California or Bust?

Tomorrow is the Christmas lunch at work and I was contemplating what to bring or to bring anything at all. This really wasn't suppose to be so hard if I could use my car. The car is working but the roads are another issue. We had a big dump of snow today and the roads have yet to be cleared. Waiting patiently but they better have done something by the time I have to work in the afternoon.

Anyways, back to the original problem. There is a limited amount of food in the house so I have to make something with what I have. Savoury dish or sweet dessert? Silly question for me. Of course the latter. Here is my attempt to make chocolate cream cheese brownie bites. The recipe was not all that hard. Pretty easy but not sure about the end product.




As soon as I mixed the cream cheese ingredients, I knew this was not going to come out as it should. It was so runny. I halved the cream cheese recipe cause I knew I was no going to make so much. It came out with gravy consistency but I am sure it should be quite thick like meringue. Oh well. Tried my best.





As you can see, the cream cheese was more like icing to the thick brownie batter.

I'm sure it will be fine but definitely need work in the presentation department.

A Little Christmas Cheer

This was a special order for a cocktail party coming up. This first arrangement is actually for the hostess. She was so kind to host the party at her home and I thought she could have a little arrangement cause the other arrangements are to be given away. I wanted to add little ornaments but I ended up just adding ribbon and baby's breath. The baby's breath makes it look like snow. I just love the simplicity of it. Sometimes simple is better.

The following are going to be on the food tables and given away at the end of the night.

I was told there were going to be 2 food tables, one big and one smaller. So I thought a set of "twins" and a matching centre will be nice. They can be placed together or separated and still look nice.


Right twin


Left twin




Centre piece. When I delivered it earlier, it ended up on a stand in the living room. It was a better choice as it was in front of these huge windows and it really show case it's magnificence. It's hard to see in the pictures but I sprayed all the arrangements with this gold glitter. It definitely adds that little glitter and glamor to them.

Shopping Therapy

I couldn't help it. Fabricland sent me a flyer of their current sale. For me not participating would mean I have no means of being creative. And I am sure they don't want that.

I plan to make 2 packs of fat quarters. Can you believe all this was less than $35. I figure if Walmart sells a fat quarter for $2 each, then you have to beat them by finding fabric less then $7. This way, each quarter you cut out will be less then $2 each. I think I am so smart but I really hope my math is correct. So each fabric I found was $6.30/meter or less. Some were even $4 for a meter. Oh how I love a good sale find. I find that is what gives me the endorphins to keep shopping. So how I can't convince my wallet to grow with more sale finds.

I am sure I drove the lady at the store crazy. I would bring her 5-6 bolts of fabric 3 different time and only ask for half a meter each. So much writing for so little fabric. I had to restrain myself as I didn't even go into the other colors. I think the reds, yellows, greens were disappointed that I didn't pick them. I really was going to buy more but I set a limit for myself today. Seriously, if I didn't, I would have a small quilt fabric store in my sewing room.

I love that the big chain fabric store always cut more then you ask. That means I will have some scraps left over for a massive postage stamp quilt that I have been saving for awhile. I have been saving every scrap fabric and cutting it into 1 inch squares so I can create this kaleidoscope of a quilt. We will see how it will turn out as it is so many colors are involved. I will have to show another time.

I will have to get cutting and packaging the fat quarter squares like the companies. And I will have to come up with a catchy name to name my color collection. Then find a pretty ribbon to tie it up.

Sympathy

For the family of my parent's dear friends. I hope the flowers will express our sympathy for your loss.