Mr. Prof designer home

Thanks to my wonderful readers, my Facebook fan page reached 300 "likes" this week. Thank you all so much! In honor of this milestone I've decided it's time for another giveaway.


In the interest of full disclosure, I received this Furi Rachael Ray Froggy Double-Bladed Mezzaluna with Wooden Cutting Board and Non-Slip Mat as a gift a few years ago. It was an incredibly thoughtful gift, but since I haven't taken it out of the box yet I figured it might be nice to give it a home where someone will actually use it.
(Image from Amazon.com)

Product Features (taken from Amazon.com):

1. Füri Rachael Ray Froggy Double Blade Mezzaluna, reversible wood chopping board and a non-slip mat
2. Froggy has a bright green patented 'grippy' polypropylene and rubber handle that is antimicrobial-treated
3. The knife's dual blades are designed to offer additional cutting efficiency while providing ample stability for even the youngest of cooks
4. Use to mince and chop - from herbs, to nuts, to chocolate
5. The reversible wood chopping board has a curved bowl for easy chopping and measures 13.5-inches in length, 7.75-inches wide and 1-inch in height. Hand wash - not dishwasher safe.

To enter the giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling me what you plan to chop with the mezzaluna.

For a second entry: Let me know what recipe(s) you've made from my blog.

The Rules: Maximum of two entries per person, U.S. residents only. Each question should be answered in a separate post for you to receive credit for each entry. Commenting will close on Friday, September 30, at 4:00 pm, EST. Entries that do not follow the entry requirements will not be considered. The winner must be willing to provide a mailing address, so make sure to leave an email address if there isn't one in your profile. If the winner does not respond within 24 hours of being notified a second winner will be chosen. Good luck!

Even though it's not Friday, I have time now (on Monday) for a "7 Quick Takes" Friday, so here goes.

1. I've lost 11.4 pounds with Weight Watchers since I started in August- hooray!  This is so doable for real life.  Yes, I'm having to be intentional about it, but it really hasn't been difficult.  I am planning in more veggies, and forgoing extra helpings of bread, starchy veggies, and dessert.  But I still eat VERY well, and have had ice cream or some kind of treat at least once a week... I'm loving it.
2. Our 14-month old Moses is moving and grooving.  We call him "the Wanderer" because he always is meandering around, checking things out, inspecting cabinets, and generally just a curious little man on the move.  It's so much fun to see his humor and personality developing.
3. We have about 100 days, give or take, left in America, before we hit the tarmac once again.  Remember that quote in Dead Poet's Society about sucking all the marrow from life?  Well, we're going to spend these days sucking the marrow... enjoying times with family and friends... loving the big sky of Texas... enjoying the ability to find good quality clothes at bargain prices... eating Tex-Mex & Blue Bell.
4. I LOVE Pinterest.  I need to buy a couch when we move back overseas, and just joined Pinterest last week.  It has helped me narrow down what I'll want to look for-- which is totally different than what I thought I wanted.  I'm so glad to have a place to brainstorm and clarify what I love.  Are you a Pinterest user?

5. One of the ideas I picked up from Pinterest was using the french knot to embroider the bumps on sheep.  Awesome idea.  It led me to a little project this week-- embroidering John 10:27.  It only took a couple hours, while I talked with Doug and caught up on Project Runway.  I'll frame it in a 5x7 frame, and have another verse for our walls.  I can't wait to do another.
6. Do you know about my food blog?  It's nothing fancy... just tried-and-true recipes we use and love.  I just added a favorite of mine- Chinese Green Beans.  I could eat them by the barrel.
7. Have you been watching the Republican Debates?  If you're a long-time reader, you'll remember that I love to talk politics.  Here's what I thought of the last one-- 

• Perry really blew it.  His answer on foreign policy reminded me of Miss Teen South Carolina's answer about maps... he just bumbled over his words, and tried to throw in as many countries as possible.  His attempted attack on Romney was poorly stated and incomprehensible.
• Herman Cain is hilarious (and it seems Florida was impressed-- they gave him the win in their recent straw poll, far ahead of Perry or Romney).
• Romney came off more likable and at-ease than he ever has, to date.  The last debate was a shining moment for him.
• Newt came across as authoritative and smart, and I think he's raising some important questions and providing some credibility, even though he won't be the candidate in the end.
• Ron Paul got a lot of cheers, and I heard his sentiments (i.e., audit the fed) echoed from the lips of several other candidates.  His ideas are catching wind.
• Bachman keeps fading more and more; she pounded the "I'm a mom" pulpit. Instead of looking presidential, she looks like she ought to be running the local school board.
• Santorum had one good moment- bashing Perry on the college subsidy issue.  He had a lot of smirking and head shaking going on.  He still hasn't established a clear point of view.
• Hunstman keeps trying to talk as if he has a chance, but has not established himself as a major player.  
• Gary Johnson had a few good moments, but he's new to the gig and still seems like a long-shot.
• My main take-away from that debate was that Perry had a REALLY rough night.  Even though not many people watch these debates faithfully, a debate performance filled with stumbles and flub-ups snowball and hurt the candidate's perception by the electorate, and future performance.  By the end of the night, he looked physically spent and sounded self-protective.  I do not think he's going to be the candidate, and I'm glad.  

What have you thought of the Republican field thus far?  Are you leaning in any particular direction?  If you're a Republican, do you feel your candidate has a shot?

One of my friends posted this recipe for Bow Ties with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream on Facebook recently, touting it as a delicious, easy weeknight meal. I'm always struggling to put meals on the menu that don't include chicken, so I was excited to try this.


One word - delicious. I really can't say enough good things about this recipe. It couldn't have been easier to make but the flavors were perfect with the spicy sausage, tomatoes, and richness from the cream. SP practically inhaled his bowl and said he could keep going back for more. And Baby Girl was also a big fan, which is an automatic winner in my book. This is definitely going on my must-make-again-soon list. I served the pasta with side salads made with homemade red wine vinaigrette (recipe coming tomorrow!)

Kitchen Quick Tip - Avoid a messy cutting board by using kitchen scissors to cut the tomatoes while they're still inside the can.

Bow Ties with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream
Modified from Allrecipes.com

1-lb package bow tie pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional if you want more heat)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can Italian-style plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions; drain.

Heat oil in a large, deep skillet (large enough to hold the sauce and pasta) over medium heat. Cook sausage and pepper flakes (if using) until sausage is evenly brown. Add onion and garlic, and cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, cream, and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.

Stir cooked pasta into sauce, and heat through. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Can you believe it'll be October by this time next week? Crazy. October is a great month in the Home Cooking house. Baby Girl's birthday and our anniversary, plus Halloween and all kinds of fall fun. October really signals fall for me so I'm very excited. Bring on the apples, pumpkin, sweater weather, hay rides and Halloween!

Sunday - Biscuits over Creamed Chicken with side salads. (I'm going to try making my own cream of chicken soup)

Monday - Tortellini Soup with Chunky Tomatoes and Spinach, Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Tuesday - French Onion Mac and Cheese, side salads

Wednesday - Spaghetti Carbonara with Blue Cheese and Artichokes (SP is going out with my stepdad for dinner so I'm taking the opportunity to cook one of his least favorite foods - artichokes)

Thursday - Pork Chops with Onions and Ranch, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans (I'm combining two recipes to make the chops - this one and this one)

Friday - homemade pizza with extra cheese

Saturday - Salisbury Steak, Blue Cheese and Scallion Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach

Well this week I have been busy with ‘business’ things so not much has been happening in my little world , no more gallivanting around the countryside like the last two weeks– but I did manage to buy some White pumpkins and get them out on the porches and I put out a few Halloween things but not much.  My decorating is finished!

This is in the screen room
 

Today Doug’s cousins are coming over for a little get together – a few can’t make it so it’s going to be a small group but we’ll still enjoy the day and then we’re having a Soup/Sandwich Supper.

There are so many wonderful shows coming up this Fall – only wish I lived in several places at one time to attend them all.  I think besides the Oaks, PA Wholesale show late October and then the Simple Goods Show the first weekend of November that’s all we’re going to be doing. Except for the trip to Arkansas and little jaunts up north we haven’t gone anywhere since January and I’m getting antsy legs!

If you look in the side bar to the left I added two new items for Fall – my Candy Corn Hugger and Mug Mats.
 

A couple weeks ago I ordered some Weavers Cloth fabric from a dear blogger who was selling it. I think now to date I bought all she has (the other order arrived today).  It’s coming at a good time too because I’m preparing for next Summer’s Littiz Craft Show. Need to get stitching some goodies.

Oh, last weekend we went up north to the Wisconsin Dells for their last hurrah for the Summer – I found a couple things at the Flea Market and some great hand made mittens at the craft show.

Another Pewter top Syrup Pitcher and a much needed Pastry Blender – it has a metal handle so it should fit nicely in my hand.
 

And the warm mittens made from old sweaters

Nothing else is going on here so I’ll close for now – just wanted to check in.

Karen