Denleys Cakes and Cookies

I am taking a break from blogging at Deals and Dishes to focus on my new adventure "Denleys"! I would love for you all to stop by and take a look around!

Link Up Lounge: July 11th

I decided to try something a little different with this weeks Link Up Lounge...Lets see how it works out! ;)

It's Monday again! Time to share your blogs, giveaways, favorite recipes, crafts, deals and more! Want to help get the word out? Feel free to add the Deals and Dishes "Link Up Lounge" button to your page. It is not mandatory, but it is very much appreciated ;)!

<a href="http://www.dealsanddishes.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Deals and Dishes" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7q98DdQb3RU/TaR1vdyYleI/AAAAAAAACrg/K5uFfmpoBkU/s1600/D%2526D+Button+copy.jpg" /></a>

Also, as an added bonus, the first 4 bloggers to link up (and two bloggers chosen at random) will be featured in the Link Up Lounge Sidebar! So, come on...LINK UP! Just be sure to keep it family friendly and hop around to some of the other great blogs participating.

Denleys Cakes and Cookies

I promised a few weeks back that I would share Bailey's lady bug sugar cookies with you, but unfortunately they were all gobbled up before I was able to take a picture! =( Lesson learned that is best to take a picture as soon as they are finished being made ;)!

I did however take a few pics of the cookies I made last week for my very first client! Yep, that's right, I am now in the cookie and cake business! Who would have thought! I already have one cookie and one cake order under my belt and I am so excited about the positive feedback I have been receiving from family, friends and complete strangers (lol). I actually never thought or planned that I would make cakes (and I am a huge planner), but it seems like it is rapidly turning into a nice little home business and I am absolutely thrilled. I actually find myself anxious to make my next cake...weird, I know!

Anyways, pictured above are the Hello Kitty sugar cookies I made last week. Although, it took my about 5 hours to make them, I was pretty happy with the results! I used this sugar cookie dough and a new icing recipe called color flow icing that I will be posting in the near future!

If you would like to follow Denleys on facebook, you can visit me here and click LIKE! =)

Link Up Lounge: July 4th

Happy 4th of July! It's Monday again! Time to share your blogs, giveways, favorite recipes, crafts, deals and more! Want to help get the word out? Feel free to add the Deals and Dishes "Link Up Lounge" button to your page. It is not mandatory, but it is very much appreciated ;)!

<a href="http://www.dealsanddishes.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Deals and Dishes" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7q98DdQb3RU/TaR1vdyYleI/AAAAAAAACrg/K5uFfmpoBkU/s1600/D%2526D+Button+copy.jpg" /></a>

Also, as an added bonus, the first blogger to link up in each category (and two bloggers chosen at random) will be featured in the Link Up Lounge Sidebar! So, come on...LINK UP!

NOTE: There are 4 Link Up Categories listed below (Blog Hop, Giveaways, Recipes / Crafts and Deals). Please be sure to add your link under the correct category so that your post can be found easily! =)

Blog Hop:
Do you have a hot blog or any fun post that you would like to share or have you come across another great blog or post that you want us to check out? If so, Link Up! Just be sure to keep it family friendly and hop around to some of the other great blogs participating.


Giveaways:
Are you currently hosting a giveaway or have you found a great giveaway that you would like to share? If so, link up! Just be sure to link directly to the giveaway post.


Recipes and DIY/Crafts:
Do you have a Recipe or DIY/Craft Project to share or have you found a great recipe or project that you would like for us to check out? If so, link up! Just be sure to link directly to the Recipe or DIY/Craft post.


Deals:
Did you snag any great deals this week or did you see a hot deal that you would like for us to check out? If so, link up! Just be sure to link directly to the deal post.

Grilled Artichokes

My husband and I were able to enjoy a date night a few months back and decided to go out to dinner at Houston's Restaurant! Since date nights do not happen all too often around our household, we decided to take full advantage of dinner by ordering every course (appetizer, entree, dessert and even coffee). Although my first appetizer choice is almost always spinach and artichoke dip, I decided to take a different route this particular night because my husband will not even taste it (not even one bite)! I must admit that I typically view this as a positive thing because let's be honest, if he doesn't eat it then their will be more for me =)!

After looking over the menu, we decided to try out the grilled artichoke and all I can say is wow, what a delicious appetizer! It was so yummy and I couldn't believe that I was actually happy I did not order the dip. Fast forward a few months later and we decided to try out grilling artichokes in the comfort of our own home =). Here's the recipe we used: 

 Ingredients:

2 large artichokes

1 lemon, quartered

3/4 cup olive oil

4 garlic cloves, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

Mix olive oil, garlic cloves, salt and pepper in an oven safe bowl. Cook in a 350 degree oven until garlic cloves are tender (about 20 minutes). Remove from oven and mash the tender garlic cloves in the olive oil mixture to create a garlic dip.

Trim the tops and ends of leaves from the artichokes, cut in half lengthwise and remove the fuzzy choke. Squeeze a bit of lemon on immediately to prevent browning. If preparing artichokes ahead of time, place them in a bowl of lemon water until ready to boil.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, preheat an outdoor or indoor grill for medium-high heat.

Add artichokes to boiling water, and cook for about 15 minutes or until tender. Drain well.

Brush the artichokes with a coating of the garlic dip, and place them on the preheated grill. Grill the artichokes for 5 to 10 minutes, basting with dip and turning frequently, until the tips are a little charred. Serve immediately with remaining garlic dip.