May 2013
5 posts
Watch your soaps online
I must have been 12 or 13 years old when I first started watching soap operas. With not a lot else do to in the summer, my sister and I would eat our lunch and spend a couple of hours flipping channels between various soap operas.
The stories were always a bit scandalous and outlandish and a lot of fun to watch. But neither of us really kept up with watching any of the shows after summer ended...
Vote for Miss South Dakota USA
Jessica Albers will represent South Dakota in the Miss USA competition in Las Vegas in June, but you can help her get closer to the crown now.
Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories – swimsuit, evening gown and interview – as they vie for the coveted title of Miss USA. The woman with the most votes between now and June 15 will...
Look for Brandon native Samantha Colburn on...
See Brandon native Samantha Colburn on “Criminal Minds” this week.
Colburn plays Melody Payton on an episode called “Nanny Dearest.” The episode follows the “Criminal Minds” team as they travel to Los Angeles looking for an UnSub who is kidnapping nannies and the children they care for on the same day each year.
Colburn has had quite a bit of success in Hollywood. She made her television debut...
Free Comic Book Day
We stopped at Rainbow Sports Cards and Comics today for Free Comic Book Day. My 8-year-old son loves comic books, and I love to see him reading, so it was a perfect way to spend part of a Saturday morning.
And we ran into a few of his favorite characters, too.
Free Comic Book Day runs all day. See costumed “Star Wars” enthusiasts, members of the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion, along with...
USD grad in 'Iron Man 3'
Look for Freeman, S.D., native and 2009 University of South Dakota grad Elliott Graber in “Iron Man 3” when it opens in theaters this weekend. (Read a review of the movie here.)
Graber plays a White House techie. He doesn’t have any speaking lines, but appears in a scene with Don Cheadle.
Earlier this year, Graber played the role of a younger version of Phil Dunphy in the ABC comedy, “Modern...
April 2013
2 posts
Turning broken branches into art
I know many of you are cleaning up tree branches. I will be, too. My poor 10-year-old apple tree cracked down the middle of its trunk last night. (Wah! No more fresh-off-the-tree apple pie.) Fortunately, my other trees are still fine, and cleaning up shouldn’t take long.
But if you have a lot of big branches, my brother-in-law, Jess Elofson, might be able to help.
Jess is a potter, and has...
'Big Brother' casting call
If you’ve ever wanted to be a reality TV star, now’s your chance.
CBS will hold an open casting call for “Big Brother” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Grand Falls Casino Resort near Larchwood, Iowa.
The show’s producers are looking for those 21 and older to compete in the 15th season of the series for the chance to win half a million dollars.
Chosen participants will live with a group of...
March 2013
1 post
The science fair volcano
For the school science fair this year, my son Josh decided he wanted to make a volcano.
We tried to talk him out of it. Everyone does one. My husband Matt didn’t want this to happen.
But he’s almost 8. Eight-year-old boys want to make things explode, and building a volcano that erupts is probably the coolest science project out there. So it’s hard to stifle a kid’s excitement about a totally...
February 2013
8 posts
All things Pinterest
I’ve been obsessed with Pinterest for quite a while now. I’m not sure when I started pinning things – a year ago? Two years ago? – but it’s a daily web thing for me. The virtual bulletin board that allows you to pin projects, recipes and whatever else to save for later is like having all of your bookmarks in one place, accessible anywhere. I love it.
I’ve pinned dozens of recipes for cookies,...
Oscar fashion flubs
As much fun as it is to talk about the fabulous fashion at the Oscars, dissing the fashion flubs is even better.
Here’s who I thought missed the mark last night.
Anne Hathaway’s light pink backless Prada gown is very pretty and very sophisticated. And I loved her necklace. But I can’t get over how it emphasizes her bust – and not in a good way. I’ll let the dress’s Twitter tell the rest of...
Oscar fashion favorites
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a huge fan of award shows. They tend to be long, kind of boring and did I say long? I have the attention span of a mosquito, it seems.
So I didn’t watch all 112 hours of the Oscars last night. I flipped back and forth with “The Walking Dead” instead. (Zombies were much better, in my opinion.)
But I love watching the Red Carpet arrivals, and it’s fun...
USD grad appears on 'Modern Family'
Are you a “Modern Family” fan?
Look for Elliott Graber, a Freeman, S.D., native and 2009 University of South Dakota graduate, in this Wednesday’s episode.
Graber plays a younger version of Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), one of the show’s main characters.
“They’re all looking back on the past to when they were younger,” Graber says. “They never thought that life would have turned out the way it...
Girl Scout Cookies are on sale!
Mmmm, it’s Girl Scout Cookie time! If you’ve been craving some Thin Mints, your wait is over. Cookies are now on sale in Sioux Falls!
Eight kinds of cookies are being sold this year. Mango Cremes are new, and they sound awesome. But my favorites will always be the classic Thin Mints and Shortbread. Which of these are your favorites?
• Carmel deLites: Vanilla cookies coated in caramel, sprinkled...
Bigfoot in South Dakota?
Is Bigfoot roaming around in South Dakota? Find out at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 during the Animal Planet TV show, “Finding Bigfoot.”
During Sunday’s episode, the “Finding Bigfoot” team meets with witnesses from the Lakota Sioux, who claim bigfoots roam the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. After zeroing in on a hotspot, the team is granted special access to private land where they just might find...
Sioux Falls food blogger's recipe published
Sioux Falls food blogger Stephanie Carlson (who shared her best tips and tricks with me for an article I wrote about homemade pizza) has a recipe for creamy scalloped potatoes featured in the new Gooseberry Patch cookbook, “Slow Cooking All Year Round.”
Carlson’s creamy scalloped potatoes are simple to make, and the recipe can easily be halved or doubled, depending on how many people you...
1 tag
Happy National Cake Pops Day!
Happy National Cake Pops Day!
Fine, it’s a made-up holiday. But any holiday that celebrates cake is fine by me. I just wish I had some cake pops to share with all of you. Instead, you’ll have to make your own. Don’t worry, they’re easy!
My sister and I made 300 cake pops for our friend Nora’s wedding a few months ago. It was one of those ideas that sounded good at the time, but 10 hours...
January 2013
3 posts
Cake decorating
I took a cake decorating class a few years ago from a local cake decorating genius, Carrie Williams. (Check out some of her incredible work on her not-updated-nearly-enough blog.)
I learned the basics, like how to make little stars and flowers and how to frost a cake without getting crumbs all over the top. I still can’t make a perfect Wilton-approved rose, but I don’t really care. Mostly, the...
Good game, good game...
Sportsmanship isn’t always an easy concept for kids. It doesn’t really matter what the game - winning is fun, losing is not so much fun.
I know I’m not the only parent who’s had to remind their kid to be a good sport, to respect the other team and to save the trash talking or excessive whining or complaining for later (or better yet, not at all).
So is it wrong that I...
Vote for a new Monopoly piece
Unlike some people, I’ve never had a favorite Monopoly piece. I like the iron because it’s fun to slide around the board. I like the dog because it’s cute. And I like the hat just because it looks cool.
But really, it doesn’t matter which piece I pick. I’m going to beat you anyway.
(Somewhere my ultra competitive husband is shaking his head and laughing. But this is my blog so I can spin the...
December 2012
22 posts
What are you doing tonight? NYE in Sioux Falls!
Can’t make it to Times Square to watch the ball drop tonight? There’s plenty to do in Sioux Falls to ring in 2013. Here are some highlights.
PARTIES
• Janitor Bob and Avian Sunrise will play an all-ages New Year’s Eve party at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The shows begin at 9 p.m., and tickets are $20 at the door. Get the scoop on Janitor Bob here.
• Icon Lounge, 402 N. Main, will...
Spark Letterpress in Martha Stewart Weddings
Spark, a fabulous letterpress design and print studio in Sioux Falls, is featured in the new issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. The magazine showed one of Spark’s custom metallic invitations. Pretty!
You can never have too many cookies
Despite the sugar high I’ve been on for practically the last week, I don’t believe you can ever have too many cookies around Christmas. And if you do, share with others!
These three cookies were the winners in Argus Leader Media’s annual reader cookie contest. Even if you think you can’t eat another cookie this Christmas, make room for one of these. They’re awesomely...
The 12 Days of Cookies: Bonus Recipe!
My family is gathering at my uncle’s house tomorrow to celebrate Christmas, so it’s the last day of holiday baking for me. And I have a lot of cookies I still want to make! First up will be a pan of these delicious Almond Bars. Lisa Severson, a co-worker at the Argus Leader, shared these at our cookie swap earlier this week. They are insanely delicious. I know my family - my sister especially -...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Turtle Cookies
Caramel, chocolate and nuts? Yeah, it’s a good cookie.
Turtle Cookies
Recipe from Anna Kinsella, Tea
Cookie:
1 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg, separated, plus 1 additional egg white
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
Caramel filling:
14 soft...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Chewy Chocolate...
Chocolate and gingerbread are two classic Christmas flavors. Together, they make for an outstanding cookie.
Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Recipe from Ann Fladmark, Sioux Falls
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon flour
1 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1 stick...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Golden Delight Cookies
Peanut butter and crushed graham crackers (along with mini M&Ms, white chocolate chips and pecans) give this easy-to-make cookie a ton of flavor.
Golden Delight Cookies
Recipe from Tammy VanDerWerff, Canistota
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Dandy Andes
Chocolate and mint is a perfect combination for Christmas cookies.
Dandy Andes
Recipe from Diane Brandt, Sioux Falls
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Andes Mints (about 60 – one for each cookie)
Melt butter, brown sugar and water over low heat. Add...
The 12 Days of Cookies: Bonus Recipe!
Ever since my cousin introduced me to Christina Tosi’s Blueberry and Cream cookies, I’ve been kind of obsessed with Tosi, the pastry chef and owner of Momofuku Milk Bar, a bakery in New York City.
Now, I’ve never been to her bakery. But I am in love with her style. And her cookbook – all 256 pages of pure, sweet deliciousness. I’m drooling a little bit just thinking about it.
Tosi’s cookbook is...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Lemon Snowflakes
With a cake mix starter, this cookie couldn’t be easier. Plus, it’s got a great lemon flavor!
Lemon Snowflakes
Recipe from Deborah Peterson, Sioux Falls
1 box (18 1/2 ounce) lemon cake mix with pudding in the mix
2 1/4 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 egg
In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, whipped topping and egg. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until blended....
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Cranberry Cashew Jumbles
This easy cookie is packed with flavor.
Cranberry Cashew Jumbles
Recipe from Donna Reit, Dell Rapids
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup salted cashews, coarsely chopped
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 to 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
Cream together sugar and butter. Add sour cream, egg...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Bonus recipe!
I can’t post a dozen delicious cookie recipes from others without sharing a few of my own favorites. This recipe was actually one of the winners in Argus Leader Media’s reader cookie contest from 2007. I loved the buttery shortbread cookie with a dollop of raspberry jam then and I still love it now. It’s a really simple recipe with few ingredients, but it has such wonderful...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Date Ball Cookies
Tasty and easy! You can’t ask for much more in a recipe.
Date Ball Cookies
Recipe from Mick Hoffer, Sioux Falls
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 pound dates, cut up
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups Rice Krispies
Coconut
In a saucepan, mix together butter, sugar, dates, egg, vanilla and salt. Boil 2 minutes. Let cool a few minutes, then add...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Gingerdoodles
Two fabulous cookies combine for one stellar taste sensation (and a really cute name)!
Gingerdoodles
Recipe from DaNann Kistler, Hartford
Snickerdoodle dough
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons cinnamon plus 3 tablespoons sugar (to roll cookies in)
Cream together...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Frosted Sugar Cookies
Frosted sugar cookies are a holiday classic!
Frosted Sugar Cookies
Recipe from Sonja Borchardt, Brandon
3 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Lemon Gems
Just a hint of lemon make these slice-and-bake cookies a delightful holiday treat.
Lemon Gems
Recipe from Julie Hansen, Sioux Falls
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup colored nonpareils
Lemon Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
In a small bowl, cream butter and...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Reese's Peanut Butter Cup...
If you love chocolate and peanut butter, this cookie is for you!
Reeses’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Recipe from Barb Quartier, Sioux Falls
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 10-ounce bag miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Cream margarine,...
3 tags
The 12 Days of Cookies: Holiday Gingersnaps
Home-baked cookies are definitely one of the sweetest way to say, “Happy holidays.”
Who, after all, can resist a cookie covered in chocolate, frosted with rich buttercream or simply sprinkled with sugar? Even people who do very little baking the rest of the year often bake a favorite Christmas cookie recipe or two. That’s because Christmas cookies are so much more than simple baked treats....
Scared of Santa
Some kids are happy to sit on Santa’s lap. My daughter is not one of those kids.
Kate was utterly – and hilariously – terrified of the Big Guy in Red. But what kind of parent would I be if I didn’t make her sit on his lap for a few pictures anyway?
Fabulous furs trunk show
Want to see what’s new in fur? Check out a trunk show and sale of this season’s most fashionable fur and shearling coats and jackets for men and women at the Clubhouse Hotel and Suites, 2320 S. Louise Ave., this weekend.
Ribnick Furs of Minneapolis will be showing its most popular styles from the 2012 collection of shearling coats and jackets as well as mink, sheared mink and sheared...
Enter the Argus Leader reader cookie contest!
Home-baked cookies are one of the sweetest way to say, “Happy holidays.”
Who, after all, can resist a cookie covered in chocolate, frosted with rich buttercream or simply sprinkled with sugar? Even people who do very little baking the rest of the year often bake a favorite Christmas cookie recipe or two. That’s because Christmas cookies are so much more than simple baked...
November 2012
16 posts
Target and Neiman Marcus
Tomorrow’s the day! The much-anticipated Target and Neiman Marcus holiday collection is on sale Dec. 1.
The collection, which features 24 of America’s preeminent designers, will be available at all Target and Neiman Marcus stores and online.
Prices range from $7.99 for this Rodarte wrapping paper
to $499.99 for an Alice + Olivia bike.
Other fun items include:
Tori Burch lunchbox for...
It's a very ugly Christmas, part 2
Why wear an ugly Christmas sweater when you can eat it? Check out this ugly sweater cake I spotted on CakeCentral.com.
The Elf on the Shelf is back
Alfie, our Elf on the Shelf, is back.
For the last few years, Aflie has made his annual appearance at our house after Thanksgiving, watching to see if my son has been naughty or nice. It’s a tradition that started when we got this book when Josh was 3 or 4.
Every night, as the story goes, Alfie travels back to the North Pole to give his report to Santa, and then flies back to our house, usually...
It's a very ugly Christmas
‘Tis the season for ugly holiday sweaters – you know, those sweaters embellished with embroidered Santas, light-up reindeer noses or sparkly snowflakes.
They’re colorful. Definitely festive. A little tacky. And dare I say trendy?
While most people reserve their favorite gaudy sweater for an ugly sweater party, the style has shifted to other items, too.
The sweater flask – $18 at Urban...
Cyber Monday shopping
Keep on shopping, people. It’s Cyber Monday!
If you’re looking for some tech-related deals, check out this spreadsheet from Dealzon.com. It features about 600 of the best deals on computers, TVs, laptops, video games and other electronic goodies and will be updated throughout the week.
Ian Ybarra, one of the site’s founders, lived in Vermillion when the site launched...
WatchBest Buy is open and here come the customers!
