Chocolate Chip Blondies | The Barefoot Contessa Project

To contact us Click HERE


You all know that Mike loves Chocolate Chip Cookies.  He always insists "don't fix what's not broken."  An for him, it doesn't get better than a good chocolate chip cookie.



I knew he'd be excited about these Chocolate Chip Blondes (officially Chocolate "Chunk" but I used chips because that's what I had) because they are basically Chocolate Chip Cookies in bar form.  Not basically, that's exactly what they are.  In fact, I think it is The Barefoot Contessa's exact Chocolate Chunk Cookie recipe, just baked in a baking dish vs. scooped into cookies.

True to form, these cookies I mean blondies are delish.  My only note is that I only baked them for 22 minutes of the recommended 30 and they do not seem as goey or moist as pictured in Foolproof.  I wonder if it is because I used a metal sheet pan vs. a glass baking dish?  Anyone else run into this problem?

Don't worry though, we are still gobbling them up at record speed.  I took these photos yesterday and am looking at the last one right now!

You can find the recipe here!

Our Weekend In Pictures (mostly of Emma...)

To contact us Click HERE
My kids are crazy for balls.


 Emma's first word was "ball."  Mr. is never without one.

He has turned our backyard into a ball pit.

This is her first time to really play outdoors... there might have been kicking and screaming when we had to come inside.  I'm thinking I should have a big garden this summer... it will give me something to do while she and the Mr. pick up balls.  I wonder if she'll take to picking weeds?

She doesn't know the green one is there... she was trying to throw it to Mr. and that is where it ended up : )

Homemade Turtle "Puddles" recipe coming soon...

Sweet girl.


Homemade Pizzas

Mr. Darcy and I have started up our morning walks again.  I miss the charming New England town walks from last Winter, but...

We have some great spots here, too.

Mr. always checks for the ducks.

It is such a great way to start the day.  I'm just glad you can't see me in these photos - when we leave the house I have bed head covered by a stocking cap and am clinging to my coffee.  

But it always feels so good about 2 minutes in... especially when D turns and gives me one of these grins.

Valentine's Day Dinner Party Table Setting | Coral, Orange & Pale Pink Roses

To contact us Click HERE


Over the holidays we wanted to have our closest friends over for a special dinner... and then we got busy and now it is almost February.  So, I'm making it up to them by hosting a Valentine's dinner party complete with an all Barefoot Contessa menu. 

The entire party was inspired by roses I found at Trader Joe's - spray roses in coral, orange and pale pink.  I bought them on a whim and then decided that I needed to have a Valentine's Day party.  In fact, those roses were the only thing I needed to buy for the table, and at $5 per bunch (for a total of $15) I think they are an amazing centerpiece.  It is a little fancier than I typically set a table for dinner with friends, but I thought it would be fun to gussy it up a bit. 
I pulled in our grey wingback chairs from the family room - with their blankets and pillows, they make it such a cozy table.
The menu is a bit over the top!

Here is what I'm planning :

Parmesan Crisps
Caramelized Bacon
Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin (I can't get enough...)
Balsamic-Roased Brussels Sprouts
Truffled Mashed Potatoes
Chocolate Cassis Cake

What do you think?  Too much?  Too rich?  Or just right for an indulgent holiday...?



I love how this white rose that was mixed in with the pale pink ones opened up completely.  It looks like a real garden rose.


I'm planning to post a step-by-step of creating this arrangement and other floral tips tomorrow (or Saturday...), so stay tuned.

Notice, I decided to change the vase after I had completed the arrangement.  I love how the footed vase gives the table a more fanciful, ornate feel - very different than the clean modern vase, which I also love.  It is so interesting how such a small choice, like a vase, can completely influence the entire feel of a table/party.

Here are a couple of photos that show you what's going on adjacent to the dining room to help you get a feel for the mood - the fire is roaring.


... and Mr. is cuddled up in his spot.

I'm sending everyone home with these homemade Salted Caramel Turtle Puddles.  Yes, they are as good as they look.  Maybe better.  This is the second batch I've made in 4 days... the first went too quickly.  AND they are the easiest candy I've ever made.  Easy and amazing... dangerous.

Here is the recipe for the "Puddles" - they are sooo good.

Here is the easy-to-pin strip!

A Barefoot Contessa Dinner Party | Last Night's Dinner...

To contact us Click HERE


I'm still on a high from last night's dinner party - the food was soooo good.  I can say that without seeming full of myself because I didn't cook everything, and I didn't write the recipes.  Even my friends said they were shocked when I asked if they thought it would be fun for everyone to contribute to the dinner - normally I like to make everything so I have complete control over the dinner.  But, it was really fun for everyone to get in on the fun of making their favorite recipe from Foolproof.

If you're new to the Foolproof party, you can read all about my Barefoot Contessa project, here.

After chatting with my friends about the menu, we made a couple of revisions to the original selections I had posted earlier this week based on their recommendations.  Katie's favorite from the book is the Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips, so we decided to add that to the menu.  And, we have a pregnant friend so instead of the Chocolate Cassis Cake I opted to make the Barefoot classic, Chocolate Ganache Cake (from Parties, my all-time favorite Barefoot Contessa book, as I was quoted in this article).  I had actually never made the recipe before and I knew it would right up Mike's alley. 



Everything was absolutely amazing - and the menu was a great combination.  I highly recommend it.


Read more details on the table setting, here.

Our Barefoot Contessa Foolproof Menu :

Sidecars (cocktail)
Parmesan Crisps
Caramelized Bacon
Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin (I can't get enough...)
Balsamic-Roased Brussels Sprouts
Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips
Chocolate Ganache Cake with Whipped Cream



We started the night with a platter of nibbles that packed a punch, but were light enough not to ruin our appetites, and... cocktails.

We are typically such a wine crowd that I was hesitant to serve a cocktail, but it was such a festive addition.  It really started the night off with a more celebratory feel.  I altered Ina's recipe for a classic Sidecar by adding some Blood Orange sparkling European soda.  I loved the bitterness the blood orange added, and it made it a little more special (without cognac, of course) for my pregnant friend. 











The Parmesan Crisps were the easiest thing I've ever made - ever.  You literally grate cheese, add seasoning and bake them for 8 minutes.  They are the perfect thing to serve with drinks - crispy, salty and light.



I feel like I don't even need to write anything about this - Caramelized Bacon says it all!



Katie's Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips.  These were out of this world!  They don't taste like typical glazed or roasted carrots - it is almost like they develop a flavor all their own.  I can't wait to make them myself.


Dinner is served - very Ina, serving it all on one platter.  The Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin was perfect.  For our 6 guests, I had the butcher cut a 3 pound section from the whole tenderloin.  This is my third time preparing the beef this way - Christmas, New Years Eve and now this party - each time it is perfect.  

Sorry for the blurry pic - my camera was on the wrong setting.  Ugh.



The complete plate - all of the vegetables were so nice with the beef.  It was a decadent dinner without being too heavy. 



Aren't all of the colors so lovely?  


For dessert, I made Ina's Chocolate Ganache Cake from her book, Parties.  In that book she called this a "foolproof" recipe that was a staple at her store, The Barefoot Contessa.  It was amazing.  It might be my new favorite go-to dessert.



 Such a fun night with friends!  Thanks, Ina for a fabulous menu!

LIttle Girl Valentine's Day Gift Idea | Strawberry Whoopie Pies, Pink PJ's & Pink Mini Boden Bunny Tee's

To contact us Click HERE


For Valentine's Day, we sent Emma's cousins a care package filled with girly goodies for both of the little ladies :

Mini Strawberry Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Icing (recipe coming tomorrow!)
Mini Boden Bunny T-Shirts
Hanna Andersson Pink Striped PJ's




Emma got one of these shirts for Valentine's Day, too.  The little bunny is actually a dark chambray material - so cute.  This is the 3-6 months size shirt for baby Kate.


I included some Pecan and Salted Caramel Turtle Puddles for my sister, Jill.


...and bags of mini and tiny Strawberry Whoopie Pies for Samantha.


I also included a pair of pink and white striped Hanna Anderrson PJ's for all three.  Of course, Emma also has a pair of these, too...  They are the best pajamas.  Very comfy!


All packed up headed for their house for Valentine's Day!