Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Fresh Tomato Tart

I really want to make this….
Fresh Tomato Tart
Midwest Living August 2009
Recipe from 
 Geri Boesen


Ingredients:

  • 1/2 of a 15-ounce folded refrigerated unbaked piecrust (1 crust)
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
  • 4 Roma or small regular tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Directons:

1. Unfold the piecrust according to package directions. Line a 9-inch tart pan with pastry (it's easier to remove the baked tart if pan has a removable bottom). Press the pastry into the fluted sides of the tart pan and trim the edges. Don't prick. Partially bake in a 450 degree F oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until pastry is slightly dry.
2. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degree F.
3. Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes into wedges; drain the wedges on paper towels. Arrange the tomato wedges over the melted cheese in a baked crust.
4. In a food processor bowl, combine basil and garlic; cover and process with on-off turns until coarsely chopped. Or snip the basil and mince the garlic.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the basil-garlic mixture, the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese, the mayonnaise, the grated Parmesan cheese, and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly over tomato wedges.
6. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for about 25 minutes or until cheese is golden. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into wedges. Serve warm. If you like, garnish with additional basil leaves. Makes 8 appetizer or 4 main-dish servings.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Fixer


Over the years I've worn lots of different hats.

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker .....

I now have a new hat to add to my collection.

I really do adore my new hat.
An appropriate nick-name might be
♥ The Hero ♥
I get to wear my new hat almost every week.

I fix zippers, glue pearls on flower clips, sharpen pencils, untangle necklaces and "find things".
I always feel so appreciated when I wear "The Fixer" hat!
One of my latest "missions" was particularly challenging.

 Ella adopted Marci's blanket from her childhood.
A sweet little lady in our ward in San Diego made it for my baby shower.
She, by the way, was the only one that thought I was having a girl!
It was a cute white blanket with tiny pink rosebuds. 
(That was VERY popular at the time.)


It was soft and plush, as she used quilted fabric as the top layer and then tied it with white yarn.  I loved it and when Marci arrived, so did she!
Needless to say after "lots" of years with the original owner and now 7 years with the new owner, Ella ... 
the pretty, plush blanket was no longer pretty and plush. 
Marci brought it to me and pleaded .... 
is there something you can do to salvage this?
"For Ella "  ?♥? ....  Of Course
Once again on with my New Hat ! ♥ !

The top fabric is very worn and the little flowers have completely faded away.  The fabric is so very soft though and Ella wanted to change the blanket as little as possible.

The back of the blanket showed the most wear and tear.
I decided to keep the top fabric and replace the back.
The poor ole' batting was holding on for dear life around the edges but the middle had come away completely .

I decided to replace it with a  batting  that is 50% organic cotton and 50% bamboo.
I used a thick flannel for the new back piece.

Ella approved the job! 

Faces like this are why I love my new hat! 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Back to School


Back to School Party
via  One Charming Party
Cute Back to School Printable

via It Is What It Is



Back to School Crayons
Would you believe these are yummy edible snacks?

images via Gourmet Mom-On-The Go
  Get the How-To

She even has the crayon labels to print. 

Cute Back to School Dinner

 via Elizabeth Harris

Get the ScoopHERE 


via Lil' Luna
Get them 
How about these:

via Tip Junkie by Anything but Perfect

Friday, July 8, 2011

Me... Famous?

Marci Made Me Famous!
If you having been reading along with me for awhile you know, I live "famously" through my kids!


Just a sampling of the many posts!
 .....in random order  ..... 















Well back to the famous bit... 


Marci has this incredible Menu Blog that I totally rely on now.  She finds amazing recipes and has posted about many of our family favorites as well.

She spotted our "Miner Marinade" recipe at
Real Mom Kitchen!
It's featured




Okay, okay, so I'm not mentioned but my recipe should count for something. (right?)




Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!

"I testify to you that God's hand has been in our destiny. I testify that freedom as we know it today is being threatened as never before in our history. I further witness that this land—the Americas—must be protected, its Constitution upheld, for this is a land foreordained to be the Zion of our God. He expects us as members of the Church and bearers of His priesthood to do all we can to preserve our liberty."
--Ezra Taft Benson, "A Witness and a Warning,",Ensign, Nov. 1979


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Cute Candy Favor


Flag Favors
via Martha Stewart 



A spirited holiday celebration calls for a fun take-home treat, like this goody bag of candies arranged to resemble the American flag.

Start by partially filling a 2-by-10-inch cellophane bag with blue candies to stand in for stars. Then add red and white candy sticks to mimic stripes. Tie the bag with red waxed twine, and don't be surprised if you catch yourself humming "Stars and Stripes Forever."