A Cup of Love

While preparing lunch today for a friend, I put the kettle on the stove and took out the components for a nice hot cup o' tea.
Besides my favorite flavor's of Orange, Chamomile , and White Pomegranate , I found some nice loose Cherry Almond.
I had some time to kill so I checked a couple of my fave blogs including my sister Vintage Honeybee, and ironically her post was about DIY tea bag's! Check it out! Well hey say's I, why not? I had an instant take on my own custom tea bag that you could make for a really special cup of tea for your mum, grand mum, or friend .
I'm thinking it would be really great in a get well gift too!
All that was needed was your tea, coffee filter, twine, needle, and a pretty little tag you make to hang out of your steaming cup o' love! I used poetry out of one of my favorite book fair find's, and pretty paper I made and a sparkly sticker. Hints would be to sew stitches close on the tea bag, and sew in a way as to leave a tail to add your tag.
Admittedly it was so cute I didn't want to use it but that's what it's for eh? Whomever you choose to make these for , don't forget yourself! It makes sipping a piping hot cup that much sweeter! Xo Dawn

Here's the supplie's I used. Cut out your shape, and sew, leaving an opening to fill with tea, then sew shut.

Botanical Banner

My little sister in law is getting married this summer al fresco, and the ideas are flying! The theme will be vintage laces , floral's, and rustic element's, and soft jewel tone's.
 The prototype for today's idea is a banner that can be used strung from tree's for photo's, to decorate pavilion, or on the cake table. I was so smitten when taking pic's on my wall, I think that I may just make a length for myself too!
 My element's were simple: vintage botanical book pictures printed on card stock, and a thrifted pack of lace seam binding. That's it! I cut out my triangles , folded down the tops to hinge over my lace. Then I taped it to the lace, because I didn't want staples marring the appearance of the flowers. Finite! I can see doing these with old images of baby's for a shower. Ooh hey! Or maybe old circus pictures in black and white for a little boy's room? are you getting the versatility? I hope I got the cog's turning, and have inspired a fun little project in your future! Xox Dawn!

A pot of veggie soup goodness

Well it's getting to be that time of year, just before spring when I start craving fruits and vegetables. Maybe it's a vitamin deficiency , maybe I'm just tiring of winter blah, and want fresh vibrant thing's and a bundle of kale, and spinach is as close as I can get. I went to Global Food's where the selection has typical, and exotic produce at durn good prices. I wanted a soup pot full of vitamins, colors, and of course flavor, so I loaded my tote with as I mentioned: kale and spinach, also carrot's , shallot's, and some tiny Italian eggplant's. Add a carton of beef broth , a can of white bean's,and diced Italian tomatoes to the list, and you have the making's of a tasty healthy meal. When I came home, I also had leftover boneless pork spare ribs to add to the pot, and a cup of barley. After all was bubbling happily on the stove, I ladled up a bowl and added freshly grated Parmesan , and wonderfully seasoned crouton's. It was grand, and even better today! Perfect for our stormy weather Tuesday! Happy day to you all!

Weekend doin's

Among our usual full weekend , I was invited to something new to me but apparently all the rage to the Expectant Parent's Scene. It was a Gender Reveal Party. Hmmm you may say. But it was really clever, and a sweet family, friend's get-to-gether. We all met at a great bistro and wine bar, where we all had to pick either a mustache for boy, or a lipstick lips for girl. Then while enjoying our dinners, drinks and company, the momma to be's Momma held up a little piñata that contained either pink or blue confetti. There were squeal's of excitement as the result was girly, girly Pink! Now, other options I have heard are to give family members, and friends a cupcake that they bite in to find the color reveal. Or a whole cake is presented that tells when cut into (little boy blue, or pretty princess pink) . Either way , it was a really nice, and exciting event for all! Cheery Monday all! No worrie's, the weekend will be back before you know it!xox Dawn!

As you can tell the girl's had the Aye's

Mommy to be on left, and friend  Melly on right. Two pretty pal's:)

Lordy be! We could not wait to take a bite of this delish Bread Pudding! I woulda licked the plate if I weren't in public ... no joke:)

I'm not a big drinker, but this was outstanding. I made note on my phone for you.. it was a  St Germaine.

Excited grandma ready to pull the tassel and find out her new grandbebe!!

Thursday Nights are exciting again!!

Why? Well because Project Runway Season 11 started up Hooray!!! I have only watched the intro so far (my little guy is sick, and thats all I've had a chance to do so far) But I'm already diggin the styles of the first guy, and the guy with the Salvador Dali stache . Also the Native American lady, and the Blonde Australian. So excited!!! If you've never watched it, grab yourself a glass of something nice, kick back and prepare to be entertained! Happy Thurs!!

Over the weekend

I know it's now mid week again (sheesh, time flies) but here was the low key, yet nice weekend's doin's....

Made some yum yum french toast where I used an egg nog dip, and  almond's.

Played on a kool new drawing app called Paper 53

Went hiking on several trail's.No Sasquatches to be found but we did find an enormous frog!

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Watched my favorite show that makes Sunday such a sweet finish to the weekend!

Made a fantastic dinner with 4 ingredient's from Trader Joe's: A bag of Chimchurri Rice, leftover Rotisserie chicken. about 3/4 cup or so of their Roasted red pepper and tomato soup, and I topped with slices of avocado...I'm tellin 15 min to deliciousness!

Finally after a trip to library, we wrap up it, and I get my kiddo to finally help with dishes where he decides to be a surly sudsy pirate while swabbing the dishes....hey whatever gets it done eh?

The Polenta, and The Poach

This eve I took on two cooking to-do's that I have been meaning to try for year's. I have always been intrigued by Polenta. I love cornbread, yet I'm not a big fan of grit's, so I was a little hesitant to make polenta.

What tempted me to give it a whirl was the tasty looking recipe by Joy The Baker. That girl has some skill's!
Even better the recipe was very simple. The only thing I did different was to use Thai basil, which has a slight licorice flavor, and I added a poached egg ( my other first!) It was a smidge tricky to poach ,but the biggie I didn't know on the first attempt was to gently drop the egg in just before the boiling point. When I did this, I came out with a real beauty! Hip hip hooray!

And the dish itself was creamy, the tomato sauce was deliciously spicy, and the egg was a divine addition! This was a really fun and yummy dindin , that I hope you will try! Lovely weekend to all!xox Dawn

That's one ugly huevo!

Now this one did mama proud!!

Wood burned Bangle

Quite a while back my sister and I found wood bangles at our local art's and craft store. They were beautiful blank's just waiting to be transformed, and they were on clearance! Hooray!
We bought all we could find, and I knew I wanted to burn inspirational, romantic or fun quotes and poetry in mine.
Other decoration's I have used included flower's that I then painted, and all bangle's when finished get a silky topcoat with Tongue Oil, which gives them a soft natural glow.
I gotta say I will be sad to run out of my supply. I guess I'll have to find something else to sizzle!!! Happy Thurs!xox Dawn

These are a few of my favorite things..

Here's a collection of nonsense ... And have a lovely rest of the day!

sERIOUsly the best ever!!!

New jewelry line at Old Navy. I bought all on sale for two buck apiece!

The look tiny but the wavy design makes them hold mighty!

A beautiful clear winter night sky when i walked out a friend's door,

Beautiful colors of Farm fresh eggs, I bought when I saw a sign that said, "Egg's for Sale ". And the Kool part was the purchase was based on the Honor System. Drop your money in the cup,and take your eggs from cooler. 

1st edition Jane Austin's Emma

Great flic

Fun lunchbag/lapmat from Dean and Deluca

And this Boyfriend Pillow was just HYSTERICAL and had to be mentioned!!!