That one time we met Tyler Florence...

A little background...one of the private schools in our area has a big fundraiser every year called the Signatures Author Series.  They invite a well-known author to headline the event and do a book signing.  A handful of local authors are invited to sign their books as well.

I attended the event two years ago with Decorating Cookies and went back this year with Decorating Cookies Party.  This year's headliner: TYLER FLORENCE!  Woot!

Tyler has been on Food Network forever (19 years!) and has penned 12 books, including books for children.  Maybe you've seen Sprout organic baby food?  That's Tyler.  I was invited to sit in on a press conference with him.  He's really passionate about kids eating well...as a matter of fact, he said his family only has dessert on special occasions. 
(Aaaaand, that was the moment I decided not to ask him what his favorite cookie is. After that, the only thing I could think of to say was, "I like your glasses." I chickened out.) ;) 

One of his goals is to encourage people to be more intuitive cooks...not to be slaves to recipes.

{This pic is from the press conference.  No, he's not checking Twitter; he was looking for a picture of a turkey to show us.}

I was impressed...not just because of his accomplishments, but his demeanor.  Before the event, he signed a chair for a silent auction.  My book table was directly across from it, so of course, I was taking in every detail.  He was personable and friendly with all of the volunteers.  Afterward, he stopped by every local author book table and introduced himself, taking pictures, etc.  His keynote presentation was fun and informative...definitely a hit with the 800 people in attendance!


That morning when Mr. E and I were getting out of the car, I spied his San Francisco Giants cap in the back window.  Knowing Tyler is a fan (yes, I stalk him on Instagram), I told Mr. E to bring it. Well, the two bonded and talked baseball for a while.  I watched the World Series, but I'm not exactly well-versed in baseball.  I can tell you where the best food is at Minute Maid Park and how much I miss Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman...that's about it, so I stood there smiling and nodding like an idiot. ;)



Tyler's new book is called Inside the Test Kitchen: 120 New Recipes, Perfected. 
It's a cool book.  Tyler explained that every recipe in the book was inspired by problems and questions people posed to him on Instagram and Twitter.  These recipes and techniques are tested and tested and re-tested...and I love Tyler's handwritten notes in the margins.  His book is about taking those notions we have of the "right" way to cook things and asking why. 


For example, wouldn't we enjoy risotto more if we weren't standing over the hot stove ladling in scoops of stock and stirring continuously for 45 minutes?  As Tyler put it, "45 minutes for cheesy rice?"  He turned the method on its head and has a much simpler version that takes 20 minutes...with out the ladling and stirring.  Thanksgiving turkey (with stuffing!) in 1.5 hours instead of 4 hours?  I cannot wait to try that!

I haven't had a chance to make any of the recipes at home, but I feel sure they are all winners...we can trust Tyler, can't we?!?

Speaking of book events (why does this always feel so awkward to write about???), this Saturday (Nov. 15th), I'll be signing books at Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands from 1-3pm.  So, Tyler Florence won't be there, but I will be bringing cookies! ;)  I'd love to meet you! 

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Quebec City...pack your bags, people.

It's not easy to surprise your husband with a 50th birthday trip. 
Heck, I could barely click "purchase now" for the airline tickets without asking his opinion on the prices and flight times.

Quebec City has been on our "maybe someday" list of places to visit every since my cousin and her husband (remember their engagement cookies?) honeymooned there.
(Also, they just had a baby girl yesterday...named Bridget. I cried. Hi, baby Bridget!!!)
I remember seeing the pictures and thinking that Quebec City looked magical.  It is.

So many people have asked, "why Quebec City?"  Since I was sold on it through pictures, that's what I'll share with you, too.  Mainly pictures and a few tidbits.  (No, this is not a sponsored post.  Yes, Quebec City...consider this an open letter.  We're available for relocation. ;))

I could talk all day about these yellow shutters...

Utterly charming.


{Yes, that is a water fountain for horses. I TOLD you...QC is SO cute!!!}

Quebec City likes its statues...


The food. Oh my gosh. This is from a bakery called Le Croquembouche. Mr. E ordered an ice cream. Kiddo ordered a sandwich. My order is below:
That little pastry with the heart is chocolate mousse with a praline crust covered in dark chocolate.  I'll remember that forever.

Before the trip, I tried to learn a little French on the sly. My French app really seemed to understand me.
Also, every time I spoke French to someone, they answered me in English.  Hey, I tried.


No trip out of the country is complete without a parking ticket.  Just ask my dad who has a 20-year-old outstanding parking ticket in Ireland.  (PS: we paid this one.)


There are lots of cool things to see outside of the city, too.  Like Montmorency Falls.  Not as wide as Niagara Falls, but taller.


Y'all.  We rode a cable car to the top...walked across a bridge over the top of the falls, and walked down about a million steps to get back down.  It was cool.

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.  Beautiful.



Let me tell you about the hotel where we stayed:
Le Chateau Frontenac.
It's easy to see why it's the most photographed hotel in the world.  I could NOT stop taking pictures of it...from every angle. (It's in the first picture of this post and a few of the collages, too.)

{Again, this is not a sponsored post...but if you visit, think about staying here, or at least have a drink in the bar.}


Lobby.


Gorgeous bar.


I knew we had breakfast included with our stay, but let's be honest, hotel breakfast are usually a let down, right? Not this one. I contemplated staying there all day. Four (4) kinds of croissants, fresh crepes, eggs, CHOCOLATES (!!!), and a million other goodies, PLUS juice in the cutest glass bottles. There was even a big bowl of Nutella! It was dreamy. 
{Yes, the longest paragraph of this post is about a breakfast buffet.}

We were totally smitten with Le Chateau Frontenac...and so glad that my cousin & her husband recommended it.


There are SO many things to see, and do, and EAT.  The museums, Ile d'Orleans, etc., etc. If you go, will you take me with you?


PS...Mr. E was totally surprised with the trip! Maybe we'll go back for his 51st. ;)

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Seriously Delish Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

This post is making me so happy...and I'm only on the first sentence. ;)  Today, we're talking about a fantastic new cookbook, we're talking about chocolate chip cookies...and well, we might even see a fluffy kitty.  See?  So much to be happy about.

Seriously Delish: 150 Recipes for People Who Totally Love Food is the first cookbook (I predict of many) from Jessica Merchant of How Sweet Eats.  I've been a fan of Jessica's for...forever.  I love her recipes, many from her blog have become staples in our house.  I love her fun style of writing.  I love that Jessica LOVES FOOD.


I've already made 4 recipes from her book...we have loved each of them.  Last week, kiddo had a friend over for dinner and I made the Green Chili Turkey & White Bean Enchiladas. I think we demolished the entire pan in 5 minutes.  So good.
We'll be talking about those Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies more in a minute.

Here's a little peek inside:

When I read it, I really felt like Jessica was hanging out with me in my kitchen.  Such an engaging and personable read...I love that in a cookbook.


The photography is beautiful.  Not only did Jessica develop the recipes, she did her own photography.  Multi-talented, that one.

Jessica has this knack for creating recipes that are unique and modern and fresh, but still keeping them simple enough to make every day.  Next on my list:  Amaretto-Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon Toast Croutons (!!!), Parmesan-Pistachio Kale Chips, and the Fleur de Sel Caramel Bourbon Brownie Milkshakes (oh. MY. gosh.).


Spike was very interested in the Buffalo Chicken Pizza.


He REALLY likes this book. 


The cookies.  In my option, there is nothing better than a chocolate chip cookie.  Nothing.  Well, maybe the dough before it's baked, but basically nothing.  A cookie that is made with whole wheat and oat flour, though?  That might even be better than the original.

I felt so good about eating all that whole wheat that I ate a few extras purely for the health benefits.
You say multi-vitamin, I say cookie.  Tomato, to-mah-to.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

{reprinted with permission from Seriously Delish}

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup white whole wheat flour
1/3 cup oat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 TBSP (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup loosely packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup dark chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli Bittersweet)

Preheat oven to 350.  In a bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the butter on medium until smooth and creamy.  Add both sugars and beat on high speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.  Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and beat until combined, another 2 to 3 minutes.  Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients.  Mix until just combined.  Use a large spoon to stir in the chocolate chips.

Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the dough (I used a cookie scoop) and roll it into a ball.  Place the dough balls on nonstick baking sheets 2 inches apart.  Bake until cookies are set around the edges and slightly golden, 10-12 minutes.  Allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then remove them with a spatula and place on a cooling rack.


Yeah, they ARE delish!


So, Seriously Delish?  You want it.  Oh!  And, check to see if Jessica is coming to your town on her book tour.  I went to the one in Houston, and not only is Jessica a doll, but the entire crowd was just so delightful.  I feel sure it's the same in every city...Jessica brings the fun with her.


Seriously Delish.  Mom tested, kitty approved. 

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Pineapple Coconut Mojitos and a Staycation at Woodlands Resort

Ah, does anything say summer like a cocktail sipped poolside under a big umbrella?
{Recipe at the end of the post.}

When the resort in your town asks if you'd like to stay for the weekend as a family staycation, you first contemplate letting them know you can stay ALL SUMMER, then you decide that you don't want to scare them off, and just answer with a, "yes, please."


The Woodlands Resort...I've been to wedding receptions here, school fundraisers here, Thanksgiving dinner here, but I've never actually stayed here.  Now that the resort has undergone a 60-million dollar renovation, it seemed like the perfect time.


With multiple pools, waterslides, and a (brand new!) lazy river, it's easy to forget that you're in the suburbs of Houston...it feels like you're someplace tropical.  (The heat helps, too.)

The golf course looks beautiful, too, although we didn't play.  I took golf in college and it ended up to be my lowest grade from all 4 years.  Ugh.  Just thinking about it makes me shudder.  I would love to go out and WALK the course, though.  OK...enough about golf.


My favorite moments from our stay:

• a welcome as soon as we checked in: big chocolate chip cookie, ice cold milk, and Texas beers delivered to our room,
• getting up and out to the pool early.  It's quiet and peaceful, and a great time to take in the beautiful grounds,
• eating breakfast and lunch poolside...we were really impressed by the food from the poolside Cool Water Cafe,
• a massage at the Spa.  Probably the best massage I've ever had,
• watching kiddo and a friend go down the waterslide,
• late night spins around the lazy river with the boys,
• totally "getting away from it all," but still being close to home.

Where are the photos of us in our bathing suits?  Well, if you must see...

(F J Mortimer/Getty Images)

I also fell in love with a cocktail while there.  I knew at first sip, I'd have to try to recreate this at home.  Join me for a Pineapple Coconut Mojito, won't you?  I think it's a fitting way to cheers a happy summer!

Pineapple Coconut Mojito

{makes 1}

flaked, sweetened coconut
fresh mint leaves
1 lime slice
1/4 cup coconut rum
3/4 cup coconut-pineapple juice (or regular pineapple juice if you can't find it)
splash sparkling water or club soda

In a small pan, toast up the coconut until lightly browned.  Pour onto a cutting board and let cool.  Chop into smaller pieces and set aside.

Place 2 mint leaves and the slice of lime in the bottom of a pint glass.  Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to twist the leaves and lime a few times until the mint is fragrant.  Don't mash it to bits.

Top the muddled mint/lime with ice about 2/3 up the glass.  Spoon 1 TBSP of the chopped, toasted coconut on top of the ice.

Pour the rum and juice into the glass and stir.  Top with a splash of sparkling water or club soda. Garnish with mint, pineapple chunks, tiny umbrellas, and a straw...or not.  Cheers!


If you're staying in the Houston area, or live here already, check out the The Woodlands Resort.  Love pools, spas, golf, cocktails?  I think you'll like it!

{Disclosure: My family and I were treated to a weekend at The Woodlands Resort free of charge.  All opinions are my own.} 

Dad's Greenhouse

*this blog post does not contain sugar.  you've been warned.*

When we visited my dad earlier this summer, we got a look at how his greenhouse is coming along.  I know this post is a departure from the usual...sugar and spice and everything fattening.  So many people were interested in the greenhouse when I posted a picture of it on Instagram, I thought I'd give a closer look here.

So, my dad is building a (giant) greenhouse made of vintage windows, doors, and reclaimed wood.  

Here it is:

I really can't even comprehend how people build things.  It's so impressive to me.  Dad is good at this stuff.

Let's go in...

I love this old door.


This fan is one that I remember my dad having in the garage ever since I was a little girl.



The back/side.


Some of the glass he's had for ages...I remember my mom decorating with them.  Some were picked up at various places for this project.  Most of the wood is reclaimed.  Dad lives at a lake (yes, there's a lake in Amarillo!), so this is old dock wood.
I guess if we were hipsters, we'd call this an upcycled greenhouse.


These windows will swing open.


The roof.

I love that my dad is so handy.  He always has been.   I told him that maybe at age 70, he needs to start a new business....kind of like those Treehouse guys on TV. ;)