Coconut Sorbet

As some of you know if you read this blog, my husband loves coconut. He could eat it every day. Well, this weekend has been hot. Hot , sticky, humid. After we returned from the Memorial Day parade and ate lunch, I decided to make coconut sorbet. I first made this last year when hubs bought me a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker that I had been eyeing for awhile. To thank him, I made him this sorbet. I am not as big a fan of coconut as my hubby, but I get a craving for this stuff sometimes too! This is so easy to make. Three ingredients and an ice cream maker. It is really good with cherry pie. I made a cherry pie for dessert a few evenings ago and warmed up a slice and piled coconut sorbet on top. YUM! And for all of you lactose intolerant readers - this is for you! No dairy ! Enjoy!

COCONUT SORBET
yields 1 pint

2 (14.5 oz) coconut milk
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup sugar

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Remove from the heat and let it cool. When it has cooled, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill .
Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
* when pouring the chilled coconut milk into the ice cream maker, be very careful. The coconut is solid on the top, and it might splash when poured. I do this every  stinkin'  time and get it all over the counter :(

Memorial Day 2010 Ligonier, PA

 On this Memorial Day, we took the boys to see the parade in Ligonier,PA. Then there was a beautiful ceremony in the center of town. I snapped this picture after the ceremony. I want my boys to understand the meaning behind this day. I want them to understand the sacrifices that have been made, and that will be made for their freedom. Happy Memorial Day 2010!


We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.
- CW Johnson

White Chocolate Cherry Muffins

I made these muffins for a quick breakfast treat. They were a big hit with the kids. The cherry flavor and the white chocolate chips are a great combination. My 6 year old requested one in his lunchbox, which he never does. This batch made about 22 muffins. Mini muffins would be great for these to take on picnics or playdates as well.

White Chocolate Cherry Muffins
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
20 0z can cherry pie filling
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Combine all ingredients.Fill cupcakes 3/4 full.Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes,or until done.

DIY Bird Feeder

This is a birdfeeder I made for our garden. Super simple to make. All I did was glue a deep plate to a wooden candleholder. I looked for a deep enough plate to hold the birdseed. I found both the plate and the candleholder at Goodwill. They were each .99, so I really did make it for next to nothing. I woke up this morning and there were two cardinals enjoying it. These would also make great , inexpensive gifts for garden lovers!

Is it summer yet?

Here are a few pictures of our porches. I love ferns , geraniums , peonies.All flowers, really. We have three porches that I love. They are wide enough to sit an enjoy yourself, even when it is raining.

The Window Through Which We Look

The Window Through Which We Look



A young couple moved into a new neighborhood
The next morning while they were eating breakfast,
The young woman saw her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
'That laundry is not very clean,' she said.
'She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.'

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see
a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

'Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this.'

The husband said, 'I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows.'

           And so it is with life.      What we see when watching others
depends on the window through which we look.  

Framed Children's Birthdates

I have a space to the left of my fireplace that has always looked "naked". I have never figured out what to put in that spot because it needed to be small enough to look right next to the furniture. I found three cute three-picture frames at a yard sale and picked them up for a few dollars. I got them home and realized they would be perfect in the wall space in the living room. I cut scrapbook paper to fit and added numbers in each square for my boys' birthdays. I love the way they turned out. And the boys love that their birthdays are framed for everyone to see. My 4 year old reminds me of his every time we walk into that room. I used black vinyl stickers, but I would prefer some fancy cricut numbers. I guess that is on my to do list, buying a cricut.

Poppy Seed Muffins

This recipe is a cake mix one. I know, I use alot of cake mix recipes. I am obviously not a food snob! I like to get in and out of the kitchen fairly quickly, So cake mix recipes are easy and tasty...so I roll with it. These muffins are more of  a quick bread or cupcake consistency. But they are great for the mornings. Lately the boys have been eating muffins and yogurt for breakfast. Not a substantial breakfast , but my kindergardener eats lunch at 10:30 in the morning, so I  know he is full until then. :) Anyway, these muffins are a mainstay at my house. One of those recipes that they always ask for. Easy to make and easy to eat! I made these yesterday  for Mother's Day to take to friends and neighbors. Note- if you make these, they  will not last long. This recipe makes 24 muffins and about 8 mini muffins with the leftover batter. And if I have coconut, I  sometimes toast about 1/2 cup and add that to the batter. :)

POPPY SEED MUFFINS

• 1 (18 ounce) box lemon cake mix (not pudding type)* I use butter pecan when I can find it
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant coconut cream pudding
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

1. Beat cake mix, oil, pudding mix, and eggs until well blended.
2. Stir in water, poppy seeds and lemon extract.
3. Pour into lightly greased muffin cups
4. Bake at 350°F for approximately 30-35 minutes or until they test done.

Tea Wreath

No, this is not my original idea. I saw it at Kojo Designs and loved it. But , I have to admit, theirs was a bit too time consuming . I am a lazy crafter! I used a small  unfinished wooden picture frame as the base. I covered it with scrapbook paper and then glued on the paper covered clothespins. It took about an hour. That's it. I am going to make a few for Christmas gifts for my tea loving friends.

Measuring Tape Bracelets

I have about a dozen or so of these measuring tapes laying around the house. They seem to accumulate over the years. I thought they would make cute bracelets. All I did was measure my wrist, cut the tape to the desired length,sew a pretty button on the end and add a small bit of velcro to the tips. So cute for summer. I made 2 more with a red button and gave them to a friend. Couldn't be any easier!

Linking up to

Who are your other mothers?

*** As mother's day approaches, I want to take a moment to tell my "other mothers" just how much they mean to me. I am the woman I am today because of your love, your friendship ,your character and your grace. I am blessed beyond measure to have you in my life to love .Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you.



Nana, Aunt Karen,Aunt Sandy, Aunt Bev, Aunt Lucille, 'Aunt' Julia, Kathy P , Margie H., Mrs.Archey, Mrs.Pepper - my world is a better place with you guys in it.

Other Mothers

Karen Ehman



"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3 (NIV)



Devotion:

Syrupy, sentimental greeting cards carefully chosen the night before. A hand-made art project fashioned to be a practical, pretty potholder. Soft, pastel tissue-paper flowers twisted into a creative corsage, sure to be the envy of all the church ladies. A simple bottle of over-powering perfume purchased from the local dollar store. All delights designed to impress one very special lady.



Yep, Mother's Day is upon us again.



While many use this time to thank the mothers and grandmothers in their lives, each May I like to also remember my "other mothers." Women who touched my life, imparted their wisdom and shaped my character.



My Aunt Patty holds a treasured place in my childhood memories. Though our states sat side-by-side in the Mid-west, we had to travel an entire day down and around Lake Michigan in order to reach her home. As a result, we only saw each other about once a year. When we did, she never seemed to be in a hurry but always had plenty of time to talk or read to me. She would gently brush the rat's nest out of my waist-length blond hair when I'd been oh-so-lax in fending the snarly tangles off. She'd ask me to sing for her or perform the cheer I'd created for team tryouts. Though we still see each other no more than once a year, if I close my eyes, I can smell her sweet perfume; White Shoulders. Her very presence made this rough and tumble tomboy long to be just like her when I grew up; pretty, sweet and gentle.



I thank my God every time I remember my Aunt Patty.



Dee was my youth pastor's wife. Her cheerful smile made this awkward teenager feel completely confidant and right at home. Her house smelled of apple-cinnamon tea and her door, like her heart, was always open. Miss Dee's fridge never seemed to lack the needed ingredients for an impromptu teenage bash. In no time flat, she'd whip up a huge batch of taco salad, pull some cookies hot out of the oven and pour our favorite flavors of soda in glasses. Her family room transformed into a haven where we could ask questions, discover answers and just be ourselves. Being around Dee made me want to be a woman whose very life, like hers, says, "Welcome."



I thank my God every time I remember sweet Miss Dee.



Mrs. Esch lived across the street. Some in our neighborhood wrote me off, seeing only a latch-key kid from a broken home, desperate for attention. Not Mrs. Esch. She looked deeper. She purposefully discovered my interests, and learned all she could about them, even going so far as to join a softball team with me. She talked to me about what I wanted to do with my life some day. Most of all, she sensed in me an innate need to be introduced to the God who promises to be a Father to the fatherless. It was through this young mother of two that I became a follower of Christ. Soon after, she began to talk to me about "my calling," excitedly insisting she just knew God was going to use me in ministry one day. Thirty-one years later, she is now on my prayer team; the team that prays for me as I write and travel to speak.



I thank my God every time I remember my mentor Mrs. Esch.



Think about your life. Who were (or are) your "other mothers"? The ones whom you thank God for every time you remember them? And what about the younger women in your life right now? Perhaps God is calling you to be an "other mother" to a soul who needs a little guidance this side of heaven. You can give her a smile; a tender touch of grace, some taco salad, or a verbal "I believe in you!"



Women connecting with each other to encourage and dream and is a sweet aroma to Jesus.



Dollar-store perfume optional.



 

Menu for the Week

This week the menu is chock full of recipes that I have never tried. I suppose I am feeling a bit adventureous. I really need to do a bit of bulk shopping this week. I just have to get motivated to do it. Her is the menu for the week.

MONDAY - Pan-Seared Tilapia with Strawberry-Thyme Sauce

TUESDAY - Rosemary Garlic Chicken

WEDNESDAY - Cumin Spiced Steak Kabobs

THURSDAY - Pineapple Bacon Burgers

FRIDAY - Spicy Chicken Sandwiches with Spicy Lime Mayo

SATURDAY - Vegetable Lasagna

SUNDAY - Mother's Day (eating out)

Check out more fab recipe and menu ideas over at The Org Junkie

Garden Markers - DIY

I have noticed that lately there are many garden markers out in blog land made out of spoons. I have a few etsy shops saved that have beautiful markers. But the problem I had was that I needed 16 of them. And the ones I like are oh, $8 a piece! Little out of my price range. So I decided to put them on my "to make" list. Guess what I found at a garage sale this past Saturday? A box of spoons...for $1. Needless to say I bought them and came home and made my own. Now, mind you,mine are nothing fancy. No cool artwork, or stamped metal. I simply cut out pieces of scrapbook paper and adhered them to the spoons. I hand wrote the names of the vegetables on cardstock with a sharpie. Glued that on top of the pretty paper, and sealed it with a few coats of sealant. I love the way they turned out! They look great in the garden!

LINKING UP TO:

The Persimmon Perch - Made it Monday