Berliner Pfannkuchen Fail

What a busy month it has been. You know how I love keeping it real around here, so even when I mess up pretty good, I want to share it with you. Well, it's another Food of the World party, and I have once again come out with a product not looking so great. I know everything I did wrong too, so hopefully with a little more time and practice, I can come back and turn this Fail into a Win.

With that wonderful introduction I give you Berliner Pfannkuchen or simply put donuts.

I had actually been  planning on making some Shoko Schnecke, but I felt I didn't have enough time to make them. So then I started doing a little research and found that cheesecake is popular in Germany, but they make it with a product called quark. 

Quark is similar to cottage cheese and ricotta, but different enough, I didn't feel I could exchange it.  So I crossed off quark cheesecake temporarily (I will be coming back to it!), and kept doing a little research. That's when the Berliner Pfannkuchen caught my eye, and I thought, sure, I can do that. When really I should have backed away at the mention of frying them. 

If you want to try and make some Berliner's I would use the recipe found on Germanfoods.org and do what I didn't do and follow the recipe precisely. Here is what I did wrong, so you don't do it. 

• read the recipe carefully. When it says lukewarm milk, don't add lukewarm water (where was my head?!) Don't try and safe yourself by then adding more cold milk. 
• Even if you read a couple different recipes, and one mentioned using vanilla sugar...don't do it. Stick with the one recipe. 
• Never use powdered eggs. They are a very poor replacement in any baked goods...this is not my first attempt, and I should have known. 

I will tell you however, that even though my Pfannkuchen don't look like Pfannkuchen, the kids thought they were pretty great. Especially when they discovered that I had also filled some with Nutella, and some with my Polish Plum Butter (the only non failed Food of the World Party to date).

If you're still looking for a Christmas present for a Foodie, Flirty Aprons has a 50% OFF sale on their Holiday Aprons!

This will make these aprons an amazing price of only $14.97 and Free Shipping

Use code HOLIDAY50

Do you have any Germanic recipes to share? We'd love to see them linked up below. Or just browse around to some other better recipes. 

Thank you Simple Living and Eating for Hosting this each month and helping me branch out to new cuisines.  

What to get your Blogger Friend for Christmas

So it's December, and you're down to the last few people on your Christmas list. What do you get that one friend - maybe it's your spouse (hint hint Mark...), or a sister, maybe your sister in law, or even your mother. You want to help them pursue the dreams they have for their blog, but you're not sure what they really want or need.

I asked around my blogging communities what they are wanting for Christmas, and added it to my list to bring you this hopefully helpful list of Christmas Gifts to give your Blogging Friend (or family member).

1. Blogging Conference. This is at the top of my list of what I would love to receive. A huge part of blogging is networking with other bloggers, and the brands we want to work with. There is no better place to do that then at a conference. The biggest problem bloggers run into if they want to attend a conference is the cost. They usually run no less than $100 and can be upwards of $400 to attend a 3 day conference. This cost usually will not include travel and accommodation expenses. If you choose to send your blogger to a conference, you can get together with other friends and family to gift this item. Just do a little research first. Sending your friend to BlogHer Food, when they don't blog about food would not be a good fit. Check for local conferences too. I'm personally pulling to go to the Build Your Blog hosted here in Utah this year. It saves me the cost of travel and hotel, and it's a pretty good price at only $149.

2. Craftsy Class. If a conference is out of the budget, you may want to look into Craftsy.  Craftsy classes have something that can fit into any one's lifestyle, especially a bloggers.  They have food, sewing, gardening, paper crafting and new photography classes.  You can buy your blogger a Gift Card so they can choose the perfect class for them.  Price range on these are from $30 for one class up to $75 for 3 classes.

3. Erin Condren Planner. A few years ago, when I first started blogging as more of a business than just a hobby, I asked for a planner for Christmas. Mark got me this beautiful full sized planner, that made my life as a mom and blogger so much easier!  That was one of the most organized years of my life. I don't know why I didn't buy a new one for the new year. I have heard some amazing things about the Erin Condren Life Planners, so I went looking at them. WOW, it is just what I need!  2 page monthly spreads, perpetual calendar, laminated tabs, stickers, folders....the list just keeps going. As planners go though, they are on the pricier side at $50 and something a frugal blogger will just put on their wish list. Grab a pack of colored pens to go with this gift.

4. Photography Equipment. It's a guarantee that if you are a blogger, you will be taking a lot of photo's. To work with quality brands, you need quality photos. There are a plethora of ideas I'm going to list for you under this topic, but the main one is a nice camera. Get your blogger a high quality digital camera, or if money isn't an issue, a nice DSLR. If they already have a good camera though, here are some other items to help them get better photo's.

• A photography book, such as the one I pictured above - Food Photography for bloggers. Just remember to keep it relevant to what they write about. Obviously food photography will not help someone writing about family/relationships, or crafting. Amazon has a great books on Photography for Bloggers (<--affiliate link)
• Light box, backdrops, and lighting. There are many DIY tutorials out there for putting together a light box. Make one for your blogging friend for a simple, affordable gift that will do wonders for their pictures.  In a quick search though, I found this (affiliate link-->) LimoStudio Photography Photo Studio Lighting Kit Set  for a great price of  only $33.75. This would be the perfect starter set up.
• Props. What's a photo without props?  In many of my recent recipe photos, I look in my cupboards, and think to myself "boring". I'm ready to have more colorful dishes to go with my food, for that added pop of excitement in the photos. This gift can be as simple as going to an antique store, or thrift shop and picking up some mismatched dishes that fit into your price range. 
• PicMonkey Premium.  I LOVE picmonkey. I edit all of my photo's and make fun banners like the one above, using Picmonkey. They have a free service, but when you purchase the premium subscription, you can do so much more, and create all kinds of fun images. Picmonkey is also great for creating printables. 

5. Rafflecopter Premium Service. If your blogging friend runs a lot of giveaways, look into gifting them a subscription to Rafflecopter. This is my personal favorite way to run a giveaway. They have a free version, which is what I use, but they also have different subscription levels, that make entering the giveaway so much easier for our readers with one click links to follow on social media, and pictures to show you exactly what the prize is you're entering for! 

6. Website Hosting and Domain Name. I'm sure you've all been to a blog that has a web address with .blogspot.com at the end. This just means the Blogger uses google's blogging platform, and basically google owns it. Last year Mark purchased me my very own domain name http://www.homemaidsimple.com from GoDaddy. I got to drop the .blogspot and have more ownership of this site. I still use google's blogger platform though I've been perusing self hosted wordpress for a year now. Through December 31st, GoDaddy is offering a domain .com transfer for only $7.99. 

7. The Gift of Time.  My friend Angelia, from Tim and Angi's blog shared with me one gift that any blogger, no matter what they blog about, can appreciate, and that is the gift of time. To create quality content that our readers want to read, and will find useful in their life, it takes time. Sometimes I have to ask Mark to please take care of the kids, so I can shut our bedroom door and really think about what I'm writing, and sharing with you all. There are just some days, that trying to work with the kids playing on and around me is impossible (though most of my writing is done with a child cuddling on my lap). An offer to have my kids go play with friends would be a wonderful gift. Or bring my family dinner sometime, so I can have just a bit more time in my day. 

*this post contains some affiliate links. I have not been compensated for this post, however. All thoughts are my own*

State Necklace Sale

Every Friday Cents of Style has a Fashion Friday sale. Sometimes when the sale is extremely popular they will extend it through the weekend. Such is the case with these awesome State Pendant Necklaces!  I am in so much love with these. I'm finally at a stage in my life, where my kids aren't trying to rip any jewelry off of me, so I could actually wear one of these. 

If you have a friend who moves around a lot, perhaps in the military, or just can't settle down in one place, this would make a wonderful present. The perfect addition to a stocking.

Custom State Necklaces

Normally $24.95

Sale Price $11.95 with Free Shipping

Use code HOME at checkout
Sale good through Sunday 12/8 or while supplies last

Pair the State Necklace with a gift card to Karina Dresses, and you will have the perfect gift for the special woman in your life. 

Studio C Blog Tour and Giveaway

 

Tour Schedule

Studio C Review:  I can't say enough good about Studio C. There is a lot of comedy out there, but very little of it is family friendly.  I love that I don't have to wait for my kids to be asleep before I enjoy a little comic relief.  The kids are even enjoying it too. Though they don't completely understand the comedy part, the kids are still able to laugh at things like Shoulder Angel and Captain Literally. 

I got a bit more of a laugh during the P90X sketch when my kids thought it was a real exercise video and jumped up and started following along. 

Mark and I have been watching Studio C on youtube for a couple months now. We usually take a Sunday night and search out any we hadn't seen yet. I was thrilled when I found a few exclusive sketches on the DVD, as well as a number that I had not seen before. 

As a fun side note, I'm totally jealous of my sister. She works as a janitor in the BYU Broadcast building, and gets to see the Studio C set multiple times a week as she cleans. How cool is that? I may tag along to work with her one day...

     

Website * Facebook

Seasons 1 and 2 of the hilarious BYUtv sketch comedy series, Studio C, featuring Whitney, Mallory, Jason, Matt, and the rest of the cast pulling out all the stops with two full seasons of enough rip-roaring hilarity to make you spit milk out of your nose. Travel back to the moment it all began and watch some of the very first Studio C sketches, plus two never-before-seen features! Includes popular episodes featuring

• Presidential Shoulder Angel
• Facebook Friends Song
• Flirting Academy
• Captain Literally
• The Center for People That YouTube Made Infamous
• Candy Land Character Conference
• Bollyside
• Dana’s Dead
• And many more!

Special Features

• Exclusive Feature: “Just Jeremy Date”

Exclusive Sketch: “Substitute Miss Frizzle”

• Season 2 Outtakes

Studio C is a hit sketch comedy series that the whole family can enjoy. Like the popular TV show Saturday Night Live, the cast performs original sketches that parody American culture and the hilariously awkward moments of everyday life; but with a refreshingly wholesome yet hilarious spin. With their huge fan-base and increasing popularity, Studio C aims to produce clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.  

Purchase Amazon * Deseret Book

        

  Tour Giveaway 

 $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Foodie Friday featuring Sweet Caroline's Corner

Welcome back to another Foodie Friday

I would love it if you took a moment to visit my co-host Diane at Simple Living and Eating. 

If you're new to Foodie Friday, here's the run down

1. Link up your recipe or any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.

This week we're featuring:

Caroline is a mom of 2. She came up with the name Sweet Caroline's corner because people would often sing Sweet Caroline from Neil Diamond when meeting her. She loves reading, watching movies, baking of course, and taking care of her family!  She and I could get along pretty well if we were ever to meet. 

Funny story - even though my name is Adelina, my husband has used the same song as a reference on how to pronounce my name, and I've had people singing it as well when meeting me (weird I know). 

Last week my eye caught right onto Caroline's Pomegranate, Kale and Orange Juice Green Juice. I've really been wanting to try some green drinks, but haven't yet (unless you consider hiding my zucchini in smoothies a green drink?).  She also shared this yummy looking Pecan Pie Muffin recipe. I hope you'll take a moment and browse around Caroline's site. 

Connect with Sweet Caroline's Corner

Facebook  *  Pinterest  *  Instagram

Green Juice: Pomegranate, Kale, and Orange Juice

I got my first bag of kale this week, so this is on the menu!

Pecan Pie Muffins

These would be a great breakfast for rushed mornings, or to send in lunches. I know Mark would probably enjoy these immensely.

An InLinkz Link-up

Herb Dinner Rolls with #STAROliveOil

*I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client.*

Are you a butter lover?  I am. I love a good piece of bread spread with lots of yummy butter. Some things we really should eat in moderation though.

Growing up I lived in a duplex with my Aunt and Uncle on one side, and us on the other. Every Saturday morning we would head to my Aunts kitchen for pancakes and waffles. While my Aunt took shape orders for pancakes, my Uncle taught me how to spread butter on a waffle so it would penetrate every hole. Oh the deliciousness!

Then one day, my Uncle no longer ate butter. With high cholesterol he had to start finding alternatives. I couldn't imagine having to replace butter with something that wasn't the real stuff, until recently. As an adult I am a little more aware of health concerns and just how bad some foods can be if you are high risk.

So I've been trying to find better ways to feed my family an keep us healthy.  I heard about Star Butter Oil, and wondered if it would be a good alternative for actual butter when cooking.  It took me a little to find it, but there it is was on the top shelf in Walmart with the other oils.

I have been having so much fun in the kitchen replacing butter with the Butter Flavored Olive Oil.  It has been amazing! I kid you not, I never thought a butter replacement could be just as good, or in some cases even better then butter. A few things I have tried so far include

• Scrambled eggs. Mark loves his eggs scrambled in melted butter.  Without telling him, I used the butter flavored olive oil. He loved it, and didn't even suspect my sneaky exchange. 
• Grilling meat and veggies. I normally use EVOO to grill on the stove top. Since using Star butter Olive Oil, I don't think I'll go back. When you get comments like "Wow that smells amazing" and all you've done is toss some onions in the oil, you know you have a winner. 
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich. We all make these right? You slather the bread with butter, add some cheese, maybe ham, if you are feeling fancy, and then you get one of the best lunches in history. 
• Herb Dinner Rolls were my latest butter and Olive Oil exchange that turned out beautifully. I hardly had time to get photo's my family has been all over them!
• Check out these awesome recipes for more ways to use the Star Butter Olive Oil

GIVEAWAY

Star Fine Foods is giving away 10 Butter Flavored Olive Oils on their Facebook Page

Download and Print the Recipe Card

Connect With Star Fine Foods

Twitter  *  Pinterest

Proper Dinner Etiquette and Tablescaping

I got sucked into looking at dinner ware this week with all the after Thanksgiving sales. I've always wanted something pretty and festive like my mom's china, that we only use for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas - similar to this (affiliate link->) Lenox Gold Banded Ivory China Dinner Plate. So that got me thinking about how I'd love to better teach the kids how to properly set a table and be polite when eating.

See my Nana was an amazing grandma, mother, and proper lady. Despite her living on a farm. Just this summer as we got together with my mom's family, I recall my uncle telling us how no matter where he goes to eat dinner, he'll be comfortable because he knows which spoon/fork/cup/plate to be using. She made sure her kids knew proper table manners.

I recall my mom teaching us the correct way to set a table as a kid as well, and now it is my turn to teach my kids.  Mark and I have often talked about having a periodic Etiquette dinner, with different courses, all the silverware, and fancy dishes. While doing these dinners, we'll pick an area of etiquette to stress with the kids. These would be things like

• How to properly set a table
• Sit up straight
• Which fork is a salad fork
• What spoon is used for soup
• Remember please and thank you
• The direction we pass food, and the best way to place food on the table. 
• How to properly hold your silverware

And the list will go on. I am really excited for these nights, and fingers crossed the kids will be too. We may go so far and let them dress up fancy for our etiquette nights as well!

Along with our etiquette nights, I am going to play around with tablescaping! This is a fairly new word I've heard, but I love it. It's the art of layering your table so it is pleasing to look at. There is even a book all about it- Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style by Kimberly Whitman!

Currently I have a very simple Christmas tablescape, but one I enjoy every day. I made a reversible table runner a few years ago. The green is my favorite side, but the opposite has candy cane stripes that make for a fun party. My blocks I made during a Relief Society Super Saturday (women in my church get together and craft all Saturday long), and help remind me the reason we celebrate this season. The gold vases I picked up at Ikea. I love that I don't have to put anything in them for them to still add a simple beauty to the table. Then I tossed on the Christmas tree for more of a bright and contrasting color.

Will you be having any fancy dinners this Holiday season, or do you keep it casual?