Forever Young

On a summer evening, not long ago . . .

Crystal and Sir Beads are out doing some errands. They decide to stop at their favorite discount store . . .

Crystal: Oh my gosh! Look at THIS!!! And only $3.99! I canโ€™t believe it.

Sir beads: What?

Crystal: (breathlessly) Look! Itโ€™s a paper punch with sand castles and pails and shovels and a little starfish!

Sir Beads: Oh, very nice.

Crystal: It has a beach theme and you know I spent practically every waking moment on the beach as a kid – well, during the summer season, at least.

Sir Beads: (Nods and then smiles.)

Crystal: Honestly, it’s SO cute!!! I just canโ€™t leave it here for $3.99!

Sir Beads: Oh, definitely not. (He winks.)

Crystal: I know. I know! Iโ€™m still a big kid. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Hugs,

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A previous summer post here ๐Ÿ™‚

Weekend Report

On Saturday, it was our extended familyโ€™s annual summer gathering . . .

* We were so lucky to have nice weather โ€“ not too hot and no rain (even though the sun played peek-a-boo all day long).

* We enjoyed the most delicious food (including the delightful fruit salad you see above, which was made by one of my daughters).

* We talked a lot and laughed ’til we cried. (This is quite a witty bunch that includes several โ€œshould-have-beenโ€ comedians!)

* We celebrated a birthday (for Sir Beads)! He got all the candles out with one breath, so hopefully his wish will come true!

* We sorely missed the ones who could not make it that day. (As the kids grow into adults – jobs and marriages take them to other corners of the world and it gets harder and harder to have the entire clan in one place on the same day.)

* We cherished the chance to smooch and play with the newest member of our family, who is now 15 months old and absolutely thriving after a very rocky start in this life. (Did I mention he is the smartest most handsome baby – ever!?!) Lol

* We all agreed it was the best party! (Of course, we say that every year. ๐Ÿ˜‰ )

The long ride home seemed very short. After such a wonderful day, there was lots to remember and chat about . . .

Weโ€™re already looking forward to next time.

Hope you have a chance to spend a fun summer day with people you love! ๐Ÿ˜€

Hugs,

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Little Things

Are you charmed by little things? I am.

For example, if I’m in a gift shop – I’m much more likely to be attracted to a tiny doll than to a large one.

When I am making things, it’s the same story.

A couple of months ago, I made a little purse and a tiny rose to adorn it . . .

and then I couldn’t stop!


I made some more purses.

And then some more roses.

I thought about which rose for which purse . . .


Then I wondered if I should ditch the rose and try beads instead for embellishment.

I have a dozen ideas for these. They’ve been quite a welcome distraction during the incredibly sultry weather we’ve had here lately!

What do you like to do when it’s just too hot to move?

Hugs,

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Summer Recipe

Clenna sent us another great recipe! ๐Ÿ˜€

She writes:
“This recipe sounds fun with the kiddies this summer, or at an adult party – lots of laughs.



Ice Cream in a Zip-loc

(recipe will make one dish of ice cream)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon sugar
4 cups crushed ice
4 tablespoons salt
2 quart size Zip-loc bags
1 gallon size Zip-loc freezer bag
a hand towel or gloves to keep fingers from freezing as well!

Directions:
Mix the milk, vanilla and sugar together in one of the quart size bags. Seal tightly, allowing as little air to remain in the bag as possible (too much air left inside may force the bag open during shaking)
Place this bag inside the other quart size bag, again leaving as little air inside as possible and sealing well. By double-bagging, the risk of salt and ice leaking into the ice cream is minimized.

Next, put the two bags inside the gallon size bag and fill the bag with ice, then sprinkle salt on top. Again let all the air escape and seal the bag.
Wrap the bag in the towel or put your gloves on, and Shake, Shake, Shake! and massage the bag, making sure the ice surrounds the cream mixture.
Five to eight minutes is adequate time for the mixture to freeze into ice cream.

Tips:
Freezer bags work best because they are thicker and less likely to develop small holes, allowing the bags to leak. You can get away with using regular Zip-loc bags for the smaller quart sizes, because you are double-bagging. Especially if you plan to do this indoors, I strongly recommend using the gallon size freezer bags. (Recipe found on Sisterly Savings)

Thank you, Clenna! ๐Ÿ™‚

If you have a recipe, a newspaper article, a money-saving tip, or any other bit of info you’d like to share with all of us – send it in!

Hugs,

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Day Trippers – Part 3

Is everyone here?
Ok then, let’s continue! ๐Ÿ˜€

(Remember to double-click photos to enlarge.)

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This next item in the Dale Chihuly exhibit, “Through the Looking Glass”, is a spectacular blue “chandelier” that would be fabulous in your entryway . . .

IF you happen to live in a palace, that is!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

It’s absolutely huge. The color is a cool icy blue, which is somehow appropriate because the glass tendrils look frozen.

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As we turn the corner, we come upon a whole field of tall violet reeds, displayed amongst large birch logs. It’s quite a powerful sight and yet immediately soothing, wonderfully serene – sort of a mystical marshland!

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Gosh Kids, you must be starving by now! Time for lunch. ๐Ÿ™‚
The museum has a few dining venues: a formal restaurant, a cafeteria, and a lovely cafe, which is where we’re going. Located near the courtyard, it’s a large, bright, open space with lots of windows – a cheerful little oasis in the midst of the bustle of art fans of all ages.

Whew! We were more ready to sit down than we thought! First, a cold drink. On a warm summer day, I’m a seltzer-with-lemon gal; Sir Beads had the Sam Adams.

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Within seconds, our server offered fresh rolls, and generous slices of warm cornbread with butter on the side. So yummy I forgot to snap a photo of them. (C’mon, we were HUNGRY!)

On this particular day, Sir Beads was channeling his caveman roots – all he wanted was a big juicy burger (Men!).

I, on the other hand, ๐Ÿ˜‰ wanted to try one of the more creative choices on the menu: “Summer Vegetable Lasagna”.

The presentation is a little work of art, in itself. Don’t you agree?

I quickly jotted down the ingredients so that I could rattle them off for you . . . zucchini, roasted tomatoes, summer squash, herbed ricotta, eggplant, micro arugula, and tomato basil sauce. It was delicious!!!! The waiter had warned me that there were no noodles in this lasagna. As a pasta fan I could have chosen something else, but I also love veggies, and besides, I wanted to try a festive entree! I will definitely attempt to re-create the dish at home – it was that good.

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As we dined, we were able to enjoy another one of Chihuly’s pieces . . . His “Lime Green Icicle Tower” was installed right in the restaurant area. It’s enormous. For an idea of size, notice the ants people standing nearby!

Rumor has it that donations to the museum have made it possible for this piece to stay after the show moves on. ๐Ÿ™‚

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I hope you had fun. Thanks so much for coming along. Shall we do it again some day?

For now, we’d better hop back on the bus and take our seats. Sir Beads will be driving us home . . .

Isn’t that right, Sir Beads?

Sir Beads????????

Ah, there he is! Trying to squeeze in just one more photo . . . ๐Ÿ™‚

Til next time,

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and Sir Beads, too!