TIP: Great Books

I love reading and being able to dive into a good book.  Lately I have been reading some GREAT books that I thought I would share here because, unfortunately, I have been reading them on my iPad (through the Apple app and Kindle app) so I can't share them otherwise.  


These are the top 3 that I have read in a long time -- these are the types of books (with the types of characters) that you completely miss when you are done.


Little Bee (by Chris Cleave)

 Can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Bee-Novel-Chris-Cleave/dp/1416589635


This book is a story about a family in England and a refugee seeking asylum from Nigeria.  It is a great story told from the perspective of Little Bee (the refugee) and an English woman who lets Little Bee live with her.  The story spans from England to Nigeria and is incredible.  I had to look up the author when I was done to see what else he has written because I could not get enough of this book. 


The Help (by Katheryn Stockett)

Cover of The Help

Can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293748190&sr=1-1


This book is about the complicated relationships that existed during the civil rights era in the South between the "help" and the families who employed them.  The chapters are told by different characters with different dialects and perspectives on the social climate during this time period.  This book is so good I have read it twice & recommended it for book club - everybody else enjoyed it too!


The Forgotten Garden (by Kate Morton)

Can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Garden-Novel-Kate-Morton/dp/1416550550/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293748528&sr=1-1


This is a story I was almost reluctant to start because I had just finished Little Bee and that story was sticking with me.  I was also thinking I would not be able to enjoy a book after reading Little Bee so recently (which was excellent!).  I definitely was not disappointed with this book and had a tough time putting it down.  It is a story told during different eras that explains how a little girl from England ends up on a boat in 1913 heading towards Australia completely by herself.  She is found by a kind Australian family, but she spends her life trying to uncover her past, which is then a search taken up by her granddaughter.  This book is filled with strong characters and is a complete page turner.

TREAT: Gluehwein!

Gluehwein is a warm spiced wine that is made in Germany and DELICIOUS for cold weather.  I have really struggled finding a good recipe that tastes authentic.  The mulling spices are too bitter, the premade Glug (Swedish version) is not sweet enough.  I found this recipe and it is absolutely the best one I have found - and it tastes just like over there.  Enjoy this Christmas treat!

Ingredients: 

• 3/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 orange
• 10 whole cloves
• 1 bottle red wine

Directions: 

- Combine the sugar, water and cinnamon stick in a saucepan.  

- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer. 

- Cut the orange in half & squeeze the juice in the simmering water. 

- Push the cloves into the outside of the orange peel & place the peels into the simmering water

- Simmer for another 30 minutes -- until thick and syrupy.

- Pour in the wine and remove the orange peels.  (Make sure not to boil with the wine in it) 

- Serve hot in mugs and enjoy!

TREAT: The best mac n' cheese recipe!

This is a recipe that was from Martha Stewart, written about in the New York Times and modified a bit.  Everybody who has had it wanted the recipe - it is awesome.  


Ingredients:

• 6 slices sourdough bread -- crusts removed and torn into 1/4 inch pieces
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
• 5 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar
• 2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyere 
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• Green onion (if desired, for on top of the mac n' cheese after you are done cooking)

Directions:


- I really recommend prepping all of the items because it will make this recipe easy and you will not risk burning your mixture. 

 - Heat oven to 375 degrees. 
- Butter a casserole dish and set it aside 
- Cook the pasta about 2 minutes less than instructed on the box.  When finished, immediately wash in cold water to stop it from cooking.
- Put bread in a medium bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of melted butter & set aside





- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk (don't let it boil)
- At the same time, melt remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat.  When the butter bubbles, add the flour and cook for 1 minute.  Stir constantly.
- Slowly pour the hot milk into the flour-butter mixture while whisking.  Continue cooking & whisk constantly until the mixture becomes thick and bubbles. 
- Remove from heat and stir in the spices, 3 cups of the cheddar & and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere 
- Stir macaroni into the cheese sauce and pour into the casserole dish. 
- Put the bread crumbs on top and sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheddar and 1/2 cup of Gruyere on top.
- Bake until browned on top - about 35 minutes. 
- Place green onions on top before serving, if desired. 

TREAT: Chesapeake Bay Biscuits

I have tried a few copycat recipes for the biscuits at Red Lobster and this one is by far my favorite. It comes out great!


Ingredients: 
2 1/2 cups Biscquick (don't use pancake mix - I did that the first time and it was a disaster)

4 Tbsp cold butter

1 cup sharp shredded cheese

3/4 cup milk

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Glaze: 

3 Tbsp butter

1/2 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp dried parsley flakes

Directions: 

- Preheat oven to 400 degrees 

- Grease or line a cookie sheet 

- Combine Bisquick with butter and use a fork to essentially chop up the butter into the bisquick. You will end up with chunks of butter & that is fine. 

- Add cheese, milk and garlic powder and mix until just barely combined. 

- Place 1/4 cup portions onto the cookie sheet.

- Bake 13-15 minutes until the tops are light brown.

- For the glaze, melt the butter and stir in garlic powder and dried parsley flakes 

- Brush the garlic butter over the tops of all of the biscuits right when you take them out of the oven and salt them as desired.

TIP: Things I love this Fall/Winter

I love the new styles of clothes coming out and boots & here some things I love for fall/winter: 


Boots!


I recently bought the Ugg Argyle boots and they are REALLY comfortable but because of the fabric they feel like they have stretched.  Because of the fabric, obviously white would be a bad choice for these.   They are super comfortable and are going to be for sure my airport shoes -- warm and easy to pull on and off: 

Available at Nordstrom (on sale):  http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3098470?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=shoes:women:boots&cm_ite=ugg(r)_australia_'classic_argyle'_sweater_knit_boot:261285_1&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:trackingCode=3D905C6A-1968-DF11-9DA0-002219319097&mr:referralID=NA

Steve Madden Intyce Boot -- Great brown boot for over jeans, under or with skirts.  I like dressing these up for work and down on the weekend.  These are a little tighter and I wish I had ordered a 1/2 size up.  They are great!

Available at shoe.com or at Piperlime http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=803377002&tid=plfr1r

I don't have these Chinese Laundry ones, so I am not sure how they fit, but they are a similar option and can be purchased at Shoes.com      http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC1215593&pg=5105840: 

Chunky Necklaces with a simple white (or other basic) shirt! 


I have this necklace from Anthropologie, which I love, but my sister says it reminds her of grapes on a vine :)   Mary Katherine necklace ($42) can be purchased at: 
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19198845&parentid=BAYNOTE

This is one also from Anthropologie (Fruit Cooler Necklace, $38 and can be purchased here: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=JEWELRY-NECKLACES&id=18321257&catId=JEWELRY-NECKLACES&pushId=JEWELRY-NECKLACES&popId=JEWELRYACCESSORIES&sortProperties=price&navCount=35&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=040&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=: 

If you like Anthropologie's necklaces, often Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe have similar styles a few months later for a lot less.


Scarves!


I love scarves and Banana Republic has some great ones, like this one: o       http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=60772&vid=1&pid=786922&scid=786922032

Chunky Sweaters!


From Old Navy and can be bought here: http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41733&vid=2&pid=792327&scid=792327012

(I ordered this and had to return it because it ran really large.  But it is really cute and is on sale for less than $15 now)

From J Crew and can be bought here: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/sweaters/turtlenecksandhoodies/PRDOVR~32850/32850.jsp

From Anthropologie and can be bought here http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&id=19264712&catId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&pushId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&popId=CLOTHES&sortProperties=&navCount=15&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=060&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=subCategory: 

From Gap and can be bought here http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=61929&pid=789212: 

Gap, Old Navy and J Crew are all having deals right now with free shipping and a percentage off of your purchase depending on how much you spend.


Candles!


I am in love with these candles -- they smell great, last a long time and they have tins with an awesome design that can be used for other things when the candle is out.  


Voluspa candles can be bought at Anthropologie and other boutiques ($16). 
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=HOME-CANDLE-CANDLES&id=093517&catId=HOME-CANDLE&pushId=HOME-CANDLE&popId=HOME&sortProperties=&navCount=135&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=062&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=

Feminine Headbands!


Shirts with exposed zippers!


I bought this shirt and wear it tucked into a skirt with a black cardigan for work & then with jeans on the weekends.  I have received a ton of compliments on it and love it!  This one in particular is $36 and can be bought here: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3138322?origin=category&resultback=0

Feminine Headbands!


These don't look good on me, but I think they look great on others.   This one can be bought here: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=&id=20036976&catId=ACCESSORIES-HAIR&pushId=ACCESSORIES-HAIR&popId=JEWELRYACCESSORIES&sortProperties=&navCount=115&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=070&isSubcategory=&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=D

TIP & TREAT: Christmas Cookie Boxes

My sister, niece and I made Christmas cookie boxes for family members and they turned out great: 

We picked up regular brown boxes from Michael's and different styles and colors of ribbons to "wrap" them.  All you need to do is to alternate whether the ribbons go under or above each other: 








In the boxes, we included recipe cards that we printed on laser envelope labels & then placed them on card stock with some stickers (in the case of the sugar cookies):














We wrapped the Peppermint Bark in bags with customized stickers featuring our dogs -- the stickers were just made in Power Point and printed on full-page labels and cut out:








The recipes:


CHOCOLATE FUDGE 


4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 cups mini marshmallows 
1 cup sugar 
1/2 cup heavy cream 
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips


Directions: 
- Butter 8 inch pan and line with parchment paper.  Leave an overhang and butter the paper. 
- In a saucepan, combine the butter, marshmallows, sugar, cream and salt.  Cook over medium heat until marshmallows are melted (8-10 minutes)



- Off heat, stir in vanilla and chocolate until melted 
- Pour fudge in the pan, smooth top & cool 30 minutes 

- Refrigerate until set (approximately 1 hour).  For the Christmas spirit, we added powdered sugar on top, like snow!  We cut it into small squares, wrapped them and placed them in Christmas cupcake papers: 





White Chocolate Peppermint Bark: 


2 lbs white chocolate (chopped in 1/2 pieces) 
12 large candy canes 
1/2 tsp peppermint oil


Directions:


- Line 11x17 baking sheet
- In a double boiler (or use 2 pots on top of each other, the bottom one with boiling water), melt chocolate and stir constantly so it does not harden
- Cut or pound peppermint into 1/4 pieces (I recommend using a bag) 




- Stir candy and peppermint oil into chocolate
- Pour into baking sheet & chill until firm.





Sugar Cookies: 


1 1/2 cups butter, softened 
2 cups white sugar 
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups flour 
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt 


Directions:


- Cream butter & sugar until smooth.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Stir in dry ingredients. 



- Cover and chill dough for at least one hour 
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Roll out dough (I recommend using powdered sugar instead of flour to not dry out the dough and keep the flavor) & cut into your favorite shapes
- Bake 6-8 minutes 





Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 


Dry Ingredients:
2 cups flour 
1 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt 


Wet Ingredients: 
1 cup unsalted softened butter 
1 cup sugar 
1 cup packed dark brown sugar 
2 large eggs 
2 tsp vanilla 


3 cups oatmeal (not instant) 
1 1/2 cups raisins


Directions: 
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
- Whisk together dry ingredients, set aside 
- Combine white ingredients (hand mixer on low) 

- Stir in dry ingredients until you can't see the flour (but don't mix too much or else they won't be as soft) 
- Add in oatmeal and raising and mix together 
- Bake for 11-13 minutes until golden





Thanks Sylvia and Livie -- already looking forward to next year :)