Pillsbury Short-Cuts

In my family Fruit Pizza is a regular on the menu during the summer. How could you not? With all the fresh fruit available during the warmer months, fruit pizza is a great way use up fresh produce. Pillsbury's short cut for mini fruit pizzas is AWESOME! Who likes rolling out sugar cookie dough in hot weather? It never works - always sticks to the counter!! Beyond frustrating! Why not try pre-cut sugar cookie dough and make individual mini pizzas? My mother in-law stuck this adorable little cookbook for desserts into my Easter basket this year and its been chocked full of great short cuts for quick and easy desserts. Here's the recipe for Mini Fruit Pizzas.

1 package refrigerated sugar cookies (usually 24 cookies)
1 package cream cheese, softened (8 oz box)
2 TBS frozen limeade concentrate, thawed - (BTW if you've got a great recipe for a limeade drink please share, because you will have TONS of extra from this recipe)
1/2c. powdered sugar
Sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi - or other favorite fresh fruits

1.) Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake cookies according package directions. Cool completely (about 10 minutes)
2.) Beat cream cheese, limeade concentrate and powdered sugar until smooth.
3.) Spread each cookie with approx 1 TBS cream cheese mixture. Arrange fruit on top of each "pizza" Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours.

A Few Shout Outs

I recieved an email link to some great Martha Stewart recipes using herbs. I thought it might go well to follow up the themed herb garden blog with some useful recipes for those delicious herbs you're growing! Martha's Herb Recipes

I also stumbled along a really great friendship blog. It has tons of great advice for relationships. Mostly based on questions readers ask. Check it out for all your friendship needs! :) Friendship Blog

Can You Feel It?

Can ya? We're on the brink of the first holiday for the summer season. (I consider there to be 3 - Memorial Day, 4th of July - duh! and Labor day) The weather is dry and hot, car windows are down with arms held out and fingers spread with wind blowing between... ahhhhh the sights and sounds of warmer weather make me GIDDY! Not sure if its the UV rays frying my brain or what, but I LOVE IT! There's a certain energy in the air right before a long weekend. Especially in the summer. The anticipation of a smoky burger or hot dog on the grill with a side of potato salad, washed down with lemonade or a cold beer. What could be better!? - Seriously I am so excited thinking about it! - That being said I hope that each of you has a safe and relaxing kick off to summer with friends and family.

Here's an old post I did ahwile back on Themed Gardens - IF you're looking for something productive to do this weekend :)


Spring is here and I love the thought of themed gardens. Here are a few different ideas I found from my favorite magazine: REAL SIMPLE

Create an Outdoor Water Garden

Water has a calming effect, and you can set up a water garden in a few minutes. Fill a metal pail or washtub with floating candles; low-maintenance aquatic plants, such as water lettuce, or delicate glass baubles.

An Herb Garden

What to Plant: Consider a themed garden,

such as one planted with lemon thyme, lemon basil,

lemongrass, and lemon balm. I think I'll do mint for sure! Spearmint, peppermint and I've even seen mint that has chocolate undertones!! Or a Salad Garden. Include different types of lettuce, peppers, tomatos and cucumber.

How to Maintain: Herbs are relatively self-sufficient, so water about once a week ― more often during dry spells and less during rainy periods. Make sure to direct the water gently toward the base of the plants, which prevents runoff and allows the moisture to percolate down to the roots.

Perspective - is the grass really greener?

Seems like all my life lessons are based around perspective lately. The old saying "the grass isn't always greener on the other side", has profound truth to it. I have always been one to try and value the thoughts and opinions of all, but sometimes when I get someone else's perspective on what I think about something, I am blown away by how closed minded I had been. Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side and it makes me thankful for God's guiding hand, that He always knows whats best for me. Most recently I've had some eye opening experiences about how you view things as a child, versus what you learn is actually true as an adult. Some times the way you imagine your family or your future or your friendships with others seem to be - I really don't want to use the word "perfect" but that's all I'm coming up with - so.... seem to be "perfect" and then one day the reality of what things have become, where relationships have been strained and ended or changed comes to light. Its not always bad - the perspective part is always enlightening to me, but we all grow up at some point (mine seems to really be hitting this year - 27) and some times the truth/reality can be a let down. It makes me sad, but some how it makes me realize what is truly important and to be thankful for what is really good in my life. Seems to me that the list of really pure and simple good things isn't long, but what's on the list is worth a lot more, than what's not.

The 3/50 Project

I came across a really cool project after a recent trip to my home town ice cream shop, Dietsch Brothers in Findlay, Ohio. Side note - the best hot fudge malt you'll ever have and the greatest Easter candy a grown kid could ask for!

The project is called 3/50. The concept is based around supporting independent and locally owned businesses. Choose 3 that you'd be totally bummed if they were gone, and spend $50 total among these 3 stores every month. Could be a pizza joint you love, a consignment shop or scrapbook store. It doesn't matter what it is, just committ to supporting them each month. Doing so will not only help keep your favorite shops in business, but also creates financial stability in your local community. You can check out Project 3/50 on Facebook or directly to their website the350project.net!

Project Update

Remember that ugly dresser I was painting and updating? And that mirror I said I was going to paint - they're finally done!

What do you think?

BEFORE:


















AFTER:




























































AND remember this mirror?




























































I still have to repair the glass mirror part, but the frame is pretty well finished! It matches the green polka dot knobs on my dresser!

I apologize for being SO Busy!

You know I hate to leave you hanging with weeks of un-updated blog pages, but as lame of an excuse as it is - I've been BUSY! :) I'm starting a new job next week and wrapping up things at the old job, plus the endless weekend events that warmer weather brings has just lead me to leave you with nothing. I'm sorry! To make up for it, I will now bombard you with several new updates! Enjoy!