Christmas x 2! Oh Which Kitchen Aid Mixer to Choose?

One of my Christmas gifts this year was a Kitchen Aid Mixer, not just one, but two!! I received two of these wonderful gifts, one from my BF and the other from my parents. In fact this was the year of duplicate gifts...the other was my beloved clip-less curling iron...again one from the BF and the other from the parents.

I was left in a pretty big dilemma as I am a very sentimental person. If someone I care about gives me a gift I automatically LOVE it. It is really difficult for me to return or exchange things because I feel BAD about taking someone's thoughtful gift back. Had I received 2 of the exact same Kitchen Aid mixers I probably wouldn't have felt so bad but I was forced to choose between Metallic Chrome (what I thought I wanted to match the kitchen) and limited edition Susan B Komen PINK! I always liked the pink one but never thought I would actually have it my kitchen. Even more shocking is the fact that my BF (who is extremely OCD and crazy about what goes into the house) actually picked out the pink one for me. HUH? Really? You don't mind that there will be a bright pink mixer sitting on the counter just screaming "Look at me! I'm Pink!"? Hmmm....that's kind of cute. :) I contemplated which mixer to keep for DAYS while they both sat on the kitchen counter in their boxes looking so eager for me to open them. Decisions, decisions...have never been my strong point. I even contemplated keeping them both for a minute (Really? Who needs 2 mixers?).

Anyway, I finally decided to be different and add a splash of color to the kitchen. Pink it is!! I have to say I am so glad I chose the pink...it really is adorable and adds a little "something" to the kitchen, I'm not quite sure what that "something" is but I like it. Every time I look at my mixer it puts a little smile on my face, I know that sounds weird, but it's true. Since I had to return the other mixer that my parents got for me I was able to buy the Kitchen Aid pasta maker attachment (which I have already used a few times...big fan!! I will post the recipes and the story soon) and an Immersion Blender (also a big fan...hello Butternut Squash Soup!). Although I felt guilty (I know...issues) bringing that mixer back to Williams Sonoma, I'm so happy with my new purchases to replace it. So THANK YOU Mom and Dad for the amazing gift(s) and THANK YOU Jeff for the amazing pink mixer...mixing happiness into our lives!! LOL (I had to add a little sentimental cheesiness in there).

P.S. I ended up keeping the clip-less curling iron from my parents..Thank you...LOVE it....adding some waves into the sea that is my boring hair. ;) LOL

Until next time....brighten up your life! Try something out of the ordinary to put a smile on your face. :)

xoxo

Christina

Never move BOILING water off the STOVE!

Nikki here, setting the scene: It’s dinnertime at the Keller home. The house is filled with chaos! Lil Degan (9 Mos.) crawling on the floor talking to himself, Ezra (4 yrs.) at the back door playing outside LOUDLY, Bobby (husband) chatting it up with his buddy Jeremy in the living room, I am multi tasking: cleaning up dirty dishes, loading the dishwasher, preparing dinner, reading over Ezra’s school work...5:30PM =Chaos at the Keller home…

I was boiling water for one of my favorite dishes, butternut squash ravioli, I grabbed a nearby dish towel instead of my really adorable RED OVEN MITS to drain the water out into the colander in the sink (my kitchen sink is across from my stove) and all at once: Ezra comes in from the backdoor YELLING “MOMMMMM”, I get caught up in the gas range with the BAD idea dish towel and WHAMMMM… all the boiling water RUSHES on to my bare right arm. SCREAMING I get my arm into cold water. A second later, I am pulling my entire ice tray out and making the water ICE COLD! I sit there…cursing to myself… Husband and buddy are STARING at me silently. I call Jeff Golden, Pete’s BF who is a fireman, tell him my AWESOME news… he says “well, your not in to much pain… I would wait it out unless you can’t take the pain anymore. If you can’t deal, go to the ER.” I think yeah, I have a really HIGH threshold for PAIN… well, not to long after the pain INCREASES… I look at the hubby and say in a very calm voice “I am not going to be able to take the pain… I want to go to the ER.” (For the record: he thinks It’s NOT that BAD). The pain got SO BAD… let’s just say I would have rather had another baby with out DRUGS! Lesson: DO NOT FOR ANY REASON move BOILING water from the stove! Get one of those strainers that you just lift out! WORTH EVERY PENNY!

NAC Girls Pack the CAR!

When you think of purchasing an item some may think... Humm... how big are the boxes? Well, NOT US! 

Here are some pictures of what it took to get Jeff's (Christina's Boyfriend) gifts home! 

The pictures say enough... 

Merry Christmas JEFF! 

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Cook

Need some last minute stocking stuffer ideas for the cook in your family? Here are a couple of kitchen gadgets I've purchased recently that I just love! First is a lemon juicer....this comes in handy for me because I love to use fresh lemon juice in my recipes rather than the store bought version in a plastic lemon. :) Nikki made fun of me for this one until she tried it; it really does make juicing a lemon MUCH easier and less messy than doing it by hand.

Another great idea are these Poach Pods that I picked up at Sur La Table. They come in all kinds of colors and make poaching eggs fool-proof!

Cooking gadgets are always great stocking stuffers! I got a bunch of things in my stocking last year and absolutely loved it! Let us know what cool gadgets your giving and receiving this holiday season!

XOXO,

Happy Holidays!!

Christina

Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter Dessert Squares

This is a Williams-Sonoma recipe that I make in the fall for my family. 

You can buy the pecan pumpkin butter at Williams-Sonoma or at www.muirheadfoods.com.

Minutes to Prepare: 10 

Minutes to Cook: 40

Number of Servings: 24

 Ingredients

         BASE LAYER:

         1 box Duncan Hines Super Moist Classic Yellow Cake Mix [18.25oz], reserving 1 cup

         1/2 cup butter, melted

         1 large egg

         PUMPKIN LAYER:

         1 jar Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter

         2 tablespoons 2% milk

         2 large eggs

         TOPPING:

         1 tablespoon all purpose flour

         2 tablespoons granulated sugar

         1/4 cup butter, softened

         1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES.

GREASE A 13X9X2 BAKING PAN AND SET ASIDE.

1. Divide cake mix, reserving one cup in a small mixing bowl; set aside.

2. With the remainder of the cake mix, stir in the melted butter and one egg.

3. Press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

4. Mix the jar of Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter with two eggs and milk. Spread this mixture over the pressed mixture in the baking dish.

5. Stir the reserved cup of cake mix with the flour, sugar, 1/4 cup of softened butter, and cinnamon. Mix together until it's crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the pumpkin layer.

6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Cool and cut into 2" squares. Makes 24 squares.

Number of Servings: 24