Beach Gypsies: Recipes and More:)

Happy; a feeling of JOY and contentment. glad, MERRY, cheerful.

My Kinda Happy; trying to find at least a tiny bit of JOY in every day.....and sharing it with others. maybe it's a smile, kind word, or SHARING things i love, things that excite me, things that make me smile.....things that make me kinda happy.....and maybe will make you kinda happy too:)

my wish is that your day is just a bit sunnier, happier and BLESSED after your visit. Life isn't always the fairytale we hoped for.......but it's still a FAIRYTALE.......the one that God created for us:) God Bless! Suzanne

Showing posts with label Recipes. Show all posts

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2012

Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday.......

pinterest.......

oh my gosh, talk about idea overload!

and i LOVE it:)

so i thought i'd share a few pins with you......

hopefully there is something to INSPIRE you,

make you SMILE or make you run out to Michaels:)

first up, something sweet, of course.

from iheartnaptime.net

i've always said i don't need to spend money on

expensive artwork.

my girls are my "works of art".

so you just KNOW i love this wall of photos!

(and the desk isn't bad either:)

From melangephotographyblog.com

summertime = picnics =

POTATO CHIPS!

and what a cute way to serve them.

simple brown paper sacks cut down with fancy scissors!

from stylemepretty.com

i have this pinned on a board for my girls.

because sometimes we need to remember the best feelings in the world

are also the simplest ones.

from thrilld.com

i'm just wondering.......

could i convince my husband to paint the bed PINK?

i mean, it's not a cotton candy pink.

more like an antiqued ballet slipper pink.

hmmmmm.........this might be a tough one to pull off:)

from thecottagemarket.co...

sigh.......don't these bracelets take you away to the beach?

and speaking of the beach,

i sooooo want to make a driftwood christmas tree!

from

beachcomber26.blogs...

but after making cake batter milkshakes........

who can go to the beach?????:)

but they sure look YUMMY!

from

abeautifulmess.type...

i've seen this look before:)

and we have those popping pillows once in awhile too!

my pinboards can be found here:

and you can find a whole list of people showing some favorite pins here:

CIAO!!!

suzanne

MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Hey Moms........

this is your week!

i say, work it......all week:)

and if you ever feel alone,

or like no one understands,

or you need advice from a friend,

then PLEASE

visit my FAVORITE parenting site,

iMom.

this site is so inspirational, encouraging, informative and downright cool!

it's like talking with your best friend.

check out this list.......

11 things you should NOT do as a mom:)

I must be cheerful for my family at all time.
I must never admit I'm having a hard dayI must focus on my kids 24/7

I am only as good as the size of my jeans

I must make every meal healthy, tasty and special

I must make every day fun for my family

I cannot go to bed until all of my "mom work" is done

I must get everything "right" with my kids or they will be ruined

I must keep my house pretty close to spotless

I must say yes to every school or volunteer request

I must berate myself when I fall short of these mombligations

(hahaha.....now remember, those were 11 things you should NOT do)

and those are just a few articles you'll find on iMom

i got this in my email box today and thought i

would pass it on.

please visit iMOM and print these great sheets out for yourself.

a few FOR mom, a few for your kiddies, a bit of everything:)

great for a memory book.......

sometimes it's that one tiny special thing you do that makes the day!

(i think I need this to stick with a diet/exercise program:)

and lastly, a fun, yummy mother's day treat you AND your kiddos will love......

Super Easy Super Yummy Chocolate Fondue

1 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark or bitter)

2 tablespoons butter

1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For dipping: sliced apples, sliced bananas, sliced pineapples, marshmallows

Skewers

DirectionsPlace chocolate chips, butter, condensed milk and water in heavy saucepan. Melt mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove pan from stove and stir in vanilla.Use fondue for dipping while it is still warm. Store unused fondue covered in refrigerator.

okay, so go meet your new best friends at iMOM and while you're there, be sure to sign up for Espresso Minute.

you'll be so happy you did!

linking up.....

The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom

Hugs,

Suzanne

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

fruit loops, prayer, recipes and Oscar dresses...

yes it is!

monday...start of a new week.

did you say your prayers this morning?

a little church humor:)
but so scary true some days!

i know i need a lot of help through my day.
how about you?

breakfast...

sometimes i wish i could just sit down to a big bowl

of apple jacks, fruity pebbles, captain crunch...

or FRUIT LOOPS!

(oh wow...what a cute idea!!!)

but back to fruit loops.

i ate sugary cereal while growing up...

and i didn't turn out too bad.
i don't think.
(did i?:)

what gives with all the tasteless, grainy, seed crap anyway?

please, please, please...if you know of a good cereal, tell me.

before i fall off the wagon and have breakfast with Tony the Tiger:)

let's see...how

how about a big helping of THIS too cute for words photo...

ADORABLE!

and please don't let me EVER run across one of these little trailers...

i'm truly afraid i would buy first and think later...

now THAT'S never happened before.

not too many times anyway:)

and the oscar for best dress goes to...
Gwyneth Paltrow...hands down!!!!!

I KNOW this is just my opinion...
but in a year of many blah, "i wouldn't wear that" dresses,
hers stood out as simple, clean, tasteful, elegant and classy.
Calvin Klein dress with a long cape from Tom Ford.
hey...Tim Gunn liked it...

so i'm in good company:)

but what the heck was Angelina Jolie doing, throwing her leg out like that
all the time?

i mean, who stands like that???
we could SEE she had a tacky big slit.
i'm surprised she didn't throw herself off balance.
maybe it was to take attention off of her bony arms;)

and J Lo gave us her usual tasteless idea of fashion.

even though i'm no longer a fan,
she CAN be pretty sometimes.
it's just not a cool dress...and what's with the hair?

anyway, i do have a second pick.
one you might not expect.
no high powered box office draw.
no big time actress.
but clearly someone who knows a beautiful dress when she sees it.
Lara Spencer, from Good Morning America.

good job, Lara!

honorable mention...
Octavia Spencer from The Help,
who clearly knows you can be beautiful and classy
at any size!

and Viola Harris, also from The Help.

not overly crazy about the cut of the top,
but the green dress is very flattering and just plain refreshing for a change.
too bad your movie, The Help, didn't win best picture.
gosh...silly me.
i forgot...rarely does a movie the public LOVES, win.
they need some unknown movie to take that honor...and it did:)

what else, what else...
i know...DINNER!
tonight i'm trying Honey Sesame Chicken in the slow cooker,
found on pinterest, by Six Sisters.

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (could also use olive oil or canola oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - doesn't really add heat, just adds more flavor)
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Directions:
Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.
*You can also sprinkle more red pepper flakes on top if you want more heat.

and for dessert...

Pineapple angel food cake
8 servings1 serving=4 pts (weight watchers)!!

1 box of angel food cake mix
1 can of crushed pineapples in juice (not syrup)

Mix together cake mix and entire can of pineapples and bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top.

leaving you with this thought...

Happy Monday!
Suzanne
xoxo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

i LOVE being a GAWKER...

and more STUFF i love!

okay...like we NEED another site to waste hours on...

but just like Pinterest, which i LOVE...

this site is very cool.

it's called GAWKERVERSE...

and one visit tells you why.
no, no no...i'm NOT talking about Facebook!
although, you have to admit, GAWKERVERSE is a MUCH more appropriate name for Facebook!
OR...maybe STALKERVERSE!!!
hahahahahahahahahah...
(yes, i am cracking myself up right now:)
oh, admit it...you've done some Facebook gawking and stalking before.
we all have...
but this is NOT about Facebook, so get back on subject suzanne:)

okay, here is the official description of the gawker verse...

"a network of inspirational, user-submitted photo gallery sites"

including:

FOODGAWKER

CRAFTGAWKER

WEDDINGGAWKER

DWELLINGGAWKER

i haven't spent much time on the other sites but i can say that

foodgawker is pretty amazing.

each photo sends you to the link that has the recipe.

and if you join, you can create recipe files with your own notes, comments...

TONS of dinner recipes, which i need:)

and YUMMY dessert recipes, like

ORANGE CREAMSICLE COOKIES

Mmmmmm....

LASAGNA SOUP...
(which i can say is DELICIOUS and hubby approved:)

and of course...plenty of APPS for your phone.

so...when you've done everything on your to do list...
head over to the gawkerverse...
and whip up one of these BEAUTIES...

PINK VELVET CAKE...HELLOOOOOO!

actually, i'm fighting a cold these days, so the stuff i'm REALLY loving is
plenty of tissues, nyquil, chicken soup, vicks and SLEEP!
before i go, a few thoughts for your day.

and you KNOW i love this next one:)

CIAO!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011

HEY YA'LL...You're invited to a FALL open house with the Shabby Chicks

okay now,

don't say you weren't invited because here is your

official invitation ;)

no RSVP necessary...

just pop on over whenever you get a few minutes.

FYI...throughout the week i might even have a few little giveaways...

check back every day because you never know if it will be the day...

and i'll make sure to give you a peek at what's up for grabs.

so pull on your boots,

get your favorite blue jeans on...

and come on by for some COUNTRY, SOUTHERN, FALL fun!

(cowboy hats optional:)

YEE HAW!

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2011

Fresh Starts and Winter Whites...

So I've managed to do it again...

take such a LONG break from my blog that friends are wondering if I'm okay.

That's nice!

To answer that question, I'm totally okay.

Busy, tired...but okay.

And still remembering to find a bit of HAPPY in each day.

I actually thought a lot about my blog.

It isn't that I don't have time or ideas...

too many sometimes.

But I get sidetracked and feel bad about posting something new on my blog

when I have yet to answer comments and emails.

So I don't blog...and then wish I did.

On that note, guess what I am doing?

Turning off comments to my blog.

Just for a week or so...

and during that time I want to post...and go back to visit/answer those sweet comments.

Moving on...

have you heard of "Blogging without Obligation?

Tiffini came up with this because she saw people apologizing all over the place when they hadn't blogged. (haven't read her site...just this post)

Her philosophy:

Because you shouldn’t have to look at your blog like it is a treadmill.

Because its okay to just say what you have to say. If that makes for a long post, fine. Short post, fine. Frequent post, fine. Infrequent post, fine.

Because its okay to not always be enthralled with the sound of your own typing.

Because sometimes less is more.

Because only blogging when you feel truly inspired keeps up the integrity of your blog.

Because they are probably not going to inscribe your stat, link and comment numbers on your tombstone.

Because for most of us blogging is just a hobby. A way to express yourself and connect with others. You should not have to apologize for lapses in posts. Just take a step back and enjoy life, not everything you do has to be “bloggable”.

Because if you blog without obligation you will naturally keep your blog around longer, because it won’t be a chore. Plus, just think you will be doing your part to eradicate post pollution. One post at a time. . .

I would say "what do you think"...

but my comments are off.

Now that's a bummer:)

But I think I like this blogging without obligation!

Here's what else I like...

WHITE!

Notice my new look?

Very white, soft...peaceful.

at least I hope:)

This is one of my favorite cookies...

whether in cookie or bar form...

DELICIOUS!

WHITE Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoons baking soda

10 ounces white chocolate (chips or bars cut in chunks)

1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped into chunks

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 F. In large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, beat well. Stir together flour, and the baking soda; gradually add to butter mixture,beating until well blended. Stir in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. (Edges are golden brown and center is set.) Cool slightly, remove from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool completely.

These would SCORE big at a Superbowl party!

YUM~YUM~YUM!!!!!

And lastly..

this is NOT what it looks like outside my window...

but I wish it did.

Crazy, I know.

But isn't it so pretty?

Okay, so remember, comments are off for a few days.

Not because I don't want to hear from you

(I do have an email link you know...hahaha)

But because I want to get off to a fresh start with my blog...

new habits,,,old and new friends...

and tons of HAPPY thoughts!

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010

Sweet Treats for Mom...

I should probably explain why I am only sharing ideas for
"sweet" treats on Mother's Day...

You see, I never diet on Mother's Day

In fact, I never diet on any Holiday

I never diet on my birthday

I never diet on anyone else's birthday

I never diet on vacation...
(but I will before:-)

I never diet when I'm sick...

or going to the dentist (yuk)

Sooooo...this is probably why I never lose weight!!! hahaha

Ready for a few treats to serve mommy this Sunday?

How about flowers...
Who doesn't love flowers...

Especially THESE pretties...

A Cupcake Topiary!
Thank you Food Network for this amazing idea!!!!!
(Instructions and recipes at the end of post)

Or how about these lovely roses...

And what kid wouldn't love to present these flowers...

(The green is simply construction paper cut out)

What???

Did someone say SPRINKLES???

Ohhhh...you must mean CONFETTI...
as in Cute Confetti Pops!

Okay, so no one can ever accuse me of being a snob.
Here is a cute version of one of my favorite rice krispie treats...
using fruity ring cheerios!
Hey...when 2 of the 3 ingredients are marshmallow and butter...
count me in!!!

(photo: erincooks.com)

And let's face it...
pralines and caramel were meant to go together...

Please say you're not one of THOSE PEOPLE...
you know, the ones who say they couldn't eat a bit of dessert
because they are just too full.
Please... I just bet they go home and grab a cookie or something! :-)

But just to be nice, here is a healthy dessert...

Well, at least the melon is good for you...
and the ice cream is a dairy serving, isn't it?

Speaking of ice cream, how about these sweet cones?

Now for something I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and it is realllly not fattening!

See...fat free! Stackable rings with a quote from Abraham Lincoln.
Buy them at Red Envelope.Com.
Adorable!

Okay, so here are some of the recipes....all are super easy!

Hope you get something very sweet on Mother's Day!

CUPCAKE TOPIARY INSTRUCTIONS:

Fill a small terra-cotta pot with a piece of floral foam, and anchor a 12-inch dowel rod or thick stick in the foam. Paint a six-inch foam ball with pink acrylic paint, let it dry for at least an hour, then push the ball onto the top of the rod. Use 24 mini-cupcake paper liners and straight pins to plot your design, then place real frosted cupcakes in each spot, removing the placeholders as you go. To attach a cupcake, poke three toothpicks halfway into the bottom, then push the cupcake into the ball.

CONFETTI POPS

8 piece(s) (1 1/2-inch) soft-centered candy bars, (like Milky Way or Snickers)
1 pint(s) vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
3/4 cup(s) assorted-color candy confetti or sprinkles

Insert a wooden Popsicle stick into one end of each candy bar and set aside. Place 1 tablespoon of ice cream in the bottom of a 3-ounce paper cup. Place candy in center of the cup, surround with 3 tablespoons ice cream, and smooth over the top.
Transfer cup to a baking sheet, repeat with remaining cups, and freeze until solid. Pour confetti or sprinkles into a shallow bowl and set aside. Peel the cup from each ice cream pop and roll in the decorations to cover completely. Store in freezer for up to 3 days.

Creamy Dreamy Melon Treat
1 fresh whole melon
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup heated caramel sauce
A handful of finely chopped nuts (optional)
2 pirouette straw cookies(optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut the cantaloupe in half and use a spoon to scrape out any seeds and thready bits.
Fill each half with a scoop of ice cream, then drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with nuts. Serve each “bowl” with a straw cookie so it looks like a big ice cream float.

Caramel Praline Ice Cream Sandwich

Place 1 scoop of softened praline or butter pecan ice creamand
a spoonful of caramel sauce between chocolate
wafers. Run a knife around the edge to smooth, then roll in
chopped pecans, if desired. Wrap in plastic wrap and
freeze until ready to serve.

For Cupcake Cones or Butterfly treats, google it...there are TONS of recipes.

Okay sweeties...that's it for now!

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