Friday

My early Easter Pie, "Lemon Merangue" to die for.... I'm eating it today!

I'm sure everyone gets a craving and the other day, mine was "Lemon Merangue Pie"
  The need never went away so this morning about 6am I went to the kitchen, made my coffee and started pulling out all the ingredients to make myself one.

 First I want to tell you about my glass cutting board.  I love this thing!  It was something I  picked up at a yard sale about 6 years ago for all of $1.00.  It's been a counter saver and the perfect spot to roll out pie crust.  A few months ago I thought of getting another one in the stores and could not believe the price for one this size.. it was $39.00.  So now I'm on the look out at all yard sales I go to.. so far nothing.
 1 stick of  sweet butter (cold) and 1 1/2 c of flower, 1/4 tsp salt,  three tablespoons icy water into the mixer, on low and pie crust emerges.  Transfer the sticky pie crust mixture to my glass cutting board that has been dusted with flour and roll out, put in pie pan then prick with a fork and bake in a  hot oven (425') for about 12 minutes.   Done! 
You will see I made two small tart crusts, because I know I made much too much of the  lemon mixture.  My neighbor next door will love these little guys.

 Ok, I cheated a bit.  Used Jello-Lemon flavored pudding mix, but I did add 2 tsp fresh lemon juice to give the pudding a bit more tartness.
What do you want?  It's 6am!
 The Jello mix called for 1 c of sugar per box, I used two boxes, but I only added 1/2 cup per.  I could taste the tartness...

 Time to mix the egg whites into smooth Merangue.  
4 egg whites 1/4 c sugar and turn it on high and walk away for about 5 minutes.
 "Tick Tock... Tick Tock"
I have a really bad problem with burning food. 
 Really!  
Anything that needs high heat and only minutes to brown usually ends up burnt so I sat in front of the oven door (literally sat on the floor) while the merangue browned.  I timed it, 4 minutes at 425'f. I know what would have happened if I walked away.  Just ask my family what happens when I try to make toast or garlic bread.

Perfect!

Look at the luschiousness of this pie.  
I took a piece to two of my neighbors.  They are up in the years and just love it when I surprise them with something special.
Besides, if I give most of it away
"I won't eat it it all"

 I did say in my header, "This is my Easter Pie" so I guess that means I can't make another for that special day. But then I'm sure after the Mr. gets his hands on it today I may need to.... maybe?

 "Happy Easter"


I'm linking up to
Friday Food Frenzy 
Show off your Stuff 






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Tuesday

It's Spring 2013 (In Florida) ... or is it?

It's Spring!  

That's what everyone is telling me and all I read and see on the news is the north is still suffering the wrath of winter. 
 Snow?  
 What snow?  
We in South Florida are having chilly weather but the sun is glorious.   The past two days I've been cleaning and doing damage control out in the yard.  This year our winter was odd indeed... It's been colder than normal and most of my plantings have suffered.
Yesterday our Home Depot had a great sale on "Red Bark Mulch" and I  bought 20 bags.. they were $1.00 a bag. 
 Then the unthinkable happened.  
I threw out my back,  yep, I really hurt myself and had to give up when I had so much more to do. 

Today was spent up in my room,  laying down filled with muscle relaxers trying to baby my poor aching back.  My hands were busy as usual finishing up a new crochet table cloth I've been working on for several weeks.
 I looked out from my bedroom balcony into the beautiful sunshine and wanted to cry because I could not finish, but I feel so good about how much I did get done.  The weeds took over this past winter and I made some large piles for the lawn guys to take on Thursday. (Our regular day for them to spruce up the lawn.  I love those guys)


As much as I love my yard, it's so much work to keep it up.
One good thing about being stuck indoors today I was able to have a good gab with my sister in Saudi on Face Time.  Then a two hour phone chat with the new mommy, my daughter.  Her  baby is 2 weeks today and had his check up with the Dr.  He and his brothers are all doing great.  
Well, it's 5 in the afternoon and 55' out.  Freeze warning tonight they say, wonder if I need to get out and put some sheets on my new plantings?  No, I think I'll take my chances and let mother nature take over.

 
 "Happy Spring"

I'm linking up to


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Saturday

From Trash to Treasure. My little trashey table turned into something special...

"Here is the before"
 It was time and weather worn, peeling and just  dirty.

 While visiting my daughter in Jupiter, Fl a few months back we took our daily walk and found this sweet little table in the trash.  Cyndi is still a bit timid about picking up trash, but me, I grabbed it and carried it several blocks to her home.  It  went in the back of my car and just yesterday I thought it was time to do something with it.
 "What a sweet little bed table this would make"  
So I bought some spray paint.  Not any spray paint but the good stuff.  This one had a built in primer and it said 
"No sanding needed" 
That's my kind of spray paint!

 I learned from the label under the table it was hand painted in India. I'm sure when new this was quite nice. I chose to leave the information on for future knowledge.
 Once the cleaning began I also learned this table is not made of perfect wood.  From what I could tell it was particle board of sorts and it really felt like heavy duty card board.  The original paint on top was wearing away and sanding was out of the question.  I took my chances and sprayed it anyway.  It's still a bit lumpy but the paint went on so well it's really not bad for what I want to do with it. 
 Once I added a little vintage table cloth it looks great!
Perfect shape and size to use on the bed for my laptop.

 Or for a cup of tea in the evenings, with a snack.
 I added a little vase with flowers from my garden.  
Yes, here in Florida the flowers are blooming on this beautiful spring weekend.
 What is it they say, "From trash to treasure"  
This little table is perfect and is indeed a treasure to me.
 I'll be joining
Overflowing With Creativity
Mad Skills Link Party 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
Make It Pretty Monday 
Wow Us Wednesday 
Power of Paint 
Before and After 
Share your Cup 
Show off Your Stuff 
Talkin about Thursday 
Thrifty Things Friday 
Fabulously Creative Friday 
Furniture Feature Friday 
Power of Pinterest Party 


xoxox

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Thursday

Knitting for the little's......


I think my #1 craft is knitting.  As most of you know I just flitter from one thing to another trying to get my home just so and then doing for family and when a small child needs a sweater then I'm the first to make one.  I love knitting because it's one of the things I can do while sitting.  My hands hate to not be busy.  This little sweater is a 3 to 6 month size and my new little grandson will be the owner once I get it in the mail..   Notice the letter 'H' on the front.   
That's for 'Henry'!




 Once I had all the pieces knitted and stitched together I simply weaved all the threads into the wrong side of the garment. 


 Looking at the finished sweater I saw 'It needed some color and two little white buttons.  JoAnns had such sweet little patches for babies clothing and I chose a happy little green turtle.   A few hand stitches to secure it near the bottom of the letter 'H'... then the 'piece de resistance', well you know, 
"Grandma Loves Me"  
For some reason I use that saying on everything I make for the grandkids.



Today started out rainy and chilly but the sun came out in the early afternoon so I went out and did a bit of gardening.  Our temps for the next few days will be in the upper 70's and I'll be doing yard work for the weekend.
Everyone get out in the sunshine if you so happen to get it and enjoy the warm feeling in your bones!

I'm linking up to
(((hugs)))


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Tuesday

Roxburgh Fig, and it's fruit season in Florida

Using this sunny day to it's full advantage had me walking.  
We have a park in the Tampa Bay area that has a section devoted to fruit trees and herbs and this day the fruit trees were blooming.  
Now I've seen fig trees but this one, the"Roxburgh Fig" was a bit odd.  Normally the fruit grows on the upper branches once the flowers fall off.  This tree was different. Notice the fruit is on the bottom trunk.  Look how big the fig was.  Some grew as large as a golf ball and a few were baseball size.  Now I'm a lover of figs and use ethem often in my breakfast shake and I'd love to taste one, but being the good person that I am  I respected the "Do not take the fruit" signs.  
  I have bananas growing in my back yard and mine produce maybe two large bunches,  but this tree has hundreds of small fruit bursting on the large stem.  Amazing!
I wonder how many of you have ever tasted a Loquat?
My mom made Loquat Jelly when I was young.. it's sweet and on the order of an orange (without pulp)  and a pear. I'm really not sure how else to describe it?  Eating it just off the tree is a bit too tangy for me but made into jelly is so good!
 
I also wanted to show you the grapefruit trees out in the back of my property.  It's been a while since I've walked out there and just noticed the trees are showing rather large Grapefruits.
 The only problem the trees have never been topped and are rather tall (it's more like a jungle out there) and I  just can't get to the tops to pick all the fruit so I'm afraid they will just fall and rot. Maybe I could convince the Mr. to take the ladder but then I don't think the 6' ladder is tall enough either?  Such a waist!
There is nothing more wonderful than organic fresh fruit right off the trees.  I'm still wanting to sample the "Roxburgh Fig".  Might just go back to the park and ask if they would mind my taking just one?
But tomorrow I will be having one of those wonderful grapefruits with honey for my breakfast.  
(yes, I did get three)

* * * *
Had to update my photos.. the above is this morning and I can't tell you how sweet and juicy this fruit is.  Wish I could share!

* * * *
 If you can, get out in the warm sunshine, go! 
 It's such a mood booster and clears the mind.

I'm linking to
Outdoor Wednesday 
Alphabet Thursday 
Treasure Hunt Thursday 
Fertilizer Friday 



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Sunday

How to make a fast, tasty, easy cake... really easy!


I found Mr. N  looking in the fridge for something sweet and the only thing he could find was jelly.. so he put some strawberry jelly on bread and stood there making a frown.
That was my signal to make a cake.   I dug in the pantry and found a simple 'white cake mix'... hmmmm?  All I could do was bake it then think about what to do next?

Rum Emulsion, that will change the flavor somewhat.  I put a heaping teaspoon into the batter, let it bake then cool.
 
Wanting to do more than simply put canned frosting on the  cake I first made a simple syrup of pineapple juice and sugar, along with another teaspoon of the Rum Emulsion.  I brought the syrup to a boil to let it thicken, then spooned it over the cake and let it soak in.

Rum emulsion is on the order of vanilla flavoring.  It's much thicker and has a real rum flavor.

For the frosting, I chopped pineapple being sure to drain out the liquid as much as I could.  Mixed  it into the frosting and then spread it on the cake.
Then put on the top layer of the baked cake and topped it off with the pineapple frosting mix. No need to do the sides, there is enough flavor to please anyone wanting a sweet in a hurry.
The final touch, a few chopped Maraschino Cherries just for a bit of color and an added flavor. 
I even thought of chopping a few nuts for a garnish but there were none in the pantry. 
( mental note, replace nuts in pantry)

I'm happy to say this satisfied the Mr's sweet tooth, in fact he came back for seconds.  I'll have to admit I also had a piece and found it so nice I'll be making it again.
Now that I'm thinking about it next time I may put a bit of brown sugar into the simple syrup, sounds like it might just kick it up a notch.  Give it that pineapple up-side-down flavor?
Making a new recipe is one of my favorite things to do and this one passed the taste test with flying colors.

  
 This past week was full of family life and it has tired me out. 
 A death in the family, a new baby in the family and my sister flew home after her winter visit.  
Deep inside I'm somewhat depressed, sad or what ever you want to call it.  I think tomorrow, if the weather is kind, I might just go out in the yard and plant a few new flowers.  I need the feel of the sun and Mother Nature's kind hands on me.
 A new week is upon us and life is good.

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