Red Velvet Cupcakes

I love the early morning, when the sun is just rising in the east; the sky is bright red and I can hear the birds sing. As I sit here today, I think about myself and my dreams.

There have been many days when I really haven't taken much time to sit quietly and really think about much of anything. Not the dreams, or the birds, yesterday or even tomorrow. In fact, it seems like I have been so busy working that sometimes I forget why I even had a particular dream in the first place.

Today has been one of the days I promised myself more time to sit at my kitchen counter, take a deep breath and actually realize that I am living "MY" dream.

I brought out the old stand up mixer, and made a new recipe from the recent issue of 'Where Women Cook." The results were amazing, a little messy, but it reminded me of the days when my kids were little, and we baked together.

I just may need a wee cup of cappuccino to go with that bright red cupcake with the cream cheese frosting. I know we all need to realize the "new" importance of food and health, but sometimes everyone needs a little sweetness.

CREDITS: SHEA FRAGOSO & DEBBIE MURRAY, "A GILDED LIFE" RECIPE SHOWN IN FALL 2011 ISSUE OF "WHERE WOMEN COOK," PG.29.

Just Carry On

A couple of weeks ago, I dreamed about yarn. Knitting dreams are kind of common for me--for you see these colorful socks have a serious mistake in them. I discovered the error after I had already completed a whole sock and half of the next one. Sheesh! Now what?

Do I start ripping it out after more than 30 hours of work? Or do I make another one with the an identical knitting issue. Well, I decided to just keep the mistake again so they match.

I guess, no one would even know but me, but sometimes my desire for absolute perfection gets the best of my unspoken mind. The socks fit just fine, and they do have a kind of clever artistic flair. I will find the beauty in them no matter what. That's what knitters do.

My Frog Prince

In the old times, when it was still of some use to wish for the thing one wanted, there lived a king whose daughters were all handsome.

Near the royal castle there was a great dark wood, and in the wood under an old tree was a well. And if the time seemed long, the youngest daughter would take out a golden ball and throw it up and catch it over and over again.

Now it happened one day that the golden ball dropped to the ground near the edge of the well and rolled in. The King's daughter followed it, but the well was deep--so deep that the bottom could not be seen. She wept and wept as if she could never be comforted.

In the midst of her weeping, she heard a voice saying to her, "What ails you, King's daughter? Your tears would melt a heart of stone."

And when she looked to see where the voice came from, there was nothing but a frog stretching his thick ugly head out of the water. "I can help you fetch it," he said. "But, if you would love me, and have me for your companion, I would dive below and fetch your golden ball again."

And it came to pass that with her father's consent they became bride and bride-groom. He told her how a wicked witch had bound him by her spells, and how no one but she alone could have released him. Now they two would go together to his father's kingdom and live happily ever after.

CREDITS: ALL IMAGES WERE CREATED FROM MOONLIGHT JOURNEY.

Share a Little Sunshine

Wow! I was certainly honored and surprised to receive "A Sunshine Award." This adorable photo sure makes me imagine the warmth of spring, summer vacations, and the time change. This award is really very very flattering.

It is awarded to bloggers whose positiveness and creativity inspires others in the blogging world. I am so humbled to be considered in this way. For me, visiting blogs that make me happy is basically the reason why I started blogging.

I love escaping to some foreign land, viewing photos of places I will never be able to visit, becoming inspired from the talents of others, and sometimes just loving the music on a friend's blog. I adore finding exciting new recipes shown in breathtaking photos in hot summer places. It's all about attitude when it comes to being happy. Blogging can sure let you escape to something really fun when you need it.

My "Sunshine Award" was presented to me by Diana of "Adventuring Through Life"

The rules for accepting this award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.

3. Link to the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award.

Thank you, Diana, for such a loving award. I am so honored to be considered someone with a positive attitude plus having creativity to share.

My nominees are:

Over A Tuscan Stove

Cucina Cara Mia

Beach Vintage

Verona Daily Photo

Lost in Sicily

Sicilia Through Images

Bella Vita In Liguria

Two Crazy Crafters

Happy Loves Rosie

Panini Girl

Life in St. Maarten Blog

Join in the fun by visiting a new blog today. Take a look at these blogs with beauty and enjoy the ride! You may just find a place to bring YOU a little sunshine!

Nancy

Hand Knitted Socks

The wondrous world of knitting began when my Mom sat down with my girlfriend and I at the age of ten. It was one of those lazy summer days when we were bored, tired of riding our bikes, and we wanted to "do something." Marion (my pal and girlfriend at the time), sat eagerly for my Mom to teach us how to knit and purl for the very first time.

I remember trying to push my needle into those tight stitches, thinking how hard this was. It seemed so awkward at the time. I kept thinking that I would never learn as I would forget to remove the stitch, or drop another when I wasn't supposed to. Marion, my life-long friend from Tennessee, still knits. A few years back, she even thanked my Mom for being so patient with us and was so glad that she learned how to knit so many years ago.

Today, I am posting a picture of my very first pair of hand knitted socks. There are some mistakes, I think. One sock seems a little bit larger, and the yarn is a little heavier than the yarn I would probably use the next time. But, at least, I actually finished a pair!

They are for someone who keeps asking me if I know how to knit socks. I keep telling this person, I don't know how to knit them. But this Christmas, his wish will come true. I am so proud of myself for conquering the heel turn, decreasing the foreboding gusset, and ending my toe with the famous Kitchener stitch. I finally did it! My first, and hopefully not my last, pair of hand-knitted socks!

Post Update: Thursday, December 17th, 2009

These hand knitted socks were given to my young friend, Tyler. I think he was going to cry when I presented him my gift! His Grandma used to make socks when he was a kid, but now suffers from Alzheimer's. I could read in his eyes that my socks brought back sweet memories of his Grandma knitting for him and his brother. Tyler was so thrilled that he wore them to bed the first night, and again the whole next day! It sure was worth the dedication when someone appreciates all your effort. Besides, I got a great big hug!

Lavender, The Flower of Positive Thinking

Everything is going to be okay, says Iris Lee Underwood.

"I love farming, and I look at my farm

as a peace offering--to myself, my family,
the community. People want to enjoy
the scent of lavender, the beauty of it,
the camaraderie. It brings them piece!"

The mood-boosting powers of lavender may even mend an aching heart. Seven years ago, her 25-year old daughter died from drug abuse, and "the cloud of grief that hung over me was lifted," she says.

She has studied how the oil absorbs into your skin, your bloodstream, and goes to your brain. "But it was really true. I felt this keen sense of well-being after caressing the velvety lavender flower one sunny afternoon six years ago."

Today, at 60, Iris nurtures a rolling acre of the plants on what she calls "Yule Love It Lavender Farm" in Lakeville, Michigan. This July, during harvest season, more than 2,000 visitors pick their own flowers, sit at bistro tables to sip lavender tea, or just share their stories of loss and healing while strolling through the lavender fields.

Yule Love It Lavender Lemonade

TO MAKE: Steep 1 large tea ball filled with organic lavender in a quart of boiled water until the liquid turns a light rose color. Meanwhile, in a gallon jar, mix 2 large cans of frozen lemonade concentrate with 4 cans of water. Add the cooled lavender infusion to the lemonade. Finally, add the ice and garnish with fresh mint, lemon thyme, or lavender springs with foliage, or all three.

Mad Tea Party Journal

What an awesome weekend of art we had! The party began late afternoon on Friday, bringing with it the scents of Mexican food, frozen margaritas, black bean salsa, and a dessert from Argentina. Kim and Deb prepared sizzling corn meal tacos fresh from the pan, homemade salsa, cheeses, and spiced meat to perfection. I served a dessert named "Dulce La Leche," which everyone seemed to love. The hours sped by like the "Mad Tea Party" journals we feverishly hovered over all through the wee hours of the night. Morning arrived much too soon, and with one night behind us Terri made egg, cheese, and sausage burritos for breakfast while we washed them down with coffee. In keeping with the theme of the weekend, we savored Taco Salad for lunch, and Turkey Enchiladas for dinner. It seemed like the food was never-ending, including Parrot Bay Mint Mojitos to boot.

The "Mad Tea Party" journals are really shaping up! In fact, I think Deb, Kim, and Vikki are almost done. The original book cover, and page shapes were designed by Terri Gauthier of Davison, MI. We all put our own twist on the pages, while peeking at each others works of art for inspiration. We even watched some movies when midnight rolled around, but 4:00 a.m. was staring us in the face in no time. With heavy eyes, I prepared an egg casserole with bread, chives, tomato, and cheese for breakfast on Sunday. We needed lots of coffee today, but it was a really productive few days. Check out my work. I am getting excited because an end is in sight. Can't wait to show you what else I've been working on!

Make a Smilebox slideshow