Recipe: Infused Olive Oil

This is a super simple gift idea or even a nice little treat for yourself. I intend on picking up some fresh basil later this week to make my own basil infused olive oil, since I was so selfless & only made it as Christmas gifts… Yeah. Christmas gifts. Yeah, it’s almost February. Throw me a bone. It’s been a rough month…

But this is a great easy idea that I had to share! Obviously it’s a little late, or way early, for Christmas gifts, but what about a housewarming or hostess gift! You will look so fancy & awesome!

I looked everywhere for the perfect glass bottles for this project since I wanted to make some for just about everyone on my list. I finally found them at Cost Plus World Market. I give full credit to Hubby, because it was his idea to check here for them after I struck out at a bunch of other places. Lo & behold, there they were at a killer price. I think the smaller bottles in the 2 pack were $3.95. The single big ones were $1.99. They keep the stoppers at the register, FYI. I guess people were stealing them. Seriously. Weirdos.

Here’s what you’ll need:
- glass bottle with stopper
- Olive Oil (don’t use EVOO because I read the Extra Virgin adds flavors that will compete with your added herb(s) )
- Herb of Choice – If using rosemary, a little goes a long way. I just used a sprig per bottle. For Basil, 4 cups of fresh basil leaves per 2 cups olive oil.

The Rosemary Olive Oil is super simple:
- Wash & thoroughly dry the rosemary.
- Heat olive oil through, but do not simmer or boil. Just heated.
- Put rosemary in bottle & pour in oil.

- Leave for a day or longer depending on hour potent you want your oil to be.

Basil Olive Oil from Epicurious (check it out here)
4 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
2 cups olive oil

- Combine basil and olive oil in a blender.
- Puree the mixture until smooth.
- In a saucepan, simmer the olive oil and basil puree over medium heat for 45 seconds.


- Pour the heated mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl to remove the basil.

- Let the mixture sit for a few hours.

- Pour the oil into an airtight jar. (don't include the dark liquid at the bottom of the bowl, which is water mixed with finely ground basil)
I whipped up some cute little labels, while I was at it. Here’s a close-up:

Pretty cute, I know.

The good news is that you can hop over here and download them for FREE!

First Snow Day!

 

Awwww yyeeaaahh.  We got a little sprinkling of snow this weekend…FINALLY!  No that I am really WANTING snow all around, especially not like last year, but it’s definitely a welcome change up to the routine.  It gets so boring when it’s cold outside but there is no snow on the ground to play with.  We maybe get 15 minutes before Hunter is asking to go inside.  I got a good hour with them outside…and they didn’t want to come in!  And Jagger was mainly just doing this the whole time:

This was his first snow day ever as last year he was always sleeping when Hunter and I went out.  He looked so cute all bundled up…but he was still a little confused about what the white stuff was.  He just observed and took it all in

He also managed to shoot me a couple Blue Steels.  Pretty sure he was inspired by his new snow suit

I love that it looks like I have a wind machine on him too.  Oh yeah…cuz I’m that kind of stage mom!  Hunter had a grand ol’ time throwing the snow.  I tried to get a picture of it…but of course I said “Hunter throw the snow again!” and he gave me the most confused look.  Usually I’m hollering at him NOT to throw…so this was a new thing for him.

Overall it was just a fun time to be outside, despite the drool, the snots, the constant “it’s not working!” whines because people had to chop the snow (it was more like crushed ice…Hunter was totally spoiled last year with feet upon feet of the fluffy snow), and the fight to get them in, and out, of their snow suits.  Phew!  No wonder as you get older snow gets more annoying! But still, good imagination time (wink to Heather!)

Moms who do More...

Hey everyone!! How's your Thursdays going?  All good over here!  So...I just wanted to talk to you guys about a little thing Heather and I are doing.  Not really "together," but the same to each bring in a little extra money for the house.  Alright...let me just be honest...we are shamelessly plugging our Etsy shops today.

That's right, people.  We have each opened Etsy shops! (yay! Banners, confetti, horns!! Wahoo!)  Heather has actually been doing it for awhile and is getting more and more successful. BEHOLD!  PAPER MONKEY!

Heather specializes in handmade invites, announcements, decor, and pretty much anything else that has to do with paper goods.  She is absolutely amazing at what she does, you will not be disappointed in whatever product you receive. Here are a few samples of her work:

Paper roses

Amazing invites

Party favors and decor

Amazing right??  

So because I love to also craft things with my hands, Heather suggested that I put some of my stuff up on Etsy.  I was way nervous to do it, but why not?  I love to make things for myself and others, and one of my new years resolutions was to try and make some extra money for the house, so between kids and carpooling and playdates and laundry and and and and.....why not craft and make some money?  Welcome to L.A Crafty Happenings....where crafts are always happening!

I do not yet have a cool header like Heather does yet...she said she's going to help me with that (add that to her shop!)...so this is just one thing I'm selling.  My super cute personalized photo coasters!  I've also got a knack for making bowties...

...and crocheted hats for babies and kids!

{toddler hat for girls...or boys who like pink flowers.  Ain't no shame...}

{newborn hat}

I'm slowly adding stuff to the shop as I make things...and upcoming are some great scarves for adults, fingerless gloves, and of course...more adorable bowties!

So there's our plug for our new endeavors.  We both love being SAHM on a daily basis and love doing this blog.  Our shops are just another outlet for us to show the world what else we can do...which is pretty much ANYTHING!  :)  Power to us...and hope you stop by our shops for a look! 

1/2 plus 1/2 plus 1/2 equals…

…A whole crap load of unfinished projects!!  OMG if my house isn’t full of things that have to get done!  Everything started off pretty good with a jump start on organizing the pantry, but as I’m looking around this morning, I’m realizing that I have about 50 HALF finished projects that I need to finish.  Sonny ALWAYS says that this is my tragic flaw, that I never finish things all the way through, and I’m starting to see it.  DANG!  That means I have to admit he’s right.  BOO.

SO in order to get my arse in gear and prove my husband wrong…I decided to compile a list of things I need to get done before moving onto the next project, which really, is my bedroom, which is motivation enough for me to get going!  And putting the list on the blog kind of holds me accountable!  So here’s my Winter version of the To Do list:

1) Finish the thrift store “Sunburst Mirror.”  I found this little baby back in September at the thrift store in Hunter’s school (which is also a church) for $.25.  I had plans on creating a sunburst mirror….I think it’s about time I get on it.  It’s already sprayed gold…just need to get the mirror!

2) Sand, prime and paint Craigslist secretaries desk.  Again…I’ve had this desk since September…and I fixed all the structural stuff and clearly filled the holes and scratches…but it’s just been sitting here ever since.  So about time to get on it.  Oh…and you can see the sprayed starburst lying on the ground…sadly unfinished…

3) Make a seat and paint Jagger’s birthday rocking chair.  Yes…you heard me….birthday.  As in first birthday.  And since we are slowly approaching his second birthday…this needs to get done.

4) Spray railings and fittings to put back in the hallway leading to basement.  This has been a big complaint in my household…from Sonny…but I keep reminding him every time he brings something up from the basement that it would not have been possible if the railings were up….but no really…I need to do that

5)Finish Nephews 1st bday present…This I have to do and SOON as his bday is on the first of February and I need to be shipping it out!  Pictures will come after the fact as I want my sister to be surprised!  I’m pretty proud of it so far!

6) Organize the rest of the kitchen.  Wall and cabinet painting is scheduled for this year…so this NEEDS to get done!!

So this is just the short list…but they aren’t small projects.  My goal is to have them all done before my birthday in April.  I think it’s a fair amount of time, but between training for the marathon and just doing the day to day around here…it’s going to be tough!  I’m confident it can be done!!