The White House Gingerbread House 2009

So pretty!

(Photo courtesy of ObamaFoodorama.blogspot.com)

There's a shadow box view of the State Dining Room – the room that the completed gingerbread house sits in throughout the holiday season for visitors to view. This shadow box even includes the famous painting of President Lincoln by George PA Healy that hangs over the fireplace. This room is where you’ll find the only inedible parts of the gingerbread house – the light fixtures!

They also included the new White House Kitchen Garden and Bo. Both are made out of marzipan. In the garden, you’ll find baskets of carrots, eggplants and cabbage as well as other seasonal vegetables.

There's a video and description of the whole process here on the blog: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/22/making-white-house-gingerbread-house

I WANT one!

A New Toy

Coming Soon!
A new laptop/netbook.

Lenovo IdeaPad U150

Isn't she pretty?
I'm so exited I even paid the extra shipping to have her shipped in two days.

Stay tuned for a review once I've played with her a bit.

Rags

I use cut-up old t-shirts for just about any task that requires a rag.

They're reusable, easy to launder, and I don't get upset when hubby grabs one to use for some or other dirty job in the garage.
There are always more where that one came from.

Just a little quote

I was preparing a small gift for someone and looking for a quote to include.
I have a fondness for Dr. Seuss quotes.
This is the one I chose today.

"Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

I hope you have a wonderful day being you today.

What I've been living with...

...for almost a week.
And the end is not in sight yet.

We're having a bunch of stuff done in the crawl space. The access is in the pantry.
And while the pantry is empty maybe we'll refloor and paint this weekend.

(Oh, and yes, I know. The healthy eating police will not be happy.)

Almost Homemade Banana Bread

This is my go-to quick banana bread recipe.  When the bananas are over-ripe and time is at a premium, it's a life saver.  Not totally homemade, but yummy!

Banana Nut Bread
(from Real Simple Magazine - November 2004)

1 box yellow cake mix
1 large package instant Banana Cream Pudding
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup canola oil
2 ripe bananas, mashed
4 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans/walnuts (optional)

Add all ingredients except nuts to mixing bowl and mix according to cake package instructions.
Add nuts and slowly mix in until just incorporated.
Pour into 2 large or 4 small greased loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celcius) for 40 to 45 minutes or until cooked all the way to the center.
Let cool in pans for 5 minutes before tipping out.

Ingredients.


Mash, mash...


Grease the pans.  I just use spray.


Chop the nuts.  I love this chopper because it contains the mess.


Mix.  Love my KitchenAid!


How do I ensure that all loaves are the same size?  Weigh them!


Yum!

Christmas is around the corner...

I'm not really thinking about it yet, but on Friday I stumbled upon this cute little ornament.

I realized that I have quite few food-related ornaments.
I may do a kitchen Christmas tree this year.
I think it could be cute.