Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Newsletter Preview & My New Red Le Creuset Pot

I'm back... again, I hope you are still enjoying the "Throwback Posts" (aka Oldies but Goodies) that I have been putting up. It's just been so busy here, so much going on "behind the scenes" that I just haven't had a chance to do a lot of new posts.

Samantha & I have been doing an awful lot for the newsletter. There are some fun changes coming- the next issue (February) will be both in magazine format AND (hopefully) in the email format. I will be looking for feedback as to which one everyone prefers- so I hope you won't be shy with your opinions (oh, I know you won't be, based on your feedback at the end of last November!). Although it's been a lot of work, it's been really fun putting the magazine together. Samantha came over on Saturday and we worked on it for hours, in addition to the hours that we had spent working on it separately over the last couple of weeks. We are trying to get the hang of doing the layout differently than we had previously... hopefully next time it won't take quite as long. It's looking really good and I'm so excited to launch it and see what you all think :)

So, there has been cooking and crafting going on... projects to try, fabric to play with, illustrations to draw and recipes to taste....



And in the midst of all that, I'm still working on the pattern that I told you about a couple of weeks ago... Oh and working on the new website (which is still several months down the road, but lots of planning to do). So yes- busy busy busy- but in a good way, a fun way. Not feeling overwhelmed (yet), just having fun with all the activities going on. To be honest, I like it better when I'm working on a few things at the same time- If I have to just paint, or just sew, or just sit on the computer for days on end (which is what happens when I have a deadline looming), I get tired and cranky. But with a lot of different things going on, I never get bored :)

Monday we took my grandmother out to lunch for her 87th birthday. I can't believe I forgot to take a picture, I'm so annoyed with myself. But she had 3 grandchildren (including me) and 4 great grandchildren (including my daughter Megan) in attendance. The waiters sang Happy Birthday to her and she looked a little annoyed, ha ha! We laughed a lot and had a great time.

One new thing that I wanted to "show off" to you today is one of my Christmas presents that I got last month. I had been wanting one for a long time... and I finally got one... in RED- my favorite color...


My new Le Creuset pot. It's cast iron and has a lid that doubles as a skillet, and it weighs about a hundred pounds (Ok maybe a little less than that.) Everything tastes so much better cooked in this- I think because of the way the cast iron distributes the heat and gets super hot. You can use it on the stove top and the oven- so far I usually start whatever I'm making on the stove, then put it in the oven to finish cooking. 

Last night I made a chicken stew (which is really just chicken soup with a few tablespoons of flour thrown in to thicken the broth into gravy.) When it was almost done, I put some layers of Phyllo dough on top (I had a few sheets leftover from a recipe last week), brushing with melted butter in between the layers. Then I popped it back in the oven uncovered for the last 15 minutes of baking so the Phyllo got nice and flaky. Yum!



So far I have used my new "toy" to make the chicken stew, a sausage and bean casserole, and beef burgundy- all delicious. 
What is your favorite tool in the kitchen- the one that you use all the time and couldn't live without? What is your favorite comfort food?????

15 comments:

  1. Looks delicious! I'll have to try that soon. Congratulations on your new "toy"! I am thinking of getting a Lodge cast iron dutch oven (more in my price range :*) - hopefully a pretty one with the blue porcelain shell. I have several cast iron frying pans and simply love the taste of foods I prepare in them.

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    1. Teresa- the Le Creuset brand ARE pricey. I waited a long time for it and I'm sure it will last forever (and hubby likes to spoil me... though he is IS reaping the benefit of those delicious meals). There are brands that are less expensive. And they come in so many colors now! They are so pretty :)

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  2. That dish look delicious, love soups and stews in the winter.

    Debbie

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    1. I love one-pot meals- they are cozy & comfy AND they are easy to clean up!

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  3. Yummy!! My fav tool is my cast iron skillet! Hugs!

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    1. I've had a cast iron skillet in the past, but I really like this because the coating makes it so easy to clean- nothing sticks!

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  4. That looks so yummy, I have arthritis very badly in my hands or I would have one of those pots for sure. I love my crock pot because I can put it on early in the day and then just forget about it till supper. Blessings Sandra

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    1. They certainly are very heavy and I can understand that they would be impossible to maneuver with arthritis in your hands. The crock pot certainly is helpful too! So glad they made a comeback a few years ago :)

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  5. YUMMMMMM! thanks for sharing. I love Chili when cold. (even when not) definitely my comfort food along with anything chocolate. My family is not big on the crockpot food or it would be my favorite so I would have to say my favorite thing is my Kitchen Aide mixer. Thanks for having a wonderful blog to read each and every time. :)

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    1. We eat a lot of chili too- and since I make it with ground turkey or chicken breast, my version is very healthy and guilt free! I make a big pot so we can have it throughout the week for lunches and more dinners.

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  6. I am pretty sure those pots DO weigh 100lbs before food is added! LOL I have my mothers cast iron pot that I just love. Its about the same size as yours only without the lid. My favorite comfort food is a well made chicken and dumplings. Now if I could just find that perfect recipe :) Looking foward to your newsletter/magazine.

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    1. Now that I have tried this cast iron pot and love it so much- I think I want the GIANT size so I can cook more in it ha ha!
      mmmmm chicken & dumplings.... you're making me hungry :)

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  8. I love all my Le Creuset pots and pans. They cook better than any other brand I have ever had or tried..I use my dutch ovens the most of all on stove top and oven.
    conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. I have used mine 3 times and love it! I think I will be a couple more in other sizes...

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