Frappuccino in a Mason Jar

So I've been debating buying a Magic Bullet for...years now (I'm a procrastinator).  My sister has one and I like that you can mix a single serving of something...in a small container...without having to wash the whole big glass pitcher.  And then I saw this on Real Simple:

You can do what?!?

And when you combine that tip with this recipe...

You have an afternoon of chilled bliss.

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,

Perfect Summer Oranges

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sunkist Growers for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Even though citrus is generally thought of as a winter fruit (at least in my Pennsylvania area), the bright fresh flavors go perfectly in my favorite summer salads and marinades.  I went on a quest to find some summer citrus and luckily I didn't have to look very far.  I did a quick search for summer oranges and found that Sunkist® Valencia oranges are perfectly ripe, sweet and juicy now, in the middle of summer. 

I also found out that Sunkist® Valencia oranges may "re-green" in warm weather.  When Valencia's ripen on the tree, they turn a bright orange color but warm temperature may make their skin reabsorb chlorophyll as they hang on the tree causing the orange color to look partly green - although the outside is green, the inside remains ripe and delicious!  Check out this Sunkist Valencia Oranges Re-greening Video that shows how beautiful that inside is and a few tips on how to peel this beauty. 

While I was on the Sunkist® site, I also looked for some new recipes.  This one really caught my eye:

- 3 Sunkist® Valencia oranges, segmented and zested
- 20 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 lb tub Bocconcini mozarella
- 1/4 cup Opal (purple) basil, shredded into small pieces
- 20 whole wheat crackers
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh rosemary
- 1/4 cup fresh thyme
- 1/8 cup fresh oregano
- 1 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp black pepper

1 - Cut the Bocconcini into halves
2 - Zest the Valencia oranges using a micro plane or fine grater and set aside.  To segment the oranges, cut off the top and bottom.
3 - Lay the orange on a flat surface, using a paring knife remove the skin and white pith.  Carefully cut and release each segment from between the membranes and set aside.
4 - In a blender, add the olive oil, orange zest and fresh herbs.  Pulse until blended, continue to blend on medium speed until the herbs and zest are finely chopped, add the pepper and pulse quickly.  Pour into a jar or plastic container.  Leftover oil can be refrigerated for up to one month and used as a marinade for fish, poultry or vegetables.
5 - Toss the orange segments, cherry tomatoes, Bocconcini and basil lightly with 3/4 cup of orange scented herb oil and season with salt.

To serve, top each cracker with the mixture and serve.  Makes 10 servings.

 

Here's a link to additional Sunkist citrus recipes.  I've already filed lots of them into my 'must try' folder!

Friday Night Funny

{source}

Finally - My Sunburst Mirror

This little project has been a loooooooooooong time in coming.  I wasn't quick to warm up to the sunburst mirror trend...sure they're pretty, but would it really go in MY house?  As more and more of the little buggers popped up, they slowly won me over.  And so it was March when I bought 2 packs of shims and tiny can of stain at Lowe's determined to make my own.  I sanded and stained about a million 30 or so shims.  And then they sat...and sat...and sat until last week.  When I FINALLY remembered to pick up a little mirror so that I could finish the darn project.  This lovely sunburst is held together by glue and cardboard.  Lots and lots and gobs of glue.  I think we can officially say that I now {heart} sunburst mirrors. 

In case you too are super slow on the trend, here's how I made it.  (And I'm sure there is a better way, this was just my way...because I never think to google something when I'm in the middle of it wondering how I'm going to hold 26 shims together.)  You'll need 26 shims, some stain, a small mirror (I used a 6 inch one) and some strong glue, lots of glue.

Step 1 - Give your shims a quick sanding to smooth them out a bit

Step 2 - Stain all sides of each shim

Step 3 - Let dry and forget about them for 4 months

Step 4 - Arrange 13 shims in a circle (thick side in) and place the mirror on top of the configuration to ensure it will cover all the raw inner edges

Step 5 - Use strong glue (I used E6000) to tack each side in place

Step 6 - Arrange the other 13 shims on top of the first layer and again, use a strong glue (really gobbed on) to glue the top layer to the bottom layer; let dry overnight

Step 7 - Cut a length of heavy cardboard (I used an old box), long enough to fit inside the inner circle formed by the shims

Step 8 - Dry fit the cardboard piece and trim the excess

Step 9 - More glue!  Apply thick layer of glue to the cardboard and press firmly into the inner circle of the sunburst; let dry overnight

Step 10 - Glue the mirror onto the sunburst to cover the inner circle; and let dry for several days

Step 11 - Hang.  We (and by we, I mean Hubs) hung the sunburst with a simple drywall screw.  The recess of the inner circle provided a perfect hanger and it's light enough that a single screw should hold it.

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,

Triple Berry Sauce

We capped this weekend off with some belgian waffles topped with homemade ice cream (baggie style) smothered with this delicious triple berry sauce.  I love making fruit sauces - they're simple, yummy and so versatile.  And this one is both tart and sweet...and just begging to be poured over waffles...or ice cream...or both ;)

Triple Berry Sauce

1 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 1/2 cup frozen blackberries
1 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch (this makes a fluid sauce, add another tablespoon for a thicker sauce)

1 - In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine berries, sugar and water
2 - Bring berry mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally
3 - Reduce heat to low and gently stir in cornstarch
4 - Simmer 4-5 minutes until thickened into a syrup consistency
5 - Let cool a bit and enjoy!


I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,

Friday Night Funny

{source}

Five Minute Summer Centerpiece

After the Fourth of July decor came down, the dining room looked a little bare.  I looked through all my hoarded decor stuff and found a few supplies...

I took a quirky oblong basket from the dollar store and spray painted it cream

Then I just rounded up four square candle holders and a few candles

But it was a little blah on its own.  So blue glass filler and a starfish to the rescue!  A quick pour of the filler and strategic placement of the starfish and ta da...

Quick and beachy.  Now if only I could conjure up a beach :)



I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,