'Welcome Will' Cocktail! Go Gators!

WELCOME WILL Cocktail:  TOAST the new University of Florida Coach with this refreshing Orange Cocktail

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup pineapple juice

3 tablespoons vodka

3 tablespoons light rum

2 tablespoons orange liqueur

Crushed ice

Garnishes: lime slices, fresh cherries

A $16 Muffin!

THIS ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM FOXNEWS.COM (link provided below)

So political kerfuffle aside, you have to wonder exactly what a $16 muffin would taste like.

Last week's news that the government supposedly paid $16 apiece for breakfast muffins at a Justice Department conference set off critics of government spending.

Hilton Worldwide, the hotel company that hosted the 2009 confab in Washington, disputes the accuracy of the claim in a report by the Justice Department's inspector general. The hotel called it an accounting thing, explaining that the price included various drinks and gratuity charges, in addition to the muffins. The IG stands by the report.

Which all kind of misses the most compelling issues. If you did spend $16 on a muffin, what would it look like? How would it taste? Is it even possible?

The typical muffin baked in an institutional setting such as a hotel costs about 50 cents or less, not counting labor. If you go crazy extravagant and reach for the top-shelf organic flour, maybe some hand-harvested wild blueberries from Maine and fancy sugar, you're still going to max out around $1 per muffin on raw ingredients.

Here in The Associated Press test kitchen, we started searching for ways to bump up the price of your basic muffin. The end result was anything but basic. We're also pretty certain you'll never see one of these babies served at a government conference.

Getting the price-per-muffin that high was hard. We took the obvious steps first — organic flour, sugar and milk, cultured butter, sea salt and free-range eggs. But we still weren't even close. A rare honey imported from Zambia helped, as did a healthy amount of pricey macadamia nuts and some Tahitian vanilla beans.

But in the end, the only way to get to $16 was to reach for some old fashioned booze and gold. That's right, we glazed our muffins with a chocolate sauce made from organic dark chocolate cut with reduced Scotch Whisky (the good stuff!) and edible gold leaf flakes.

The result? A rather stunning and intense muffin that would cost a mere $192 per dozen (not counting labor) — or $16 each.

___

$16 MUFFINS

Start to finish: 1 hour

Makes 12 very over-the-top muffins

For the muffins:

2 1/2 cups organic all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted cultured butter

1/2 cup maple sugar

1/2 cup imported honey (the rarer the better)

Seeds scraped from 2 Tahitian vanilla beans

2 free-range, organic eggs

1/2 cup organic milk

2 cups chopped dried strawberries (soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drained)

1 cup chopped macadamia nuts, lightly toasted

For the topping:

2 cups top-shelf Scotch Whisky

16 ounces high-end, organic dark chocolate, chopped, divided

2 tablespoons unsalted cultured butter

2 tablespoons imported honey (the bigger the carbon footprint, the better)

1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil

12 fresh strawberries

1 cup chopped macadamia nuts, lightly toasted

1/4 cup gold leaf flakes, loosely packed

Heat the oven to 375 F. Line 12 muffin tins with muffin cups.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and sea salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, maple sugar, honey and vanilla seeds until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl between additions. Add half the flour mixture, then the milk, then the remaining flour mixture, beating and scraping the bowl between each addition.

By hand, stir in the dried strawberries and macadamia nuts. Spoon the mixture into the lined muffin tins. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

While the muffins bake, prepare the topping. In a skillet, heat the Scotch Whisky (be careful, it will flame). Bring to a gentle simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup.

Place half of the chocolate, the butter and the honey in a heat-safe bowl. Pour the hot reduced liquor over the chocolate. Allow to sit for 2 minutes, then stir until completely smooth and glossy. Set aside.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the remaining chocolate with the oil. Microwave on high in 15-second bursts, stirring between, until completely melted and smooth. One at a time, dunk each strawberry into the chocolate, covering about three-quarters of the berry. Set on the waxed paper, then refrigerate for several minutes to harden the chocolate.

Once the muffins are cool, spoon the chocolate glaze over the top of each, spreading it to coat the top surface. Sprinkle the macadamia nuts around the outer edge, then sprinkle the gold leaf over the center surface. Top each with a chocolate-covered strawberry.

(Recipe by Alison Ladman)

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/09/27/how-to-cook-16-muffin/?test=faces#ixzz1ZE9oBPV0

EASY OWL-WEEN TREATS

Easy Owl-Ween Treats

Open-faced Oreos, M & M’s, candy corn, and sprinkles bring a convenience store treat―a MoonPie―to life. Secure cookies and candy to your MoonPie with melted chocolate candy coating. Then insert a 12- x ¼-inch dowel, available at craft stores, into marshmallow center and secure with more chocolate for an eye-popping, kid-friendly sweet.  

http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/halloween-desserts-treats-recipes-00400000054823/

Treats!

Treats! For a fun fall centerpiece, forgo flowers and build a tower of treats! We added candied apples, trail mix and everyone's favorite — candy corn — to our French Wire Tiered Stand. It's too pretty to eat...almost!

Go to my website to order the French Wire Tiered Stand http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com and receive a second item under $40 for half price.  No minimum orders & Ships directly to you!

NEW WEEKLY SPECIALS!

See descriptions of these great sale items at my website http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com

WEEKLY SPECIALS!

Colorful Gray & Yellow Pallette!

Love, love, love the color combination of this decor - found at TraditionalHome.com under Colorful Living Rooms:

"An unexpected gray milk paint applied to the paneling and moldings creates a quiet envelope for a mélange of modern furnishings punctuated with taxicab yellow. Centered against the room’s multi-pane windows, a raw linen sofa with accent pillows in stone, yellow, and bright, luminous blue captures the main focus. Elegant drapery panels in a gray-and-white burnout floral pattern unite with the other jolts of yellow thanks to yellow grosgrain trim pierced with silver nailheads."

Don't have an endless budget with a living room of this stature??  Me either!!  But steal these ideas and incorporate this palette into your own home.  Milky gray walls with white trim.  Accent Pillows in bright yellow.  Neutral gray, easy to clean slip cover sofas. 

If you are commited to this color scheme, splurge on a fabric covered armchair in a fun fabric that incorporates the grays and yellows together.  A coordinating fabric for draperies, or a fun coordinating rug will help to complete the look. 

Shop Home Goods and TJ Maxx and Marshall's for inexpensive pillows, accent pieces, art, rugs.  Ask a friend who sews (or your sister, like I did!!), to make you panel drapes in a fun fabric - easy & inexpensive, and take her to lunch as a thank you!  Shop the Outlets - my Willow House Outlet  (http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com) has fabulous accent pieces at 70% off.  Check out some of my other favorites too, like Crate & Barrel Outlet and Pottery Barn Clearance. 

Don't love taxi cab yellow?? Use your imagination and replace the yellow with a fun coral (my favorite), rich red, bright blue, fuscia, or vivid purple...if you keep your basics neutral (wall color, sofa fabrics, drapes) in the grays and whites, you can easily and inexpensively change your accent pieces (throw pillows, rugs, accessories) as you like. 

Happy Decorating!! 

Great Game Day Recipe!

Ingredients:

12-oz. pkg. frozen shelled edamame (sweet soybeans), thawed

1 medium avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and cut up

1/4 cup chopped onion

3 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp purchased basil pesto

3/4 tsp Sea Salt or Kosher Salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

Chopped Tomato

Pita Chips

Directions:

1. In a food processor combine edamame, avocado, onion, lemon juice, pesto, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover and process until well combined and nearly smooth. Place dip in an airtight container; cover. Chill until serving time.
2. To serve, top with tomato and additional sea salt and pepper. Serve with pita or tortilla chips. Makes 2-1/2 cups dip (twenty 2-Tbsp. servings).

 

Botanica Tiered Planter ON SALE!!

Increase your curb appeal by flanking your entry with columns of color, or add height to a garden landscape with our brown-rubbed black iron planter. Show-stopping with all three tiers, it can also be displayed with just one or two levels by removing baskets. Fill with pre-potted plants, or lift out the included coconut fiber liners for use with linens in the kitchen or towels in the bath. (16” diameter x 42” tall)
ON SALE:  Price: $145.96 $99.96
Order at my website http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com  SHIPS DIRECTLY TO YOU! 

Stylish Silverware Holder

What a pretty way to display silverware when you are having friends to dinner!!

Transform a glass oval container filled with white rice into a custom siverware holder. Tie sets of silverware together with ivory satin ribbon for an elegant look....or pick a fun colored ribbon to add a splash of color...

Light Up Your Halloween with this Fun Fall Favorite!

These are not available through Willow House but I thought they were so cute!!  Here is the link to order...

http://holiday.bhg.com/lighted-halloween-bottle-toppers.html/?psrc=CHS1108BPM_Home_LightedHalloweenBottleToppers

Light Up Your Halloween with this Fun Fall Favorite!

• Simply twist the necks of the bottle toppers and watch the changing colors glow.
• Add light to your Halloween tables, mantels, porches, and more.
• Made of acrylic, each bottle topper measures 2x4-1/2 inches. Extra batteries are included.
• Can be bought in pairs or as a set of six.

Mums...a Fall staple.

Mums! Nothing says fall like a colorful pot of mums by your front door. Just plop and drop into our Lincoln Village Planter or Entertaining Bucket for a fabulous fall entryway!  http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com  SHOP ONLINE.  NO MINIMUM ORDERS.  SHIPS DIRECTLY TO YOU!

Best Tips for Using Color

When you're spreading color around a room, think about proportion. If you're using three colors, try a 70/20/10 distribution. Use the lightest color for 70 percent of the room's decor, the second lightest for 20 percent, and the boldest 10 percent. For two colors, go 70/30...

Luminous Lanterns!

Whether it's Bradshaw, Drake, or Firefly, Willow House has a lantern for every space in your home. Use large lanterns to flank an entryway or mantel, or scatter smaller ones down a table for a luminous fall centerpiece. Order them at my website:  http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com

WEEKLY SPECIALS at WILLOW HOUSE

You can order these specials online at http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com (you can also view them and get descriptions there).
NO MINIMUM ORDERS and SHIPS DIRECTLY TO YOU!!

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball!

Recipe taken from the following link:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-cheese-ball/detail.aspx

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
2. Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving.     

          

                           

Things always happen in three's :)

Check out this BEAUTIFUL Demibottle Trio...new this FALL. 

There’s no halfway about it; these mini bottles showcase full-size style. Inspired by vintage apothecary jars, our demibottles get a modern makeover in trend-forward smoky gray. Use them alone, with flowers or greenery or to caddy desk supplies — they’re fantastic used individually or as a set. Set of three: one in each size. (Tall is 4” diameter x 5” tall; medium is 3” diameter x 4” tall; small is 4 1/2” diameter x 3 3/4” tall) $36.96 for the set.

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You can order these online at http://lynndoherty.willowhouse.com.  CLick on "Shop" (upper right), then click on "Shop Online" and search "demibottle"...NO MINIMUM ORDERS and SHIPS DIRECTLY TO YOU!  Or send them to a friend as a gift :)

Easy, Peasy Apple Crisp!

Easy, Peasy Apple Crisp!

It's September - time to start baking all of those yummy apple dishes that scream, AUTUMN!!

With four kids...five if you include my hubby...I like recipes that are quick, easy and yummy.  Check out this apple crisp recipe, with only four ingredients (five if you serve with vanilla ice cream) and minimal prep and cook time.

1 bag of red apples
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of all purpose flour
1 egg

In a mixing bowl, mix together sugar and flour.  Add egg, and mix in with fork thoroughly until mixture is crumbly.  Peel and slice apples and place into a baking dish.  Pour sugar/flour/egg mixture over top of apples.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (or until apples are tender).  Serve WARM and with VANILLA ICE CREAM....

RELAUNCHING SOON!!

As many of you know, we moved from Florida, spent the beautiful summer at our home on Cape Cod, and then moved overseas to Bahrain!  It has been a busy but exciting time!  STAY TUNED!  The blog will be back within the next week...

Happy September!