Merin-GA!!

The meringues for Valentine's Day turned out spectacular.  I made them on Sunday afternoon.  They baked for five hours in a 175 degree oven.  They were the perfect consistency.  Not too soft.  Not too stiff.  And not brown.  You do not want them to brown.

Tonight I melted bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water.

I removed the chocolate from the heat and added the canola oil.

I dipped each meringue in the chocolate and placed them on a parchment lined baking sheet to cool for one hour.

Then it was time to start assembling the boxes.

I lined the bottom of each box with tissue paper with a repeating heart design.  Then I placed 4 white paper baking cups in each.

Then I filled the cups with meringues.  I love the way this looks.

Then it was time to get the boxes closed and tied.

And here is the final creation on the table ready to go out the door with me in the morning.

Let me just add that, as any good chef would do, I sampled a few of these this evening after dipping the bottoms in chocolate.  TO-DIE-FOR!!!  This is a great recipe and they are the most delicious meringues you have EVER tasted.  I have posted the recipe on the Food and Recipes page.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Merin-GA!!

The meringues for Valentine's Day turned out spectacular.  I made them on Sunday afternoon.  They baked for five hours in a 175 degree oven.  They were the perfect consistency.  Not too soft.  Not too stiff.  And not brown.  You do not want them to brown.

Tonight I melted bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water.

I removed the chocolate from the heat and added the canola oil.

I dipped each meringue in the chocolate and placed them on a parchment lined baking sheet to cool for one hour.

Then it was time to start assembling the boxes.

I lined the bottom of each box with tissue paper with a repeating heart design.  Then I placed 4 white paper baking cups in each.

Then I filled the cups with meringues.  I love the way this looks.

Then it was time to get the boxes closed and tied.

And here is the final creation on the table ready to go out the door with me in the morning.

Let me just add that, as any good chef would do, I sampled a few of these this evening after dipping the bottoms in chocolate.  TO-DIE-FOR!!!  This is a great recipe and they are the most delicious meringues you have EVER tasted.  I have posted the recipe on the Food and Recipes page.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Cool, man

Who was the coolest pup at National Airport this afternoon?

Baxter!!

Cool, man

Who was the coolest pup at National Airport this afternoon?

Baxter!!

Somebody Wants to say Good Morning

Somebody just told me that he doesn't want any more talk about fireplace renovations or snow or any of that.  He wants to be in pictures.  And he should be!  So here's everybody's favorite miniature wire-haired dachshund, who seems to have made a full recovery from back surgery in December.

Rood morning reveryone!!

Now, if we could just get the ASPCA Pet Insurance company to pay their portion of the claim for his surgery, everything would be right with the world.  But, alas, they are refusing to pay anything.  How could anybody say no to that face?

Somebody Wants to say Good Morning

Somebody just told me that he doesn't want any more talk about fireplace renovations or snow or any of that.  He wants to be in pictures.  And he should be!  So here's everybody's favorite miniature wire-haired dachshund, who seems to have made a full recovery from back surgery in December.

Rood morning reveryone!!

Now, if we could just get the ASPCA Pet Insurance company to pay their portion of the claim for his surgery, everything would be right with the world.  But, alas, they are refusing to pay anything.  How could anybody say no to that face?

The Fireplace Renovation

Here are the pictures of the fireplace renovation.

We started with the faux stone finish that I did a number of years ago.  This was actually a very nice look and I was very proud of how it turned out when I did it.  But, times change and I felt like it was time to upgrade this look.

Here is the mantel primed with Kilz primer.  I have to admit at this point I was a little nervous.  I thought, "what have I done!"  But, I moved ahead, undeterred and confident that I had made the right choice to change the look.

I painted the mantel and the walls on either side Behr brand Platinum Gray.  I love this color.  It matches the matting in the framed piece you see here that my cousin painted.  This color is also in the print in the slipper chairs that are on either side of the fireplace.  I was happy with this outcome but the brick was just not working for me.  It was dirty from years of wood fires before I installed the gas insert and to me, the project looked unfinished.  So, I decided to paint the brick platinum gray too.

And here is the finished project.  I love it!  The gray is beautiful and the black glass doors look clean against the brick.  You couldn't really see the doors before.  All you could see was the dirty brick.  That's where your eye went and it took away from the whole look.  We removed the terra cotta hearth a few years ago and replaced it with the slate you see here.  Once again, the gray works beautifully with this stone.

All things considered, this project was a success.  I'm so glad I moved ahead with my decision to update the look.  Oh, I should also tell you that the glass door insert you see here has saved me many dollars on heating costs the past two winters.  It essentially seals the opening to the fireplace and prevents the warm air from escaping up the chimney.  I believe it also helps with cooling costs in the summer.

The Fireplace Renovation

Here are the pictures of the fireplace renovation.

We started with the faux stone finish that I did a number of years ago.  This was actually a very nice look and I was very proud of how it turned out when I did it.  But, times change and I felt like it was time to upgrade this look.

Here is the mantel primed with Kilz primer.  I have to admit at this point I was a little nervous.  I thought, "what have I done!"  But, I moved ahead, undeterred and confident that I had made the right choice to change the look.

I painted the mantel and the walls on either side Behr brand Platinum Gray.  I love this color.  It matches the matting in the framed piece you see here that my cousin painted.  This color is also in the print in the slipper chairs that are on either side of the fireplace.  I was happy with this outcome but the brick was just not working for me.  It was dirty from years of wood fires before I installed the gas insert and to me, the project looked unfinished.  So, I decided to paint the brick platinum gray too.

And here is the finished project.  I love it!  The gray is beautiful and the black glass doors look clean against the brick.  You couldn't really see the doors before.  All you could see was the dirty brick.  That's where your eye went and it took away from the whole look.  We removed the terra cotta hearth a few years ago and replaced it with the slate you see here.  Once again, the gray works beautifully with this stone.

All things considered, this project was a success.  I'm so glad I moved ahead with my decision to update the look.  Oh, I should also tell you that the glass door insert you see here has saved me many dollars on heating costs the past two winters.  It essentially seals the opening to the fireplace and prevents the warm air from escaping up the chimney.  I believe it also helps with cooling costs in the summer.

A Dusting

We woke up to a bit of snow this morning!

Baxter was up at his usual 6:00 AM jumping and nudging and saying "it's time to get up daddy."  So we made our way through the house and when I opened the blinds to let him outside, I was shocked to see we had any accumulation of snow overnight.  We have brilliant sunshine this morning but temps in the 20's.  Brrrr.

A good morning to have a cup of coffee and get to work in the kitchen.  I have pre-measured all the ingredients for the Italian Meringue Drops.  I will get those in the oven this afternoon.  They need to cook in a 175 degree oven for 5 hours, so I'll put them in when we get back from the airport.  Steven returns today from the NAHB Annual Convention in Florida.  So we will run to National to pick him up at 2:00 PM and then come back and finish our cooking.  Another busy day at Welcome to Crest Avenue.

A Dusting

We woke up to a bit of snow this morning!

Baxter was up at his usual 6:00 AM jumping and nudging and saying "it's time to get up daddy."  So we made our way through the house and when I opened the blinds to let him outside, I was shocked to see we had any accumulation of snow overnight.  We have brilliant sunshine this morning but temps in the 20's.  Brrrr.

A good morning to have a cup of coffee and get to work in the kitchen.  I have pre-measured all the ingredients for the Italian Meringue Drops.  I will get those in the oven this afternoon.  They need to cook in a 175 degree oven for 5 hours, so I'll put them in when we get back from the airport.  Steven returns today from the NAHB Annual Convention in Florida.  So we will run to National to pick him up at 2:00 PM and then come back and finish our cooking.  Another busy day at Welcome to Crest Avenue.

Oh, Sweet Mystery of Life at Last I've Found You

For those who want to know:

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.  Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Thank you Wikipedia.

I like to give Valentine's treats to all my friends.  It can be the simplest of things.




These cards are from my childhood during the 1960's.  I remember giving and getting them at school.  The cards today will not look exactly like these but you can still find them at CVS.

There is also the option of making a card yourself and leaving it on your cube-mates desk at work or attaching a little ribbon to the card and hanging it on a friends front door or placing it under a windshield wiper.  What a pleasant surprise. 

I particularly like this card sent from Julia Child and her husband some years ago:

What a clever idea.

I will be making Italian Meringue Drops and leaving a box on the desks of my friends at work.  I must give credit where credit is due and tell you that, as much as I wish this was my original idea, it is a Martha Stewart recipe.

I will reach out to other friends with cards just to let them know I am thinking of them.  You would be surprised how much of an impact such a small gesture of kindness can have on someone, especially if they have had a death of a loved one recently or any other circumstance that may have them spending this holiday alone.

Oh, Sweet Mystery of Life at Last I've Found You

For those who want to know:

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.  Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Thank you Wikipedia.

I like to give Valentine's treats to all my friends.  It can be the simplest of things.




These cards are from my childhood during the 1960's.  I remember giving and getting them at school.  The cards today will not look exactly like these but you can still find them at CVS.

There is also the option of making a card yourself and leaving it on your cube-mates desk at work or attaching a little ribbon to the card and hanging it on a friends front door or placing it under a windshield wiper.  What a pleasant surprise. 

I particularly like this card sent from Julia Child and her husband some years ago:

What a clever idea.

I will be making Italian Meringue Drops and leaving a box on the desks of my friends at work.  I must give credit where credit is due and tell you that, as much as I wish this was my original idea, it is a Martha Stewart recipe.

I will reach out to other friends with cards just to let them know I am thinking of them.  You would be surprised how much of an impact such a small gesture of kindness can have on someone, especially if they have had a death of a loved one recently or any other circumstance that may have them spending this holiday alone.

We're Back in Business

Duracell to the rescue!  We have a working camera again.  And I didn't have to run all over downtown D.C. to find new batteries.  I decided to try the CVS that is within walking distance of the office first and they had them.  According to the package we won't have to worry about this again for another year.  I was a little shocked at $17.99 for a four pack.  But then I thought about all the years I have had this camera and never replaced the batteries.  That made it a lot easier to spend $18.00 on a 4-pack of batteries.  Plus I had a 20% coupon already loaded on my CVS card.  All things considered, quite a deal.

So we're off and running again.  Pictures of the finished fireplace coming tomorrow.

We're Back in Business

Duracell to the rescue!  We have a working camera again.  And I didn't have to run all over downtown D.C. to find new batteries.  I decided to try the CVS that is within walking distance of the office first and they had them.  According to the package we won't have to worry about this again for another year.  I was a little shocked at $17.99 for a four pack.  But then I thought about all the years I have had this camera and never replaced the batteries.  That made it a lot easier to spend $18.00 on a 4-pack of batteries.  Plus I had a 20% coupon already loaded on my CVS card.  All things considered, quite a deal.

So we're off and running again.  Pictures of the finished fireplace coming tomorrow.

The Theater is Dark today

The theater is dark today.  No photos.  Why you ask?  Because the battery pack in my camera has taken its last charge.  It's done.  Toast.  No more pictures.  I will run to Radio Shack or Best Buy or wherever I have to go to purchase 2 new AA Lithium, rechargeable batteries.  More project work and pictures either later today or tomorrow.

The Theater is Dark today

The theater is dark today.  No photos.  Why you ask?  Because the battery pack in my camera has taken its last charge.  It's done.  Toast.  No more pictures.  I will run to Radio Shack or Best Buy or wherever I have to go to purchase 2 new AA Lithium, rechargeable batteries.  More project work and pictures either later today or tomorrow.

Sirius XM Radio

I renewed my subscription to Sirius XM Radio today.

Sirius Radio is a satellite radio (SDARS) service.  They are headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis.  Subscriptions are prepaid and range in price from $12.95 per month ($8.99 for each additional receiver) to $499.99 for lifetime (of the receiver equipment) subscription. There is a $15 activation fee for every radio activated. I paid $131.63 or $10.97 per month for one subscription.  I have not had the car wired yet for Sirius.  That will come in the spring or summer.  There is a very small port with a face plate that sits next to the amp in my house.  This faceplate is removable and once the car is wired, I will be able to simply take the faceplate with me and plug it into the port in the car to enjoy uninterrupted music.

I first received this sevice as a Christmas gift and I was immediately taken with the concept.  No more of the same old annoying commercials and useless jibber-jabber that you get with regular, land-based radio stations.  For more information on their full line-up of stations, visit http://www.sirius.com/.

Sirius XM Radio

I renewed my subscription to Sirius XM Radio today.

Sirius Radio is a satellite radio (SDARS) service.  They are headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis.  Subscriptions are prepaid and range in price from $12.95 per month ($8.99 for each additional receiver) to $499.99 for lifetime (of the receiver equipment) subscription. There is a $15 activation fee for every radio activated. I paid $131.63 or $10.97 per month for one subscription.  I have not had the car wired yet for Sirius.  That will come in the spring or summer.  There is a very small port with a face plate that sits next to the amp in my house.  This faceplate is removable and once the car is wired, I will be able to simply take the faceplate with me and plug it into the port in the car to enjoy uninterrupted music.

I first received this sevice as a Christmas gift and I was immediately taken with the concept.  No more of the same old annoying commercials and useless jibber-jabber that you get with regular, land-based radio stations.  For more information on their full line-up of stations, visit http://www.sirius.com/.

Another Spring Arrangement



Another arrangement I put together to help bring some spring color and life into the house.  Putting together an arrangement like this is really not that difficult.  Sometimes I prefer just a single type of flower in a vase.  Very simple.  Very elegant.  I especially like tulips in this sort of arrangement.  It shouldn't be long now before we are able to find good quality tulips.  Tulips are my favorite flower.  I like them all in all colors and varieties.  But nothing really can replace the standard tulip.  So simple and elegant.  Here is a classic example.

Really beautiful.



Another Spring Arrangement



Another arrangement I put together to help bring some spring color and life into the house.  Putting together an arrangement like this is really not that difficult.  Sometimes I prefer just a single type of flower in a vase.  Very simple.  Very elegant.  I especially like tulips in this sort of arrangement.  It shouldn't be long now before we are able to find good quality tulips.  Tulips are my favorite flower.  I like them all in all colors and varieties.  But nothing really can replace the standard tulip.  So simple and elegant.  Here is a classic example.

Really beautiful.



The perfect ending to the Weekend

Baxter and I took Steven to the airport early Saturday morning for his flight to Orlando to attend the National Association of Home Builders Annual Convention.  We ran a few errands on our way home from the airport.  Once we got home and got the car unloaded, I decided to put the rest of the weekend to good use.  I painted the brick around the fireplace enclosure in the dining room.  Here is what it looked like during that process.

(More pictures to follow tomorrow.)

I installed the room darkening shades in my bedroom.  Then I steam cleaned the hardwood floors with the Haan steamer and cleaned the carpet in the tv room.

During our errands on Saturday morning, I picked up some fresh flower arrangements from our new Aldi grocery store.  I was pleasantly surprised to find some fresh cut arrangements there that were tastefully put together.  I picked up three bunches.  I start to get antsy for spring and warmer weather this time of year.  We are a mere 42 days away from the first day of spring and I'm ready for it anyday.  Keeping fresh flowers in the house during the dark winter months helps lift your spririts.  So I put a fresh vase on my nightable.

Sunday evening I decided to have a glass of red wine and to relax and enjoy all I got done this weekend.  I used my new wine glass I got from Bob for Christmas that says "It's 5:00 somewhere" with many different graphic depictions of the official beginning of the cocktail hour.  A wonderful way to end a nice weekend.

The perfect ending to the Weekend

Baxter and I took Steven to the airport early Saturday morning for his flight to Orlando to attend the National Association of Home Builders Annual Convention.  We ran a few errands on our way home from the airport.  Once we got home and got the car unloaded, I decided to put the rest of the weekend to good use.  I painted the brick around the fireplace enclosure in the dining room.  Here is what it looked like during that process.

(More pictures to follow tomorrow.)

I installed the room darkening shades in my bedroom.  Then I steam cleaned the hardwood floors with the Haan steamer and cleaned the carpet in the tv room.

During our errands on Saturday morning, I picked up some fresh flower arrangements from our new Aldi grocery store.  I was pleasantly surprised to find some fresh cut arrangements there that were tastefully put together.  I picked up three bunches.  I start to get antsy for spring and warmer weather this time of year.  We are a mere 42 days away from the first day of spring and I'm ready for it anyday.  Keeping fresh flowers in the house during the dark winter months helps lift your spririts.  So I put a fresh vase on my nightable.

Sunday evening I decided to have a glass of red wine and to relax and enjoy all I got done this weekend.  I used my new wine glass I got from Bob for Christmas that says "It's 5:00 somewhere" with many different graphic depictions of the official beginning of the cocktail hour.  A wonderful way to end a nice weekend.

Some Helpful Hints

I know I am always looking for ways to streamline the everyday tasks of my life and I thought many of you might be searching for the same.  I have put together a list of six things that I do each day that help to bring order to my life.  I thought I would share these with you here.

______________________________________________________________

6 Things to Do Every Day

In the Morning

o      Pick up

        Take a quick look around and see if there are things sitting around that are out of place.  If so, pick them up and put them away.

o      Check houseplants/Sweep

        This is the perfect time to check the moisture level in your houseplants.  Give anyone who is thirsty a drink.  If the kitchen or mudroom or entry floors are dirty, give them the “once over” with a broom.

o      Make the Bed

        There’s nothing like crawling into a nicely made bed in the evening.  Doing this will make you feel better when you leave the house in the morning and it will be an inviting oasis when you get home in the evening.

In the Evening

o      Sort Mail

        Go through the mail and sort it into two piles – junk mail that can be recycled (after shredding the address label) and bills and other items that need attention.  Set aside time the following day to open bills and mark them for payment or to send out any correspondence or rsvp’s.

o      Prepare lunch for the following day

        Ziploc containers with three compartments work beautifully.  I put the main meal in the large compartment, small rice cakes or something salty in one of the smaller compartments and sliced fruit with honey or some homemade yogurt with fresh berries in the third.

o      Prepare pet breakfast for the following day/week

        You can prepare a weeks worth of breakfast very easily and store them in Ziploc containers in the refrigerator.  Then each morning, you simply open the container and place the food in their bowl.

I hope you find this helpful.

Some Helpful Hints

I know I am always looking for ways to streamline the everyday tasks of my life and I thought many of you might be searching for the same.  I have put together a list of six things that I do each day that help to bring order to my life.  I thought I would share these with you here.

______________________________________________________________

6 Things to Do Every Day

In the Morning

o      Pick up

        Take a quick look around and see if there are things sitting around that are out of place.  If so, pick them up and put them away.

o      Check houseplants/Sweep

        This is the perfect time to check the moisture level in your houseplants.  Give anyone who is thirsty a drink.  If the kitchen or mudroom or entry floors are dirty, give them the “once over” with a broom.

o      Make the Bed

        There’s nothing like crawling into a nicely made bed in the evening.  Doing this will make you feel better when you leave the house in the morning and it will be an inviting oasis when you get home in the evening.

In the Evening

o      Sort Mail

        Go through the mail and sort it into two piles – junk mail that can be recycled (after shredding the address label) and bills and other items that need attention.  Set aside time the following day to open bills and mark them for payment or to send out any correspondence or rsvp’s.

o      Prepare lunch for the following day

        Ziploc containers with three compartments work beautifully.  I put the main meal in the large compartment, small rice cakes or something salty in one of the smaller compartments and sliced fruit with honey or some homemade yogurt with fresh berries in the third.

o      Prepare pet breakfast for the following day/week

        You can prepare a weeks worth of breakfast very easily and store them in Ziploc containers in the refrigerator.  Then each morning, you simply open the container and place the food in their bowl.

I hope you find this helpful.

Six More Weeks?!

Looks like old Punxsatawney Phil saw his shadow this morning.

That means six more weeks of winter.  However, here in the Mid-Atlantic that is not something to fret over this year.  It was 70 degrees here yesterday.  Unbelievable.  I don't know what to make of it, so I'm going to just enjoy it.  We deserve a mild winter every now and then.  A snow day would be nice, but it's also nice to be able to be outdoors without freezing your behind off.

Here is a picture taken from this morning with the ever-loveable Phil.

Six More Weeks?!

Looks like old Punxsatawney Phil saw his shadow this morning.

That means six more weeks of winter.  However, here in the Mid-Atlantic that is not something to fret over this year.  It was 70 degrees here yesterday.  Unbelievable.  I don't know what to make of it, so I'm going to just enjoy it.  We deserve a mild winter every now and then.  A snow day would be nice, but it's also nice to be able to be outdoors without freezing your behind off.

Here is a picture taken from this morning with the ever-loveable Phil.