Mugshot Monday: Deep Thoughts Mug

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

No coffee or tea shot today, but here’s another way I use my mugs. Hope to make some time to draw and color after the kids are at school. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner after all.

(Don’t get me wrong… I gotta start the day with a little kick. I’m drinking some lovely coffee from Intelligentsia today.)

I’ve had this coffee mug since the 1990s. My best friend from high school (later my college roommate, then matron-of-honor) gave it to me. Who remembers “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey” on Saturday Night Live? This one reads, “Better not take a dog on the Space Shuttle, because if he sticks his head out when you’re coming home his face might burn up.” Still makes me laugh! Yes, I’m geeky that way.

So perfect because my friend studied Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering in college.

H, I’m thinking of you today. 🙂

Have a great Monday everyone!

Recipe: Ham and Egg Cups

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Over the holidays there was a lot, A LOT, of baking and cooking over here – family here from out of town, friends coming over, gifting. Well, breakfast around here can get monotonous so I tried this one morning for my peeps. A recipe from Costco inspired me. Easy prep and yummy! I think it’d be a delicious brunch item… but I’d double the recipe if you have a bunch of adults around the table.

Ham and Egg Cups (serves 6)

Ingredients

12 slices of ham (medium thickness)
1/2 cup softened or whipped cream cheese
4-6 eggs
milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tbsp. dried basil or parsley
3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 chopped cherry or grape tomatoes (optional, my kids don’t like tomatoes so much)

Preheat oven to 400 deg. Prep 12-cup regular muffin pan with spray/oil/butter. Place each slice of ham in each cup forming to fit. It’s okay if the ham sticks out. Smear some cream cheese in the ham cups, evenly dividing among the cups.

Now prep the eggs… I say 4 to 6 eggs because you might want your cup more egg-y. I cracked 4 eggs in a glass measuring cup, whisked and then added enough milk to make just about 2 cups of liquid. I brought out our immersion blender and whipped it all frothy. Add the salt and herbs. Pour mixture evenly into the ham cups. Top with cheese (and tomato).

Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes. Check center with a toothpick. Should come out clean. Take out of oven and let set for a few minutes. Serve hot, warm.

Putting Away Christmas Lights

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

I usually wait until the feast of the Epiphany to take down Christmas decorations in our house. It all goes smoothly, especially the Christmas lights. I learned this trick from my sister-in-law, who probably learned it from her parents. Guessing my father-in-law.

Stashing the Christmas lights doesn’t take fancy spools or contraptions. All you need to do is a little back-and-forth, alternating sides with the lights. This will create a nice bundle out of a jumbled strand of lights. The plug side of the strand will be long enough to wrap around your bundle… and then hook up with the other side of the strand. Voila!

Mugshot Monday: Learning about Sergers

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Husky Serger

This is what I’d like to learn to use this year: a serger. Or I guess sometimes it’s called an overlock machine? It’s been sitting in my basement for a few years (after a very generous friend loaned it to me). My sewing machine is still running really well, but it’s probably time to get it serviced, tuned-up, cleaned up. And, what if it’s gone for a while? What am I going to sew with?

So before I actually sit down and start reading, I better go grab my cup of coffee.

Mugshot Monday: hot cup and reading material

Are you trying something new this year?

New Year: Moving Foward in 2013

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Today is sort of like Wordless Wednesday, but how about Thoughtful Tuesday. This year, we ride together…

Favorite Posts from 2012

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Juliet Tiu

Hi everyone. Hope you enjoy this look back at some of my tutorials and recipes from the year. (~~I hope the links all work back to the original post! ACK! Might need to work on this still.~~ The pictures aren’t linked, but the posts are all listed underneath.)

This year did not fail to amaze me… the good and the bad. But sharing ideas and meeting many of you near and far has been such a highlight of my year. I’m thankful and humbled by your continuing readership and friendship. May 2013 bring all of us peace. Blessings to you, friends!