Connect with Ceci LaBarge

New Home...

2009-09-08T22:59:00.001-04:00

This blog has a new home at cecilabarge.com. Please update your bookmarks and be sure to visit me there. All of the old posts and talky blogs are there!

Explore Magnificent Michigan - Crossing the bridge

2009-08-14T12:23:00.001-04:00

A trip to Mackinaw City would not be complete without crossing the Mackinac Bridge.

Explore Magnificent Michigan - Old Mill Creek

2009-08-14T12:22:00.000-04:00

Another adventure in Mackinaw City...

Exploring Magnificent Michigan

2009-08-11T18:48:00.001-04:00

Highlights from our recent trip to Mackinaw City. The kids really love the Jack Pine Lumber Jack Show. Watch the video for some really cool highlights.

I want it in every color!

2009-08-10T13:21:00.003-04:00

Chalkboard Paint

stop watching HGTV?

2009-08-05T13:45:00.002-04:00

I have another hairbrained idea. I want to create a funky (lime green with brown glaze wash) frame for my flat screen tv. (keep in mind that the flat-screen in question is all of 19") Yesterday I took my piece of MDF to a lumber yard for a quote on how much it would be to have them use crown moulding to frame out the MDF. The guy literally rolled his eyes at me and told me to stop watching HGTV and getting crazy ideas. I'm sorry, it's housewifes with crazy ideas that is keeping you guys in business!

Lets Connect!

p.s. Mandy left early today, so no talky blog this week. I'm hoping to return to them next week. We are still on a semi-summer break. In the next few weeks though, I will be launching a whole new website that will be very cool.

Also, the reason there haven't been any pictures is we still haven't fixed the usb port issue with my camera. I may need to bite the bullet and get a new one. Does anyone have a favorite point-and-shoot?

UGH, Credit Card debt

2009-07-27T09:16:00.002-04:00

Dave and I have been working furiously to get out of credit card debt, and hopefully will soon be bringing back the popular "Finance Friday" talky blogs...anyway, I found this today. It will tell you how long it will take you to pay off your credit cards if you only pay the minimum balance, and exactly how much you will pay in interest over that time.

This may just be the boost I need to stay in attack mode!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Summer...

2009-07-20T14:40:00.002-04:00

Yes, I've been slacking a bit on the blogosphere. I actually have been enjoying the lazy daisy days of summer and working on a few projects. I do have tons of pictures, but every time I try to put them in the computer it warns me that the usb is overloaded or something. I have been simply too lazy to figure it out, but I thought I should stop in and let you know I am alive and kickin and will get back to this blogging thing soon!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Oh, I appreciate him...and his mad skills

2009-06-24T13:00:00.002-04:00

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Frederick Meijer Gardens

2009-06-19T11:07:00.001-04:00

The last video from our day trip to GR

I am Laura Ingalls Wilder!

2009-06-18T10:00:00.002-04:00

This week my friend Tami gave me a recipe for homemade laundry soap. I thought I'd give it a whirl and it was so much fun I actually made a triple batch! I have a bunch of pictures too, but my usb port in the mac is kaput or something. Anyway, I'll throw some pictures up next week...you would have been so proud!

Here's the recipe...

1 bar of Fels Naptha soap. (found next to the Ivory Soap).
1/2 cup of Mule Team Borax
1/2 cup of Arm and Hammer washing soda (found next to the Borax). By the way, it's not Arm and Hammer laundry detergent, it looks like a big box of the Arm and Hammer baking soda.

You chop up the Fels Naptha and put it through your food processor to turn it into a powder. Since I don't have a food processor, I grated it with a cheese grater and then put it through the blender, along with the borax and washing soda.

It smells really good and it should only cost about 3 cents a load.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Thrilling video of the kids at Calder Plaza

2009-06-17T11:23:00.002-04:00

Enter here for a chance to win your own trip to Grand Rapids!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Explore Magnificent Michigan...

2009-06-16T07:45:00.004-04:00

This summer, JQ99 is giving away a series of day trips to different places in Michigan. The on air staff's families are going to the different places with their families. The idea is to inspire families that there are so many fun things to do in Michigan. Last weekend, our family went to the John Ball Zoo, Calder Plaza, and Frederick Meijer Gardens. We did have a really great time. Some fun things we did at the zoo...

Enter here for details on a fun getaway to Grand Rapids...

Let's Connect!

Ceci

The orange wall...

2009-06-08T09:45:00.003-04:00

Dave and I finally got the vinyl decal installed, and remember those old frames ? They have a new lease on life. I'm kind of addicted to the high gloss spray paint these days.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Remember our kitchen makeover contest?

2009-06-04T21:44:00.000-04:00

This fall JQ teamed up with Westshore Interior Visions and Northgate Appliance for a kitchen makeover. In this Parade of Homes season, you can count on Northgate Appliance to hook you up with the best appliances around! Check out Sara's amazing makeover...

Let's Connect!

Ceci

What is it about these ads that make me want to cry?

2009-06-03T10:17:00.001-04:00

Everything old is new again

2009-06-01T08:52:00.004-04:00

When I was a kid, we spent tons of time at Tunnel Park and the highlight was running down the sand dune. It can be weird sometimes seeing your kids do the exact same thing you did as a kid.

The inevitable mouth full of sand at the end of the run!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

My new favorite thing

2009-05-20T09:32:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting these jars with the chalkboard labels for a while now. It's such a dumb thing really, I mean, you can obviously tell whats inside a glass jar...but they are so dang cute! I picked mine up at Pier 1 Imports, and I've seen them at World Market too. Here is a tip I learned while "researching" these online, if you don't want the label to smear every time you get almonds out of it, write the label with a paint pen, instead of chalk, which is what I did.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

What will these be?

2009-05-19T08:41:00.002-04:00

Ten years ago, I thought these were really cool. Um, not so much anymore. I have been revamping them...what will they be?

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Instead of brown...I went with orange, and I love it!

2009-05-14T07:45:00.000-04:00

The boring large wall going up the stairs. It was white.

KABAM! Let's throw some orange up there.

I am so glad I called in the experts for this one! You know I love a good do-it-yourself project, but trying to paint this mammoth wall is not something I could figure out how to do well. Enter Keith from Fresh Coats. Trust me. Call him. Today. 616-283-4177.
He's coming back to install a vinyl graphic on this wall next week. He does everything, wallpapering, wallpaper removal, minor drywall repair. He'll even paint your furniture. Bright tangerine orange if ya like! Sorry, I don't have much left over:)

More on the orange wall project soon!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

The brown blob.

2009-05-13T08:54:00.002-04:00

Last year, when Westshore Interior Visions re did my kitchen, I went with brown countertops and brown crown molding above the cabinets. I thought then that I would paint this wall and the wall going up my stairs brown. So I painted a few samples of my favorite browns on the wall. That was a year ago. I have lived with these brown blobs ever since and finally it drove me to insanity.

Stay tuned for what I actually ended up doing with these walls!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Sunday...

2009-05-11T09:34:00.003-04:00

Piper was dedicated on Sunday. Here's my Mom holding her awaiting the big event. I love my Mom. Happy Mothers Day. That gift is coming when I recover from this weekend!

Saturday night...

2009-05-11T09:30:00.004-04:00

W got the Birthday Banner done just in time for Mallory's birthday, thanks to a late night sewing adventure at my Moms last week! She wanted "black cake with black frosting." And, she looooves her new scooter, especially the basket where she stores her favorite birthday treasures.

Saturday...

2009-05-11T09:19:00.005-04:00

Here we are in the Tulip Time parade on Saturday. Mandy and I with all the kiddos. 2 minutes into riding down 8th street, Mallory goes, "I can't wave any more. My arm and my body is tired!" Which we got to hear the entire length of the parade! Our kids turned out to be much more popular than Mandy and myself...these kids know every other kid in town!

Friday Night...

2009-05-11T09:12:00.003-04:00

Friday night we celebrated Mallory's birthday with a family bonfire. The girls stayed up til something like 11:30, which would prove really interesting the next day.

Talky with the Tech Embassy guys

2009-05-08T13:09:00.003-04:00

It's 5:30 am...

2009-05-08T06:22:00.002-04:00

Project update

2009-05-04T09:08:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, Ellie and I were back at it with the "Happy Birthday" banner. We printed the letters from my computer and glued them onto a sturdy file folder so they'd be thicker when we traced them onto the fabric. (I also used Stitch Witchery to fuse the pink polka dot fabric onto some heavy lining, to make the letters even sturdier when we cut them out, thanks to my Moms advice.)

Now we just need to sew them to the triangles and get them hung on a rope. We need to finish it this week though, because Mallory turns 4 on Saturday!

Lets Connect!

Ceci

My buddy Meaghan and I this morning.

2009-05-01T12:38:00.002-04:00

She may not be able to see, but she loves to come "feel" the radio. She always brightens our day. And brings chocolates, which is extra nice:)

Anyone see themselves?

2009-05-01T11:57:00.002-04:00

Girls night out at Crown Motors was a raging success! Anyone spot themselves?

Rebuttal Talky

2009-05-01T10:48:00.002-04:00

Wednesday Talky

2009-04-29T11:39:00.002-04:00

She hates real food.

2009-04-28T10:26:00.003-04:00

Every time I try to feed her rice cereal, she purses her lips and wont eat it! Oh well...I guess on number 3 you just stop caring!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

project update

2009-04-17T11:47:00.003-04:00

This is a project Elliana is working on. It's going to be a banner that spells out "Happy Birthday", something permanent we can pull out on birthdays. It's a great use of extra fabric and easy enough for a 6 year old to manage. I didn't get any pictures of her sewing the triangles on her sewing machine, but she is getting really good at it. More pictures when we can squeeze in another craft day!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Wednesday Talky

2009-04-15T14:20:00.002-04:00

Good Night!

2009-04-10T10:37:00.002-04:00

My husband is a pastor. I've noticed lately that the girls will try to delay their bedtime by asking him "Spiritual" questions, cuz obviously he's going to take the time to answer them. Yesterday Dave was just beat. He's been putting so much into tonight's Good Friday service, and he was exhausted. At 8:30, he put the girls down and I hear Elliana go, "Daddy, what does Good Friday mean?" And this is what I heard from downstairs...

(voice raised, but not quite yelling) IT'S THE DAY JESUS DIED--GOOD NIGHT! (door slam)

(wife laughing).

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Note left for Tooth Fairy last night.

2009-04-08T09:47:00.001-04:00

Dear Tooth-Fairy,

Please leave my tooth under my pillow. I want to show it to my teacher next week. But please don't forget to leave the cash.

Love,
Elliana

Join me!

2009-04-03T10:03:00.002-04:00

Wednesday Talky

2009-04-01T13:22:00.003-04:00

I suck at Friendship Bread.

2009-03-30T14:35:00.002-04:00

Last week it happened again. Someone dropped off a ziploc bag full of goo on my desk, with nicely printed instructions on how to make the goo into amazing bread...in only 10 days! You leave it for a few days. Then you mush it for a few. Then you add some stuff, at least that's what I think, but I've never gotten past the 4th day of mushing! I get really excited to give it a go, then I peeter out. The bag sits there on the counter for 2 weeks, til it starts smelling like weird yeast and I throw it away. It's happened 3 times now. The last time I even recruited Elliana to help me. She was really excited about it. Too bad I threw it away on day 3. Couldn't take the pressure. Elliana cried and I told her she had a very lazy mother. So I've made a decision. I am not even going to attempt it anymore. Yes, I want your friendship, but I do not want your bread.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Friday talky

2009-03-27T14:05:00.002-04:00

why am I showing you the inside of my microwave?

2009-03-25T14:22:00.004-04:00

This is me employing one of Mandy's Mom tips. To easily clean the microwave, put a few orange peels in a bowl of water. Run the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. The grime and splattered pizza sauce will come right off! (I microwaved the orange peels for something like 8 minutes, and the kitchen stunk like burnt oranges. Mandy told me today that you only need a few minutes for it to work.)

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Temporary Talky co-host

2009-03-21T09:41:00.002-04:00

Wednesday Talky

2009-03-18T13:53:00.002-04:00

Self Portraits

2009-03-13T15:11:00.003-04:00

Here is a shot from our vacation in California last week. I think we were in Laguna Beach at the time. We didn't even bring a camera on vacation, but did manage to get one photo off Dave's phone. It was a wonderful week of forced rest. Now I'm back home and living in the minivan again!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

A new talky finally...

2009-03-11T14:43:00.002-04:00

To my daughters...

2009-03-09T13:19:00.005-04:00

Record breaking temps...Awesome!

2009-02-10T11:13:00.002-05:00

Happy Tuesday!

2009-02-03T08:32:00.002-05:00

I moved batteries from the Flip Camera to the digital camera, so I could at least post something today. So, here is my little cutie!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Finances Friday... On Monday

2009-01-26T22:39:00.001-05:00

Let's connect.

My favorite Crock Pot recipe--Lime Chicken

2009-01-26T14:36:00.003-05:00

The phones have been ringing off the hook for the crockpot recipe I talked about on today's show...so here you go:

1 package bone-in chicken breasts (the actual recipe calls for thighs, but I think dark meat is gross.)
2 tsp garlic (I use the garlic from a jar, who has time to actually peel and crush one?)
1/4 cup lime juice, today I actually squeezed 2 real limes, but most of the time I just use lime juice. (can use lemon also)
1/2 tsp Thyme leaves
1 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
2 Tbls. butter
1/2 tsp pepper

Throw it in a crock pot and 10 minutes before dinner, throw some rice (1 cup maybe?) of instant rice into the broth, which will soak up the broth and lime juice...and voila! A perfect crock pot meal.

So, now I'd like to hear from you...leave your favorite Crock Pot recipes in the comment section or email them to ceci@jq99.com...I'll pass em along on the air.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Updates...

2009-01-21T10:20:00.003-05:00

Yeah, I miss the talky's too...The scoop on that is that there is some sort of internet issue at JQ, and for 5 weeks I haven't been able to get internet from my laptop. It should be fixed in the next couple of weeks, but it makes blogging/talky vlogging difficult. Being the mom of a 2 month old, there isn't a lot of left over time at home to blog from there. I have lots of pictures to show you of some projects I've been working on, and just today I got some new fabric in the mail from my favorite-fabric designer of the moment, Heather Bailey. I am having a hard time picking just one project to do with it!

If you're a fan of the morning show, you may be missing Rev Trevor. He is still with us part time, but is focusing on his full-time career of ministering to local youths and wont be with the Morning Blast any longer. We will miss him.

Oh, and the baby is doing great. She sleeps all through the night, thus, Mommy is doing great as well!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

back at Crown Motors in Holland

2009-01-12T12:46:00.003-05:00

If you wondered if it is going to be tougher in this economy getting financing for a new or previously-owned vehicle, check out my conversation with Mike from Crown Motors.

Great hot chocolate recipe

2008-12-22T08:04:00.002-05:00

I was reading this months Domino magazine and I found a great hot chocolate recipe that I made yesterday for our family Christmas. We served it in china cups (it's rich!) with a dollop of fresh whipped cream....soooooo good!

*6 oz good-quality bittersweet (70%) chocolate, such as Valrhona, Callebaut or Scharffen. (I used Ghirradelli 60% chocolate chips)
*3 tablespoons sugar
*pinch of salt
*3 cups milk
*Marshmallows or whipped cream

Break chocolate into pieces and place in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup of water and cook over low heat, whisking, until the chocolate is melted. Whisk in sugar and salt. Gradually add in the milk, whisking, and bring to a simmer. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Monday Talky

2008-12-15T19:45:00.002-05:00

Piper...

2008-12-04T10:44:00.001-05:00

Where the phrase "sleeping like a baby comes from".

We're baaaaack!

2008-12-02T10:39:00.002-05:00

Can you guess how old I am today?

2008-11-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

My girls

2008-11-24T10:32:00.001-05:00

Tuesday talky

2008-11-18T09:07:00.002-05:00

Talky Blog with a special guest

2008-11-12T09:46:00.003-05:00

Last talky with Mandy for a while...

2008-10-29T19:25:00.003-04:00

Sorry for being lame...

2008-10-27T15:00:00.002-04:00

I know we haven't posted a talky in a while, Mandy and I have both been really busy. I'm trying to tie up loose ends here and last week Mandy was gearing up for a little weekend vacation, all that to say, we will try to film one last talky on Wednesday. If not, I'll do a talky from the hospital! My due date isn't quite here yet, but I'm feeling like it will be this week or early next week. Or, maybe that's just wishful thinking! Anyway, sorry to be a bit lax with the blog lately. Things will get back to normal soon enough...

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Northgate Appliance

2008-10-21T21:29:00.003-04:00

The tours continue at Northgate Appliance...

Westshore Interior Visions

2008-10-19T21:32:00.004-04:00

It's the last week to enter the $10,000 Kitchen Makeover Contest at Westshore Interior Visions and Northgate Appliance! Remember, the contest is open to everyone. I thought I'd give you a tour or Westshore Interior Visions to give you a peek as to what you might win. Tomorrow I'll show you what we filmed at Northgate Appiance.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

A Mandy and Ceci talky

2008-10-17T11:26:00.002-04:00

Talky lashing

2008-10-15T09:46:00.003-04:00

By the way, if you want to respond to this post, feel free to email me at ceci@jq99.com

Thanks!

A Mandy and Ceci talky

2008-10-01T11:59:00.002-04:00

Finances Friday...

2008-09-26T18:48:00.000-04:00

It's time for another installment of Finances Friday...

Todays talky

2008-09-17T20:16:00.002-04:00

Talky I resurected from the trash...

2008-09-10T11:01:00.003-04:00

I wasn't going to air this. We didn't have the lights on in the studio so it looks like we filmed it underwater. Also, I was really cranky Monday. But, Mandy can't film one today, so here ya go. I'm in a much better "place" today!

Lipstick Love..

2008-09-08T12:56:00.002-04:00

Ever wonder what to do with all those tubes of lipstick shoved in your drawer? I just watched a cool video with a great idea...I'm totally going to microwave all my lipsticks tonight!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Finances Friday

2008-09-05T11:28:00.001-04:00

Crown Motors: Meet Lindsey!

2008-09-05T09:52:00.000-04:00

I was over at Crown Motors yesterday and met with Lindsey Konynenbelt, who has been with Crown Motors since before she could legally drive! I enjoyed talking with her about things Moms look for when shopping for cars.

We are interested to hear from you too...what is the most important feature you look for in a vehicle?

Here are some cool features in the 2008 Honda Accord.

Let's connect
Ceci

a little progress...

2008-09-02T12:34:00.003-04:00

Our anniversary project has been limping along. Why is it that I never really believe Dave when he reminds me that all projects take twice as long and are twice as expensive as planned?

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Finances Friday...

2008-08-29T21:03:00.004-04:00

Wednesday talky

2008-08-27T20:40:00.003-04:00

So, the second video cuts out a bit before it got really funny!

Good stuff

2008-08-21T09:56:00.002-04:00

I just read in Parents magazine that between now and Christmas, you'll have to pack about 152 school lunches! This is the first year for us of packing a lunch everyday and the idea stresses me out! In Parents magazine this month, there is also a helpful list of ingredients to keep on hand so your child can mix and match her own healthy meals. I cut it out and put it on the fridge, and I thought you might find it helpful as well:

STAPLES

whole-wheat bread. whole wheat pitas or wraps. sliced deli turkey. cooked chicken slices. sliced deli ham. peanut or almond butter

FRUITS

grapes. apple slices. banana. orange slices. blueberries

VEGGIES

baby carrots. sugar snap peas. broccoli. celery. cucumber

GOODIES

whole wheat crackers or pretzels. pudding or jello. raisins. graham crackers. mozzarella sticks. applesauce. granola bars

CONDIMENTS

mustard. jelly. low-fat mayo. hummus. veggie-dipping sauce

If you have anything to add to the list, please do so in the comments section!

Let's Connect

FYI

2008-08-20T23:15:00.001-04:00

Check out my new "webisodes" feature...I'm filming some fun stuff this week at Crown Motors in Holland. There will be more to come...

Let's Connect!

Ceci

There is a quiz today...

2008-08-20T11:52:00.003-04:00

What do you think? Any resemblance?

Our superfun anniversary weekend!

2008-08-18T09:02:00.010-04:00

If you watched the Friday talky blog with Dave, you will realize how very excited he was to spend our whole weekend working on this project! We literally spent all weekend sanding, priming, and painting...and didn't seem to get anywhere. Oh well, it was fun and we're about half way there...I'll post more pictures when we make more progress, it could be a while!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Finances Friday!

2008-08-15T17:40:00.004-04:00

We filmed this yesterday, but it wouldn't load. Pictures of our superfun weekend project to come!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Wednesday Talky

2008-08-14T08:56:00.003-04:00

I tried to upload this yesterday, but it just wouldn't. I hope to grab Mandy for another talky today, I'm less tired...but she's on Vicadan because of her back, and trust me, she's really funny right now!

I'm better off procrastinating!

2008-08-11T14:50:00.004-04:00

I thought for once, just once, I was going to be ahead of the game. A few weeks ago, I went to my daughters school's website and actually printed off a list of what she needed for school supplies this year. Now, she's only in first grade, but there are a lot of markers, colored pencils and folders to get! I didn't want to be stuck with spending an extra 50 bucks or so the day before school, so I thought I'd buy a couple of items a week...and involve her in the process. She just loved having her list next to her green marker and crossing off items as they were purchased. Well, as it was early on in the game, I splurged on one item for her. The list called for a "water bottle with a sports cap." And I interpreted that to mean a 12 dollar "CamelBak" that was specially labeled "PBA free." After all, I don't need her getting cancer or a 3rd eye or something. And since her little sister was shopping with us, I went ahead and bought them both one. Here it is, August 10 th, and the water bottle is already lost. Apparently, the thing grew legs at a beach party and walked away on its own. And, of course there is no going back. I mean, once a 5 year old has a very special purple water bottle with a cool flip top lid, said 5 year old is going to get another one, come heck or high water! So, this week I'll take a crisp 50 from our budget and go out and get all the supplies, at the same time, put them high on a shelf and wait until the first day of school to get them out. I will never, not ever, try to beat the system again. I'll also be buying Christmas presents on December 15, like I do every year, cuz that will be a lot of fun what with toting the newborn around town and all!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Friday talky from Unity

2008-08-09T09:20:00.002-04:00

Thursday Unity Talky

2008-08-07T17:27:00.002-04:00

Randomness from the minivan today

2008-08-07T11:33:00.002-04:00

This morning Dave and I were dropping the girls off and on the way there were involved in a serious discussion. Elliana, my 5 year old who would love to be at the center of every conversation, interrupted us to say this:

"Dad! I just need to say 3 things."
"Okay, what are they?"

"Number 1...why do you prefer talking to Mom over talking to me?"

"Number 2...I think I just saw a golf course."

"Number 3...Have either of you seen Kung Foo Panda yet?"

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Monday Talky

2008-08-04T18:39:00.002-04:00

Finances Friday!

2008-08-01T13:56:00.005-04:00

Here are some of the websites we referred to today.
Dave Ramsey
Joseph Sangl
List of Pay-off Charts you can use

Here is the current progress toward our goal.

And my Social Security number is...

2008-07-30T14:48:00.003-04:00

Pottery Barn's got nuthin on me!

2008-07-30T08:59:00.013-04:00

Since Dave and I are in attack mode for the next year of eliminating our credit card debt (more on that on Friday), I am forced to become creative with my obsessive need for all things project related. I've been working on a project this week that cost me zero dollars, and turned something that wasn't functional at all, into something that really works for our family.

Here is my inspiration piece.

It's from the brilliant team at Pottery Barn and is used for recharging all your cell phones, pda's, i-pods and the like. It's so cute, but is like $79.00.

It's the Bedford Smart Recharge Station.

It's cool because you don't have to see all those annoying cords.

This is a jewelry box I acquired a decade ago that was my Grandmothers. The funny thing is, I never knew it was a jewelry box, I just thought it was a box that held trinkets or something. I have always liked it, I just didn't know what to do with it.

You can see where I'm going with this...I simply drilled a few holes in the back, and voila! A modern use for an old thing...and the best part, zero dollars spent with my friends at Pottery Barn.

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Thursday Talky...

2008-07-25T07:46:00.002-04:00

Bad hair and badder kids

2008-07-23T09:35:00.002-04:00

Strawberry Pie

2008-07-21T20:06:00.002-04:00

Okay people, one more post on the Strawberry Pie and then I promise to shut up about it. FYI, my sister just made the pie for a church thing, and she said people went crazy for it. One guy even told her that he never eats the crust of pies, and he loved this pie crust.
I always make a homemade crust, even though they never turn out that pretty. Here is a tip my mother passed along to me. The less you handle the crust, the flakier it will turn out, and a flaky crust is the secret to a good crust. If you've never made a pie crust, just try it a couple of times. They can be a bit tricky to roll out just right, but never, ever over-handle it! And remember, there are like a total of 3 ingredients involved!

For a single crust pie:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter flavor Crisco
4-5 Tbsp. ICE water

Put flour and salt together in a bowl. Cut half of the shortening with a pastry blender until the pieces are the size of small peas. Cut in the other half of shortening the same way. Sprinkle a couple of Tablespoons of water at a time over different parts of the mixture. Toss gently with a fork. Sprinkle additional tablespoons of water till all is moistened--NOT wet. Form into a ball with hands. Roll out on floured pastry cloth with rolling pin from center to edge until dough is 1/8 inch thick.

Fit pie into pie plate, trim 1/2 to 1 inch beyond edge, fold under and flute. Bake in very hot oven(450) for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Now, here is the Strawberry Pie recipe.

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
dash salt
1 1/2 cups water
3 oz package strawberry flavored gelatin
2 quarts of strawberries

In medium saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, cornstarch and dash salt. Stir in water. Cook over medium heat until clear and bubbly; (this takes some time) add gelatin. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Cool. Stir in strawberries. Poor into cooled crust. Refrigerate until firm. SERVE WITH REAL WHIPPED CREAM (see below).

Ceci's notes: It pays to be patient while cooking the mixture...it takes a little while to thicken. Also, I've never really seen it get totally "clear"...which can throw you off. When it gets bubbly and thick its about right. Also, bake the crust first and give it plenty of time to cool. Sometimes to speed up the process I put the hot pie plate in a bigger pan with ice cubes on the bottom to cool it more quickly, I am not the most patient person when it comes to that. And it does take a few hours to get firm in the refrigerator, so plan ahead.

How I make real whipped cream.

Quickly rinse out your mixing bowl and throw it in the freezer for a minute. This will get it nice and cold. Pour in the heavy whipping cream. And a tsp. of vanilla and a few Tablespoons of powdered sugar to sweeten it. Make it just prior to whatever you're serving and the crowd will go crazy! Oh, but don't over whip it, or it will turn into butter!

Let's Connect!

Ceci

Crown Motors: Let's meet Judy!

2008-07-20T23:00:00.000-04:00

A Special Weekend talky with a special talky co-host

2008-07-20T16:52:00.002-04:00

Apparently, I cannot get enough of myself, or my Strawberry Pie in this episode! Oh, well...

Cars with feet...

2008-07-11T09:02:00.002-04:00

Finally, the Monday talky

2008-07-07T22:20:00.002-04:00

Girls, girls, girls.

2008-07-02T20:42:00.004-04:00

So, the talky blog Mandy and I filmed today making the big announcement didn't have any sound. Since my hard drive had to be replaced, nothing is quite the same on my computer yet, and I forgot to set the microphone. We should have time to film another talky blog tomorrow. The big announcement is obvious from the picture above...Dave and I are expecting another girl in November. We are so excited! Hopefully I'll connect with you tomorrow.

Ceci

I thought this was funny...

2008-06-30T20:59:00.003-04:00

I asked Dave to email me the recipe of the Strawberry Pie I've been talking about for weeks now on the air and on the blog...and this is what I found in my inbox today...

He took a picture of it on his laptop and emailed that! If you follow this recipe, I always make homemade pie crust, not the one from the recipe. And I will be making one this week, on my new island, which I just painted brown. Perhaps I'll film another lil talky from my kitchen!

Let's Connect!

Ceci