to be noticed by the guests or not, but they were very well received, most of all by my friend.  For the couple of hours and about $15 I spent, it was well worth it!!

Homemade Caramel Sauce

I really enjoy making this easy and delicious caramel sauce! Its a great little "treat" to share over the holidays.

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/3 cup water

3/4 cup whipping cream

1/3 cup butter, cut into pieces

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine sugar and water in a large heavy saucepan, cook over med-low heat, stirring often. Increase heat to med-high, and boil gently without stirring until syrup turns a deep amber color (about 8 minutes). Gradually had cream and butter, stir until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Gobble Gobble Play Date

We had a wonderful play-date the Friday before Thanksgiving where all the children were able to create various Thanksgiving themed crafts.  We had construction paper, feathers, leaves, googly eyes, glitter glue, paper plates and dried beans.  We made head dresses and tambourines for the kids to enjoy.  It was a bit of a madhouse... controlled chaos of sorts.... but everyone had a great festive time!

Artwork Display

I really enjoy Real Simple! I was browsing the website and saw a great, easy trick to display Holiday Cards. Trying to figure out where I would hang this I realized...WOW, it could also display Coplan's artwork. Love a Double Duty! Here's my project for the weekend :)

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/cards/display-cards-00000000002199/index.html

The Holidays Are Here!

So Thanksgiving's over and its time for Christmas! I realized today that "Rudolph the Red Noise Reindeer" is on tonight! Not wanting to miss any of my favorite shows, I checked out the Holiday TV schedule and thought I'd share....

http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/christmas/whats-on-tv.htm

I was given this poem and read it often to remind me these precious years will fly by! Hope everyone has a great Monday!

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd model less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

by Diane Loomans

Classic Poppy Seed Ham & Cheese Biscuits

This recipe is one of my all time favorites, so I thought I'd post it here at the beginning of this holiday season (yikes!!  can't believe the holidays are here!!).  These little biscuits are always a party favorite and are sinfully delicious!  Enjoy!

1 stick of butter
1 small white onion (or half regular onion) chopped VERY finely
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 teaspoons worcestershire
2 teaspoons plain French's yellow mustard (any regular yellow mustard will do)
1/2 pound VA ham
1/2 pound baby swiss cheese
Sister Schubert's rolls (I hands down believe these are by far the best rolls in the world)

Preheat oven to 350.  Soften butter.  Once soft, mix all ingredients except the ham, cheese, and rolls.  Spread the mixture on both sides of rolls.  Pile on ham and cheese.  Heat in oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese melts.

Tip of the Week (thank you Chelsea!)

Rubbing Alcohol as Ice Pack

Mix one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water, and drop of food coloring (your kiddos favorite color will help make any boo-boo better). Freeze in a Ziploc bag.

Happy Halloween!

Emily, Ryan, and Coplan

Universal Cleaning Kit

For your everyday cleaning, less is more.  You really only need a few products to clean any one of your rooms.  Of course there will be certain situations where specialized cleaners will be needed, but the items listed below will do the trick for most situations.  You can store them all in a caddy to easily carry them from room to room.

1.  An all purpose cleaner, like Fantastic, or a solution of 2 tablespoons mild dish washing liquid and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle

2.  A mildly abrasive cleanser, such as Bon Ami

3.  Glass cleaner, or a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle*

4.  Rubber gloves

5.  Lint-free white cloths

6.  Medium-bristled scrub brush

*I have this solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle (the bottle was $2.50 at Target) and I use it for anything that my 9 month old, Bea, could touch or put in her mouth such as her tray on her high chair and the one step we have between our family room and kitchen that provides hours of entertainment.  It does a great job getting things clean, but keeps the chemicals away!

Housing Market is in Early Stages of Recovery!

According to the National Association of Realtors, the existing-home sales jumped from 4% to 10% in September, therefore affirming we are in the early stages of recovery. Home sales are gradually rising, and buyers are taking advantage of low mortgage rates.

Mollie and I look forward to speaking with you all about your real estate needs! Let's do our part to help repair the Housing Market!

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2010/10/sept_strong

Household Tip of the Week

To remove crayon, use a hair dryer to heat up the wax, then wipe off. If the color remains wipe off with shaving cream and a wet cloth.

In honor of Halloween...we deided a fun activity for all the kiddos would be painting pumpkins. Everyone came over and brought their own pumpkin, we supplied the paint, stickers, sponges in various shapes, and coffee (of course to keep us going). It worked for all ages-the older kids did their own decorating and babies got a little help from their mommas. All and all it was a very easy play date to throw together and everyone had a "ghoulish" time.

Six Daily Tasks to Keep Household Chaos Away

1.  Make the Bed - A freshly made bed makes the whole room seem more orderly, which will help you prevent papers and clothes pile up.

2.  Manage Clutter - Whenever you leave a room, turn back and take a quick look.  Anything that is not where it should be, pick up and put where it belongs.  It will only take a few extra seconds but have a lasting effect.

3.  Sort the Mail - Open, read, and sort the mail right when you bring it inside.  Do this next to a trash can so you can throw out junk mail/trash.  Then categorize the remaining mail into personal correspondence, bills, catalogues, and filing.

4.  Clean as you Cook - Clean the pots and pans as you are done with them instead of letting them pile up in the sink.  Put dishes in the dishwasher as soon as you are done as well.  Then you won't have a full sink to deal with at a later date!

5.  Wipe up Spills while they are Fresh - Regardless if its pasta sauce in the kitchen or foundation in the bathroom, most anything is faster and easier to remove it you clean it immediately.

6.  Sweep the Kitchen Floor - Every evening when you are done cleaning up and done with dinner, give the kitchen floor a quick sweep.  This will prevent residue from the day from building up, will make the floor clean for you in the morning, and will make the mopping much quicker. 

Low Fat Apple Pie Recipe

Your dad's apple pie sounds delish, Emily!! 


I absolutely love apple pie and, really, all things sweet, but am currently on a weight loss kick after having my daughter Bea.  But I love to find ways to indulge while still watching the waist line, so I thought I would provide a lower fat version of the American classic.

1 cup(s) all-purpose flour   
2  tsp sugar   
3 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, chilled and cut up
2 Tbsp water, or more if necessary
4 medium apple(s), McIntosh, peeled and thinly sliced   
1/4 cup(s) sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats
5 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted  

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

To make the crust, combine 1 cup of flour and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a large bowl or food processor. Add 3 tablespoons of chilled margarine and process (or mix together with your fingers if you do not have a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and process or mix until a manageable dough forms. Press dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Pinch the edges to form a decorative rim; set aside.

To make the filling, combine apples, 1/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a large bowl; toss to coat apples. Arrange mixture in prepared piecrust.

To make the topping, combine oats, 5 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted margarine in a small bowl; sprinkle over apples.

Bake until apples are tender and crumb topping is golden brown, about 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.

Household Tip of the Week

To speed up drainage of your tubs and sinks, pour down a cup of baking soda, followed up by a cup of white vinegar. After a few minutes, flush the drain with a gallon of hot water.

Bo's Apple Pie

As many of you know Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that observes the landing of Christopher Columbus in America. However, when I was growing up...its was Apple Pie Day. As long as I can remember my dad had the day off from work and would make his delicious apple pie. So in keeping with tradition, I'm baking today! I hope Coplan will enjoy this as much as I did!

** I usually add more brown sugar and less white sugar. I also use the refrigerated pie dough that you can buy at the grocery store. Love, Dad **

6 cups Granny Smith apple slices peeled and cored

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 flour

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg

2 Tablespoons cold butter (cut in small pieces)

1 Tablespoon milk for brushing the top crust

1 Tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon for dusting crust

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees

Prepare pie dough accordingly, place bottom crust in 9-inch pie pan (make sure to leave enough overhang to fold the edges). In large bowl toss apple slices with lemon juice. Add sugars, flour, spices mix gently. Place mixture in pie pan. Top with crust, dot with butter, sprinkle with sugar mixture, and fold edges under pressing as you go. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until crust is golden brown.