Some people think this is weird but seriously it’s the best!! There is nothing like homegrown tomatoes! The ones in the store just don’t have any flavor. Ingredients for one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever eat: homegrown tomato – cut in slices & lightly salted, good bread slathered in mayo (BEST FOODS/Hellmans only!). That’s it!!! Sooooo good!!! . . . . . and no these are not “my” homegrown tomatoes (you saw my basil, right? LOL)
I’ve been helping my good friend & buddy, Pat Miller update her front room, formal dinning room & family room. We’re close to being done and I’ll post pics later, but for now . . . this was a quick and inexpensive update to the 2 lamps in her family room. We were shopping at Home Goods (of course) and found these great drum shades ($20 ea. – shade on the right). They are white and the fabric on the shade is like a linen. They update the look of the lamp and brighten the room – cheaper than buying a new lamp!! Another option is if you have an old lamp that you like the shape of the base but would like an updated look . . . try spray painting it & changing the shade!! Spray paint does wonders!!
FYI – Oh my word . . . these are sooooo good!!! I was at the kid’s house over the weekend and my daughter-in-law had bought these. I was really surprised at how good they were. Lightly carbonated and fullllll of flavor. I had the Orange Mango & the Peach Nectarine. It’s zero calories, sparkling mountain water, vitamins, antioxidants and natural fruit juices. Tara told me she got them at Costco. I can’t wait to try the Pink Grapefruit, they have 13 flavors. Here’s the website: http://www.sparklingice.com/
I’m not sure why it is, but I LOVE making jam. There is a sense of satisfaction I get making my own homemade jam. There is seriously nothing like the sound of that jar “popping” when it seals, it makes me smile every time – I actually laugh at myself – it’s like YESSSSS!! Blueberries were on sale last week so over the weekend I made “Blueberry Jam” and it is delicious. The recipe is below and comes right out of the “Certo” box. If you have never made jam – just try it!! 
This is from the “Cooked Jam Recipes”: Makes 9-10 cups (I use 8oz. mason jars)
4 pints fresh blueberries (8 cups) = 4 1/2 cups crushed 1 large lemon = 2 TBS fresh lemon juice 7 cups sugar (I know that’s a lot but it’s not super sweet!) 2 pouches liquid CertoMy advice is too have everything pre-measured to make it easier – once the mixture starts boiling things move pretty quickly. I also run my jars through the dishwasher to make sure they’re clean and to make sure they’re hot before I pour the jam in them. Have an oven mitt ready – the jars are HOT with jam when you’re tightening the lids. I also turn them upside down after tightening – just for about 20 minutes – not sure why – think I read it somewhere?
Here is the link for the directions – it’s a bit lengthy but promise – not difficult!!
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/certo-blueberry-jam-60609.aspx
Hmmmm, welllll it’s been 6 weeks and I’m not thinking that homemade fresh pesto is in my near future. I’ve never claimed to have a “green thumb” but next summer I’ll just buy a pre-grown plant?? Maybe I should have given it some Miracle Grow??
I have wanted new kitchen chairs forever. I had those standard inexpensive ones where the skinny crossbars underneath keep falling apart. I was always hoping to find the kind that had a cushion that I could cover with fabric of my choosing and I didn’t want to pay $100 a piece for “new” chairs. Our church has a huge “garage sale” once a year in our parking lot. People donate furniture, etc. for the youth group to sell for their summer mission trip. The last couple of years I’ve been keeping my eyes open and low & behold, I scored!!! I got these 4 very sturdy, very nice, excellent condition kitchen chairs for $10 a piece!! They are exactly what I wanted. The micro-suede seat cushions are like new! But still I wanted my own fabric so here’s a short tutorial. If you’ve never done this before – super simple and only took 2 yards of fabric (45″ wide). You only need to unscrew the seat cushions from the chairs, cut fabric, staple and you’re ready to go! P. S. The fabric is by Waverly and is called “Farmhouse Check” – of course – LOL.
This is my all time favorite ice cream recipe and my Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is the best!! So easy!! You can also replace the peppermint extract with orange extract – very yummy too!
1 c. whole milk 1/2 granulated sugar 8oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate ( i use dark chocolate) 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream, well chilled 1 & 1/2 teas. peppermint extract (or orange extract)Heat the whole milk until it’s just bubbling around the edges. In a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse the sugar & chocolate until finely chopped. Add hot milk and blend until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl and let cool completely. Stir in heavy cream and extract. Chill for 30 min. or longer.
Turn machine ON and pour chilled mixture into freezer bowl. Run machine 25-30min. I then put it in a freezer container and freeze overnight. Makes about 5 cups. Enjoy!!
Country Girl 