Monday, September 8, 2014

Homemade Ice Cream


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To celebrate the official NFL season kick-off, I made homemade ice cream.  The recipe is soooo simple:
3 egg yolks, 3 cups fresh cream, 1 tablespoon arrowroot flour, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup maple syrup. Mix all the ingredients together and put in the Cuisinart for about 25 minutes.  I originally got this recipe from The Healthy Home Economist, and I keep using it because it's so good.

Now, the big bowl with soaked and dried pecans, organic chocolate syrup, and a maraschino cherry is Don's bowl.  He likes his ice cream with lots of STUFF!  Johnny is pretty pleased too!


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Sunday, September 7, 2014

September Tablescape


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Today was the day!  I put away the lime green and teal blue tablescape items from July and put out the yellow, navy blue, and white items for September.  I'm pleased with how the table looks, but I'm already contemplating the next tablescape.  And of course, Joey and Johnny wanted to know why we couldn't put out the Halloween stuff:-)  Soon, I promise!


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I always use Corelle plates for my tablescapes, and this time I used the Country Cottage pattern which I remember picking up at Wal-Mart in the after Thanksgiving sale nearly two years ago.  The placemats, napkin rings, and napkins came from my favorite thrift store, Guardian Angel.  Placemats and cloth napkins usually go for 50 cents each, and a set of 4 napkin rings ranges from $1 to $3.      


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The glasses, blue vase, accent plates, and candle holders all came from Guardian Angel too.  Since the glasses have a weighted bottom with a paperweight-like design, I remember paying $1 a piece for them with no discount, but often you can find glasses cheaper with their buy one get one free deal.  The blue vase was $10, but I fell in love and thought it was worth it since it would be the focal point of the table.  Most of the accent plates and candle holders were in the $1 - $3 range.

I used PartyLite candles, my favorite, again this month too.  Gotta have a candle or 10 on the table!

I was able to pull together this table refresh on a budget, and I sure did have a lot of fun gathering the items, planning out the layout, and putting everyone out this morning.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Reaching for the Sun


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Another photo in the flowers at Wal-Mart series.  It really was a lovely scene with all the various coneflower colors mixed together in one spot in about 8-10 large pots.


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Friday, September 5, 2014

Coneflower in a Dream


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Another in my series of flower shots taken in the Wal-Mart Garden Center! As I took my pics, Wal-Mart employee was unwrapping and setting out hundreds of beautiful fall mums. I'll have to go back for pics of those too!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Coneflower Trio


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Sometimes Wal-Mart has the prettiest flowers.  Right now, my local Fuquay-Varina Wal-Mart has large pots of various colored coneflowers.  I just couldn't resist stopping to take some pics.  I probably would have brought some home with me, but they just end up being deer food, so I resisted.  But let me tell you, I was tempted!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Flowers at The Garden Hut


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I took this picture at The Garden Hut yesterday.  The bold yellow and dark orange really caught my eye on this pretty coreopsis.  And, I really like how the soldier beetle tagged along for the shot too.

There is a pond situated out front by the sidewalk, and I took this lovely lily shot there.


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I was also delighted to see sunflowers standing proudly soaking up the morning sunshine.  So pretty!


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Last, but certainly not least, I enjoyed this fluffy, white coneflower variety.  Encore azaleas were blooming in the background providing an additional burst of color to the shot.


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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Bask in the Glory of a New Day


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I was out and about taking pics this morning on John Adams Road.  It's a gravel road with soy beans growing in the fields and a small pond to attract wildlife.  I knew the morning glories were in bloom, and I was primarily trying to get some good pics of them.  The Maryland Meadow-Beauty blooms near the pond and is a real treat to see as well.


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I also enjoy the beautiful light coming through the sycamore lining the road.  One even had a spiderweb on it today!


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The road less traveled may be the prettiest road you've driven down in a long time...at least as long as you stop to photograph the flowers:-)


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