Hi there !

Just thought I’d give you a heads up – next week is the First Anniversary of Centsational Girl (yay !) with giveaways galore, and some reflections on what I’ve learned about blogging over this past year.  

For today, rather than leaving any comments, I’d appreciate if you’d indulge me in this very brief survey.  It is only 12 questions and will take about two to three minutes to complete.  The survey is designed to really get to know who you are and what you want to hear about when you take the time to visit this site.  I truly welcome your opinion. 

Rules: this is a drama-free survey, so please provide only constructive feedback that will be helpful.  You do NOT have to answer any question that you prefer not to answer.

 
Use the scroll bar to the immediate right of the top two questions to scan through.

THANK YOU !  Please feel free to leave any additional comments.

___________________________

Techie note:  If you’d like to add surveys to your WordPress blog posts, visit this link  at Survey Gizmo, sign up for an account, and follow the instructions.   Another great tool for interacting with readers !

_____________________________

 For those of you in feed subscription, I apologize but this survey can’t be seen or completed in your reader. 

Please be so kind to visit the Home Page to provide your input !

.

I’ve got a few savory recipes up my sleeve, and now and then I like to share them.  However, one thing I have never done (until this week) is made candy.  I’ve made brownies and fudge.  I’ve even made a ganash.  But never ever in my life had I ever dipped my toe into the pool that is candy making, whether it be truffles or caramels.

Several months ago, I stumbled across this recipe for salted caramels at Smitten Kitchen, and ever since I’ve had caramels with sea salt on the brain.  Some of you may be thinking, how do sweet caramel and salt even go together ?  But I assure you, there’s something about the competing flavors of sweetness and saltiness, and when blended together, it forms the perfect medley.

Making caramels requires a tool that I previously did not possess: a candy thermometer.  Since Valentine’s Day is approaching, I thought I’d try my hand at actually making some caramels and chocolate candies for friends.  So I bought a candy thermometer for $15 dollars at Michaels and thus began this little adventure into making caramels and other chocolate candies.

Oh yes, I know what you’re thinking.  What a darling little carton of candy !  Do not be fooled.  Yes, it’s true, all’s well that ends well, but I must confess it was a somewhat rough journey to get to this blissful box.

Originally, when I glanced at the simple ingredients for caramel candy, I was emboldened.   Butter, sugar, cream and corn syrup.  What could go wrong ?

Little did I know that complexities and complications lurked around the bend.

Read the rest of this article »

I’ve been reflecting on my master bedroom, and its décor and I’ve concluded it’s pretty nice so far, but in need of some modern upgrades.  I’m really seeking to take the bedroom to the next level.  You know, add some elegant wainscoting, change up the art display, add some dramatic sconces, some upholstered seating, and perhaps a glitzy mirror above the bed.  Really glam it up a with a hint of that Old Hollywood style.

Our master gets morning light, but becomes really dark in the afternoon and evening.  For the longest time, I was looking for a mirrored buffet like this one from Z Gallerie to put under the front window to pull light into the space.  Plus, I have a storage issue in my bedroom.  I have several dozen half finished books that I’m committed to reading, so they simply cannot leave the room.  And a ton of magazines piling up again.  Yet all of those books and magazines were collecting dust and I really needed a storage solution for my bedtime reading material.

Enter this downtrodden substitute from the local thrift store.

A beautiful piece of cabinetry in my eyes, but sad too.  I can tell that someone wanted to fix her up, but gave up.  Perhaps because the top and side panels are veneer.  Or perhaps because this piece had taken a lot of abuse.

Read the rest of this article »