Lemonade Pie

Friends, I made this a while back for our Fourth of July festivities, and it was a hit! And I realized later that this recipe can easily become Lime Pie! Or Pina Colada Pie! You just have to substitute the lemonade concentrate and the lemon pudding for whichever flavor floats your boat!

Here's the recipe (originally found in an old copy of Southern Living):

Ingredients:

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
2 (3.4 oz) pkgs lemon instant pudding mix
1 Tbsp lemon zest (optional, really)
2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (12 oz can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 (9 inch) ready made graham cracker pie crust
optional: whipped topping

Directions:

1. Whisk together evaporated milk and next 2 ingredients in a bowl 2 minutes or until thickened.
2. Beat cream cheese and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.
3. Add lemonade concentrate, beating until smooth; add milk mixture and beat until blended.
4. Pour into crust. Cover and chill 8 hours or until firm.
5. Enjoy (and try not to devour all in one sitting!)

Sisterly

I'm currently in New Jersey, visiting my sister (she's on the left in the picture; I'm older) and my heart is full. We are doing lots of sisterly stuff, like:

thrift store shopping

doing cheesy photo shoots

eating gobs of ice cream

antiquing

laughing over silly things

going to cafes

reminiscing

All these things that we are deprived of save for once (and if we're super lucky, twice) a year. I wish we lived closer!

What about you? Are you close with your siblings?

(Linking up with Casey!)

Beaches Around the World

When I was little, I lived in southern California, so the beach was no stranger to me! As I got older, I got the opportunity to visit many beaches, not just the good ol' Pacific Ocean! Here are a few:

Off the coast of the Baltic Sea, in Poland

Taking a rainforest hike off the coast of the Caribbean, in Costa Rica

Off the coast of the Gulf, in Alabama

Swimming in the Adriatic Sea, in Croatia

The good ol' Pacific Ocean with my sister in California

I'm not sure if I have a favorite beach. I love those California beaches, but I think the Baltic Sea takes a close second. What about you? Are you a beach bum?

Mandipidy's Baby Shower

SURPRISE! It's a virtual baby shower for dear Mandipidy, who's expecting little Abigail some time around August 10th! I'm linking up with some other bloggers via Gina and I can't wait to see the other posts!

Since I don't have any kids of my own (and therefore no advice to give!), I thought I'd make Mandy some thank you cards! I imagine she'll be showered with gifts and meals once the baby arrives and I bet she'll be be happy to have some note cards on hand to say Thanks!

I had fun with the design. I ended up making two sets of five note cards - one with an elephant and one with a cute little spider. I can't decide which one is my favorite!

Well, Mandy... I hope you like the cards as much as I enjoyed making them. CONGRATULATIONS on little Abigail (can't wait to "meet" her!) - blessings to you and your family!!

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 28th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Today, all of my finds are BEACH inspired!

Tommy Hilfiger Tankini

Leurette cover up

Zaire T strap thong sandals

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a></span></p><p><span class="yiv159511666Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span class="yiv159511666Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=97954" type="text/javascript"></script> <br></span></p><p><br></p></form></div></div></div>

Mondays with Jack, 50th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

I pinky swear by Shayne Art.

"Broken promises don't upset me. I just think, why did they believe me?" -- Jack Handey

Saturday Snapshot

This right here is the best part of going to a baseball game!!

What about you? Did you grow up going to baseball games? I didn't until I was an adult (and married a baseball-lover) I dig the food there :)

Do you know what your siblings look like?

Tomorrow (Friday), we make the 25 hour drive from Texas to New Jersey. Why would we do such a thing? For family! We'll be visiting my sister and brother-in-law for a few weeks.

My sister and I are very close, but not in terms of distance. (I haven't seen her since Christmas!) That's what makes our time together sooooo special. I would really love to live in the same city as her - even if it's just for a few years - at some point in our lifetime.

Another reason why this trip is super special is that I'll be visiting my younger brother too!

He's in Maine, so we'll just keep driving to see him. I haven't seen him in TWO YEARS!!!! The other day I wondered out loud to my hubby: "I wonder what my brother looks like nowadays?" (He really doesn't post any pics on Facebook or anything). And then I got kinda weirded out... that's not a question I should have to ask!

In any case, despite the LOOOONG road trip, I'm EXCITED!!

I'm linking up with Casey!

Inspired to Create

This week's inspiration workshop with Gussy is all about INSPIRATION, so I thought I'd share with you what inspires me to create. Because let's face it, we're not always "in the mood." But there are definitely triggers that get my creative juices flowing!

The first is a clean and organized work space:

Working with pretty paper gets me pumped!

{source}

Fun stamp sets get my wheels turning!

{source}

Finding great card maps fill my mind with possibilities:

{source}

And, of course, every sale gets me excited to spend even more time at my craft table :)

(PS: there's a coupon code to my shop right here!)

What inspires you to create?

It's Winnerday!!!

I'm so excited to announce the winners of the Star Sponsor giveaways! Drum roll please....

Winner of the Setupshop workshop is.... Cerisse!

Winner of the Peety Draws ink drawing and sassy greeting cards is... Jacqueline!

Winner of the Three Magic Sheep crocheted fruit jackets is ... Birgit!

Don't forget the awesome coupon codes found here!

August spots are now available! See affordable rates here - four options to choose from as low as $8!

I am what I tweet

Thanks to Beth from Dot in the City, I went to visual.ly and created an infographic based on my twitter use!

Don't I look cute in my shirt and tie? Haha. What I also found amusing is that I am more chatty than interesting, based on the numbers! 

If you've made an infographic, I'd love to see it!

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 27th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Typewriter Key Wall Art

Bobby Belt

France Type Map

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a></span></font></p><p style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="inherit"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br></span></font></p><p style="text-align: center; "><font class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=97952" type="text/javascript"></script></font></p></div></div>

Mondays with Jack, 49th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

Angel Wing Necklace from Rose and Raven

"It's true that every time you hear a bell, an angel gets its' wings. But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap snap, an angel gets set on fire." -- Jack Handey

Pasta Bake

I have a really fun recipe for you today, and it's great because you can add to it or subtract from it based on what you have on hand! And, you can make it vegetarian!! I'm linking up to Casey's recipe exchange today:

 

Ready for the deliciousness to begin? Here we go:

Ingredients:

1 lb asparagus (or broccoli, or something green)

1 lb mushrooms (omit in the case of picky eaters! Substitute chicken pieces?)

1 red onion

Tomatoes (we used calampari, but I would recommend cherry tomatoes)

8 oz penne pasta

1 cup mozzarella

Marinade:

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 cup vegetable stock (or chicken stock)

1 Tbsp dried basil

1 tsp dried thyme

a pinch of garlic powder

Instructions:

Chop the asparagus and the mushrooms into thirds. Chop onion into one inch pieces. Combine with the tomatoes in a 9x13 dish and pour marinade over top. Let it sit for an hour.

Cook pasta according to directions. Add cooked pasta to the marinated veggies and mix carefully in the 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with the mozarella.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes OR until the asparagus is done enough to your taste.

Enjoy*

*Note: The enjoying part is the only part I did besides taking pictures. My husband is the chef around here and this is his yummy recipe!!

Pulling it off

Fashion.

It's not my forte.

I usually just go for cheap and comfortable. I like shopping for clothes at thrift stores. Trendiness kinda scares me. In fact, I want to hyperventilate any time I walk into a Forever 21. True story.

There are trends out there that I find both cute and scary. Cute as in "Aww that looks cute!" And scary as in: "I can't buy that, there's no way I can pull that off!"

Like rompers:

{source}

And pleated shorts:

{source}

And tribal geo patterns:

{source}

And bold floral designs:

{source}

My problem is, once I warm up to something, it's just about on its' way out! But I had a bit of a realization on Sunday. I wanted to wear a large triple rosette headband I had made a while back from a tutorial. [I made it, thought "so cute!" then got too chicken to wear it.]

I debated for awhile and then thought: "Act like you can pull it off, and you will!"

So I stood up a little straighter, put a big smile on my face, and I pulled it off.

No one else at church was wearing a rosette headband. But I looked cute. Really cute!

I'm linking up with Casey today!

You are my sunshine

This week's inspiration workshop is all about sunshine. When I think about sunshine, I think about Michigan winters. The sun was like a drug then, you couldn't find it anywhere but you were desperate for a hit of it!!

Sunshine brings warmth and happiness with it, and it got me to thinking how we could all use a little bit more sunshine in our lives! Below, some sunny inspiration for you:

You are my sunshine- set of 3 prints from Color Bee

Summer Rain Dress from Fransesca's Collections

Bicycle Bag from Ikabags

Obi Buckle from Gami Works

Yellow Brick Road Nail Color from Deborah Lippmann

PS: Have you entered my giveaways here, here, and here? Good luck!