ceereelyo's Profile

we just had a tea party for my bridal shower this past weekend! my mom prepped the tea sandwiches the day before and had them cut into squares/triangles right before. We also did spring rolls and dumplings (missmimichi, where you there? :P) to serve with the Chinese green and oolong teas.

I made scones earlier in the week and cut them into mini sizes, then baked them right before - easy, since they were already shaped, and since they were small these fit into one gallon sized zip loc (i froze them first on a pan then put them in the bag so they wouldn't stick together), I just added 5-8 minutes since they were frozen to the baking time. We also made lemon bars then night before. How about miniature pies or tarts? They probably need some time in the fridge, but are pretty easy (especially if you make them with pre-made crusts, or make these ahead of time) to fill and bake.

Another canape my mom made for my tea party was to take skinny carrots, peel them, and clean but leave the green sprouts on top and cut them lengthwise. She then piped a cream-cheese, chive, and butter 'frosting' along the cut size. They were really simple and my friends thought they were really cute and elegant!

Dusting and sweeping. We don't haev a proper vaccuum, and we are waiting until after we get married to get a really good one, so right now if I need to get a bunch of crumbs/dust off the floor, I have to resort using my little dirt devil cone and it's quite hilarious. Otherwise, I have to swiffer/sweep ALL THE TIME. I hate it. It's so annoying, I wait until there are some dust tumbleweeds rolling around before I get to it.

As for 'love', I really like cleaning the bathroom. I wipe the counter, clean the glass, and scrub the toliet. I think because I have it down to a science, it never takes me more than 15 minutes to clean it, and we are pretty good at keeping our shower ventilated/using post-shower spray, that I only have to really scrub the tub once a month or so. And after it's all done, it looks so bright and clean!

Cleaning the kitchen, sans the sweeping, is ok too, though i hate when I have a big clean up after doing a lot of food prep for the week, but it feels so satisfying when I'm done.

I have quite a stash: 3 large tins of Adagio's loose leaf teas (one flavored, one oolong, one plain black tea that is very strong), a box of TJ's Vanilla and Cinnamon black teabags, a tin of Tazo's Earl Grey, a box of Chai packets (doesn't really count, and I should give it to someone bc of the dairy content), and a tin of Republic of Tea's Blackberry Sage. I need to stick one herbal in the line-up, or maybe something with ginger for after lunch. I don't drink coffee really, so the strong black tea (Golden Monkey black tea) is necessary for the morning, several cups, and then after lunch it's over to oolong.

Though, my jar of oolong tea looks a little suspicious (it looks like well, weed, and my idiot coworker likes to ask me about my 'weed' tea), so I keep it out of sight.

Tonight we are having "mini" seder at my fiance's parents house. Easter Sunday, my best friend is getting married at a craft brewery, so we will be feasting on appetizers and fancy beer and dancing the day away!

I totally do this at work, since we have a pretty legit salad bar. I also will, when short on prep or supplies will bring a basic salad and buy all the other fixings to add on to it.

It's so easy to make your own baked goods and add your own blueberries/fruit. I usually pick about 5 pounds or so of blueberries in the summer, individually freeze each one in a pan, and voila! blueberries to add to all my baked goods, cereal, and oatmeal year round.

this recipe is a staple with me and my mom. it is so easy, and we've used blueberries and blackberries in the past if we didn't have raspberries on hand.

is that mochi?

i've made an apple pie with a gruyere crust- just like they did in Pushing Daisies! It really added a nice pungent bite and saltiness to counter the pie's sweetness.

need a new large, 6 qt or so pot. I have a big saucepan but the handle is really loose, and i'm afraid one day it'll lead to a boiling water accident! I also need a butcher's knife- I usually make it work with the largest knife I own for now, but it would be handy to have one.

i totally agree with checking out tj maxx/homegoods stores. i bought a lot of discounted kitchen gadgets/odds and ends from good name brands. i like ikea for some things, but i'm wary of their pots. I picked up a bunch of cuisinart frying pans (non stick and in fun colors!) from tx maxx for under 15 dollars each. you can also score some le crueset baking pans, casseroles, and ramekins from their poterie line.