Re-Visit Week: Ice Cream Sundae Kit

We are TRYING to think warm thoughts here in NH, so I thought dreaming of warm summer days and ice cream sundaes might be a great idea.  I brought LOTS of ice cream and the makings for sundaes to school the other afternoon for all the girls in our basketball program - perfect timing!

This project is a kit you can make up and give as a gift.  This particular one was well received by my niece for her birthday and was a fun way to play around with making my own chalk paint.

Hope you like this idea!

(From March 2012)

This one took a couple of days to work out, but here it is, a gift for someone special in our world: an ice cream sundae kit!

I combined several Pinterest ideas that I had come across: 
1.  Creating and using chalkboard paint;
2.  and a gift idea of ice cream sundaes.

I started by re-purposing a holiday bucket.  I don't know if I needed to sand it, but I did!

Then, I mixed up some paint and non-sanded grout (see link to chalkboard paint above) in a plastic container, outside as it makes a bit of dust.

Time to paint!

I think I might have made it a bit thick, but here's the result:

I let it dry while I headed off to work for the day.  Upon my return to the homestead, I got some pink chalk (I was thinking light, fun colors here) and wrote on the bucket "Just Add Ice Cream".  It will wipe off, so the bucket will be re-useable by the sweetie I am giving it to!

While I was out and about today,  I made a trip to the grocery store and picked up two different types of cones, a jar of hot fudge sauce and some candy - what are sundaes without goodies?  I added some tissue and tinsel and tucked it all in the bucket.  I am working on a card this afternoon to tuck some $$ in for the ice cream and viola!  The gift is done!

YUMMY!!  I will let you know how it's received tomorrow!

Happy crafting and see yah later!
Carrie

Wordless Wednesday: Where was I yesterday? KAF!!

Good morning, everyone!

Today is Wednesday and that means a quick glance into that which is my world.

Their namesake flour - you'll find it in your local stores.

Just inside the door of King Arthur Flour in Norwich, VT

Greatest guy in the world who had lunch with me from there...and we froze at softball!

I want to tempt you with the picture from KAF (King Arthur Flour) because NEXT WEEK we will be launching our new foodie blog!!  The trip to KAF with the wonderful shop and delicious foods will be posts you'll want to read!  I am sooooo excited as the day draws nearer... May 1st is the day we'll go live - there are recipes, book and restaurant reviews and MORE all in the works!!  Trust me, you'll want to check back and see.

Temptations will continue ... fun will ensue... hugs to you all,
Carrie

Best Burger in awhile! Bacon/Cheddar/Onions/Peppers...oh my!

Good morning, friends!

Before you read any further, I want to ask my vegetarian friends to just walk away... or at least scroll down the the liquid libation.  BTW - THAT is gluten free, FYI! 

Just HAD to share what we had for dinner the other night!  I've been hankerin' for some beef, of the burger kind lately, so this was mighty tasty...if I don't say so myself.  It was really not too complicated and had a great blend of flavors.  Here's a picture of the big boy...and it was BIG!

Added a bit of fresh potato salad and bottle of Angry Orchard Apple Ginger Hard Cider = complete meal!

Here's my "recipes":

Whitt's Wonder Burgers

1/2 onion
4 small sweet peppers (was the rest of the bag...)
olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
1/3 lb hamburger for each burger you need (I bought 1 pound, made 2 burgers and have the rest for next meal - made the $6.99 price tag something I could swallow!)
1 slice cheddar cheese for each burger (or cheese of your choice)
1 tbsp Thousand Island Dressing
2 tbsp chopped, cooked bacon (again, had left over...)
1 bun each

1. Start the burgers either in a skillet or on the grill (another month or so before I can do THAT!).  I tend to salt and pepper that skillet before adding burgers.
2. Slice onion and peppers.  Add olive oil, salt and pepper to the skillet.  Once it's hot, add onions and peppers.
3. Once first side of burgers are done to your liking, flip and add cheese to top.  ("Liking" in my book = cooked clear through...no red...no mooing...hubby?  MOOOOOO!  Just saying...)
4. Toast buns.
5. Add dressing and bacon to bottom of bun and put cooked burger with cheese on top.  Add onions and peppers...let them FALL ALL OVER the plate...consume!
6. Top and eat it, baby!  If you can...

Then to go with it we made up some...

Incredibly Basic Potato Salad
4 medium potatoes
1/2 cup mayo or salad dressing (Miracle Whip ONLY in this house...)
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 tbsp chives (fresh would be best...not yet here, though)
salt and pepper to taste

1. Peel and cook potatoes.  Cool.
2. Once it's cool, mix with salad dressing.
3. Add celery and chives.  (Hubby likes raw onion as well...me? Not so much...)
4. Add salt and pepper to taste - I like to do that at the table. JMHO.

Angry Orchard Apple Ginger Hard Cider

Under normal circumstances, I am NOT a big drinker, but this called out to me for some reason at the store.  Not sure why...until I tasted it!  Oh yah, baby - GREAT flavor!  Perfect for pretending it's a warm, lovely spring day.   Here's how they describe it:  Our Apple Ginger cider is a unlike any other cider. The addition of Nigerian ginger flavor adds a spiciness and warmth to the cider. The fresh ginger and apple flavors blend together for a sweet, yet slightly tart taste with a distinct ginger aroma. The result is a smooth, refreshing, slightly sweet cider with a subtle dry, yet complex, warming finish from the ginger. 

Then I saw you can make cocktails with it?  Okay.... I guess I'm their newest customer!  I'll let you know how THOSE come out!  I definitely see another blog post coming there!

Did I mention that after taking it all to the table my husband said, "You ARE getting your camera, right?"  Oh, man... caught me again!

Hugs to you all!
Carrie 

Wordless Wednesday: Re-potted some of the plants!

Good morning, all!
It's Wednesday - time to share a glimpse of that which is Whitt World.
The fight to bring spring to New Hampshire continues!  With a little help from hubby (his hands are at work) the squash have been given some breathing room.

Like my very technical transplanting tool?  Hey, it worked!

You can see a couple DIDN'T make the transition - that was BEFORE the fork!

Hope spring is making it's way to you!
Hugs,
Carrie

Working on an "off-shoot" blog...where should we eat out?

Good morning, friends -

I couldn't wait any longer - I'm not very good with secrets (just ask my kids!) ... I have to spill the beans!  I am so excited because I am creating an off-shoot (actually a pair - but one thing at a time here!) of this blog due to launch in just a few weeks.

No worries, friends/family/followers - Whitt's Kits will continue in it's creative form, with lots of crafts every week.  I've been having a great time of late sharing recipes and fun in the kitchen and I realized that it might work better if the two things (food and crafting) each had their own venue.  It's KILLING me not to show you the page - I absolutely LOVE it!  When you see it unveiled in May, you'll agree - it's totally ME.

Remember yesterday's post about scones?  THIS ONE IS NUTELLA!!  Don't you want to know how to make it?

I want to continue sharing recipes we find and invent, discover even more ways to have good food ready at dinner time (no matter how busy we get) and add to it reviews and thoughts of restaurants and cooking related ideas we come across.  Okay...so part of that is coming from being empty-nesters and having the opportunity to eat out wherever we want now and have whatever we want when we dine in.  Needless to say, if you know my husband (yes, ladies at the school...) you know he enjoys a good meal. He's thrilled with what I want to do.  As a matter of fact when I told him about my plans he shouted across the room: "HART'S TURKEY FARM! The ladies said we need to go!"

That being said, I would love to get a list started based on your advice.  We live in southern New Hampshire, but travel all over New England and into New York and Pennsylvania constantly.  I also usually head down to southern Florida once a year, Disney area, for field hockey, so that's a place I could check out as well.

We could end up just about anywhere, so I am looking at a WIDE OPEN list -who knows where we might end up visiting!  It might be a great breakfast place (if it's got bacon, hubby is in), a wonderful place for a good sandwich at lunch, or a warm, friendly, fun place for dinner.  If I was coming to visit you, where would you recommend we go?  Who knows, maybe we'll meet you for lunch!! 

Thanks for following along the journey so far and here's to lots of great ideas and interactions in the future!

Carrie

Food Fun: Chocolate Jammy Bit Scones

Good morning and happy Saturday!

After all of yesterday's wonderful conversation about stopping by for tea, I thought I'd share my recipe for chocolate Jammy Bits scones.  I used a basic scone recipe and jazzed it up with a couple of my favorite flavors: chocolate and raspberry.

Have you ever ogled King Arthur Flour's catalog or website?  Better yet, have you visited their store in Norwich, Vermont?  I've recently done all three!  The trip there was by far the best thing I could do with a bit of time - my plan?  To return with lots MORE time (only had about 15 minutes to scope it out) and do so right around lunch time and eat at the cafe... sound good?

I saw the Jammy Bits on the website while drooling over them doing research and thought they might be perfect for my next culinary adventure: scones.

I was correct!  They are like tiny bits of flavorful raspberry goodness - mix them with chocolate and there you have it: a tasty scone!  I used semi-sweet chocolate but let's just say I picked up a bag of white chocolate this week and ... well... I'll let you know how they taste another day.

Before you start, here are some things to consider:

• The butter MUST BE CHILLED!  I actually took mine from the freezer and chopped it up.
• Don't knead the dough too much - just enough to get the shape you want and be sure the ingredients are blended together.
• When you form a circle with it keep it thick enough - I think mine should have been a bit  smaller in diameter - they came out a bit thin.
• Don't over cook.
• Eat the first ones WARM - don't think I need explanation there...
• Butter is an option - hubby didn't need it... I ... well... needed it!

Enjoy!

Chocolate & Jammy Bits Scones

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for topping
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2/3 cup (plus 1 tablespoon) half-and-half
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (white or semi-sweet)
• 1/2 cup King Arthur Flour Raspberry Jammy Bits

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, 5 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until they mixture is coarse crumbs. Stir in 2/3 cup half-and-half until just moistened. Gently fold in Jammie Bits and chocolate chips.
3. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough 8 to 10 times. Pat into a 1-inch-thick disk. Cut into 8 wedges and place each on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, 2 inches apart. Brush tops with half-and-half and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 

Would you like a PRINTABLE copy of this recipe?  Just click here and you can zip over to my recipe collection (of which THIS is the first one!)

They are a bit of work for a small return, but I thought they were worth it.  Another note,you CAN freeze them and eat later.  Just wrap cooled, baked scone in plastic and then a bag or aluminum and at a later day, just thaw, remove from plastic, wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds, check and re-do if necessary.  I did mention mine we a bit thin, the benefit: they fit in the toaster!  Yup... good that way, too.

Thanks for stopping by!  Here's a question for you, what tasty little nuggets would you add if you were making these?  Hmmm.... I'd like to know and I'll try it!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Carrie

PS.  I want to drop the first of a few hints here about some VERY cool things in the works.... If you like the recipe/food ideas you've been seeing here, then you will LOVE what's happening in May... muahaha...

Find it Free on Friday: Stop by for Tea AND Have a question for you...

Good morning!
I've been chatting with new folks all over the world during a blog challenge I am participating in.  I thought it might be nice to share a cup of tea or coffee in my fashion - which is to make something!

So, if any of my new friends were here in New Hampshire, we could sit down at my dining room table and enjoy something warm to drink and perhaps something sweet to munch on!

Here are some thoughts:

Rather than using throw-away mug cozies, why not make some like Julie at Cosmo Cricket?  She has directions and a pattern for making your own lovely ones.

Don't sew but like to knit?  These are so cute with the little place to put a teabag or the sugar!  How creative!  Zip over to Simply Notable for the directions.

Once more cup cozie I found what over at Nest of Posies - she explains how to use socks!!

Let's focus on the pot for a minute... I keep coming back to Granny Squares - here's another reason I might need to learn to make them!  This adorable cover can be found at Cut Out and Keep.

I love how this one from Ravelry looks like a sweater!!

Head on over to the Rusty Bobbin for a set of excellent directions to make one out of fabric.

Now, the next thing we need is a mug rug!  How about this one from Glimmer Twin Fan?  Making these are like making little quick and easy quilts!  I am a huge fan!

You know I like the repurposing concept?  Here's one that Heather over at Inventive Denim called a Memory Mug Rug - she combine fabrics in a lovely way and has a great set of directions.

Shall we finish off the post with some tasty sounding recipes?  Sounds good to me!  How about Icy Spicy Fruit Tea?  Jenn at Sweet Makes Three whipped this up!

How about a nice Mexican Coffee?  You'll find this recipe over at the Food Channel website!

Here's my question: 
If you were coming over, what would you like me to bake for you?   Do you have a favorite munchie we could share?  Is there a link to the recipe?  Leave it for me and we'll see!  Can't wait to hear what you'd love to have!!  Who knows what I might do...

Quilty hugs,
Carrie

Food Fun: Deviled Ham Grilled Cheese

Hello, all!

Has anyone had a chance to use up the ham from Easter?   I decided to try one of the recipe ideas that I found for the post-Easter dinner ham at From Away - Cooking and Eating in Maine for deviled ham.  

It was one of those recipes you might over look as "deviled ham" has negative connotations for some.  When I saw ham and relish mixed with other ingredients, my interest was peaked.  I made a few changes, as always, based on what I had on hand and what we like, flavor-wise. 

I also decided to go grilled cheese as it was a pretty cold night and a perfect time for a nice, toasted cheesy sandwich!  It was as yummy as I expected.  Hubby liked it so much, he had two. 

Deviled Ham Grilled Cheese Sandwich

1 1/2 cups chopped ham
1/3 cup mayo (or in our case, Miracle Whip)
2 tbsp pickle relish
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce (to give it some zip)

1 slice of cheese (horseradish for hubby, American for me) per sandwich, unless you like it super cheesy and want MORE!

2 slices of bread for each sandwich
butter/margarine for grilling sandwich

Chop the ham in your food processor.  Add mayo, relish, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.  Pulse till fine and blended.
Butter the bread, lay in skillet or on griddle, add cheese and enough deviled ham to cover the sandwich.  Top with second slice and butter.
Turn when golden brown.

Eat.  Yummy. Probably want more.

Just a wee bit of ham left ... what to do next... We shall see!
Carrie

The Day After: Leftover Ham Recipes!

Good morning, friends -

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Anyone else have lots of ham left after dinner yesterday?  I thought it would be a GREAT way to spend a few minutes today, searching for recipes - sound good?  Here we go!

Do you have a nice chunk of ham?  One you can cut into chunks?  This would be perfect - especially if you have some pineapple left, like we do. Allrecipes.com always has lots of good recipes.

I am a huge fan of quiche - here's a great one using ham with some cheese and spinach.

Maybe you have some baked potatoes leftover, too?  If not, easy-peasy to make those up.  Here's a recipe using ham to make loaded potatoes!

 

I am TOTALLY going to be trying this one with a bit of what we have left - Deviled Ham from From Away up in Maine (or "Down East Maine" as some say). The recipe looks DELISH!  Go take a peek!

Head on over to ceoofmeinc.com and check out these yummy ham/veggie crescent rolls - more deliciousness!  Another one I am thinking the family would like.  

Soup is always a winner for leftovers like this.  Here's one I found called Easter Ham Potato Soup - how perfect is that for what we are chatting about, eh?

Maybe you don't have any potatoes left OR you'd like to try something a bit different?  How about a ham and rice soup?  Cheri at Kitchen Simplicity has a marvelous recipe for a wonderful looking ham and rice soup - go take a gander.

Have too much sliced ham to use?  Don't want ham for a week?  Zip over to Close to Home and Maria has a wonderful idea for what to do with some of the extra.  She has some recipes and entertaining ideas, as well.

How about adding to what's waiting for another day in your freezer?  Aimee at Six Cents uses some ham to create scalloped potatoes and ham - perfect for a time a week or two down the road when the memory of oodles of ham sandwiches and such isn't haunting you!  You might want to consider her Supper Club idea... sounds pretty intriguing to me...

My last suggestion looks REALLY fabulous - Ham Croquettes from the blog Food Republic. Looking for some impressive recipes?  Healthy  meals?  Tailgating yummy-ness?  Head on over to see what wonders they have.

I will let you know which of these make their way to the Whitt's table and what we think.  Till then, have a wonderful and creative day!

Carrie

Happy Easter: Food, Family & Fun

Good evening, everyone -

Hope your day was lovely, however you spent it. I was very fortunate to spend yesterday outside at UMASS Lowell coaching field hockey and seeing friends there.  It was the first day most of us had spent any time outside - it's been a rough spring here.  We still have plenty of snow at home, but traveling a wee bit south was all it took.  Hubby and DD headed to CT with the high school softball team and they had a great time outside there as well.  A wonderful coaching weekend was had by all.

Now, about the Easter ideas I shared back on Monday morning... I had the chance to put some into action today.  Thrilled with all the results!

For starters, I made loaded baked potatoes - the idea came from Key Ingredients.  I made mine a bit different - due to what I had available in the frig:

• potatoes
• bacon
• cheese

In addition, they used garlic and sour cream - neither of which I had on hand.  So.... cooked the potatoes, mashed them with a bit of milk and butter then added the bacon and cheese ... omg...sooooo good!

I found a GREAT package of bacon at Trader Joe's yesterday (amongst quite a few other other items... you'll be reading about them in the future)  It was called "Bacon Ends & Pieces" - makes me think of the ends you can get at the deli?  It was $1.79 for this 1 pound package.  There were large slices, tiny bits, all sorts of pieces.  Oh, did I mention they are applewood smoked?  No...well, YUMMY!

 

Here is about 1/3 of the package, cooked up:

I cut this up and made lots of little chunks to add to the potatoes, along with about 1 cup of shredded cheese - oh yah...it was incredible!

This next bit of sweet deliciousness didn't photograph well, BUT let me just say YOU. MUST. MAKE. THIS.  I thought it sounded good - I was beyond right.  It was AMAZING!!  A huge hit with the family, which I thought it would be.  These peanut butter cheesecake cookie bars were, well, like I said, AMAZING!  They tasted like peanut butter fudge - melted in your mouth.  I didn't put the chocolate/peanut butter on top and they still were great.

I didn't end up doing the rolls - when I got to Trader Joe's they had a display of these pretty darn good looking ones right as you walked in.  For $1.99, I said, "Hmm... okay...let's do it!"  I succumbed, sorry.  We'll save the Texas Roadhouse rolls for another day.

I cooked the ham in the oven, rather than the crockpot.  If one is going to USE the crockpot, one needs to give one's self more than 3 hours to cook said ham.  I know it works - did it before - just not this Sunday.

Rather than fruit pizza, I threaded fresh strawberries and pineapple on a skewer and put them out on the table with the cookie bars.  The fruit was a nice break from the sweet, peanutty goodness above.

You all saw the wreath the other day.  That came out nice - lots of comments from folks that saw it up close and personal.

The last thing from that post I got to do for today was the cookie kits for the boys.  We had hidden eggs...twice (the beauty of younger kids...) and then brought out the kits.  DD and I made sugar cookies on Friday and bagged them with several different sweet decorating treats and a container of frosting each.  

They were a HUGE hit...might have been the gummy worms DD picked up this morning...maybe the jelly beans?  Anyway, they loved making them.  Way to go, Memere!

How was your holiday?  Hope you were able to enjoy the day and the whole weekend.  :o)

Stop by tomorrow and BE SURE to enter the drawing for fabric - it ends tomorrow (April 1) at noon!
Chat soon,
Carrie