Monday, August 31, 2015

Skip and Go Naked…..

One of my favorite summer drinks….


….is found in Susan Branch's Summer Book:


These drinks can be made ahead of time and kept in the freezer...


…and then served as a slushy.  I add just a touch of 7-up on top...


…and serve them in vintage pilsner glasses with "spoon straws":


And, of course, a parasol always makes a summer drink taste better!


There aren't many summer days left in Central NY, so we have to enjoy every last minute!


Sharing with Inspire Me Tuesday

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Thursday, August 27, 2015

Drying fresh herbs for gift giving!




Before I left for the Cape, I cut my oregano plant down to the ground. 

You probably know that I do not have a green thumb, but I am lucky with herbs.  It grew back quite quickly:


Today I cut the herb back again….


…and decided to dry the herbs.


I stripped the leaves off the stems...


…and dried them in the microwave, one minute at a time, for 3 minutes:


I placed some of the dried oregano in plastic zip bags...


…and placed that into a paper bag...


…adding a label and a paper parasol as a closure:


A cute little gift for neighbors!


Sharing with Grace at Home


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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Two Wonderful Weeks on Cape Cod….


I recently had a working vacation on Cape Cod.  I worked a few hours a day, and then got to enjoy the area, the restaurants, the shops and the culture.

The first day I went to Scargo Tower in Dennis...


…which overlooks Scargo Lake and the Cape Cod Bay in the distance:


I had dinner in Sandwich, overlooking the Cape Cod Canal and the Sagamore Bridge:


I then spent 2 weeks in Provincetown and this was my morning walk to my beach:


The sunrises were warm and bright each day….


…and I got to enjoy breakfast on the quiet beach:


I even got to enjoy a few "Happy Hours" on the beach:


As well as a few in the local restaurants!


The restaurants were very good...


…and I spent an afternoon at the local winery:


I gave my husband a tour of PTown.  Here he is on the buoy bench on the MacMillan pier:


My favorite time on the beach is walking at low tide…


…there is always something to find!

 

…and the boats are all grounded in the sand!


This was my view everyday from work (I worked as a caretaker for an elderly couple and they were staying at a waterfront cottage) :


The sunsets were amazing ...

Race Point Beach:


Herring Cove Beach:


But the best part of Provincetown is its shops, art galleries and people!


I was there during Carnival week and there was always entertainment….


…a wonderful parade...


…with a Candyland theme…


..the businesses and inns were decorated with candy...


...and so were the homes….


…and even the people...


…and I even had my pic taken with a few festive parade participants:


This is the very tip of the Cape:


It was a great way to mix working and vacationing and a perfect place to do it!!

Monday, August 17, 2015

There's nothing as exciting as a surprise package in the mail….

I received a package the other day from my dear blogging friend, Sarah, at Hyacinths for the Soul.

The shape of the package helped to build the suspense...


…and then I saw the Anthropologie sticker and the excitement hit a crescendo!


SCOTCH?  She sent me scotch?  No, of course not….


She sent the cutest dessert server...


…in black and white...


…just look how adorable this looks on my mini pedestal platter:


What a delightful surprise!

Thanks again, Sarah!


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