Festive Dessert

I'm going to attempt to make my own version of this festive dessert for the lake this weekend.  In this picture, they've made mini tarts. I'm going to try it with mini strawberry cupcakes.  I'll post pics for you when they're ready. 

Here's my version.  Not beautiful, but they were delicious!  I mixed strawberry gelatin mix, frozen berries, with white cake mix and the ingredients it required.  The cakes were really moist and a pretty pink color.

Red, White and Blooms

Tonight we are celebrating Mawmaws' birthday at Red, White and Blooms at the Botanical Gardens.  Getting us in a patriotic mood for this weekend!

Red, White and Blooms

She's Got Lungs

I'm loving Florence + the Machine.  Can't wait to get in my car so I can sing along!  Listen Here

Fried and Delicious

I'm not much of a fryer, but I made this tilapia recipe for dinner last night along with fried zucchini and squash, cheesy broiled tomatoes, salad, and cornbread.  Everyone seemed to enjoy...no leftovers!     Cajun Pan-Fried Tilapia

Thanks for the Tips!

Thank you to everyone that has helped with recommendations for Europe.  Please keep them coming!  One tip that I'm excited about is this restaurant recommendation for my birthday dinner in Florence.  It's a restaurant and wine bar that looks very quaint.
Il Porcospino

Tonight's Plans

What a beautiful voice!  Can't wait to see her live tonight at Blues Fest.
Grace Potter Video
River Front Blues Fest
www.GracePotter.com
Rolling Stone Review

Maybe I Should Move to Denmark

Poor Danish Workers.  How sad to have to go from unlimited beers during the workday to only getting beers at lunchtime!  Definitely strike-worthy. 

Just Dance!

Looking forward to dancing with D tonight

at the Zoogma show. 

http://www.zoogma.net/

Healthy Fast Food Breakfasts

The only time I really eat fast food breakfast is when I'm traveling, and even then I may just bring a granola bar or just have coffee in the hotel room to try to be healthy for at least one meal a day on my trip.  But, this article may have changed my outlook... 

Cooking Light- Healthy Fast Food Breakfasts

Blissful Thought of the Day

Today I'm thankful for humor and friends that share it.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM

Blissful Thought of the Day

Today I'm thankful for sister nights!  Just finished a great book last night and looking forward to watching the movie with my sisters tonight.


6/23: Just a follow up to this post...the movie was nothing like the book, very slow, mixed up storylines, tons of important parts missing.  Why did I think this would be any different than any other book turned movie?  But the sister time was good!

Rock En Seine

Of course, there will be a music experience on our trip to Europe.  We just bought tickets to a music festival in Paris, Rock En Seine.  Sadly, we won't make it there in time for Band of Horses, but I'm excited for the Ting Tings on Sunday. 

Click Here for the full lineup
And if you want to listen to these bands:

Click Here and Scroll to Play Festival Radio

 

Planfully Spontaneous Europe Trip

Planning the outline of our Europe trip has been so exciting and overwhelming!  So many places we want to visit, and not enough time!  We've finally finished the skeleton of our trip, and we're currently making a list of things we'd like to do in each city. But, we won't make a schedule until we get there.  That way we can be flexible and do whatever we feel like at the moment.  It's what I like to call being Planfully Spontaneous.  Send me your recommendations!

Click to View Larger Map of Europe

• London, England
• Friday Aug 27: Arrive- noon
• Saturday Aug 28: To Paris- around noon
• Paris, France
• Saturday Aug 28: Arrive- early afternoon
• Sunday Aug 29:
• Monday Aug 30: To Amsterdam- late morning
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Monday Aug 30: Arrive- early afternoon
• Tuesday Aug 31:
• Wednesday Sept 1: To Munich- late evening
• Munich, Germany
• Thursday Sept 2: Arrive- early morning
• Friday Sept 3: To Prague- mid morning
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Saturday Sept 3: Arrive- late afternoon
• Sunday Sept 4:
• Monday Sept 5: To Interlaken- early morning
• Interlaken, Switzerland
• Monday Sept 5: Arrive- late evening
• Tuesday Sept 6:
• Wednesday Sept 7: To Rome- early morning
• Rome, Italy
• Tuesday Sept 7: Arrive- evening
• Wednesday Sept 8:
• Thursday Sept 9: To Florence- afternoon
• Florence, Italy
• Thursday Sept 9: Arrive- afternoon
• Friday Sept 10: My Birthday!
• Saturday Sept 11: To Dublin- late morning
• Dublin, Ireland
• Saturday Sept 11: Arrive- evening
• Sunday Sept 12:
• Monday Sept 13: Home- late morning

Clipboard Organization Wall

How to make your own Clipboard Wall:

Supplies:

6 Basic Clipboards

6 Pages Scrapbook Paper

1 Small Can Chalkboard Spray Paint

2 Yards 1" Wide Ribbon

Masking tape

Stick Glue or Spray Adhesive

6 Zig-Zag Hooks and Nails

Glue Gun

For Paper Decorated Boards:
Trim paper from the clip down.
Trim 2 small pieces to fit on either side of the clip.
          (Any seams will be covered with the ribbon.)
Glue paper, smoothing out any bubbles.
Trim edges, as needed.

For Chalkboard Painted Boards:
Use Masking tape to protect clip.
Spray Boards, and let dry.

For Ribbon Accent:
Trim Ribbon to leave 1" hanging off both edges of clipboard.
Glue ribbon on front, covering base of clip and paper seams.
Wrap hanging ends of ribbon around, and glue to back.

To Hang:
Use glue gun to glue zig-zag hooks to back of boards.
Once dry, line up nails on your chosen wall, hang boards and Enjoy!

What a Wonderful Surprise!

I'm so very thankful for my thoughtful boyfriend that spotlessly cleaned my car while I was out of town this weekend. What a wonderful surprise!

Thanks for Fathers Like Mine

Today, on Father's Day, I give thanks for my dad, my safety net, my encourager, my trustworthy advisor. 

Here we go!

You can expect a hodge-podge of thoughts when you read this blog.  I'm forever starting new projects, planning new trips, discovering new interests, coming up with new creations in the kitchen. I'm happy to share with you my travels, my hobbies and whatever else might happen to pop up!  Enjoy!