Just for Giggles...

Last week I attended my very first art class at a cute little place called Just for Giggles in Alpharetta. (It's similar to Sips & Strokes and Cocktails & Canvas if you've seen those...) I saw it on Groupon several months ago and me, Amy & Emily (my friends from work) decided it would make a perfect girls night! We've worked together for several years and they truly are more like friends than co-workers! It was so nice to get to just hang out in a non-work setting, chat & do something new :)

At the beginning of the class, we were given a choice of colors for our "palette" and then got to work!

Here we are with our finished projects from the "Initially Yours" project night. If you're looking for a fun activity - this is certain to be a hit!

52 Pix - Week 9

This week's pic comes from our weekend trip to Charleston. There will be another post later about the wedding and all the fun...but for now, here is one of my favorite shots from the weekend.

The rehearsal dinner was held on a beautiful plantation and there were TONS of these candle/lanterns hanging from the trees - it was an incredible sight!

52 Pix - Week 8

This week's pic is simply an image that captures how wonderful this weather has been! Between trips to the dog park, driving with the windows down, going on walks - it's all been so pleasant...if only it would stay this way! Mully loves the warm sunny weather too. :)

Recipe Challenge - February!

Recipe: Risotto with Four Cheeses

Cookbook: Italian Food & Cooking

When I studied abroad in Verona, Italy, I tried to bring back a fun little gift for each family member. I brought each of my grandmothers back an Italian cookbook because they are both incredible cooks. (And because my original plan of bringing back seeds for flowers was evidently illegal) Now, both grandmothers are southern cooks for sure, so I realized the Italian style was more a gesture than a practical present. This realization was confirmed when Mama returned the cookbook to me about two months ago as she was trying to de-clutter her kitchen. Haha. So I figured I would give something a shot from the Italian culture that did not include Bertolli, Barilla or Buitoni. :)

(Quick disclaimer, cheese is expensive.)

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. Butter

1 small onion, chopped

4 cups boiling chicken stock

1 3/4 cup of risotto rice (Arborio)

1 cup sparkling dry white wine

1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese

1/2 cup Fontina cheese, diced

1/2 cup Gorgonzola, crumbled

2/3 cup grated Parmesan

salt & pepper

Step 1: Melt the butter in a saucepan until foaming. Add the onion and cook gently, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes. Have the hot chicken stock ready in an adjacent pan.

Step 2: Add the rick and stir until the grains start to swell and burst, then add the wine. Stir until it stops sizzling and most of it has been absorbed by the rice, then pour in a little of the hot stock. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir over a low heat until the stock has been absorbed.

Step 3: Add more stock, a little at a time, allowing the rice to absorb it before adding more, and stirring constantly. After 20-25 minutes, the rice will be al dente and the risotto creamy.

Step 4: Turn off the heat under the pan, then add the 4 cheeses. Sir gently until the cheese have melted, then taste for seasoning. Serve immediately.

I seasoned some shrimp, had JNS saute them while I finished the risotto, and then put it all together! The risotto is definitely time consuming...and on a non-hurried night, totally worth it. The flavor is super yummy, but the hands on cooking time (lots of stirring) makes this a tough one for a week night fix. Despite the required effort, I'd still give this one high marks...you can't beat a dish that calls for that much cheese. :) Enjoy!

52 Pix - Week 7

Last week we celebrated Valentine's with a little dinner date at a cute restaurant called Floataway Cafe. It was really good - we both ventured out at ordered something we normally wouldn't get and both dishes were delicious (quail for the hubby and veal ricotta meatballs for yours truly). Some people say they don't celebrate Valentine's and I don't get it. Is there anything wrong with having a reason to go to dinner, spend time together or get flowers? I see nothing wrong with any of these so I welcome it with open arms! So in spirit of the festive day, John Neal got me some red tulips...I especially love tulips and love the look & smell of fresh flowers in the house. They were my inspiration for Week 7's picture! I took a bunch but fell in love with this one the most.

52 Pix - Week 6

I had the urge to bake this weekend but no idea what I wanted to make. After the amount of cupcakes I've consumed in the last 2 weeks, anything that involved icing sounded super unappealing. So I looked over a couple blogs and discovered a recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti.



The recipe can be found on Annie's Eats and I would highly recommend it.

It's the perfect complement to a cup of coffee in the morning or for a snack in the afternoon. Although I will say as a firm believer in under cooking all desserts, this recipe was a toughy for me.

Knowing that the end result is designed to be crisp, crunchy and have a more dry texture was not easy...but I did survive and in the end, I really liked it.

Biscotti in the oven....

Finished Product!

Enjoy!

52 Pix - Week 5

So I'm a little late posting pictures for Week 5...at first I couldn't choose which picture to use and then after the fun school news last week, I forgot. So I thought about it this week and I wanted to write about Sal's baby shower but I couldn't possibly use just 1 picture...it was too much fun for 1 picture!

All the ladies at Sal's baby shower

The candy pacifiers

Cassie's delicious Strawberry cupcakes...I think they were my favorite. Ever. Thanks Cassie!

I love this pic - Sal & her mom are making the same sweet face!

The favors from the baby shower - little flower seeds for spring. Spring is coming and so is little baby girl - a sweet reminder for us to be praying for her arrival!

It was such a fun day spending time with Sal and getting excited about her becoming a mom soon! We are so excited to meet the lucky little lady....