Awesome Iced Tea

I just had to take a moment to share this iced tea recipe.

It only requires 3 simple steps

Ingredients

1 Gallon Water

1 1/3 cups Lipton Instant Tea Powder
Lemon Slices

Fill a Vintage Federal Glass Company Starburst Pitcher with the water.
Add tea powder and stir well to dissolve powder mix.
Serve in a water goblet or wine glass
Garnish with a lemon slice
To make it look fancy. 

C'mon... it was funny.
Admit it, you cracked a smile
And probably even laughed a little
;^)
I hope this post gave you a giggle.
I really needed to lighten the mood
After receiving 3 boxes of shattered glass today.

So glad you have stopped by

I love to read comments from folks visiting me in blogland.

I look forward to new ideas, suggestions, requests

and even any alterations you may have made to one of my recipe posts.

So please leave me a comment and I will buzz by your blog and do the same for you.

Come Back Soon

*&* Often

You're Welcome Anytime!

Aim ♥

 

        Have The Best Day Ever!

Twice As Nice Blessing...

I have met some really inspiring and motivating ladies here in blogland

I will be mentioning a few here in this post.

One of those lovely ladies "Deb" inspired this post

After seeing the really great church pew on her beautiful porch, I had to post this one & its story.

Click the link below to visit Deb's front porch. 

http://www.jeremiah-2911.com/2014/07/my-peaceful-place.html#comment-form

I'm sure she will welcome your comments about her treasures.

I love how well its written, she even includes where each piece came from, its great!

I consider reusable aka secondhand items to be *Twice As Nice* 

I purchased this Deacon's Bench from a very lovely lady name Dianne from Bel Air

All her children were grown and started their own families

Her and her husband like most empty nesters were down sizing and moving to Florida.

The history of this bench is just as beautiful as the bench itself.
Dianne's father found several of them in an old Pennsylvania church that he was remodeling.

He gave her and each of her siblings one of these benches.

What a great Daddy.

Sadly, he later passed away in 2010 at the age of 86.

Dianne said even though this bench was not in good condition

they could tell it was a beautiful piece of oak.

With the help of her father Dianne refinished this bench to the lovely state its in today.

She tried to give this beautiful piece to family, but all of them already had one,
others just did not have a room big enough.
It's gorgeous, and I feel very blessed to have it in my humble home.

It has also worked double duty as a delivery / sorting area.

But that didn't last long, as I can't handle having anything covering its beauty.

I also purchased the print on the wall, the green shelf and all the baskets from Dianne.

Plus many more items... I'll save them for another post.

The boxes remind me of clutter which brings to mind an organizing post by Dianna, she's a very motivating lady.

She covers the Lord, organizing, gardening, recipes, and so much more on her blog.

http://jesusweadorethee.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-simple-womans-daybook-entry-30-and.html

Another lovely lady is Cindy, she has quickly become a dear friend

She is such a wonderful decorator and plays the most fun games on her blog.

You should see the treasures she has found and the way she decorates with them.

So beautiful! 

http://creationsbycindyphotography.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-07-23T08:34:00-04:00&max-results=3

Below I have one of my favorite furniture finds, as in bang for the buck that is.

I purchased 3 great looking and very functional wall cabinets from a nice couple that was relocating to Hawaii to be closer to the wife's family.

 There was so much going on when my husband and I picked these up,

that I didn't even think to ask the seller where she purchased this set.

I did ask her husband Chris how old the set was.
He said his wife had it when they met in 1998.
I don't know how long she owned them before they met.
I purchased them with the intentions of placing them in my kitchen to store my PYREX collection.
But... after we carried them in, and sat them down in the living room...

I loved how well they matched the wood flooring that hubby *&* I installed together as a team.

So they stayed in the living room.
I bought an antique table and hutch for the kitchen, so all worked out as it should.

I posted photos of them in earlier posts with my PYREX collections on them.

I think this was one of the best deals I have ever found on secondhand furniture

I love the door style, the dentil molding, all the space for my antique and vintage treasures.

They look great as is, but I really wanted them painted.

Where is Celeste when you need her? heehee

She is such a lovely painter, see for yourself at http://www.celestinamariedesign.com/

Just wait until you see her amazing work.

She even has an Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/celestinamariedesign

filled with such gorgeous works of art.

And this multi-talented lady is just as sweet as she is creative.

Here are some of the lovely treasures  I have stored in them...

I'm actually selling the tea cup and saucer sets on the second shelf.

My Beautiful Shelley's...

These tea cups are *Top-shelf* aka My Shelley shelf.

 I just adore them

I've been so afraid I would come across a collectable I couldn't afford to collect.
I'm going to have to hunt more frequently for deals on these little darlings.

I've collected several Nippon pieces I really adore.

But I've become smitten with Nippon two handled vases as well.

I paid way more than I ever dreamed I would... shhh

But, in my defense... another collector pointed this out and just look at it, how was I to resist?!

 Oh what's a girl to do... to be continued :)

Many thanks to the lovely ladies mentioned above... you are truly appreciated.

So glad you have stopped by

I love to read comments from folks visiting me in blogland.

I look forward to new ideas, suggestions, requests

and even any alterations you may have made to one of my recipe posts.

So please leave me a comment and I will buzz by your blog and do the same for you.

Come Back Soon

*&* Often

You're Welcome Anytime!

Aim ♥

 

        Have The Best Day Ever!

Dilly of a Stuffed Celery

Dilly of a Spread...

Just Look At How Pretty They Are!

I Love Depression Glassware

Especially the pieces with uranium in them

They have that "Gorgeous Green Glow"

Unfortunately, it wasn't dark enough to capture the full effect when I served these snacks.

Hubby said I can serve this to him anytime

By *this* he was referring to the spreadable dip I filled the celery with.

Then he preceeded to list off times they would be great for... while he's watching football was #1! 

They really are very good, and I've never had or even heard of anything like them.

That's because I just starting tossing in flavors that I like with cream cheese ;^)

They remind me of the flavor of my tzatziki sauce.

I first made these for my son's baptismal dinner.

I nearly didn't get photos of the platters I made.

Actually I wasn't able to get photos in time.

They were devouring the platters as soon as I sat them out.

I guess I should have taken that as a compliment, instead of being so disappointed over not getting photos of all my hard work that was spread out in such a lovely display.

I mean what's a recipe without all those great pics, right? !  <Giggles>

Anyway here it is...

This is a good family size, if you're making it for a gathering I would suggest doubling it.

They will be eating it on everything!

ingredients

1 (8 oz) Brick Cream Cheese

1/4 cup Sour Cream

1 teaspoon Bon Appétit Seasoning

1/4 cup Raw Pistachio Nuts, Roasted & Ground

0.25 ounce Fresh Dill, Minced (about 1/2 Tbs fresh)

1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder, I ran out of Fresh

1/2 (2.5 Tbs) Cucumber, Shaved & Minced

Directions

I started by pulling all the ingredients out of the refrigerator

and letting them sit at room temp while I worked on prepping the celery.

Trim the ends and leafy tops off the celery.

Rinse and thoroughly dry the celery.

Important step

Slowly snap the celery

What I mean by snap is bend it until it literally snaps!

You will see all those chewy strings connecting the celery.

You know those part of celery that gets stuck between your teeth, ick!

Well, we don't want them. Pull those off!

If you work gently and slowly, you can remove all of those pesky strings. (See photos)

Don't worry, no one will look under there ;^)

Now, heat a dry skillet over medium-heat

Yes, dry. No oil, sprays or fats of any kind. 

Toss in the raw shelled pistachio nuts

It will only take 2 to 3 minutes to toast them

Remove from heat, place in a mini food chopper.

Grind into crumbs.

Place cucumber and dill in to the mini chopper, and mince.

In the bowl of a stand mixer add cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder,

Bon Appétit, nuts, dill and cucumber.

Whip until fluffy.

Scraping down sides as needed with a rubber spatula.

I love the texture, it's not thick and dense like a brick of cream cheese.

The sour cream and electric mixer make it just the right amount of light and fluffy.

Once it's refrigerated it will become thicker once again.

Stuff celery sticks using a wide spreader / spatula.

I used the serrated edge of the spreader to make a grooved pattern
 as seen in the photo below.

Once stuffed, I cut them into 2 1/2 inch bite size pieces

The OCD in me made me get out my mini tape measure <Giggles>

You can cut them in to whatever size you like.

I also sliced up cucumber and thin strips of celery

for those with special diets who can't have a lot of dairy.

 

This way they could dip the pieces.

I put some dip into shot glasses and garnished with a sprig of celery leaves.

Oh SO Cute!

And its a cleaver useful way for non-drinkers to get use of those dusty shot glasses. 

I placed the celery in my gorgeous green depression relish trays

then dressed them up with the following 

Garnishes

Celery Leaves

Curly Parsley

Cucumber Slices

*&*

Radish Roses

Yes, I butchered them, but hey, I tried :^P

Set out other veggies, pita chips and pretzels for dipping.

We really enjoy those pretzel chips.

The texture of this dip spreads easily on to crackers, pumpernickel bread, and toast points as well.

I recommend Keebler Club crackers, Ritz crackers, Chicken in a Biscuit crackers and Wheat Thins.

TIP

If you don't have Bon Appétit, use celery salt and onion powder.

NOTE

This is one of those recipes you can use fat free and light without missing flavor.

Just be sure to use a good quality brand.

 So glad you have stopped by

I love to read comments from folks visiting me in blogland.

I look forward to new ideas, suggestions, requests

and even any alterations you may have made to one of my recipe posts.

So please leave me a comment and I will buzz by your blog and do the same for you.

Come Back Soon

*&* Often

You're Welcome Anytime!

Aim ♥

 

        Have The Best Day Ever!

Succulent Rosemary Pork Chops with Brandied Peach Sauce

I still cannot apply photos from my laptop.
However, I was able to add photos to blogger from my cell phone... go figure.
A real hubby pleaser
He fell in love with these, my son did too but without the fruit topping.
These chops have such wonderful flavors that blend together perfectly.
Ingredients
CHOPS
2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
4 Bone-in Pork Loin Chops

4 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tsp per chop

1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1/8 teaspoon Ground Red (Cayenne) Pepper

1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder

1/4 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning

4 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary
1 Bulb Roasted Garlic, Sliced and divided
1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Shallots, peeled, julienned and sautéed
1 teaspoon Cognac

SAUCE
1 Tablespoon Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter
1/2 to 3/4 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth

15 ounce can Peaches in Light Syrup, drained
3 Tablespoons Orange Preservers
1 teaspoon Freshly Squeezed Naval Orange Juice
Orange Peel
14 to 16 pieces Freshly Shaved Ginger

2 Roasted Cloves Garlic
1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves

1/8 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Cognac

Directions
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Using a vegetable peeler I shaved off about 14 to 16 strips of ginger.

Rub the pork chops with Worcestershire sauce on both sides.

Season each chop with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and poultry seasoning.

As soon as it starts to lightly smoke, it's hot enough to sear!

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat
Add olive oil

Searing happens quickly, so watch closely. 

Place chops in skillet, Sear for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side.
I seared one at a time.

Transfer chops to a plate, cover to keep warm, set aside.

In a sauté pan over medium heat
Add olive oil, once oil is hot

 Add shallots, sauté until caramelized.
Add a splash of cognac.

In the same skillet the chops were seared in, melt butter.

Oh just look at all that flavor waiting to be made into something

Add chicken broth, soy sauce, preserves, ginger, peach slices, orange peel, cloves and cinnamon.

Simmer about 15 minutes.
Remove from burner, add a tablespoon of cognac to finish the sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

NOTE

If you prefer a thicker sauce, add cornstarch and simmer until desired thickness is achieved.

 

Place fresh rosemary and at least 1 large clove of roasted garlic on each chop

I added peaches straight from can as well for depth of color and texture.

Equally cover each chop with peach slices and sautéed shallots
Spoon sauce over each chop

Bake uncovered for about 16 to 18 minutes or until the internal temperature of 160 F.

Be careful not to over bake or the chop will be tough.

Transfer chops to a platter, cover with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Serve pork chops with a drizzle of cognac peach sauce on top.

Succulent!  Just look at that moisture *&* So tender. 

I served the chops with a side of Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes.

Hubby said they were excellent!

I served this on a very pretty pink depression glass platter

But a drizzle of the branded peach sauce took them over the top.

Bon Appetite

 So glad you have stopped by

I love to read comments from folks visiting me in blogland.

I look forward to new ideas, suggestions, requests

and even any alterations you may have made to one of my recipe posts.

So please leave me a comment and I will buzz by your blog and do the same for you.

Come Back Soon

*&* Often

You're Welcome Anytime!

Aim ♥

 

        Have The Best Day Ever!