So how are you doing? I hope your 5-dollar bill collection is growing and growing!
I had made some progress this week, but my husband raided the jar this morning on his way out the door. He was running late for an appointment and didn't have time to stop at the ATM. I wanted to give you an update on my progress, but now I don't know my total! I'll just add it all up on the 31st when I award the prize for the challenge! I have to admit that I've "spent" (in my mind) my collection over and over.
Three more days until our give-away! Add up your $5 bills and remember to comment on the 31st and let all our followers know what you're saving for! If you win the prize, you'll have a great place to continue to store your $5 bills!!
You will love, love, love the next give-away, so tell your friends to become followers too. The next one is all about friends...things that go well together. I can't wait to tell you all about it!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The 5 Dollar Challenge Prize
From July 21 to July 31, save all the $5 bills you can. On the 31st, comment on your total dollars saved and the reason you're saving. I won't judge based on the total or the reason, I just thought everyone would like to hear your success and your story! Your comment will be your entry, and once again, there will be a blind drawing for the prize.
Over the next 10 days I will be saving right along with you. But I will also be on the lookout for a special container that will be the prize on the 31st. I'm not sure exactly what it will be, but it will be functional and pretty. This gives me a good reason to duck into antique shops along with other favorite stores...maybe HomeGoods or Pottery Barn...I'm going to have a great time looking for something wonderful just for you!!
So, keep saving and let me know how you're doing! The prize will be awarded on July 31st.
By the way, I put another $5 in the jar today!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The 5 Dollar Challenge
A friend of mine has dreams of traveling to Australia. She is a world traveler and is adding Australia to her long list of places to see. In order to "pad" her wallet for the journey, she invented a little game to help her save...not pennies...but five dollar bills!!
Here's how it goes...
Each time you have a five dollar bill, remove it from your purse or pocket. Find a place to keep the money, one you will not be tempted to raid, and tuck the money away. It's that simple! I've been playing the game for 2 weeks and have banked $45 so far. I never ask for five dollar bills when I get change back from a purchase, but it's kinda' fun now when I get one because I know where it's going!
Last week I was eating dinner out with friends and got THREE five dollar bills back with my change. (I think my server was looking for a big tip! Sorry random waiter-guy, my check was less than twelve bucks!) Even though I could have used an extra ten dollars in my wallet, I stuck with the challenge and saved all three fives. I guess I never really paid that much attention to five dollar bills, but when you're saving them, the money adds up quickly!!
Your goal might not be to go to Australia but I'll bet there's something else you're saving for. I'm going to use mine to finance my Christmas shopping this year. I've already told you how much I love Christmas and since I have a tendency to go a little overboard, my five dollar stash will be a big help.
You probably have something planned that's far more glamorous and I can't wait to hear about it. So, why not play The 5 Dollar Challenge with me? Who knows? There might be a PRIZE (hint, hint) involved in accepting the challenge. Think about it today and check back with me tomorrow!
Here's how it goes...
Each time you have a five dollar bill, remove it from your purse or pocket. Find a place to keep the money, one you will not be tempted to raid, and tuck the money away. It's that simple! I've been playing the game for 2 weeks and have banked $45 so far. I never ask for five dollar bills when I get change back from a purchase, but it's kinda' fun now when I get one because I know where it's going!
Last week I was eating dinner out with friends and got THREE five dollar bills back with my change. (I think my server was looking for a big tip! Sorry random waiter-guy, my check was less than twelve bucks!) Even though I could have used an extra ten dollars in my wallet, I stuck with the challenge and saved all three fives. I guess I never really paid that much attention to five dollar bills, but when you're saving them, the money adds up quickly!!
Your goal might not be to go to Australia but I'll bet there's something else you're saving for. I'm going to use mine to finance my Christmas shopping this year. I've already told you how much I love Christmas and since I have a tendency to go a little overboard, my five dollar stash will be a big help.
You probably have something planned that's far more glamorous and I can't wait to hear about it. So, why not play The 5 Dollar Challenge with me? Who knows? There might be a PRIZE (hint, hint) involved in accepting the challenge. Think about it today and check back with me tomorrow!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Favorites
Although I love cupcakes and have started a cupcake business, city girl cupcakes, I truly love to bake. Anything with a combination of sugar, butter and flour is fair game. Add coconut, chocolate chips, nuts and fruit and watch out...I'm probably in the kitchen with my mixer whirring!!
I also enjoy writing, so this blog is a great opportunity for me to share my favorite things with you. Today's entry is about chocolate chip cookies!
Over my lifetime of baking, I have tried many, many chocolate chip cookie recipes. The cookies that get the highest "rating" for me must have a mix of sweet and salt, crunch and chew. My daughter and I judge our cupcakes on guessing how many glasses of milk you would need with each one. I believe a good chocolate chip cookie needs at least one glass of cold, cold milk by its side.
My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe comes from the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten. She is a wonderful cook and an equally wonderful baker and I am totally in love with her chocolate chip cookies.
Two basic differences in her recipes over others are the following. One, she always uses extra large eggs. On a recent Barefoot Contessa TV episode (you can catch her on the Food Network), I heard her say that she became a better baker when she started using extra large eggs. Mmmm...I may have to try that one! And two, she uses kosher salt. This one little change adds the hit of salt that I look for in something sweet. It's fantastic.
So, here is her recipe and at the bottom is a link for her cookbook containing the original.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Makes 36 to 40 Cookies
1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 1/4 pounds semisweet chocolate chunks
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter and two sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter with the mixer on low speed, mixing only until combined. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chunks.
Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch-diameter ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
This recipe comes from Ina Garten's book, Barefoot Contessa Parties! Be sure to try the chocolate batter version. I use chocolate chunks instead of white chocolate and add walnuts. It tastes just like a brownie...so yummy.
I hope you find things in your life that make you happy and are easy to accomplish. Making chocolate chip cookies is one of those things for me. It fills my kitchen with activity and my house with wonderful, warm aromas. What could be better?
Have a great Sunday! I'm off to have coffee with family visiting me from Florida. Because Ina loves all things French, I think I'm going to indulge in a chocolate croissant. I'll have to channel her energy and bake something later this afternoon!
I also enjoy writing, so this blog is a great opportunity for me to share my favorite things with you. Today's entry is about chocolate chip cookies!
Over my lifetime of baking, I have tried many, many chocolate chip cookie recipes. The cookies that get the highest "rating" for me must have a mix of sweet and salt, crunch and chew. My daughter and I judge our cupcakes on guessing how many glasses of milk you would need with each one. I believe a good chocolate chip cookie needs at least one glass of cold, cold milk by its side.
My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe comes from the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten. She is a wonderful cook and an equally wonderful baker and I am totally in love with her chocolate chip cookies.
Two basic differences in her recipes over others are the following. One, she always uses extra large eggs. On a recent Barefoot Contessa TV episode (you can catch her on the Food Network), I heard her say that she became a better baker when she started using extra large eggs. Mmmm...I may have to try that one! And two, she uses kosher salt. This one little change adds the hit of salt that I look for in something sweet. It's fantastic.
So, here is her recipe and at the bottom is a link for her cookbook containing the original.
Makes 36 to 40 Cookies
1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 1/4 pounds semisweet chocolate chunks
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter and two sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter with the mixer on low speed, mixing only until combined. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chunks.
Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch-diameter ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
I hope you find things in your life that make you happy and are easy to accomplish. Making chocolate chip cookies is one of those things for me. It fills my kitchen with activity and my house with wonderful, warm aromas. What could be better?
Have a great Sunday! I'm off to have coffee with family visiting me from Florida. Because Ina loves all things French, I think I'm going to indulge in a chocolate croissant. I'll have to channel her energy and bake something later this afternoon!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Not exactly apple pie
Tomorrow is the 4th of July. What a wonderful day to be thankful and celebrate all things American!!
If you're having a picnic or firing up the grill (again), here's a dessert suggestion that you will LOVE if you're a fan of peach cobbler...I know, not the all-American apple pie, but it's super easy to make, foolproof in fact, and is absolutely delicious!!
While the origin of the apple is unknown, some scholars believe the first cultivated apple trees were in Rome. The peach is believed to have its origin in China or Persia. There are hundreds of types of apples and only 2 types of peaches. Cobbler, however, quite possibly began in the British American colonies. Stewed fruit was covered with scone or biscuit dough and once cooked, reminded the colonists of cobbled streets. Ahhhh...so this is an American dessert!!
We are supposed to have the most delicious peaches in the world here in Georgia, so I am making peach cobbler for the holiday. I have used this recipe for more than 25 years and haven't changed a single step or ingredient. A friend brought dinner over for Mike and me after our daughter was born and she was gracious enough to share her "secret" to the perfect cobbler.
Peach Cobbler
Sift together 3/4 cup flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and a pinch of salt.
Whisk in 1 cup sugar.
Preheat the oven to 350. Put one stick of butter in a baking dish (almost any size will do...I use an oval dish that's about 8" x 12") and put it in the oven so the butter will melt.
While the butter is melting, peel and slice 2 cups of peaches. Set aside. Mix 3/4 cup milk into the flour mixture. When the butter has melted, take the baking dish out of the oven and pour the batter over the melted butter...do not stir! The edges of the batter will start to curl...it's already baking!
Add the 2 cups of sliced peaches on top of the
batter...do not stir!! Put the dish back into the oven. Bake for an hour or until the crust is golden brown.
I like my crust to get brown so that it's a little crunchy. The photo below shows the inside of the cobbler where it's warm and buttery. Though there is rarely any leftover, it is yummy when it's cold too. I promise, it won't stay in the fridge for long!
Add vanilla ice cream if you dare!!
While I was in the kitchen making cobbler, my curious cat joined in the festivities. He kept jumping up on the table, trying to get in on the photo shoot. I thought you might like seeing a picture of him. Simon is the friendliest, sweetest cat I know. He doesn't particularly like peach cobbler (good, that's more for me!) but he is all about attention.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July! Thanks to all those who serve our country. God bless!!
If you're having a picnic or firing up the grill (again), here's a dessert suggestion that you will LOVE if you're a fan of peach cobbler...I know, not the all-American apple pie, but it's super easy to make, foolproof in fact, and is absolutely delicious!!
While the origin of the apple is unknown, some scholars believe the first cultivated apple trees were in Rome. The peach is believed to have its origin in China or Persia. There are hundreds of types of apples and only 2 types of peaches. Cobbler, however, quite possibly began in the British American colonies. Stewed fruit was covered with scone or biscuit dough and once cooked, reminded the colonists of cobbled streets. Ahhhh...so this is an American dessert!!
We are supposed to have the most delicious peaches in the world here in Georgia, so I am making peach cobbler for the holiday. I have used this recipe for more than 25 years and haven't changed a single step or ingredient. A friend brought dinner over for Mike and me after our daughter was born and she was gracious enough to share her "secret" to the perfect cobbler.
Peach CobblerSift together 3/4 cup flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and a pinch of salt.
Whisk in 1 cup sugar.
Preheat the oven to 350. Put one stick of butter in a baking dish (almost any size will do...I use an oval dish that's about 8" x 12") and put it in the oven so the butter will melt.
While the butter is melting, peel and slice 2 cups of peaches. Set aside. Mix 3/4 cup milk into the flour mixture. When the butter has melted, take the baking dish out of the oven and pour the batter over the melted butter...do not stir! The edges of the batter will start to curl...it's already baking!
Add the 2 cups of sliced peaches on top of the
batter...do not stir!! Put the dish back into the oven. Bake for an hour or until the crust is golden brown.I like my crust to get brown so that it's a little crunchy. The photo below shows the inside of the cobbler where it's warm and buttery. Though there is rarely any leftover, it is yummy when it's cold too. I promise, it won't stay in the fridge for long!
Have a safe and happy 4th of July! Thanks to all those who serve our country. God bless!!
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