Warm Heart, Cozy Home

Cottage Banner & Some Holy Water.......

 

  

 

I found this on Etsy made by our own Ms. Cherry from Cherries Jubilee!  I needed something red to hang in the entry.  I loved the cottage reds and the banner.

 

I got a little care package from a dear friend of mine who owns a candle shop in Weston, Missouri.  She knew I have been battling an awful bronchitis/pneumonia for several weeks now and of course she just had to send me something to sooth my soul. She told me to "scrub my nose" with the soap which is made at a Monastery with a scent of Rosemary Mint. The little card on the soap details it's contents which includes:  "These soaps are fragrant moisturizing bars containing saponified vegetable oils and natural glycerin to scent and soften your skin; a bit of "Holy Water" and a prayer for you.  Sr. Cathleen Marie makes these with her own hands.  I thought it was so touching.  Also, the candle is one of Marsha's magnificent candles in the scent of Eucalyptus Mint which really does help when you are not feeling very well :)  What do we do without friends.......

 

  

A Friend from the Heart :) 

 

Menu Planning Monday .....

  

Monday - Sweet & Spicy Chicken Stir Fry.

Tuesday - Creamy Spaghetti Risotto, Tossed Salad. 

Wednesday - Italian Wedding Soup, Crusty Bread.

Thursday -Spicy marinated pork chops, Brown Rice and Vegetable Kabobs.

Friday -  TGIF! Date Night!

Saturday - Mashed Potato and Picodillo Pie, Sweet Corn, Biscuits.

Sunday - Texas Dry Rub Beer Can Chicken, Smashed Potato Salad, Green beans/Garden Beets, Garlic Bread.

Snack - No Bake Cookies.

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shortening(I use Crisco)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 T. cocoa powder
• 1/2 t. salt
• 3 cups quick oats
• 1 cup shredded coconut(I used unsweetened)
• 1 t. vanilla

Directions: In a medium saucepan mix together the shortening, sugar, milk, salt and cocoa. Bring to a full boil. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon cookies(1 Tablespoon) onto wax paper to cool. When the cookies are cool and set, ENJOY!

Enjoy the week!  For more wonderful recipes and menu ideas pop over to www.orgjunkie.com. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Backyard Fun.......I love Flowers in the Summer!

I Love Flowers....I found this cute little plant stand at a craft show...My flowers have gone wild and I love it!

 

My patio...My trellis has finally took off.  I can't wait for it to bloom.  I put red lights everywhere this year, on my front porch grapevine and on the patio trellis and garage.

  

A cute little sign I got at a flea market.I have it hanging by one of the original screens from the house from days gone by.

 

My privacy fence and old kitchen sink I used for potting that came from an old farmhouse. It gets better and better each year with rust...hehehe.....I love the patina.....

 

We got rid of our eye sore of a hot tub and this is what we put in its place. I kind of want to put one of those old glider couches from back when if I can find one or maybe a hammock but this will due until then.

 

My pink/red chairs..they are my favorites....

 

I have two of these large pots which give it a more tropical feel.

 

I love vintage containers for planters and used this old ice chest.

 

More flower pots.....

The garage off the patio...is just more landscape and purpose also.

 

My tubs gone wild!

 

The little wooden chair....

 

The side of the garage.....all decked out.  I'm thinking of painting my garage red!...

 

My Mom and dad had this big old cast iron pot..I don't know if they made soap maybe in it in the old days but I utilize it in my landscaping...

 

Have a Great Wednesday!  A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday....

 

Monday - Shepard's Pie, Rustic Country Bread.

Tuesday - Ham & Vegetable Pizza, Tossed Salad.

Wednesday -Chicken Corn Chowder Topped with Avocado and Tomato, Left over Rustic Country Bread.  

Thursday - Burrito Pie, Chips & Salsa.

Friday - TGIF!  Date Night!

Saturday - Sesame Chicken & Asparagus Pasta, Garlic Bread.

Sunday - Grilled Shrimp Kabobs, Cobb Salad, Grilled Sweet Corn.

Snack - Snickerdoodle Muffins.

Snickerdoodle Muffins

submitted by Melanie

3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 Tbsp unsalted butter (1 1/4 stick), softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup buttermilk

1 Preheat oven to 375°F.

2 Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

3 In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together, beating until fluffy (about 2 minutes with an electric mixer). Add eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated after each one. Add the vanilla yogurt and buttermilk .

4 Now add the dry ingredients. Mix until all is moist. Do not over beat.

5 I used a mini muffin muffin pan and had enough batter to make 2 batches. Spray each muffin tin with cooking spray or brush with butter. Distribute the muffin dough equally among the cups. Bake until muffins are golden brown, about 10-13 minutes(20 for regular size muffins). Test with a long toothpick to make sure the center of the muffins are done. Set muffin pan on wire rack to cool. After 5 minutes, remove muffins from pan.

6 While the muffins are cooling, melt 1/4-1/2 cup of butter and prepare a bowl of cinnamon sugar. While the muffins are still a bit warm, dip the top of the muffins in the melted butter and then in the bowl of cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!

 

That's it for this week.  Have a great week of cooking in YOUR kitchen :)  Please stop over to www.orgjunkie.comfor more delish menu's and recipes.

 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

   

Festive Door Charm......

  

Wishing everyone a safe and fun Holiday weekend.  Just posting some holiday decor and my newest fun find.  I stumbled across this great little neighborhood that everyone had an adorable door charm to greet you and they were so fun!  I made one and hope to make more.....I would love to get this started in my little neighborhood....So welcoming!  Thought I would share.....

 

 

I found these little red boots in an antique store while in North Dakota...Had to have them!

 

My entry rug..I got this hand woven red/white/blue rug at a festival.

 

My Holiday Birdhouse.....Lots of Flags.....

 

 

 

My vintage mailbox plantar in my landscape....

 

A little polka dot ribbon and red/white/blue textiles.....

 

More Textiles....

 

My flowers have grown!

 

 

My window box has a whimsical feel don't you think?  I still haven't gotten my window painted red...

 

 

My Snow on the Mountain...I hope to get this going all the way down the driveway someday..:)  It is such an old vintage plant...I love it!

 

Well.....Hope you enjoyed....Until next time! 

A Friend from the Heart :)

A Little 4th Centerpiece.....

 

My Table Centerpiece......

 

I love this "Old Glory" picture I found of my mom's in the basement of this house when I moved in.

 

Vintage child's quilt.....

 

More Americana...Geraniums in a vintage pitcher and of course flags....and a whimsical polk dot or two....

Enjoy the rest of your day!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

The Girls are Back in Town :).....My Menu :)

 

We're Back :)  We had a lovely trip, long but lovely.  I'm very glad to be back home and in the "groove" again though!  We are finally going CAMPING this weekend for the first time this season...yayyyy!  I haven't did a thing in the camper so I'll be cozying up the camper but I have a horrible cold :(.....I know I'm late for menu planning monday this week..but better late than never.....

Monday - Mexican Chicken Crostada, chips & salsa.

Tuesday - Pepperoni pizza pasta, Tossed Salad, crusty bread.

Wednesday - Mexican Style Stuffed Green Peppers, Cobb Salad, Garlic Bread.

Thursday - We're off camping!  Pizza on the Grill, Sausage, pepperoni, onion pizza, Tossed Salad,  Peanuty Smores :)

Friday - Still Camping! Chicken, Potato & Olive Kabobs and Grilled asparagus  I will add onions and peppers too, French Bread, Campfire Banana Splits.

Saturday - Happy 4th of July!...Still Camping !  Best Ever Beer Steamed Burgers and Feisty Mustard Topped Hot Dogs,Salty Grilled Potatoes, Monster Cookie Bars. 

Sunday - Home at Last :)  Grilled steaks, hash browns, grilled sweet corn, garlic bread.

Snack - Monster Cookies...

 

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips. 
• 1/4 cup raisins, optional
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.

In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...........

Introducing my newest grandbaby....OLIVE JOY :)

 

Have a Great week! 

A Friend From The Heart :)

 

On the Road to see Olive Joy!

 

Guess what I'm doing :)

 

Just letting you know my daughter and I are taking a little road trip this week to see the new baby in North Dakota.  I'll be returning home Friday. i'm sad and glad all in one.  Sad to leave my honey home alone with our our baby girls (the puppies) and glad I'm on my way to spend quality time with my daughter and her family.  I'm having a little anxiety as I have not been apart from my husband for more than overnight for 10 years and is it wrong to be a little sad to not want to be apart and still feel alone even though I'll still be surrounded by my loved ones?  Think of me and pray for comfort, bonding and safe travels :)  I'll catch you up when I get back!......

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

I have 2 Posts Today....Welcome Olive Joy!

Yep...Olive Joy has arrived!  I'm a grandma times 6 now :)  My daughter Emily had her third little bundle of joy Tuesday, June 16, 2009. We all knew she had a doctor's appt that day and were waiting on pins and needles thinking she was going to have to be induced...so as I'm waiting..what do you know..I pop on the infamous Facebook as I do quite often to touch hearts with my peeps...and low and behold Grandma reads this on Emily's Facebook page........"3 of a kind . . . Olive Joy. 1 hr labor, 2 pushes. 8.5 oz.".  Okay...I''m thinking wow...Hallelujah she's here!..and a little undertone of another "CRAP"..Grandma finds out on Facebook...hehehe :)  Don't worry...like 5 minutes later I got the official call from Daddy.  Amazing how you can blog off your cell phone these days!  Anywho..I just LOVE the name "Olive".  She fits right in our little vintage world :)  She lives in North Dakota though so grandma can't get her arms around her as of yet..."BUT" I'm thinking maybe a road trip is in order in a few days :)  My daughter takes after her mother...short labors, easy deliveries and beautiful babies :)  Her Big Sisters, Lilly Emma, Eden Grace are so very much "In LOVE" with their new Baby Sister, Olive Joy.

 

Welcome to the World Olive Joy :)  I can't wait to catch the scent of that baby smell, the little sounds of baby gruntlings and of course the crying too! 

It's been a busy week in my world!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Tornado Season has arrived!

I'm still here....it just is hard to come inside and sit at the computer when it is so nice outside and flowers to tend and yard work..etc.  Now we have tornado watches, warnings and weather to worry about in dear old Nebraska.  This week has been a busy week especially with warnings every night and some pretty close to home.  It was a bit humid and just one of those days you know there is going to be activity somewhere with the weather.   Totally amazing to me Facebook is a wonderful thing isn't it?  I jumped on my facebook page to keep in the loop the days happenings with my kids and close friends and what do I read on my daughter's page..."Please pray for my family...tornados right by our house, my kids in town stuck in a parking lot with grandma in the middle of the bad weather".  I'm thinking "CRAP".  I turn on the TV and it's all over and she's right in the middle of it all and you feel so totally helpless in all this.  I'm thinking..what the heck are you doing on the computer when it is right there you idiot!..hehe....Anywho everything was fine...just some fields and crops damaged, some pivots blown over and we're very thankful.  She just built this beautiful new home last year and was finally getting it all finished and cozy comfy and you just feel so helpless and then your like a mother hen you want your chickies under your wing and there they were so exposed and mom finds out on facebook!..lol  My daughter sent this email yesterday about a storm chaser that was there taping the whole formation of the funnel clouds throughout the day into the tornado and I can't tell you how amazing it is to watch so I just couldn't wait to share it with you all.   The storm chaser was Ashley Walker.

6/15/2009 - Assumption, NE Tornado

One of the most rewarding chases of my career -- at 6 pm I was sure it was a bust, but I continued north toward the area of convergence near south-central Nebraska (despite all the storms in sw Kansas tugging at my heart strings) and bagged an amazing supercell and tornado east of Minden, NE. I was rewarded with one of the more dramatic occlusion processes I've ever seen. Patience paid off today. The time lapse of this should be quite remarkable; however, it will have to wait b/c I must drive to Chicago Tuesday and I'm running of fumes currently. Thanks to Matt Powers for nowcasting (and moral!) support. A lot more when I can find the time to process images/movies.

Clear slot wraps in.

Second funnel ... first one (and possible tornado) seconds earlier blocked by the only tree in my view -- chainsaw anyone?

Tornado!

Now go over to his blog from my link and please watch the streamline videos he posted at the bottom of the blog on 06/15/2009 from Assumption, NE.  Amazing!!

 

http://thetae.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html

 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

 

 

 

 

Menu Planning Monday :)

 

 

Monday - Joosie Loosie, Beer Battered Apple and Onion Rings, Fresh Fruit Salad.

Tuesday - Walking Tacos, Chips & Salsa.

Wednesday - Potato Corn Chowder, Tossed Cobb Salad.

Thursday - Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Mushrooms, Red Onions & Garlic, Grilled Pork Chops.

Friday - TGIF!  Date Night :)

Saturday - Garlic Toasted Spaghetti Bruschetta, Tossed Salad.

Sunday -Roasted Potato Leek Soup, Herb Garlic Bread.

Snack - Cherry Coffee Cake From Finding Joy in My Kitchen Blog.

1/2 C light butter or margarine (or, 1/4 C butter, 1/4 C applesauce)
3/4 C sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 C sour cream (fat free works just fine)
2 1/2 C (use up to 1 C whole wheat)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 can cherry pie filling (alternatively, you can make your own with frozen cherries)
1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat eggs and add sour cream to the eggs; stir well. Add this to the butter and sugar mixture and cream. Mix flour, salt and soda together and add to the dough mix. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl for topping.

Layer half of the dough in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Pour pie filling over the bottom dough layer. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar mix. Top with remaining dough. It works best to plop the dough over the cherries and carefully spread to fill in the holes. Top with remaining dough and sugar mixture. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. 

That's it for this week.  Have a great week!  For more wonderful menu ideas please stop over the www.orgjunkie.com.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

 

It's "Pink Saturday"..:)

 

Another wonderful Pink Saturday is upon us.   It's been a very rainy cool week in Nebraska.  My plants and flowers are enjoying the moisture but now need some warm humid weather to burst into bloom.  My pink this week is a couple of items I have put together outside this week.  I rearranged my porch swing and added an old quilt I usually put out for Valentine's but had a little aha! moment and to the swing it has come.  My swing cushion and pillows I sewed out of old vintage tablecloths and one side was a pinkish/red flower with some green and whites which I usually use but the reverse is a pink/red and white almost paisley like flower pattern and when I put the quilt over the back of my red swing it sort of all came together and I really liked it.

 

 

The quilt up close.  It really is a worn old quilt that has ragged edges but I love it and use it many ways.

 

Next I have a wonderful vintage pink tub I've used just about everywhere and this year I put a little dirt in it and planted some flowers in it along side my house in a flower bed.

Well.... for many more wonderful Pink Saturday posts please pop on over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound blog.  Enjoy your Saturday and get whisked away in a Pink Saturday getaway :)

A Friend from the Heart :)

Menu Planning Monday.....

 

I'm a day late...but who cares :) 

Tuesday - Chicken Pot Pie Soup, Salad.

Wednesday - Seafood Nachos.

Thursday - Grilled Horseradish, Cheddar & Apple Burgers, Grilled Asparagus, Chips.

Friday - TGIF!  Date Night!

Saturday - Olive Garden Spaghetti, Olive Garden Salad , Olive Garden Dressing.

Sunday - Meatloaf in Tri-colored Peppers, Smashed Potatoes & Chives, Green Beans. Garlic Bread.

Snack - Aunt Glynn's Chewy Cake

• 1 (1-pound) package light brown sugar
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 stick butter, softened, plus more for greasing
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 2 cups pecans, chopped
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, and butter. Add eggs and vanilla and stir well. Fold in coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips until well combined. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted through the middle comes out clean. Cool the cake completely in the pan before cutting it into squares.

Have a Great week in your kitchen's!  For more delicious menu ideas and recipes please stop over to www.orgjunkie.com.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

It's Pink Saturday :)

 

Happy Pink Saturday.....For more wonderful Pink Saturday Blogs please pop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound.

My Pink this week consists of a Beautiful Pink Chenille tablecloth I found and have displayed it on my dining table and the Centerpiece also.  My Grandmother's old Pink Wastebasket I just love and an old vintage Kerosene lamp.

 

 

 

My dining room wallpaper.....

 

That's it for this week!  It's a great Pink Saturday.  Enjoy browsing!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Happy Friday and My Wash Tubs.....

 

My Vintage Garage....I actually do park a vehicle in this garage...it's pretty cozy..but fits!  Love the cracked driveway..:) It somehow tells a story.  I can just imagine my Grandma Rhoda driving up and down the driveway in her old black car.

 

The vintage picture of my house when Grandma Rhoda lived here....All the trees...I don't have but a couple now..  See the little garage tucked behind the house...:)

 

I can remember driving downtown with Grandma to the dime store where she worked.  Memories. 

The old Wash tubs I have on both sides of the garage.  

 

 

  

 

Around the corner on the side of the garage.....Just a menagerie of fun. 

A picture of Grandma Rhoda....

 

That porch swing is the same one I use today...only painted Red :) 

Thank you Grandma...for my home and all my memories :)

Enjoy your Weekend Dear Friends :)

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

 

Remembering a Miracle 29 Years Ago Today........June 3, 1980.

The Devastation.....

The 1980 Grand Island tornado outbreak, also known as The Night of the Twisters, affected the city of Grand Island, Nebraska on June 3, 1980. Seven tornadoes touched down in or near the city that night, killing 5 and injuring 200. The name "The Night of the Twisters" comes from the semi-fictionalized by book of the same name by author Ivy Ruckman, which in turn inspired a 1996 made-for-TV movie seen on ABC Family. Another article to read about it from the Grand Island Independent the day after of interest is:

http://www.nebraskaweatherphotos.org/giijune3-7.html

I was somewhat involved though I did not live in Grand Island at the time.  I lived in Fullerton, NE about 40 miles away on a farm, I was Lisa Johnson, was 20 years old, married, 1 little girl and 4 months pregnant.  I was helping my husband then Scott and was driving a tractor behind our house.  We had a running creek directly behind it with quite an embankment.  I was backing up the tractor..the brakes failed and I flipped over the embankment with the tractor and it landed in the running creek on top of me pinning me underneath.  I don't talk about it much but I think about it a lot especially on June 3rd each year.  Besides all of the many stories of those who lived the tornadoes in GI there was underlying behind the scenes stories like mine that make the day memorable also.  I was rushed by ambulance into GI in the middle of the tornadoes.  It was a miracle in my instance. 

This was an article in the Omaha World Herald of my mother's experience. 

 

Another article. I think I ended up having like 29 broken bones.. I was later found to have a broken hip and broken left arm amongst all of the other injuries mentioned above.  I was rushed to a local hospital later to be transferred to Lincoln and spent the summer in the hospital recuperating from the injuries.  When I returned home I had to use a walker to walk.  The miracle of all out of this...I was 4 months pregnant when this happened.....I delivered that baby in November, a normal vaginal delivery.  That beautiful baby is my daughter Emily who will be 29 years old this November and is perfect in every way. 

 

Emily and her family today.

Miracles do happen. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday...

  

Monday - BBQ & Ranch Chicken & Cheddar Pizza Roll em ups, tossed salad.

Tuesday - Sweet Onion Pork Chops, Long Grain Rice, Green Beans.

Wednesday - Burrito Pie. Chips & Salsa.

Thursday - Oven Baked Steak, Mashed Potato Casserole, Green Beans, French Bread.

Friday - TGIF!  Date Night!.....

Saturday - Chicken & asparagus and pistachios/brown rice.

Sunday -  Spicy Mac Burgers, My Homemade Onion Rings, Chocolate Malts.

Snack - Chocolate Chip Cake

Cake Batter:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups sour cream
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Middle & Top:
cinnamon sugar (I keep my cinnamon and sugar in a glass shaker so I didn't measure exactly how much I used - a guesstimate would be 2 tablespoons for each layer)
1 bag chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 if using a glass pan). Grease a 9 X 13 pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl combine all of the cake batter ingredients. Mix for 1 minute at low speed; mix 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour 1/2 of batter into greased pan. Generously sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over batter making sure to get the corners and then sprinkle with 1/2 bag of chocolate chips. Pour remaining cake batter on top and spread across bottom layer. Repeat with cinnamon and sugar and chocolate chips. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs (don't overbake or cake will be dry!).

For more great menu plans and recipes please stop over to www.orgjunkie.com. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Happy "Pink" Saturday.....

  

Happy Birthday of One Year of Pink Saturdays!  My post this week is leaning towards a favorite drink and vintage Pink containers I have.

 

This is my favorite wine in the world.  Of course it is Pink and I found it in a winery near Kansas City.  I bought a case :)  Not dry, very smooth and yummy.

 

Pink Catawba is a semi-sweet Red, more pink in color with Catawba flavor

 

For a while I was really into West Virginia Glass and I found this vintage margarita pitcher and glasses set.."in Pink" :)

 

And this lovely Pink West Virginia Liquor set...Little shot glasses and decanter.

For more Pink Saturday Posts please stop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound Blog.

Have a great Weekend.......

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Americana.......

 

Sharing a little Americana for the holiday.  I hope everyone had a great Memorial Weekend.

 

One of the houses I have Baby Finches living.....

 

A planter I made up and put out at the cemetery on my parents grave....

 

I added my Americana birdhouse in the display and some baby blue eggs to the nest...A flag here and there.

 

My Garden Flag...We also just added this border in the landscaping this spring.

 

An ole Americana flag painted on barn wood framed.

 

My window box is growing! 

 

Just another angle .......

 

The garage door Americana.....

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday a Day Late......

 

Monday - Shepherd's Pie, Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread.

Tuesday - Meatloaf, Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, Green Beans.

Wednesday - Sweet & Sour Chicken with Pineapple & Red Onion. Egg Rolls.

Thursday - French Dip Sandwich w/Au Jus, Baked Potato Wedges.

Friday - TGIF!  Date Night!

Saturday - Burrito Pie, Rice & Beans, Chips & Salsa.

Sunday - Scalloped Potatoes & Ham, Blueberry Muffins.

Snack -Moist Mini Carrot Cakes

 

Moist Mini Carrot Cakes

2 eggs
1 C. oil
2 C. brown sugar
2 C. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
3 C. grated carrots
5 oz. crushed pineapple; drained
1 C. chopped nuts (I left these out)

Mix together eggs, oil and sugar. Add brown sugar, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon. Blend in carrots and pineapple. Mix well and add nuts. Pour into 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 35-45 min. Frost when cool. Adjust cooking time for cupcakes.

 

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8 oz pkg. softened cream cheese
1/4 lb softened butter
1-1/2 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

I piped this on in a swirl and sprinkled on toasted pecans for the finishing touch! Pretty and delicious!

 

That's it for This week!  For more delicious recipes and menu ideas please stop over to www.orgjunkie.com.

 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Happy Pink Saturday......

My daughter is here for a few weeks now that school is out and my world has been a frenzy.  I was going to try and be oh so organized and get this post set to publish early a.m. today and oops...here I am now...oh so late trying to ask forgiveness for my lateness :)....

 

Please don't forget to stop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound for so many wonderfully creative Pink Saturday blogs.

For my Pink Saturday I'm going to share some beautiful Pink Vintage trinkets I have purchased or been given over the past years...I showcase them in my cabinet in the Dining area....

The Dining...full of Pink as is......

The Trinkets for today's Pink Saturday....

 

I love this precious little lady and the ring holder is also Pink....

 

A good friend gave me this beautiful pitcher for a X-mas gift 5 years ago.....

 

I love vintage jewelry...mainly vintage pins and I have a great assortment of Pink ones.  I love wearing them every chance I get. 

Well...I do wish for all of you to have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with your families.  There will be much reminiscing of our lost loved ones, lots of family reminiscing over barbecuing...so much fellowship and family and friend bonding.  Have a Great time!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Front Porch Geranium.....

I have been busy adding flowers and touches outdoors.  It will take some loving care before they are in their element and fully loaded with blooms and color.  I was buying flowers at the greenhouse the other day and found this hanging geranium basket and knew right where it needed to hang.

 

I loved the training vine and I'm happy I got it now.

 

 

Welcome to my porch :)

At a 4th of July flea market last year I found these birdhouses and have put them up in my backyard.  I just put them back up and you can see them as your sitting on the patio enjoying a sip of iced tea.

 

This bush when in bloom is covered with gorgeous orange flowers.

 

 

If you can't tell by now I love birdhouses.

That's it for today...Have a great rest of your day.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

My Little "Red" Wagon.....

Boy...I have been busy busy planting flowers, playing in the dirt and today the wind is a blowing so hard I came in with dirt on every part of me hehehehe.....Anyway...I found this cute little vintage red wagon and of course with my "red" color theme I bought it to go in my landscaping with a pot or two sitting inside.  We have birds and nests absolutely everywhere on our porch and there is this huge tree that a large nest blew out of and I put the nest in the wagon also just for fun.....I have baby birdies chirping everywhere on my porch..nests and birds swooping every time your out and about on it.  It is fun to sit and listen to them....

 

We put up the stone border this spring also...but isn't the wagon just so much fun!

 

I have one of my funky baby chicks in the pot of flowers also....just as in my window box ....

 

This is a picture I took of one of my nests....Mom is taking such good care of her babies...

 

The proud papa...he is the noisiest.....

 

They fly in and sit in my grapevine.......

Well...that's it for today...I have tons to come...so for now....

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Happy Pink Saturday .....

Another Pink Saturday and I am a bit late...but better late than never!....We've had such beautiful weather in Nebraska.  I've been working my fingers to the bone in the dirt planting flowers and just having fun.  I have a fun Pink Saturday find I'll share with you this week.  As you all well know last weekend was Mother's day...well...My children live many miles away from me so I received this adorable card in the mail from my oldest.....I thought it was so very cute and of course it was "Pink"..:) 

 

I enjoyed this so much...I sent it to all my friends email.....Now for something a little vintage....to share...

 

 

You see I love vintage hats...I have many in "Pink" and display them in my bedroom....

The lilacs are out now...I love lilacs!...My daughter picked me some and I have them displayed in a pretty vintage "Pink" Pitcher...Too bad lilacs don't last that long...but indeed they smell absolutely wonderful! 

That is it for this week...for many more "Pink" saturday finds please pop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound Blog.....

Have a Great Weekend!...

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Funky Chickens.....

I know I've been a little MIA lately but I've been playing in the dirt just a little :)  I've put a little whimsy in my window box this year using these little funky chickens I have and an old pane window....

 

I put a red pot there just for that little pop of red I want.  I have used flowers in colors of purple, red and yellow with lots of green vines and fern. I really love this old pane window I found.

 

I even have funky baby chickens..:)  I've used these whimsical chickens all over in my yard...they found a home for now in the window box...

 

 

That is it for now..but of course much more to come...I'm going out to play some more!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday.....

 

Monday - Cashew Chicken, Egg Rolls.

Tuesday - Crock Pot Beef Stew, Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits.

Wednesday - Waffles, Bacon, Eggs.  Breakfast for dinner.

Thursday - Asparagus & Bowtie Pasta, Garlic Bread.

Friday - TGIF!  Date Night!

Saturday - Layered Chicken & Black Bean Enchilada Bake, Salad.

Sunday - Shepard's Pie,  Jalapeno cheddar cornbread.

Snack - Caramel Brownies.

 

1 box German chocolate cake mix
1/3 c evaporated milk
1/2 c butter,melted

14 oz package of Kraft caramels (50)
1/3 c evaporated milk

1 cup milk chocolate chips (Guittard or other large chips)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together dry cake mix, butter, and evaporated milk. Press half of this mixture into bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 6 minutes.
2. Melt caramels with 1/3 c evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Set aside.
3. Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked crust. Drizzle caramel over chocolate chips. Spoon or sprinkle the other half of the cake mixture on top. Bake for 16-18 minutes. Refrigerate approximately 30 minutes to set. Cut and serve.

For many other menu ideas and recipes please pop over to www.orgjunkie.com. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Happy Pink Saturday :)

Another Pink Saturday is among us.  I look forward every week to all of the different Pink sharing.  There are so many with the love of Pink.  Blogging is a wonderful thing...we wouldn't be able to share such fun without it.  Have a great Mother's day Weekend all you wonderful Pink Saturday Mommies :)

  

We're in my kitchen today....This is the view of my kitchen sink.  It's original to the house and as you can see I have the vintage pink chenille valance hanging with vintage pink hankies to contrast.

 

My pink coffee station.  I found this Cuisinart Pink coffee maker and just had to have it.  I found the pink wicker server at an antique shop.  The pink Pyrex stores my coffee.

 

My vintage pink rose china I use in the kitchen.

This is a look into my kitchen, full of pink accents.  I love vintage textiles also.

That is it for this beautiful Pink Saturday.  For many more wonderful Pink ideas please stop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

The Red Screen Door.....

We had quite a nice weekend after all the forecasts of rain fell through.  We found it quite productive in the yard. We were busy moving patio furniture out of storage and one of my weekend projects consisted of this old red screen door I have had in the house.  I decided to display it out on the front of my old garage door.  It was a wild hair idea I had but once I went and put it up I really liked it.  It gives that look I want and dab of red I'm trying to bring out in the coloring of the yard this summer. 

 

I got the idea of the wreath from Cathy over at Cobblestone Farms and just tried to make my interpretation of one of her wonderful ideas.  I wish I livedclose enough to pay her lovely farm a visit.  I'm sure if I could I would spend my entire pay check on the glorious things she makes and showcases.  I used an old hose I had just laying around, picked up some flowers in colors I wanted to accent an old tin bucket I had laying around, a red garden glove, old potting spade and tuh dah.....

How it looks from the street.  My neighbors probably think I'm completely nuts...but oh well...it looks welcoming and I like it.   It looks kinda bare without any flowers in the tubs yet or vines growing...I am hoping this weekend I can get to planting flowers.  I want to plant mostly red/green/yellow flowers...but the main color of red and do you have ideas on what might work in direct sunlight?....There are the usual geraniums but I'm not always one to do the norm..:)...

 

I wish I could get moss or something to grow in between the old cracks in my driveway :)

I hope you enjoyed my project and I do with everyone a glorious week.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Happy Pink Saturday......

I hope your having a marvelous Pink Saturday!  Today I am going to share a few more favorite pinks of mine....

 

This is my husband's grandparents marriage license dated 1905.  It is something we treasure from days gone by.

 

My vintage pink candle holders and hankies I have displayed on the kitchen island.

 

Remember When is painted pink and distressed with stain made from the insert of an old wooden door.

Thanks for stopping to visit my cozy home. 

 

It's all because of sweet Beverly from How Sweet the Sound Blog.  Please stop over to her site today for many more great blog addresses to visit and reminisce of Pink joy from days gone by. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

 

More I Heart Reds........

Just adding more touches to the porch...I got this vintage window with geraniums painted on it I also got at the arts festival last year.....It found a home here for now. 

 

There are amazing artists at the festival both spring and fall.

 

There ya have it :)  Have a good Thursday!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

I Heart Red......

Just recently I was able to go to the spring arts & crafts festival in Omaha, NE and I found these shabby red heart outdoor decorations I just had to buy.  Hope you enjoy.....I've decided this summer my theme color for flowers and dominating color will be red which I think will accent the curb appeal of my cozy home.

 

My door heart :)

 

Isn't this cute?? 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday :)

 

Monday - Barbecue Shrimp Deaux, Salad.

Tuesday - Bourbon Bean Soup, Homemade Bread.

Wednesday - Spinach Alfredo Pizza, Iceberg lettuce with warm bacon and blue cheese dressing.

Thursday -Chevre Burger, Homemade Fries.

Friday - TGIF!...Date Night!

Saturday - Hoisin steak skewers, Wild Rice, Grilled Asparagus, Garlic Bread.

Sunday - Glazed mini meatloaves, Baked Potato, Green Beans, Simple & Delicious Cheese Bread. 

Snack - Lemon Angel Food Cupcakes from Two Peas and Their Pod Blog.

 

Lemon Angel Food Cupcakes

Seen on Culinary Adventures of a New Wife, originally on Baking Bites

3/4 cup superfine sugar, divided
1/2 cup sifted cake flour
5 large egg whites, room temperature
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
zest of one lemon

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a small bowl, sift together cake flour and 1/4 cup superfine sugar.
3. In a large bowl, beat room-temperature egg whites until foamy, then add in cream of tartar and salt. Gradually add in the remaining 1/2 cup of superfine sugar while the mixer is on high speed, beating the egg whites to soft peaks.With a rubber spatula add in the vanilla and lemon zest, do this very gently!
4. Fold in flour mixture, adding it in two or three additions.
5. Divide evenly into prepared muffin tins. Fill them pretty full.
6. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until golden brown. The tops will spring back when lightly touched.
7. Cool on a wire rack.

Lemon Icing Drizzle

I didn't do the lemon drizzle because I liked the cupcakes plain, but I know the drizzle would be fabulous. I will try it next time!

Confectioner's Sugar
Fresh lemon juice

Combine confectioners sugar with lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle on top of cooled cupcakes.
Makes 12 cupcakes.

 

For more tasty menu ideas please stop over to www.orgjunkie.com.

 

Have a Great Week of cooking!

 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

 

Happy Pink Saturday :)

 

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!..:)  I usually get this posted the day before and put it on delay to post early a.m. on Pink Saturday but I let it slip through my fingers and I'm sorry!!...Anywho I am here and here goes....

 

I'm thinking spring can you tell??..Ms. Cherry from Cherry's Jubilee made me this lovely banner...It is one of many she has made me.  I love it...!

 My vintage "Pink" radio and if you look very closely you will see it is sitting on a cute child's "Pink" chair!  When I found this radio...I went "Gotta Have it!"...The dried bouquets are my wedding bouquets which were dried pink and red roses :)

 

The vintage "Pink" Child's chair...which I have two of :)

 

To finish the Vignette I Have a "Pink" old wooden toolbox and and old metal "pink" wastebasket...:) I have this sitting on top of my built in buffet in my dining room.

  

There you be!....For more wonderful Pink Saturday posts please stop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound and Enjoy!.....

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

The Birds are Singing.....

This week looks to be very spring like out and the birds are singing and sun is  shining.  The birds seem to be attacking and building nests in my birdhouses on my porch and I haven't really did much for decor but added a little color. The porch swing cushions have made their arrival and it is wonderful to sit and breath in the fresh spring air.

  

It is very inviting and I love to sit there a lot.  I wait for my husband to come home at the end of the day and we sit out there and talk about our day :)

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy the Day...

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

I was Blessed Again.........

A new blogging friend "Lisa" over at http://pupylov.blogspot.com has blessed me with these wonderful awards.  Thank you Lisa :)  I know You gave me these a while back and I am so sorry it has taken me so long to attach them here. You were so wonderful to think of me while giving them and said such kind words about my blog...Life is definitely good and Bloggers are indeed the dearest people :)

 

 

1.    Cherry - http://cherrysjubileehome.blogspot.com/

2.    Katherine - http://www.CountryRomantic.blogspot.com

3.    Kim - http://belladellasfarm.blogspot.com/

3.    Mimi - http://www.dandelionwishes-mimi.blogspot.com

4.    Traci - http://livingthegoodlife5.blogspot.com/

5.    Debbie - http://debbie-jeremiah3017.blogspot.com

6.    Marilyn - http://ivyandlacecottage.blogspot.com

7.    Stephanie - http://theheartsofhartmann.blogspot.com

8.    Cathy - http://cobblestonefarms.blogspot.com/

Along with the Friendship Award comes this message: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated." It also says: "Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."
Please anyone who visits my blog take this award I created to honor my friends! That would be anyone who visits and gets anything, friendship, a laugh, an idea, a link to another blog, a give away lead.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Happy Pink Saturday!...Welcome :)

Another Pink Saturday is upon us.  I hope you all enjoy my Pink Treasures :)...They are very Pink, very old and things I love. 

 

I love this picture....Such sweetness and the baby chicks just make me feel warm and cozy inside.

 

My Vintage Pink Watering Can and Pink Spools.....They are definitely Pink!

Enjoy this Pink Saturday....Embrace the Day :)

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

My Sweet Jean.....Has Dropped a Package at my Door Again!....

She did it again :)  This dear lady is the most amazing caring person.  The Easter Bunny arrived at my house with a sweet care package from Jean from Virginia.  She never forgets a step.  She remembers each and every special day on the calendar and puts such a dear smile on my face every time she visits my blog and says something amazing to inspire me.  I want to be like Jean when I grow up! haha :)

 

Such caring notes she writes me.....

How did she know I needed new gardening gloves??...She has come to know me very well....Some adorable Easter eggs for next Easter Holiday...

 

Some cute candy eggs, a notepad which I can always use endlessly....

 

A Porcelain Egg and cute pink china plate, The cute Amoco card and a cute Easter scalloped decoration with a vintage Easter image attached.

 

All wrapped snug in a postal box making its way to Nebraska!  She is the dearest friend to me and I just want to thank Jean from the bottom of my heart.  You inspire me to be a better person in this life.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Sharing My Easter Bunnies With You.....

These are my little Easter Bunnies........

 

Libby, Jack and Annie all decked out for Easter Sunday.

 

Lilly and Eden also...I did not get to spend Easter with them..but they captured the moment.  I sent some Easter baskets for them....Can you guess what they got?

 

I laughed....All they have wanted is swimming goggles...I think they liked them!

 

I don't think Annie knew quite what they were....

 

 

 

Goggles? Sunglasses?...It makes them happy....:)  I am so glad they send me pictures so I can enjoy.  They live in North Dakota :(.... They don't come home very often....

 

Of course we can't forget Easter Egg decorating....so intense!...

My daughter Lydia took some silly pictures and thought I would share them in closing....So much fun with digital photography....

 

Such silliness....The bottom two little ones were up to no good I think at their Grandpa's.....

This last one was a little scarey bit they were being silly...They have a million expressions....but the caption was cute I thought....

 

 

It says it all.......Makes me smile......

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday.....

I really hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Holiday with your families....A new week has begun and another great Menu Planning Monday for you to Enjoy.....

 

Here Goes.....

Monday - Buffalo Chicken Salad w/Blue Cheese Dressing, Grilled Vegetables.

Tuesday - Make Your Own Stir-Fry.

Wednesday - Mandarin Orange/Pecan Spinach Salad, Salmon w/Sweet & Spicy Rub.

Thursday - London Broil w/Goat Cheese Chive Sauce, Grilled Asparagus & Melon Salad.

Friday - TGIF!..Date Weekend!....

Saturday - Out of Town, Great Spring Craft Show :)

Sunday - Chili Lime Steak & Salad with creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing, Cheesy Zucchini and Red Onion Flat-bread.

Snack - Espresso Caramel Bars

Espresso Caramel Bars

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Prep Time:

15 min

Inactive Prep Time:

2 hr 15 min

Cook Time:

22 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

Crust:

• Vegetable cooking spray
• 12 whole (6 ounces) cinnamon graham crackers, crumbled or 2 cups cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Caramel:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Chocolate Layer:

• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 3/4 teaspoons instant espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked sea salt, optional

Special equipment: a candy thermometer

For the crust:

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round spring-form pan with parchment or waxed paper. Spray the paper and the sides of the pan with cooking spray. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the graham crackers and sugar. Process until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Add the melted butter and blend until the mixture forms into clumps. Spread the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, pressing gently to form an even layer. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden. Cool for 15 minutes.

For the caramel:

While the crust is cooling, in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of cream, butter, sugar, and water. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F, about 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully pour the caramel over the warm crust. Cool for 20 minutes. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.

For the chocolate layer: Combine the chocolate chips and cream in a small bowl and place over a pan of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the espresso powder. Remove the spring-form pan from the freezer. Pour the chocolate mixture over the caramel layer and smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with smoked sea salt, if using. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.

Allow the layers to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Using a warm, slightly wet knife, carefully cut around the edges of the chocolate layer. Release the side of the pan and remove the paper from the bottom. Cut into 1 1/2 by 1/2-inch bars and store airtight in a covered plastic container.

For more delicious menu planning Monday recipes please stop over to www.orgjunkie.com.

Have a great week!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Pink Saturday....Happy Easter....

Another Pink Saturday is upon us.  I am sharing just a couple of pink items I happen to love.  One is this Vintage pink gumball machine I have on the counter in my kitchen.

 

And then a couple pretty pink vintage Easter baskets and a pink quilted bunny...just in time to wish everyone a very Happy Easter :)

 

Don't forget to stop over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound blog for many more wonderful Pink Saturday Bloggers. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

TGIF!.........

Just a little decor on the by the front door.....

 

This is a little wooden house I have right by the front door on the porch.  It lights up at night and right now I have it decorated with a cute miniature grapevine wreath and wool Easter egg all wrapped with Pink Satin Bows.   Just a little Friday Inspiration....Celebrate..its' Friday!....

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Spring....The Other Half and Full View .....

Just continuing on with the other side....I just moved my little step ladder into the living room and put it along side the entertainment center to finish the vignette I have there for springtime.

 

I added an old painted blue birdhouse....A Watering Can....

 

My Family Tree...literally...

 

A vintage Easter basket or two....

 

The finished vignette.....It makes me feel happy.....I hope you enjoy too...

A Friend from the Heart....

 

Easter Basket and Springtime Flowers.......

 

Remember this?  I found the huge green basket at Hobby Lobby and have filled it with a variety of springtime flowers. 

 

I added a vintage napkin for cottage look. A little stick wool flower made by a friend with a vintage button center.  

 

There is a bunny....

 

or two....

 

The pair......

 

The look.....

 

The other side pictures to be continued..............

Have a great Easter Week!...

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday.....

 

I am embracing today and glad for the sunshine.  We got a huge snow storm over the weekend and once again we have snow :(...One can only hope for a rapid melting so spring can finally be here to stay for good.  Here is my menu plan for the week.  I hope you enjoy....

Monday - Me Oh My Garlic Toasted Spaghetti Pie, Green Beans, Tossed Salad.

Tuesday - Layered Chicken & Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.

Wednesday - Pizza Roll Up ( A great new twist on pizza), Tossed Salad.

Thursday - Unstuffed Pepper Skillet, Garlic Muffins.

Friday - TGIF!...Date Night!

Saturday - Firecracker Salmon, Baked Potato, Grilled Asparagus, French Bread (Bread Machine).

Sunday - Happy Easter!  Asian Pork Tenderloin,  Herbed Butter Sauce and Vegetable Pasta, Soft Bread Sticks. It is just the two of us so we are going to enjoy a less traditional Easter meal. 

Snack: Crown Jewel Cake per http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com

 85 gm (3 oz) pkg. each of orange,cherry and lime jello
3 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg lemon jello(same size as above)
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups graham wafer crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
2 envelopes Dream Whip

Prepare the first 3 pkgs of jello separately using 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cold water for each. I pour the jello into loaf pans. Chill until firm and cut into cubes.
Combine pineapple juice and sugar, heat to boiling. Remove from heat and dissolve the lemon jello in it, add remaining cold water. Chill until syrupy..(texture of a raw egg white)
Meanwhile:
Mix the graham wafer crumbs with the melted butter. Press into an ungreased 9 by 11"pan, reserving 1/2 cup for garnish.
Prepare Dream Whip according to pkg and fold into syrupy lemon jello mixture. Gently mix in the jello cubes. Pour over the crumbs.
Garnish and chill for 8 hrs in fridge.

For tons of other great menu ideas and recipes please stop over to www.orgjunkie.com .  Have a great week!

A Friend from the Heart,

 

Welcome to Pink Saturday.......

This is my second Pink Saturday participation.  This truly is such an inspirational group of wonderful bloggers.  How much fun is it to see everyone elses creativity thrive in its "Pink" glory :)...

   

My pink is inspired from my dining room which is basically a lot of pink.  I am focusing on an earlier post this week which I utilized an old vintage pink thermos as my centerpiece.  I put some spring silks and a couple wool stick bunnies for holiday flare. The vintage tablecloth I used is full of pink springtime flowers.

 

My dining room chairs I have used as slip covers vintage embroidered pillowcases for a cottage feel topped off with a pink floral handkerchief.

 

I wish each and everyone of your a joyous "Pink Saturday"..Have fun exploring all the Pinkish Flare inspired by all!  Please don't forget to stop over to Beverly's http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ to visit the many Pink Saturday Bloggers.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

A Friendship Award for Me :)

For Me?

 

It is indeed my lucky day.  A few days ago I received this lovely Friendship Award from a very dear friend of mine I have met through blogland.  Thank you so much Katherine over at www.countryromantic.blogspot.com for giving me such a treasured award.  I just hope I can live up to the true meaning of friendship.   Since the day she wrote me such a sweet note to comment on my blog she has let me get to know her and I truly have discovered such a sweet soul and that is why I extended this award to her also.  I extend this also to all of my sweet wonderful blogging friends and just friends who visit me and extend such kind comments to inspire me so.  Extending friendship does bring such sweet reward to our souls...Again, Thank you dear Katherine :)

A Friend from the Heart, 

 

The Vintage Frame......Happy April 1st

Just sharing a couple pictures from the vignette in the living room....It consists of an old screen door of Green, an old vintage frame of my mothers, topping it off I hung an adorable vintage child's white dress as if being framed.

 

This was aside the entertainment center....making it a little less modern as I'm really not a fan of the huge flat screen TVs.  The vintage frame was part of a shadow box that was my mother's. 

 

This is on one side...from a distance...

It is a beautiful spring day in Nebraska today...Hope you are having a great day wherever you are!

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

The Pink Thermus.....and a Bunny Wabbit :)

First of all I just want to share a little photo of my "Motley Crew" that I babysat for last Weekend.  These are all my sweet grandbabies and BOY..did it take quite a few pictures to get one good one :)...I'm sure you know just how that goes....Libby, Lilly, Eden, Annie and Jack.

 

This is the good one....then we have this one...The famous stick out your tongue..lol

 

You see why I call them the "Motley Crew"....:)

To move on....Just a few more spring decor...My dining room Centerpiece....

 

A little pink jug...spring flowers...a couple wool bunny wabbits...etc.  A friend of mine is into rug hooking with wool..and with the remnants she made a variety of little stick ornies..I have a couple bunnies I stuck in the midst of it all....A pink and a gray one.

 

 

My valentine hearts in a Easter basket.....Thanks for allowing me to share what I love so much with you.  I get so much inspiration from blogging..it just makes me smile everyday. 

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

Menu Planning Monday.....

   

Monday - Crab Stuffed Poblano Peppers, Zataran's Beans & Rice.

Tuesday - Meatloaf in Tricolor Peppers, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans. Cheese Garlic Biscuits.

Wednesday - Mushroom & Mozzarella Pasta, Italian Herb Rolls (in Bread Machine).

Thursday -Ultimate Patty Melts, Baked Garlic/Parmesan Fries.

Friday - TGIF!  Date Night!

Saturday - Ham & Asparagus Lasagna, Cesear salad, Garlic Bread.

Sunday - Oven Baked Steak, Smashed Garlic Potatoes, Peas, Italian Herb Rolls from above.

Snack - Mississippi Mud Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/4 t salt
• 2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. baking cocoa
• 1 c. butter or margarine, melted
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 2 c. mini marshmallows
• 1/4 c. butter or margarine
• 1/3 c. baking cocoa
• 2/3 milk
• 16 oz. box powdered sugar, sifted

Directions: Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add melted butter, eggs and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Spread batter into a greased 13"x9" pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle hot cake with mini marshmallows.

Combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup baking cocoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, and boil one minute. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar. Immediately pour chocolate mixture over marshmallows. Let cake cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Makes 15 servings.

You can substitute a 19.8 oz package of brownie mix for the cake batter. Prepare mix according to package directions and spoon into 13" x 9" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes and proceed as directed in recipe.

Have a great week in the Kitchen and please stop over to www.orgjunkie.com for more delicious recipe ideas.

A Friend from the Heart :)

 

It's an Official "Pink Saturday".....

I finally got signed up for Pink Saturday over at Beverly's at "How Sweet The Sound".

 

My home is full of Pink..so I only found it very fitting to participate in this event. 

 

My pink chenille curtains in my kitchen I made from an old chenille bedspread.

 

It is only fitting I share this vintage pink baby dress and an old pink hat lying on top of my dining room buffet in an old wood bread bowl. A beautiful vintage kerosene lamp along side the display.

   

The intricate smocking and embroidery.

 

A vintage pink basket and hamper I snatched while out antiquing. The overall look...Spring has sprung in Nebraska.

 

Well that's it for this Pink Saturday.  Please feel free to stop over to Beverly's at How Sweet The Sound for a listing of many other Pink Saturday participants and their blogs.  Enjoy looking!

A Friend from the Heart :)