Consumer Reports had a big write up on the dangers of using some Pyrex, Anchor Hocking  and glass bake-ware products.  Apparently it stems from using cheaper glass in their newer products.  This is pretty scary considering how much we all use these types of products, without a thought, please read it here!  I will definitely use my Le Creusets more in the oven now.  The precautions consumer Reports recommend:

To minimize the chances of glass bakeware shattering, read and save the safety instructions on the product’s packaging. Here are some safety rules to follow:

• Always place hot glassware on a dry, cloth potholder or towel.
• Never put glassware directly on a burner or under a broiler.
• Always allow the oven to fully preheat before placing the glassware in the oven.
• Always cover the bottom of the dish with liquid before cooking meat or vegetables.
• Don’t add liquid to hot glassware.
• If you’re using the dish in a microwave, do not use browning elements, and avoid overheating oil or butter.
• Do not take dishes directly from the freezer to the oven or vice versa.
• Never place hot glassware on top of a stove, on a metal trivet, on a damp towel, in the sink, on a cold or wet surface, or directly on a countertop.
• Inspect your dishes for chips, cracks, and scratches. Discard dishes with such damage.
• To avoid risks associated with glass dishes, consider using metal bakeware for conventional and convection ovens.

Makes those sturdy glass casseroles your Mother has had forever or that you see in the antique stores look pretty good doesn’t it?  Be careful when shopping for new glassware, spend the extra money on the good stuff.

So you already know I am a big fan of Mali Jewelry.  Well if you still need a gift for Christmas (or maybe two) check out this great deal:

Get 50% off any purchase with the code 50 at checkout at www.malijewelry.com AND you will get free shipping AND if your purchase is over $45 you get this free red coral necklace.

So your shopping could go something like this- buy this amazing smoky quartz and garnet necklace for $187.50, get free shipping and a free necklace.

Or this- buy this amazing and classic pearl necklace for $137.50, get free shipping and the free necklace.

Or this pearl and quartz necklace for $62.50, and the free shipping and necklace.

Or these mixed gems also $62.50, but look like they are worth a lot more.

They have a really large selection of one of a kind necklaces that you just won’t see anywhere else.  So if you are still missing presents they have seriously good deals.

So the holidays can be a bit stressful sometimes, unwind with this video.  As a warning there is music and the f word.  But it is really funny.

After Thanksgiving I was sent home with all the turkey I pulled after I cut off the breasts for dinner that day.  Again the fridge was pretty barren as I didn’t want to go grocery shopping right before a long weekend away and then oops we got busy doing stuff the next week and weekend.  There are plenty recipes out there for chicken and broccoli casserole, this is similar, but with more veggies and less soup and breadcrumbs and stuff.

Things I had:

Package of Uncle Ben’s 90 Second Instant Wild Rice (any other rice is acceptable it just has to be cooked), leftover Turkey bits, 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup, frozen peas, Carrot Sticks, Broccoli, a little hunk of Sharp Provolone (any cheese you like that isn’t particularly stinky is fine, I would avoid anything wild if you aren’t sure).

Preheated oven to 350 degrees. I  then put a small sauce pan with water on to boil.  While it was heating I diced about 6-8 Carrot sticks, cut up the Broccoli, and hacked the package of solidly Frozen Peas on the counter to be able to get some unstuck from the large frozen mass (about 1/2 cup or more if you like peas go for 2/3 cup).  Once the water boiled I added those three items to the water and let them cook through ( be careful don’t overcook them, keep them crisp, well frozen peas are never really crisp, you know what I mean).  While that is happening pop your rice in the microwave to cook (if using not 90 second rice cook your rice before any other step).  Then open your can of soup and pour in a small square casserole dish 9×9 or something like that.  Add your turkey about 1 cup at least mine was probably in between 1 and 1 1/2 cups (I ate the rest on sandwiches the day before).  Then add your rice and blanched vegetables.  If you have Tabasco or other hot sauce I would add about 10 dots (you know like hits when you skake the Tabasco bottle and a little splot comes out).  Stir to combine.  Shred about 1 cup cheese.  Add half now on top.  Let cook about 15 min take out stir, add other 1/2 cup cheese sprinkled on top bake another 15 minutes.  Cool until it won’t sauder itself to the roof of your mouth instantly.

Dinner done.  And Hubby got a good portion of veggies, leanish protein (I have no idea how it was prepared) and fiber without feeling like he gave up.  And I got a really comforting gluten free dinner, one that tasted like my Mom would make without having to make special gluten concessions.

Readers,

I will confess that I baby my dog.  I know I do.  But people, really, I don’t have kids this is what happens. And he gets cold in the winter, he is a toy dog, it happens.  We normally put a sweater or jacket on him until his fur grows out a good bit and he is real shaggy, then we gauge how cold it is.  SOOO, noting that I baby my dog to no end and that he is the most tolerant dog of all time and it is almost his 1 year birthday it was time for the works.

I messaged the fantastic shop owner of Forever Furbulous, whose name also happens to be Katelyn (although mine is spelled differently) about making me a custom design.  I wanted a festive, but not girly green tartan jacket with matching bow tie for Mr. Max.  She quickly messaged me back and said it was no problem and she would send me pictures of fabric swatches.  She then set up a custom listing for me.  Well…………………….. I got the jacket and tie and they were fantastic!!!!!!  (Imagine me saying that line with the enthusiasm of Miss Piggy when she is excited.  Yep that is how excited about it I am.  Please note above were I admit I baby my dog way too much.)

They are really well made, the jacket has a nice fleece lining, excellent stitching with a collar and waist detail.  Both the tie and jacket are easy on, easy off with velcro, but won’t come off willy nilly (as the Puggle found out when trying to remove Max’s bow tie).  A really nice sturdy quality fabric.  Both items are really well made and the fabric has worn well and kept Max warm in the weather.

And the most important part, Max looks so good:

And he knows he looks good, doesn’t he?

My husband prides on the fact that I seem to be able to make dinner even when the fridge and cupboards are bare.  I call this a Mother Hubbard Dinner.  Tonight was no exception, the fridge was pretty much cleaned out.  We have so many things to do this week that we must make it food wise till the weekend.

Things I had:

Pasta, 1 small carton of cherry tomatoes that needed used asap, a few Carrots Sticks, Olive Oil, about 4 slices of really good uncured Trader’s Joes Bacon, 1 clove Garlic, White Wine, Butter, Capers.

So I pulled out my deep non-stick skillet and turned the heat to medium.  I added 3 Tbsp Olive Oil.  I then tossed in most of the carton of tomatoes sliced in half length wise (they covered the bottom of the skillet).  While those were cooking I thinly sliced about 5 Carrot Sticks into nice little rounds and minced a clove of garlic and tossed those in the skillet.  I then set my water onto boil for the pasta.

I then diced my bacon and threw it in the skillet.  I added some pepper just whatever you think mine was prob about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. When the pasta water boils I add the pasta to cook accordingly.  Once the tomato mixture had cooked down and the tomato juice was thickening and getting bubbly on the bottom of the skillet and the bacon was cooked I added about 1/2 Cup White Wine and 1 Tbsp Butter.  I let that melt and cook down a little.  I then added some red pepper flakes (about 1 Tsp), basil (about 1 Tbsp) and some capers probably about 10.  I then let the liquid reduce until it was thick and just about 1/4 inch on the bottom of the pan maybe less.  You can taste when it reaches the good point on reduction of wine.

Tossed in the pasta.  Voila.  Good dinner.  I really need to start taking photos of these things it was a really pretty dish.  (This is why I will never be a cook book writer, even though I invent recipes everyday.  Well this and the fact that I tend not to measure things and add in stuff at will.)

I know it has been ages since I have posted.  Well as per normal this year, tradgedy.  My Saab and I were in an accident a few weeks back.  A pretty bad one.  I am fine.  Then someone backed into my rental car that same week.  I know… New Year’s Eve will be a good night.

Anyway I might be getting a new car tomorrow, hopefully! It is pretty much my old car in silver.  So I am hoping it is just as good because really readers I love my Saab 9-3!  It was lovely.

Also my work has also picked up somewhat, so I have been busier.  But hopefully with all this car mess sorted out my free time won’t be taken up with calls to insurance companies.  I hope to get back to posting regular features especially since I have gone so many places and done so many things that I can’t wait to tell you about!  So hang in there with me readers.  I know this year has been horrendous and my blog has suffered terribly, which I just hate because I genuinely love all of you.

I just want to thank Suzanne for a quick note that China is a Country, not a City.  Writing after a long day has its perils, thanks Suz!

This week I am blogging about china.  I absolutely love my set of china, and it means the world to me that it was from gifts for our wedding.  To me it will always have significance as a celebration of our marriage and as the start of our family traditions together as a couple.  Many people get china from their wedding or from a family member, but what if you don’t?  Not to worry there are some good sources out there, so you can get some fabulous china as a celebration of whatever you would like to celebrate as soon as you get it and can eat on it!

First off scour large antique shops.  I really like the Factory Antique Mall in Verona, Virginia.  They have lots of china and depression glassware.  I have also had good luck at the Ivy Cottage in Wilmington, North Carolina.  But I see things all over the place when I am just wandering.  Recently I passed up an adorable glass set of dinnerware in Garrett County at Cabin Fever Antiques that I am a little upset that I didn’t buy.  It had lots of color and personality and was at a really good price point. There is another set online that I am deeply coveting, that I am not putting on here for fear you all will buy it before I can get approval (Honey, I will find  a place for it I promise!) .   But in our area you can even check out the consignment shop at Fort Meyer for some interesting finds from time to time.

Next up search the internet.  Ebay, Etsy and Replacements Ltd are all good places to check.  Start by browsing some manufacturers your like.  Lately I have been into Noritake.  And if the set isn’t complete, see if you can find replacements on Replacementsltd.com Here are some finds I thought were cool:

This set of Turquoise Lifetime China really reminds me of the Greenbrier china and is in great condition.  $175 for a large amount of pieces.

And these Floral Napkin Rings are a bargain at $8.50, and are cute as can be.

Although $400 sounds steep, for this Noritake 59pc set it is a really good deal if you compare it to per piece costs. It will have all the pieces you want without having to buy additional pieces.  And it is beautiful, classic and in wonderful condition.

If you want something with clean lines that is also a bit more modern, check out this Mikasa set.

And then last but not least is this very fun 30 pc Set of WS George Shabby Floral China for a bargain price of $35.00.  I love how cute and fun this set is.

For me thinking about china reminds me of all the family dinners and special moments you spend together with family and friends. Not that anytime can’t be special regardless of dinnerware, but as a child I always remember how fun it was to eat off the fancy plates, it was a big deal, and I guess deep down to me it still is a big deal and I want to translate those feelings of happiness to all the people I get the privilege of having over for dinner.  Plus with Thanksgiving coming up, maybe you can con your way into being where people come for dinner, I mean you have the new china that needs to be used right?

While perusing Etsy for other goods, I found this super cute dress.  It just won’t fit me, by inches… BUT it may fit you and would be really nice.  Lots of color, but really classic lines, although it may need shortened.  I love it. $59 here.

And then I saw this dress, again inches too small (I am working on that but not fast enough to buy clothes in anticipation), but very me!  Classic looks with a punch of color.  My husband always wishes I would wear color.  If only these two dresses were my size!

I try to be very careful when buying vintage.  It has to be impeccable and absolutely me.  These are both in great quality, with timeless style and nice looking fit.

One last pick:

Readers,

I have been traveling all over the place.  That means a lot of sheets.  I wanted to pass along this tip:

Nice sheets.  It is amazing to me how many people sleep on miserable sheets.  For me they have to be cotton, just cotton.  And not jersey cotton which get really hot.  And don’t waste your time on anything under 300 thread count.  I like thicker sheets with higher thread counts as they stay cooler at night.  I don’t sleep well when I am hot.

Now you are thinking that this means a lot of big bucks, but there are some places to get great sheets for not a lot of money.  I highly suggest HomeGoods and Tuesday Morning.  A good package of sheets can be nabbed for $50 if you are discerning.  Before buying open them up and feel the texture and thickness before buying them.  They are definitely worth the investment for your and the guest bed, as good quality sheets will last longer in the long run.  Plus let’s face it, you can get someone between your sheets (guest bed or your own) easier if there are nice sheets on it.

Feeling more spendy?  Get some Egyptian cotton.

I don’t like buying sheets online as I am picky about fabrics and like to feel them first, although you can get some good deals on nice sheets at overstock.com too.