Weekend Getaway

We all need to get away sometimes, and my hubby and I did just that a few weekends ago. We extended our weekend by a few days and headed to the town of Port Austin, MI. This scenic area is situated near the tip of the state's "thumb" ~ right on Lake Huron. It is roughly a 2.5 hour drive from where we live, but it is a different world altogether. It is a place that is very near and dear to my heart, for it is where Tony chose to pop the all important "question" back in May 1998.

These photos show the beach where he orginally proposed marriage to me as the sun went down over Lake Huron ~ what a romantic guy, eh?! Even back in those days when we were fresh out of college and very low on funds, he found a way to make the moment special.

This is proof that a vacation doesn't have to be costly and elaborate. Sometimes, simple is better. Just getting away from the daily routine can do wonders for the soul. I hope I've inspired you to start planning your next getaway!

The Perfect Summer Dessert

We're more than knee deep into July ~ that means heat and humidity in most places. This week in Michigan we experienced some near 90 and muggy days (this after I was just saying how pleasant our weather has been!) That aside, we still need to eat, right?! If you have a sweet tooth like I do, then your craving for dessert doesn't subside just because it's warm outside. However, I did learn my lesson a few years back when I baked a chocolate layer cake for my mother in law on a super humid day. The frosting melted instantly and the whole thing basically fell apart ~ it looked like a mudslide!

This Chocolate Mousse Torte is the answer to any summer dessert dilemma. It is rich in appearance, but light and airy. You can garnish is with raspberries, or practically any fruit ~ thereby taking advantage of freshly grown summer berries that are out there. It requires few ingredients ~ on my first attempt I found that ladyfingers were not exactly easy to find in the local grocery store. Eventually I found them at a nearby produce market, which has an excellent selection of ethnic and International foods. Feel free to experiment with the different flavors of mousse that are out there, too. You might notice in the photo that I added crushed Heath bars as a topping. I can't help it ~ I'm a supreme chocaholic! :)

Chocolate Mousse Torte

Ingredients:

2 (3 ounce) packages ladyfingers -- split

2 cups cold milk

3 (2.8 ounce) packages chocolate mousse mix

3 cups whipped topping -- divided

Fresh raspberries

Directions:

Line the bottom and sides of a lightly greased 9-in. springform pan with ladyfingers (save remaining ladyfingers for another use). In a large mixing bowl, beat milk and mousse mixes on medium speed for 1 minute; scrape sides of bowl. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes or until thickened and lighter in color. Remove half of the mousse to another bowl; fold in 1/2 cup whipped topping. Spread over crust. Fold remaining whipped topping into remaining mousse; carefully spread over first layer. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with raspberries.

Sneak Preview

Here is a little sneak peak at a new creation that I will be adding to my shop very soon. I call this the “Pearl Treasure” bracelet. It is made with nearly 300 4mm Swarovski “pearls”. I had a lot of fun making it with a tool called the Coiling Gizmo. I love the classic design of this piece ~ it will never go out of style. This bracelet can be made in any color that Swarovski pearls come in. For this one I chose Burgundy, but I do think that it would look stunning in any shade. Imagine this in Ivory for a bride ~ sooooo elegant and lovely!

This and a few other new designs will be listed in my shop very soon. Stay tuned!

Move Over, Martha!

OK, so I'm having a little fun with the title of this post :) I am no Martha Stewart by any means, but I do have to brag a little about my green thumb. My flowers seem to be doing exceptionally well this year, which is due mostly to the extraordinary weather we've been having, not to my gardening skills! Usually by now our lawn is dried up and we're limited to watering every other day due to lack of rain. I'm glad to say that so far this summer, that has not been the case. So far it's been a balance of sun and rain, with very few days, if any, surpassing the 90 degree mark. As you can see by this photo, the flowers on my front step are loving it ~ they get full sun all day but they look happy and healthy as can be.

I can't claim the genius (and mass fortune) of Ms. Stewart ~ but I think she would be proud. The pot these are planted in (which is not visible in the photo) is one of hers, purchased at that store that begins with a "K" (on Clearance, no less!)

The Monday "Blah's"

I’m not big fan of Mondays ~ who is, right?! This morning it was especially hard to get back into the “routine” after coming off an extended holiday weekend. I’m really, really not motivated today. So, rather than jump headfirst into the events of the week, I’d rather take a minute to reminisce about the past three days. It was the perfect balance of time spent with family and friends as well as time spent relaxing alone. There was a lot to do but nowhere in particular to be at any given time. Those are the best kind of days. I even managed to squeeze some time in there to create a few new pieces for my Etsy shop. Look for those soon. Yesterday my hubby and I went out to breakfast and spent the early afternoon tooling around in nearby Royal Oak. The downtown is home to an eclectic mix of shops, sidewalk cafes and the like. We especially love the Farmers Market, which turns into an Antique/Flea Market on Sundays. It’s always fun to hunt for treasures there ~ you never know what you will find!

Summer Dish: Thai Pasta Salad

A friend of mine has been making this dish she calls "Thai Pasta Salad" for as long as I can remember. Just about every time we see each other, she makes it because she knows how much I love it. Finally I got the recipe from her and started making it for myself. The recipe makes a big bowl which is perfectly sized for a potluck. It can be served hot or cold, and chicken can be added if you wish to serve it as a main dish. I prefer it cold, sans chicken. I make a batch for the two of us, and we eat it for several days, which is a big treat at my house. Essentially, it is very similar to Pad Thai.

Thai Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

8 oz. chopped peanuts

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1/4 c. olive oil

1 bunch green onions

12 oz. cabbage (coleslaw) mixture

3/4 c. peanut sauce

1/4 c. light soy sauce

1 pkg. cooked spaghetti noodles

1 lb. cubed cooked chicken (optional)

Directions:

In a large pot, saute' olive oil, chopped peanuts and minced garlic. Add chopped green onions and cabbage mixture. Stir and cook until completely coated with oil and cabbage is slightly softened. Do not overcook, causing the cabbage to be soggy.

In a separate bowl, mix peanut and soy sauces.

In a very large bowl, combine cooked chicken, cooked spaghetti noodles and cabbage mixture. Pour sauce over top and toss until thoroughly coated.

May be served as a hot main dish or chilled as a side salad.

Happy Fourth of July!

Just wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July! I hope you're able to spend the day relaxing or doing whatever it is you enjoy, with the ones you love. God Bless our Troops and their families. Thank you for the sacrifice you make!