Broken Birdbath Collection

I can't tell you how many times the neighborhood squirrels have knocked over my pottery birdbaths and broken them............oh yes I can........I saved the pieces and made an outdoor vignette out of them! I have a few more scattered around the yard. Recycle, upcycle....never throw anything away that may have another life.

Balloon Arch and Column Kits

Good Day!

These Balloon Arch & Column Kits from Inflate & Create aren't vintage, but I'm going to ramble about them anyway because they are terrific! We've used them for Grand Openings, Anniversary Parties, Prom, Car sales, Weddings...you name it. They are easy to assemble and they look like you hired a balloon decorator. The kits are available for foil and latex balloons. The foil balloon kits use foil cluster balloons and stay inflated for weeks. The latex kit use standard 11" balloons that are available in a variety of colors for your event. Check out Inflate & Create's web site. Balloons definitely add some fun to the party and bring attention to your business.

cocktails

Okay.........time to start my "walk photo" series again. I took a walk and look what I found

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Devils Food Rolo Cookies

Can you tell I've had a sweet tooth lately? I picked up this recipe from one of my fellow Cleveland Handmade team members. I can't remember which one, so if it was you, please fess up so I can give you due credit. These addictive cookies are easy to make........just the way I like to cook!

1. 1 Box of Devils Food Cake Mix
2. 2 Eggs
3. 1/3 Cup (generous) oil
4. 1-12 oz bag of Rolo Candies

Mix the cake mix, eggs and oil until it looks like dough. Take a scant teaspoon of decadent smelling chocolate mixture and wrap it around a Rolo candy. When covered, roll in your hand to make a nice ball. Place balls on ungreased cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 9 minutes. Leave room on cookie sheet for balls to spread.

I just made these cookies again. So easy....but somone got into my rolos and I didn't have enough. So I used some Holiday white chocolate Candy Cane Pepperment Hershey's kisses instead. OUTSTANDING! Let me know what else you have used in the middle of these chocolate treats!

Art of the Day

I have two grandsons that took paint brush to hand.

Does his technique and style remind you of anyone?

photo of the day

I've been neglecting my blog and my walk and ride photos.

Here is one to help catch up....it's a new category. ART! This is a painting my grandson did. I love it...........probably because it is a new take on an animal print.......and mostly because my grandson painted it.

Tin Whistle

My grandfather used to entertain us with this limerick. I had not heard it in years and years until my Dad repeated it the other day. Nice memory!

I bought a wooden whistle, but it wooden whistle. I bought a steel whistle, but I steel couldn't whistle. So I bought a tin whistle, & now I tin whistle!

Carmel Corn Pops Mix

I came home from getting a haircut yesterday with a recipe for Carmel Corn Pop Mix. My stylist is a terrific cook and has a great collection of recipes, especially snacks. If you're wondering where I got the fantastic bowl in this picture...I bought it from jd wolfe pottery on Etsy. It is my favorite snack vessel. Autumn is a great time for sweet salty snacks. Here is what you need:

1. 4 C. Corn Pops Cereal


2. 1 stick butter


3. 1 C. Brown Sugar


4. 1/4 C. Kayro Corn Syrup


5. 1 Cup peanuts, cashews, or mix your favorites


6. 1/4t. baking soda


7. 1/2 t. vanilla
   

Bring the butter, brown sugar and syrup to a boil, stirring continually, in a medium sauce pan. Lower the heat and boil for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. REMOVE FROM HEAT and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. Put the corn pops and peanuts in a large bowl or pot and pour the hot mixture over and stir all together. Once mixed, spread on a greased cookie sheet and put in a 250 degree oven for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. When done remove immediately from the cookie sheet and dump into a Tupperware bowl or plastic bag. I waited too long and couldn't get the stuff off the cookie sheet! I had to put it back in the oven to soften up. You might want to double the recipe, it doesn't last long!

Sour Cream Blueberry Pie

My stylist did it again! She gave me another terrific recipe. She knows I have a sweet tooth and I like "easy to make". This sour cream blueberry pie is fantastic, fast and easy to make.

1 CUP SOUR CREAM

2 TABLESPOONS FLOUR

3/4 CUP SUGAR

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

1/4 TEASPOON SALT

1 BEATEN EGG

Combine the above ingredients and beat with a mixer for 4 minutes or until smooth.

Then fold in :

2-1/2 CUPS BLUEBERRIES (1 Pint works fine)

Pour mixture into a 9" pie shell and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 25 minutes.

While baking mix up the topping:

3 TABLESPOONS FLOUR

3 TABLESPOONS BUTTER

4 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED PECANS

3 TABLESPOONS SUGAR

Cut the butter into the rest of the ingredients to make a nice crumb topping.

Sprinkle the topping over the top of the pie and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

Let me know how you like it! It's good warm..........but I like my pie cold right out of the frig.

Note: I tried this recipe with sliced strawberries instead of blueberries........really good!

Ride Photo in BLUE

We got a good ride in yesterday....of course I had to stop and photo a few things that struck my fancy. I love the blue of this water tower against the blue sky. People pass this water tower everyday.......how many stop to notice?