Shell In Your Pocket: February 2009

Stir and Season Saturday

"Stir and Season" Saturday

On Monday, I talked about my coffee punch and mentioned I posted it. However, I came to find out that I posted my peppermint punch...thanks for all the emails and all you poor "souls" who searched my blog for it. Sorry!

So here is the recipe for the most DELICIOUS creamy punch ever. Even people who dislike coffee...like this! This was served at my rehearsal dinner...years ago...when I was young....wink!

If you make it, let me know what you think!!!

Coffee Punch

The night before mix these ingredients; bring to a soft boil; stir till everything is dissolved; put in frig overnight.

4 cups of sugar

4 cups of water

1/4 cup of instant coffee

The next day, one hour before your event, in a punch bowl mix the following items;

One gallon of French vanilla ice cream

1/2 gallon of QUIK (the bunny one) chocolate milk

stir in coffee syrup from frig

Enjoy!

p.s. There are times that I double this recipe and think there will be some left...there never is!

A little Retail therapy...

Well, on a lighter side today, let's talk "retail therapy" !It always helps me. I went to one of my favorite thrift stores yesterday. I was just ready for a "hunt" and finding that "perfect" buy. Some days it's much better than any mall or regular store you walk into.

There is something about "thrift" shopping that gives me goosebumps all over...finding that "treasure" in midst of all the piles of junk. I was walking through and there on the second shelf sitting back I saw it....

$1.50!!!!!!!!!!I was going to paint it but I like it "white". I found this great plant that needs low light and low water..my perfect kind!

Also, as I pulled this off the shelf I also found the neatest plate..I am collecting white plates to do a collection on one of my walls. It was perfect...it was dreamy....it made me smile!

Do you thrift shop? Does the "hunt" thrill you???

Being Still....

My dear Readers,

It's 7:32am usually I have my post up but I am sitting here with a cup of hot tea. It's too early to call my girlfriend. Whom I talked to FIVE TIMES yesterday....WHO LISTENS OVER AND OVER AND OVER again..my reasons...my struggles...my fears. She has her own "stuff" going on and it amazes me that she still picks up the phone and LISTENS.

We are in midst of a BIG decision...one that affects everyone in the family. It's one that has "good" on both sides and "drawbacks" on both sides.

Have I made my list of the good and bad?I have a notebook full of them.

Have we sought out wise counsel? They are not answering anymore...wink!

Have we prayed? Yes!

There are huge blessings with this decisions but then there are some "dreams" that may have to be put on the back burner. There would be adjustments....change....it is good but the unknown frightens me.

I am doer...a fixer...a talker....right now the Lord has just reminded me with the verse from Psalm 46:10~

Be Still and Know that I am God.

Its hard.

P.S. How do you handle making big decisions????

OH mY BuBbLe!

My youngest was in the bath tub in the morning and I was cleaning the sinks..organizing hair bows....wiping off toothpaste (you know all that "mommy" stuff we do). I peeked over at my daughter who was giggling "quietly" and notice she had something under the water.

It was a 1/2 {full} bottle of Johnson body wash that had now been emptied into the water. Bubbles were forming everywhere and pure delight came out from every giggle.

I had my camera right there and instead of giving one of my MOMMY lectures. I just slid right down on the floor and leaned over and listened to all the bubbles popping and bumping together. Yes, bubbles do make noise!

I watched and "clicked" as she played. We didn't exchange many words but sweet "smiles"!

I Heart Faces -"Black and White"

This week, I "heart" Faces is featuring "Black and White Pictures". My favorite...I love all black and white pictures...all over my house in fact!

This picture reminds me of our special afternoon at a special tea room with my daughter. The girls can pick a special "Frilly" hat to wear during the lunch and while sipping "tea".....she thought she was more Fancy than "Fancy Nancy" herself.

Moving and Mingling

This weekend, we were part of a progressive dinner with our church. Oops..let me backup...

{progressive dinner}- where people move from house to house; each house serves one course of the meal

Okay~we were the first stop of the evening and I served two kinds of salad....a spinach salad with a wonderful homemade onion dressing and an All-American salad. I had the basic toppings like cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes and then they could put extra toppings on. This included feta cheese, almonds, croutons, cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds or cranraisins (oh yum!). I also served and assortment of breads. However, I think many people loved the coffee punch which I have featured in Stir and Season Saturday a couple of months ago.

After we mingled and ate our first course, we left my house and moved onto the next. We settled down to a wonderful Italian "main" meal with lasagna and assortment of sauces with pasta. She had such a nice touch with welcoming candles in jars on her front yard pathway to the porch. Each table had little flowers in vases and fun music playing in the background.

Lastly, we moved on to another inviting home for dessert. She had a warm fire going and the aroma of coffee filled the air. She served an almond mousse which was a true delight with every "spoonful". We finished the night with "sweet" fellowship....

If you have not ever done a Progressive Dinner..I encourage you to take the plunge. It's nice b/c you don't make the entire meal...you are always moving....talking with different people throughout the night....it's relaxed and "different"!

Have you ever done a Progressive Dinner???

What are some fun Ideas you have done with "meals" in your home?

Stir and Season Saturday

"Stir and Season" Saturday

Well, last night we were part of a Progressive Dinner....I will talk more about this on Monday. However, I had to make FOUR BIG salads. Ladies (and Gents), that is a lot of cutting and chopping and more cutting and then more chopping.

So right now before I go on...you will need your "keys" and "purse"...get ready you are going Shopping! I am going to share with you the most AMAZING KITCHEN tool ever invented...it's a Must. As my husband always says "Is that a need or a want?" This is a NEED!

It's by Progressive and it's a hand held chopper that will chop anything from tomatoes to onions to carrots! It chops it into little squares! It can make a basic salad look amazing! It is so easy and quick...I could give it a big "KiSS"!

Hate cutting onions? Well, this makes that "hatred" fade away...b/c you might even like to cut them using this.... Goes in the dishwasher...barely no cleanup! I use this for salads, casseroles, stir fry...endless~

So just call 1-800-Sandy Toes...take all major credit cards...JUST KIDDING! It is sold at most kitchen stores and even some Targets. You will thank me...I promise!

My {Favorite}Blog Friday

Today, I am featuring a blog that I "stalked" before I had a blog. Every post is full of the most amazing decorating ideas. Of course, this amazing and creative lady uses lots of "reds" and "toiles" plus a few French roosters....my favorite!

I just want to bubble wrap my teapot and teacup and fly over to her house . Sipping a cup of tea in midst of all her beautiful "things" and suck some of that {creative juices} from her. Who is this amazing blogger?

The Happy Homebody

Her ideas are so simple but beautiful.

Happy Homebody says she loves blogs that talk about "decorating" and how to do cheap, easy projects. She was hooked on a few "decor" blogs and then decided to do her own.

AND WE ARE SO GLAD SHE DID!!!

Here are a few examples...I wanted to post every picture on her blog!

Her blog will "awe" you and the next thing you know you will be holding a can of spray paint and a strand of ribbon!

My Big Ole Bag...

Miss "This Southern Girls Nest" tagged me for "What's in my Bag?". I have enjoyed seeing this on a bunch of blogs. It's fun to see what all you women are carrying around.

However, as I started to take pictures...I felt funny {almost embarrassed}. Especially when my husband saw me taking pictures of my purse and all it's contents. He now really thinks " I need to get a job."...wink!

My purse is clean but has everything but the kitchen sink. If I could fit more in this big ole"bucket" purse...I think I would!

So here we go....oh my why does this feel so personal...BECAUSE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, I have this big cosmetic bag in my purse b/c I have everything from epi-pens, eye drops, motrin, band-aids...if it's medical it just may be in there!

Yes, I have two phones in my purse..don't ask! Lysol in a miniature spray can...Yes, I am the lady at the grocery store who sprays the handle of the cart....ugh!