“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake.”
- Francis Bacon

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Thrift store finds, Easter left-overs & strawberry smoothies, it MUST be PINK SATURDAY!


I just don't have the heart to put this little guy away for a year. He's the right color. He's cute. He makes me happy. So, until, and if, I get tired of looking at a little Easter bunny, he will sit atop the books next to my reading chair. Who would have ever thought that fake chocolate bunnies would earn a spot in the heart of the world? Beats me but someone is laughing all the way to the bank and not many people do that now-a-days, hehehe!

Usually when the grandkids and I get together, sodas, malts or shakes are the snack of the evening, although I do slip in a smoothie quite often to make their mom and dad happy! Of course, what else would Mimi serve up her creamy concoction in other than pink tumblers with a pink straw poked into the top of the foam?

Been a busy week over in my neck of the woods. For the past few days I have been chopping ice and shoveling snow...tossing it into the sun to it will melt. (My back is killing me.) My garage shelters mounds of snow from the sun so spring doesn't come to that part of my yard unless I do something about it. BUT, even with all my chores around the house I managed to do a little thrifting over at my favorite place, Goodwill Industries (some this week, the rest next week for Pink Saturday).

You've seen Rosemary's bed a few weeks ago but it's making a second debut because I found this sweet, pink, knitted baby blanket for $2.00 and couldn't resist. Now Rosemary can cuddle into her kitty bed, snuggle into her new blankie and snooze to her ♥'s content. I am always amazed that little gems like this blanket are sold for so little. I knit and this item took a lot of hours to complete...sigh.

Found this Noritake cup along with another at the Goodwill Store for just $2.00. Now, honestly, I wish I would have found more, but they will be used, especially when I want to spend time sipping tea with one of my special friends.


Around the next corner at Goodwill I came upon this sweet, pink baby bootie that at one time must have held ivy and an adorable card to welcome a little girl into this big world of ours. I can't tell you how many of these I have tossed out never giving it another thought. But now they are making a resurgence in collecting and have become a "find" of all things. So, a couple of months ago I really looked at one and found a new appreciation for the sweetness and coloration. OK, so here comes another little collection that I'll have to dust. Gee, when will I learn? Probably never. The others that I have will make an appearance on another Pink Saturday. I filled those with cotton balls, Q-tips and guest soaps. This one...maybe it will end up on my kitchen table filled with sugar packets. Cute, huh? Any ideas for more?

Don't forget to pop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound to see all of the other folks who have participated this week. My gosh, you'll see some of the most creative, lovely and special blogs and today, loaded with pink-a-licious goodies just for you!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Bats in the belfry, not the brightest bulb, rowing with one oar...nope, NOODLES IN MY HEAD!

I must have too much time on my hands, WRONG! I must need more work to do, WRONG! I must have noodles in my head, RIGHT! I can't believe I spent quite a bit of the day on Thursday creating a blog for my cats, of all things. Good grief, if it wasn't for the fact that I love to take the grandkids on the weekends in addition to the fact that my boys' think I have too many pets, I think my sons would call the dudes in the white jackets to come and take me away.

Anyway, here's the fruit of my labors. I do hope that you take the time to go peek and to let me know what you think. My kitty-catty's told me that they would ♥ it if you would leave them some meows and purrs in their treat jar.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Sometimes all you need is a good nap & your favorite blankie...

You don't need to listen to Oprah or read Dr. Phil to know what you need at the end of a busy day. Just look to your furry friends. A good nap and a cuddle with your favorite blankie works wonders to refresh and restore your soul.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Spring has sprung, let's all rise and ♪SING♪...even if you can't carry a tune in a bucket!

I happened to stumble across this one evening when I was browsing here and there on the web. At first I was a little confused (easy to do) but after a little while, I just sat back, smiled, giggled, laughed out loud and felt, oh...so...good at the conclusion. In fact, I nearly stood to applaud! To get the full flavor, you will need to watch from beginning to end...you're gonna love it. And, if like me, you can't hold a tune in a bucket, well, there's still hope we can sing in a choir...with a little imagination and a little fun, some cardboard, a magic marker and a great sense of humor!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Lemon Peeps de Crème or What to do with leftover Easter peeps!

I've made several variations of this little gem: pink peeps with strawberry milk shakes, chocolate bunny peeps with hot cocoa, purple or blue peeps on top of a vanilla malted milk or shake. Our economy is in the ditch. Pennies are being pinched until they squeal. Don't toss your peeps into the "big waste-basket in the sky" until you've explored all of the yummy avenues for their use. Of course, if you're like me, you just grab one, bite off it's little, puffy head, chew, swallow and repeat until all gone!

Easter Lemon Peeps de Crème




Serves: 6 ~ 8

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cups sugar
1 whole egg
4 egg yolks
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/2 cup lemon juice

Additional 1/2 cup whipping cream for garnish
Sugar peeps for decoration

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 325

Whisk lemon juice, sugar, egg, egg yolks together. Whisk in the cream until the sugar dissolves. Pass the mixture through a strainer; stir in the lemon rind.

Place 6 - 3/4 cup pot de creme cups, or (soufflé, or custard cups) in a large roasting pan. Divide the mixture evenly into the cups. Pour enough hot water in the pan to come halfway up the sides of the dishes. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Place in oven and bake until the custard is just set around the edges, approximately 35 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven. Remove dishes from the pan and allow them to cool. Then, cover and chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours and as long as overnight.

To Serve
Beat the remaining whipping creme until soft peaks form. Spoon one tablespoon of whipped cream atop each pot de creme. Place one "peep" in the cream to hold it upright.

Peeps de creme recipe and photograph are by GourmetSleuth.com and the pistachio lemon shortbread recipe can be found at Epicurious.com (from Bon Appetite).

If you have found this blog entry of mine today, I wish you peace, gracious living, the warmth of your family and the blessing of our heavenly Father on this most blessed of days. Below you will find my Easter present for you. Remember, it's good to share your love, and a meal, with those you love as often as possible.



"He is risen; He is not here."

~ Mark 16:6