Thursday, February 23, 2012

Did You Know.......




What is a Taphophile?


I am a folklorist, an anthropologist, a student of history! I love to walk in cemeteries and I enjoy reading histories of peoples' fears and hopes for their eternal rest.



"Taphophilia" is the best name for my syndrome. It means "love of cemeteries". All those who walk the shaded avenues of our favorite graveyard now have a word to describe ourselves without sounding like weirdos.


I spend countless hours on family history, genealogy and walking local cemeteries! I am a volunteer for many web sites that send me requests from ancestors to photograph their loved ones gravestones.



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries!

"lover of tombstones"

I LOVE connecting all the pieces of the puzzle... whether it be for me or for others!



Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Old Chicken Feeder

How super cute is this idea.......I haven't been antiquing for ever!


Growing Shamrocks



Care Tips


1. Plant in well-drained peat-based potting soil.


2. Keep at normal room temperature (55 to 75 degrees).


3. Grow in bright, indirect light.


4. Water regularly on top of the soil.


5. Let almost dry between waterings.


6. Fertilize once a month.


Select a good plant by looking for one with new growth, a few flower buds just opening and more ready to bloom. You can grow shamrocks from bulbs ...which needs to be planted in the late spring or early fall, but starting with a plant is much more reliable.

Out of curiousity I have just made a few local calls and no one appears to carry our little shamrock. The good advice I was given though.....was to check the supermarket floral department in a couple of weeks as they usually have them in stock. Makes perfectly good sense..........


Did you know it was traditional to plant peas on St. Patricks Day?

Did you know that green is my favorite color? (giggles).....Has to be the Irish in me!!

Much Needed Vacation

I simply cannot wait to taste my favorite Clam Chowder! I have to admit that Boston had some pretty darn awesome chowder too but this little gem comes served in a most delicious bread bowl! Some things are just worth the wait right? Just wandering through this place is amazing......the bakery and all of their speciality breads, the gift shop, and the restaurant....Oh My Heck.......I cannot wait! Off to China town the first day and then onto Salsalito and up into Muir Woods to see the redwoods...........

Friday, February 17, 2012

Jenny's Dolls



Jenny has some new adorable dolls! Please check them out here!
http://www.cutestdollsever.blogspot.com/


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Lucky Irish Pretzels



All you need is pretzels, Hershey's kisses, chocolate chips- Use white ones, and green M&M's.
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
Lay out your pretzels on the cookie sheet.
Place one Hershey's kiss or 4 chocolate chips on each pretzel.



When the chocolate is soft- after about 5 minutes, take out of oven and place a green M&M in the middle. If you use the chocolate chips, you can use a toothpick to swirl it a little so it looks like a clover.



I like the way the chips look like a clover shape- perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Of course can make chocolate pretzels for any holiday. So Yummy! Happy St. Patrick's Day.

I Love Sewing



I thought I had better hurry and take some photos of my cute baby gift for our "Lit'l Becky before I put them in the mail today. I think it turned out super cute! This time when I did the blanket I made it two sided. I usually do only one side for the swaddler as I worry that two sides is to warm........but it's too cute and I love the matching burp cloths. We love you Lit'l Beck and I hope all goes well!








If you missed the tutorial on the burps......leave a comment and I will direct you or give you the how to's..........It's super easy! Homemade gifts are the best!

A Day at the Park



Our little River has grown so much! I can't believe how fast babies grow and change. I just wish we could slow down time!









Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day



I am sending out a great big Valentine's Hug to all my many friends, family, blogging buddies, and my faithful blogging followers. I hope it is a wonderful day filled with "Lot's O' Love" ♥♥

Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches




Makes 24 sandwiches.........Yummy

Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons Homemade Vanilla Extract Homemade Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
2 to 2 1/2 pints strawberry ice cream, softened

Directions
1.In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, vanilla, and sugar. Add eggs and milk, and mix until combined. Add reserved flour mixture, and mix on low speed until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl at least once. Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.

2.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough out on a floured surface, sliding an offset spatula under the dough to release it every few turns of the rolling pin. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut dough using a variety of heart-shape cookie cutters 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, making sure each cookie has a match to make a sandwich. Place hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet; chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Remove from refrigerator; use a fork to prick the cookies all over with holes. Bake until just firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet; transfer to a wire rack.

3.With the underside of half the cookies face up, spoon softened strawberry ice cream about 1/2 inch thick to cover one side. Place matching cookie on top of ice cream, top side facing out. Transfer immediately to freezer to harden; repeat with remaining cookies and ice cream. Serve directly from the freezer. Sandwiches can be kept stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 to 4 days.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Cupcake Liner Storage




So Clever.....Love this!

For The Beauty Of The Earth



So.... today, after church I decided to head up the canyon on a two hour hike along the Parus Trail and I thought I would take photos all along the way .......so you could go with me too! I have said it hundreds of times before but "I live in one of the most sacred places in the world" and I just have to share it!





The awesome Zion Shuttle buses sleeping! It won't be long now....April 1st. Get rested!

When my grandkidos are here we love to ride the buses!









Oh no......didn't see the mud on the road here.........red hills, red dirt and red mud! Thats our Zion!



This view is past the bus yard and this is housing for seasonal employees.



Another view and I love this cause here is the playground for the seasonal employess with children. It always reminds me of one of the Terminator episodes where the playground looks alot like this after the fall out! Eek............

































Finally back up my street and homeward bound! Talk about cloud coverage! Where the heck is my mountain?



KISS


A fun gift, make a huge rice crispie "Kiss". I would add some little hershie's kisses in with it or dip the lot into chocolate! Either way it would be fun, simple and all of us can get the original recipe off a Box of Rice Krispies! :-)