Nov 25
(Photo from Associated Press)
It’s the busiest shopping day of the year today, otherwise known as “Black Friday”. So we have some fun ideas for you today, for those folks who you think it might be difficult to buy gifts for this holiday season. Read more
Nov 24
Today, on this national holiday, we eat turkey and yummy pies and sit around our dining tables with family and friends. But don’t forget admidst the family stories, laughter and fun, piles of dishes and tired feet, today is really about giving thanks. Read more
Nov 23
We came across this wonderful article in the Wall Street Journal, written by Melanie Kirkpatrick and just HAD to share it with all of you. Read more
Nov 22
Fresh flowers are always lovely, but they aren’t the only option for a centerpiece or decorations at your Thanksgiving gathering. Read more
Nov 21
It may be “old fashioned” but we think Pumpkin Pie is always in style! Read more
Nov 18
Pumpkin, butternut squash, maple, pomegranate, cinnamon, ginger, and pear are all iconic tastes, fruits and flavors of fall. But perhaps one of the most enjoyed of all are apples! Read more
Nov 17
Certainly, we are not trying to convince anyone that Catherine looks like Diana, Princess of Wales physically. But, certainly, we think you will agree that they both have a certain sense of style. Read more
Nov 16
This is a really simple, super fun way to jazz up your bedroom! Read more
Nov 15
A good pair of lovely shoes can take you lots of places. Just ask the Duchess of Cambridge! Read more
Nov 14
In days gone by, Monday was commonly “laundry day” for homemakers who had a different day for each household task. Back then we didn’t have all the conveniences we now have so doing laundry could be an all day event. Today we have a chart with quick clean up ideas for any stain you might encounter. Or in today’s terms, we have some really helpful laundry hacks. Read more
Nov 11
Today, across the nation, we are celebrating Veterans Day. Most of us know or are related to a someone who has served our country in military service. Read more
Nov 10
Nov 9
If you are a fan of the British royal family and you have access to Netflix, The Crown is a must see. Read more
Nov 8
Nov 3
A lovely story hit the news this week about a Dad on board a plane with his daughter. Read more
Nov 2
We have seen this “trick” for easy folding before. Maybe you have too. But not like this. Read more
Nov 1
We can all use a word of wisdom or encouragement from time to time. Some of us need them more often than others. We all go through seasons where we just need a good reminder that things will work out. Today we have just that sort of encouragement for you. Read more
Oct 28
Need a last minute costume? We’ve got that! Read more
Oct 27
It’s Fall and Halloween is just days away. So what better way to celebrate the season than with pumpkin for dinner? Much less something so easy and delicious as this is! This could honestly not be much easier or more delicious and satisfying. By substituting wonton wrappers for the pasta, and using canned pumpkin puree for the filling, and topping the whole thing off with a delicious nutty tasting browned butter sage sauce, you can have this elegant and really yummy dinner ready in a flash.
Pumpkin Ravioli with Browned Sage Butter
(adapted from blog.Williams-Sonoma.com)
For the filling:
1 can pumpkin puree* (you could also use cooked butternut squash or sweet potato )
1 shallot minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 egg, yolk and white separated
2 Tbs. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
1 to 2 Tbs. dried bread crumbs
Wonton wrappers
Place the pumpkin puree in a bowl. Melt the butter in a pan and lightly sauce the minced shallot until it is soft. Add the shallot to the pumpkin puree along with the egg yolk, parmesan cheese, sugar, nutmeg and salt. Stir well to combine. Add bread crumbs to bind the filling together if it seems a little runny.
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Put the egg white in a bowl and beat it with a fork. Using a pastry brush, brush the edges of each wrapper with the beaten egg white. Place a heaping teaspoon of the pumpkin filling in the middle of each wrapper. Top each with another wrapper, pressing firmly to seal the edges and making sure to press out any air bubbles.
Lower the heat under the boiling water and bring it to a simmer. Place the ravioli, 6 at a time, into the simmering water and cook for about 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a buttered baking dish in a warm oven (about 200 degrees) while you cook the remaining ravioli.
For the sauce:
1 stick of butter
a bunch of fresh sage leaves
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for serving
Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the sage leaves. Cook until the sage leaves are crispy and the butter is brown, this should take about about 3 – 5 minutes. Carefully add the ravioli to the pan, 6 at a time, and turn gently to coat with the brown butter. Transfer the ravioli to each dinner plate. Top with the remaining butter and sage leaves in the pan, sprinkle with the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Add a fresh green salad and some crusty French bread and “dinner is served”!
Oct 26
We all know a good laugh is the very best thing to cure whatever ails you…or at least to give you some comic relief for a few minutes. Read more
Oct 25
Yes, on this day in 1764, John Adams married his love, Abigail Smith. Read more
Oct 24
Well, we are sure that we can all use tips to help us travel well. Here, we have some for you which have been shared by various airline personnel who obviously do it all the time. Read more
Oct 21
If you have been around Two Chums for any time at all you know that:
1. we love nice things and
2.we love a good deal!
We have a great find for you today 🙂 Read more
Oct 20
As you well know, your Two Chums love the Royals and love sharing little things about them. Read more
Oct 18
Here are some wonderful sayings that we are sure you have all used but did not know how they came into being. Read more
Oct 17
Today the terms “left wing” and “right wing” are used as symbolic labels for liberals and conservatives, but how did we get these labels? Read more
Oct 13
Oct 12
If you are planning on doing some “sprucing up” this season, we have a couple of things we would like to point out. Read more
Oct 11
On a recent official visit to Canada from England, Prince George and Princess Charlotte were featured regularly in the press….each time, Prince George was wearing shorts. Read more
Oct 10
Today, we celebrate Columbus Day and, yes, we are most grateful to Christopher Columbus!
Oct 7
Some time ago we gave you the recipe for one of our favorite cakes. Today we are giving it to you again but this time with a slight twist:-). Read more
Oct 6
Every child deserves to be encouraged to be the best he or she can be and to know that they are blessed. But unfortunately too many of us, whether adults or children, failed to get that message. Not so with this little girl. Read more
Oct 5
We think that we have all seen those “As Seen on TV” items and have wondered how good they could be. Read more
Oct 4
MacKenzie Dawson of the New York Post writes:
“During World War II, Irena Sendler saved more people than Oskar Schindler, smuggling some 2,500 Jewish children from Warsaw’s ghetto to safety. Each time, she escaped certain death, as the price for anyone who helped a Jew was summary execution. Read more
Oct 3
“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” – Mark Twain Read more
Sep 30
Some things in life are just a given. For instance, who doesn’t love a good biscuit? Read more
Sep 29
Food is obviously a source of enjoyment and nurture but sometimes it can be used to be even more. Read more
Sep 28
Yes, you’ve got ’em! Some great Savvy Secrets, thanks to Philipp Jahner of Buzz-Feed-Redaktion. Read more
Sep 27
Thomas Vogel/Getty Images
Is there really a “red” telephone that might have to be answered at 3:00 am by the President? Read more
Sep 26
Thinking about sprucing your home up for the holidays? It is never too early, as you well know! Read more
Sep 23
One of our favorite things to post on Two Chums, is a really good Savvy Secret. These helpful tidbits that come from a variety of sources….Facebook, Instagram, magazine articles and our favorite, our chums….make everyone’s lives a little easier and certainly more abundant. We love the one we will share today! Read more
Sep 22
(photo courtesy of Inspired by Charm)
It’s here….Fall is officially here. And what could be more synonymous with Fall flavor than anything pumpkin?
Sep 21
What do you think makes you mentally strong? Travis Bradbury, a contributor to Forbes magazine, shares this with us. Read more
Sep 20
Sep 19
Who wouldn’t love the idea of cookies and milk (or coffee) for breakfast. But it just sounds way too unhealthy right? Not anymore! Read more
Sep 16
The weekend is upon us. What could be better to celebrate it than a hot, delicious, homemade donut?!!!! Read more
Sep 15
Yes, many happy returns go out to Prince Harry! His mother would be proud, we feel sure! Read more
Sep 14
Yes, you guessed it . . . . that wonderful story of the family who discovered oil and headed for Beverly Hills! Read more
Sep 13
Sep 12
It has always been very interesting to your Two Chums to read about Egypt so when we came upon this post by Gregory Myers, we could not help but share it with you.
Sep 9
Clemma and Sterling Elmore fell for each other practically the moment that they met, going steady soon after and marrying each other four months later. That was 57 years ago and their love is still going strong. Read more
Sep 8
Most of us think we know who we are, what our heritage is, where our relatives are from. But do we really? Read more
Sep 7
According to Mark Zuckerburg, the well-known Founder of Facebook there are three traits that he sees in the most successful entrepreneurs who make it to the top. Read more
Sep 6
Sep 5
Sep 2
These special treats are easy to make in a snap and soooooo yummy! Read more
Sep 2
These special treats are easy to make in a snap and soooooo yummy! Read more
Sep 1
When Kevon Smith Sr. sat down for breakfast at Cracker Barrel with his son Kevon Jr. in Willoughby, OH, he had no idea he was going to make headlines just for being a good dad. Read more
Aug 31
Aug 30
Betty White has received numerous awards for her long career, but her most recent recognition was for her overall television career. Read more
Aug 29
The Duke of Cambridge (aka HRH Prince William) is a much-talked-about person and seems to be a much-loved one as well.
Aug 26
Aug 25
Our dear chum Jen, shared a wonderful article with us on the subject of lavender and some of the many uses you may not have known about. It was just too good of an article not to pass it on to all our chums 🙂 Read more
Aug 24
Aug 23
No matter which side of the fence you stand on with regards to the election that is currently being campaigned in the United States, you have to admit that all that the two candidates are doing has to be very grueling! Read more
Aug 22
Last Friday would have been Coco Channel’s 133rd birthday! Hard to believe, but true. What an amazing legend she is and what a legacy she left us! Read more
Aug 19
One of life’s all time best combinations is chocolate and peanut butter. I bet we have your attention now! Read more
Aug 18
Yes, a second set of Savvy Secrets this week but we never get tired of sharing helpful secrets! Look what we found out! Read more
Aug 17
ca. November 1973, UK — Her Royal Highness Princess Royal Anne wears a white fur coat and crown for a Vogue photo shoot. — Image by © Norman Parkinson/Sygma/Corbis
We cannot believe that we missed it but Monday was Princess Anne’s birthday. Princess Anne is Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter and although we do not hear much about her on this side of the ocean, she is very well known in England and Europe. She does a lot for the Royal Family and one of her passions is horses. The last place she was seen publicly was at the Olympics cheering on the British team. Here are some fun facts about her. Read more
Aug 16
The Olympics is always a time of joy! Seeing the best of the best, putting forth their best, to be recognized as the best, is always heartwarming. Read more
Aug 12
Aug 11
Need/want a truly tasty and healthy side dish? Broccoli Carrot Crisps are calling you! Read more
Aug 9
Who doesn’t love Ranch Dressing? Whether used as a salad dressing or as a dip for chips or veggies, Ranch Dressing is arguably America’s favorite*. And the mix you use to make the dressing or dip is easy to make at home 🙂 Read more
Aug 8
When my darling father passed on in the Bahamas, we held a memorial service for him there. My dear Chum, Robin, and her husband, Randy, could not be in the Bahamas for the service so they had a superb dinner in his honor on our return. The dinner was held outside and Dennis (my husband), my adorable Mother and I were the last people to arrive. As we arrived and walked out into the back garden, “It’s a Wonderful World” by none other than Louis Armstrong was lilting down to us. It was as if my father was singing to us – he was telling us that it is a wonderful world and for us to go on enjoying it, even though he was not physically with us. Read more
Aug 5
This is the Good Samaritan, Matthew….
As you know, your Two Chums always love to share good things that they hear about. This one will put a smile on your face. Read more
Aug 4
We couldn’t resist the title of today’s post….it was just too fun to use alliteration here. But what is more fun, is eating this yummy salad! Read more
Aug 3
We have, in the past, shared how we pick watermelons at the grocery store but we saw this great advice on Brightside and thought it might be really helpful to our chums. Read more
Aug 2
One of summer’s best gifts is the delicious and plentiful bounty of tomatoes. Today we have a wonderful way to use this sweet and delicious harvest. Read more
Aug 1
Last Thursday would have been Jacqueline Kennedy’s 87th birthday! What a very gracious lady she was. Read more
Jul 29
Who doesn’t love a bowl of simple pasta with simple sauce? Read more
Jul 28
Oh golly how we love to share “well dones”! We are sure you will agree, this (originally shared by Lauren Levy) is a really touching one… Read more
Jul 26
We wanted to share some more Albert Einstein quotes with you all. Read more
Jul 25
This past Friday marked the third birthday of the lovable Prince George. Read more
Jul 22
One of our very favorite sayings, plucked out of II World War England is “Keep Calm and Carry On”. Read more
Jul 21
If you know anything about your Two Chums, you know we love a well wrapped, pretty package 🙂 Read more
Jul 20
With the Republican National Convention being center stage this week, our thought rested on, “How did the letters ‘GOP’ come into being?” Read more
Jul 19
Credit: manley099/iStockphoto.com
Few smiles could be found at the “Happiest Place on Earth” when Disneyland opened its gates for the first time on July 17, 1955.
Jul 18
Yesterday, tragically, this 32 year old Baton Rouge police officer, Montrell Jackson, was killed. Just days before, he made a post on Facebook we can and should all take to heart. Read more
Jul 15
If you are old enough to read this post, chances are you know this man. But do you know his story? Read more
Jul 13
We have attempted in the past to give you some ideas about the best way to boil an egg. Now we actually have THE BEST way! Read more
Jul 12
Jul 11
There are many things that are synonymous with California but one thing that is at the top of the list is… Read more
Jul 8
Jul 7
KENDALL JENNER in Bikini at Mirage Hotel Pool in Las Vegas
It is hard to believe that seventy years have gone by since the bikini became “the thing” for the beach! Read more
Jul 6
One of the toughest places in our homes to organize and keep neat can be the medicine cabinet. Maybe that’s because most of us use our medicine cabinets for storing so many other things besides medicine. We’ve come across something that can help keep this little piece of real estate in our bathrooms tidy 🙂 Read more
Jul 5
If you know Two Chums at all you know we LOVE mac n’ cheese! We have a great one for you today 🙂 Read more
Jul 4
All Hail to the Red, White and Blue…. Read more
Jul 1
On the 4th of July in 1826, former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were once fellow Patriots and then adversaries, died on the same day within five hours of each other. Read more
Jun 30
We gave you some fun decorating ideas yesterday for your 4th of July party. Today we have some fun food ideas 🙂 Read more
