Sara's Sweet Surprise

I've got to say....I love me some pumpkin! Whether it be savory or sweet or in a Frappe or shake. I never tire of this seasonal taste treat. The "Pumpkin Spice Frappucino " is the fall season opener.  For most it is greatly anticipated with bated breath. (Goggle Image) As much as I adore any of the pumpkin  drinks offered, they come with a hefty calorie count. Until now!  Here's the low calorie recipe I created for my morning pumpkin smoothie/Frappe. For a single serve I combine into my blender glass the following ~ingredients~ 1/2 cup crushed ice with any  milk of choice, just enough to top the ice.   I prefer a low fat milk and or unsweetened almond milk.   This is where you add the amount of organic canned pumpkin pie mix or puree you so desire.  If you use the pumpkin puree alone,you'll need to add the spices.  For me it's 1 cube of each...pumpkin pie mix and organic pumpkin (puree). The pumpkin pie filling provide...

Where has the time gone! For the most part summer is short and sweet in our part of the Pacific Northwest. August is usually the summers highlight month so, we take advantage of every minute! You may recognize this dessert, it's one of our summer favorites...raspberries, strawberries, on brownies with a mound of chocolate mousse. We've had 4 crops in rotation......cherries, raspberries,  blueberries and rounding out the season...tomatoes. They yield just enough for us along with a little extra to share. And with the pickin's comes an array of dishes. Cream cheese pie with shortbread cookie crust is our frequent flyer...with every fresh fruit that comes into season! This pie is truly a summer  staple. We have quite an unusual cherry tree!  I know that you're thinking, what could possibly make a cherry tree different from all others,  well....  our  cherry tree actually has six varieties of ch...

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For those times when I need a quick treat and want to use whats on hand, I grab one of my frozen staples...puff pastry, filo dough or pie crust. Valentines calls for hearts and a girls best friend...chocolate! If you've been looking for a foolproof, quick recipe,  here it is.  You can use any of the prepared dough's I mentioned .  Frozen bread dough will work as well.   The technique is the same for all.  The best part you are only limited by your imagination for the fillings.   At room temperature roll out the dough into a thin square.  Spread (soften) butter over the entire surface.  Sprinkle mini semi chocolate morsels, chopped nuts and granulated sugar. Start rolling the dough at one end until you reach the center.  Follow up by rolling the  opposite side until they meet up together. Slice and gently shape the bottom into a point to form the  heart. Refrigerate...

Our Christmas holiday extended well after the new year. While others were packing away all their Christmas decor, we were still entertaining family and friends.  We were feeling the pressure to immediately get every ornament and twinkly light packed away.  That was until...we headed out to run a few errands.  We always take the backroads as to avoid the traffic and freeways.   We wind up traveling through several neighborhoods.  To my delight, not only did I see several homes with remnants of Christmas lights on and decorations hung, I also saw a few homes with lite trees (in their living rooms) all adorned.  It made me realize the holiday cheer still resonated within their homes.  They wanted to hold on to that joy just a little longer.  So why was I in such a hurry to chase away that ambiance from my  own home.  We took our time and before we knew it, our Christm...

I for one can always benefit from adding a new technique to my makeup routine. In my youth I developed a passion for makeup and fashion, which came naturally living in Southern California. Where my ventures were frequent in Hollywood. Which you can read about on my previous post "Thanks For The Memories." Once you've been dusted by the fairies of fashion and makeup...forever it will be in your soul! With the onset of 2016...I will be posting my passions for fashion and makeup styles that have caught my attention. Along with hints and tricks from my favorite products. I'll be back with Menu Monday and a Valentine DIY. Hope to see you there! Gorgeous! beautykale eye tutorial using 3D www.LillyLashes.com in style "Miami". #GhalichiGlam Posted by Lilly Ghalichi on Saturday, January 23, 2016