Friday, January 31, 2014

Union Jack Accent Table

This is one cute table! Union Jack top, sassy casters on the bottom.  But, ewwww....this was once an ugly table.

 Once again, I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, the best paint in the entire world.


This section took me the longest to draw/paint.










Table will go on sale for the Chartreuse Market Days, April 5th & 6th.  Will consider early offers for purchase.


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Luke, aka Snow Lab

Luke loves snow.  When I shovel snow, he will carry on until I toss the snow onto him!

This is what he looks like after a couple shovels...













Tuesday, January 21, 2014

January Snow

Well, the forecasts were correct...we had a decent snow storm today; 6+ inches and it's still snowing...

The birds were in an eating frenzy during the storm.  3 male cardinals were competing for the sunflower seed and the attention of one lone female cardinal.



whoops! I think he slipped on the snow!














Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Ultimate Donuts

Tell the truth...you love donuts. I mean, who doesn't?! Yes, I know...they have no nutritional value...blah blah blah...

Now take a look at these babies.....ooooooooo....

These little bombs of love are from Orso, a great pizzeria in Falls Church, VA.  You have! to order these "Lemon Glazed Donuts". 

(Thank yous can be written on $20 dollar bills and mailed to me.  :-) )




A lucious trio of 3 perfectly fried dough balls. Coated in a subtle lemon glaze.  And topped with nutella mousse.  O...M...G...

Seriously, they are unbelievable.

I gotta go now...I've drooled all over my keypad...

Friday, January 3, 2014

Snowy Morning

So glad we missed that monster storm that hit the Northeast! It only snowed about 3" last night.

Josie and Luke love the snowy morning; too cold for me...


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year!

Josie stayed up past Midnight, and this has been her sleeping pose today.


Vodka Pie Crust

I love to bake, but pie crusts have always scared me.  I could never get the crust to be flaky and tasty.  I'd cheat and use the store-bought refrigerator rolled/packaged crusts.  They worked, but tasted...well, meh...

So, I was checking out Cook's Country on PBS and they had a recipe for Vodka Pie Crust.  hmmmm...

Well, it's an awesome crust. Easy to make. Easy to use. And it tastes just sooooo good!

Look how yummy this crust looks:




 RECIPE

This recipe will make enough dough for a covered 9" pie.
 
2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon table salt  
2 tablespoons sugar  
1½  sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into ¼-inch slices 
½ cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces  
¼ cup cold vodka  
¼ cup cold water
Place vodka and water in the freezer; dough mixes much better if both the water and vodka are very cold.
 
Process 1½ cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds. Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and move dough around processor until it's evenly spaced. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses.
Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. Pulse the processor until dough is completely mixed.  Dough will be very sticky and you will be able to smell the vodka.  Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

NOTE: The alcohol will burn off during baking.  There will be no alcohol smell/taste after the crust has baked.  It will be the flakiest, tastiest pie crust!