Saturday, July 30, 2016

Chocolate covered, Citron infused strawberries....


Fresh strawberries have NO fat, NO salt and are loaded with Vitamin C.  

I injected some with Citron vodka and drizzled some white chocolate over each.  It takes a few hours for the berry to absorb the vodka:



There is no reason for EVERY food to be totally healthy, right?  And these are much healthier than jello shots!!


They are a hit at picnics and barbecues - just make sure you label them "For adults only"!!


You can also inject other fruits - bites of watermelon, chunks of honeydew or even orange slices!

Here is a watermelon slice infused with 1911 Vodka:




Friday, July 29, 2016

This happened last week on Cape Cod....

Our daughter Sara got a surprise proposal while we were all on Cape Cod last week !


We were all at Town Neck Beach in Sandwich....


...where Cleve hid a "message in the bottle" in the sand by the shore and had Carter find it!!


But then Carter got a bit confused when there was a love letter inside - he thought it would have been really cool if there was a message from pirates in the bottle!!


They will make the perfect family!


After, we had an engagement celebration dinner at Horizons on the beach, and watched the sunset over the canal!


And now there is a destination wedding in the future plans!!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale 2016....

My 5 girlfriends (two had never been to MC) and I arrived at the Mackenzie-Childs Barn Sale at 7:30 on Sunday morning - we were shopping within an hour and never left til after 11!  We filled the back of 2 SUVs with our treasures!

After the sale we went into the Farm House for a tour....

...and pretended to "dine in the formal dining room" on the diorama table....

...Janine and I couldn't pass up a photo op...


...nor could I pass up a photo with my favorite NYC MC salesman who comes up to Aurora for the weekend to work the Barn Sale:


We even "pretended" to drive the MC Taxi:


After the sale we had lunch at the Blue Water Grill on Skaneateles Lake and shopped the boutiques....and we were certainly getting tired by 3:00!


So, what did I buy?  Here are a few of my favorite items....and some gifts I can't show you!


It's always a fun event! And this year was lots of fun bringing 2 "newbies" with us!!

Saturday, July 23, 2016

I could snack on this all summer....


I truly think I could survive all summer on this simple salad....


...a little EVOO, wine vinegar, S&P and basil tossed over some Roma tomatoes and cukes....


...I keep a bowl in the fridge and snack on it during the day!


This vintage jelly spoon certainly makes it taste better, too!


What's your favorite summer snack?

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Anthropologie


How can you not fall in love with the dishes at Anthro?


I just drool in this section of the store...


...I love the vibrant colors...


...and the boho vibe!!


Are you lucky enough to have one near you?

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

A Beachy Table Setting....

While I am vacationing on Cape Cod, I thought I would share a table setting for 2  inspired by the beach:


I made the place card holders from coral found in Florida a few years ago... 


...adding wire through the holes in the coral and threading on some beads, and armature wire was scrolled on the top to hold a place card...


....the plastic plates are from the Christmas Tree Shop....

... a starfish adds a bit of whimsy! 

The layered dishes are sitting on a plastic lace placemat!


Now excuse me while I go back to sunbathing....


Sunday, July 17, 2016

A quick hostess gift....


This is a repost from 5 years ago....I still love this idea!!

When I made these last year, I also "stamped" some vintage silverware with names of herbs:

I needed quick gifts for two friends so I bought some basil ($1.00 @ Walmart) and 2 creamers ($.59 @ GW):

And as long as I can keep these alive, they will be cute gifts!

I also wanted to giftwrap these....

So I used two paper bags, some cardstock and my favorite Lumocolor pens to duplicate a quote I saw online:

And each one has a name tag:

Quick and easy!


Friday, July 15, 2016

Pastabilities...



Pastabilities is a 30 year old restaurant in the Armory Square section of Syracuse, NY.  It's one of my favorite Italian restaurants!

Their Spicy Hot Tomato Oil can be purchased at their bakery across the street and also in local grocery stores.  The best part of buying it at the bakery is that you can also pick up some home made fresh bread.  On this visit I bought some parmesan and black pepper bread- YUM!!  

Hot Tomato Oil has been featured on the Food Network and can also be ordered on Pastabilities'  website.  Just warm it up and serve it with chunks of fresh warm bread - It is too die for!!


The other night I sautéed some fresh zucchini, peppers, onions and leftover cooked chicken in a few tablespoons of the tomato oil and it was delicious!!


And with a slice of that delicious bread and a glass of wine, it was the perfect meal!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The Hill Cumorah Pageant

Each year, The Mormon's hold the one of the world's greatest outdoor theatrical productions, the Hill Cumorah Pageant. 


Every July, seven evening performances are presented on the beautiful Cumorah hillside in 
Palmyra, NY


This is a beautiful story, based on the Book of Mormon.  It is held on an enormous 10 level stage, twelve-tower lighting, state-of-the-art sound system with Hollywood special effects.


There is a costumed cast of over 650 who provide a truly spectacular show.  There are 8,000 seats set up in the field below the Hill:


How could I resist a photo with a cast member?


 The Mormon performers travel from all over the world to participate and mingle throughout the crowd for hours before the performance.  They are of all ages, toddlers to adults!


And their costumes are quite unique and so colorful :


The opening processional of the entire costumed cast through the audience is quite similar to the beginning of many of the great medieval pageants.


The show begins just as the sky darkens with a prayer and trumpeteers:


The Pageant tells 10 short story scenes from the Bible and the Book of Mormon.


There is fire, rain, thunder, earthquakes and is easily seen from any seat.  


Some visitors bring  coolers and blankets and lay on the lawn


It is a beautiful production sharing the Mormon's message of Jesus Christ:


It is always held around the 2nd week of July - a show not to be missed!


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