The Nifty Foodie

Amy

Our Christmas Cards…

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Originally, I bought Christmas cards from Target last year at 75-90% off for us to use this year. However, this was a deal I couldn’t pass up, because I was planning on putting a wedding picture in the cards anyway.

SeeHere is a new photo site that I just heard about, because the Internet has been buzzing about this deal for 50 FREE, yes, free photocards for the holiday season until 11/30/09. (Yeah, sorry about the last minute notice!)

Here’s the code: freebies4mom-1109

It took me about 30 minutes, because I am pretty particular about things haha! I think the hardest part was choosing one picture of us from the wedding. Here’s a preview (aka print screen…sorry for the quality!)

So, definitely consider this deal if you’re in the market for photocards.

Also, for more steals and deals, Shutterfly is having a promotion for Buy 1, get 1 50% off for their photo books (in all sizes/styles) AND is offering free shipping with a $25 purchase. I guess this will be my Black Friday project. 😛

Autumn Spiced Ham

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday with their family and closest of friends.

I can’t wait to share with all of you my kitchen adventures for hosting our first Thanksgiving dinner. Things so far are on schedule, surprisingly, so I’m sure tomorrow won’t be too stressful in the kitchen. It will be great to see family for the first time since the wedding in May. 🙂

The recipe above, by the way, is a great idea for leftover ham. I love how easy this recipe is and how it just screams Fall season. Check out the recipe here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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The day is finally here. Turn on NBC for the Macy’s Parade. Fork out the jersey to watch some NFL…oh yeah, and of course, spend time with family and friends over food and fun!

The ever-burning question on this day is to ask yourself what you’re thankful for. Well, I’m thankful for a wonderful and supportive group of family and friends who do nothing but lift me up. I’m thankful for my husband, who is absolutely wonderful to me. I’m thankful for a roof over my head and a steady job. I’m also thankful for y’all who read my little ol’ blog. It makes me so giddy when I see comments from y’all, and I just love sharing my thoughts on here. 🙂

Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

This Black Friday…

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I’m staying home. I used to be the one drooling over deals on Thanksgiving morning, mapping out my plan of attack, only to realize that I was greedily buying all of these things for myself. It’s totally better to give than to receive, and surprisingly, this holiday season, I’m almost done with my holiday shopping! So, instead of store hopping, I’ll be happily crafting and relaxing.

I still have this to work on, which is now halfway done. Whew!

And now, I’m breaking in my sewing machine (that I got last Christmas) to make a tote bag! Very exciting stuff, folks.

Maybe one day I’ll get back into writing my Weddingbee recaps….sigh. I’m sorry for keeping you Weddingbee readers waiting, but it’s hard to finish these bad boys. 🙁

Tonight starts the cooking!

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I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is almost here! Tonight marks the first night of prepping and cooking for us, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Also, I was a finalist for a photo contest for Marx Foods, so if you could take a minute (really doesn’t take long) to vote for Skinny Food by Amy, I would appreciate it! Vote here!

Our Menu!

Appetizers (keeping it simple here)
Havarti Cheese with Praline Sauce & Crackers
Jalapeno Jelly with Cream Cheese & Crackers

Entrees
Smoked Turkey
Glazed Ham

Sides
Salad with Vinaigrette
Mom’s Famous Cornbread Dressing
Rice Dressing
Cauliflower Au Gratin (Mom is bringing this dish)
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole

Desserts
Pecan Pie
Sweet Potato Pie
Memaw’s Bread Pudding (which my Memaw is bringing)
Cinnabon Apple Pie (DH’s favorite pie)
Turkey Cake Pops

Not much on here is skinny, really, but there will be some lighter substitutions for a skinnier holiday meal. I can’t wait to share some pictures of Thanksgiving with y’all!

Crash Hot Potatoes

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This is one of those recipes that I starred in my Google Reader a while ago, and until recently, just revisited. I was planning on roasting chicken breasts for the hubs and I, so I thought these potatoes from The Pioneer Woman’s website would be the perfect side to go with it. These were so easy and an absolute hit in the house. The hubs requested them immediately afterwards for the next evening’s dinner, and that never happens with a dish I make! I guess my skills in the kitchen are improving!

Crash Hot Potatoes
Source: The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:

  • 12 whole New Potatoes (or Other Small Round Potatoes)
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • Kosher Salt To Taste
  • Black Pepper To Taste
  • Rosemary (or Other Herbs Of Choice) To Taste

Directions:

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the potatoes and cook them until they are fork-tender.
  2. On a sheet pan, generously drizzle olive oil. (For me, I used a pastry brush to paint on 1 tbsp. of olive oil.) Place tender potatoes on the cookie sheet leaving plenty of room between each potato.
  3. With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until it slightly mashes, rotate the potato masher 90 degrees and mash again. Brush the tops of each crushed potato generously with more olive oil.
  4. Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and fresh chopped rosemary (or chives or thyme or whatever herb you have available.)
  5. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Timeline for Thanksgiving!

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I can’t believe this week is here. It’s Thanksgiving week folks, and there is so much to be done. I’m so excited about seeing family and spending time with them for the first time in months!

(Small shout-out to my husband…Happy 6 months of Married-ness!)

Image taken by Amanda Meyer

So, since I’m taking a break from the house cleaning and dusting, here’s what’s going on in the household of the newlyweds!

Today – finishing dusting/cleaning living room and kitchen/dining area

Tuesday

  • bake cornbread for dressing
  • bake cake for cutesy Turkey Cake Pops
  • wash/iron cloth napkins and placemats

Wednesday

  • make cake pops
  • make cornbread dressing so flavors can meld overnight

Thursday (YAY TURKEY DAY!)

  • make sweet potato casserole
  • make roll dough and let proof throughout the morning
  • reheat all sides/smoked turkey/bake rolls/make gravy
  • just enjoy the day with family

Friday

  • chillin’ out maxin’ relaxin’ all cool (name the TV show theme song!)

This week is gonna be fabulous! 🙂

By the way, if you have a minute, could you vote for me in a foodie related photography contest? It’s just a clicky poll and shouldn’t take more than a few seconds. 🙂 I know my photography skills aren’t amazing, but I’m learning and would appreciate the support! Thanks so much!

Surviving the Holidays: DIY Decor

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A lot of stores like to take advantage of the holiday season. Prices for decor can be completely outrageous, but it’s classic, beautiful and you feel like you gotta have it for your home.

Well, if they can make it, there is a good chance you can make something similar or almost identical for a FRACTION of the cost!

For example, I came across this wreath and was seriously smitten.

Source

Really? $79? How about MAKING it for $20? 🙂

That’s right folks, $20. I bought a fake pine wreath and sparkly foliage at Michaels for $5, as well as a few boxes of ornaments from Wal-Mart for $15!

Supply List:

  • fake pine wreath
  • wire cutters
  • floral wire
  • hot glue gun/glue
  • ornaments in different sizes
  • ribbon
  • fake snowy or sparkly foliage

First, fluff up the wreath. Basically move around the branches to make the wreath look fuller.

Now, hot glue the ornaments to the top part of the ornament. This is to ensure that the ornament ball doesn’t just pop off in the wind or anything like that.

Then, wire the ornaments, 2 or 3 per wire and tie each wire around the back of the wreath and twist until secure.

After you have it situated the way you like it, start hot gluing in foliage randomly on the side of the wreath. Hot glue a bow to the bottom of the wreath and voila! Instant classic ornament wreath. 🙂

Here’s a close-up of the ornaments with the sparkly winter foliage that I chose.


I can’t wait to put this bad boy on the door! 🙂

Pumpkin Spice Vanilla Bean Caramels

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I’ve never played with caramelized sugar before, but I’ve been curious about it for a while now. I finally just got the guts, and told myself I needed to try. Worst thing that can happen is burnt caramel, but I’m usually careful to avoid burning.

I was actually a little too careful. I took it out a little early and that resulting in a very soft caramel. Nothing jaw breaking about it at all, which is something that can happen if you leave it simmering for too long. So, I learned a little lesson about candy making, and let me tell you, if these were left a little longer, this would be an amazing candy to give as gifts!! Don’t let my mistake deter you away from this buttery goodness…I promise this caramel is just lovely. I plan on using the soft stuff in another recipe that will be pumpkin-licious!

So, you ask why pumpkin spice? Well, I’m a weird Starbucks customer. I get my Pumpkin Spice drinks with caramel drizzle, and believe me when I tell you that the combination is divine! Oh, and vanilla makes everything taste so much better, so do not skip out on the vanilla bean in this recipe!

I received these complimentary vanilla beans from Marx Foods for a vanilla bean photography contest. While my photography isn’t the best out there, I found this to be a fun challenge, and of course, I’m still hopeful for a win!

Pumpkin Spice Vanilla Bean Caramels
Source: adapted from Confections of a Foodie Bride

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 tsp. Tahitian vanilla
  • 1 Tahitian vanilla bean pod, split and scraped
  • 1 1/4 tsp. Fleur de sel
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. ginger
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup Lyle’s Golden Syrup or corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup water

Directions:

  • Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, then lightly butter the pan.
  • Place cream, butter, vanilla, vanilla bean, spices and fleur de sel in a small saucepan, bring to a boil,  then remove from heat and set aside.
  • Boil sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil, without stirring but gently swirling pan, until mixture is a light golden caramel.

This is just about the color you want to attain.

  • Remove vanilla bean and carefully stir cream mixture into the caramel (The mixture will bubble up here.) and simmer, stirring frequently, until caramel registers about 250°F on thermometer.
  • Pour into baking pan and allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Then, sprinkle another pinch or two of fleur de sel over the top of the caramel for a nice salty crunch and let it cool until it’s no longer warm to the touch. Cut into 1-inch pieces (I used a pizza cutter with butter.), and then wrap each piece in a 4-inch square of wax paper, twisting 2 ends to close.

Protect your blog!

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Ever since I’ve gotten into blogging, I’ve always wondered about people who would want to take my blog content. I mean, I just have a measly WordPress, but you never know if someone is out there to steal your great ideas and get the credit that is due to you!

Luckily, from what I’ve seen, no one has stolen images and credit has been linked back to my blog when fellow bloggers use my ideas. However, just to prepare myself, I got my two blogs copyrighted.


Image source

MyFreeCopyright is a website that allows you to copyright your blogs or other creations for free. If it did come down to it, this would serve as proof that your entries were originally from your blog. In my opinion, it’s better than nothing, and heck, what does it hurt?

So, what are you waiting for? Copyright your blog!