The Blog is 2!

Two years ago today I started this little blog and I'm thrilled with how much it's grown. I've also learned A LOT! My photo skills have improved, I've learned the importance of watermarking your photos, I've learned how to deal with/get over rude comments, and I have quite a few tasty recipes up my sleeve now! I've also learned to sit back and enjoy running the blog. I used to post something every single weekday. After about a year it started to feel like a job. I didn't enjoy doing it anymore. So, I took a step back and really thought about why I started this blog. I started this blog to share my recipes, crafts, etc. I didn't start it to pressure myself into being creative. Today, I don't post quite as often, but when I do, I'm always really happy with what I'm posting... and I hope my readers feel the same!

As a thank you to my readers, I've teamed up with a few of my favorite shops and I'm working on an awesome giveaway! Stay tuned!

Honey Roasted Peanut Butter

One of my coworkers came to work today with some peanut butter from the manual peanut butter machines at Whole Foods. It was so delicious that I decided to try making my own at home. I can't believe how simple it is! 

I used honey roasted peanuts to give it a nice flavor. I put them in my food processor and ran it for about 5 minutes, adding a little vegetable oil to thin it out.

This is by far some of the best peanut butter I've ever tasted. I definitely recommend giving this a try!

Kitchen Tour

So I decided it was time to give you guys a little peek into my apartment. It's only fitting to begin with my favorite room... the kitchen! One of my favorite items in my kitchen is the clock pictured above. My parents passed it down to me and I'm so in love with it. It's vintage and works perfectly.

I placed my new Kitchenaid in this little spot next to the refrigerator. I love the pop of color that it adds to the dull, white space.

My favorite section of the kitchen is this shelf above the sink. I use it to display some of my knick-knacks and my mini Pyrex collection.

Lastly, I found those birds (originally gold) at an estate sale and repainted them. I also have a tiny table and some mismatched chairs in my dining area. I'm currently on the hunt for a matching set.

So, there you have it... my tiny kitchen!

Jalapeno Corn Muffins

It's time for a new recipe! I found these muffins via Martha Stewart and just had to give them a try.  They would be perfect to serve with some chili during the Super Bowl.

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the tin, melted
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh or frozen (thawed) corn kernels

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush the cups of a muffin tin with melted butter, and set aside. Whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and sour cream until combined, and set aside. Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, jalapenos, and corn until combined. Fold buttermilk mixture into cornmeal mixture until well combined. Fold in melted butter.

Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let muffins cool in tin 5 minutes.

Serve with butter. They taste best when hot. Enjoy!

Currently

Loving: Experimenting with the new kitchen appliances I got for Christmas. I've already used my Kitchenaid quite a few times. I put my popcorn maker to use last night and used my hand blender to chop some vegetables a few days ago. I love all of it and I'm so grateful for everything.

Watching: Freaks and Geeks on repeat. I guess I keep hoping that a 2nd season will magically appear. I also just got caught up on Portlandia and now I'm trying to catch up on Workaholics. 

Anticipating: The Coachella lineup. I got my tickets and camping pass when they went on sale (pre-sale) months ago and finally paid everything off. I can't wait for April!

Listening to: Whatever cds are in my car because I'm too lazy to replace them with new ones. Basically just a lot of Led Zeppelin.

Planning: A complete overhaul of both of my Etsy shops. I want to take all new photos and create lots of new items for the paper shop. The hardest part is getting started because I know it's going to take a loooong time.

Working on: My 365 day project. I'm getting nervous about keeping up with it but I also know how excited I'll be when I finish. That's my motivation. I've also been thinking about making a little flip book when I'm all done.

Thinking about: Crafts. I seem to be on a recipe kick lately. I try to balance out the blog with a little of each but for some reason I'm way more interested in cooking/baking lately.

Wishing: It was warmer. I know, I know... us Southern Californians are wimps but come on! It's been in the 30s when I get up for work in the morning! I'm soooo not used to this.

Adventures in Donut Making

I decided to test out my new mini donut maker last night and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. How cute are those little donuts?? I'll definitely be trying different recipes in the future (the manual came with quite a few) but for now I chose this basic chocolate donut recipe and topped them with this simple glaze. The donut maker is SO easy to use too. You just spoon about a tablespoon of batter into each little circle and within 3-4 minutes, the donuts are ready. I can't wait to try another recipe soon!

Recently

1.) A present from mom... the last Huell Howser milk bottle left in the store!

2.) Going out to breakfast with dad.

3.) & 4.) Thrift shop/estate sale finds.

5.) My very first visit to Crafted!

6.) A shot from my 365 project. Follow along here.

Follow me on Instagram at MISSPLEASENOTE!

Remembering Huell

It's a sad day for California. Huell Howser, host of the the documentary series, California's Gold, has passed. I've been a fan of this show ever since I was a kid. My parents and I still watch it and as my mom put it today when I called to tell her the news, "He's one of the only people I really like on TV!"

If you're not a Californian, you might not be familiar but I assure you, Huell was one of a kind. No matter who he was interviewing or where he was, he was excited to be there and interested in everything and everyone around him. I wish there were more people like him in this world.

Huell, you will be missed!

Chocolate Silk Pie

I recently saw this recipe for chocolate silk pie on America's Test Kitchen and just had to give it a try. It's definitely not a quick, simple recipe by any means but it's absolutely worth the work... especially if you're a chocoholic like I am.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 8 oz. chocolate
• 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 pie crust (I used a store bought frozen one to speed things up a bit)

Whisk the cream until stiff peaks form (about 2-3 minutes) and then put it in the fridge.

Over a double boiler, whisk sugar, eggs, and water for about 10 minutes.

The mixture should turn white. It's done when it reaches 160 degrees. Remove from the heat and continue mixing for another 10 minutes to cool it down. Set aside.

Melt the chocolate.

Now, combine the egg mixture, chocolate, softened butter (cut into cubes) and vanilla extract.

Fold in the whipped cream.

Pour into the pre-made pie crust and refrigerate for 3-24 hours.

Enjoy!

New Year, New Project

Happy New Year, friends! I've decided to kick off 2013 with a 365 day project. I'm bringing one of my little kewpie dolls everywhere with me for the entire year and taking a photo a day of the little guy in different spots. Follow along here!