I haven't been cooking much lately and I will be probably preparing both a Christmas eve and Christmas day meal....We may go out for Chinese at some point but it's up in the air so I want to have options.

I just can't decide what to make.....Traditionally I do a Prime Rib at some point for the holiday but I'm not feeling it this year. I suggested a crown roast of pork but didn't get an enthusiastic response from the family. My daughter suggested Salmon with Mai Ploy ...But we have that all the time and I would like to make something a little more special. I don't know....I'm not a big ham fan so I'd rather not go in that direction....however it would be a good excuse to make that Mac and Cheese with Trader Joes Uncommon Cheddar that I've been thinking about.

What are you all making?

Twinkie Cupcakes. And aside from all that crisco in the filling I might actually enjoy one of these every once in a while

http://m.mrfood.com/Cupcakes/Twinkie-Cupcakes-6204

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I am getting some in my Christmas stocking ...and was wondering if anyone here uses them. I love anything that is new and unusual and with this being an alternative to harsh detergents I was just excited to try them.. But do they really work?

I figured I'd use them on the sheets first because they don't get really "dirty". Reading the web site it also gives you a recipe for making a liquid which can be used for household cleaning as well.

There are a number of companies selling these soap nuts now. I bought from http://www.laundrytree.com/about-soapnuts.html only because I was Christmas shopping and had a link. You can also get them on Amazon or from a number of other providers though google.

I got my order today. They are going in my Christmas Stocking so I won't be using them until December. I'm wondering if anyone here has tried them and what your experience has been. My plan is to use them first on the sheets because they really don't get dirty. Do you think they work?

There are quite a few companies that are selling them. I bought from these guys...I haven't tried them so it's not an endorsement. You can google around for them or get them off Amazon too

http://www.laundrytree.com/about-soapnuts.html

This new site gives free video lessons in "Modern" and traditional Cuisine It's being started by Chris Young who is one of the authors of that 650 dollar cookbook Modernist Cuisine that the foodie world is swooning over. So far the preview seems pretty but bare bones. There are no real courses up yet but for someone like me who loves all this kind of stuff I'm looking forward to what's to come. And best yet I won't have to fork over $650 for a cookbook....Not that I would do that anyway...even if I could afford it.

http://www.chefsteps.com/

SO is bringing them home from our connection. Too bad I'm allergic because they use to be near the top of my list of favorite foods..... Tonight he's having risotto and tomorrow Chicken with Chanterelle and Champagne. It's so not fair...but there's no reason for us both to suffer..... I'll sniff longingly, and remember....and come up with that list of how he's gonna make this up to me....

It's because Downton Abbey is so Fricken Sad! OMG...

Use a manual can opener to open up those awful plastic clamshells on products.


http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2012/08/09/18-household-tips-that-will-blow-your-mind/?bcid=fb::bbgp:img&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=babbleeditors&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=Organic-Post:Image#pop-tab-hanger-connectors

From Apples to Zuchinni!

http://www.thevspotblog.com/2012/01/how-to-store-fresh-produce-from-to.html

Yesterday I made a salad of strawberries, cucumbers, a few grinds of black pepper, a squeeze of lime with some sesame seeds strewn on top. It was really refreshing and something different.

I also love cauliflower, broccoli, and green onion chopped really fine with some ranch dressing.