Entertaining Tonight?

Tickle your guests' tastebuds with this mouth watering hot spinach dip!

Spinach Dip

1 pkg. (8oz) cream cheese

2c monterey jack cheese

1 pkg frozen spinach

2 tomatoes, chopped

1c onions, chopped

1/2c cream

1 tbsp jalapeno peppers, chopped (if desired)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Pour into a baking dish and put into oven at 400C for 20 minutes and voila!

Kitchen of the Day

 Happy Friday! 

Today I am inspired by this kitchen...it is simply amazing. 

The blend of woods add warmth and depth to the kitchen

The blue adds a country feel and character

I am in love with this cabinet work.  The old world detailed carvings are incredible!

Fluff Those Feathers...

and get them ready for 2011!  Feathers are definitely becoming an elegant, feminine and flirty accessory to well...anything! 

Lustrous locks and volumizing feathers!  Such drama - I love it!

I simply ADORE this clutch - perfect for cocktail night.

Feather jewellery?  I sense a big trend around the corner.

These feather pillows are simply beautiful.  I love how they instantly soften up the room.

Feathers add romance and flirtiness to the table!

Oh so awesome.

Peacock feather shoes....a walking conversation piece. Brilliant.

Cerise to Inspire

Today I am inspired by Cerise as an accent colour to my decor scheme.  It's amazing how colour can transform the look and feel of a room.  When used properly (as it is easy to go overboard), cerise can really throw some energy, fun and life into the room! 

Totally Tea-Riffic!

So we all know how much I love tea and its goodness!  It's jam packed with antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients and other elements to help prevent many symptoms and diseases! There is no better way to dress up water! For those with kids, its a great alternative to water/juice/(pop - gasp!)

I came across a company from Sault St. Marie, Ontario called "Totally Tea-Riffic" that sells Premium Loose Leaf Teas online and ships them right to your door. 

If you want to act fast, they have a promotion today.  You pay $8 for $20 worth of their products! (link below)

http://www.dealticker.ca/af-gateway.php?af_id=MTIyNTJfMTI4OA==

Here is a sample of their teas:



Long Island Strawberry Green Tea

Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose Green Tea

Hawaiian Colada Rooibos Tea

Bingo Blueberry Fruit Tea

Lavendar Herb Tea




Just one more reason to have that tea party!

Danielle's Bacon & Cheese Corn Chowder

What better way to eat on a cold winter's night?  This recipe is delicious, filling and satisfies all food groups!

Bacon & Cheese Corn Chowder

4 c of frozen  (or fresh) corn

2 onions

6-8 slices of bacon, chopped

2-3 stalks of celery, chopped

Approx 3c milk

Approx 1c whip cream

Approx 1c chicken stock

Approx. 1c shredded cheddar cheese (or any kind you like!)

2 tbsp cornmeal

parsley to garnish

salt and pepper to taste

Cook the bacon in a large soup pot until golden brown.  Add the onions and celery.  Saute until golden and the veggies soften.  Add the milk, cream and stock. Cook over medium heat for approx. 10 minutes.  Add the cornmeal and stir until the soup thickens. Add the corn and cook for another 10 minutes or so.  Stir in the cheese.  Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley and serve!

The Ultimate Playdough Recipe

This one is a keeper and is sure to please both mom and child as it works out everytime!

Ultimate Playdough Recipe

1 c   white flour

1/4c salt

2 tsps cream of tartar

1 tbsp oil

1 cup water

2 tsps food colouring

In a medium pot, mix together white flour, salt and cream of tartar.  Add water, oil and food colouring. Stir over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken and form into a ball.  Remove from pot onto floured surface and knead.  Store in plastic bag or airtight containers.

*If you plan to make multiple colours, I would add the food colouring after the dough is cooked and ready to knead.

This recipe makes the Ultimate Playdough that lasts weeks!!!

Natural Insect Repellent

We are planning a trip to Costa Rica soon for a wedding and are bringing my one year old daughter!  Naturally, like any mother, I am thinking of all the many things to bring for her fun and safety!  As I try to avoid the use of all chemicals in my home as much as possible, I prefer to stay away from over the counter bug repellent's as most of them contain DEET (a toxic and potent chemical).

I started researching different ways to repel mosquitos naturally and came up with the following:

1.  Layer your clothing

2.  Apply crushed lemon thyme oil to your skin

3.  Eat lots of garlic!

4.  Apply lemon eucalyptus oil to your skin

5.  Buy bug repellent spray at your local natural health food store which usually contain only natural ingredients.

Tiny Tot Breakfast Ideas

Sometimes fun is everything...especially with kids!  Here are some breakfast ideas they will be sure to love!

1. Egg Face (what kid doesn't like another friend at the table!)

2.  Fruit Skewers (you can also add yogurt to dip!)

3.  Waffle Sandwich

4.  Fruit Parfait (layer yogurt, fruit, granola)

5.  Heart Shaped Pancakes

Naturally Fragrant Sachets

Herbs like lavendar, lilac, cinnamon, rosemary and balsam can keep your clothes and shoes smelling fresh and clean!  These easy to make sachets are great for keeping in your closet, drawers and shoes and the aroma lasts quite a while.

To make the sachet, simply cut a piece of linen into a rectangle (or any shape you desire).  Sew the ends together, leaving one end open.  Stuff your favorite herbs inside and tie the sachet closed with a ribbon and voila!  I also like to decorate mine with lace, ribbons, dried flowers, sequence etc as I leave them on my closet shelf and look at them everyday :)  Alternatively for those who are not sewers, you can simply purchase organza bags at your local store and easily stuff those as well!  

Built In Cappuccino Machine

Yes, that's right all my coffee lover friends!  One of the hottest trends in kitchen design for 2011 is the built-in cappuccino machine! 

Why didn't we think of this years ago?  A clean countertop, free of all small appliances makes your kitchen look bigger and fresher.  So why not build them right into your kitchen cabinets?

Simply brilliant.

Wallpaper Trends

How can something so simple say so much?  I was thinking the same thing.  Wallpaper is relatively easy to install and instantly adds a face lift to your room.

The Art of a Chandelier

Need a room update? Instead of thinking Picasso, lets think- a Chandelier!  It's amazing how a chandelier can transform a room and change the look and feel.

Danielle's French Onion Soup

This really IS a soup that eats like a meal, and no it isnt made by Campbells!  You can easily make this out of the comfort of your own kitchen!  After careful experimentation, I have finally settled on my final version of this recipe - enjoy!

Danielle's French Onion Soup

10 onions, sliced

1/2c butter

few splashes of whiskey

thyme

2 tsp sugar

Beef stock

salt and pepper

1 tbsp of dijon mustard

Thickly sliced french bread

Gruyere or swiss cheese

In a large, heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add the onions, thyme, salt, pepper and sugar. Stire until onions are coated in butter. Cover and reduce heat to medium low and cook until onions are soft and golden (approx 15 minutes).  Pour in whiskey and stir.  Add the beef stock and turn heat up to high until soup begins to boil. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, turn your oven on broil and toast bread for a few minutes.  Get your oven proof soup bowls ready on a baking pan and pour soup.  Place toast on top and sprinkle with cheese.  Place the baking pan into the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is golden. 

Garnish with chives or parsley and serve!

French onion soup is not only delicious, especially in the winter months but also has great health benefits!  Onions have been known to provide relief from the common cold, asthma, bacterial infections, respiratory problems, help provide good oral health, boost sex drive, help the skin glow, relieve earaches and cough and help prevent cancer and arthesclerosis. They are also known to help repel mosquitos!

Bedroom Romantico

Bedroom Romantico by daniellej333 on Polyvore.com
New house. New bedroom. New ideas. Be Yourself.