SOME EASY AND FUN APPETIZERS, AND A SWEET NEW PLACE TO EAT!....

(Apropos of nuttin', I thought this old spice bottle worked well as a little vase for my freshly cut daisies!)

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Ordered a new pedestal table from Ebay a while back, and it showed up the other day on our front porch. Why, it was just like Christmas morning!

I just love round tables for conversation--don't you? This table is very well made, and was a cinch for my husband to put together......

Gave my old dining room chairs a fresh paint job (gotta love Krylon high gloss spray paint....so much easier than painting by hand!).....

Waddya think?

I'm thinking of lowering the chandelier a tad...........

And please don't worry: we didn't get rid of our big old farm table....the sheer size of it was just bugging me lately, so Wink wrapped it up in about 20 layers of thick, thick plastic. Now it's being stored in the garage, for our next home.

Where hopefully we'll have a nice, big, gracious dining room, like I'm used to.

But for now, I'm loving this little pedestal table...speaking of pedestals, this is the base......

I figure no matter where we end up in this world, we'll always be able to use such a table. Maybe in a cute breakfast nook? Or as a game table....

A good little investment, I do believe!

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I did a small catering job at my girlfriend's gallery here in town last week, and I wanted to share with you the delicious, pretty and easy appetizers I prepared.

The first are my Melon, Mozzarella and Prosciutto Skewers........I used both canteloupe and honey dew melon, for lots of color, and seasoned with lots of freshly cracked black pepper....

I first made these for family, the night our daughter graduated from high school. They are the perfect summer appetizer, and everyone loves them, always. I do believe I found the recipe from Southern Living magazine, back in 2009, and I'll reprint it for you, below.

I also made my mama's Veggie Pizza Appetizers recipe....fun to make, and soooo delicious...you will wish you'd doubled the amounts! But if you're having just a few folks over for drinks, one recipe of these beauties will do...................

Take a gander at how colorful these are....so many vegetables.....I know this looks like a HUGE amount, but we were feeding well over 50 people.....

Here are the recipes....enjoy!

Melon, Mozzarella and Prosciutto Skewers

Makes about 20 appetizers

20 (1 inch) cantaloupe or honeydew cubes (I used a melon baller)

20 thin slices prosciutto (about 1/2 lb.)

20 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls

20 4 inch wooden skewers

freshly cracked pepper

thread 1 melon cube, 1 prosciutto slice and 1 mozzarella ball onto each of 20 wooden skewers. Sprinkle with cracked pepper. Refrigerate until serving.

My Mom's Veggie Pizza Appetizers

Serves many

2 cans crescent rolls

topping:

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp. seasoning salt

2 tsp. dill weed

1 cup vegetables, cut into small pieces ( I used the food processor), such as broccoli, olives, green onions, red, green and yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, celery or carrots).

Unroll crescent rolls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press the seams together. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees. Let cool. Mix topping ingredients together and spread on cooled crescent rolls. Top with veggies. Cover and refrigerate. Make at least 3 hours before serving. Cut into serving pieces.

Till we meet again,

Leslie

XXX000

SLEEPLESS IN NEW YORK, AND A FEW NEW ADDITIONS.....

I haven't been sleeping well lately. Might be my age, might be all the medications I take for my stupid autoimmune disease. Might be stress, even though I don't feel stressed. Might be the 90 plus degree temperatures we've all been experiencing lately, with 10,000% humidity (and no air conditioning!).  I dunno.

But what I do know is that I love snapping photos at 5 a.m., when the world feels fresh and new....

(my neighbors probably think I'm a little bit touched, tip-toeing around my yard at 5 a.m. in my nightie and barefoot, snapping photos, but they love me anyways....)

Take a gander at this gorgeous young buck I caught (just in time!) heading for my Clematis vine....

(check out that rack, girls!)

I also spotted this darling spotted fawn, scampering after its mama....sorry about the little bit of blur...she moved!...........

The things that go on while most of us are asleep!

Oh well, since I was already up and awake, I figgered I might as well hit the gym for my 3-times-a-week eliptical torture session.....

Isn't exercise supposed to make us sleep better? I feel ripped off.

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I have a few new additions in my itsy bitsy Etsy Shop (you can see my offerings, located in the top right hand margin of this here blog).....

Starting with my Farmer's Market pillows....just perfect for that "foodie" friend, or for a cheerful addition to your kitchen breakfast nook!.........

And since Fall's a' comin', here are a couple of Autumn-ish patchwork pillows I've been working on..........

(note: the smaller pillow has just been spoken for, but I can always make more!)

Have a great day!

Leslie

XXX000

WINK'S BANANAS FOSTER CREPES, AND A LITTLE PEEK OF WHAT'S NEW!

Been busy as a little bee up in my loft workshop, whipping up a fresh batch of my Farmer's Market pillows....soon to grace my Etsy store........



Even spent some time this week cleaning up and organizing my work space...so cathartic!...........

(Note the EXTREMELY large television that sits right next to my head whilst I sew ....ridiculous, I know! But I am such a BRAVO addict these days (especially anything and everything having to do with any Housewives series...New Jersey, DC, Altanta...bring them all on!), and listening to mindless conversation is very calming to me, for some strange reason. Don't know why....)

I'm having "sew" much fun stocking my little Etsy shop, I almost can't stand it. In fact, I plan on shopping for some Autumn hued fabrics this upcoming weekend...it'll be Fall before we all know it--sheesh!

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In my last post, I promised you Wink's Bananas Foster Crepe recipe, and I'm here to deliver.

We fell head over heels in love with any and all things crepe during our Paris vacation this spring. Especially the Nutella crepes.

In fact, Wink was so inspired that he requested a nice crepe pan from Little Miss Thing for Father's Day this year, and she did not disappoint....

Just LOOK at how perfect and golden brown this one came out.........

Helpful Hint: Wink recommends, if you are making more than just a few crepes, to stack them between layers of parchment paper, to keep them from sticking...works like a charm!

His crepe recipe is from Creperie Chez Suzette...you can find it below....

I love cooking with my husband, even if he IS a bit intense and kinda scary in the kitchen....

Here's what the caramelized banana filling looked like, right before the whole thing was flambed (due to the large amount of rum in this recipe...the filling  is from Paula Deen, and you KNOW she has a few things to learn about moderation!).......

Here's something right pitiful....I don't even have a photo of the finished product, because we all were so eager to eat our desserts that I forgot to take any!

I scare M'self sometimes, I swear.

Anyways, you just place a good sized ladle-full of filling inside of each crepe, roll up and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. And maybe a dusting of powdered sugar, if you're feeling fanciful.

These are so good, you may just weep.

You can find the crepe recipe, HERE.

And you can find Paula's Bananas Foster recipe, HERE.

You're welcome.

See you back soon!

Leslie

XXX000

MY BIG CHILL, AND WINK'S WARM GRILLED POTATO SALAD

Well hello there! How's your summer going?

I am really enjoying life this year....just focusing on being well, rested and creative. And of course, spending time with those that I love.

I love lying on the lawn, just looking at the gorgeous summer sky....



Taking care of my little garden, and watching things grow........

It always amazes me....the little bit of effort I put into taking care of my plants...comes back to me DOUBLE in the amount of joy I receive from them.............

(Did you know that Yarrow comes in red, and not just bright yellow?)

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No, our house still hasn't sold.............

But I've kind of made peace with that.............

(Willie's new upside-down peace collar)

Because somebody will buy my pretty little house someday soon.........

And until they do, I'm going to quit being so hard on myself about it....it's so very difficult to not take any of this personally, especially when you've put your heart and soul into your home. But nuttin' else in our neighborhood is selling, either....so for now, patience.

Oh, and poems like this one sure help:

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that

you are exactly where you are

meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite

possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that

you have received,

and pass on the love that has

been given to you.

May you be content knowing

you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into

your bones and allow

your soul the freedom to sing,

dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every

one of us.

***St. Theresa of Lisieux

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So for now, I'm going to keep on relishing my creative energy (when you have a moment, please check out my new Etsy store, located in the top right hand margin of this here blog!)..........

(I am LOVING this new farmer's market fabric I found on Amazon recently!)......

For the rest of the summer, my big plans include loving up as much as I can on my funny family (why does Abbie gets SO mad when I snap her photo after one of her long runs in the woods, I want to know?)

(Wink loving up on his G & T)

Loving up on my sweet animals, as much as possible........

(Jack is almost 17!)

And enjoying the 3 B's as much as I can, before Labor Day hits.........

Being Barefoot...

Beer (well, not as much as I want to, but one once in a while won't kill me).....

And blessed BBQ!!!!!

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SPEAKING of BBQ....last night Wink grilled some Filet Mignon (he splurged), topped it with Gorgonzola Butter, and served it with grilled asparagus and his amazing Warm Grilled Potato Salad..........best part, the ENTIRE dinner was cooked on the grill...no messy stove cleanup!...........

We were starving by the time dinner was ready...the smells were incredible!.......

Mmmmm Hmmmmm!

If you're looking for an easy and super delicious side dish for your summer BBQ's, you might want to try Egan's recipe....you won't be sorry!

WINK WILLARD'S WARM GRILLED POTATO SALAD

1 lb. Yukon Gold or Fingerling potatoes
2 tblsp. Dijon mustard
4 tblsp. red wine vinegar
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and pepper
2 green onions, finely chopped
3 tblsp. chopped parsley

Grill potatoes until fork tender. If your potatoes are large, cut into quarters or halves when cool enough to touch. In a large bowl, whisk together Dijon and red wine vinegar. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Toss in potatoes, green onions and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

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See you soon with Wink's Bananas Foster Crepes for dessert!

XXX000

Leslie



FAVORITE THINGS, AND IT'S OFFICIAL.....I'M ON A BREAK!

Thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite things lately........

First up, and I know this sounds really strange, but this line of home fragrances just rocks my WORLD....in fact, the whole family loves it.........and have you ever heard of a husband loving a room spray?..........



I found the Orleans Home Fragrances (I swear to you I am not a paid spokesperson) when we were down in New Orleans this spring, and I am totally addicted! Their room sprays and soy votive candle fragrances are highly concentrated and last and last and last....pretty important when your house is for sale and you've got these creatures around............

Southern Magnolia is our very favorite...that scent just transports us to a warm, romantic and flower-filled spring day in the deep South.

If you'd like to try out this company's products, you can find them, HERE.

I tell you what....you won't be sorry!

More favorite things? Well, since you've asked so kindly......there's always my daily walks and weeding sessions in our little perennial garden........

Sunrise Coreopsis is just so darned CHEERFUL, no?......

Love the lime green of this new Sedum I just planted....

This Yarrow comes back year after year....the flowers are just starting to hint at the mustard yellow hue they soon shall become....

Lupine, which does so very well here......

Our Barberry plant is just HUGE all of the sudden...seems like just yesterday that I picked this up at the nursery, in a one gallon size pot! Again, love how the lime green just POPS against our barn red home..........

And last, one of six woodsy little planter baskets, soon to be brimming over with delicate white Petunias and Potato Vine....

I have a few gardening tips that I have relied upon for years and years now....

1. I try to focus on the actual leaves of the perennials I choose, over the flowers. Because the foliage is what you're probably going to be looking at for the longest periods over the growing season, so you'd better pick out colors and shapes that you enjoy!

2. This product is a LIFESAVER (or should I say, plant saver, or better yet...$$ saver!), especially if you live in a wooded area like we do, and have deer and/or rabbits. If sprayed religiously, this really, really works (don't mind the smell..it fades after a few hours).........

(Again, I am not a paid spokesperson....just thought you'd like to know about a few products that are really terrific!)

You can find Liquid Fence these days at most hardware/garden stores.

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So I've decided to take a little summer break.....think I've sort of lost some of my blogging MOJO, for the time being, anyways.

Time to really focus on my health, my family and having as much fun as possible this summer!

Also working on lots of sewing projects, in anticipation of opening up my new Etsy store. Don't worry, I'll be sure to announce it here and on Facebook!

For now, enjoy your glorious summer!

lots of love,

Leslie

XXX000