elise890's Profile

@Rhoswen, your mixer probably needs to be adjusted. You can move the head up or down (not just tilting or lifting, but actually tweaking how far into the bowl the beater/whisk reaches) to properly reach the bottom of the bowl, but without scratching it. I don't remember the steps exactly, but the manual or a quick internet search will tell you how!

I'm 37 weeks, and I would be thrilled with any of these thoughtful gifts! A one-time cleaning service, however, would be #1. And unless it's a really close friend, I'd much rather have a professional come to clean. I think it could be awkward letting others deal with your mess, otherwise!

I'm the primary cook in our house, but at 8 months pregnant I'm feeling less and less motivated in the kitchen. Last night my husband made us delicious Chicken Fajitas (from the Cooks Illustrated Science of Cooking book he got me for Christmas). I played sous chef for a little while, then sat on the couch relaxing until the meal was ready. Chocolate fondue for dessert! <3

In terms of bigger items, I use my dutch oven more often than my Kitchen Aid. The dutch oven isn't Le Creuset though, and it does just fine. The stand mixer is so nice to have when I do use it, for kneading doughs mostly. For cookies and cakes I usually just grab the more convenient hand mixer. So it depends what kind of cooking/baking you'll be doing!

I use and recommend Blurb for photo books. It's not as convenient to use for books that are more text-heavy, though.

Check out the Spilled Milk podcast about hot chocolate...they have a yummy recipe that I really like.

http://www.spilledmilkpodcast.com/2011/12/22/episode-54-hot-chocolate/

I do this as well (I can't imagine entertaining a large group otherwise!), but I still end up scrambling for time and sometimes end up makeup-less when guests arrive. Oh well! :)

I pretty much always straighten up before people come over, if I have enough notice. I'm not going to freak out if a neighbor/friend drops by and sees a mess, though. I sometimes find myself cleaning for company and then wishing I could keep it that clean for myself. I do like when it's clean, it just seems to take so much effort!

One time three years ago I put on a pot of eggs to hard boil, then promptly drove 45 minutes to meet my mom for lunch. When I got to lunch I realized what I'd done, and called my husband who rushed home from work (only five minutes away) to assess the damage. That pot did not survive, and I swear I still get a whiff of burnt egg in our upper cabinets sometimes. More recently I have let pots boil dry (with or without food in them) and been able to save them with bar keepers friend.

And, I have a chicken pot pie in the oven now that is also creating a delightful aroma.