Creamy Lemon Squares

With July 4th only a week away, picnic/potluck season is in full swing. Here's a yummy recipe for a dessert that's easy to make and highly transportable to your summer gatherings. If you're leery of cheesecake recipes, don't be afraid to try this one. As long as you follow it step by step, the end result should be refreshing bars that are sweet and tangy, with a fresh lemony bite.

Although the recipe says to garnish with lemon peel and powdered sugar, I did neither. Instead, I threw a few fresh blueberries on top and called it a day. These would be wonderful served with any fresh fruit. A few low fat ingredients are used, making this a relatively healthy dessert ~ although you'd never know it from the taste.

Enjoy!

Creamy Lemon Squares

Ingredients: 20 Reduced Fat Vanilla Wafers, finely crushed 1/2 cup flour 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold margarine 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel Cheese, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 Tbsp. flour 3 Tbsp. grated lemon peel, divided 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp. Baking Powder 2 tsp. powdered sugar

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350ºF. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Combine wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup flour and the brown sugar in bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min.

MEANWHILE, beat Neufchatel cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well. Blend in 1 Tbsp. lemon peel, the lemon juice and baking powder; pour over crust.

BAKE 25 to 28 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon peel just before serving. Makes about 16 squares.

Just checking in

I’m taking a break from this hectic day to update my blog with a few pictures from our recent trip to St. Louis. Despite the overflowing Mississippi River, we had a fabulous time ~ in fact, the weather couldn’t have been better! A few highlights of the trip were: a tour of the Anheuser Busch Brewery (complete w/ samples!); an evening baseball game between the Cardinals and Royals; riding up to the top of the Arch; shopping in the very hip Delmar Loop area; taking in the museums of Forest Park (site of the 1904 World’s Fair); and a very enjoyable trip to the beautiful Missouri Botanical Gardens. Gosh, did I leave anything out?! More pics of our adventures can be seen on my Flickr page.

On the jewelry front ~ it’s been a while since I’ve added new items in my shop. Never fear ~ new designs are on the way! I’ve been really itching to bead, but the past few weeks have been jam packed with various activities, leaving me with very little free time. My new bead buddy Janna from Jac Jewelry sent me the most lovely keshi pearls direct from NYC ~ I can’t wait to make something spectacular with them! For now, I have a bunch of new designs in my head ~ with any luck, they will see the light of day very soon! Hope everyone’s summer is off to a terrific start!

Buy some jewelry, do something good

Last week we ventured to the great city of St. Louis for a few days of leisure and fun. It was our first time there but hopefully it will not be our last. While we were there, we witnessed a small section of the ever-rising Mississippi River. This photo was taken on day one of our visit ~ it’s almost as if the sign is telling the River to “STOP” before more devastation occurs. By the time we left, this sign was barely visible. The river was expected to crest in this area the day after we departed. This scene is minor compared to the flooding experienced in other towns and cities in the Midwest and Central United States. The amount of damage in some areas is staggering. Seeing this evokes feelings of sympathy, but also helplessness. The first thought in my mind was “What can I do to help?” With that in mind, I will be donating 10% of monthly sales from my Etsy shop to the American Red Cross. Their Disaster Relief fund will help aid those in need. So, get yourself some “bling” and help a worthy cause in the process ~ it’s something we can all feel good about!

An Etsy Fave: Dornick Designs

Just because I make jewelry doesn’t mean I’m too proud to buy stuff that’s made by others. The reality is that the only time I acquire a new piece anymore is when I buy it. Feast your eyes on this recent purchase from Dornick Designs on Etsy. Kathy Hardy is the talented artist behind this successful shop. She has a penchant for naming most of her creations after Classic Rock songs. I love that! The name of this piece is “Stone Free” and it features lovely chunks of Labradorite, which is a gemstone that’s at the top of my list of favorites. The stones are hand knotted on silk cord. I love every detail of this piece. I’ve already worn it several times since receiving it about one week ago. I love the fact that it looks great whether dressed up or down. Check out this shop, if you haven’t already. Her designs are both whimsical and wonderful. Perhaps what I admire most about this seller is that she has carved a niche for herself and created a style that is unmistakably her own. Hats off to you, Kathy!

Cool as a Cucumber

At the Polish cafes in nearby Hamtramck, they serve a side called "Mizeria" ~ which is essentially cucumbers and sour cream. I've grown to really love this dish ~ so much so that I could probably eat the entire bowl of it (pictured) as a meal. It may sound incredibly simplistic, but it goes along with my belief that simple is best. After asking the restaurant staff for the recipe (they don't use one!), I found one that yields a delicious end result. It's especially refreshing to enjoy Mizeria on a hot summer day.

Mizeria (Cucumbers and Sour Cream)

Ingredients:

1-2 large cucumbers

1/2 of a 16oz. container of sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 lemon, juiced

2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill

Directions: Peel and slice the cucumber. Place in a colander, sprinkle with salt and leave to drain for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat or squeeze dry. Arrange the cucumber in a dish. Make a dressing from the sour cream and lemon juice and pour it over the cucumber. Sprinkle with dill and serve.

**May be chilled in the refrigerator and served later (I prefer it very cold!)

How 'bout a game of Baseball?!

When one thinks of Summer, many things come to mind ~ one of which is Baseball. There's nothing like being there in person at the stadium and experiencing the enthusiasm of the fans while vendors yell out "HOT DOGS! GET UR HOT DOGS HERE!!" I absolutely love it.

This past Sunday we caught a game between the Tigers and the Twins. It was our first of the season and we couldn't have been more excited to be there with 41,000+ of our closest friends. Unfortunately the outcome of the game was not in our team's favor, but the night before they scored an incredible 19 runs!! We were sorry that we missed that.

Comerica Park is a beautiful ballpark that makes all Tiger fans very proud. After the game was over, we headed to one of our favorite spots for a bite to eat. While on the way there, we passed the ol' ballpark on Michigan Avenue. Tiger Stadium, (seen above), is slated for demolition, despite efforts to preserve it. It is an icon of the city's history. I snapped this photo from the car while we were driving by. It will be a sad day when this structure can no longer be seen at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. While new traditions are carried on, the memories of the past will not fade.

The State of My State

Although the overall economic situation in the U.S. is bleak, in Michigan it is among the worst. Our unemployment rate continues to be the highest in the nation, even though it dropped slightly in April. This was partly due to the availability of seasonal jobs, but we continue to lose jobs at an astounding rate, especially in manufacturing and the auto industry. Today Ford Motor Company announced that it may cut as many as 2,000 workers from its white collar division. This type of headline has become the norm. The state’s housing market has declined significantly, with the rate of foreclosures among the highest in the country. Add to that the sad reality that 1 in 8 households receive food stamps. The situation has escalated beyond crisis mode and something must be done to change it. The above photo shows a very common scene. Numerous buildings stand empty, where businesses once thrived. I shot this during a recent walk in an industrial area close to my neighborhood. Within a radius of just a few blocks, I counted at least half a dozen office buildings like these with “For Sale” signs out front. In other areas, it is much worse.

So simple, sooooo good!

It’s back to work and the “normal” routine for me today. The extended weekend provided relaxation, beautiful weather and time to enjoy the outdoors, and a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. For me, having the extra day off also presented an opportunity to get into the kitchen and try some new dishes. Cooking on a day off might sound daunting to some, but not to me! I love to entertain a crowd of any size, even if it’s just my hubby and me. Part of the enjoyment of life is the ability to savor good food. Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from being a gourmet chef! There are many nights when the local take-out place is the immediate answer to the question: “What’s for dinner?” So, when I do get the chance to spend some time preparing a tasty treat, I jump at it. I‘ve acquired quite a collection of cookbooks which I love to pour over in search of the next “must try” recipe. I especially love to bake and experiment with interesting ingredients. My palate is always craving something new and different.

I’m not talking about spending a perfectly good day inside, chained to the stove. In my world, simple is best. Effortless dishes that look and taste complex are at the top of my list. A meal doesn’t have to be time consuming in order to be delicious, in my opinion. I also believe in sticking with tried and true favorites. I’ve found from experience that the time to experiment with a new recipe is not when you’re throwing a dinner party for 12. No matter what your level of culinary skill, go with dishes that can be prepared in advance. Stick with what you know and love, and chances are, your guests will love it, too. They will appreciate that you took the time to prepare a tasty meal for them.

Roasted garlic (pictured) makes a delicious appetizer that is super easy to make. You simply take a head of garlic; remove as much of the outer layers as possible while keeping the cloves intact. Slice about ¼” across the top so that the cloves are exposed. Place the head(s) of garlic in a small oval baker with a small amount of water on the bottom. Drizzle olive oil over the cloves and cover the baking pan with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for about one hour. The garlic is done roasting when the cloves are soft when pressed. You will see a wonderful brown carmelization on the cloves. Your house will smell divine! I serve the garlic with crusty Italian bread, but some people prefer to eat it plain. Either way, it’s wonderful! If you prefer not to run your oven during the summer months, you can roast the garlic on your grill by wrapping it in heavy duty foil and grilling over indirect heat until you get the same effect. Enjoy!

An Etsy Fave: Max and Bella

I receive many comments and compliments on the packaging that I ship items purchased from my shop in. Although I do try to keep things simple in order to keep costs reasonable for my customers, I do like to make my packages pretty so that the recipient will feel like they are opening a little gift. Recently, I found a wonderful Etsy seller who creates the most wonderful tags and stickers, so I'd like to give credit where credit is due.

Max and Bella is operated by a very talented Etsyian named Tiffany. Her designs range from pretty florals to fun and whimsical animals. I really love them, and I've been quite pleased with how the little stickers really dress up the packages that I send out. I've purchased from her several times and she has always provided service that is friendly and reliable. Even if you are not an Etsy shop owner, she offers many other ways to use her products.

I do not profess to be a whiz with Photoshop or graphic design of any sort. That is why I don't mind leaving these details to those who know what they are doing. Thanks, Max and Bella, for your help!

5/22/08 ~ Everything's Blooming!

I absolutely love Spring!! Of course, I love all seasons ~ except for Winter, which I can only stand for about two weeks. The bonus to living in Michigan is that each season is distinctly different and wonderful.

You can probably tell that I'm a freak about flowers. I feel like I have my own slice of Heaven when I can look out and see the beauty that is growing in my little backyard. It makes me happy :)

Some famous person once said "Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into". I would agree. These shots were taken this evening.

WANTED: More time!!

Etsy has been very good to me over the past week. I sold roughly six pieces of jewelry over a span of three days. Now, to the “Super Sellers” out there this may not seem like much, but to me it is. First of all, this venture has never been about simply making sales for the sake of becoming a top seller. It is much more important to me to be able to offer quality items and a personalized buying experience to those who are willing to spend their hard earned money on my creations. It would be very difficult for me to offer this level of service if I was selling a high volume of merchandise. Here’s why:

Although I would love to be able to do this full time, at this point Dreamin' of Beadin' is just a part time gig for me. Call me a hobbyist if you will, but lately this lil’ hobby of mine has started to demand more of my time than ever. I’m not complaining, because I thoroughly enjoy it ~ it has just been challenging to strike a balance between work, hobby and the other demands on my time.

I currently work a full time job that keeps me away from home at least 10 hours/day, 5 days/week. I do not have children, which does give me some flexibility when it comes to my free time. “Me” time is an absolute luxury when you have little ones to consider. Honestly, I cannot fathom how anyone with kids could keep up with a full time job outside of the home and a shop on Etsy, but there are many who manage to do it. Personally speaking, I would probably have to throw in the towel. I cherish sleep time too much!

This brings me to the subject of sleep, or lack of. I’ve been getting far less sleep these days, averaging barely 6 hours per night if I’m lucky. Many an evening is spent on listing new items, creating new items, marketing my shop and networking. It is sometimes impossible to do all of the above without burning the midnight oil. Choosing where to focus my energy can seem like a juggling act. There are at least half a dozen new items right now that are waiting to be listed on my site. Listing several items can take an entire evening ~ at least for me it can. It takes a bit of effort to think up those catchy titles and then write an enticing description about the item. That is not even taking into account time spent on taking a good picture, which is essential when you're selling online. Focusing on one area takes time away from others. Add to the equation quality time with my husband, housework, family commitments and time with friends ~ it gets crazy sometimes!

Oh, and did I mention eating?? Can’t forget that (at least I can’t!)

Let me say that I am perfectly happy with the organized chaos of my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having a creative outlet has gotten me through many a monotonous day of pushing paper at work. I wouldn’t be opposed to cutting back on my day gig so that I would have more time to focus on the activities I truly enjoy. Hopefully someday that will be an option. I currently have projects on the back burner that have not yet come to fruition simply because I haven’t had the time to make it happen. For now they are simply ideas in my head or doodlings on a piece of scrap paper. Then there are the drawers of beads and findings that haven’t yet seen the light of day . . .

I am thankful for all of my customers who have made it possible for me to continue doing what I love. It is reaffirming to have fans of my work and I find their enthusiasm to be a source of inspiration. So, even though I may struggle with the whole time issue, or lack thereof, I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon!

An Historic Gem

I may be a suburban dweller, but I do frequent many places in nearby Detroit. The city that is near and dear to my heart gets many a bad rap, especially lately. I would like to showcase one of the Motor City's gems, and a place where anyone can experience the true culture and vibe of the place I call home.

Eastern Market is the largest historic public market district in the United States. At more than a century old, it is also the world's largest bedding market. In fact, this weekend the 42nd Annual Flower Day will take place, drawing record numbers of people ~ as it does every year. And you bet your bottom that I will be there with my little red wagon in tow.

A few of the market's 100+ year old sheds are undergoing a renovation that will make them better than ever. I am continually proud that this wonderful place continues to thrive in a city where many relics of the past are distant memories not shared by those born after the baby boom. I do not know of many places where you can buy Organic produce, spices, freshly ground coffee, fine wine, imported beer, meat, Seafood ~ and not to mention eat a Monster burger that has been barbecued right there on the street while watching amateurs sing Karaoke ~ all within a few blocks. It is an experience like no other!

These are a few photos that I have taken on past visits to the Market. With all of the negative press that Detroit gets, I'm hoping this portrays a more positive image.

Unspoken Hero

I read about the passing of Irena Sendler yesterday, and immediately I was touched by the courage of this amazing woman. Sadly, this was the first time I recall hearing of her, yet her selfless contribution seems so great to me. It just makes me wonder, what did I actually learn in History class during school??

Mystery Flower

This flowering plant grows in my backyard ~ it comes back every year, but I do not know the name of it. I guess I must be big on knowing the correct names of plants, because it really bugs me that I do not know what this is called!!

Does anyone know??

Anyone, Anyone?

Bueller?

Mmmmm . . . Nutella!

Nutella is my new favorite thing in the world. I say "new" because I just tried it for the first time very recently. It has been on my radar for many years, but I was always reluctant to buy it because I knew I would be hooked instantly. I was right!

I'm a huge fan of Peanut butter, but I must say that Nutella beats out this traditional favorite by a long shot. Try the two together, and you will think you're eating a Reese's Peanut Butter cup. Have I sold you on it yet??

I'm told that there are many recipes for different treats to make with Nutella, such as crepes, won tons, etc. I prefer to eat it on whole wheat toast, with a little peanut butter and some banana. It's a wonderful indulgence, albeit not the most calorie conscious food out there, especially for someone like myself who is constantly battling weight issues. There are worse things out there . . .

I think most Nutella lovers would agree that the best way to enjoy this choco-nutty spread is to eat it straight from the jar with a spoon. It is heavenly!