The Last Lecture

If you haven't heard this one, it's 76 minutes long, and well worth the time listening

http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/

Berries!

It has almost been a year since I've added to this blog--where does the time go? My recovery process is going well, and I'm back in the email, FB and Blogger saddle again, hoping I'll be able to get out and enjoy some sunshine, if it ever finds Idaho!

Meanwhile, I'm doing a bit of berry research for my niece---here ya go Maylee! Happy Berry Picking!

Soon it will be that wonderful berry picking season!

Huckleberries!

Blueberries!

Strawberries

Blackberries!

Here are some ideas for berry pickers! Great Ice Pop recipe---
what to do with the mush at the bottom of the berry bowl!

Oat can or recycled container with fabric necklace tied on

More buckets...

Here's a clever idea for an almost spill proof huckleberry or blueberry picker


This is what I remember---cut out milk jugs with ties that went around our waists---sure wish I had a picture of me and your mom to put on here---wouldn't that be a hoot!

Here's another clever idea!

Here's a great recipe for those berries at the bottom that are still full of flavor, but smashed:
Just add enough fruit juice (apple or other) to make it easy to pour into your pop molds. Freeze and enjoy!

Expanding our Tutu Horizons!

Here's our latest tutu project! Mandy had color day/carnival fundraiser so whipped up this cute school colors tutu!

Just 5 yards of yellow and 5 yards of purple tulle!

"Chillin' with her Peeps!"

A Little Something for my newest little "Great Niece," who by the way, happens to be the cutest thing North or South of the Mason Dixon Line!

Is this not the cutest little "cabbage patch" you ever did see?

One month later, she has grown into those cheeks!

I can just see her in this little tutu I made for her. Her mom is not crazy about the color pink, so I decided on red and white. The hot pink and lime green ones are darling too!

Thanks to my friend Cheryl's tutu tutorial, this was so fun and easy to make! I just got a waist measurement from her Grammie Becki who pulled a fast one while she was sleeping, then I made a band out of elastic that would fit her tummy and knotted the strips of tulle around it. I wanted it to be more red than white, so I did 2 red strips to 1 white one.

I traded some baby things with an Etsy pal and ordered these personalized bloomers to go under the tutu.

Another friend makes these interchangeable hats, headbands and clip on flowers.
After all, a girl can never have too many accessories!
I can't wait to see Miss Zayda in her new things! I'll have to pick up a white one-zie and get them off in the mail to her soon.
Auntie Jewel loves you Zayda Rain!

Happy 4th of July!

Mandy cheered in the parade this year. The theme was "Great American Heroes" The girls were asked to bring a photo of their heroes to put on the truck. She took Papa!

I think he looked great riding through the parade with her! It was even a white, Ford Pick-up!

Here she is 2nd from the left, back row.

They looked great in their new uniforms! Thanks to all who have supported Mandy in purchasing her safety pin watches---you helped buy this outfit! Thanks!

We had a BBQ at our house after the parade, and what better way to end the day than with fireworks? We drove down to Jackpot with friends and watched a "real" fireworks show!

It is our hope that each of you had a safe and happy 4th of July with family and friends!

Nanaimo Bars--Famous in Canada!

Base

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 egg (lightly beaten)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)

Filling

1/3 cup butter (room temperature)

3 tablespoon custard powder (or vanilla pudding powder)

1/4 cup milk

3 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)

Topping

8 ounces semisweet chocolate

2 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Base

1. Melt the butter in a sauce pan.

2. Stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until smooth.

3. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract and remove from heat.

4. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut and walnuts.

5. Press into a greased 8 inch square pan and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Filling

1. Cream the butter.

2. Beat in the custard powder and milk.

3. Beat in the sugar slowly.

4. Spread over the the base layer and chill in the fridge until it sets.

Topping

1. Melt the chocolate and butter in a pan and stir until smooth.

2. Spread over the filling layer and chill in a fridge until the chocolate begins to harden.

3. Score the chocolate where you will cut it into bars and chill in the fridge.

4. Before the chocolate hardens, cut into bars. (Use an hot knife and wipe clean after each cut.)

Cut into bars and watch the weight appear!

A Fun Treat!

We were invited to a friend's surprise birthday party today (the big 6-0!)

She loves licorice and she loves chocolate, so............why not combine the two!

I think she'll like this!

I opened a package of fresh Twizzlers....

Melted some Baker's Chocolate.....(just seconds in the microwave)

Dip licorice in chocolate and lay on waxed paper to set.

I decided I'd better wrap them in waxed paper to transport.

Here they are nicely tucked in. Leaving the end piece undipped leaves a nice "handle" to hang on to when eating! Yum! Yum! We didn't get to the white chocolate yet.

Gift Wrapping Service Available!

For just $1.00 we will gift wrap your watch and attach an enclosure card to your friend or loved one and mail it to them for you! (shipping in the U.S and Canada is usually $3-delivery confirmation) Just let us know what you'd like to say on the card!

More Watches from Mandy

Mandy has had success selling Safety Pin Watches as her fundraiser for Cheerleading. She is expanding her selection, with a few more choices. Let us know if you are interested in any of these. Thanks for looking!

#21 Gemstone and Wood

#22 Red Coral

#23 Amethyst
#24 Dark Howlite

#25 Multi-Jazzy Bead Please note: This one actually comes with the same face as pictured on the Gemstone and Wood watch--very cute and colorful!

My Favorite Cheerleader!

Mandy made the Cheerleading Squad for next year, and she's working hard to earn money to go to cheer camp this summer and to buy her uniforms for next year.

She is selling these cute, colorful safety pin watches!

$20.00 each (plus shipping if we mail to you)

They are on stretch bands, one size fits most!

I plan to get them on my Etsy and E-Bay listings when school is out, but if you'd like to support a cute little cheerleader, just let me know or email me!

Thanks for looking!

#13 Mutli- Tropical

#19 Denium
#15-Pewter


#18-Copper


#20 Light Multi

#17 Multi Metals

#12 Multi

#14 Hot Pink
#7 Multi Bead

Towel Bibs & Happy Birthday to Me!

While killing time today, waiting for Mandy to get through with piano lessons, I stopped by a favorite little variety store, King's (for those of you who remember Woolworth's, Ben Franklin,Vordahl's, Haspert's Drug, etc.) it is very similar! Fun to go in and poke around. They have the cutest border print towels too! So I stopped to see what I could find, thinking I'll get some made ahead for my Etsy store. Here's a cute "fishing" one......same print on the reverse and the paw prints all around.

Then I saw this doggie one....both could have the black neck ribbing.

Then I was very excited to find this "cowboy" print for my sister. I've "heard it through the grapevine" that she's been hunting for one for a friend. I think this is a cute one! I hope it will work. She makes the oven door towels. I've got the address label and even a note for the mailer...I'll get it shipped off to you right away, Becki!

It's got the cute red border that goes all around too!

I picked up two of them for you Becki, and glad to do it--no pressure from Mom! Seeing how you spoiled me terribly this birthday with this cute bag, I'm happy to return the favor!

I love it, and my Sis too! You see, she is an "example lady" at Costco in Myrtle Beach, and that's where they have all the cute stuff!

It's a wonderful, giant clear bag with lots of little bags and pouches inside, and even the perfect sized containers for shampoo, conditioner and hand lotion--that won't get confiscated at the airport! Now I just need to plan a fun trip somewhere (Myrtle Beach) to use it!