Soaps and Lotions

I've talked about this place before, but I just ordered more product online from Sunshine Farms.  Not only are their products so fragrant and awesome, but they wrap them up so nicely, include a sample treat, and they arrive so quickly!

Stamps for the Kiddos

Found these on the shelves at Michaels - so cute for $2.00 each!  Got them for the little kiddos this summer...to play with...to sign their names on art work....or whatever!

So fun...

A Switch!

I have been enjoying a box of Goobers with my air-popped popcorn when going to the movies for years now...but I'm making a switch!

I found this dark chocolate covered edamame snack and it's good and satisfying and a good pair with the popcorn, as well!  Have you tried it? I've included a link, but I think you'll have to actually enter the store to buy it...got it at Walmart...but it's sold other places too.

Tartar Sauce...Homemade

Yesterday, my husband had leftover fish and wanted a fish sandwich.  I wanted to make tartar sauce, and this is what I had, which turned out to be SO tasty!

I mixed:

mayonnaise
chopped kalamata olives
lemon juice

I also had some homemade cheese crisps, which I topped on the fish as well!

Pineapple on Pizza

I have grown to love pineapple on pizza, and this is how this particular one was made:

Use your favorite pizza dough, or flatbread for a base.

For the topping:

Chopped...
cooked pork tenderloin basted in teriyaki glaze
grilled pineapple and red onion slices
mozzarella cheese
chopped cilantro
more teriyaki glaze

top the dough with the ingredients, except cilantro.  sprinkle it over top just before serving.

Bake it in your oven according to the directions on the package.  I bought pizza dough in a refrigerated can and baked it according to the directions.

This is how it turned out:

Lily Rain

Today I discovered a new store, Lily Rain.   My daughter-in-law told me about it, and it has really cute clothes and jewelry!  It's a bit pricey but today if you gave $5 to Make a Wish, you got an item of clothing half off, and a piece of jewelry half off!

This is the necklace I found...it hangs down low, or you can bring it up for a double on one side.

Pretty cool...

Cheese Crisps

These are so easy to make, and so incredibly tasty - great for packing and taking on a picnic or to parties!

Two different versions:

1 cup Manchego cheese
1 tsp smoky paprika

OR

1 cup asiago
1/4 cup crumbled bacon
2 T panko breadcrumbs

Mix together one batch, and on two parchment lined baking sheets make 10 piles, bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes til crisp, switching pans halfway through.  Let cool on sheet 5 minutes before removing with spatula.  Do the same to make the other batch.

Couldn't Resist...

I just can't resist these...I think I have a few sets now...for each holiday.  They're usually on the aisles at World Market or Marshalls...cupcake liners and toothpicks.

So even if you weren't even planning to make muffins or cupcakes, these will entice you to do so!

Corn Soup

Shucked corn never tasted so good...

8 ears shucked, and cut off cob. keep the cobs.

melt 1 stick butter in a large sauce pan and after foam subsides, add the corn and cook about 3 min.  add salt, pepper, corn cobs, and 6 cups water and bring to a boil.  reduce to simmer and cook about 20 minutes, let cool and discard the cobs.

using a slotted spoon, transfer corn to blender, add 2 1/2 cups of cooled liquid to blender and puree till smooth.

meanwhile, in a small fry pan, melt 1/2 stick butter, and when foam subsides add 1 T sunflower seeds, 1 T sesame seeds, and 1 tsp whole coriander seeds and cook, swirling often, til butter is brown and nutty-smelling, about 2 minutes.

serve the corn soup with a tablespoon of the butter mixture on top - so flavorful!

So Tidy

I used to have these small galvanized tins in my washroom, but today I found some painted metal ones, with "so tidy" written on them, with copper handles...at Marshalls.

I love to give rooms an upgrade!

Inside the buckets are nail polish and remover, medicines and sprays, and first aid kits and wraps.  I can just grab a bucket, treat, and put it back!  They are each hanging on a cup hook underneath a shelf...over my dryer.

For the Sick

My daughter sent a bulletin board with me to hang in my mom's hospital room, with scripture/encouragement cards tacked on it, and empty cards, a marker, and more tacks, for visitors to write and tack when they come and go.  For now, it's just our family, and we are hoping to fill the board, and then read them to her, at least one each day.

Cool idea, and simple to do!

Beignets to Die For

I don't usually post about a local eaterie here in Austin TX but Epicerie's beignets are worth noting!  I'm not even a fan of pastries or beignets, so to speak, but these are to die for! I hear that beignets by Cafe Du Mond (a mix you can buy at the store), and if you douse them with sugar, I suppose you can get them to look like this!

The Fanny Pack is Back

Did you know that fanny pouches are back? Only they're new and different and cute...well sort of.  What do you think?  These are from Urban Outfitters.

For Lunch!

Today I wanted something healthy to pack for lunch.  I had the makings for a salad (broccoli, greens, carrots & cucumbers), but didn't really want a salad, so I just piled it all on bread, added a slice of ham and a slice of cheese, mixed honey with yellow mustard for the dressing, and sprinkled it with black pepper.

It turned out delicious!

Summer Pitcher

I love browsing the shelves at discount stores for summer fun dishes and decor.

Tonight at Ross, I found this cute pitcher, and they also had tall water bottles with stoppers to match!

Cute, right? (And don't you wonder why limes sink and lemons float?)

Amazing Planter

My husband ordered this "amazing" self-watering planter for our tomatoes this year, and I scoffed at it.  But...it's really amazing after all.

The bottom of it is a water reservoir that you just fill, and then it self-waters.

So far, the tomato plants are growing like crazy!

Tiny House Lanterns

I stopped in at Pier One today just for five minutes to walk around and de-stress, and ended up buying myself these two little houses for a shelf on my patio...

They were on clearance, both for a total of $10!  I don't see them on line, but they're in the store...

Northern Lights Necklace

My brother visited his daughter in North Pole, Alaska and brought me back this pretty necklace of the Northern Lights!

I looked on line and found several similar necklaces from a website I've ordered from before - Cafe Press - so pretty!