Just what is tawashi?? The Japanese translation is “a traditional scrubbing brush to wash off the dirt”, and it’s also the latest craze among knitters and crocheters. Made of acrylic yarn, these little scrubbies are said to be eco-friendly because they are reusable and require use of little or no soap. The patterns seen here […]
Author Archives: Ann
15
Jan
Jan
My favorite fruit: banana. My favorite candy: banana Laffy Taffy (true). My favorite ice cream: Chunky Monkey. My favorite quick bread? Whenever I see a golden bunch ripening in the fruit basket, I’m thinking banana bread. The yummy aroma that fills the kitchen while it’s baking is heavenly, and I think it tastes great with […]
06
Jan
Jan
I rarely buy cookbooks that do not contain the words cookies, cakes or dessert in the title but, while holiday shopping in Marshalls, I was lucky to find two Ina Garten cookbooks, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics. Knowing full well my history of buying cookbooks that remain unopened and collect […]
02
Jan
Jan
I went to a baby shower today! The daughter of a very special friend is expecting her first child in February and, keeping true to the trend, the expectant parents are choosing to be surprised. Wonderful, really. Unless, like me, you like to knit baby sweaters in pink or blue…so, white it is. Debbie Bliss […]
21
Dec
Dec
Includes recipes for Snowflake cutouts, Butter Crisp spritz, Molasses sugar cookies, Italian Christmas Cookies, Nutella Sandwiches, Almond Macaroons, Cappucino Crinkles, Almond Drop, Cranberry, White Chocolate, Pistachio Biscotti, Almond Crescent Cookies, Apricot-Orange Shortbread Bars.
18
Dec
Dec
My “Christmas Baking Extravaganza” is this Saturday. You’ll hear all about this wonderful tradition, complete with photos and recipes, in my next post. In the meantime, I’ve been busy baking these: Print Nutella Sandwiches Ingredients 1 and 2/3 cups all purpose flour 1 cup butter 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/3 cup blanched almonds 1 tbsp. […]
10
Dec
Dec
No. The stockings are not hung by the chimney with care. Nor is my tree decorated. And the presents remain unwrapped. But I’m having fun baking holiday cookies! And this is probably my all-time favorite Christmas cookie, as it was one of two recipes that my mom would make to kick-off the holiday season. The […]
09
Dec
Dec
Today was our first “snow day”! School was closed and all my daycare children spent the day at home with their moms. With Christmas only 16 days away, I wondered how best to spend this precious day off. Write Christmas cards? Wrap gifts? Decorate the tree? All VIP, but not nearly as important as baking […]
Holidays are a perfect time to engage kids with fun crafts. These little turkeys have become a yearly tradition for my daycare children, and they just love making them and munching on the supplies :o) You’ll need: 1 apple, mini-marshmallows, craisins, candy corn, some toothpicks, and your rendition of a turkey profile (cut out of […]
15
Nov
Nov
I decided to test new recipes for my “Christmas Cookie Day Marathon”. (There’ll be lots more about this annual event in upcoming posts). As if I don’t already have enough cookie books and holiday baking magazines, I went ahead and purchased the Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications “Christmas Cookies”. Lots of different recipes! […]
31
Oct
Oct
On the last Monday of every month, you will find me rolling dice and shouting “luck, be a lady”! No. I don’t frequent the “craps tables” at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun, but I do get together with friends for a fun-filled evening of BUNCO (an easy game of dice, played in rounds). There are 12 […]
27
Oct
Oct
I cannot draw. Not even a straight line. But I can, thankfully, follow a paper template and transform an ordinary pumpkin into a super jack-o-lantern! Yes. Thanks to Pumpkin Masters pumpkin carving kit, I will impress trick-or-treaters with this awesome kitty. The books are sold most everywhere, and include the tools and instructions necessary to […]
19
Oct
Oct
For the past four years, three special friends and I have headed to Ogunquit, Maine, for an October weekend at the Anchorage by the Sea. This is a year-round resort with spectacular views of the ocean and access to Marginal Way; a cliffwalk along the rocky coast that leads to a neat little tourist area […]
13
Oct
Oct
Vermont is absolutely breathtaking this time of year. The hills and mountainsides explode with rich, deep fall hues, and devoted leaf peepers make a yearly pilgrimage there to experience the profusion of colors. I sincerely admire their desire to immerse themselves in the brilliance and splendor of the foliage, and I applaud their efforts to […]
29
Sep
Sep
This past Saturday was a super special day! Our family declared it “Autumn Harvest Day” and moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered for a day of apple-pickin’, pie-baking, and harvest-feasting. The weather was fabulous as we headed toward March Farm in the “beautiful, rolling hills of Bethlehem, CT”, where we found orchards abundant with […]