Category Archives: Nico

Feb 9

Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around

When I go shopping I find myself comparing everything. I compare price to price, size of packages, I do all this to find the best deal for my grocery dollars. Another way that I have saved is to shop at different areas in the store, for the same product only at a better deal. Here are a few examples…

I needed a new shower poof, so I checked by the body wash first. I found them for $.97, which sounded like a pretty good deal, until I spotted shower poofs by the travel sized items. This time it was the same poof only double packaged 2/ $.97! I picked up the two pack, and saved a little along the way.

Another way I saved recently was on a travel sized contact solution. I was shopping at Walgreens and asked where the travel sized items were. I found the display and I was about to pick up the travel sized Contact Solution for about $3.00, when I thought I should check out the back of the store where the regular sized Contact Solution was, and hope for a better deal. I found discounted 3 oz Contact Solution with a Contact Case for just $.87, perfect for travel, and a great price too.

So next time you are out shopping don’t forget to look up, look down, and shop all around the store for great deals.

Feb 8

Little Cars Around the House

The boy’s and I are a little excited that the NASCAR season is starting soon! We’ve been busy watching all of the Daytona coverage this week, and once again we are picking our favorites for 2009. I can’t wait for the Daytona 500, and the 2009 season too!

Do you have a favorite driver?

Feb 7

Oh Ganache

O.k., I couldn’t talk about it, without sharing the recipe. Milk Chocolate Ganache Dipped Strawberries are one of my favorite desserts, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner it is time to make a batch, or two, or maybe three…

Here is what you will need:

  • Strawberries, washed, and patted dry
  • Milk Chocolate Chips
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Small Sauce pan, Stainless steel bowl (to make a double boiler), wooden spoon, and a strong will not to eat all of the Chocolate Ganache as you are making it.

Let’s melt some chocolate. I’m using 1/3 of a bag of Milk Chocolate Chips. I like to use a double boiler to melt my chips, and I keep the temperature at med-low, but this is when my paranoia kicks in… If even one little drop of water makes its way into the melting chocolate it will harden and seize, so make sure that your kiddos have the water guns put away, and hope that it doesn’t start raining in your kitchen. If by some chance a sneaky little drop of water makes it in to the melting chocolate, add in a little (full fat) butter, keep it on the heat, and give it a good stir, that should make the chocolate nice and smooth again.

Now let’s add in the Heavy Whipping Cream. I use a 2:1 ratio Two parts chocolate to one part Heavy Cream. Keep it on the heat, and keep stirring until you get a nice and glossy Ganache. Then hang on, don’t eat it all just yet, the Ganache is way too hot to dive into.

Time to dip… Make sure your Strawberries are washed, and patted dry, so the Ganache will stick to the berries. Then dip away. I like to place mine on waxed paper, and then into the fridge to cool.

The Chocolate Ganache Dipped Strawberries should be kept refrigerated, and will probably be good for 2-3 days, but I kinda doubt that they will be in the fridge that long, they are way too tasty!

Hmmmm, what do you do if you have leftover Ganache? EAT IT!!! Eat it all. Eat it super quickly, get to it before your kiddos figure out what Ganache is made of, and they eat the whole bowl… Or you could always make Truffles!

Let your Ganache cool in the fridge for just a bit, and gather a few supplies. You’ll need Cocoa Powder, or Chopped Nuts, or even Powdered Sugar will work. I’m using Cocoa Powder and Red Sugar for mine. Set up an assembly line, and its time to make Truffles!

Roll a spoon full of Ganache into a ball, and then roll the ball into the Cocoa Powder/Sugar mixture, and then it is onto some waxed paper, and off to the fridge to chill. Keep these in the fridge in an air tight container, and enjoy! They are easy to make, and would make delicious homemade Valentine’s Day candy for your sweetie!

Feb 6

Feeling Wonky

Yesterday Thade’s cough was getting worse, and by evening he had a full-blown cold, complete with a fever. Thanks to a few 28 Days Later coughs in my face from Thade, I’ve got the cold today, and I feel miserable. My sinuses hurt so bad, and Thade is still coughing. It looks like it is going to be a sicky weekend around our house.

Feb 6

Room Mommy

Last week I had an awesome opportunity. I got to be a room Mom at Thade’s preschool for a party. I was so glad that I got to go along, and it was such a fun day. I was really impressed with Thade’s teachers. They do an amazing job working with the kids, and each of them truly love being teachers. The kids were so cute too, and I even got a few big hugs to say thanks for all of the teddy bears.