LAVENDER AVENUE

A Few of My Favorite Things

2013-05-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

A hand blender is a magical thing. Blend things right in the pot or bowl - no washing the blender or pureeing soups in batches. Easy to clean and inexpensive. I have the Hamilton Beach model - sells for about $20 at Walmart. According to an informal survey I did among friends who have the hand blenders, the inexpensive model works just fine - assuming you aren't doing high volume blending on a regular basis.

I am in love with these circular knitting needles from ChiaGoo! They are made of stainless steel and feature a flexible, multi-strand steel cable coated in nylon to allow yarn to slide easily. The joint between the needle and the cable is very smooth. I have been knitting my first lace shawl project, and they work beautifully. Best of all, a circular runs about $7 instead of the $13 and up I've been paying.

When I was 13, my mother told me that when I grew up, acne would no longer be a problem. She was right about most things, but not this. My esthetician recommended Jan Marini products. They aren't cheap, but all that money I save on knitting needles can just head over to the skin care budget. :) My skin is better than it's been - ever.

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For breakfast every morning:

1 cup plain greek yogurt

1 cup blueberries

1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed

1 scoop whey protein powder

sometimes I add a banana

Blend until smooth

YUM!

What are some of your favorite things?

Mashed Potato Soup

2013-05-16T08:23:00.000-06:00

I have a daughter who is a picky eater. No marinara sauce, no onions. The only fruit she eats are apples, bananas and melon. The seeds in a strawberry are "too big" and bother her. I don't know if it's a sensory thing or just fussiness. Naturally, she has passed some of this on to her little brother. He doesn't like chunks of things or flecks of green in his food. In fact, if they were in charge of the world, there would still be 4 food groups; they would just be Pasta, Rice, Mashed Potatoes and Vanilla Ice Cream.

I have a couple of things I make to try to combat the lack of fiber and general nutrition in their diets. One trick is cauliflower puree. I like to stir cauliflower puree into their pasta and Parmesan cheese. They love it, and they have no idea they are getting a vegetable. Another recipe I add puree to is Mashed Potato Soup.

Mashed Potato Soup

1 medium onion,diced

1 cup celery, diced

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. parsley (if your kids are not allergic to green flecks)

6-8 average size potatoes, peeled and diced

3 cups vegetable or chicken stock

2 cups of milk * see disclaimer below

1/2 cup cauliflower puree

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Heat a medium saute pan and add the olive oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the onions and celery and parsley (if you are using it) and cook until tender.

In the meantime, put the chopped potatoes in a stock pot with the vegetable or chicken stock and bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer. When the onion and garlic is tender and smells delicious, add it to the pot with the potatoes. Continue to cook until the potatoes are tender.

Add milk *disclaimer: I just make this soup - no recipe - so the amount of milk is something I sort of eyeball. You just don't want the soup too thick. It isn't meant to actually be mashed potatoes... end disclaimer* and add the cheese and cauliflower puree. Stir until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and let cool just a bit. Either process in your blender, or take a hand blender and puree it right in the stock pot.

Add a couple of Cheez-its for garnish (they aren't green) and serve. Magically, the onions and celery become invisible and your picky little eaters declare it the best thing you've ever cooked them.

For adults, the possibilities are endless. Broccoli, bacon, grated cheese, a sprig of parsley...

Why Wear Cotton?

2013-05-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Cotton nightgowns from Lavender Avenue

There is a reason why Cotton's website is called The Fabric of Our Lives. So many of the things we use and wear are made out of it. Cotton is soft, absorbs moisture, breathes, comes in wovens and knits, and can be dyed all kinds of colors. Cotton is renewable, all natural, sustainable and biodegradable. It is easy to clean and care for, and because it is natural and breathes so well, it doesn't irritate the skin. Cotton used to be considered a luxury fabric because until the invention of the cotton gin, the fibers had to be separated from the seeds by hand. After the Industrial Revolution, cotton became a popular, relatively inexpensive, mass produced textile. It's even used in the dollar bill!

Organic cotton nightgown from Lavender Avenue

Conventional cotton is a great choice. An even better choice is organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown without the use of any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. In the United States, the National Organic Program (NOP) enforces growing practices such as growing, pest control, fertilizing and handling of organic crops for certification as organic. Even if the cotton is grown organically, it isn't always chemical free after the dyeing process. It pays to ask the manufacturer if they are using low-impact dyes. Also, for now, the down side to organic cotton is the cost - anywhere from 10 to 40 percent higher than conventional cotton.

Did you know that colored cotton also exists naturally? Just like sheep come in a variety of colors, so does cotton. Naturally colored cotton varies from green to brown and reddish brown. Because colored cotton has to be bleached before dying, it has been eliminated from commercial farming. Farmers don't even want it growing near their "white" cotton fields for fear of cross-pollination. For a great story about the re-emergence of colored cotton, read about Fox Fibre.

I love working with cotton - fabric or yarn. I love wearing it and using it for personal care. It's inexpensive, soft and just totally all-purpose.

Talk to me! What do you love about cotton?

As an aside, if you like period films, you should watch North and South. It is a BBC drama adapted from the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. The story is set in the industrial north of England and the main businesses there are cotton mills.

Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Smoked Salmon Salad

2013-05-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Smoked Salmon Salad

2 cups mixed salad greens (Romaine, spring mix)

1/2 cup chopped celery

2 green onions, chopped

4 oz. smoked salmon

1 tsp capers, rinsed (optional)

Freshly ground pepper

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. lime juice

In a bowl, mix the salad greens, celery and green onions. Place the salmon on top of the salad, then sprinkle with capers and black pepper. Dress with olive oil and lime juice. Serves 1

Menu Plan Monday

2013-05-06T15:29:00.001-06:00

MONDAY

Spaghetti

TUESDAY

Thai chicken wraps

WEDNESDAY

Potato Soup

THURSDAY

Meatloaf

FRIDAY

Leftovers

SATURDAY

Eating out

SUNDAY

Coconut Fried Chicken

Sitting in the carpool line, planning dinner and getting Kindie homework done.

Menu Plan Monday

2013-04-29T11:04:00.000-06:00

We're finally having spring-like weather (ignore the fact that snow is forecast for Wednesday) and I'm a little sunburned from soccer games on Saturday. Warmer weather puts me in the mood for lighter dishes and more salads, and cooking on the outdoor grill.

MONDAY

leftover Green Chile Enchiladas
Spanish rice
Beans

TUESDAY

Chicken Pot Pie

WEDNESDAY

Asian Chicken Salad

THURSDAY

Fettuccine alla Carbonara
Salad

FRIDAY

Eat out

SATURDAY

leftovers

SUNDAY

BBQ - to be determined

Upcoming Projects for the Little Fashionista to Rock

2013-04-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

I have a couple of fun things lined up for my little fashionista. I am pretty excited to see how they turn out. She, as always, has been involved in choosing the fabric and patterns.

This little shirt dress is my current project. I am using McCalls 6389 for this one. There are a lot of pieces, but I think it will have a nice fit with all that tailoring.

These adorable pink elephants are part of my goal to become more comfortable with knits. I plan to use McCalls 5838 for this - one of the patterns in my stash.

Another visit to my copy of Absolutely A-Line for this one. Can you tell my little fashionista loves skirts and dresses? I am trying to convince her to let me try pants...

Last of all, we're still discussing what to make. She loves this fabric because it reminds her of a favorite dress she just outgrew. I wish I hadn't already passed it on to someone else, because I could have made a pattern out of it. Anyway, it was a cute little short sleeve dress with a boat collar and pleats then falling straight down to the hem, no waist. It was black with yellow and white daisies.

What would you make with turquoise, red and white daisy fabric?

Menu Plan Monday

2013-04-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

I promised I would give you a review of the things we had last week from Mel's Kitchen Cafe. I will start with the bad news first. My younger two - very picky eaters - wouldn't even try most of it. The good news, what they did try, they kind of liked.
The Tortellini Sausage Soup was amazing. It was perfect for a cold and snowy afternoon. The grated zucchini added in tasted delicious. The Coconut Chicken Curry was also really good - but even better later in the week as leftovers. My personal favorite was the Honey Lime Tilapia. Tilapia is not very "fishy" tasting and the honey lime marinade was fantastic. The Thai Chicken Wraps were another favorite. I was perfectly happy to eat them again for lunch another day. We're going to have the enchiladas this week instead.

MONDAY

Asian Lettuce Wraps
TUESDAY

Korean Beef
rice
Veggies

WEDNESDAY

Sandwiches and salad

THURSDAY

Tuscan Grilled Pork Chops
Garlic mashed potatoes
veggies

FRIDAY

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Rice

Beans

salad

SATURDAY

Chicken Parmesan
Pasta

SUNDAY

Leftovers

Fire Beef

2013-04-18T07:22:00.000-06:00

Fire Beef with Roasted Veggies

1 pound beef, cut in thin strips

Marinate 24 hours in:

2 tsp. minced garlic

¼ cup soy sauce

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. pepper

Dash red pepper

2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

2 Tbsp. sesame oil

Grill 15 minutes at 550°

Serve with rice and roasted vegetables

Roasted Veggies

2 zucchini, sliced

1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes

1 red onion, cut in chunks

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. kosher salt, or to taste

pepper

Toss the vegetables in the olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a foil covered roasting pan. Roast in a 400° oven for about 15 minutes, or until tender.

Menu Plan Monday

2013-04-15T09:12:00.001-06:00

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Happy 15th of April - Tax day and a little on the chilly side. I promise, my daffodils look just like this - but I'm too cold to go out and take a photo this morning.

In other news, I was completely at a loss this morning in terms of menu planning. I wanted to use stuff I have, but I just couldn't think of anything. My kids are tired of the staples and we need some new life in our menus. I haven't used Mel's Kitchen Cafe recipes much, but a couple of months ago my recipe club had a Mel's themed night. I liked everything, so we're having a Mel's week at our house. I'll let you know how it goes.

MONDAY

Tortellini Sausage Soup

TUESDAY

Coconut Chicken Curry

WEDNESDAY

Spaghetti (Not Mel's)

THURSDAY

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

FRIDAY

Leftovers

SATURDAY

Honey Lime Tilapia

SUNDAY

Thai Chicken Wraps

Linking up to Menu Plan Monday.

Pound Cake with Rhubarb Jam

2013-04-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Rhubarb is such a spring-time flavor. When we used to live in Oregon, I had a rhubarb plant. Not only did it make a big pretty, leafy plant in the yard, but I could go out and cut some stalks and make something with rhubarb in it on a whim. Yesterday, they were putting out the rhubarb in the produce section of my local market. On a whim, I grabbed a bunch. I decided to make rhubarb jam. I love the tart/sweet flavor and chunky texture of it. Of course, we needed something to eat with it...

Rhubarb jam

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp. water

1 1/2 lbs. rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1/2" pieces

1 tsp. orange zest

To make jam, combine sugar, water, rhubarb and orange zest in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until rhubarb is soft and beginning to break down (8-10 min.). Remove from heat and cool 2 hours.

Pound Cake

adapted from Country Living

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Whipped cream for serving

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 8x4 inch loaf pan.

In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter until fluffy. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after adding each egg. Add flour, baking soda and salt and mix until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 - 60 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes. Remove cake from pan and allow to cool 2 more hours.
Serves 8

Little Fashionista Rocks the Jersey Knit Hoodie Dress

2013-04-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

One of my sewing goals is to learn to not be afraid of knits. My past experiences with knits have involved wobbly seams, curled up hems and wonky drapes. Naturally, I realize that those are the problems of the inexperienced, but traumatic nevertheless.

I had a nice grey jersey knit in my stash. I thought it would make a great fall/spring dress for my daughter. I also had this pattern by burda.

(I'd love to hear what some of you think of burda patterns. I like them. I think they are more up to date than some of the other (un-named) vendors out there, but I don't think they are beginner patterns. Sometimes it seems like some of the directions were left out because they were obvious to the designer... If I didn't know my way around a pattern or a sewing machine, I might be frustrated.What do you think?)

I used my go-to book for tips on sewing with knits - which turns out to be really helpful and worth every penny I spent on it.

I love how this little hoodie dress turned out. So does my daughter. She's been wearing it all winter, and she keeps forgetting that I made it. I'll take that as a compliment.

Note: I took the photos of the knit dress yesterday. It was FREEZING! But I wanted to mention it so you could see how well the dress has worn. I made it last September and it's been worn and washed and pulled over her knees, not to mention climbing over porch railings...

Margaret Thatcher

2013-04-08T08:25:00.000-06:00

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"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."

"If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing."

"There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty."

"I've got a woman's ability to stick to a job and get on with it when everyone else walks off and leaves it."

Thank you and farewell to a great lady - who showed women and girls around the world that dreams can be achieved, and when achieved, worn gracefully.

Mexican Salad Lettuce Wraps

2013-04-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

Mexican Salad Lettuce Wraps

1 (15 oz.) can black beans

1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans

2 tomatoes, diced

1 red or yellow bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbsp. olive oil

Juice of 1 lime

Whole heart of Romaine lettuce

Rinse the beans with cold water and drain. In a large bowl, toss the garbanzos, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, scallions, celery, cilantro, garlic, cumin, salt,and pepper. Dress the salad with the olive oil and lime juice and toss well. Separate large leaves of Romaine off the head and wash them well. Scoop 1/2 a cup of salad into each lettuce cup. 2 lettuce cups per serving. Makes 4 servings.

Little Fashionista Rocks the Target Clearance Rack Re-fashion

2013-04-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

I hope you like the classy shots with the uncovered window wells. You can't get those just anywhere.

I was wandering around the Target clearance racks a few months ago and I found this dress:

I can't remember the price I paid - short term memory issues - but I do know it was less than $10. It was my size (roughly) but definitely not something that would be flattering on me. I decided to deconstruct it and re-make it in to a skirt for my little fashionista.

It was as easy as can be. I separated the elastic from the top and bottom - just a matter of picking out the seams. I then had to decide how much to shorten the skirt part. I measured my daughter from her waist line to where we thought the skirt should fall lengthwise. We decided it should be long-ish. I only had to cut one section of ruffle off. I tremble to think how short that dress would have been on me!

To remove the extra section and shorten the skirt, I just folded up the top ruffle and used my rotary cutter and ruler to cut a straight line across just underneath. Then, I centered the elastic with pins at the front center, back center, and side seams. I then sewed the elastic band to the top of the skirt, stretching as I went. The pins aren't just to center the elastic band, but also to act as a guide for stretching the elastic in sections. That way you get the most even stretch. You can do more pins if you want, but 4 worked well for this skirt.

She rocks it!

Creative Gifts for Kids

2013-04-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

It seems like birthdays come in waves. It will be very quiet for a while, then suddenly there are a bunch of birthdays to find gifts for. I like to find ideas for gifts that I can stock up on and have around - if possible. I also like my kids to give something that is unique and encourages creative play. This Friday, my 6 year old, 8 year old and I are all invited to different birthday parties. Good grief, right?

Here is a round-up of some of our favorite things to give:

The Fort Kit

Cost: About $10 if you thrift the sheets and t-shirts for the ties and

buy the other materials in bulk - planning for multiple kits.

The Science Kit

Cost: About $20 - again, for some parts, thinking in terms of making more than one kit

The Friendship Bracelet Kit

Cost: About $10, mostly for the clipboard and floss organizer.

The Packs of floss will make more than one kit.

The Baking Kit

Cost: About $10 for apron, cake mix, cupcake papers and frosting.

If you sew, you can make the apron yourself using stash fabric.
You can also add other things like measuring spoons or cups and a spatula

The Craft Kit

Cost: About $20. Don't be fooled, unless you stock up during Back to School time,

craft supplies aren't cheap. You can find bulk items online too.
This kit can easily be customized to the preferences of the child it will be given to.

Here are a couple other places I go for ideas:

One Pretty Thing

Authentic Arts

Giverslog

And, of course, Pinterest

What are your go-to gifts for birthdays?

Menu Plan Monday

2013-04-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

You may have noticed that I wasn't around last week. It was Spring Break, and we were busy. My oldest went to stay with my sister's family in Utah. The rest of us found some fun things to do around home.

This is pretty typical. They can't help touching each other.

MONDAY

BBQ Pork Chops
Sweet Potatoes
Mixed Berry Parfait Salad

TUESDAY

Cream of Asparagus Soup
Muffins

WEDNESDAY

Fire Beef
Rice
Roasted Veggies

THURSDAY

Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
Buns
Fruit (cantaloupe or other melon)

FRIDAY

Nachos/Taco Salad

SATURDAY

Leftovers

SUNDAY

BBQ
Chips
Salad
Fruit

Linking up to Menu Plan Monday!

Our Favorite Lasagna

2013-03-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

Our Favorite Lasagna

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. sausage

2 cloves Garlic, Minced

1 small onion, diced

2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

3 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning

1 tsp. salt

1 large container part skim Ricotta cheese

2 whole Beaten Eggs

1/2 cup grated (not Shredded) Parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp. Dried Parsley

1 teaspoon Salt

1 pound grated mozzarella

1 package oven ready Lasagna noodles

In a large skillet or saucepan, combine ground beef, sausage, onion and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain the fat. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and salt. Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes while you are working on the other steps.

In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, 2 Tbsp. parsley, and 1 more teaspoon salt. Stir together well. Set aside.

Arrange 3 oven ready lasagna noodles in the bottom of a baking pan, overlapping if necessary. Spoon a third of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread evenly. Cover ricotta cheese with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Spoon a third of the meat/sauce over the top. Repeat, ending with meat/sauce mixture. Sprinkle top with extra Parmesan.

Either freeze, refrigerate for up to two days, or bake immediately: 350-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until top is hot and bubbly. We prefer to refrigerate it for a day and let the flavors blend, and then cook it.

Menu Plan Monday

2013-03-18T08:41:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, I sat at my kitchen table and watched a squirrel. It would run out on the branch above my bird feeder, smack the bird feeder and get it swinging and bounce the branch so that the seeds fell out on the ground. Then, it would run down to the grass and eat the seeds. Repeated over and over. I was wondering why the level of seed in the feeder was going down so fast. I wish I had thought to take a photo then...

It's the week before Spring Break. We have one of those viruses that is going through the family, one person at a time. I am looking for crocus in my yard. I need a real sign of Spring. Going for easy food this week.

MONDAY

Sweet Chili Meatballs - Crockpot

Mixed veggies

TUESDAY

Sandwiches (turkey, ham, roast beef)
Fruit

WEDNESDAY

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

THURSDAY

Pancakes
Fruit

FRIDAY

Take-out: Kids' choice

SATURDAY

Dinner Party
Balsamic glazed pork loin
Rice
Vegetable stir fry

SUNDAY

Leftovers

Southwest Panini

2013-03-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

I belong to a recipe group that meets monthly. Each month we have a different theme. This month was lime and cilantro. I marinated chicken in lime juice, cilantro and chili powder, grilled some veggies and added a fresh salsa with lime and cilantro to boost the flavor. Delicious!

Cilantro-lime Chicken Panini

Ingredients:

Marinade

Salsa

Grilled Veggies

Lime Mayonnaise

16 thick slices of French bread

8 slices Monterey Jack cheese

Marinade:

1 Tbsp. lime juice

1 tsp. fresh lime zest (optional)

3 Tbsp. olive oil

¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

½ jalapeno, seeded and diced

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp. chipotle chile powder

¼ tsp. salt

1 lb. chicken tenderloins or strips

Marinate for at least 1 hour, in the refrigerator. Grill or cook under broiler until done. Do not over cook.

Salsa:

1 medium tomato, diced

1 small red onion, diced

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

½ jalapeno seeded and diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Grilled veggies:

1 red or orange bell pepper, sliced thin

1 red onion, sliced thin

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

2 Tbsp. Olive oil

Toss veggies in lime juice and olive oil and grill or cook under the broiler until done.

Lime Mayonnaise:

½ cup mayonnaise

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Whisk together and refrigerate until ready to use.

Heat a pan or Panini maker until it’s good and hot. Make your sandwich as follows:

Butter one side of two slices of French bread. Spread the un-buttered side with the lime mayonnaise. Layer 1 slice Monterey jack, a Tbsp. salsa, grilled veggies and the grilled chicken, then another slice of Jack cheese, if desired. Top with the other slice of bread, butter side up. Grill until brown and toasty. Serve with chips and salsa.

YUM!

Burlap Love - Wonders 4 You

2013-03-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Do you ever run across something you love so much you just have to share it? That's how I feel about this little Etsy shop called Wonders 4 You. Eiginta is the owner. She grew up in Lithuania, but now lives in the United States. She blogs over at Ginta's World.

Eiginta's designs are clean and simple, and so elegant. Here are some of my favorites. Pop over to her shop and take a look, then come back and tell me what you love.

Menu Plan Monday

2013-03-11T08:11:00.001-06:00

Couldn't have thought of a better way to spend the weekend...

my adorable nephew Charlie came to visit with his family.

MONDAY

Best Lasagna - Look for the recipe next Thursday

Salad

TUESDAY

Citrus Chicken Kabob

Roasted veggies

WEDNESDAY

Fajitas

Spanish rice

THURSDAY

Leftovers

FRIDAY

Sweet Chili Meatballs - Crockpot

Mixed veggies

SATURDAY

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Potatoes

Soda Bread

yes, I know it's a day early...

SUNDAY

Leftovers!

Abuelita Hot Cocoa

2013-03-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

I know it may be warming up for some of you, but it's still chilly where I live and we're expecting snow this weekend. Besides, it's always a good time for hot cocoa. Here's a recipe I shared a year ago for Abuelita's Hot Cocoa.

The beautiful thing about Abuelita is that it is already sweetened, already has cinnamon and vanilla in it. Yum. The following recipe is how I make it in my cocoa latte machine, which froths it up nicely in place of using the molinillo.

Abuelita Hot Chocolate

In a small saucepan, melt an Abuelita tablet in 1 cup of milk. Stir to prevent the chocolate from burning.

Pour melted chocolate/milk mixture into cocoa latte machine, add 3 more cups of milk and 1 tsp. of your favorite chile powder. Turn on machine and while you're waiting, make some whipped cream.

Pour the heated chocolate into a mug, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Serve and enjoy.

Menu Plan Monday

2013-03-04T08:20:00.001-07:00

I felted some wool sweaters this weekend. I have big plans for them this week. Have you ever done a project with felted sweaters? I like the looks of this and this...

This is the week before Junior Olympics (swimming). My son is qualified in 5 events. The meet starts Friday and so this week needs to be full of healthy, filling food. Think pasta...

MONDAY

Chili baked potatoes

Cantaloupe

TUESDAY

Pasta Carbonara

I might use asparagus instead of peas

WEDNESDAY

Southwest Panini

I am inventing this for my recipe group, so the family gets to eat it too.

THURSDAY

Lasagna

FRIDAY

Take-out for me and the 2 non-swimmers

SATURDAY

Salad and sandwiches

SUNDAY

leftovers or pancakes

Linking up to Menu Plan Monday!