Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer time

and the living is easy.

 

I LOVE frozen lemonade. Several years ago it seemed as if those frozen lemonade push carts were everywhere. Now?…not so much. (or at least not where I live.) Today, as the temperatures soared into the 90’s here in Upstate NY, I suddenly started craving that old favorite.

But no worries….frozen lemonade is quick and EASY!

First you need your favorite lemonade recipe. You can find my simple recipe here. Today, I actually cheated….I had some of this

simply lemonadein my fridge. I love their Limeade also… ummm—frozen limeade???

But first….

There are two methods for turning your lemonade into frozen lemonade. The first and easiest is using your electric ice cream maker.

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Just follow your ice cream makers instructions of operation. My little Hamilton Beach model had my lemonade ready in about 12 minutes….although it seemed MUCH longer.

Method #2 really does take much longer, but it is still easy. For this method you need to freeze your lemonade in ice cube trays. Once the lemonade is frozen, you will plop those lemonade cubes in a blender and pulse until slushy.

Here is the finished product

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served in insulated cups (to keep it from melting so quickly on a hot day) with iced teaspoon….although straws would work also!

 

Enjoy!

Sammi

Thursday, May 26, 2011

It’s a Good Morning

“Well I remember readin' You're the God who never sleeps
And while I've been dreamin' You've been singing over me, yeah
Singin' about my freedom, wakin' me up to hear Your song, and now I can't dance hard enough
'Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone!

I'M SMELLIN' COFFEE
BIRDS ARE SINGIN' JUST OUTSIDE
HERE COMES YOUR MERCY STREAMIN' IN WITH THE MORNING LIGHT
MY HEART IS RACING WAKING UP TO YOUR SMILE
IT'S A GOOD MORNING, YEAH
IT'S A GOOD MORNING”

***from Chris Rice’s song “Smellin’ Coffee”

 

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Lately I have felt like God was far, far away. I tried to feel His presence….and I couldn’t. Last night I told Him so…again. I asked Him if I had walked away from Him….or had He stepped back from me??? Well, this morning He has made it very clear that He is right here. Yes…this morning I feel like I am walking on holy ground….and I am glad! He is speaking and I am praying that my heart hears. It’s a good morning!!!

“[Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. [Lev.11:44, 45.]”  1 Peter 1:14-16 (Amplified)

May you all be truly blessed today!

Sammi

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Imagine My Joy….

when I saw these (while looking online for a new pair of Sperry Top-Sider Tassel loafers….mine have been WELL loved…for several years!):

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Canvas….denim….TICKING…..oh my!

They make me happy! Smile

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I hope I don’t walk into a wall while wearing these. Winking smile

 

Now that Mr. UPS man has been and gone, I have to make a run to town….or my family won’t be eating tonight. Plus there is a piece of furniture at a local consignment shop that I need to go see…if it is still there. One of those “I really don’t have time (or energy) to deal with that…” pieces, but I can’t get it out of my mind. It did have some flaws…but since it is something that I would want to keep for myself, I think I can work with them.

So I’m off….

Blessings,

Sammi

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Perfectly Imperfect

A couple of months ago I started my very FIRST slipcover.

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It was quite an adventure. But it is finally finished (okay it has been finished for a couple of weeks, but before I could get photos I caught a nasty little bug…and ….well, you know). Perfect? NOPE. Far from it….but it is perfect enough. Plus I learned quite a bit for future projects…..most importantly: buy MORE fabric than you think you’ll need! I made this with canvas dropcloths….I only bought enough for the body…on purpose. But when I went back to buy some for the cushions…well…the only cloths in stock were a completely different shade. Took me forever to find any that were even close.

Spring is SLOWLY coming to Upstate NY…a little too slowly for this southern chick! Here are some of our recent visitors…..

A few goldfinches….

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These little flying PIGS have been eating about 10 lbs. of nyjer seed every couple of days!!! ….plus sunflower seed.

A rarely seen black squirrel….

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Unfortunately, the very shy oriole didn’t show up until I was back inside with camera turned off….

And yes…that IS snow in the photo of the squirrel…that was a couple of weeks ago….but it is finally ALL GONE….and with any luck it won’t reappear until after Thanksgiving!!!

Well…I’m off to do a little spring cleaning….

 

Sammi

 

***This is the first time I have posted since the devastating tornado outbreak in the south….. Therefore, I want to say that my southern heart breaks for all those affected. ….many prayers for you all!