MissKatieMay's Profile

Kale pesto on top! (To make it, process a bunch of kale, stripped off the stems, with 1/3 C each of toasted walnuts and parm cheese. Add 3 cloves of crushed garlic, s&p and enough oil to make pesto-y. Store in the fridge)

My husband and I have never shied away from NOT putting our furniture against the wall - and I wouldn't in this space, either. Can you put the couch parallel to the kitchen island? What I mean is that the back of the couch would be approx 3' from the bent edge of the kitchen floor. Then you can put the TV in the opposite corner. Yes, the back of the couch would be to the kitchen but if you have arm chairs, those could be easily re-oriented to face into the kitchen if that were a concern. Good luck - this looks like a fun space to have a good old fashioned furniture-pushing-around party in!

My mom and I both regularly make mac n' cheese ahead in one of 2 ways. Either make the whole thing ahead to the point of baking and then pour a little milk on it before it goes in the oven (the pasta will absorb some of the sauce liquid, so you need to give it a little more before you bake it) or you can just make the sauce ahead and quickly cook up your pasta, combine them, and bake when you're ready. I don't think it's quite as good as freshly made, but I wouldn't kick it out of bed, either.

I save the ends of bags of chips and crackers (the little crushed bits that nobody wants to eat) for this purpose - it's a little bit different every time and I feel virtuous for not wasting.

I second Birthing from Within - it can be kind of "out there" but I wouldn't discount anything. Honestly, my advice (having had a natural childbirth less than 7 months ago) is: a) don't discount any idea, no matter how crazy/unlikely/wack-a-doodle. Nobody really knows what they're going to want during labor - the more tools you have in your pocket, the better; and b) get 2 plain ol' black pocket combs, like the kind they used to give you on school picture day. I held a comb in each hand, tines facing into my palms, for probably 16 hours of my labor. Creating a mild pain/distraction somewhere else in my body really helped deal with the contractions. Good luck!

Awesome post, Dana! I would also add that it's important to pay attention to what's going on at the booths when you approach - I've been "line jumped" by more people than I can count because they haven't taken a moment to look at the other patrons to see if anyone was there and ready to pay before they were.
And, as a new mother, I totally agree about strollers! I take Natalie in the Baby Bjorn because she's still too small for an umbrella stroller, but I'd never try to navigate our markets with her full-size stroller. I want people to admire my baby, not curse her stroller.

First, congratulations on your graduation!

We did a make-ahead brunch for my baby shower not long ago and we made Smitten Kitchen's overnight french toast (http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/12/new-years-day-2001/) using vanilla and/or almond extract and orange zest in lieu of the alcohol.

Since you'll have access to so many ovens, you can easily make sausage and/or bacon in the ovens, rather than on the stovetop. Just lay the item on a sheet pan (if you can put a cooling rack on the pan first to raise the meat up, all the better, but it'll work even if you don't) and throw 'em in the oven at 400 degrees until they're crispy.

We also had a really delicious grape salad (I know it sounds weird) from here, or something similar: http://www.wittyliving.com/recipes/salad/salad-recipe-19.html

I mention it because you can usually find grapes at a reasonable price this time of year, and it would hold well if you made it the day before and just put the topping on before your guests arrived.

Good luck - I hope it's stress-free and fabulous!

I house-watched (just went in every once in a while to make sure the heat was on, and got the mail) for our neighbors a few months ago and she gave me a small bottle of Sun & Earth detergent and dish soap as a thank you. I'd never been given something like that before, but I loved the idea! It was so much better than a questionable baked good or a souvenier from a vacation we didn't go on.

Chusmabilly - it's not too late to read the Little House series! I still re-read them to this day and I am 30 years old. :)

I'm curious to take a peek through the cookbook, as someone whose job is decidedly NOT a calorie-burning fest, I'm hesitant to eat so heavily, but I bet it'd be fun!

I work for a company that makes plush toys (and shall remain anonymous) but we recommend washing our things tied into a pillowcase to prevent the eyes, or any other hard bits, from being scratched.

Also, it's VERY important that you do not use any heat cycle - nearly all toys will have their plush melt if there is any heat! Not only will it ruin the toy, it'll do a doozy on the inside of your dryer.