... beating luminous wings in the void

Rose Petal Jelly

2013-06-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

I LOVE reading food blogs so many great ideas & inspiration... like this one from Cupcake Rehab ~

ROSE PETAL HIBISCUS TEA JELLY

sounds amazing - right? well, anyway the rose petal thing inspired me and I not could find a recipe that made sense to me (grams/ and dried petals? ) so, I just took what I know about canning & I must say I was very pleased with how it turned out ~ wonderful! not too sweet, SO flowery & pretty pretty pretty!!!

1 cup fresh unsprayed fragrant rose petals

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoon lemon juice

2 cups water

1 1/2 tablespoon Ball low/no sugar pectin

1/3 cup sugar (additional)

1 pat of butter

Trim white tips off petals with scissors rinse and dry

Combine petals, 1 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice and let sit for 24 hours

...add mixture to stainless steel steel sauce pan, along with water and 1/3 cup sugar

Simmer on med low for 25 min

OMG!! this smells SO amazing =)

Return to medium add pectin and a pat of butter - boil 5 min

~ sieve to remove petal pulp and pour into prepared jars (sorry, I did not take a photos of this this step, petals will become all mushy and loose their color - you could add a few fresh petal to the jars before sealing for looks)

~ Carefully wipe down rim of jars, place lids and bands on jars

~ Hot water process the jars...

8 oz jars for 15 min

4 oz jars for 10 min

Let jars cool completely - check seals (refrigerate if seal is questionable) store in a cool dark place.

YUM!!!

Here is another rosy blog post I stumbled upon today - ukrainian preserved rose petals (rozha z tsukrom)

very interesting .... I just might try something similar to this next year =)

We have asparagus!!!

2013-05-06T19:16:00.001-07:00

We have asparagus!!!

This is their third year and them means we can eat some - not much but, I am super excited none the less!!!
I planted 2 year roots 2 years ago in a 4 x 4 raise bed with strawberries - last your we just weeded, watered and watched - got all of 5 delectable little berries...
In the fall we added a few inches of mulch and a sprinkling of manure and coffee grounds.

asparagus <3

sugar snap peas =)

Happy Gardening =)

scavenging =)

2013-04-28T15:49:00.002-07:00

Happy Sunday!!!

...this past week was clean up week - it was a scavengers dream!! let me tell ya, I am SO bummed that I do not have a pickup truck - if I did I would be the proud owner of a huge wicker furniture set for the yard, and enough old windows to build the greenhouse of my dreams... sign.

However, I did manage to liberate a few useful things from the trash =) garden fencing never been used - I totally needed this!! some books, wreaths (with tags still on the), planters, a glass punch bowl set, train set!!! plastic tote, and a few random dishes that will coordinate with my set =D

some of my scavenging scores!!!

I also picked up some cool Tonka and other random trucks, casserole dishes and more dishes which I donated to my local conservation groups local garage sale = ) Seriously the things people throw away =/ I know it makes me happy to find good stuff I can use - but thinking about all the stuff that does not get liberated from the trash makes me sad... I get like 3 flyers a month requesting donations... I can not be the only one.

Meanwhile out in the garden - the lettuce just beginning to sprout, sugar snap peas pushing thur the soil - built a little bamboo trellis for them...

...the cucumbers I started inside have sprouted the 3rd & 4th leaves .. basil and lemon looking good, waiting for the tomatoes and eggplant to sprout =)

anyway... anyone else scavenge any good stuff during this spring cleaning season?

getin' the garden going....

2013-04-20T21:34:00.004-07:00

Just starting to get the garden going - I have BIG plans this year =) after last years bummer (not bumper total bummer crop =( part of me wanted to was about to give up, instead, I spent a good part of the winter planning, reading, admiring others gardens, basically soaking up all things garden =)
Last weekend input in a few brussels sprouts - they had stater plants and was so excited about growing so I picked up a 4 pack and a couple 6 packs of pansy's (we got a dusting of snow last night and that are all ok - YAY!) I also sowed a few seeds - 2 kinds of lettuce, spinach, short & sweet carrots, and sugar snow snap peas =)

The 3 varieties of cucumber seeding's - bush type pickle, basics vine variety, and my favorite lemon cucumbers - I started indoors a few weeks ago are looking good!!! While the basil and lemon balm are still tiny little sprouts.

The strawberries and rhubarb are peeking out!!! and dandelions, hmm salad? wine? anyone down with that? I am thinking maybe, the hubby hasn't weeded and feeded in at least a year - we should be good? right??

Monday - the hubby's had the day off and he cut back all the thorny bushes....oh no no no, those were wild blackberries and they are delicious - so you can imagine how the birds and I have been a bit biter about that all week... he redeemed himself by building me another 4 x 12 foot x 12 inch tall garden bed. =)

I picked some pretty 12x12x12 red cedar planks for him to use - the wood and corner brackets cost $160 plus another $40 for the dirt, manure and peet to get it ready for growing this year. Luckily we had some some galvanized pipe lying around ( yes, I would have loved LOVED to use copper but at $80 for 10 ft piece of 2 inch pipe <eeek> and the hardware store only had up to one inch diameter of the UPVC (PVC pipes can leach vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen - so you do not want to use that in the garden!) anyway, I am going to have him cut a couple 2 foot sections to put in some deep watering holes in - this will be my primary tomato bed - I companion plant so there will be other things in there but from what I have read tomatoes love deep watering and I love tomatoes - so there you have it.

life

2013-04-16T05:38:00.000-07:00

as I sit here... early morning... sipping coffee... watching the news...
just feeling overwhelming out of sorts by state of our world....
just as I realize there is far more good in the world than bad, I know this...
but all violence, bigotry, rape, intolerance, bullying, inequality, greed, guns and bombs...
leaves me feeling so heavyhearted today...

bless you all and peace be with you.

chocolate dip and sprinkled

2013-03-30T20:21:00.002-07:00

Sugar-coated Saturday!!!

.... so as I begin to make chocolate dipped Easter treats - my hubby strolls into the kitchen and asks me "are you going to dip those sugar bunnies in sugar and sprinkle sugar on them.?"
I'm like duh, yeah!!! I smile and he just shakes his hear and walks way... sometimes it think he is just weird 8)

thanks to http://www.lovefromtheoven.com for the delicious idea! PEEPS - dip them in chocolate and cover them in sprinkles

I made white chocolate (Baker's) AND semi-sweet (Ghirardelli baking) - and I'm like this chocolate will not firm up... I'm like what the?!??

chocolate dipped peeps =)

Hubby says to me, you have to but the tray on ice... huh? <whips around> huh? i'm like oh duh - yeah thta totally makes sense... he's all like yeah, my mom used to dip stuff in chocolate all the time ...

ok, so he has earned his keep for another day & I made in some chocolate dipped candied ginger - this is going to be amazing!!!

nom nom nom

...and then there were 3, they jumped into the vodka - yaaayyy this has to be a good thing =D

peep infused vodka

Happy Easter y'all ~ Peace be with you.

clearly I need a schedule...

2013-03-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

well... it has been 12 days... clearly I need a schedule... I need work on that - any thoughts?

I am kind of stuck - my life is like SO random. Random Tuesday, What I ate Wednesday, Thursday... Friday.... Back yard Saturdays... Scrumptious Sunday...

Mondays will be "Thrifty Monday" thrift shops, rummage sales, garage sales oh my = me blah blah blahing about about some of my most wondrous finds =D

like this past monday!!

- - I scored a Vera Bradley clutch wallet for $2.99 found it stashed in the bins at goodwill - ya, you can't hide pretty little things from me =D

double kisslock in Paprika / Winter 2009

.... and a second Jack LaLanne Power juicer deluxe - only $6.99 barely used!

sweet!!! now we can have fresh juice at either home. =)

apple, orange, pink grapefruit and carrot - YUM!! GO CUBS!!!

ok, back to pondering the scheduled ....

.... and Easter preparations http://wingsinthevoid.blogspot.com/2013/01/eggcellent-eggsact-made-in-usa.html

Peace be with you =D

... how I spent my St Pat's weekend!

2013-03-17T21:03:00.003-07:00

Spent the weekend with the hubby and my BEST GIRL!!!

She arrive kinda late on Saturday - we had a yummy dinner of left over BBQ beef, smoked bratwurst, macaroni and cheese, sauteed asparagus & mushrooms, and cesar salad - she ate it all up except the mac & cheese. (weirdo)

Eating ice cream ~ with green sprinkles ~ of course =D

We cleaned out the crabitat and set it back up all new fun and exciting - the are so happy with their new digs! round all crawled night and most of the day and looks like they are up for another all nighter!

happy crabby land

We stayed up WAAAAYYYY to late ~ like midnight!!! but thanks to the mantle clock in the living room that is stuck on 4:50 & the light blocking thermal drapes the little monster ~ eeerrr, darling was fooled and let us all sleep till 9:00 am!!!

ZZZzzzzzzzz...... =D

We had a delicious breakfast - bacon, fried apples with cinnamon and candied ginger YUM! with scramble eggs and ice cream =) yup, I am the cool aunt - we eat ice cream for breakfast AND after dinner... we might have, on occasion had ice cream with lunch as well... perhaps. 8)

round 2 - note to self she is a 2 egg kinda girl

With full bellies we started on a little sewing lesson ~ made a super cute Barbie outfit. Ok, I made the skirt last weekend & we worked on the tank top together. I have not sewn in a looonnng time and she she has done on a little for girl scouts and once in kindergarten (with real needles she tells me - I do not believe it!?) We used fabric scraps from well loved, beyond repairable clothing.

I was so excited when I found Miss B. Couture - she is AWESOME! thorough, simple directions - very cute outfits - we want to make them all!!!

just getting started ~ thanks to http://www.missbcouture.com

almost done ~ just needs some velcro fastener sew on the back

Sew cute - right?

While we worked on our sewing she helped me make this amazing crock pot beef stew ~ we totally cheated used one of those McCormick beef stew packs, 3 lbs of chuck roast beef chunks (browned in a bit of olive oil) 1 1/2 cups water... cooked for a hour on high.

Then we added 5 cups of these pretty little assortedbaby potatoes & some fresh/frozen rosemary (Mmmmm smells like summer).

Finally,1 1/2 cups halved baby onions, 2 cups halved baby portabella mushrooms, and a 1/2 cups baby carrots .... generooouuuusssss pour of cabernet sauvignon - because as I told my young assistant - wine makes almost everything taste better. We let that cook on low for a few more hours... =D

We went off to meet up with mom, dad and the little brother - to return her and do some thrift shopping!!! They got all the good finds... and yes another Barbie (with blond & pink hair) I think she is addicted - but it makes me happy to see a 10 yr old acting like a 10 year old - yup, enjoy being a kid!

Back to my Home Sweet Home and OMG - pretty sure this is the BEST beef stew ever! YUM! =D

.... this girl ready for bed - NOT ready for Monday =/

Toms Ticket to Give ...

2013-03-09T14:02:00.004-08:00

My niece Rebecca entered 2013 Ticket to Give ~ a couple years ago she went on a mission trip to Haiti and she had such an amazing time and has since been longing so go back. So, when she heard about Toms contest to win a giving trip with TOMS Shoes, to join them and their giving partners to help distribute shoes in communities they serve. Yes, she is an amazingly kind and bright young lady!

Please click here and VOTE for her ~ Thank you!!

I am kinda really liking these wrap boots

and ... of course the crochet classic

the glitters are rather cute to ... =)

... in search of a Shower Curtain

2013-03-01T18:37:00.004-08:00

I LOVED my old shower curtain… pretty right!?

sigh... but alas she meet her demise what the hubby slipped and grabbed onto it thinking it would save him? Eh? The man has no grace on the ground, but send up a story or a hundred and he magically develops catlike reflexes and balance.

Anyway, I stopped in to look at the selection in a few stores – such a hideous selection I mean.. uh-ly! or eh? I don't want eh... or ok or even good... I want to love love love it =) So I went off to the www where I found a sites that custom make them in the USA – but all they show is a little swatch – no reference to the scale – oh, but I could have ordered swatches.. .ya, I don’t have time for that! ... and then I stumbled upon Café Press with like thousands and thousands of designs to choose – seriously... thousands and thousands!

LOL!

Pretty

Fun

So serene

Wish I was here

and this one =)

Always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn, then be a unicorn because unicorns are awesome!

yup - it was mind-boggling and an hour later I was just overwhelmed and headed over to facebook to see what’s happenin' and there it was - yes!!!! posted by ReUse Connection - The patchwork scarf shower curtain!!!!

How awesome is that!? Yes, I think we will be having basic liner until I finished this project
... or maybe the unicorn =D

do you love love love you shower curtain or is it just eh?

Namby-Pamby Gumbo

2013-02-16T18:10:00.002-08:00

... evidently the King Cake gave my hubby a taste for New Orleans cookin' which I thought was odd, but I figured why not ~I love Gumbo, the big man can not handle the spicy food, has only had a little taste here and there.... So naturally, I had to tone to down the spicy & to make it gluten free (for me) I have to say my first attempt was quite a success. =D

I think the smoked sausage really made it, along with all the fresh ingredients, especially the okra - it ain't gumbo it it ain't got okra!- Lots of chopping but totally worth it! You can spice it up if you like with your favorite hot sauce.

2 - tablespoons butter

1 - tablespoon - flour

Enjoy =D

6 - clovess of garlic

2 - small onions diced

1 - celery stalk diced

2 cups - of light chicken broth

1 - medium red bell pepper diced

3 - carrots sliced

1/2 cup - (heaping) frozen corn kernels

1/2 lb - okra sliced

2 lbs - tomatoes chopped

1 cup - hot water

1 teaspoon -parsley

1 - bay leaf

salt & pepper to taste

3 - smoked beef sausages, sliced

1 lb - raw shrimp, de-veined peeled, tails removed

Melt butter in soup pot over med heat add flour (I used rice flour - gluten free) stir continuously about making a light roux .
Add onion, garlic and celery - cook about 5 min.
Add broth (I used Herb-Ox Instant Sodium Free Bouillon Packets - they are also gluten free), vegggies, and smoked sausage, parsley, salt& pepper - cook over low for about 1 hour.
Bring to simmer, remove bay leaf - return to low - add shrimp, cook until shrimp are done.
server over hot cooked rice - makes about 8 servings.
I hear it freezes well.

leftover are even better... =)

King Cake =D

2013-02-12T17:20:00.002-08:00

Happy Mardi Gras Y'all!!!

.
Stuck here at home in the frozen Midwest I could not resist making King Cake Mam Papaul's Mardi Gras King Cake Mix with Praline Filling, you can find them at World Market (probably a bunch more place this time of year) ...

King cakes are a sweetbread ring shaped cake filed with cream cheese, fruit or in this case praline decorated with purple (justice yellow (power) and green (faith) colored sugar with a little toy baby hidden beneath the cake - the person who finds the baby brings the next cake or hosts the next party.

I have to say a bit more labor intensive than I recall.--- chalking it up to being old and out of shape w I totally need dough hooks for my stand mixer --- but TOTALLY worth it!

The mix comes with just about everything you need - just add hot water, butter and an egg, and nuts are optional, but I highly recommend them --- I used walnuts, pecans would be great too =D

I made 2 small cakes so I could bring one to work and leave at home for the hubby.

They turned out fairly well -- LOL ok so, one fairly respectable mini king cake and a blog for Rob -ha!! I am quite certain I should have flipped them so the pinched side was on the bottom - but oh well - nothing icing and colorful sugar cannot hide =)

A medallion from the the Krewe of Iris parade (far too many years ago) Named for the Goddess of the Rainbow and Messenger to the Gods, the lovely krewe wears full-length masks and white gloves -awesome!

closet clean-out , garden planning and valentine

2013-01-27T18:08:00.005-08:00

.. spent the weekend working on cleaning out my closet... it was a total disaster - boxes of paperwork from way too long ago. clothes, scarves & shoes I have not worn in years, my whirlpool bath spa thingy (OMG - I totally forgot it - so gonna take a nice lonnggg bath - soon!), photo albums, speakers, a box of glass ware that should have been unpacked... ummmm.. 4 years ago... all kinds of random stuff for the donation bin =)

Step 1... I pulled everything out and tested all the clothes - does it fit, is it comfy, is it cute??? if so they went back into the closet. The leftovers will go into donation, consignment, or too small, but comfy and cute pile (still dropping pounds on this restricted (no gluten, not refined sugar) diet thing, so -eh =/).

... clothing is loaded back in, organized by color (of course) - now to figure out to do with the rest of the stuff - later! =D

... I did a little garden planning =) last year was a terrible year.... but I will not be defeated!
I found this handy dandy how many of each type of vegetable to plant guide .
http://www.vegetablegardenplanner.com/garden_calculators/family_feeder_all .. if my math is correct I need 8 cucumbers, 16 tomato plants!? =O oh my!

... then genius hit me - use 2 liter soda bottles as cloches. I figured I could not possible be the first to think of such a thing -> here is a nice step by step htt p://www.gardengatemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/49cloche01.jpg

... and starting seeding in egg shells - http://www.instructables.com/id/Eggshell-Seed-Starters/

sweet! so excited to get started on the garden =)

... and then I sat back and played a bit with PicMonkey& made a valentine for my big handsome hubby

ha! OK, that one was practice - but I am totally keeping the poem =D

oh almost forgot (duh) I got my second follower ~ Della and her gorgeous seashell creations - beachy ♥ http://delsshells.blogspot.com/

smoky yellow split pea soup

2013-01-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

this turned out SO good! I it topped it with a little shredded asiago cheese & served it with grilled Ham and Swiss on Rye to the hubby He was quite pleased =) ... after a long day of working in the cold - he had a second bowl, a second sandwich with a third bowl of soup and another 1/2 a bowl - big man had a loonnnggg cold day at work!!!

...so much for leftovers for lunch burring the week (note to self - double the recipe next time!).

the broth...

4 smoked neck bones (about 1/2 lb)
8 cups of water
1 bay leaf
12 peppercorns
2 cloves of garlic
1 small carrot

the soup...
1 large shallot (diced)
4 cloves of garlic (smashed & chopped)
1 pat of butter
1/4 cup red wine

6 cups of broth
16 oz yellow dried split peas (green is OK too - I just prefer the color of the yellow)
1 tablespoons dried parsley
dash of celery seed

1/2 cup heavy cream (optional- you can use a bit of water or mike instead)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/3 cup carrot (shredded diced or sliced - whatever you prefer)
2 tablespoons finely shredded spinach (optional)
1/3 cup diced ham
(optional) Salt and Pepper to taste

Simmer the neck bones, bay, peppercorns, garlic and carrot for a about 3 hours - resulting in a savory smoky broth... Strain broth and set aside.. Use a fat separator to make it healthier... I have a cheapy 4 -cup plastic one - hoping to get this sweet - made in the USA tempered glass one for my birthday =D

Brown shallot an onion in butter... Deglaze pan with red wine... Add 6 cups broth, peas, parsley and celery seed - simmer for 40 min... Mash up the peas with potato masher or blend a bit with and immersion blender....

Combine cornstarch and milk - add mix slowly to soup whole stirring.... Add carrots, spinach and ham - low simmer 20 min longer. Keep warm until ready to serve . =)

eggcellent! Eggsact - Made in the USA

2013-01-10T19:57:00.002-08:00

I like eggs scrambled, fried, egg-drop soup, frittata and hard-boiled, in salads and deviled eggs <YUM> fortunately I am pretty much incapable of cooking a perfect hard boiled egg... once in a great while I get it right... most of the time it takes 1 or 2 test eggs... ugh! wasting eggs totally annoys me...

oh but what joy - about a out a month ago while I was out doing a little gift shopping at at Bed Bath and Beyond when I spotted the amazing "Color Changing Eggsact Eggtimer" proudly Made in the USA - price $4.99 ... ... I recalled my sister me calling me (more than once perhaps) around Easter to ask me how to cook eggs - because I am such a great cook - or more likely because her first dozen eggs turned out to be a gooey gross mess - as she trusted the instructions online & didn't test - her second batch following my advice & testing turned out better I assume lost another 1 or 2 test eggs - ugh!!! ... I scooped up 4 of them to purchase and wrapped then up for my sis, a friend and dad-in-law... I hope that are as please as I am! pretty sure sis and the kids will be =)

about 10 min...

of course, I got one for myself as well! I followed the direction on the back, placed my timer and eggs in the pot and filled it with hot tap water, cooked em over a low boil while keeping a slightly watchful eye on them. now, I prefer my eggs a tad past what most people call hard and so I waited until the entire thing turned purple and scooped the eggs and timer out and placed them into a bowl to cool - and.... TA-DA!!! PERFECT HARD-BOILED EGGS =D

you need this!

now, I am not a kitchen gadget freak at all - basic only for the most part - this is a necessity! Even if you only make them a few times a year - pretty inexpensive and small - totally worth it and I suspect the fact this makes boiled eggs so easy and stress free - like me, you just might find yourself making them more often... now if you have a cholesterol issue, please skip the yolks.. or maybe just have half?!

Anyway, did you give or get any great Made in the USA gifts for the holidays?

And what is your favorite egg dish?

update 3/10/13 - great blog about cooking eggs perfectly and peel EASY!

.. safe ornament storage

2013-01-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

well, I didn't manage to take down the tree today - the hubby pleaded with me to keep it up a little longer and I was feeling lazy so I obliged... =)

However I did plan packing and as I recalled having found 2 of my glass baubles smashed in storage=( I pondered and perused pinterest and decided to go with 3/4 inch foam insulation board with foam cups glued on & placed in plastic bins - and luckily I had everything I need right here at home =)

.. my inspiration used cardboard for the platforms - but I choose foam because I had some lying around (you can get it as home improvement store like Menards - about $7 for a pack of 5 14.5x48x3/4) and the foam will not hold moisture and odor <ick> like cardboard can...

First I measured the bottom section and cut the foam insulation board to fit with my "amazing" Ginsu fillet knife - lol - it is amazing, seriously nothing seems to dull it...

Then using my Tacky Glue I glued foam cups to the board - I used 8 oz and 16 oz - bc/ I like to put the big decorations on the tree first so, obviously I used the smaller cups on the lower trays and larger on the upper =)

HapPY NeW YEAR!!

2013-01-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New YEAR!

TODAY #FMSPHOTOADAY - I put my flowering rock into a jar... pour in some vinegar ... pretty sure I put in too much... poured some out so that the rocks is not completely covered.... we shall see =)

OK last year sucked it - TOTALLY. Nope I am not gonna cover it in sugar and flowery BS! sure I got by ok ( I always do, I am a scrapper) but I pretty much spent most of the year in funk wondering what the heck is wrong with me!?...

well now I know and I am gonna suck it up and carry-on!

so I have BIG plans =)

1) Well, last year we got the house cleaned up, new carpeting and fresh paint and it largely remains sparsely decorated - this year I am going claim a spare bedroom to make myself a sewing/craft cave - oh perhaps I should have considered that before I decided on chocolate carpeting in all the bedrooms... oh, well I am sure thing will work out ok =)

2)  Learn how to knit - pretty sure I had this on last years list =?

3)  Acquaint myself with new people, like with people whom who don't just dump on their baggage and suck the life out of everything and everyone around them... you know, people with backbones - unafraid to stand up for themselves and others! or perhaps a a passionate or philosophical soul of sorts.... heck ya!

4)  Travel more, nothing big, a little weekend getaway to a place I have not yet been - yes =)

5) Keep up the gluten free - it kinda sucks... but, I do think feel better - maybe it is just a distraction... anyway I wish I felt good, I wish I felt like I used it feel ? I wish I could get up and go for a run.. I  must be grateful for today as I know things could turn for the worst at anytime... there is no way to know, we just wait and watch - deep down inside I know I will be OK - but will I be good =/ I know it sounds like an enigma of sorts - it kind of is... anyway, I am just not ready to share with the world...

6) Make a New Year’s Eve 2014 date with my sister - leave the wet blanket Husbands at home!

7) Plant 13 new evergreen shrubs = goal to create a year round privacy hedge along the road!

8) Make pshaw!  my favorite word of 2013

9) Take my littlest Niece on a road-trip with me! roadtrip!!

10) Ask myself, do I need this? where was it made? do I love this? do I really need this? before making a purchase..

11)  Get life insurance...

12) Wake up when my alarm goes off... ugh, seriously?... seriously.

13) Never decide to make number of resolutions match the year..   pshaw.. what was I thinking!?

"I used to know a clever toast, But pshaw! I cannot think of it -- So fill your glass to anything And, bless your souls, I'll drink to it!" ~Wallace Irwin

Chocolaty Christmas ♥ Spoons

2012-12-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

please check out the deliciousdeliciousdelicious beautiful tutorial blog post - on making these cute and delicious festive chocolaty spoons!

I made 24 spoons - using good old Hershey milk chocolate (8 oz bar) topped them with assorted christmasy sprinkles and dots (I do not have double boiler nor a microwave - so I melted the chocolate in my 1 cup Pyrex measuring cup placed inside a gently simmering pot of water - worked perfectly!) SO easy! and who would love to receive a jar of these? perhaps long with a bottle of Vanilla Coffee Liqueur YUM!!! =)

Merry Christmas

girls Christmas lunch get together at the office...

2012-12-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

Today at work we girls had our Christmas lunch - I had a HUGE Italian salad - lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, pepperoni, bacon, provolone and blue cheese dressing - it was Delicious! everyone else had the amazing meatball & mozzarella sandwich on garlic bread - ya it is amazing.

The girls are great ... whenever stuff annoys me I stop to remind myself how lucky I am to work with such lovely people!

I got them all a box of German boozy cherry chocolates, a jar of my AMAZING coffee vanilla liqueur, cute little Christmas trees soaps I got a a little soap shop in Kenosha, Wisconsin - wrapped them up in a plain brown paper bag and tied on a glittery Merry Christmas ornaments with some culling ribbon - yea, I am all about the bow! sorry -no photos as I wrapped them in the car on my way to work - just call me mayhem - lol... no no, I have plenty of time at the stoplights... 1 hour to drive 16 miles - insanity - right? ha ha hoo hoo hee hee =D

I LOVE all my gifts - seriously!!!

festive stuff - a jingly charm bracelet charm, snowman pin and this ornament - love love love it... it is a origami crane hanging inside a glass figural glass bauble, with white sequins, pink metallic stands and a pink confetti piece that says "celebrate" with pink and silver bow topped with a tiny pink candy cane - love it

cute Vera Bradley organizer cute and so light weight - I totally NEED help with organizing & lightening my load with all my traveling - home, work, home away for home, visiting family . where is my home again!?

viva la vera

a box of amazing sugar free chocolates - YUM!!!

I have been sO missing candy with my new restricted diet (Dr's orders - no wheat or refined sugar - you know they put that stuff in like everything <sigh> had they told me no coffee - surely I would have run out of the office screaming) - I did not know such a thing existed! wonderful - gonna savor those...

gotta take off these bells and take care of my sick hubby - ear infection, fever, maybe pneumonia... poor kid... Hope you all are taking extra time to appreciate life -relax and enjoy some time with friends and family♥

decking the halls =)

2012-12-08T06:18:00.001-08:00

The tree is up fully adorned in lights - twinkling white traditional minis and AND red and green LED's!!! I think it looks amazing! ( will post a photos as soon as I to rack my brain to remember how to photograph Christmas lights)....

most of the ornaments have been placed upon the the bough's with care =) I am pretty sure there another tote of Christmas fun somewhere - perhaps in the dungeon... IDK - I have to get someone to check it out - too icky for me!

well, here are a few of my favorites...

A Snowman from someone I love, our First Christmas and our First New Home

pretty blue glass birdie, sparkly Merry Christmas , and another Snowman from someone I love

little boat for Ocean City, Santa and one the Hubby's few

Angel sittin' on the moon, Hubby's melty bead star and Santa from New Orleans

one of the Heart's my sister made, sparkly spider web and fancy white sparkly bird (Partridge?)

little stocking my sister made me =)

I have not yet selected my topper - so, this guy is enjoying a view from the tree top for a bit

that's all for now - going to Bass Pro Shop to shop & visit Santa (I hope I am not too old!) and do a little gift shopping for the hubby.. OH and this Lore Campfire Kids Campfire for my favorite little girl

Yes - this is totally gonna make sleepover way more for nad just was the American Girl compound needs! I hope to find something for my favorite little boy too - something that not cause his to shoot out someones eye or window!!!

Happy December - fa la lala la!!!

2012-12-01T21:35:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays

some of the fun holiday stuff I picked up at the resale shops!

on the wall... and whats happened since my last post =)

2012-11-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

During a little trip to San Diego, California in 2000 - hopped the border to do a little shopping Tijuana Mexico -- I got this pretty colorful pretty fish =)

November 30 - one the wall #FMSPHOTOADAY

SO... Thanksgiving has come - it was a lovely stress free day =D

starters

the best in a long long time! it was just me, the HB and My little sis came out with the family.

We had plenty of appetizers - so no one had to cry 'I'm hungry" crackers, salami, pepperoni, 5 kinds of cheese - cheddar bacon cheeseball, swiss, mild cheddar, colby jack and brie, black & green olives, sweet pickles... oh and the cheese & caramel popcorn - nom nom nom!!!

The table was set with (all made in the USA) festive paper tableware and a "tablecloth" made for coloring =) having no plates and glasses to was a joy for the dishwasher (my HB)

A certain young man came bearing a football adorned in GB Packers attire - I adore him none the less.

The boys went out for a bit to throw and kick the football around a little, while we girls chatted, snacked, sipped a little Barefoot Red Moscoto sparkling wine & browsed the black Friday sale ads - oh and we also did a bit of cooking =)

We had Ham, Turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, corm, cranberry sauce, crescent rolls, cornbread & peach orange jello with marshmallows - everything was SO good!!!

I am thankful for a lot of things - food on the table, happiness on my heart, a comfy bed to sleep in, a good job, and not ever having to say President Romney =D

Miss America 2012

After busting the doors <LOL> mostly we got great deals on Items we plan to donate =) and a few little gift things - drank coffee and then tried to napped for like 3 hours <ha!> we all went out for breakfast and then hit the Downtown for the annual lighten up festival... we painted a ornament Christmas trees at the local "paint you own place" kinda a new tradition - this was our third year - can't wait to see how they turned out! then we hopped from shop to shop to take part in all the festivities - we meet Mrs. Santa Klaus and wrote letters to Santa, frosted & promptly ate cupcakes <yum> and made pine cone feeders for our birdie friends... finally waited in like for like an hour to meet Ms. America - totally worth it, my niece was so thrilled!

Miss America 2022

Small Saturday we girls hit the local resale stores, a little holiday shop and a family run Christmas tree farm - among other fun things we picked up this pretty little dress - which we needed to play toddlers in tiaras!

other than that - I have been working one building a sweet Lego Police Spaceship - picked it up at Good will for only $3 ... build most of it and found I am only missing a few pieces... luckily the Lego website is awesome & I was able to find them all and order everything I need =)

started a diet last week - Dr's orders no wheat or refined sugar... ugh!!! actually doing pretty good, eating more fruit... been ok with the no wheat thing - except what is in my beer =D IDK, I guess I will have to try some of the gluten free beers... already lost 5lbs.

... adventure in soap "making" - happened this weekend

2012-11-18T18:19:00.003-08:00

A few weeks ago I picked up a soap making kit at Goodwill - contained a book on actual soap making, a mold, glycerin melt soap and other soap making stuff for $2.99 and a 2 lb brick of coconut oil melt & pour soap for $1.99

The book that came with the kit is very good thoroughly covers actual soap making - and clearly lets one know that is for the detail oriented, rule following type - which I am not but I DO like fancy soaps and getting a little crafty once in a while - so melt & pour is ideal for me - the book didn't have much on melt & pour - probably because it is so freaking easy!!! you can read about it here -> An introduction to Melt and Pour soapmaking.....

I went a bit basic on my recipes & used what seemed like a good combination - here are some more involved & complex Recipes: Melt and Pour Soap to feed the creativity... If you are wanting to make your soap therapeutic, as I did check this out -> Medicinal Properties of Herbs the book was helpful to - I recommend a book of you can find a good one second hand... if you have any books on herbal remedies or natural cures - you might find ideas fro additives in there as well. I was not able to find any particularly good & thorough websites on melt and pour - but I will be on the the lookout for a blog or 2 on the subject!

so with ideas in my mind, I gathered all the necessities and started my makeshift double boiler. I cut the soap into 1/2 - 1 inch chunks and melted it in my 'double boiler" (a pot in a larger pot) - -that's one more another thing to add to my wish list = small double boiler!

My first batch - Soothing Lavender Oatmeal Rosemary. I used about 4 oz of the creamy coconut oil melt & pour soap base, added about 1 teaspoon oatmeal, 1/2 teaspoon lavender flowers, a generous pinch of fresh rosemary - ground and add to melted soap - pour into mold.

* I do not recommend using oatmeal on you first try - maybe needs water added? It took a bit more mix in it & it was kinda chunky.. not the prettiest soap - but i'm it smells lovely.

** If using your coffee grinder like I did - add about 1/4 cup instant white rice and grind it up to clean out the coffee residue - this also allegedly sharpens the blades - IDK sure doesn't hurt)

#FMSPHOTOADAY "happened this weekend"

Second batch - (soon to be famous) Coffee Cinnamon Clove Scrubby!! loosely based one this COFFEE SCRUBBY SOAP recipe...Nom nom nom =) again I used about 4 oz of creamy coconut oil melt & pour soap and took 2 tablespoons coffee beams, 7 cloves and a dash of cinnamon - grind and add to melted soap and pour into mold.... so pretty! I can not wait to try this ... and luckily I do not have to - another wonderful about melt & pour - no cure time needed - that sure was $5 well spent =)

oh, my! something about cranberries just popped into my head... would it be wrong to add cranberry to soap and what about adding nuts to the cranberry sauce???

this happened today...

2012-11-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

this happened today...

... morning moon

LOVE it =D

we finally picked out the years company holiday greeting card - no one hated it - be a first! It wasn't my favorite but I love the envelope (its the little things) it is really growing on me -

it is so pretty don't you think =D

looking back... photo a day

2012-10-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

don't look back!!! just run or the zombies will get you...

....don't worry zombies only eat brains.