Saturday, April 30, 2011

Home Sweet Home

Visiting my family in Florida is always a welcomed opportunity.
But, sometimes I can't help feeling some disappointment.

Your bedroom may now be a sewing room or an office...
Your favorite restaurant has closed...
or you might recognize someone in the grocery store...and they walk right past you...

Each time I visit I realize more and more that home isn't a building.
Home is my family.
Home is holding hands around the dinner table.
Home is a familiar face...
A hug, a laugh, a well-worn story
even a phone call.

I love my family, my home.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

One Year

The Lara of five years ago seems  more like a friend than me. 

Five years ago I was 21.  I lived in Florida with my family.  My brother and his wife didn't have any children yet and I didn't have any life direction....yet.  

At that point in my life I didn't think I'd be married.  I wasn't worried about marriage or children or really anything.  I thought that it would be cool to open a coffee shop...maybe write a childrens' book.  I knew about current music...books...movies...

Sure, I admit, I feel like I've lost touch with that Lara.

But, I've gained so much more.  


Today is my daughter's first birthday.  One year ago (technically one year and one day ago..) my mom and I went to Charming Charlie's...and I went into labor.  


For many years I wondered over what was my purpose in life...and tried many different 'purposes'.  But, when I became a mommy...life came into focus for me.  It is ironic that the girl who avoided children (like the plague) would find completion in having a child.  God really does have a sense of humor.  

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY baby girl!  Thank you for giving your mommy a purpose & I love you.




Thursday, March 31, 2011

Girl Scout Cookie Adventure

I recently set out to recreate some of the classic GS cookie in my own kitchen.  Through the magic of Google I found recipes for Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Do-si-do's & Samoas.

Thin Mints were up first.  After reading the recipe I realized that Thin Mints are just chocolate/mint shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate.  Doink.  So, this recipe was very easy with rather good results.

Thin Mints Cookie Dough
2 1/4 C Flour
1/4 C cornstarch
6 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 t salt
1 C sugar
1/2 C butter, room temp.
1/3 C milk
1/2 t vanilla extract
3/4 t mint extract
I. Whisk together flour, cornstarch, cocoa and salt in a small bowl. set aside
II. Cream together sugar and butter. with mixer on low speed, add milk and extracts.  (mixture will look curdled)
III.  Gradually add in the flour mixture until incorporated.
IV. Chill dough until firm.  Then, shape into two logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 2 hours or until very firm.
V. Preheat oven to 375.  Slice dough into rounds about 1/4 inch thick and place on parchment lined baking sheet.  cookies don't spread much, so they can be placed close together.  Bake for 13 - 15 minutes.  Cool cookies on wire rack.

Chocolate Coating
10 oz dark or semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 C butter, room temp
I.  Combine butter and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high until melted.  Stir to make smooth.  So dipping is easier, chocolate should be almost like chocolate syrup.
II.  Dip cookies and let set on parchment

Makes 3 - 4 dozen



After making my Thin Mints I noticed that I should have cut the dough thinner.  For the cookies to taste authentic you'll want that real crisp cookie.  The cookies freeze well.  When I made the recipe I actually only baked half and froze the other half.  


So, is it worth making Thin Mints at home over buying a box from your local Girl Scout for $4.00?  
Yes, but there is a little more effort required than just tearing open a box on the way home from the grocery store.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

By Request

The request was made for me to start a blog.  My immediate thought was 'what would I write about that people would actually want to read?'  I am still having that particular thought.  


Kitchen sink revelations -  I'm fairly certain my blog title is probably influence from something I read or saw on TV, but I can't remember from where so I claim this as my own...until someone tells me otherwise.  


Kitchen sink revelations - this has two meanings.  

  1. A play on the phrase "everything but the kitchen sink".  I'll be writing about whatever strikes me at the moment; books, music, recipes, funny situations, and (of course) reality tv. 
  2. I am a wife and mother which means I spend a good deal of time at the kitchen sink.  Oddly enough, I find working at the sink a great place to think, to roll things around in my head.  Many a revelation happens for me at the kitchen sink.

What you will not find here at Kitchen Sink Revelations:
-proper grammar, spelling or punctuation.  i'm not writing a blog to practice my english skills.
-sound advice or solid facts (unless i say otherwise but mostly things will be opinion based -my opinion)



So...welcome!  Let the revelation-ing begin!