When Company Comes....Table Inspiration

I found these ideas over at MarthaStewart.com

When Company Comes....Cook!

Yum yum yum. I think homemade cinnamon rolls are one of the tastiest things ever....warm.....carmally...fresh. *sigh*

I've been looking at and bookmarking some recipes to have on hand for when we have overnight guests. Most of these I've found related to Christmas time, but the pictures sure make me drool!

Presentation adds so much to the dining experience!

But for some inspiration, just check out these sites:

• Walnut Lane Inn's recipe collection and pictures
• About.com's crockpot & freezer breakfast recipes
• Allrecipes.com roll recipe
• FoodNetwork's Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Or, to really make your appetite kick in, type in "overnight breakfast recipes" into Google and then click the Images tab to see a bunch of delicious looking breakfasts!

Happy Cooking!

Cleaning

The other day I was looking up tips and such on keeping things clean. Mostly it inspires me to do a better job, and now that I have a few more hours in my day, I'm doing much better at that. :)

My new mentality I'm trying ('cause I got lazy) is that "a meal isn't over till the dishes are done." I don't know about you, but that makes for some looooong meals at our house :) Sometimes I'm not even done with "breakfast" till I'm starting supper. But, it's working. Slowly but surely. I guess that's the way discipline and/or a new habit are anyway.

I've really enjoyed browsing around at Tipnut.com They just have some fun stuff.

But my favorite quote of the week:

"Take a couple minutes a day to run through the bathroom."

Ha ha. Now, just so you know, this little quote was buried amidst a list of "Things you can do in 10 minutes to keep your house clean" or something like that. And really, the list was quite helpful. Until I got to that one.

I know I've wanted to stay active and get moving, but "running" through my bathroom for 2 minutes....weeelllll.....that one kind of stretches my imagination. I'm pretty sure I'd have to make about 50 three foot laps to even make it to one minute,  though if you add in the amounts of toe-stubs and door bangings I'd end up doing, maybe that would make up the time. But either way, I'm not sure that the goal would be accomplished. :)

But it was great for a laugh anyway :) Now off to cleaning....

To try sometime....

I want to bake these sometime....soon too....

Bagels

( I have the cream cheese already....)

Soft Pretzels

(And I have parmesan cheese....)

English Muffins

(Now all I need is the time)

Week 18...

I had the first ultrasound last week. That was nice, but not as cool as hearing the heartbeat the first time. :) The kiddo is still pretty relaxed in there, and I haven't felt alot of movement yet.

Things from this week....

• Rice Bags are wonderful for head colds
• Colds are not so fun to have at this time of year
• Mint Ice Cream is certainly delicious
• Sun sensitivity is in high gear
• Part time hours are wonderful
• That keeping active is definitely something I almost have to "schedule"
• That resting is also something I have to practice (as in, not writing, reading, but actually sleeping)
• That there really is something to this "emotional hormone" thing, though I'm still skeptical
• I realize that in order to use this season and enjoy it to it's full extent, I really need to be purposeful! And that's harder done than said.
• That I have a new "to-read" book list
• That it's nice to have vaccuumed floors and a clean table :)

And for some reason, the description of "How big is baby" for this week just struck me as funny: "Your baby's ears are now sticking out from the head."

hahaha :) Sure paints a funny picture doesn't it? (I know what they mean, but STILL! ha)

When Company Comes : A peek in the past

I've told you before about the old book my sister gave me, "Betty Crocker's Easy Guide to Entertaining."

Everytime I read it, I have such fun. There really are some great ideas in it, but some of it is so classic. Here is an excerpt for your reading pleasure:

"One of the best cooks I know skips appetizers and serves her first course in the living room before small dinners.  'It really is a time saver. It keeps my guests occupied with something to eat while I am in the kitchen dishing up my main course and getting it to the table. I join my guests with a small serving of the first course for myself, and slip out before they have finished to heat rolls and attend to other last minute duties.' "

"Her first course is always something that can be assembled in advance on separate plates, such as an avocado half filled with mayonnaise and capers, or small aspics, or a crab ravigotte."

"She hands a fork and dinner napkin with each plate. When her main course is on the table, she moves guests to the dining room by saying, 'Shall we go in? Just leave plates, but will you bring your napkin?"

"Later, when she leaves the dining room briefly to get dessert or start coffee, she takes a minute or two to pile the first-course dishes on a tray and take them to the kitchen. This takes only an instant, but leaves the living room cleared as if by magic."

Happy Entertaining!

Here are some interesting recipes from this book that you might like to try (but not me!)

• Hearts of Palm Salad
• Vichyssoise
• Chilled Tomato and Cucumber Soup
• Avocado Mousse
• Olive Creamed Potatoes
• Stuffed Leg of Lamb