Paris Bebe Shower

Today we gave a shower for a friend's daughter. It was a Paris bebe shower....ooh la la!   The cake pops were pink and black.

The diaper cake was topped with a French poodle....pink, of course.....

My favorite space was the fireplace, the focal point......Bebe Girl wrapped presents, Destination board,

and the Bonjour Bebe welcome banner looked superb.

Fresh flowers on the tables.....

wrapped books topped with a black lace crown and cute socks.....

It took all six of us to pull this off!

The food signs were in French and English! Don't you love the PINK deviled eggs?

Thanks Michelle!

Oops! I forgot to put the dip in the bowl for the veggies.....before I took the photo.....

The cake tasted as good as it looked.....three layers!

We had an adorable helper!

It took her 2 hours to open her gifts! Blessed indeed!

How did you spend your Saturday?

~Lynda~

Time out

I am sure you are wondering what happened to me since I have been missing you.....

 

I began a new job this year......and it has taken me by surprise! I hope to get a handle on it soon so I can return to crafting!

The LORD has given me a new challenge, and I hope to be found faithful and able to trust him for the answers! I ask for your prayers! 

" Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save;neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1

Enjoy fall....hopefully coming soon!

~Lynda~

Mexico Beach and Apalachicola

  A long weekend to the Florida panhandle was part of our summer vaca this year. This beach is approximately 1 hour east of Panama City Beach. There is no shopping and very few restaurants. We were glad we planned ahead and brought a supply of spaghetti, steaks and salmon for grilling. The VRBO condo was nice enough and had a complete kitchen.

We had beautiful weather on Thursday and Friday....followed by rain the rest of the weekend.....

Above: the beach is reflecting the setting sun. The multicolored umbrella lights up!

We drove east to view the town of Apalachicola, a small town where oysters were king.....I remember my dad going fishing there in the 1960's.

I am not sure if this boat is functioning or just for photos....

 We celebrated our 40th year anniversary on July 12.

We haven't changed much......haha!

Enjoy your summer! I have THREE weeks left before reporting for duty!

~Lynda~

Buttermilk Biscuits

Bonjour peeps! I trust you are enjoying your summer. After an afternoon of watching Junk Gypsies.....I decided to try making biscuits from scratch.

Recipe: Preheat oven to 425*

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
7 TBSP unsalted butter chilled in freezer,cut into thin slices
3/4 cup cold buttermilk
2 TBSP buttermilk for brushing on top of biscuits before baking.

Whisk flour,baking powder,salt and soda in mixing bowl. Cut in butter. Make a well and pour in buttermilk.  Stir turning dough onto floured work surface. Pat into rectangle, fold into thirds, flatten out into rectangle X 3. Roll 1/2" thick and cut out 12-14 biscuits. Brush with buttermilk and bake 425*'for 15 minutes.

I baked mine on a seasoned Pampered Chef stone.

Notice I did not brush the middle heart biscuit.

It made a difference.... you can see in the bottom photo. The buttermilk blends all the stray flour and browns the tops nicely.

They tasted great.....even my husband approved!

I think I have plenty to share with the neighbors!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a splendid summer!

~Lynda~

Dessert Party Pizza

Happy July 5th! I made this yesterday for a get-together we had with a couple of families. It turned out great so I thought I would share the experiment. I had seen several versions on All Recipes.com but combined several and added vanilla because everything taste better with vanilla! I think they are hard to mess up really.

Ingredients:     1 tube of sugar cookie dough

1 8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

6 oz Cool Whip

2 cups of strawberries and 2 cups of blueberries

1. Slice one tube of sugar cookie dough and spread evenly onto a stone or parchment paper. Bake according to the directions on the package. COOL completely.

2. Wash and slice about 25 berries. Try to slice the berries about the same width. For extra large berries you can get four slices. Dry on paper towel.

3. Wash and drain 2 cups fresh blueberries. Dry on paper towel.

4. Beat 1 pkg. cream cheese until soft. Add 1/2 cup of brown sugar + 1 tsp. vanilla and mix together. Add 1/2 tub (about 6 oz. )of Cool Whip still blending with mixer.

5. Spread mixture on baked and cooled cookie dough. Arrange berries beginning with a star. Wrap with plastic saran wrap and cool in refrigerator until ready to slice and serve. I used a pizza cutter.

The flavor has that "WOW" factor. Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh fruit. Even my husband liked it.

This gal made it to a different party. She was printed from the Country Living Magazine website on July 4th crafts. I added the angel wings, made a Brave rosette and placed both in a peat pot with a July 4th sign. What I wanted to make was a banner with burlap.....ran completely out of time for that! Perhaps next year.....

~Lynda~

Bee Pot

Summer has arrived! There are many chores to do in the garden....one is a pot redo!
This is the before:

1. Wash and dry the terracotta pot.

2. Paint two coats of white paint. I used what I had...Anne Sloan Old White

3. Use double stick tape to tape a piece of white tissue paper to a piece of cardstock measuring

 8 1/2 X 11 to fit your printer.

I used a bee photo with Jardin 1914 from the Graphic's Fairy:

http://thegraphicsfairy.com/jardin-printable-grain-sack/

.....my husband said, "Honey, you spelled garden incorrectly..."

4. Decoupage with OUTDOOR glue and let dry and cure two days before potting. (The pot was sticky at first.)

Plant your favorite pink blossom and watch it grow!

The hard part is deciding where to put it....on the porch?

On my desk in the kitchen? I do love my new kitchen.....we have been working since last November.... but that's another post (when we get the flooring done).

Here in the kitchen Mona can let me know when it needs watering...

One down.....two to go!

~Lynda~

One cup

Bonjour peeps!

     June has been an awesome Hebrews 12 month for me! If your not familiar with Hebrews 12 you should be.....brush the dust off the family Bible, or Google it....find a version you are comfortable with and READ....just drink it in! It is an awesome chapter in the Bible on trails. We don't like pain, suffering, bad news,...but it is real life if you are a child of The Most High. After the first 5 verses, the writer quotes Proverbs 3. Interesting." My son, do not make light of the LORD's discipline, and do not lose heart, when he rebukes you, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

  My trial began on 2/28/2014 with a gallbladder dx and surgery 3/1 that came with the promise of more surgery with a "lesion" they found on the right kidney. More Dr. visits and  one MRI later....did I tell you my MRI experience was like being swallowed by a large octopus, placed in a freezer, and shot by a firing squad! They need better earplugs for the patients...wow! After another consult with Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa....we opted for the 34 year old doctor from Brown University to remove the lesion using robotic surgery. All I can say 5 days post-op is AWESOME job folks!
   
   

Which brings me to this photo of a canvas....a real piece of art created by me....but it was not my idea....if you Google Vicky Papaioannou you will find a You Tube video entitled Art journal: Take life one cup at a time. I watched and learned by this master artist and did my own version because I do not own all the supplies she has, but I am thinking mine is good enough to sell. The entire amount will be given to the charity TAKEHEARTAFRICA.org.

Their mission

1. Prevent human trafficking by providing aged-out orphans with educational opportunities and safe living conditions.

2. Promote and expand fair trade by networking with Kenyan artisans in order to provide sustainable income opportunities allowing them to impact their local communities.

3. Provide widows with the vocational training and access to healthcare and clean water needed to provide for their families.

It would look great in your kitchen! Email me by July 12....it goes to the highest bidder in the continental USA. Opening bid is $30.00. The entire amount given will go to Take Heart.

The canvas is an 11 X 14" and unframed. The cups are made from scrapbook paper, with each cup hand cut from different papers. The background is made from 1 in squares applied with matte gel. The title is black paper cut with the cricut machine.

Email your zip code for a estimated cost of shipping. Lyndalhcropshop@gmail.com

Ignore the green umbrella that is tilting because the whipped cream is melting on the hot coffee...did you notice my shot at humor with Mary Engelbriet's take heart pin keeper. My coffee cup is also ME given to me by a friend. The lovely flowers are from my sister that brought them to the hospital.....there's just something special about a fresh bouquet! I know....it reminds me of PARIS...which is where we were a year ago! I am oh so thankful to the LORD for allowing this 34 year old whippersnapper to remove the lesion without difficulty and this healing that is going on slowly by surely! Thanks to all for the prayers!

~Lynda~

P.S. Happy Father's Day to my son! You have such a gift in your arms! I am so thankful for the man of integrity and wonderful father you have become! Mandi is the most excellent wife and mother! (She is worth the 3 years I prayed for her!)

Isn't he the cutest grandson ever?

Happy Father's Day!

Okay, you peeps behave yourself....and if you are blessed with fatherhood....read Proverbs 5....incredible warnings in that chapter....the devil would love to steal your joy.

Ephesians 6:12......For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Hannah's Wedding Shower

Last weekend we hosted a wedding shower for Brent and Hannah. I love the colors she has chosen.

Hannah and her mom.

Brent's mom, Bridget, Hannah, and Kathy.

Sisters and the bride: Kayla, Hannah, and Carly (we are missing Mandi!)

Congrats Hannah and Brent!

Thanks to all the hostesses for the food and decorations!

Michelle the sandwiches are becoming your signature dish!

Thanks for all the decorations!

Olivia, the almond cake was amazing!

Carol, thanks for bringing the punch. Raspberry sherbet with 7-up and pineapple is my favorite!

Lindsay....what would a party be without your cupcakes? Chocolate on chocolate with the cream cheese-chocolate chip filling makes the best tasting cupcake! They were too pretty to eat!

Brent and Hannah's banner was created using scrapbook paper, paper lace doilies, and letters cut from the Ellison machine.

Recipe for Michelle's Sandwiches:

Hawaiian Rolls

Swiss Cheese and Ham

Turkey and Provolone

Worchestershire

Butter

Poppy seeds

Make sandwiches and cover with saran wrap until needed.

Just before serving melt 1 stick of butter, 1 TBSP Worchestershire and 1 TBSP poppy seeds. Pour mixture over sandwiches and bake in 350* oven for 20 min. 

These have the most amazing flavor!

Enjoy!

~Lynda~

Treasures in Arcadia

I am missing Paris this week.

We have traveled the last 3 years to Paris.....it's difficult not to think of going this year.

After a trip to Moffitt Research center and a surgical consultation.....my husband and I treated ourselves to the Cheesecake Factory. I love the Luau Salad.....it is the best.  I ate half and brought the other half home. We stopped in le macaron for a take-home treat.

Salted carmel, chocolate, black current, vanilla, and raspberry. They had almost as many flavors as Ladauree. Oh gheez, I hope I spelled that correctly.

For the next photo, I had promised a view of my treasure from Acadia.

I thought about it today when I saw one like this for $96 on ebay. Of course, the one on ebay was a double decker, but really, this was a bargain for $25.

All the stamps work except one. You can tell these have really been used.

Thanks for dropping by. Leave me a comment or email me at

Lyndalhcropshop@gmail.com

~Lynda~

Arcadia, Florida

Hey there, Gals:

I am sharing our experience at The Oak Park Inn, Arcadia, Florida today. A party of  ten drove south Friday afternoon to spend the night at an Inn that dates back to the early 1900's.

The rooms are upstairs and just delightful. There is an antique market monthly on the 4th Saturday. We shopped all day outside and through the town. I have never seen so many shops filled with treasures in one town.  

The above photo is an example of the merchandise in the boutiques. Notice the birdcages......

I liked the shutter headboard at the bottom left of the photo......

We ate at Mary Margaret's Tea Room. I recommend the Hawaiian Wrap.....

We found some shade next to the hotel. It was 90* by 3:00.....summer has arrived. Several of the vendors are headed north for the hot months of June, July, and August.

If you want to do some walking and looking, Arcadia is a great place to explore.

The only purchase I made today was an item I had seen at the Country Living Craft Show in Atlanta. In October I saw this item for $45. Today I found it for $25.....stop by later and I'll show you what I found.....to be continued......

~Lynda~