Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Wordless Wednesday-Cousins


My daughter with "my twins".  She loves these kids!

*taken by Holly Bartlett*

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Making Tuesday Tasty-Peach And Raspberry Cobbler

I love cobblers and it's a yummy way to use fresh, seasonal fruit! Enjoy!


Ingredients

For the Topping:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/4 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/8 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing

For the Filling:


2 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 large peaches, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup raspberries

Directions 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Make the topping: Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl. Work in the butter with your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse meal with some pea-size lumps. Add the cream and stir with a fork until combined. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 4 or 5 times to bring the dough together. Pat into a 1/2-inch-thick round, then use a 1 1/2-to-2-inch cookie cutter to cut out biscuits. Pat the scraps together and cut out more biscuits. Put the biscuits on a baking sheet and chill until ready to use. Make the filling: Melt the butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the peaches, flour, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg and cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbling, about 5 minutes. Stir in the raspberries, then arrange the biscuits on top. Brush the biscuits with cream and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the fruit is bubbling and the biscuits are cooked through, about 25 minutes. (If the biscuits are browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.) Let cool slightly before serving.

*recipe courtesy of foodnetwork kitchen*

Friday, August 17, 2012

Carmex Flavor Review And Giveaway!

I became a Carmex brand Ambassador awhile back, and got to try out Carmex's lip balm in tube form for the first time.  I used Carmex when I was younger like it was going out of style.  We used to have many of the pots in my household at any given time.  Now that it's in the tube form, I love it even more!  Another thing I love is that they keep coming out with new flavors and I can honestly say I'm addicted and use it every day.

My family notoriously has dry lips year round.  It's so bad that if we go without any type of lip balm for a few days, we often end up with split lips. OUCH!  Carmex sent me some of their standard flavors and my favorite definitely has to be the lime in the line.  I just got to try out the new Pomegranate, and I was so pleasantly surprised by the fresh fruity flavor and scent it gives off.  I don't like super fake flavors or smells but, this flavor is fresh!  It works really well with the menthol in the Carmex.

Who wants a Carmex brand beach bag filled with different flavored sticks?  Trust me, you'll be set for the year in lip balms with this giveaway!

U.S. giveaway only, an email will be sent so please make sure I can contact you, and leave your email address in your comments!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Wordless Wednesday-Birthday Fun


Monday, August 13, 2012

Making Tuesday Tasty-Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Lime and Cilantro

Bobby Flay definitely likes Mexican and Southwest flavors.  I live in the Southwest and definitely like the flavors that are native to these areas.  I got a grill for Christmas and have used it a ton since it got hot because my house is already warm.  I cook outside as often as I can!  Here is another yummy grill idea to get you outside. :)


Ingredients

3 sweet potatoes, unpeeled
Kosher salt
 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/4 cup canola oil
Freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Parcook the potatoes: Place in a pot of water and boil until fork-tender; let cool. Slice each potato lengthwise into eighths. Preheat a grill to medium or place a cast-iron grill pan over medium heat. Mix 1 tablespoon salt, the lime zest and cayenne in a small bowl. Brush the potato wedges with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown on all sides (including the skin) and just cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter; immediately season with the salt mixture and sprinkle with cilantro.

Celebrating Friends-My Sister

Like most siblings, my Sister and I always loved each other but, didn't always get along.  We are five years apart almost exactly, and we are very different from each other.  I'm very first born, and she is very middle child. ha ha.

I moved to a different state and she had a son very young.  She struggled with her life issues, and I with mine.  Often we would butt heads when it came to emotional things or about our opinions but, we always knew that we loved each other and shared a lot of the same sense of humor.

We grew up in a difficult household.  Many times my siblings and I were the only ones we could cling to.  A few years after I moved out of state, my Brother followed, and then my Sister.  Going to the same church and sharing our adult lives has been very rewarding for our relationships.  We have been able to establish a loving environment for our kids to grow up in as well.

With Mom being gone, the one we shared our lives with so freely was no longer there.  It enabled my Sister and I to get closer to each other, and share our lives more closely.  I have really relished the relationship we've had these past few years.  We've both matured, put petty things away, and are enjoying the time we have together.

I love you Jess! :)

Celebrating Friendship-Join Our Hop!

The first Sunday in August is declared as National Friendship Day here in the U.S.  We want to take the time to share our favorite people and friends that make an impact on us regularly.

This week August 12-18 we are going to celebrate our friends by writing a post and linking up.  Each day there will be a new write up, and a linky to add your post to.

Often we don't take the time to talk about the people who mean so much in our lives.  Time is fleeting, so consider doing at least a day, and write about your favorite person or people that inspire you.


Celebrating Friends