Tasty Tuesday #3

I have a sweet "internet" friend whom I was able to meet in person for the first time a few weeks ago.  Her name is Pat.

When we were visiting, Pat said something funny and I actually agreed with her 100%.  This is how the conversation went:

Pat: "Do you follow xxxx's Blog?"

Me: "Yes, I do."

Pat: "Did you see she went all healthy?"

Me: "Yea, I saw where she was posting fitness 
tips and recipes, etc."

Pat: "Well,  I ain't going to lie.  I liked her blog better when she was fat."

:-D

Hahaha....that's my sweet Pat.

So here is my vow to you, Pat - and to all of my Everyday friends who so faithfully follow along 
with my everyday adventures at home.

Although I have begun a new phase in my life,  eating better and taking better care of myself - I will not let this blog turn into a hardcore
HEALTH blog.    I will still post an occasional cupcake post.  :-)   Okay?

So for this week's Tasty Tuesday - I thought I would share with you my new fave obsession.

Water!

Yes - aqua.

H-2-Ohhhh!

I have given up sodas and this time its for good.

Ginger ale was my "obsession"of choice.  Evil, evil stuff.  It would call out my name in the middle of the night.  

It would jump into my grocery cart when I was only at the market for eggs and milk. Then, hide in  my trunk and make its way onto the top shelf of my fridge while I was putting away the groceries.

It would overpower my glass of ice when I was reaching for water.  Evil, I say!

(source)

But - I am happy to admit, I have not missed it.  I am treating myself to some incredible flavored waters.

Vitamin Waters.

Melons and Mints and Cucumbers and Herbs have all combined to give me refreshing and awesome tasting water that makes me crave more.

I am on a new Vitamin Water Crusade.

I recently made a Grapefruit, Lime and Mint water.  It was - to quote Rachel Ray - "yummo!"

(does anyone quote Ray-Ray anymore?)

(source)

I have also found that when I am craving some "fizz" I can top off my glass of Vitamin Water with a splash or two of Pellegrino or other sparkling water -  and I am in Non-Fat City, baby. 
 (that's a different location than Fat City, for the record.  It's healthier living)  :-D

So here are a few recipes.  I have figured out there really isn't a bad recipe.  I mean, you are drinking WATER.  In fact, you could create your own combination of fruits and mints and probably create an endless supply of tasty waters.

Best of all, you can enjoy them every day of the week.  Not just on Tasty Tuesday's.  ha!

And speaking of Fat City... I am sooooo happy to announce that I am the new Recipe Contributor at
the blog Mom 4 Real.  

I am honored to share my favorite recipes with Jessica and her readers.  My first post will be this Thursday - and I will be sharing one of my favorite desserts - Grilled Angel Food Cake with Macerated Berries and French Vanilla-Almond Custard Sauce. 

 (See, I am not going ALL healthy on you.)    

Oh yea.... Fat City indeed.  :-D

Vitamin Water Recipes:

Pineapple- Mint:

In a pitcher, mix 10 cups of water, plus 1 cup

fresh pineapple cut into cubes. Add 12 fresh mint leaves, rough chopped.  Leave in fridge overnight.

Blackberry-Sage*

In a pitcher, mix 10 cups of water with 1 cup

of blackberries that have been lightly crushed.

Add 3-4 sage leaves, allow to sit overnight in fridge.

*this recipe is a great antioxidant.

Watermelon-Rosemary

In a pitcher, mix 10 cups of water with 1 cup

watermelon cut into cubes. Add 2 rosemary stems, allow to sit in fridge overnight.

Lemon-Cucumber

In a pitcher, mix 10 cups of water with one thinly sliced lemon and one thinly sliced cucumber.

Add 1/4 cup rough chopped fresh basil and 

1/3 cup rough chopped fresh mint.  Allow

to "steep" in the fridge overnight.

Hope you enjoyed these recipes and it encourages you to also give up Evil soda. 

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow night for the
Top 3 from last week's
Home{work} Wednesday.
We sharpened our red pencils and did some grading, and we have each chosen the posts 
which "Made the Grade."  Also, we will 
share the posts which received the most hits.

We will also be announcing the winner of
the $100 Visa Gift Card.
Thank you so much to everyone who joined
 the party and also to everyone who stopped 
by to be inspired.
Party starts tomorrow at 8pm, 
so get your Link on and join us!

xxoo

Sharing with: 

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday  Between Naps on the Porch - Met Monday

Finding Home - Monday Funday  Thrifty Decor Chick - Before and After Monday

Alderberry Hill - Make the Scene Monday   Dwellings - Amaze Me Monday

Stories from A-Z - Tutorials/Tips Tuesday   Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Crafty Texas Girls - The Scoop Link Party

A Stroll Thru Life -  Inspiration Tuesday   Cedar Hill Ranch - The Scoop

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday Treasures   DIY by Design - Swing Into Spring

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday  Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursdays

Stone Gable - Tutorials and Tips Thursdays   Setting for Four - Project Inspire{d}

at the picket fence - Inspiration Fridays   French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday   Common Ground - Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home Friday   Common Ground - Vintage Inspirations

Craftberry Bush - Inspiration Gallery Friday  FunkyJunk - Sat Night Special

Fox Hollow Cottage - The Power of Pinning

Have you just discovered

The Everyday Home Blog?

If so, I would love for you to follow me 

by email so you never miss an update!

Enter your email address to follow The Everyday Home:


Delivered by FeedBurner

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PINTEREST, and HOMETALK

{As always, I love for you to PIN with me!

Simply click the "Pin With Barb" Button below 

pin all of these pics and more!}

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Have you entered May's Giveaway?

When Pigs Don't Fly

I have discovered something recently that alarms  me greatly.

I'm thinking it's possibly a conspiracy.

One perpetrated by stores such as Marshall's and Homegoods and TJMaxx.

When I posted my concerns on my Facebook Page, several others posted stated that they had
 the same problem.

This further solidified my strong feeling that the women of this country are suffering from a great conspiracy.

Here is how I have come to my very scientific conclusion - and what this conspiracy is.

A few weeks back, I vowed that I would NOT visit Marshall's or HomeGoods et al...until the time that a) I had taken a carload of "stuff" to the consignment store, b) I had won the lottery and could buy and decorate homes for every style I love; or c) when pigs fly.  

It was a solemn promise I made on behalf of my debit card, and to my garage which already runneth over with "stuff."

I did good.  

For weeks on end I avoided said stores.  My debit card was saved from unscrupulous swipings, and my garage was...well, my garage was still filled to the brim with stuff - but I can't work miracles in a few weeks.  :-)

Let me digress a bit.  I had been looking for a Gothic-style Cathedral mirror for quite some time.

Not so easy to find when you're on a self-imposed budget.  But about a month ago, I quite accidentally stumbled upon one when I was out looking for something else.

That's exactly how it happens you know?  If you STOP looking for what you are looking for, you will find it.  :-)

It was perfect!  Perfect size.  Perfect color.  

Perfect.  Even the perfect price.

But, I had a trip coming up to visit my dear friend Kathysue at Good Life of Design.  (see a small part of that trip HERE.)  I knew I needed to save my shopping bucks and give the magnetic strip on my debit card some time to recover.  :-)

Hence, the no-shopping vow was made.

But, only after I bought the mirror.  ha!

So the mirror comes home and is innocently leaned against the wall in the Living Room.  

Where it waited.  

And waited.

And waited.

For me to come back from California and hang it and revamp the Foyer, where it was to be hung.

But first, before any of that could happen - I had to clean and help my daughter-in-law plan and prepare for my sweet Granddaughter's 1st Birthday Party this coming Sunday.

Can you believe it?

Our sweet baby Caitlyn will be ONE year old on Sunday.

Where has this past year gone?  :-(

It seems like literally yesterday that I watched this little Angel come into the world, and watched as my son cut the cord and held his daughter for the first time.  

So, I headed out today for a trip to the Party Supply Store.  It was totally innocent.  I headed into town with the jams on, the window down...
my mind reeling with party plans.

Then...all of a sudden...my van acted as if it had a mind of its own.  It took a sharp turn to the left, veered hard to the right, and came to a screeching halt in front of Marshall's.

THAT'S when I began to realize something.  

Our cars have been PROGRAMMED to drive us - sometimes against our will - to these stores.

I had not planned on it.  I did not even want it.

Remember my solemn vow?  I had been so faithful to my no-shopping promise.

I have the feeling many of your own cars may be programmed the same way.

So you see - it isn't our fault really, when we end up at these places and are forced to go inside and buy things we really don't need - but really, really want.

Such as cute pigs.

That don't fly.  :)

And what's worse, it forced me to come home, and instead of cleaning for the party like I should have been doing - I hung that much-looked-for Gothic-style Cathedral Mirror with the perfect size and the perfect color and the perfect price...and I placed my cute little Pig That Don't Fly on a stack of books, next to a (new) blue glass jar filled to the brim with garden stems and amazing smelling honeysuckle.

I am pretty sure that the government will expose this dubious conspiracy any day now. *winks*
And we will be absolved from our sins.

Our shopping sins.

Until then, the next time your vehicle veers sharply and parks you in front of a Marshall's, etc - just go along with it.  Act like you are not aware that our cars are pre-programmed.  

You can't fight it.

Now, if just the gyms would conspire against us too, and program our cars to veer there instead. 

 :-D

Happy Birthday to my sweet Daughter-in-Law, Amanda - and my grandaughter, Caitlyn Jo.

May 14th and May 19th

xxoo

Don't forget that Home{work} Wednesday

is now live.  If you haven't already, please link up your home-related projects.  If you haven't visited

the Party, please head over and be inspired!

You can also sign up for a chance to win 

a $100 Visa Gift Card.

(which can be used the next time your car forces 

you to go to Marshall's)  :-)

Sharing With:

   Setting for Four - Project Inspire{d}

at the picket fence - Inspiration Fridays   French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday   Common Ground - Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home Friday   Common Ground - Vintage Inspirations

Craftberry Bush - Inspiration Gallery Friday  FunkyJunk - Sat Night Special

Fox Hollow Cottage - The Power of Pinning

Have you just discovered

The Everyday Home Blog?

If so, I would love for you to follow me 

by email so you never miss an update!

Enter your email address to follow The Everyday Home:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on FACEBOOK,

PINTEREST, and HOMETALK

{As always, I love for you to PIN with me!

Simply click the "Pin With Barb" Button below 

pin all of these pics and more!}

www.farmhousedecorshop.com

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Home{work} Wednesday #1 (Premiere Party)

About a month or so ago,  I hooked up with a group of beautiful ladies and terrific Blogs to start a new Linky Party called

Home{work} Wednesday

Joining me are:

Amy at

Atta Girl Says

Marty with

Marty's Musings

Suzy at

Worthing Court

I am tickled that our Party Day is finally here and that we can finally kick off this event.  The best thing is that you can link up once, and be seen simultaneously on all four blogs.  That's right!  One link, lots of exposure.  

Crafts, Projects, Gardens, Recipes...

anything home-related!   

So link, link, link away.  (I said link three times because you can post up to three projects.) :-)

To celebrate our Premiere Party, we are giving away a $100 Visa Gift card.

You can use Rafflecopter below for lots of chances to win.  The only mandatory action needed is that you comment here. Other than that, you can participate in as many chances as you choose.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are posting a link...here are a few basic rules...and a few favors, too. 

1) Please link to a specific post on your blog,  not your Blog's URL.

2) If you would like to PIN a specific project,  please follow thru to the original source to give proper credit. 

3) By linking up a project, you are giving the hosting blogs, listed above, permission to feature one or more of your photos on our blogs and other social media outlets. 

4) No more than three projects per party, please. 

5) Please link back to at least ONE of the Host Blogs.  You are welcome to use our Linky Party Button supplied below. 

6) Please, no links up for posts about any Giveaways, Etsy Shops, Product Reviews or Promotions.


While you're here, please take a few minutes to be inspired by the other Blogs who are also linking up for  Home{work} Wednesday. 

We would love for you to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Hometalk and Google+. 

Finally, stop back later to see who "Made the Grade." Each host blog will feature their own 
Top 3, and later the Top 3 Most Viewed. 

We can't wait to see ALL of your links...and thank you so much for joining us for

Home{work} Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday #2 (Strawberries 'n Cream Breakfast Rolls)

Here in North Carolina,  there are a few times of the year we look forward to - especially those of us lucky enough to live near some large farms, 
as we do.

One of those times where we get downright giddy is Berry-Pickin' time.  

Blueberries and Strawberries to be exact.

You wanna make a Southern gal go ga-ga?
Take her to a berry patch and give her a basket.

'Course, if you're like me - you eat as many as you pick so by the time you leave the patch - you're at least 3 pounds heavier.  

And that doesn't include the basket you're carrying.  :-D

So what does a Southern gal do with all those shiny red, sweet delicacies of goodness?

Jams, Jellies...and Strawberries 'n Cream 
Breakfast Rolls.

Welcome to Tasty Tuesday.

It's my weekly post where I share with you 

some of my favorite recipes.

Twofer.

Whatfer?

Twofer.

Whofer?

Twofer.  It's Southern slang which means getting two fer the price of one.  Twofer.

That's what you're getting today.  When you make your breakfast rolls, you will have some leftover strawberry cream.  You could stand at the kitchen sink with a spoon and secretly devour the remains of the bowl.  No one would be the wiser.

Or...you could get out some vintage French dessert  dishes and create little desserts for you and the hubby for dinner.  :-)

Okay, so y'all ready to head into the Everyday Kitchen and get cooking?

Strawberries 'n Cream Breakfast Rolls

(1) tub whipped cream cheese

About 10 strawberries, chopped

(2) Tablespoons of Powdered Sugar

(1/2) tsp Vanilla

(1) Package Crescent Rolls

Fold all ingredients together. Add more strawberries to taste, if wanted.  

You can also add more powdered sugar 

to get the level of sweetness desired.

*(note:  I dusted my rolls with some more powdered sugar, but you could also create a 

Powdered Sugar/Milk glaze.)

Add chopped berries to the whipped cream cheese.

Add powdered sugar and vanilla.

Fold together all ingredients.

Adjust to taste with more berries or more 

sugar, as desired.

Unfold crescent dough.  There will be eight pastry triangles.  Add about a tablespoon full of the Berries 'n Cream filling at the wide end of

each pastry triangle.

Roll the triangles from the wide end to the short end, until you get a tray of eight rolls.

*(note:  I have just discovered this product below)

Reynolds Wrap Non-Stick Pan Lining Paper.

Love!

They are not paying me a single dime to promote this product or give it a raving review, but if they would like to slide me some bills to be their official Spokesperson, have your people call my people.

*(note to self:  get some "people")

This next step is totally optional, but I like to use a pastry brush to brush on a mixture of one egg white beaten with about 1 tsp cream (or milk).

Then, sprinkle with sugar.  

It creates a golden, brown color.  Like this...

In fact, you end up with a whole pan full of these little browned pockets of cream and berry-filled goodies.

I cooked these rolls in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 12 mins, but all ovens vary so yours may require a shorter or longer cooking time.

That's it.

A dusting of powdered sugar and you have 

a melt-in-your mouth, lighter-than-air,

heavenly Strawberries 'n Cream wonder.

Now remember I said you would have some

of the cream filling left over?

Well...let's just say you've had one of "those days."

Maybe that leftover cream is the difference between maintaining your sanity or adding a bottle of Prozac to your Rice Krispies and pretending they are little berries of happiness.

If it has been "one of those days" - then stick your weary finger inside that bowl filled with luscious fresh berries and sweet cream, scoop up a huge whopping fingerfull... and lick it off.  

Repeat.

Repeat until you have licked your sanity back into place.

Or, if your day has been rather pleasant and you got several loads of laundry done and your kitchen is relatively clean (if you don't see the powdered sugar kicked under the rug) - pull out some cute little vintage French dessert dishes, fill them full of the leftover cream filling, crumble a crushed amaretto cookie on top...and serve with dinner.  

Either way... may it be "Schweet!"

xxoo

Please don't forget...tomorrow night we kick off
Home{work} Wednesday.  Please come by at 8pm and share your best Home-Related projects.  Post once and be seen on FOUR blogs.

Or, stop by and view all the great projects I'm sure will be posted.  You will have a chance to win a 
$100 Visa Gift card... just for stopping by and commenting.

Sharing With:

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday  Between Naps on the Porch - Met Monday

Finding Home - Monday Funday  Thrifty Decor Chick - Before and After Monday

Alderberry Hill - Make the Scene Monday   Dwellings - Amaze Me Monday

Stories from A-Z - Tutorials/Tips Tuesday   Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life -  Inspiration Tuesday   Cedar Hill Ranch - The Scoop

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday Treasures   DIY by Design - Swing Into Spring

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday  Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursdays

Stone Gable - Tutorials and Tips Thursdays   Setting for Four - Project Inspire{d}

at the picket fence - Inspiration Fridays   French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday   Common Ground - Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home Friday   Common Ground - Vintage Inspirations

Craftberry Bush - Inspiration Gallery Friday  FunkyJunk - Sat Night Special

Fox Hollow Cottage - The Power of Pinning

Have you just discovered

The Everyday Home Blog?

If so, I would love for you to follow me 

by email so you never miss an update!

Enter your email address to follow The Everyday Home:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on FACEBOOK,

PINTEREST, and HOMETALK

{As always, I love for you to PIN with me!

Simply click the "Pin With Barb" Button below 

to Pin all of these pics and more!}

www.farmhousedecorshop.com

Sign up for the free Newsletter!

Scrabble Name Magnets

Did you miss me?

Did you think I dropped off the face of Bloggy Earth - never to be heard from again?

No, nothing that dramatic occured.  I simply took a much needed Bloggy break, and while I was at it - I happened to hop on a plane and flew all the way across the country to California to visit with some dear friends.  All of whom I met online about six years ago.

Kathysue with Good Life of Design, Jeanette - whom I met on Rate My Space and Micassa (who happens to have the most viewed ever kitchen post), and sweet Pat.  This was my first time to officially meet Pat.

Here we are on the grounds of my 

favorite winery - Vsittui

More on this wonderful place and this trip later!

Can one laugh so hard they bust a gut?  Can one fall in love with a State that is thousands of miles away and almost foreign to their own State?  Can one develop lifelong friendships with people you meet online?

You betcha!

What a fabulous trip!  We happened to be in town on the same weekend that the Alameda Flea Market was happening.  Woot!  No....make that DOUBLE WOOT!   I can't wait to show you some of the treasures I got there.  

Vintage Watch Faces...I can't wait to use these!

I also picked up a fashion trend...or two.  :-O
  

I am not sure what is better at Alameda...the shopping

 or the people watching.  :-)

You know what they say about California.
Fruits and Nuts, Baby!  Fruits and Nuts!  :-D

Thanks Kathysue for being such a fabulous, warm and utterly delightful hostess. Her hubby was beyond understanding of us, too.  I'm sure he must have thought a time or two..."bunch of crazy, crackling hens."  :-)

Kathysue and Doug -These two could truly write the

 book on gracious entertaining.  

Ok, so I have a little secret.  I have a thing for Scrabble.  I love words.  I think because I have a love of reading...naturally, I also love words.

Such as...collywobbles.  Doesn't that just make you snicker?  One of its meanings is "a feeling of fear."

That cemetery just gives me the collywobbles.

How about...snollygoster.  An unscrupulous person.

Those DC politicians are just a bunch of snollygosters. 

Oh, I am not making these up.   Honest to goodness, these are English words. 

One of my faves...blunderbuss.  Disorganized activity.

My craft room projects look like a big pile of blunderbuss.  :-)

See what I mean?  Funny words.  Words that someone along the way created and it became slang, and was added to the English language.

It's also the kind of words you hope to use when playing Scrabble.  Talk about Double-Word and Triple-Word Scores.  Whoa Mama! 

But, of all the words in the English language, there is one simple four-letter word that means more than any other word there is... other than G-O-D.

That word is L-O-V-E.  7 points.  Only 7 little points.  Shouldn't a word this strong be worth a whole lot more?  Shouldn't each word be a 
Triple-Quadruple Letter score?

I mean - once you throw in two hearts, some happily ever afters, some tribulations and trials, babies, and babies that grow up and have babies of their own... you suddenly have a word that is impossible to place a value on.  It's like the Mother of all Triple Word Scores.  

It's like To Infinity and Beyond Word Score.

So even though the English language encompasses words such as canoodle and furphy and widdershins - I will always put my bets on one simple word.  L-O-V-E. 

Could it be because deep down, I am simply an old fuddy-duddy?

:-)

How to make Scrabble Magnets:

(1) Set of Scrabble Pieces

*(I bought mine off of ebay for a few dollars)

(1) Package Magnet rounds

*(available at craft stores)

Hot Glue

(opt) 1 set Chalkboard Tart Pans

*(available at Farmhouse Decor)

Glue magnet rounds on back of Scrabble
 letters, then create whatever words you desire. 

I am going to add the remainder of the
 Scrabble pieces to the lower half of the fridge
 for our Grandloves.

Who knows, maybe they will create their own words which will one day be added to the English language.  :-)

Do't forget that this Wednesday is the 

Premiere of Home{work} Wednesday.

You can add your links starting Tuesday at 8pm.

We will be having a fantastic give-away as a way to celebrate our first Linky Party.  

Please join us!!!  xxoo

Sharing with:

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday  Between Naps on the Porch - Met Monday

Finding Home - Monday Funday  Thrifty Decor Chick - Before and After Monday

Alderberry Hill - Make the Scene Monday   Dwellings - Amaze Me Monday
The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Stories from A-Z - Tutorials/Tips Tuesday   Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life -  Inspiration Tuesday   Cedar Hill Ranch - The Scoop

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday Treasures   DIY by Design - Swing Into Spring

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday  Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursdays

Stone Gable - Tutorials and Tips Thursdays   Setting for Four - Project Inspire{d}

at the picket fence - Inspiration Fridays   French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday   Common Ground - Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home Friday   Common Ground - Vintage Inspirations

Craftberry Bush - Inspiration Gallery Friday  FunkyJunk - Sat Night Special

Fox Hollow Cottage - The Power of Pinning

Have you just discovered

The Everyday Home Blog?

If so, I would love for you to follow me 

by email so you never miss an update!

Enter your email address to follow The Everyday Home:


Delivered by FeedBurner

You can also follow me on FACEBOOK,

PINTEREST, and HOMETALK

{As always, I love for you to PIN with me!

Simply click the "Pin With Barb" Button below 

to pin pictures from this post - and more!}

www.farmhousedecorshop.com

Sign up for the free Newsletter!