This Week on Pennies on a Platter:
This section highlights the recipes posted this week on Pennies on a Platter and other updates to the blog, if any.
Secret Kiss Snowball Cookies - Inspired years ago by a dear family friend, I decided to add a kiss to the center for a chocolate surprise.
Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies - An easy fun holiday project for your kids!
Loving Lately:
Here I will share with you my favorite things of late, along with other snippets that have caught my eye from some of my favorite blogs and websites.
This week, I want to use this section to throw some Christmas gift ideas at you. Particularly gifts for the kitchen, and specifically things I like. I'll allow you to share this list with your spouse, or mother, or brother, so that maybe this year they will actually buy you something you really want! 😉
Dishwasher safe iPad Stand and Disposable iPad Sleeves by Chef Sleeve. One holds up your iPad so you can easily read your recipes while you cook, the other protects it while you make a mess in the kitchen. Right now, the sleeves are available for a discount on LivingSocial. Not sure how long this deal will last, so hurry over to get yours (I mean, one for a gift)! I believe their products are also now available at select Target stores.
Anthropologie Aprons - The graphic above does not even cover all of their adorable aprons. They may be a little more expensive than other aprons you can buy, but these are so cute they almost pass as dresses! And, really, they aren't that much more expensive. I think it's worth the extra price just for the lovely appeal. They also sell matching potholders.
Reusable Paperless Towels by CuteLittleBugs on Esty - For the environmentalist in your life, these towels are a fun gift to help cut back on paper towel usage. They snap up so they fit perfectly around a paper towel holder. And, I don't know about you, but I think any of the designs available on the paper towels in the stores are quite cheesy, so I always choose plain white. But, with the option to choose your own fabric, these can set up for a beautiful display in your kitchen!
Thermapen - I really want one of these, so this might be more of a hint to someone I know. 😉 These are used right out of America's Test Kitchen and they're digital and super fast and splash-proof. What else can I say?
Gift Cards - Always a great gift idea, if you know the store your gift recipient likes! Don't buy a gift card just guessing they might shop at that particular place. 🙂 Some places that most cooks like are: Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Target, Sur la Table, Anthropologie, Amazon, King Arthur Flour. You can even buy gift cards for Etsy. Have any to add?
My Life as a Professor’s Wife, Mom, Christian and Food Blogger
Want more insight into my life as a Professor's wife, mom, Christian, friend, relative and food blogger? Then, read on! If not, ignore this section. 🙂 This is a place for me to write what is on my mind and journal some of the crowning moments of my week.
We decided to test out the new outdoor skating rink and ice slide in Madison with some friends. Yes, an outdoor ice rink in the deep South, who knew! Although the temperatures were in the 70's and the ice was melting, we had a good time. I was the designated picture taker and video camera operator, since I'm pregnant. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially Judah. It was his first time on ice and the way he walked on his ice skates on his way into the rink was priceless.
Monday, my little baby turned THREE! I'm still in shock. He is growing into such a beautiful boy, and every day I feel so blessed to have such a sweet and tender-hearted little man as my son. I continuously pray that Ben and I will know how to nurture him into the man that God made him to be! I can't wait to see what is in store for him! And, yes, I do already pray for his future wife! It's never too early to pray!
One of the birthday presents he received (from Nana and Papa) was a stomp rocket (pictured above). Quite a hit with the neighborhood kids! Love the action shot Ben snatched!
We celebrated his birthday at Chick-fil-a with the other 2 and 3 year olds in our neighborhood. Although there were some hiccups in the process, it was such a fun time with Judah's little friends. They ate, and played, and played and played.
As far as a pregnancy update? We have our 20-week ultrasound this Monday and will find out the gender! I can not wait!! Have any guesses? My thoughts? I am hoping for another boy (although a girl will be fabulous, too!) but my motherly instinct thinks it's a girl! We'll see! I'm really just praying for a healthy baby. 🙂
See you Monday for a fun little giveaway!