ON A BLOGCATION....

Here's a little somethin' to keep you busy while I'm gone.

Let me know how you did.

Dandy (dan-dee) something very good or agreeable.

I had such fond memories of these little puff balls from my childhood.
Just seeing their yellow heads peeking out from the blades of grass would bring a smile to my face.
I'd sing and dance for hours in seemingly endless fields of Dandelions.

I made many wishes...

that were softly blown into the winds with hopes of being fulfilled.

Many halos of yellow blossoms were created to adorn my hair.

I'd searched for the perfect bouquet to

pick and gather... to give my mom.

She would arrange her special delivery of Dandelions in a beautiful vase.

Then one day it all went awry!
I grew up (got old).
Those dainty yellow blossom went from being a precious flower to...

a weed packin' HISTAMINE!!!

There's no "DANDY" left in Dandelion.
No scent of my childhood friend... who I frolicked hours with.




Now...visions of my favored (past) yellow friend are blurred and inflamed!

I can't get away from those air pollutants fast enough.

Allergy season is long and calls for special S.W.A.T= Stop Worst Allergy Time with extreme tactics!
Keep those histamines at bay.

Although it may not be yellow it's defiantly "DANDY."
I do enjoy singing and riding it while I mow down those " Lions."

The good news... I'm not allergic to "Kit-tah's." Which makes her highness very happy.

To be safe against any subversive "lion" attacks...hubby picks sinus friendly blooms...

which I arrange in a beautiful vase.

~~~~You've Got A Message ~~~~

Ribbon & Fabric Bulletin Board with tufted buttons.
(frame is optional)

What You'll Need

• 2 pieces of cork, each 16 inches square
• 16-inch square foam core
• Craft glue
• 20-inch square quilt batting, 1/2 inch thick
• 20-inch square cotton fabric
• Hot-temperature glue gun and glue sticks
• 6 yards satin or grosgrain ribbon, 1/2 inch wide
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• 15 to 18 matching buttons or coordinating fabric covered buttons)
  
• Matching threadand needle
  

1. Use craft heavy duty glue to attach cork piece to foam, and let dry. Glue second cork piece on top of first; let dry.

2. Place batting over board so 2 inches hangs over on each side. Hot glue batting edges to back of board, making sure it is straight and lies smooth. Put fabric over batting, and secure in same manner as batting.

3. Starting in bottom left corner, stretch piece of ribbon diagonally over board. Let last 2 inches of each ribbon wrap around back of board. Hot glue ends in place. Continue attaching ribbon, moving up board diagonally and spacing each ribbon 4 inches apart. When completed diagonally in 1 direction, attach ribbon in opposite diagonal direction to create a checkerboard effect.

4. Create the *tuft* by passing the threaded needle with button through at regular intervals over the ribbon intersection. It may be easier to sew the tuft without the button. Then positioning the button over the indentation, hot glue in place. Repeat at all ribbon intersections.

Enjoy a histamine free day.

Take a stroll over to our gracious hostess Designs by Gollum to visit the other foodie friends.

One Lump or Two?

With Mothers' Day approaching I want to share a couple of my traditional gift ideas.

Tea cups are one of my favorite gifts to give as well as receive
along with a specialty tea.
I like to include something in my gift that adds a personal touch.

So grab your sugar cause we're going to make Sucre Moule and Decorated Sugar Cubes.
I adore this moldeded sugar bowl. It's next on my "try to do list."

Sucre Moule (Molded Sugar)

Ingredients

* 2 cups of one of the following- granulated sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar (for a caramel color).
* 1-2 teaspoon hot water
* 1-2 drops food coloring liquid or paste

Directions

1. Combine food coloring and sugar. Mix thoroughly. Gradually add water.
2. Make sure the sugar isn't so wet that it's dissolving, but wet enough to
hold its shape.
3. Press the sugar into the mold. Turn it over and tap out.
4. Let the shapes dry until hard (about 30 minutes to an hour depending on humidity). I was too impatient. So, I put mine in the oven at 325 for a few minutes.
5. Voila! Your own unique Sucre Moule .

Pink roses for tea

Caramel colored hearts for coffee



Royal Icing Sugar Cubes
I find using meringue powder an easy alternative to whipping up royal icing.
To create the flower, pipe a V-shape with the green icing forming the leaf and stem.
Add a tiny dollop of pink to form the rose bud.


Petite cherries

Sprinkles

Wilton Sprinkles were fun and simple to apply.
Melt (Nestle's) white chocolate chips. Pipe a dot on the sugar cube, and attach the heart or daisy.
I've tried using almond bark, candy melts and have found Nestle's white chocolate chips sets much quicker.

Let the daisy sprinkles set before piping the white chocolate center dot.

Wouldn't these be a nice embellishment on a tablescape or as a pretty party favor for a shower?


Whichever you choose, Sucre Moule or Decorated Sugar Cubes, they're sure to add a personal touch to your gift.




Hat Boxes aren't...



just for hats.



Here's my collection of fabric hat boxes....

I create ...

and give them as gifts.

This year I decided to embellish a hat box with my original paper flowers and crepe ruffle designs.
I enclose a sweet confection in each box.



Home baked pound cake with a bouquet tucked in the center
Unless your flowers are certified organic (pesticide free) you will need to place a protection where the the flowers touch the cake.
Insert 2-3 round paper doilies or plastic wrap in the center of the cake before adding the flowers.
Make sure the flowers are touching the paper doilies or plastic wrap not the cake.

Here are the minis.

Baked in a mini fluted bundt cake pan.
Hollow out the center with an apple corer. A paring knife will work just as well.
I purchased wooden, hinged boxes that were the perfect size for my petite cakes.

The hat box will be opened to reveal the cake inside.

Did you know pound cake originated sometime in the first half of the 18th century and is so named because the original recipe consisted of one pound each of butter, sugar, flour and eggs?
So we can dispel all rumors that the "pound" is in reference to the consequences from eating it.
Hmmmmm... or maybe there's a little truth to the rumor after all.

Quatre-Quarts (Pound Cake)

Ingredients

* 4 cubes/1lb. (softened) butter
* 3 C sugar
* 6 eggs
* 3 C cake flour
* 1 tsp. almond or vanilla extract
Bake at 325 for 25-30 mins. or until an inserted toothpick comes out dry.

I hope you'll enjoy creating these for someone special on Mothers' Day.

My Hollywood Debut

This is the Directors cut for my new cooking show.

Quiet on the Set
Scene one Take one
ACTION!



Scene Two take one



CUT!
Directors note my mom doesn't know I published this.