My addiction

Hi, my name is Laura. ("Hi Laura") I'm addicted to fun kitchen utensils and gadgetry.
Ok, ok - there may not be a 12-step program for this kind of an addiction, but there should be.
When shopping, I always end up in the kitchen section of the store. Or even worse - I go to KITCHEN only stores, you know the kind. I know what you might be thinking, but weed - you don't cook. (But alas, I've started to.) And if you are a frequent reader of my blog you may recall a certain Chocolate Chip Cookies adventure which was a huge success.

But seriously, in said kitchen sections I always find something cute, something colorful that does something AMAZING! Or just looks cool. I don't know why I can't just buy the plain jane measuring scoops, spoons, spatulas - it's just not who I am. Not knocking it though those who can do that save money and still probably make good cookies.

Anyway, because I'm well, me - I have taken glamour photos of my collection.
All of this may be a tiny exaggeration. :) but enjoy the photos - maybe it will inspire you to have fun things in your kitchen.

(You have to click on the photo, I guess)



An explanation from the top:
1. T-Rex cookie cutter: bought at a kitchen store in Dinkytown, Mpls. (for the kids, when they visit)
2. Cranberry PC spatula
3. Fun glass-bead tray: found at an antique store in Des Moines
4. Stainless steel cannisters: my sister got them for me for Christmas per my request - and I labeled them with scrap booking stickers. (since this photo was taken, i've also found enough stickers for the little one to label it, brown sugar) I know, big LOSER.
5. Snowflake cookie cutter: it's just pretty. Bought at the same store in Mpls. They had probably over 200 different cookie cutters.
6. Wingman, red bottle opener: This thing is so tough, I think I got it as a gift. It could also be used for self defense - it's solid (and works well)
7. Spice shot: got this recently at a St. Patrick's Day sale downtown. (Received 30% discount on anything green) You fill it up with your favorite spice - and when you click the top, it pour 1/2 t. out, neat neat neat. I have dill in mine.
8. Magnetic nesting spoons: Bought at the same "green" sale. They have super powerful magnets in them so they stay together in the drawer, awesome. Also - the big one is a 2T one. Pretty handy. (because scooping out 2, 1T is just too much work... j/k)
9. Seed-scooper-outer: I'm sure this has an official name, but it works great for tomatoes, potatoes and it's Weed sized. yay.
10. Crinkle cutter: also from P.C. - it makes your chopped veggies look professionally-crinkle-cut. Hehe.
11. Scoop: PC scoop thing for cookies, melon balls, whatever you can dream up. Easy to clean too.
12. Grater: Haven't used it yet, but it has a red handle.
13. Mix&Mash: Also from PC - stirs, mashes potatoes, and other hot dish type things. Handy.
14. Hot-cocoa-pot: I got this at Gordman's. I couldn't leave it. I do not drink tea, but have used this as my hot-cocoa-pot. Adorable and microwaveable!

These are what could fit in the picture. Like I said, it's a sickness.

I've also gotten into painting my own pottery, here are a few photos from that. It's fun! There's a place in Sioux F. that lets you come in, and they fire it for you and glaze it. Neat-o.



Spice jars that stick to your fridge - I copied Lindsey :) brilliant!


And a glamour shot of my tea-pot.

Who has too much time on their hands?

Can I look this good in 60 years?

My grandma - isn't she a doll! She was wearing this red hat, to keep the sun off of her face of course - unaware of how cute she looked.

:)

I've always thought she looked like the grandma from Days of Our Lives - Mrs. Horton.

Do you have any relatives that look like famous people?

ps. I also have a 2nd cousin that looks like Jay Leno, and another that looks like Reese Witherspoon. I'll have to find pictures of them too.

Cooking & Driving: Variations on defrosting.

Tonight, I'm in Centerville with Teresa. Good times!
Because she always ends up feeding me, every time I come down - I decided to bring food with me for both of us.

**Sidenote** A couple weeks ago, I tried this "Quality Time Kitchen" in town. You go, prepare a bunch of meals, and then go home and freeze them. I decided to bring three-cheese ravioli and veggies. I prepared 6 meals (that serve 4 ppl) for $60.

Well today, I forgot to start defrosting it - so - while I was driving to Teresa's, I put the defrost in my car on full power and put the container up on the dashboard. It slowly defrosted the ravioli and vegetables just about perfectly, and only took a few minutes. Voila! I wouldn't have been in such a hurry - but I was HUNGRY! I didn't have time for a lunch break friday.

Got to Teresa's and 10 minutes later, we were well on our way to eating a VERY delicious meal.
I win.

the ingredients were:
Cheese-filled Ravioli - 3 c or as much as you like, i'm sure.
Frozen Vegetables (same)
1/2 stick butter
And a parmesan/mrs. dash mixture

1. Thaw ---- However you like!!!
2. Put the veggies in water (just to top of veggies) and boil for 5 min.
3. Add the Ravioli and boil for 5 min
4. Drain
5. Melt butter and pour over top of mixture
6. Sprinkle with parmesan/mrs. dash

The cheese melts, the Mrs. Dash perks it up - and it's absolutely DELICIOUS.

Norah Jones and local wildlife

So a couple weekends ago, I was taking a late night drive in the fog, listening to Norah Jones. The ultimate relaxation after a long day at work. It must have been about midnight.

As I was driving by the golf course on the edge of town, I saw the silhouette of a huge deer, lit by one of the course property lights. It was standing on the side of the road.

I slowed way down, and rolled down my window to get a better look.

The deer looked back at me, but didn't move - it stood about 10 feet or so from my car as I listened to "Come Away With Me" by NJ.

So together, the deer and I - shared a song. After the song was over, he dissapeared into a tree line..... and I went along on my drive.

:) Apparently deer have good taste in music.