Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for June, 2011

Dracula Lilies

Posted in Flowers, Home and Garden, Hubby, Musings, tagged , , on June 16, 2011| 1 Comment »

Last year I wrote all about the Blooms of Death that invade my backyard around this time of the flower blooming season.

Well, the wretched things are back and in full bloom.

It is my opinion that they are:

1. obscene

2. disgusting

3. smelly behind anything imaginable. If you’ve ever smelled a dead rodent imagine multiplying that smell times 100 and having it waft in your open windows.

Captain Cavedweller, on the other hand, thinks they are fantastic. Of course he would.

She Who Can’t Wait for The Blooms to be Done

Read Full Post »

Everything’s Coming Up Roses

Posted in Flowers, Hubby, Musings, tagged , , , on June 15, 2011| Leave a Comment »

If you’ve read my blog at all you have probably gathered from my ramblings that I like roses.

A lot.

As in they bring me ridiculous amounts of joy. They make me smile. They draw me into a wistful state and leave me floating in  blissful summer dreams.

We’ve had not only an unseasonable amount of cool weather but also some vicious wind that wreaked havoc on my poor roses.

Entire branches were broken off, poor little buds were beaten without mercy and I’m not convinced the two escaped convicts (aka the neighbor dogs) didn’t use them as some sort of sadistic demolition course.

I was surprised when I went out and found several roses blossoming despite all the challenges they’ve faced this spring.

Unable to stop myself, I cut a bouquet and brought it in the house where the scent led me into a somewhat euphoric state that Captain Cavedweller had to push me out of – at least long enough to make his dinner.

She Who Loves Roses

Read Full Post »

Flag Day Party Tips

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, Holidays, Party Theme, tagged , , , on June 14, 2011| 1 Comment »

Happy  Flag Day!

Are you wearing your red, white and blue? Hanging out your flag?Doing some Savvy Entertaining?

If so, keep things simple and enjoy your guests!

Go for a barbecue menu and make a Cupcake Flag – for dessert. It is simple and easy to do!

Here are some other tips for a fun patriotic gathering:

Use what you have – and add fun accents. Gather all your white, red and blue dishes then mix and match.  Use a tablecloth in red, white or blue (or sheets work, too) create a fun centerpiece using dishes placed at different heights and presto! You’ve got a great looking table. If you don’t have pedestals or cake plates to use, create height by turning bowls upside down and putting plates on top. In the photo above, the only thing I purchased were the napkins (yes, I have a flag scarf and it comes in really handy as a table runner!).

Inexpensive finds – Purchase patriotic pinwheels from the discount or dollar store and place in vases or jars around the gathering. These are fun and whimsical and provide a laid-back accent to your gathering. Hang red and blue crepe paper streamers along with red white and blue balloons around your gathering.

Involve the kids – by having them create the decorations. They can cut stars out of red, white and blue construction paper. Punch a hole in the top and hang with red, white or blue ribbons above a table, along a fence, at the front door – anywhere guests will gather.

Tie one on – your seat cushion or pillows. Liven things up with red and blue bandanas and red and blue fabric you may have on hand. If you are using fabric, cut it in squares to fit a pillow or cushion, trim edges with pinking shears, place a piece on both the top and bottom of the cushion then tie corners with a white ribbon. Do this for your throw cushions, accent pillows or seat cushions. It will bring a fabulous pop of color to your decor.

Hang your Flag – outside as a greeting to your guests and a reminder that you are celebrating the 4th of July to everyone who drives by. Use mini flags throughout your decorating scheme as well.  A nice take-away for guests is a small flag with a bag of patriotic sweets like peanut M&Ms.

She Who Will be Flying Her Flag

Read Full Post »

Apple Pie

Posted in Desserts, Pie, Recipes, tagged , on June 10, 2011| 6 Comments »

Drizzle on some caramel sauce and enjoy!

Our local summer baseball season has started which always make me think of things like hot dogs and apple pie. All-American all the way.

Here is a simple and easy recipe for apple. Make some this weekend and watch your family savor every bite!

Peel, core and slice your apples. Although I usually prefer Granny Smith's, I think I had Fuji the day I made the pie.

Put apple sliced in a microwave safe bowl and stir into sugar, flour and cinnamon. Nuke a minute at a time until apples are soft and begin to cook.

Get your pie crust ready to go.

Bake until golden brown and juice is bubbling.

Cool slightly before serving.

If you can wait that long...

Drizzle on some caramel sauce and enjoy!

Apple Pie

6 firm, tart apples (I like Granny Smith the best)

2/3 cup sugar

2 tbsp. flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. butter, softened

Pie Crust

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out your pie dough and line the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan. You can use pre-made dough or whip up a batch of your own. I love this pie crust recipe using Vodka.

Peel, core and thinly slice your apples. Put in a microwave safe bowl and stir in sugar, flour and cinnamon. Microwave a minute at a time, stirring after each setting, until the apples begin to cook. Spoon apples into the crust and drop in a few teaspoons of butter. Place the second crust on top, seal the edges and poke in a few air holes with a fork. Slather the rest of the butter over the top of the crust then bake  about 35-40 minutes until juices are bubbling and crust is golden brown. If you are worried about the edges of the pie getting too brown, cover them with a strip of foil and remove about 10 minutes before the pie is ready to take out of the oven.

To save myself from cleaning up a mess in the oven, I use a round pizza pan or a metal pan with a ring in the center made especially for pie baking to catch any juicy spills.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel.

She Who Likes Pie Way Too Much

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »