Hello again

Yelp. .I'm back at it again. .I really really want to make this blog thing work. Maybe if I didn't spend so much time on other web sites and surfing I might be able to spend 10 minutes writing a day! I think if I could ever get it to look like I want to I'd be better at this. I should stop playing with all the back grounds and settings and just write!

Remodeling!

Well be patient with me. .I have found a new web page that has some awesome fun blog layouts and clickies! I'll be adding some fun stuff soon! It's like remodeling an old room in the house! I'm looking for just the right curtains and love seat for my blog! I want you to be comfy here! :)

Wine, Canvas and Giggles!

 What a great evening! We decided we'd try out the new business in town called "Wine and Canvas". We're not artist but had heard thru the grapevine that it was a fun filled evening and no talent was needed. Lucky for us that part was true. Living Social also had a coupon out for 1/2 price so that made the deal even sweeter!

I wasn't to sure what to expect but was told to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to stake out our spot and get comfy. We were first to arrive, imagine that, and was greeted and asked if this was our first visit. We were told to grab an apron and a canvas and have a seat. So we did!  We did buy a glass of wine which is purchased separate for our registration. They had a nice wine selection but not too over done either. I was a bit disappointed in that the wine was served in disposable little plastic glasses. I guess in my mind I saw us all sipping wine in beautiful glasses. They also had pop and water available and snacks. A cute little popcorn machine was set up to the side and that was free. 

Our table was already set up with our easel and paints. At the corner of the room was a small stage area where the artist leading the class was set up. There was also a a copy of the painting we were going to do on the wall behind her.

 When the class began started by asking how many of us had attended an event before. Several had but was glad to see several newbies like us in the crowd. That was a relief! I was sure I was going to end up with some stick figures on a canvas! Our instructor got started immediately explaining about the brushes and we began with the background of the picture. It was very interesting to see everyone's take on how to do it and what each picture looked like.  Miranda's went softly with her colors and I went boldly with mine even though we were using the same paint and brushes.

The instructor went slowly thru the background steps and we followed. Pretty simple. .I can do this! Her next step was the tree trunk. .okay a little bit more difficult but we handled it like pro's. But then came the limbs! Oh my. .that was a bit different. For some reason our instructor seemed to go very quickly thru this process and we were sort of left on our own. Which I guess that is what it's about. .doing your own thing!

The leaves and flowers were an event themselves! We all took the directions a bit differently. The girls turned out like leaves. .mine turned out more like flower leaves and not as big as they were suppose to be. We added the little flowers and stars. Then it was off to blow dry our piece of art!

We really had a good time laughing and giggling at each other. I decided my painting looked like something out of a Dr. Sussex book! Miranda is hanging her's in her dorm room. Not sure mine will ever see a wall. We decided though we would love to go back and do a few more paintings now that we know what it's all about! Wine, Canvas and Giggles!!

Bridgett with an "E"

This is my beautiful friend Bridgett(e) on the right! Bridgett(e) and I meet our freshman year of high school. She moved in and was in one of my classes. Honestly can't remember which one it was. But either a keyboarding class which was called typing at that time or a shorthand class. Yes we took shorthand! This is where the story of "e" on her name comes in. I would always spell her name with an "e" on the end. I had previously known one other Bridgette and yes she spelled it with an "e" on the end. I don't even remember when Bridgett(e) informed me that she didn't have an "e". It's been so long ago but ever since then I've always put an "e" in parenthesis at the end of her name. One of those silly inside jokes but I have always done it and now her name doesn't look right to me unless it's there. Then when she got married it got worse! Her married name is Alltop. .sounds and looks simple right? Well it has taken me forever to learn the correct way to spell it. .two L's? one L'? I seriously to this day still have to stop when I write and think about it! and her and hubby have been married almost 25 years!

Moving on with this story before internet and cellphones were so handy and dandy Bridgett(e) and I would write letters to each other.We live about 30 minutes from each other and it was long distance but we both enjoyed writing letters and finding fun stationary. We'd write every week to each other. Sometimes we'd just say something silly or sometimes really talk. After internet become a household item for everyone and then cell phones our letters sort of went away. I do miss getting snail mail. There is something just knowing someone took time out to send you something personal and that they were thinking of you. Bridgett(e) surprised me a few weeks ago with a beautiful Vera Bradly card in the mail with a note. So of course I needed to send her a return card just as cute! Knowing I had my Cricut Cutting system sitting in my craft room was in my favor! I haven't made a lot of cards on it but I knew this would give me something to play with and try my hand at it more. Besides I had a newspaper clipping I needed to send her.

I'm still learning on how to adjust the sizes of things on the Cricut and envelopes are so hard and learning layer pieces is even more aggravating but I'm working on it. So I decided on the cute little owl and a saying of "You're A Hoot" because Bridgett(e) keeps me laughing and the fact that she works at a lake and is around nature. So here it is!

I wrote my notes to Bridgett(e) on the inside of the oval which is the frame from the oval on the front. I forgot to take a photo of the envelope. I think this will be just the beginning of Bridgett(e) receiving cards from me! 

Grilled Zucchini Italian Style

I really had no intention making my next blog entry about food again but after telling a friend about my attempt and trial at grilled zucchini she told me I should blog about it. So here I am blogging about a veggie!

My daughter had went to visit her college room mate over the weekend and when she returned they had sent a couple of nice zucchini's home with her. I love zucchini bread but she mentioned baking it or grilling it so off I set on the hunt on the internet to see what I could find about grilling it. Of course I turned to Pinterest! It seems to be my "go-to" place anymore.  I took a couple of idea's from several people and decided to just go for it.

I couldn't decide if I should peel the zucchini's or leave the skin on. After some thought I decided it would be best to peel them. I just used a potato peeler and skimmed them lightly. Next came how to cut them. .round slices? wedges? halves? I decided to try wedges this time. About the size of pickle spears. I sprayed a piece of foil with cooking spray before putting the wedge on.

Seasoning came next. I brushed each pieces with olive oil. Not heavily just enough so that the seasoning would stick. We use Bertolli Frangrante Extra Virgin and really like it There are so many olive oils on the market it's hard to know what to buy. We don't like a strong flavoring of it but something light.

I was going to use an italian blend seasoning but after rummaging thru the cabinets realized that I was out of it so I decided to go with straight oregano. No fancy brand or organic or anything just the stuff you buy at the grocery store.

I just sprinkled some on the wedges.

and then it was off to the grill. I wasn't sure how long it would take and honestly I forgot to even watch the clock.

I wasn't sure about leaving them on foil or putting them directly on the grates but decided to leave them on the foil in case they would stick to the grates. I turned them over once and let them brown a bit and then turned them back up.

Right before taking them off the grill I sprinkled fresh Parmesan cheese over them, closed the lid on the grill and let it melt a bit. The final results were good and after a family discussion over dinner we decided it wasn't a strong taste flavor and really needed something else. Hubby declared after eating several that they grew on you and were a mild flavor. My daughter suggested rolling in bread crumbs and baking with the cheese. I think I will fix it again on the grill but with more spices or a different blend. I will also try baking it as well.

Pinterest, Food and Family

So I am sure by now if you are anywhere online you've heard of Pinterest. I was on it for about 8 months to year before all of a sudden people were joining like it was the newest thing to hit the web. I've got a lot of idea's off of there but not much I've followed thru with but recipes.


Now we've all see recipes online and in cookbooks that just sound wonderful and the pictures are amazing. And we've all tried those recipes and some have looked somewhat like the photo's and tasted somewhat okay. and we've tried those recipes that might as well not even been worth the thought. So I thought I would use today's post to tell you about my latest trial and error with a recipe off of Pinterest. Now I'm not the best writer or photographer so keep that in mind and as you take this journey with me.


I found this recipe:

Now if there is anything my family is crazy over it's peanut butter and chocolate. I can get them to eat spiders, flies, fuzz. .anything if it contains peanut butter and chocolate. So I decided to give this one a try. Here is the recipe as posted and then my directions follow:

Ingredients

For the cake:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (don't use natural unless you have the no-stir kind)
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups granulated white sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
For the glaze:
• 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instruction

For the Cake
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray 10-cup bundt pan generously with nonstick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together peanut butter and butter. Add sugar and beat an additional 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until well combined. Add dry ingredients a little at a time, beating just until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared bundt pan. Tap it a couple of times on the counter to shake out any hidden air pockets.
3. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a skewer, sharp knife, or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Check on the cake at 1 hour to make sure it's not browning too quickly on top. If it is, just place a piece of foil loosely over the top of the pan. Let the cake cool for 20 minutes, then flip it onto a rack or platter and let it cool completely.
For the glaze:
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle glaze over the top of the cooled cake, letting it drizzle down the sides. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top.

So, doing as I had always been taught, I gathered up all my ingredients and set to work in the kitchen. After all it was 111 degree's outside. .so let's just heat the house up more by turning on the oven. LOL!  I sprayed my Bundt pan with baking spray. This Bundt pan is pretty special to me. It belonged to my grandmother and she will be 97 years young next week. It's not one of the newer silicone one's or one of the thinner metal one's. This thing is HEAVY! Drop it on your foot and you'll break a toe for sure! I have no idea how old it is but it's been a round a very long time.

 Next up was what I consider the "main ingredient". Peanut Butter. Like I said. .peanut butter to my family is like bee to nectar. So you betcha I'm a choosey and Mom and chose Jif. My daughter and I also like all natural peanut butter as well but since the recipe says not to use it I grabbed the Jif. We always have a debate in our family on creamy or crunchy so there is a jar of both in the kitchen. For this recipe I used creamy. 

Also if you have not purchased one of these handy little measuring devices from Pampered Chef you really should. It is perfect for measuring anything gooey or sticky. Everything comes out clean and right into the bowl. No doubting if you have everything measured in the bowl. It's there! So I creamed by butter and peanut butter. Really who waits on butter to come to room temp? Just pop it in the microwave on defrost for like 20 seconds!

Love how the pic turned out. No expensive KitchenAide mixer at my house. Not that I wouldn't like one but I have this mixer that I bought at Target years ago for around $35. Works fine and has dough hooks and two sizes of bowls. Some day though I will have a KitchenAide. This was just a normal looking mixture of creamy stuff. Next came the eggs. Six large ones.  

I added them while the mixer was still going along with the vanilla. Starting to look more like cake batter at this point. The recipe said to incorporate the dry ingredients a little at a time. I've always wondered why recipes say that but I did. Well let me tell ya. .this stuff became very thick very fast. The mixer was getting a work out. Cleaned the beaters off and stirred the chocolate chips in.

Poured everything into the bundt pan.. . .that very heavy bundt pan and popped it in the oven. Now the recipe says to bake for 1 hour and 2o to 30 minutes! WOWZER!!! That's a long time for a cake but I set my timer and went about my business of cleaning up the kitchen and folding laundry. My teenage son appeared about 45 minutes into the baking process and asked "What is that heavenly smell?' I had not noticed the smell but it was strong enough for him to smell it upstairs in his room with the door closed. 

I checked the cake at the 1 hour and 20 minute time and it was done! Everything came out clean and it looked a nice shade of tan. I let it cool for 20 to 30 minutes and had a wee bit of difficulty getting it to come out of the pan but it finally after some persuasion with knife it came out clean. 

The recipe says to cool completely before adding the glaze. .guess what? It didn't last that long! It was cut into and feasted on before I got that far! So I have no idea how the glaze tasted! As far as the cake it's a pretty good cake! We did find it to be a bit dry so next time I will check it at the one hour mark for doneness. It has a nice little pound cake style "crust" on it and the chocolate chips stayed soft and gooey.

 I am positive I will make this cake again but with some changes. Such as the timing and the fact I will make it when nobody is home so that I get the glaze on it!

Welcome!

Here I go again! Trying my hand at this blogging thing. I've tried before and just couldn't get in the groove of it. So I deleted that blog this week and set up a new one and I'm ready to go for it again. I'm not really sure what all I will be blogging about. Just life in general I guess. Not even sure if I will have any readers or followers but if you stop by please leave me a short message or comment so I will know I'm not alone in this blogging world. 

I'm not positive why I chose the title for this blog as "LooneyLisasLines". It's not like I'm looney. .well my family might debate that! LOL! but I like the idea of three L's and how it looks. Maybe it's because I will be writing about looney things? So pull up a chair and glass of tea or your beverage of choice and enjoy this ride called LIFE with me!