Recently, I visited a new blog and read an interesting post about Sharpie pens.

Alli, at ...  http://www.onepearlbutton.com/2010/11/tutorial-faux-guilded-votive-cup  (click on tutorials at the top of her blog)

created some pretty votives using glass cups, paper lace doilies, and  Sharpie pens.

My curiosity got the best of me, because her finished products looked so good and she made it seem simple.

 On my next visit to the local Dollar Tree, I purchased this plain white coffee mug.
I already had some small, paper, heart doilies from last year, and I also had a collection of extra fine point, Sharpie pens.

 That is it.  Just these few items. 

 I lightly glued the edges of the lace doily to the mug, using a glue stick.  Then I took my pen and filled in all the holes I chose to.  I must admit it was not quite as simple as it looked, but it was simple enough that I could do it.  I understand from Alli, that you need to let the marker dry when it is completed, but after that the ink will not come off with washing.

 

 I added some polka dot filler that I had purchased a few months ago, from The World Market.

And a few tea bags and mini chocolate chip cookies.

Not sure why I tackled this project, but I think it was just to see if it would work for me.
If you have a moment, go and see the beautiful job Alli did on her project. 

Thank you so much for stopping by to see my amateur project. 

 I cleaned and organized my one cupboard recently.  Well, actually I have done more than one of my kitchen cupboards. This particular one is all of my empty jars...quart jars, pint jars, and jelly jars.  I washed all the jars in hot, soapy, vinegar water, then dried them and put them in storage.  As I was drying them I realized how pretty some of them were, so I placed them on my crystal pedestal holder, added some tea light candles and I had a table centerpiece.  Who would have thought that jelly jars could look this good!

Tonight we were served this amazing dinner!

The salad was exceptional!

The sauteed salmon tasted so good, especially with its marinade, and the sauce served with it.

 The sauce was orange marinade and lime juice.  It was a keeper recipe!  The flavor of it was delicious!

 Salmon, roasted sweet potatoes, and broccoli...what could be better!
What a great cook our sister-in-law is!  Neither of us will forget it!

I like sweet potatoes made any way. Actually, if I would be asked as to what is my favorite meal, this would be it.  Salmon, sweet potatoes, broccoli and salad.

What would you say would be your favorite meal?

As a famous chef once said, "one eats with their eyes before they eat with their mouths."  So true!  I am sure you are all hungry from looking at this colorful looking, healthy tasting food.

Thank you for stopping by.

 Yesterday, late in the afternoon, we were driving through the country. It was a beautiful, clear day!

 

Up the road, we sensed that something was happening.  We saw groups of people walking along the road, as if with a real purpose.  

We knew that there was a party, and we were not invited! :)

 We soon discovered the reason.  Sunday afternoon ice skating was the big event.  Notice the parking of the modes of transportation lining the sides of the pond.  They came on foot, on bicycle, in carriages, and in trucks.  They were ready for a good time.

 Entertainment at it's finest! 

 A few miles later, another group. It felt like we were stepping back in history for a few moments.  Back to the day when we were children. Both of us went ice skating "on the pond", when we were children.  Our memories were different, and yet similar.

No technology, no lavish parties, no extra frills or expense...just simple, old fashion fun, for young and old alike.

And still, a mile later, we discovered another skating party in progress.  People were coming from all directions for this one, too.  We noticed they were cleaning off the snow with their shovels, unless of course, they got tired and needed a break(like the guy above, sitting on the bucket).

I thought you might enjoy seeing how some of our country folk, spend their cold, winter Sunday afternoons.

Time does go backwards sometimes.

 It has stopped snowing.  The sun has come back.  We are relishing this beautiful, winter day.

 I wanted to drop off a small gift to welcome a new baby.  Just a little something to let them know that we are so happy for them.  A little boy, after two daughters.  The hearts I baked are for the two older sisters.  My way of congratulating them.  They are beautiful girls and they are thrilled to have a little brother.

 I took my Pillsbury, Cinnabon, Orange sweet rolls out of the packet, slightly flattened each one, and cut it with my heart cookie cutter.

 So simple. So quick. And it is all about hearts this time of the year...right?

 A  tray of heart cinnamon rolls ready to go in the oven, at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes, or until slighty firm to the touch.  Remove from the oven.  Cool.  Then warm icing packet briefly, stir, and then drizzle over the warm rolls.  Sprinkle with colored sugar if you have to: )

 Add a red gummy heart, if you have to:)  The glass plate is a flea market find.  I think his mother will like it.  I can't wait to meet the little guy.

Ready to deliver with a quart of vegtable soup.

 Oh, and one more thing...

 Since you are aware of the fact that sunsets and hearts are two of my favorite things, I just had to share this picture I took of last evening's sunset.  I took it down the street from our home, and it's beauty defies description.  What an artist God is!

Thank you for stopping by today, and for tolerating all the sunset and heart pictures, I have been sharing with you all lately.  You are all so kind!

 Outside our front door this evening...

 ... and this is inside.  A cup of hot chocolate seems like the perfect way to pass the time, when the snow and ice have changed many plans.  I added a heart to my husband's cup:)  I do have a thing for hearts, and find myself adding them to whatever as it gets near February.

Eventually Spring will be here, but for now, could someone please explain to me, why I am still taking pictures of robins outside my back window?  I remember as a child, my mother would have us watching for the first robin each year.  She would tell us that, "when we see the first robin, Spring would be close behind."  Did the robins decide to stay all Winter now?  We sure do have lots of hefty robins at our bird feeders and it is only January.

The above...one of those fun, photographic moments:)  Helps me understand why they are always on this tree, especially after the newly fallen snow.

Wishing each of you a good weekend!  Hope you stay warm.

 There are an abundance of delicious tasting granola recipes in the blogging world.
I have tried many of them and have saved many of the recipes.
But, yesterday I found one that used four of the ingredients that I wanted to use...

~melted coconut oil
~100 % maple syrup
~raw honey
~vanilla

The recipe I discovered that did all that was shared by Pamela Salzman.
You can find it too, at ... pamelasalzman.com/granola

 Each time I opened the oven to stir the mix, I found this, and could not wait to taste it.  As with every recipe, one can adapt it to one's own personal preference.

My variation;  I used chopped, roasted almonds, and some chopped walnuts for the nut part of the recipe.
I cut up some dried cranberries that my friend gave to me.  She informed me that there is a big difference between craisins and dried cranberries.  After tasting the ones she gave to me, I totally agree.
I chopped a few of them and added them as the dried fruit part of her recipe.

This recipe will definitely go into my file.  A healthy, easy, and so delicious granola recipe.
Thank you, Pamela, for sharing it.

 One idea I may use in giving it as a gift.  My old canning jars come in handy in many ways.
Thanks to my friends who purchased a big box of them for me, at an old farm auction, years ago.

Or, just putting some in a clear, cellophane bag.  I think anyone would like receiving a bag of homemade goodness.  Add... fresh fruit, some milk and lots of hot coffee:)...instant breakfast.

Happy Thursday to each of you!

From a past issue of "Country Living" Magazine(British Edition), a breakfast tray I would love to deliver to our daughter's doorstep this morning, if she lived closer to us.
Today, is her 28th birthday.

She has added so much joy and fun to our lives.  Here she is, years ago, pictured with her grandpa who loved her so much.  In fact, she was most blessed in that she had two grandpas that adored her, and they are both in heaven now, but their memories live on.  The above picture is one of my dad, and his adventures into the early beginnings of the computer world.

We have so few pictures of me and my daughters, and as you can see this one was 2006.
I don't remember the occasion, but I treasure the picture.

 

Her dear husband and her, on Saturday's walk around the lake.  We did get to visit together on Saturday and have two birthday celebrations.

And with her adorable daughter.

Wishing you a special birthday celebration today, dear daughter!  Wish we could be with you.

 I am 5 years old.  He(my brother) is 3 years old.  The year is 1959.

She is 5 years old.  He(her brother) is 6 years old.  The year is 2012.

Me and my brother.

My granddaughter and her brother.   Little tables and chairs have been around for a long time, and they are still serving their purposes.

Truly just a little something for you today.

 Today, he is 61 years old.  He is loved and treasured by all of us...

... especially the eight grandchildren that he has been gifted with.  Pictured immediately above...the one with his name.

 His kindness, care, humor, and attentiveness make it a joy to be with him.  Ask anyone of his grandchildren, and you will find this to be true.

Celebrating him with a dinner tonight.

Happy Monday to each of you today!

 There are days when everything seems wrong...

 When it has rained all week and you have to stay inside. When you have to eat your dinner and you don't want to, because you didn't get to sit on the booster seat of your choice.  And, when you have to take the red truck instead of the orange one.  It is just troubling:(

 But, fortunately, troubling times do pass...

 ...and the sun does come out once again.

Friday's sun was most welcomed here after the week of rain and clouds.  What a blessing it was to see the warm, radiant sun breaking through the clouds in the morning, and to then have two perfect weather days this weekend.

  I must tell you though, that our youngest daughter sent us a notice from the weather channel in their part of our country.  It gave a warning to them that tempetures may reach -40 degrees tonight, with winds included.  For those of you who are looking for something to be thankful for today, this may top your list...that you do not live where they live.

Wishing you moments of joy on this Sunday morning!