You Keep Saying That!

How was your Independence Day celebration?

We were fortunate enough to be invited to SIL and BIL's home for some grilled chicken and kielbasa.
I. Love. Kielbasa.
I must have said it one too many times, because my four year old niece looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes and her sweet little smile and said, "Aunt Karen, I know, because you keep saying that!"

So, I said it a few more times between mouthfuls of kielbasa in case she forgot.

I brought over a simple, but pretty patriotic salad with lettuce, spinach, strawberries, pears, and blueberries.

We topped it with a poppyseed dressing.

Blend:
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup White Wine Vinegar
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1 or 2 Strawberries

Stir in 1 Tablespoon poppyseeds.

I thought that adding berries to the dressing would be cute and fun.
It was fun... but with the olive oil, it made the dressing more coral colored than the lovely pink I had envisioned.   No biggie.

Before dessert, we went outside so that my niece could attack Hubby with water balloons and I could snap some photos for products soon to be seen in the Love Deliveries shop. 

Here's a sneak peek.
It's in the shop!

The cutest, funnest, greatest apron is going to appear in has been added to the shop. soon too.
I am so excited about it.
Make sure you visit the shop this week to see!

While outside, I became a mosquito buffet.
I even got a big bite right in the middle of my forehead.
Unfortunately, this is becoming an annual event...

When we got back inside, my niece said, "Aunt Karen, you look sad!"
She gave me a big hug and took me to her medical clinic.
It is THE BEST clinic around.
I have been given prescriptions for M&M's in the past.

Yesterday was even better.
I got a plastic bandage cuff that I was to wear while eating ice cream!
(My bug bites started feeling better almost instantly.)

SIL had prepared a great little buffet of ice cream toppings.

 She also had hot fudge and caramel.

Even better?  There was no boring ice cream in sight.
Plain vanilla?  No way.
Our choices included Snickers, Rocky Road, and Reese's Peanut Butter.
Our sundaes were awesome.
How awesome you ask?

This awesome...

(i. love. kielbasa.)



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Festive Cupcake Liners and Toppers

Hello!

I just wanted to pop in and share a fun and free download with you, just in time for your Fourth of July celebrations!



Patriotic Cupcake Liners and Toppers by:  StoryRock

Here is a tutorial on how to use them, put together by MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking.
You do not have to own the software to download and use these freebies.
Just have fun!

Cupcake Liner Tutorial

1.  Purchase or Bake and Cool Cupcakes.  If cupcakes are frosted, place in refrigerator and chill cupcakes before putting liners on.  It is easier to put liners on if the frosting is cold.
 
2.  Print your Cupcake liner templates on cardstock and gather supplies.  Each printed page will have enough supplies for 2 cupcakes. 
(Recommended supplies: small craft scissors, tape, foam squares, 1.25" circle punch, toothpicks and ribbon)

3.  Using the scissors cut along outside line.
TIP: Use a 1.25" circle punch to cut out the toppers.  If printed at full size, the circles should be exactly the same size.



4.  Wrap liner around cupcake and tape at seam.
TIP: If using a smaller cupcake, just wrap around at the desired height. You can place a smaller cupcake at the bottom of the liner or make it tighter and wrap it around at the top.


5.  Using foam squares or tape, attach the front and back circles together to form the topper. Insert toothpick between the circles.


6. Add ribbon onto the toothpick or at the bottom of the front circle, if desired.


7.  Insert toothpick into cupcake.  Enjoy the finished cupcakes and share.  Don't forget to use your imagination.  The possibilites are endless!



Enjoy!  Take photos if you try these liners or toppers!


Please note that while the link above (and any other MyMemories freebie link I have shared) does not expire, the actual freebie does.  This means, if you visit the link after the week it has been posted, you may end up with a different free download.

Use Coupon Code: STMMMS15924 if you fall in love with software and decide to purchase it.

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Sunday Cheer - Instagram Style

Recently I was reading Disney's blog Ruffles and Stuff.  Do you know about Disney and her blog yet?  If not, you must check it out.  She comes up with cutest ideas, and takes the cutest photos.  It's really a breath of fresh air. 
Well, she tried this fun idea from Pinterest.  (Don't you just love Pinterest?)

Hearts, on my nails?  Yes, please.  I had to try it immediately.
I found it easiest to fold my tape in half before punching so that my punch wouldn't get too sticky. 
(The bonus is you get an extra punch!)

I only did two nails, but that was enough to send Hubby a little love note!

This afternoon, I clipped some flowers from our yard.
I have the opposite of a green thumb, but the previous owners of our house had hired professional landscapers.   This means a fun surprise every season!

Hope your week is off to a lovely start!
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Love Deliveries

Many months ago, I was bragging about my SIL and her super cute shop Love Deliveries. 
Well, she has been working hard and has recently added many new and beautiful items to her shop. 
I have seen her new piles of fabric, so I know that more items will continue to appear! 

I just have to show off a few of her latest things because I love them so much!

I am madly in love with her Kid Art Smocks.  And this one has an amazing print.

Isn't it the cutest?  Just looking at it makes me smile.  Now imagine your favorite kid wearing it. 
Oh, the cuteness!

This is one of the newest Tote Bag designs in the shop.   If you are anything like me, you would carry your kitchen sink in your bag if it would fit.  This bag is big, so you can carry quite a bit with you and still look adorable!  It has a smaller inner pocket so that you don't have to dig down to the bottom for your keys or your phone.  I love the cool grey color and the chic fabric flower.  And guess what?

If you're a Momma, or you're headed to a baby shower, you can get the bag... and a coordinating bib!

I know!  It's too cute, right?

One more favorite that I have to share.

This apron is so lovely.  Even if you're not the best cook you can be the classiest one!

Don't you love that cherry print?  This apron is special too, because it comes with matching oven mitts. 

Check out Love Deliveries for other handmade goodness.

Thanks for stopping by!

(Yes, I am still filtering through my trip photos!)
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Too Many Photos!

In the past two week, I returned from an epic family vacation to Europe...

My baby brother...

...graduated from Med School...

I attended a pretty epic party for a one year old...

And I attended LYFE (Live Your Life Everyday) Women's Conference 2012 at Baptist Bible College & Seminary.  (Who knew that hanging out with 900+ women could be refreshing!)

I am now filtering through over 2000 photos.

Ai-yai-yai.
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Ian & Larissa

Have you seen this video?
If you haven't, stop what you are doing and watch it now.
Though I have never met Ian & Larissa, we have mutual friends.
They have a story of true love...for each other and for God.
I have been so inspired by them in so many way... I'm sure you will be too.



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Everything is Better with Bacon

More Scones!

I was dreaming of a scone with bits of bacon and cheddar.
Although I barely hear his name anymore, I decided to try Emeril's Bacon-Cheddar Cheese Scones.

Bacon, Cheddar, Green Onions.

That is a winning combination.

And these scones were winners!
The ladies I served them to could not stop raving about them.
Savory, bacony, goodness. 

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream, plus 2 tablespoons ( I actually added at least another 1/4 cup of cream to get the dough a better consistency.)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium skillet, cook the bacon, stirring, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well on paper towels. Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter, cheese, green onions, and pepper with a pastry blender or fork, and work just until it starts to form lumps and come together. Add the bacon. Add 1 cup of the cream and work just until it becomes a sticky dough, being careful not to overwork.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and pat until it comes together. Form into 2 large circles, about 7 inches in diameter and 3/4 inch thick and cut each into 8 wedges with a sharp knife. Transfer to baking sheet with a spatula, leaving 1/2-inch space between each wedge. Paint the tops of the wedges lightly with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream and bake until golden brown, 22 to 23 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the baking sheet. Serve warm.


As usual when I make scones, I prepared the dough the evening before and added a few extra minutes of baking time in the morning.
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