Book Review: Cooking with Flowers

by Miche Bacher

How beautiful is this cover?!

Partial Synopsis from Amazon:  Here are more than 100 recipes that will bring beautiful flower-filled dishes to your kitchen table! This easy-to-use cookbook is brimming with scrumptious botanical treats, from sweet violet cupcakes, pansy petal pancakes, daylily cheesecake, and rosemary flower margaritas to savory sunflower chickpea salad, chive blossom vinaigrette, herb flower pesto, and mango orchid sticky rice.

My Thoughts:  First let me say, the photography is by Miana Jun and it is stunning!  Even if you don't grow flowers or want to cook with them, you would probably enjoy cruising thru the lovely pictures!  The next flowers to bloom for us will be violets, tulips and lilacs.  I've actually made Violet Jelly before.  To me violets taste sort of like mixed berries.  After reading this book, I can't wait to try the Lilac Sorbet served in Tulip Cups!  There are lots of daylily recipes, also exciting because I have a nice little collection of them!  This book is making me love Spring even more than I already do!

 

As I try these recipes, y'all KNOW I'll be posting about them!

 

What have you been reading?

 

;-)  -Marci

Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party

Let's party! 

We're your co-hosts.

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!

No features this week.  'Haven't been feeling well.  Boo!

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Saucer Magnolia

What beautiful colors!

This Saucer Magnolia grows at the corner of our front yard.



The weather has been perfect for a magnificent display of raspberry swirl blossoms!

This photo is a bit dark, but I like the perspective of looking up into the tree!

Happy Spring!

 

;-)  -Marci

Sending Heartfelt Wishes for a Blessed Easter

;-)  -Marci

Nature Photo Challenge {Maggie}

On Facebook, I was nominated to do a Nature Photography Challenge by Mary Kalpos.  She is the master mind behind The Boondocks Blog.  The challenge was to post a nature photo, past or present, each day for 7 days and nominate a new friend each day to do the same.

 

It was so much fun, I'd like to share the ones I chose to post on Facebook!  If you would like to see mine, please click HERE!   I have permission from my buddies that participated with me, so I get to post their picture choices as well!  I hope you'll come back and see them, too!

Click HERE for Mary's and THERE for Beverly's.

Today, these are Maggie's photos!  That's her in my Day 2 picture!  ;-)  I caught her snapping away on one side of my yard, while I was clicking on the other side!  She is a very talented photographer!

What do you like to photograph?

-Marci  :-)

My Birthday Gifts 2016

I have a dear friend, Denise, who gave me this wonderful idea.  She is single and likes it that way.  Each year for her birthday, she makes a list of 30-ish gifts to give herself.  One for each day of her birth month.  Denise starts working on her list the month before.  'No rules really, of what to put on the list.  It might be something expensive, or not.  As my birthday approaches, I'd like to share my list of gifts I plan to give myself! 

1.  Stretch consistently enough to do the Splits on both sides
2.  Good running times in these upcoming 5ks
3.  Socks for work
4.  Fuzzy socks for cold mornings
5.  Running socks
6.  A Nap
7.  A Massage
8.  Manicure
9.  Pedicure
10  Asclepias
11.  Hanging Baskets
12.  One Day to Read
13.  One Day to Sew that Cool Loopy Handle Purse
14.  Ice Cream
15.  Remote Control for my Camera

Hiking always makes the list!



16.  One Day to Hike
17.  Sidewalk weeded and mulched
18.  Company-Ready Clean House
19.  Finish the Kitchen
20.  Piano Music
21.  Snuggle Time with the dogs
22.  A Walk to the Park
23.  Seeds Organized  -  Toss Old Ones
24.  Closet Organized - More tossing needed
25.  Sew Headbands for Work Outs
26.  Clean Library Room
27.  A Day to Craft
28.  A Class - either sewing, craft or photoshop 
29.  A Shopping Trip to Whole Foods
30.  One Day to Garden
31.  Begin Pet Photo Challenge
32.  Fluff Ball Pens
33.  Banner - May Flowers
34.  Chocolate Cream Pie

I definitely need to pause more often and just be kind to myself.  For some reason, that's hard to remember!  What would you like to put on YOUR birthday list?

 

;-)  -Marci

'Ready to Party? Me, too! Tuesdays with a Twist

What have y'all been up to?  I absolutely love seeing all your creativity! 

We're your co-hosts.

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!


Clever Dawn at Leroy Lime shares a simple tutorial for these fun fluff ball pens in her post titled St. Patrick's Day Banner and Pot of Gold





MUST.  HAVE.  FLUFFBALL.  PENS.  Aren't they COOL?!

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Nature Photo Challenge {Beverly}

On Facebook, I was nominated to do a Nature Photography Challenge by Mary Kalpos.  She is the master mind behind The Boondocks Blog.  The challenge was to post a nature photo, past or present, each day for 7 days and nominate a new friend each day to do the same.

 

It was so much fun, I'd like to share the ones I chose to post on Facebook!  If you would like to see mine, please click HERE!   I have permission from my buddies that participated with me, so I get to post their picture choices as well!  I hope you'll come back and see them, too!

These are Beverly's photos!  She always seems to surprise me with her view point, taking photos from angles that never would have crossed my mind.  I love surprises!

 

 

What challenges have you accepted lately?

-Marci  ;-)  

Last Winter Hike - Excited for Spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

These photos are from Devil's Den State Park and Artist Point.

 

;-)  -Marci

Transforming a Recipe to Gluten Free

We have two dear friends with allergies to wheat.  They seem so very grateful when I remember to have gluten free dishes for them.  It's a pretty simple transformation.  Just replace any wheat, barley or rye with something that's not wheat, barley or rye.  ;-)  Please don't think I am some sort of fancy schmancy nutrition expert.  I googled it.  ;-) 

 

 

You might remember THIS POST featuring a LAYERED DESSERT RECIPE from a party at my sister's house.  Today, I am sharing a gluten free version.
 

 

Scrumptious Layers Dessert Recipe (Gluten Free)

 

 

Crust

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups almond flour

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup slivered almonds 

 

Mix all ingredients.  Press into a 9 X 13 pan.  Bake at 350 until the edges are brown.  In my oven, that's about 25 minutes using a glass baking dish.

 

Let cool before beginning the layers.

 

 Layer 1:
2 boxes cream cheese, 8 ounces each, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk

(This is a change from MY ORIGINAL RECIPE, doubling the amount of cream cheese.  Layer 1 was a bit too sweet for us the first time around.)

Anyway, mix these ingredients and pour over the cooled crust.

Layer 2:  Homemade Chocolate Pudding
1/2 cup sugar

dash of salt

1/3 cup cocoa

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 1/2 cups milk

 

Over medium heat, stir dry ingredients and half the milk in a medium size sauce pan until all the lumps are gone.  Add the rest of the milk and continue to stir until it thickens.  Cook about 3 minutes longer.  Let cool about 15 minutes before pouring over the cream cheese layer.

Layer 3:  Homemade Vanilla Pudding
1/3 cup sugar

dash of salt

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 1/2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Over medium heat, stir dry ingredients and half the milk in a medium size sauce pan until all the lumps are gone.  Add the rest of the milk and continue to stir until it thickens.  Cook about 3 minutes longer.  Let cool about 15 minutes before pouring over the chocolate pudding layer.

On top, I sprinkled about 1 cup mini dark chocolate chips along with 1 cup slivered almonds.

Our sweet friends loved and so did we!

What special recipes do you make for your friends?

;-)  -Marci

Party Time!! Tuesdays with a Twist

Welcome!  I can't wait to see what y'all are linking this week! 

We're your co-hosts.

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!

Is anyone seeing Spring rains beside me?  Here is a perfect rainy day project!



Purple Paper Bead Bracelets (say that three times fast) from Finding Candace!  Aren't they pretty?!


If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Book Review: My Fight Your Fight

by Ronda Rousey

 

 

SOURCE

 

Partial Synopsis from Good Reads:  “The fight is yours to win.”

In this inspiring and moving book, Ronda Rousey, the Olympic medalist in judo, reigning UFC women's bantamweight champion, and Hollywood star charts her difficult path to glory.

 

My thoughts:  I purchased this book for my husband last year on Memorial Day Weekend.  He read it and liked it.  It took me this long to pick it up even though my favorite genre is autobiographies.  I love hearing what someone was thinking during the momentous decisions of their life.  The book is written as though you are sitting across the table from Ronda, just visiting about her training schedule, her fights, her dog and personal life.  Just a warning, there is quite a bit of profanity.  For one so young, she has led quite a remarkable life and is surprisingly wise.  Here are a couple of quotes I found especially profound.

 

Page 128:  "If you can't dream big, ridiculous dreams, what's the point of dreaming at all?"

Page 142:  "It's just sometimes even the right decisions don't work out."

 

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who can get past some profane language.

 

What have you been reading?

 

;-)  -Marci

Nature Photo Challenge {Mary}

On Facebook, I was nominated to do a Nature Photography Challenge by Mary Kalpos.  She is the master mind behind The Boondocks Blog.  The challenge was to post a nature photo, past or present, each day for 7 days and nominate a new friend each day to do the same.

 

It was so much fun, I'd like to share the ones I chose to post on Facebook!  If you would like to see mine, please click HERE!   I have permission from my buddies that participated with me, so I get to post their picture choices as well!  I hope you'll come back and see them, too!

These are Mary's photos!  Did I mention she lives in Greece?  Her photos are stunning!

Have a lovely day! 

;-)  -Marci 

{Part 3} Spring Plaques Inspired by Song of Solomon 2:12

The weather is beginning to warm.  Spring is just around the corner!  The first few buds and blooms always make me think of Song of Solomon 2:12.  (I prefer the Authorized King James Version.)

"the flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds is come,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land"

This year,  that beautiful verse inspired a series of three plaques.  I hope you can visit often and see all three!  If you would like to view the first one, please click HERE! or THERE! for the second plaque!

Here is the third and final one!

It's my favorite!

 
Please let me tell you about the *FREE* materials I am using for this project!  We are currently re-modeling our kitchen.  WHEW! 

First comes DE-struction, then comes CON-struction.
 

 

The destruction phase included ripping out a pantry and these boards were part of the shelving.  They each measure 11.25 inches by 14.5 inches.

 

JACKPOT,  right?  Totally free, right?  ;-)

 

I didn't have to salvage them from anywhere but my own kitchen!

 

I gave three of them a quick coat of off white paint.  (only two made it into the photograph)

 



When phone books were left in our driveway this year, I almost tossed them immediately into the recycle bin.  Does anyone use those anymore?  'So glad my hoarding habits kicked in and made me keep them in my craft room!  ;-)  The pages look like newsprint to me. 

 

Jackpot, right?  Totally free, right?  ;-)



 A couple of pages were ripped out of their books and glued onto each of the shelving boards using children's regular ol' white glue.

 

 

I created and printed this FREE PRINTABLE for Song of Solomon 2:12c.  I am into a raw look for this project, so the paper is just wide ruled notebook paper and the each word is cut individually. 

SOURCE

Next, using some pretty green scrap book paper that has been in my stash FOR EH VER an adorable Turtle Coloring Page was found.  The first was just printed as is.  The second one got a quick size edit and then flipped so the turtles could snuggle.  ;-)  A bit of coloring with my colored pencils and voila'.  Cuddling Turtles!  Aren't they sweet?!  I love her eyelashes, lipstick and pedicure!



Plain white glue holds everything on the board.  This project was so much fun and practically free!

What have you been crafting for Spring?  What is your favorite inspiration?

;-)  -Marci

Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party

Welcome to the party!  I am so glad you are here! 

We're your co-hosts.

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!
 
Our weather here in Arkansas is bouncing between warm days and cold ones.  Here is a wonderful reading list to get us thru the last bit of winter!



Winter Books for Kids is from The Sunny Patch!


If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci