Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Homemade Nutella!


Here ya go, Misti(my fellow nutella lover)

Grown-up Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Nutella) (adapted from David Lebovitz and Su Good Sweets)
Makes about 14 ounces

10 oz/ 300 grams hazelnuts, toasted and skins removed
2 oz/ 60 grams cocoa nibs
1/2 to 2/3 cup/ 60-70 grams powdered sugar
7 teaspoons unrefined hazelnut oil
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder

To toast the hazelnuts, preheat your oven to 300F and spread the nuts on one layer on a large baking sheet. Toast the nuts for about 15 minutes until golden brown, then rub their skins off with a clean cloth. Set aside.

Toast the cocoa nibs by placing them in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until they darken and are slightly shiny. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place the nuts and cocoa nibs in a food processor and chop them until they liquefy. Your processor will sound as if it’s throwing a hissy fit and about to implode, but keep your finger on the pulse button until you get a thick, lovely dark chocolate hazelnut butter. The nuts and nibs will first gather into a ball before turning into butter. To help move things along, you may need to scrape down the sides of the processor bowl to ensure that everything is pulverized.

Add the sugar, oil and espresso powder and pulse again, scraping down as needed until everything is well incorporated into a lusciously thick sauce. There will still be chunks of nibs remaining which will give a slight crunch to each spoonful.

Store the spread in clean and dry airtight containers/jars and refrigerate. Bring the spread to room temperature before using.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010






Here's a little trick for when you're cooking dinner this holiday: To keep your eyes from stinging while you're chopping onions, put a piece of bread in your mouth and let it hang out. Apparently, it really works! Who would have thought?

(Photo and tip from Faith Durand/Apartment Therapy)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Betty White- Entertainer of the year!

What has Betty White not been in this year? From hosting SNL, a guest part on Community, Ryan Reynolds' Grandmother on The Proposal, to many more. The 88 year old actress has been named Entertainer of the Year by the Associated Press and is at the top of my list as well. Go Betty!




Saturday, December 18, 2010




Great minds think alike because Dustin and I unknowingly bought each other the same gift! Now that I'm a grown up, we get to make our own rules and that means I can open gifts whenever I want so we have both already worn ours =)


Monday, December 13, 2010

Pinterest.

Have you heard of Pinterest?
Well it's the reason I've been somewhat ignoring my blog. It's like online bulletin boards and if you find a pic you like or something you want to buy, you can put it on your board instead of saving it on the computer. It's a great idea during the holiday's if you need to make a gift list for a spouse because they can just click the pic and go to the website, and you know husbands need all the help they can get!

http://pinterest.com/kaylar/

Tuesday, December 7, 2010


You know you are a mom when.... you put the booger sucker on your breakfast plate and don't think twice about it!

Friday, December 3, 2010



Get your tissue out!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

25 Christmas challenges...
  • go out of your way-- befriend someone today that needs a friend and follow through to christmas
  • tell someone you love them
  • make a tree decoration that will remind you of your childhood
  • in your prayers today, give thanks for every blessing without asking for anything
  • try to be as kind as possible to others today
  • try not to quarrel with family members today
  • do a good deed anonymously
  • make goals for yourself and your family
  • visit someone sick or lonely or sad
  • do volunteer work for some worthy cause
  • do something fun for a child or younger sibling
  • try to forgive someone who has wronged you, be reconciled
  • make a "give list" instead of a list of gifts you'd like
  • improve yourself in some way
  • quietly reflect and choose uplifting activities vs shopping
  • phone or send a card to an old friend or family member
  • always remember how blessed you are
  • make a christmas treat for someone else
  • be a calming influence today and control your temper
  • accept the gift of forgiveness
  • look at christmas lights... where does all light come from?
  • sing carols
  • do something nice for someone without their knowing it was you
  • be the first to say hello to people all day
  • ask someone to tell you about a past christmas