I'm Blue

I have to admit that I am a little Blue ~ on this blue monday

It's time for me to part with 'Bugalu'.
I've had her for 11 years and we have some special memories together.

We called in the experts to get her cleaned up and ready to go.
These guys are awesome! The Auto Medic came to our driveway with a van full of touch up tools . . . if you are in the Birmignham area
205-907-6060

She is 'spit shined' as we say in the south.
Now, she is ready for a new girl with a cute hat (and some sunscreen)

Of course . . . I've traded up.
Don't ya Know ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues.
Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

Friday Favorite ~Hats

Have you ever heard the saying "he could have fun with a stick"
Well . . . just imagine me.
with a camera.
in the hat department at Peter Jones in Sloane Square.

I had the time of my life ~

Like a kid in a candy store . . .

acting like a queen ~

or perhaps the Duchess of  Cambridge.

What is your favorite today?
I am linking to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest. (especially since I only played, and didn't buy a one of them)
Y'all join in~
 Sandi

Friday Favorites ~ Love these labels?

I'm working my way through these Lemon posts . . . Starting the week with memories of Positano, a recipe for limoncello, and now for these cute labels.

Pam from  Sidewalk Shoes  commented that she loved these chalkboard labels . . . especially when I explained how easy they were.

When I make Limoncello . . . I use the 360 vodka, because the bottles can be reused and resealed with the cute little cork stoppers.
I paint the existing label with my chalk paint.

Waa- Laa ~
Chalk paint labels.
I might have gotten a little crazy and painted lots of labels. Big empty jars of nuts make great containers for grits and rice.
What is your favorite today?
I am linking to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.
Y'all join in~
 Sandi

A treat ~

When is a rice krispy treat, not a kiddie treat?

When they are made with browned butter, creamy roasted almond butter and topped with flakes of sea salt.

Almond Browned Butter Krispie Treats
3 Tbs butter +2Tbs butter
1 bag miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup Almond butter
5 cups rice crispies
1 Tbs coarse salt
Using 2 Tbs butter, coat the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Melt the 3 Tbs of butter in a large non stick pan over low heat. The butter will melt then slowly turn to a nutty brown color. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. Add the Almond butter and stir until creamy. Add the cereal in batches, stirring until blended.

Press mixture into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with sea salt.
I don't know that I'd call rice crispy treats 'healthy eating' . . . but these are gluten free.
And yummy!
The only thing missing is a little dark chocolate . . . But that is an idea for next time.

What is your favorite today?
I am also linking to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.
Y'all join in~
 Sandi

Friday Favorites ~ Nutcracker Sheriff

I'm so excited about my newest wedding couple ~
It's fun to create these custom cake toppers.

This was a cute couple from Minnisota, who are having a holiday wedding.

He is a state police officer ~ you can see the sheriff's badge on his sharp Nutcracker uniform.

She has a beautiful flowing ballgown ~ with red shoes peeping underneath.

I know the wedding will be beautiful and wish them years of happiness.
You can find lots more happy couples at my ETSY shop ~ Gimme Some Sugar
I am linking to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.
Y'all join in~
 Sandi

Newest Favorite Couple

This is my newest favorite little couple ~
It's another wedding cake topper, check my ETSY shop Gimme Some Sugar for others!                         

I say 'little' . . . He stands a good foot taller than the bride.
So of course, I had to make the couple match them.

They are looking forward to a small wedding in just a few weeks . . . This will be a great momento of their special day.

and then an exciting life . . .

I wish them nothing but happiness and peace in their new lives.

Do you have a friday favorite today?

I am linking to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.

Y'all join in~
 Sandi

Hope you have a Friday Favorite

I have been a bad blogger this week . . . sometimes life just get's in the way.
So, It's friday and I'm just now posting something ~ I know y'all will understand.

Now . . . just in time for Friday Favorites ~

I am headed to Charlotte for a little LuLu time and to celebrate Hope's birthday.
I can't believe this sweet little thing is one!
That's a Friday's Favorite for sure.
What is your favorite today?

Y'all join in~
 Sandi

Hard 'Boiled' Eggs

Y'all are going to love this!

A newer and easier way to hard 'boil' eggs . . . Thanks to Pinterest.

Place eggs in muffin tins or in paper cups ~ just to keep them from rolling around.
Put them into a cold oven and turn it to 325°  , Bake for 25-27 minutes.

Put them back in the fridge to cool.
Perfect every time!

I will never stand over a boiling pot of water wondering if my eggs are hard or soft boiled again.

What is your favorite today?
I'm also linking up at The Shabby Nest with this Frugal Friday idea.
Y'all enjoy~
 Sandi

Fish in a Tin ~ Friday Favorite

We've been home from the beach for 2 weeks ~
why does time just crawl when your not sitting under an umbrella?

I was craving the flavor of the beach. One of our favorite places in Orange Beach is Calypso Joe's. It's a bit of a mess right now, with construction . . . but we still enjoyed sitting outside at the marina. This is my favorite thing on the menu! Here is my version . . .

Fish in a Tin
4 talapia fillets
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 cup mango chunks
1 cup sugar snap peas
1 cup sliced carrots
1 onion, sliced
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 Tbs WhistleStop Marinade (optional)
red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
Salt and pepper

Combine coconut milk with fruit and veggies and set aside. (I used frozen pineapple and mangos, so this gave them a chance to thaw). Tear 4 large pieces of aluminum foil for each fish fillet.

Place each fillet in the center of the foil, sprinkle generously with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes for a little spice. Divide the veggies and sauce evenly over each fillet. Seal the foil packets so that the juice won't leak out.
Bake at 400°  12-15 minutes.

Open the foil and serve with rice.

It's a taste of the beach ~
That's a Friday Favorite.
Y'all join in~
Sandi

Friday Favorites ~ Clet Art

This is a fun Friday's Favorites . . . for me anyway.
Before I went to Italy, I had heard of Clet Abraham and his 'grafitti signs' in Florence. My Friend in Florence even posted about him.
I was determined to keep my eyes open . . . like a scavenger hunt!
So imagine my thrill when I saw this near Vatican City in Rome ~ Notice the angel wings.

I was keeping my eyes open . . . and my camera ready in Florence.

Near the corner gelato shop . . .

On 'my' via Del Giglio ~ where my Hotel Burchianti is. I wonder if he did this just for me?

Then of course . . . one for the masses of tourists in front of the Duomo.

I wonder how many people actually look up from their Rick Steves guidebook to notice?

What is your favorite today?
Y'all join in~
 Sandi

Friday's Favorites ~ Words

I am loving pinterest ~
you can always find something that makes you smile.
What is your favorite today? ♥
Y'all enjoy~
Sandi

Fr♥day's Favor♥tes ~ Another Happy Couple

I have created another Happy Couple for my ETSY store Gimme Some Sugar. These Cute Wedding Cake Toppers are all custom made and unique to each couple.
This is the beautiful daughter of one of my friends. . . with her special Justin Alexander tea length dress and chic fascinator veil.
The wedding was just last weekend in Montgomery. It was such a perfect wedding. They kept things fun and so unique. She didn't want a fuu-fuu wedding cake ~ and did a tower of strawberry cupcakes instead. The cute cake topper still had a place of honor.
They put it under a glass cloche on the cake table.
And . . . here. . . The Happy Mr & Mrs . . .
That's a friday's favorite for sure !
What is your favorite today?
Y'all enjoy~
Sandi