RANDOM TAG! ~ 6 Random Things

The ever-lovely and talented * f i o r e t t a * has tagged me for 6 RANDOM THINGS and it's my first spin on the Random Blog dance Floor. Let's see.

1. I am a Pisces yet I do not know how to swim. Never learned. In fact, I have a deep respected fear of the water - anything more than 3 feet and I stand by and watch with awe. Which is very strange for a born fish. Even odder, I cannot be more than 2 hours from the ocean or I will start to flounder on the land.

2. I live for History. I am attracted so much to anything historic and it's a bit creepy. I must always be surrounded by something historic. Thankfully, living in Bucks County, PA I can go only a few miles and explore historical sites. It's not just American History. World History. From ancient civilizations right up to the cold war....I think I am a recycled soul.

3. I've lived off and on for 12 years in the historic beach resort town of Cape May, NJ and consider it my home away from home - dream place to live. History meets Ocean meets Culture meets Scenery. Someday....I am going to own a home there. You are all invited!

4. I am not college educated. No Suprise! As you can tell by my horrid grammar and lack of worldly experience, I was recruited to work in the rat race right out of high school from a merited business program. From there on, I began my stint as a high profile corporate law firm legal administrative assistant. Since then, I have held many jobs and worked in many industries. People are generally the same wherever you go. Which is why the television show THE OFFICE is so damn accurate!

5. I won't eat seafood. Which probably connects back to #1 somehow. The thought of putting a sea creature in my mouth skeeves me. Weirdness, I know.

6. I love to mambo, samba and salsa dance with the best of them.
Let's' dance!

Ok so now it's your turn! You are getting tagged, my blog friends!
AbbyT,
Gatorhightowers
katie102006
Lolageek
Shihtzumomma
Rachel is eating butter

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you (i.e. me)
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write 6 random things about yourself
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger (me) know when your entry is posted

Have fun and thanks for stopping bye!

"What's In-Season?" RECIPE Challenge

My father and I always enjoy a visit to the local orchard (a mere mile from my parents' home) to pick the current fruit/veggies.

Here are some pics from last summer's "Father/Daughter Peach Pick"

Dad must have eaten half the peaches he picked before he even put them in the basket. He claimed he was "testing" them for ripeness. I'm sure mom must have heard him lament about stomach pains later.

"Stop eating, dad!"

Do you have a tried and true recipe for peaches, blackberries, corn on the cob, tomatoes that you want to share?

It's summertime and the freshest produce is available at your local farm stand and orchard.
Share your recipes here!

Happy Picking...... and Eating!
xoxo

HOW TO~ Make a Cute Keychain

Now if this doesn't look like an adorable little project to make with a friend!

Easy, Breezy Keychains and I'm sure the design options are endless!

Thank you to Creative Little Daisy's blog for such a great idea tutorial!

If you did one, send me the pic and info an I'll post here!

xoxo

Why I Use Daily Affirmations

Having suffered from an anxiety and panic disorder for most of my adult life, I often found myself in the perils of depression and worry.

As Anne of Green Gables would call it "the depths of despair".


Oh, I loved Anne of Green Gables but that's another post entirely.

Recently, while watching an episode of Oprah on the Law of Attraction in your life, I decided to create daily affirmations to myself and to read them as often as I could during the course of the day....fully tasting the truth of every word like it was a piece of much-craved apple pie.

Once I breath it all in and really started to focus my attention to being grateful for what I have instead of focusing on what I do not have...I felt the physical and physiological burden of stress flit away gradually.

I continually have to measure myself for good balance on my positive and negative thoughts and that takes work and energy and discipline. It's exercise.

By writing down core beliefs you want to have , then saying them in your head as often as you can till you truly believe it, you create a form of spiritual medication for a tired soul. It's a gift that you give yourself. Like a mini emotional makeover.

I hope you enjoy these Daily Affirmations and I hope you can create your own to help you attain a more harmonious life as well.

Be Blessed!
xoxo

TEATIME TUESDAY ~ Peach Tea Bread

Let's see, what's in season last week of July that would taste yummy with a cup of warm tea or glass of iced tea? Peaches.

So after, I browsed some recipes I found a good one for Peach Tea Bread. I may just make this after I pick some peaches at our local orchard. Peaches at the grocery store have not been very ripe as of yet and I want only the sweetest peaches in any of my recipes.

If you bake it, let me know how you like it!

Peach Tea Bread

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh peaches
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 5 loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. In medium size bowl, combine peaches and lemon juice. In another bowl, combine oil, milk, eggs and vanilla. Add oil mixture to flour mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not overbeat. Fold in peaches and nuts. Spoon into greased pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until top is golden brown and center springs back when lightly touched, or test for doneness with a toothpick. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Thanks for stopping bye!
xoxo

How to Market your Homemade Stationery, etc.

I just love perusing the beautiful blog world and when I came across this useful article for my craft friends, I had to post.

It's from Pearl at A Storybook Life, who has the most adorable website on vintage and cottage ideas.

Also, check out her "How To" section for clever ideas.

Vintage Metal Signs

I always loved the idea of taking old advertisements and metal tin signs and decorating my space with them.

My idea someday is to redo our kitchen with retro/vintage recipes and signs. I will be staking out flea markets and thrift stores for any bargains.

In the meanwhile, here is an online store that features some old-time metal signs.

Also, check out Jack and Friends for some really fun and clever vintage signs as well as housewares products for the Vintage Home!

Thanks for the visit!
xoxo

~MOTIVATION MONDAY~ Basement Craft Room

It's no secret that Monday is the most uninspiring day of the week. But after watching a bevy of Home Organizing and Remodeling shows during the weekend (while folding laundry and dusting furniture), I think Mondays may be the best opportunity to formulate the still-fresh concepts from these programs and put them into practical use.

I always get so excited and inspired to watch episodes of NEAT with Helen Buttigieg. She has such clever and practical tips on organizing; and she presents them in a very direct and simple format that helps even the most overwhelmed clutter bug.

This weekend, the focus was on a couple who had to downsize from a large home into a smaller one. The woman used the basement for 3 purposes: storage, toddler play area, and personal craft space.

It was a royal mess.

But Helen fixed it beautifully.

Such inspiration! Wish me luck, I'm off to organize the office!

~My NOCTURNAL DREAM DIARY~ Starry Skies & Lit Cathedrals

Thanks to a new medication I am taking, I am experiencing some bizarre and vivid dreams. I won't be sharing all of them with you, of course,
but the ones that had great imagery are meant to show off!

Last night (or was it early this morning) I had dreamt that I was in some sort of odd waiting in line scenario for a train I kept missing. I come to find out that the reason why I am waiting so much is because I'm being held in a "passive aggressive" type hostage situation. Weirdness, I know. Anyway, I was able to escape the long line of waiting and break free and discovered that myself and everyone else that was waiting in this perpetual train station were being kept inside a large "faux atmospheric bubble-like roof"

Are you following along out there? I know...it's hard...be patient.

So once I discovered that this paper roof was a facade, I ripped it off and floated out of the station scenario. Next thing I know, I am softly soaring out of the bubble and into the real night-time sky (kind of like Peter Pan) and I can see what's below me for the first time.

PURE MAGIC!

Beautiful cityscapes lit in soft amber hues and sparkling lights.


Above me are swirls of magical stars twinkling like diamonds.

Below me, I was able to see Cathedrals and churches and buildings lit from within. They resembled these:



And school children dancing in small streets - they looked like they were prepping for an early morning parade of some kind.

It was so nice...I felt myself waking and I tried to hang on to the imagery as long as I could.

For those of you who can psychologically uncover what the hidden meaning of dreams are, go to it. Be My Guest....

Thanks for stopping bye.
xoxo

~SUNDAY BRUNCH~ Italian Brunch Casserole

It's time for Sunday Brunch!
I thought I would post a recipe that would be yummy to eat now and
convenient to heat it up later as a snack! Hope you like it.

ITALIAN BRUNCH CASSEROLE

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package sweet Italian sausage
8 green onions, sliced (1 cup)
2 zucchini, diced (about 3 cups)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (7-ounce) jar roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped
1 (16-ounce) Italian bread loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk

Preparation

Remove and discard casings from sausage. Cook sausage in a large skillet, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink; drain.

Add green onions and next 3 ingredients to skillet. Sauté 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in roasted bell peppers. Drain and cool.

Spread 4 cups of bread cubes in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with half each of the sausage mixture and cheese. Repeat with remaining bread, sausage, and cheese.

Whisk together eggs and milk. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Bake, covered, at 325° for 1 hour or until bubbly and hot.

Yield
Makes 8 servings

Southern Living, JANUARY 2003

Enjoy!
xoxo

FREEBIES~ Vintage Graphics

For my craft friends, I stumbled upon a few sites offering free graphics and images for personal use. They are so fun to view and I already have a couple of ideas on how I would use them in my crafts! I love creativity, don't you?!

Some great images of Victorian Beauties.

Another lovely link of Spring Flowers

...and really adorable .jpegs & images of babies/children

Hope you enjoy them as much I!
xoxo

Saturday is CHORE Day

Saturday, I wish, would be a day of just sipping lemonade and reading magazines.

Unfortunately, it's chore day. And since the thermometer today hasn't quite hit 90 degrees yet, I think now would be a good time to start weeding out the dead garden that now sits in front of my humble home.

Lack of rain for several weeks and high humidity caused a lot of the pretty bright flowers to succumb to Mother Nature. For this, I am sad because I spent a good deal of time trying to place the flowers in just the right spot....putting effort into what colors accent well with one another.

I better get out there soon before the sun comes out and scorches the remaining buds. Where is the Garden Fairy when I need her?

More later. Thanks for stopping bye! xoxo

How to add a Fancy Schmancy Signature to your Posts ~~

I thought this may be something special and personal to share with my Blog Buddies. I found this tutorial on how to add a personalized signature to your blog posts here.

As always, Thanks for reading!

Mmmmm! ~ Limoncello Tiramisu

Perfect Weekend Dessert!
A Sunny Summer
LIMONCELLO TIRAMISU

INGREDIENTS:

5 large eggs
5 or 6 lemons
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups limoncello liqueur
1 cup water
1 pound (2 cups) Mascarpone, at room temperature
40 ladyfingers (preferably imported Italian savoiardi), or more as needed

Recommended Equipment:

A double boiler, with a large stainless-steel bowl and a wide saucepan to hold it; a large flexible wire whisk; a shallow-rimmed pan for moistening the savoiardi with syrup

For assembling the tiramisù: a shallow casserole or baking dish with 3-quart capacity, such as a 9-by-13-inch Pyrex pan

PREPARATION:

Pour just enough water in the double-boiler pan so the water level is right below the bottom of the mixing bowl when it is sitting in the pan. Separate the eggs, putting yolks into the large bowl of the double boiler and the whites into another stainless-steel bowl for whipping by hand or with an electric mixer.

Remove the zest of two or more of the lemons, using a fine grater, to get 2 tablespoons of zest. Squeeze out and strain the juice of these and the other lemons to get 3/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.

To make the base for the tiramisù, heat the water in the double boiler to a steady simmer. Off the heat, beat the egg yolks with 1/4 cup of the sugar and 1/2 cup of the limoncello until well blended. Set the bowl over the simmering water, and whisk constantly, frequently scraping the whisk around the sides and bottom of the bowl, as the egg mixture expands and heats into a frothy sponge, 5 minutes or longer. When the sponge has thickened enough to form a ribbon when it drops on the surface, take the bowl off the double-boiler pan and let it cool.

Meanwhile, pour the remaining cup of limoncello, all of the lemon juice, 1 cup water, and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and cook for 5 minutes, evaporating the alcohol. Let the syrup cool completely.

In another large bowl, stir the mascarpone with a wooden spoon to soften it, then drop in the grated lemon zest and beat until light and creamy. Whip the egg whites with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, by hand or by machine, until it holds moderately firm peaks.

When the cooked limoncello sponge (or zabaglione) is cooled, scrape about a third of it over the mascarpone, and fold it in with a large rubber spatula. Fold in the rest of the zabaglione in two or three additions. Now fold in the whipped egg whites in several additions, until the limoncello-mascarpone cream is light and evenly blended.

Pour some of the cooled syrup, no deeper than 1/4 inch, into the shallow-rimmed pan to moisten the ladyfingers (savoiardi). One at a time, roll a ladyfinger in the syrup and place it in the casserole or baking dish. Wet each cookie briefly—if it soaks up too much syrup, it will fall apart. Arrange the moistened ladyfingers in neat, tight rows, filling the bottom of the pan completely. You should be able to fit about twenty ladyfingers in a single layer.

Scoop half of the limoncello-mascarpone cream onto the ladyfingers, and smooth it to fill the pan and cover them. Dip and arrange a second layer of ladyfingers in the pan, and cover it completely with the remainder of the cream.

Smooth the cream with the spatula, and seal the tiramisù airtight in plastic wrap. Before serving, refrigerate for 6 hours (or up to 2 days), or put it in the freezer for 2 hours. To serve, cut portions of tiramisù in any size you like, and life each out of the pan and onto dessert plates.

FLEA MARKET FRIDAY

I didn't have time to do all the flea market photos I wanted but here are some items I'm sad to see go.

When you have a tiny home you need LOTS of space and whatever you aren't wearing or using, you have to say Goodbye to!

So here are a few items up for sale this week:

Vintage Square Dance or Irish Step Dress!
I believe this was made in the late 50's and worn with a crinoline underneath.
But I wore it for St. Paddy's Day and won 1st place! Shame, I only wore it for 3 hours but I looked damn cute in it! It swirls out really nicely and makes a great Halloween or St. Patty's costume.
I paid $40.00 on ebay.
I'm selling it for $20 or BEST OFFER
Size S/M 34 bust and 26-27 waist



Marc Chagall's "MARIEE" Poster Print. Retails $22.00.
I'm asking $8.00 OBO

Sage Green Cotton Stretch Pique Slipcovers. Two Pieces.

One for Large Couch, One for Large Chair. I paid over $200.00 for them last year. I'm asking $30.00 for both - OBO
Shown here from Domestications in other colors.

~ THIRSTY THURSDAY - Pink Lemonade Cocktail ~

Ah, summer. Getting ready for the weekend with this delicious Pink Lemonade Cocktail. Super Easy and it looks as pretty as a Summer Sunset!

Enjoy!

Pink Lemonade Cocktail Ingredients

1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
3 (12-oz.) bottles beer (not dark), chilled
3/4 cup vodka, chilled
Ice
Garnishes: fresh cranberries, citrus slices

Preparation

1. Stir together first 3 ingredients. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Yield

Make 6 to 8 servings

Fluffernutter Peanut Butter Brownie FRIDAY!!!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fluffernutter Brownies.

Go ahead. Say it Fast.

...And while you are at it, I dare you to make these and eat them in one weekend! They look delicious and I am dying to try them with fresh milk from the dairy.

Holy cow...they are peanut butter chocolate fluffernutter brownies. Dear God, is there a better "viagra" for a dessert sweet tooth than this?

Here is the link with the recipe.

Let me know how you ENJOY em!

THINGS I USED PLAY WITH IN THE SUMMER

My mom was born in 1938. She was a mere toddler during WW2 and post-War America. She relied on her imagination to entertain herself back then as many of the current "kid inventions" weren't even yet ideas.

30 something years later, she now had daughter #3 (yours truly) to keep entertained on long summer days. Her other two daughters were already young teens and I was the one who constantly complained of being "bored". Augh I can hear myself now, whining and complaining: "But I already played that...now what?"

Every summer as the family trekked down the seashore of New Jersey for the annual family week vacation, a one day excursion into historic Cape May, NJ was on the adult "TO DO" list. Back then, I found it boring to go a historical town...there were no rides and boardwalks to meander on.

Mom would go into one of the many historic-based toy stores and pick up a pack of PAPER DOLLS for me to play with. It was something that she played with when she was my age and she assumed I would enjoy it as well.

Of course, the age of instant gratification and over-stimulation had already started in the late 1970's so a book of paper dollies was nothing too impressive to me. It didn't light up, make noise or come with a barbie corvette.

Now, at age 37, I realize how wonderful it was that my mom was trying to pass on a fun activity she used to partake in as a young girl.....It's funny how we appreciate things so much more later in years than at the time

I would be thrilled today if my mom handed me a vintage book of paper dolls. I would certainly find a cute place of honor for them in my home.

I'm addicted to Sex....tuplets ! !

Monday Night.

For most people it would mean laundry or football (when it's football season).

For me, it's the night I watch new epi's of Jon & Kate + 8. Something about that family really intrigues me.

Maybe it's the fact that Jon is only half Korean and the kids are only 1/4 yet they are all adorable Asian in appearance.

Or it could be the fact that Kate is anal retentive about certain things and does not care to apologize for it...what you see is what you get (I love that about her).

Maybe I am loving the fact that I can watch 6 little wee ones grow up without the hassle of changing poopie diapers and scraping gum off of stuffed animals.

How about Maddie? Maybe I love to watch a recycled 75 year old fiesty woman trapped in an 8 year old little girl's spirit.

I think it is fascinating to see how real people live with real headaches among miraculous circumstances. I know it gets a lot of criticism and to those people, I say....walk a day in their shoes and then comment.

P.S. I sure do wish I had friends like Beth!

My Grandmom is my Girlfriend

Bad news today. My 89 year old spunky grandmom will be admitted once again into the hospital tonite. She is now dehydrated from complications of Diverticulitis.

This will be her 8th or 9th trip to the hospital in the last 6 months. It's hard to let go of someone you love so much and watch them slip away further into bad health. Grandmom is the glue that holds my extended family together.

When I was a kid, I heard stories of how her and my grandfather ran a corner grocery store in the "old Italian neighborhood" of Philadelphia. She got to know the people in the area very well, often letting her heart lead the business instead of her financial sense...a loaf of bread here and a bit of meat there to anyone who may need it.

Grandmom is the first generation born in this country. Her mom, Sebestianna, immigrated at 16 leaving her family behind in Sicily. She came to this country at the request of her older brother's hopes of marrying his friend, Giuseppe. The arranged marriage took place and my Grandmom and her brother were the first of the children to be born into this country.

When I think of Grandmom, I don't think of that soft spoken white-haired bun old lady knitting scarves in a rocking chair.

Instead, I think of a woman who loved to work and be independent...taking walking trips to the grocery store (never drove), making meals for her working grown children to pick up at her house during the week. Monday was Chicken Soup during the winter or Summer Stew in the Summer. She made the standard "Grandmom pound cake" with homemade chocolate frosting for each and every birthday....there were a lot of birthdays too.

She worked in the dietary department at the local hospital, putting trays together for the diabetic patients. She worked at the sandwich counter at K-Mart in the 70's.

She made me jello when I was sick and always provided a place to stay when my parents were away on a trip. In my 20's her and my Gramp moved only a few blocks from my childhood home so taking a walk to Grandmom's on any given night was typical. We would watch Wheel of Fortune together or Entertainment Tonite.

She loved watching the Country Music Awards and could tell you anything you wanted to know about the country singer's families....like they were her own kids.

When my Grandpop Angelo died 16 years ago, so did her heart. "My Angelo" she would often begin her talk to him at night before going to sleep..hoping his spirit would stay with her as she gave him the play by play on the day's events.

She would watch the Eagles football games with the guys often getting just as upset as they were when a play didn't go well.

When I went through my nervous collapses during my 20's my grandmom's quiet house was a place I sought out serenity....She would often rock back and forth on the chair and tell me to "Pull myself together and be strong". Those words I keep in my essence when I feel myself slipping on the worry train.

My grandmom never ever wants to hear anything bad about anybody she knew. IT isjust a no-no. No gossip, no ill-tempers. To her, everyone has their good/bad traits and it just isn't acceptable to bring the bad to the forefront....she only chooses to see the good.

I'll write more about Grandmom later but for anyone reading this today, please keep her and my family in your prayers. She's such a treasure to me.

...And so it Begins...What you need to know about ME

I still wish on fireflies. Is that wrong?

Here it is. My first official post on this blog. I have other blogs. But this is more about me....the most tiring and confusing person I know - ME. My daily happenings are interesting probably only to me...I don't care. I'm sure someone in the parallel universe may think this is a keeper blog. As you can already tell, I'm an old fashioned gal.

My heart is young, my spirit is old. I'm 37 but I'm a late bloomer...just like this year's morning glories I planted. I'm never quite "ready" for what is to come... most likely due to the fact I was an induced birth. Thanks a lot to the doctor who delivered me a week ahead of time due to his vacation plans. You messed me up for life, man!

What do you need to know about me?

I can eat cereal for any meal of the day.

I live in a small 70 year old dwelling in historic Bucks County, PA.



I have a gypsy Italian heritage that gives the women in my family the "Great homemade meal"bragging rights"... kudos!
Great -Grandmom Sebastianna ("ANNA") from Sicily taught my grandmom and mom a lot on regional Italian cooking.My mom is the best cook I've ever known. Everything is homemade and delicious and she spoiled my tastebuds for life.

I love classic movies. I thought Gene Kelly was the most handsome charming man when I was 5.I have a favorite pillow case I must travel and sleep with. I'm attached to the hip of my mom.

My dad is the goofiest fella I know and an almost-perfect father!
My sisters are my best friends and little mom's to me (I am their younger, hipper kid sister).

I eat ice cream for dinner in the summertime...just not this year yet. I'm still trying to get used to this whole "I'm a wife thing". I married at 34. My DH is the only man I've ever really fallen for. Boy did I fall hard too. He's a charmer, that one.


I hate crowds, despise noise and love elevator music... I love art, music, history and world culture....yet I am not very intelligent on any of those topics.

I could have ice cold chocolate pudding with whipped cream anytime of the year. I love old re-run episodes of THE LOVE BOAT. Seeing Charo do the "coochie coochie" makes me laugh.My grandmom (age 89) and grandpop (deceased) gave me wonderful childhood memories...more on those later.

It's Summertime. The most graceful time of the year. Makes me wish I was born down south and could converse with some girlfriends on the veranda or porch with sweet biscuits and lemonade.

I'm an old-fashioned, vintage lovin gal....and I'm glad you stopped by!

Bless your heart!