Desperation Dip - 101

On my way home from work I was supposed to grab something for our condo building's holiday get together...but it was raining and I was running late - therefore it just didn't happen (oh, well).  I knew I could scrounge up some old chocolates or ingrediants for an appetizer if I looked in our cabinets hard enough...and lo-and-behold - I did!

I made this White Bean Dip in about 5 minutes.  I didn't measure...hence all amounts are guesstimates.

1 can cannelini beans (drained and rinsed)
2 garlic gloves or 1 jumbo (I had a mutant jumbo one, don't forget to take the peel off)
handful of fresh parsely (1/4 c)
1/4c olive oil
juice of half a lemon (2 tablespoons)
salt & pepper
food processer

Instructions: throw everything into the food processer, de-press the chop/grind/puree button, and hope for the best.  Salt & pepper to taste.

All-in-all...the dip is actually pretty darn good...I probably ate half before I even plated.

Headed to 5th Ave Theater...

...to watch White Christmas, but because I'm obsessed I got dressed really, really fast so I could package the soap I made yesterday.

Slices of Carrot Cake Soap

Packaged Product

Black Tea Soap

You can't tell from the pic, but the black tea soap is slightly shimmery from the silver mica I added to it.  Working with the black oxide (which gives the soap a black color) was a bit**.  Let's just say it dyes a couple things in the kitchen black - but I've done a little damage control.  Don't tell the husband.

Sometimes packaging is just as fun as crafting....

My (ok - Ed's) lovely packaged caramels

And I finally packaged the cupcake soaps

Yesterday Lis hooked me up with more ribbon from her supplier ($1.99 for 25 yards!  tons of colors.  the store she gets it from is somewhere in W. Seattle) so there's definitly more packaging in my future.

I'm currently cooking up a loaf of carrot cake soap - it turned out a bit peacher and sweeter smelling than I had hoped, but still looks super yummy.  I also tried my hand at another "man" soap.  This time I made a shimmery black tea soap.  I'll post pics once they're ready to be unmolded.

I must say, my new apron from Athro sure made soap making 10x more fun ;)  Even though I work, don't clean, and Ed won't let me cook - I feel so 50's house-wife-ish.

                                                 

On sale for $19.99 right now. (you can't tell from the pic, but it has gold metallic thread and a handful of sequins).

The best salad EVER

Trust me on this one, because I never, ever, ever, ever exagerate

Apple, Pear, & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (from California Wine  Country Secrets)

4 Bunches Arugula
2 Apples Sliced
1/4 c walnuts, toasted
1 shallot, minced
1/2 c balsamic vinegar
1/2 c olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 lb gorgonzola cheese

For vinaigrette: Combine the shallot, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and whisk. 

The Chinese game hens weren't too shabby either (although the picture is a bit creepy)

Caramels galore!

Ed's culinary creation tonight, Spicy Florida Rock Shrimp Risotto, sustained me for the 2 hrs I sat wrapping caramels in wax paper.  Per my request Ed whipped up the caramel yesterday.  Little did I know I'd get 90 (yes - 90) caramels out of the batch.  Let's just say if I have daily contact with you - you're probably getting a caramel.

Delicious Spicy Florida Rock Shrimp Risotto

Caramels before...

Caramels after...

In his ample spare time, Ed also whipped up a couple loaves of Tuscan wheat bread.  All I can say is - yummy.

p.s.  I tell him all husbands do such things...so if you see him (for the love of god) please reinforce this notion

Sunday night deliciousness

Ah - another relaxing Sunday night :)

When Leigh and I got back from our craft fair extravaganza (okay, it sounds a bit more fun than it actually was) this afternoon she presented Ed and I with a couple bathbombs, creatively packaged in Chinese takeout containers.  Mine was her newest concoction - packed with shea butter, vitamin e, and mineral oil and scented like a tropical vacation (coconut, mango, pineapple).  I couldn't wait to hop into the bath - and when I did it was LUXURIOUS!  The shea butter melted into the water and felt super-luxe.  I also sparkle in the dark thanks to the glitter in the bathbomb.  Leigh is a genius.

Speaking of geniuses - my husband also is one.  He flexed his culinary muscle tonight and made salmon with nicoise vegetables and basil pesto and creme brulee for desert.  Not too shabby if I say so myself.  Let me know if you want the recipes.

Also - my bribe/limited time offer is still good.  If you're one of the first 5 people to sign up as an actual/official followers of my blog - I'll mail you a bar of chipotle caramel/cream cheese frosting/gingersnap soap.  Just email your mailing address to : calinab99@gmail.com.

Tropical Vacation Bathbomb

Salmon w/nicoise vegetables and basil pesto

Creme Brulee

Week in review

I swear, after this super massive post I promise to update at least a couple times a week (since I know it KILLS you when you don't know how the crafting is going ;).

I managed to cut and package my chipotle-caramel, cream cheese frosting soap.  They turned out great!

I had the grandkids (yes, I have step-grandkids) over for cookie decorating and ornament painting last Sunday.  It's our second year doing this....so I think there's def. a tradition in the works

Isaiah, Jhordin, Manny, and Alayah w/their creations

Natalie (Ed's youngest @ 18 yrs) came over yesterday and we painted ornaments.  Hers always turn out super cute.

My reindeer and bird, Nat's cup of cocoa

Nat's pretty bird

My kissing mouse, Nat's mouse in a hot air balloon

Last bur not least, one day this past week Ed made a lovely buccatini with shitake mushrooms and brocolli in a wine sauce.  Yummy!

p.s. I sure wish I had some registered followers....sigh.....I can't believe my own sister, mother, and husband haven't registered!  OK - I will send the first 5 people who sign up to be followers of my blog the lovely chipotle-caramel (...) soap.  Just email your mailing address to calinab99@gmail.com.