Favorite summer drink!

I love ginger ale and always have..The new ginger ale is called "Sparkling Green Tea Ginger Ale" by Canada Dry. It is superb! I recently did a mixture of 1 can of the green tea ginger ale, a few spashes of lemonade, ice and a squeeze of lemon or lime...It is so refreshing and my staple for the summer. Try it!

Magic Blondies from MS Living

2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin (standard size) with paper liners; set aside. Stir together coconut, chocolate and pecans; set aside.

Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, until pale and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until combined. Reduce speed to low or by hand, stir in flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl, until well combined. Mix in about a cup of the coconut mixture.

Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Sprinkle remaining coconut mixture over tops and bake on center rack for about 25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out with moist crumbs.

Blondies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.

Surfing

...yesterday and today the waves are there and so are my guys. With Night in Venice,our annual boat parade,the town and beaches are packed. Lucky for my boys they are over there early and getting plenty of waves and exercise. Love to watch them but will wait till next time they go.

ps~` Hope they are not surfing with sea life like this guy!

BEST darn onion!

Take a vidalia, peel and core it like an apple, place it on a heavy duty sheet of aluminum foil, put a chicken or beef bouillon cube in the hole and a tad of butter, sprinkle a little parmesan and a bit of brown sugar plus salt and pepper on top..Wrap tightly and throw on the grill with the other items you are cooking and cook till soft about 45 minutes. Can also be done in a 350 oven for same amount of time...You got yourself the BEST darn onion!!

Jimmy

The phone just rang from Jimmy next door and out I go to receive a gift of a sunflower from him. He and I have a special bond. What makes Jimmy so wonderful is his outlook on life despite being in a wheelchair at 25 years old. His accident has provided many challenges for him in the past 5 years. The simple things I do each day are not there for him anymore yet he greets each day with a smile and an optimism that is incredible. He is truly a miracle like the song "Everyone calls you amazing"...He certainly is to me.

Juanita Moore

How wonderful are movies that you have watched with your Mom, friend, daughter or anyone you love. One movie,"Imitation of Life" says it all to me and will continue to comfort me whenever I watch it. The story is one of a young girl who denies her own Mother due to race. As she struggles through her life, her Mother, played by Juanita Moore, remains strong and bears the pain of this. A beautiful film that has deeply impacted me yet I never knew who played such a wonderful role. Juanita Moore is an actress I will never forget nor the memory of watching this film through the years and crying with my own Mom.

Reunited

As with most women who don't see each other for a while, we can have lunch and pick up right where we left off. The beauty of friendship. My college roommate and I have met for years, coming from different directions and spend the better part of an afternoon discussing our family, aging or the lose of a parent, old memories and mostly that we love being with each other. What a treasure my true friends are in my life!

We are the fortunate ones~~

Sleeping with your Dog

- Author Unknown -

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!

I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"

I sneak up slowly to begin
my nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth-

I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the morning's here
and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.


So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!

Do you have 2 seconds?

If so buy a bag of broccoli slaw, open it up and add some yogurt or mayonnaise, vinegar and a little sugar...You are in for a healthy,cool summer side to any dish!

It's a wrap!

Scarves are an accessory I never do without...My Dad used to say his neck was always cold and sometimes I think that is the reason but other times it is just a fashion statement. I never go anywhere without one except summer:) I love the pashiminas, wovens and hand knits...The scarves I have knitted for myself are special and the ones I have given as gifts are for certain loved ones in my life. Fall is the best time to add a scarf to your wardrobe especially the beautiful,colorful combinations they come in today..One great site for cheapo scarves is Forever 21...Enjoy!

Can you believe this?

A 20 million dollar wedding cake! I have seen much prettier and more dramatic but with all those jewels I can imagine that price...Be careful swallowing!

Ocean View

I love anything to do with weddings and today's brides seem to be the most creative. I had the treat to visit a new venue, One Atlantic, in Atlantic City with Sarah. It is the most gorgoeus 10,000.00 sq. foot event space and will be completed soon. I can only say the view of the ocean and the coastline are breathtaking. We had a nice lunch at Buddakan on the Pier and can't imagine a nicer day then being invited by my daughter to join her...

Fun for Kids

Since we are going to my niece's "Welcome Home" BBQ today, I decided to make cupcakes rather than a cake. I gathered all my icings, decorations and jimmies to create 24 "one-of-a-kind cupcakes!" Hope the kids have fun choosing and we will be excited to attend.

Etsy.com

To buy anything creative, innovative or just plain beautiful for yourself or a loved one go to this site..Learning about another's talent or passion can be realized on Etsy...Support the arts and those that fulfill such a great service. Check out art, jewelry, purses, baby gifts, clothing ,vintage and so much more. Enjoy shopping!

A "Super" Market!

Wegman's!! It is the best grocery store and I travel an hour just to go! One of the products they sell my friends and I are hooked on, is the Ines Rosales tortas. They are a product from Spain and are a light, flaky olive oil pastry. They come 6 to a pack, individually wrapped and are delicious! Try them.

NYC by DAY

Our family loves the city, especially a quick day trip to get our fix. In the summer months, New York is so wonderful! Walking the city, finding new places to shop and eat is a new experience each time we go. One favorite spot in SoHo is The Cupping Room Cafe. They have a terrific breakfast, wonderful salads and fast,friendly service...Not to mention Anthropologie is in the next block.

Simple Summer Crisp

2 cups summer fruit or combination such as blueberry/raspberry
3/4 cup brown sugar,packed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup flax meal, optional
1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
3/4 tsp. cinnamon and nutmeg
1/3 cup butter,cut into cubes and softened

Preheat oven to 375.Place washed fruit in a pie plate. Combine all other ingredients and work to make a cornmeal consistency. Place over fruit and bake for 30 mins. Serve warm with ice cream.

Fudge

....one of the truly, great summer treats. The Fudge Kitchen on the Ocean City boardwalk has the BEST fudge anywhere. Creamy, whipped in those great copper kettles and in a delicious variety of flavors. My favorites are the vanilla and vanilla nut. It is a wonderful store with an assortment of every kind of candy and chocolate. They have several locations, give out samples daily and are open year round.

Cookbook Collector

A favorite pastime used to be browsing my cookbooks, adding to my collection and giving favorites as gifts. That has changed with the abundance of great sites and blogs dedicated to the art and love of cooking. Finding lost recipes, specific categories or even recipes my Mom used to make, is now a breeze and such fun. I still collect the books and am always looking for the newest creations for fresh, healthy cooking and baking. The need to search endlessly for a particular recipe or ingredient, not necessary anymore. Some of the best cookbooks are still the Junior League, collections from a women's group or benefit and my all time favorite from our Mother's Club, "The Seashore Sampler" collection. Out of print, but for those who are lucky enough to have them, you know what I mean. Great memories and great cooks from a special time in my life!

Happy Fourth of July

This will be a beautiful weekend and holiday! Share it with those you love and remember our heroes who keep our flag a wavin'!!Stay safe.

Friendship

I spent last night with my good friend. We laughed, cried and spent lots of time discussing so many things in our lives. We have celebrated many events together and the next will be a wedding in her family. Such a special time. When you reflect on friends, friendships and relationships, you know the ones that feel comfortable, loving and fun. Treasure them. Just like the bracelets, friends bring a variety of color, style and perspective to your life. You can wear one bracelet or have a whole arm full and each one is special and has meaning! A true friend is one of the most valuable connections in your life. I am thankful for the friends I have and hope to hold onto for life!

For All Those Who Care

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law,and four-year grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.
Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess We must do something about Grandfather," said the son.

I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded,"Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor
wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and role models.

Lord, we ask not that you move the mountains, but that You give us the strength to climb. "Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference"

Take care of yourself, ...and those you love, ...today, and everyday!