Etsy St. Patty's Day

I've been looking around etsy for great St. Patrick's Day finds. Here are a couple of items I've seen that I like.

St. Patrick's Day Necklace and Earring Set by TashinaFalene


Legendary Luck - Felt Brooch Pin by Jefita


If You're Lucky Enough to be Irish card by kategreiner


Tomorrow, my St. Patrick's Day cupcakes!

Daffodils

A big inspiration for me recently has been daffodils. They are blooming all over Alabama and I love how they come in so many different color combination's and sizes. Here are a few to inspire you into a great weekend!




Pictures from Girthmeister, O!Rachew!, and 2nd Witch.

Etsy favorite

I thought I would profile one of my favorite finds on etsy today. The first jewelry designer I found on etsy is still my absolute favorite. luxedeluxe is based out of Edinburgh, Scotland (a must-see city) and I love how she makes each of her pieces unique and uses great color combinations. Here are three of my favorites that she has in her shop right now. Enjoy!

Draped in Ivy necklace


Origami Crane necklace


Athena's Love Nest (turquoise) necklace

Limeade

Limeade, my absolute favorite sunny weather beverage (and it's green). There are many recipes for punches and -ade type drinks, but my favorite of all is Limeade. Actually, I just had a nice tall glass of it from one of my favorite Limeade makers, Zoe's Kitchen. I also enjoy a Cherry Limeade from Sonic's Drive-In every once in a while. But the best is whipping one up at home and my brother has to make the best homemade Limeade maker I know! Here are a couple of recipes for you to try. For those of you in snowy and cold conditions, maybe this will help you think of spring on it's way.


Rachel Ray's Limeade

101 Cookbooks' Blackberry Limeade

Epicurious' Ginger Limeade

Taste of Homes' Bottoms-Up Cherry Limeade

Martha Stewart's Sparkling Limeade

I especially love this picture in the vintage Kentucky Derby glasses. I bet my Aunt has some of these!

Pictures from Martha Stewart.

The Chocolate Project, Recipe 1

This weekend began my journey into the 10 pound bar of chocolate and I have to say that it started off well. While over at Smitten Kitchen, I found this Dark Chocolate Tart with Gingersnap Crust recipe that I have been wanting to try. So, this weekend a group of friends got together and I made this as my contribution to the night. Everyone liked it and it is an easy recipe for all of you chocoholics. Recipe No. 1 is a success!






Chocolate Used: 12 ounces
Chocolate Left to Use: 9 pounds, 4 ounces

The Chocolate Project

I recently purchased a 10 pound bar of Guittard bittersweet chocolate at my favorite cooking store. The reasoning behind the purchase was that I needed the bittersweet for a recipe and the price was right (they were marking it 75% off because it was 'expired'). With the bar of chocolate in tow, I drove home wondering how on earth I was going to use this whole 10 pound bar and how fast it would take me.

Then it came to me, I'll start a project to see how long, how many recipes, and how much chocolate each recipe takes until I use the whole 10 pounds. And you'll get to read about it here! The first recipe is slated for this weekend and you'll get to read all about it next week. Enjoy and as Julia Child would say, "Bon Appetit!"

Jamie's in my home

This past weekend I finally purchased the newest cookbook that I've been drooling over for a while now, Jamie Oliver's Jamie at Home. Ever since it came out last year, I've been wanting to get it and try some of his recipes. This book centers around Jamie's garden and all that he grows and incorporates into his recipes. Each chapter is based on a vegetable or fruit and gives you recipes for each item and then Jamie's tips on how to grow that veggie or fruit.

I love this because even though I'm in an apartment and have such a small piece of ground right outside my door, I am going to try and grow some vegetables this spring and summer and I can't wait to read Jamie's tips for growing (even though he grows in Britain and I am in the Deep South). I'm looking forward to trying the Curried Cauliflower Fritters and the Tray-Baked Meringue with Pears, Cream, Toasted Hazelnuts and Chocolate Sauce.


Watch out tomorrow for the start of a new cooking project!

Éirinn go Brách - (Ireland Forever)

I know everyone is in the mood for spring, I am too, but I can't seem to forget that there is a holiday in the month of March very close to my heart. St. Patrick's Day! I don't know what it is this year that's got me in more of a green mood than previous years. Maybe it's The Chieftains concert I went to this weekend or the Galway, Ireland print in my JHill Design calendar or the new green stripe baking cups that I bought over at Fancy Flours or maybe it's helping my mom plan a St. Patrick's Day party for friends. No matter what, you'll be seeing a lot of green in the next week or two. Éirinn go Brách!

Farm Chicks Giveaway

Serena and Teri, aka The Farm Chicks are having a giveaway over at their blog. Stop by and enter for their surprise prize!

Vintage Chieftains

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend my third concert of the Celtic group The Chieftains. They are one of my favorite groups and I love how over the years they've incorporated many different genres of music into the traditional Celtic music that they are known for. Their most recent cds Down the Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions and Further Down the Old Plank Road are my favorites. These incorporate country music's greatest artists with traditional Bluegrass, Country, Folk and Celtic music and they get some great sounds. Here are some vintage Chieftain photos (they've been a group for 58 years, according to Paddy Moloney at the concert this weekend).