Creep

I am a pop music princess.  I completely admit it, I love it,  and I eat it up with a spoon :)   I am in love with the choir version of Radiohead's Creep that they showed in the in movie trailer for The Social Network (which I can't wait to see)

In case you missed it, you have to see this... (warning: there is a naughty word in this song and it's not "Fudge." It's THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word! - name that movie and proceed with caution)




Available on itunes now - and it's the clean version too :) You're so VERY special ;)  How great is this?  If my choir sang my pop tunes, I made have stuck around longer than 5th grade - a person can really only sing the Baker Woman in her humble lodge so many times....

How about some Fall Out Boy, Sugar We're Going Down (on my personal top 10 faves of all time) to some strings?



Awesome, right? Just goes to show you, good music is good in any form! I feel so cultured and sophisticated now ;) Have a great weekend!! Don't forget to light that candle for me tomorrow night, I'm in complete denial that we're actually going through with this - thus the blogging while I should be baking and cleaning the house! xo, Brie

Garlic Knots

No, your eyes do not deceive you - I cannot tell a lie, I ate the missing knot before this photo was taken.  I had to try it to make sure they were good before I blogged it.  I did it for you :)

or not.... not everyone likes garlic bread in this house we have a few purists on site!

This was an experiment that went WAY right tonight - I got lots of accolades and since I get very few around here when it comes to dinner (several picky children eaters) I'll take what I can get!

First up, I made the pizza dough (linked) I've posted a few days ago. When it was nice and properly risen, I rolled it out onto a large cutting board in a rectangular shape and cut them into 3/4 inch strips and then cut those strips in half horizontally with a pizza cutter - yielding around 12 strips approximately 6-8 inches long.

I tied the strips very literally into a knot and tucked around the edges to make a little bun.  Spray a cookie sheet with Pam and place your cute little knot on the sheet.  Repeat this process 11 or so times.  Cover with a clean dish towel and set out of the way for one more rise for about 30 minutes ought to do it. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Brush the knots with a little egg wash if you are feeling fancy, it will make them a lovely and golden.  I also cracked a little sea salt over the top of them.   Bake in the oven uncovered for 12-15 minutes.

In a separate pan I melted 2 tbsp of butter, 1 tbsp of olive oil and 2-3 minced cloves of garlic  and cooked on the stove stop careful not to brown it up. 

The pizza place we like to go to puts the knots in a bowl and pours the garlic butter all over them.  They are messy and so delicious you can't believe it.   I served my garlic butter on the side for both calorie control and also because 3 out of 4 kids hate garlic bread.  Go figure!  The rolls were perfect - nice and crusty on the outside and soft and yummy on the inside. 

Will  DEFINITELY make these again!  xo, Brie

Etsy Valentines

Another snow day here in NJ, I am hoping the kids won't be in school through August!! 

I wanted to show you this valentine crafting kit I ordered from etsy store Fresh Lemon Blossoms.

They are so cute.... little mini valentines (they measure 3.25 inches by 2.25 inches) in all your favorite lovey dovey colors, tiny envelopes, stamped and adorably cut with pinking shears and just waiting for a little glue to assemble and a pen to sign. Ms. C loves to craft and I think these will fit the bill perfectly. Much cuter than Bob the Builder cards (sorry Bob)! I also like that this pack comes with 36 valentines so there are PLENTY for all her classmates, her teacher, and a few extra to spread to the love.

I loved her packaging (shown above) and the whole presentation. I haven't shown them to her yet because she'll want to start them right away and I have to head out to my first PT appointment of many for some knee troubles I am having (DREADING THIS). I know she is going to love them. These are really sweet and special.  xo, Brie

Meal Plan Monday

with a twist.... I am trying to plan this week using what I have on hand, my freezers are looking full and I need to take an inventory and use up some things that I have.  I am famous for a BOGO on italian sausage or something similar and then forget that I even have them hidden in there!  If I can get through the week with zero or only one quicky trip to the grocery store, I will consider this week a success!

Monday
activities: holiday and piano
dinner: steaks and salad (I had defrosted the steaks for last night's dinner but then we had too many snacks while watching the Jets game and nobody felt like it) So I'm off the hook :) 

Tuesday
activities: none :)  but it's cleaning lady day so I don't want too much of a mess
dinner:  Linguine and Clam sauce, salad

Wednesday
activities:  none!?!  I'm getting a bad feeling that I forgot to input something on the calendar
dinner:  Roast chicken, some kind of potato and corn.  Hot tip:  Our Stop and Shop has a roast chicken special on Friday where you can get the rotisserie chicken all cooked for 5 dollars each!  I usually buy 1 or 2 and put them in the freezer - take it out in the morning to defrost on the counter and reheat at 325 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  So easy!

Thursday
activities: swimming and basketball
dinner:  hot dog night (we ended up skipping these last week)  Stop and Shop often has a BOGO on these and I've never met a BOGO I didn't like.  Freezer looks like I am about to open a ball park.  Time to make some hot dogs :)  Hotdogs!! Get yer hotdogs heeyah!!

Friday
activities: basketball
dinner: fried chicken cutlets, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach

Saturday
activities:  3 basketball games, 2 basketball practices, a birthday party to attend, and a
birthday party to host with 9 girls sleeping over.  If you think of it, please light a candle for me today ;) 
dinner:  take out

Sunday
activities: 2 basketball games, ccd
dinner:  Pioneer Woman's Penne A La Betsy (linked) and salad  - if you haven't tried this you must!!  It's really good!

I have all the basics on hand already to make all these meals so wish me luck :)  My grocery bills have been off the charts high lately so it's time to organize these pantries and freezers!  xo, Brie

Pizza Dough Recipe

As promised here is the pizza dough recipe - I really hope you'll try it out sometime because it is SO easy, SO inexpensive, and SO good! 

For ingredients all you need is

2 and 3/4 cup flour
1 cup warm water
1 packet of active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp)
1 tsp of kosher salt
2 tbsp of olive oil 

First up fill up your measuring cup with very warm (but not hot) water and dissolve your yeast in it - give it a gentle stir to immerse the yeast and walk away.

Come back 5 minutes or so and you'll see the yeast is starting to foam up (you want this)

Combine all 5 ingredients in a bowl and work into a ball with a fork.  I'm sure a kitchen aid mixer would be fabulous for this type of mixing but since I've broken not one... but TWO of these so I've learned to live without one.   For this recipe, you really and truly don't need one.   Just kind of mix it into a ball with your fork, remove from the bowl and kneed it with your hands on a lightly floured counter for about 10 minutes.   I never quite make it to the full 10 minutes and usually throw in the towel around the 6 minute mark.  It's always worked out fine.

You will now have a very soft pliable non sticky ball of dough.  Spray a new clean bowl with some Pam and cover with some plastic wrap or a dish towel and set it somewhere out of the way to rise. 

It can sit there all day and will be just fine!




she's at again with the faces....



When you are ready to make pizza take your dough out - I don't bother with the rekneeding process or anything.... spray a cookie sheet and you can either 1.) spread the dough right out over the cookie sheet to make one big pizza or 2.) score it equal parts for a make your own individual pizza kind of party.   This dough can stretch to make 1 full pan pizza or 5 good sized individual pizzas but tonight we're are meeting out some friends for dinner so I am scoring this in 4 parts for the kids. 

really, she can't seem to help herself

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spread out to make your individual pizzas.  This dough is so easy to work with, not sticky at all.  I usually bake them like this for about 7 minutes to get them going. 

Pull them out and let them cool a smidge b/c the pans will be hot.   Top with whichever toppings you like and have on hand.  Lower oven temp to 375 degrees and bake for another 10 minutes or so (eyeball it)

Delicious homemade pizza for everyone!!  Mangia ;)  xo, Brie

PS  Final Season of Big Love premiers tonight!!!  Can't wait....

Five Things I'm Loving Friday

Here are my latest faves - get ready for random and get ready for fabulous.... in no particular order

1.  Tory Burch

I've been loving her for a good long while but I am ESPECIALLY loving my 2 fabulous additions (both bday gifts for the big 4-0)  Check em out, I feel like a movie star ;)

2.  Queen Helene Mint Julep products

I can never find these in the store but thought to look them up when I was perusing drugstore.com for some things.  The scrub is so great - very "scrubby" which is hard to come by.  Many  promise the scrub but do not deliver.  Queen Helene delivers the goods.  Follow your scrub with the mask - try to avoid mirrors while you wait b/c you'll scare the dickens out of yourself if you catch a glimpse.  I may or may not be speaking from experience.

3.  Dexter

Sister Caitlin kept saying how good this show was but I hadn't looked into it.  Season 1 and 2 is on Netflix on Demand which our Tivo picks up so I can watch it right on the TV.  Warning... the premise is BEYOND bizarre and I completely hated the first 2 episodes.  I was about to throw in the towel but put the 3rd one on and slowly got sucked in.  I am almost done season 1 and I'm completely hooked.  Considering getting Showtime hooked (but I won't b/c surely I have the will power to wait for season 6 on dvd)  Michael C Hall is so great on the show which wasn't a huge surprise because I loved Six Feet Under on HBO. 

4.  Apples and Twinkies Blog (title is linked)

One of my new favorite blogs!  This hard working lady has some wonderful recipes up her sleeve and is very generous sharing her tips and tricks with pics!  She is also hosting a fun giveaway for a Baked Cookbook.  Stop by and say hi, you'll be very glad you did!   Special thanks to my friend Patti for telling me about this great blog :)

5. Jojo Loves You (also linked)

This is my new one stop shop for fun costume sparkly jewelry. I am LOVING the bling earrings - gave lots and lots out for Christmas gifts. Hardest part is choosing colors. Great products and customer service! Up above you'll see 2 pairs that I own. I wear the both all the time and I think the cameos are so cool - and also on sale!

In closing, and in the words of the great Vicky Gunvalson WOOO HOOO -  Hope you have a great weekend!!!  We're making pizza tomorrow with homemade dough (had to make a few switcharoos to menu this week) and I hope to get it up on the blog this weekend so get ready :)   xo, Brie

How to Have the Perfect Snow Day

Follow these simple steps to a fabulous snow day....

1.  Have Ms. Honeywell (our school's automated alert system) call you the NIGHT BEFORE to tell you there will no school

2.  Turn off that pesky 6 am alarm

3.  Wake up at 9:20 to find you are first one up in your house

4.  Eat fattening snacks and watch Millionaire Matchmaker in your pj's until around 1 pm

5.  Be embarrassed by a neighborhood child who appears at your door around 1 only to find you still in your pjs

6.   Round up the troops to go sledding and invite some friends

No pics of Mr. L because he was off socializing the entire afternoon on the slopes

7.  Sit in a chair on the on the hill and socialize with other moms

8.  Move on to the warm car and listen to your favorite sirius satellite station and direct the kids where to find you when they've had enough

9.  Head home and make cocoa, a fire, a glass of wine and listen to Juice Newton while you make dinner (thank you 8 on 80's for reminding me of Juice)

10.  Get back in your pjs

Best. Snow. Day. Ever!!!!  Please bring me a few more.... xo, Brie