This weeks favorites: afternoon tea ♥

Good Morning Loves ♥

 

I hope you all had a nice weekend!

 

I wanted to share with you a few favorites of mine from the past week. 

 

Yesterday I went to afternoon tea at Fancy That. 

 

I've posted about Fancy That before (see here) but I couldn't resist snapping a few more photos because it's so lovely.

 

 

 

 

I went with my Mom and my Aunt.  We had a 2:30 seating in the "pink room".

 

I ordered the Royal Palace tea.  It was a citrus blend of orange, lemon, and grapefruit.

 

It was delicious!

 

 

 

 

We also got a selection of  scones, tea sandwiches, and desserts. My favorite was the cucumber cream cheese sandwich and chocolate coconut macaroon ♥ 

 

Yum ~

 

  

 

 

The highlight of my day....look what I found in the gift shop!  There was also a Mrs. Patmore blend. 

 

 I was so tempted to get this just for the tin!

 

 

 

 

Back at home...  

 

This hydrangea is blooming in my backyard.  I wish I remember the name of it.  The variety of colors are so pretty!

 

 

 

Did you see my post on key lime pie? I made it again this week.  Soooo good!

 

 

Earth Therapeutics has the BEST foot scrub ever! You rub it on your feet dry, and then rinse it off with warm water.  Its made with tea tree, mint, and chamomile and smells heavenly.  It makes your aching feet tingle and feel amazingly smooth after.  I got this one at Khols. 

 

It's the next best thing to getting a pedicure ♥

 

 

 

 

Oh William! I don't always understand you, but I do love you.... ♥ 

 

I spend a few moments a day with William, either first thing in the morning or right before bed. 

 

I started this ritual in the winter and I've kept it up ever since.  The Sonnets are my favorite.  Depending on my day (or my mood : ) I interpret something different. 

 

My high school self would be horrified that I actually enjoy Shakespeare and read it for....umm...fun?

 

I can feel her rolling her eyes at me... : )   

 

  

 

 

Have you all tried this? It's orange vanilla seltzer - takes exactly like a creamsicle!

I snagged this one at work the other day. I'm hoping they restock the fridge with more of these. 

It was so good! I could get addicted for sure!

 

 

 

Summer camp starts tomorrow for my little guy.  He's very excited to see his friends again....even though it's only been a week since school ended! I heard "I'm bored" on day one of vacation.

Camp, here we come!  ♥

 

I'll be working all week, but I'm hoping to somehow squeeze in some beach time for a nice walk or at least a bike ride. Fingers crossed!

 

Hope you all have a sunny week ahead! xoxo

 

 

Key lime pie ♥

I love key lime pie.  This was my first attempt at making it. 

 

I was very happy with how it came out. 

 

So cool and refreshing for summer.

 

 

 

 

I searched online for a recipe.  There are several different variations of key lime pie.  I choose this one (slightly adapted) from the Pioneer Woman. 

 

I never realized how easy it was ♥

 

 

 

 

For the crust:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs (8 large crackers)

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup melted butter

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

 

Crush crackers in a food processor. 

 

Just dump them in, and with one little press of a button.....

 

 

 

 

there you have it! :)

 

 

 

 

Pour them in a bowl with sugar and melted butter. 

 

 

 

 

Press into a 9 inch pie plate and bake for 10 minutes or until golden and set.  Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.

 

 

 

 

For the filling:

 

1 heaping tablespoon of lime zest (which is the zest of one lime: )

1/2 cup of fresh lime juice (6 medium sized limes did it for me)

2 whole egg yolks

1 (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk

 

 

 

 

With an electric mixer, mix the lime zest, lime juice and egg yolks in a bowl. 

 

 

 

 

Add the condensed milk and mix on high until smooth and thick. 

 

 

 

 

Pour into crust and bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven, allow to cool, and then refrigerate for at least an hour - more if possible. (overnight is best).

 

 

 

 

Serve cold with whip cream if you desire.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy this summer treat! ♥

 

 

 xoxo

Blueberry pie and other loves of the week ♥

Hello Friends!

 

And just like that another week has gone by.  I hope you had a good one! Here are some of my favorite things of the week:

 

 

 

We had a lot of rain this week...I mean...a lot! But after it was over I went outside and found this! My hydrangeas are blooming! Such a beautiful sight to behold.  I love this bush because it has so many flowers that I don't feel guilty cutting some to bring inside.  ♥

 

 

 

Last day of school.  And just like that I have a 3rd grader!

 

This guy is on summer vacation!

 

 

 

  

Hubby and I are huge fans of Carlo Rossi wine. In the summer we like the Sangria.  It's very fruity and delicious.  We christened our first bottle on Saturday night.  So gooood!

 

  

 

  

I had an ugly visitor this week.  Ugh.  You would think that after turning (OMG) forty, this wouldn't happen anymore.  Apparently that's not the case.  My chin has always been an issue for me and every once in a while I have nasty flare ups. Over the years I've tried everything on the market to get rid of them, but all I end up getting is dry irritated skin on top of the problem.  Until now.  I tried Neutrogena's On the Spot treatment and I was blown away with the results.  Within one day my blemish started shrinking and the cream did not dry out my skin.  After two days it was almost completely gone.  I am definitely keeping this on hand for next time! Oh, and I only paid under $5 for it at Wal-Mart! Bonus!

 

 

 

 

I read online that Alan Leech (a.k.a Tom Branson) will be returning for the final season of Downton Abbey in January! Did you hear me scream?  I'm so happy about this because Tom is one of my favorite characters on the show.  I was so heartbroken at the end of last season when he announced that he was leaving and everyone said their tearful goodbyes at the Christmas party.  It was emotional.  When I read this article I literally did a happy dance!

 

 

 

 

Crock pots are the best!!!! I made BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for a family dinner Saturday night.  The crock pot did all the work! : )

  

 

 

 

And blueberry pie for my Dad for Father's Day.

 

I followed this recipe that I posted a few years ago.  It's my tried and true recipe that comes out perfect every time!

 

Check it out here....blueberry pie...if you want!

 

 

 

  

And here I am this morning having my coffee in the morning light of summer.  The living room is so bright in the morning (I'm actually squinting).  Either that or the caffeine just hadn't kicked in yet. Sometimes it takes a few cups.... : )

 

 

 

 

As usual I've been night stalking the stars. 

So many beautiful ones up there and I have a wish for every one ♥

 

 

 

 

So that's it for me. What are you loving this week?

 

Have a happy Monday! It's summer!!!! xoxo

 

 

 

Strawberries & cream scones and some Summer favorites ♥

Hello from sunny Massachusetts! It feels so good to step outside on a Sunday morning and see these beautiful peonies looking up at me. We had coffee together this morning.  It was nice ♥

 

So far June has been busy.  We went to a surprise anniversary party Friday night, saw friends for dinner on Saturday, and this week I am catching up with my best friend who is visiting from Ohio.  We are getting in some quality girl talk at our favorite coffee shop tomorrow and I can't wait.  It's also the last week (i.e. the FUN week) of school for John. After Friday he'll no longer be a second grader. Eeek!  I can hardly believe it!

 

 A lot of excitement around here this month : )

 

 

 

 

Since Summertime is here I thought it would be fun to give you a weekly update of some of my summer favorites - things I am currently loving about the season.  I'll try to change it up every week for you and I would also love to hear about your favorites too. 

 

 

Here's my new summer bag.  I got it at Target for $15! I don't know who makes it because there is no label on it.  I love it because it's big and can fit everything I need inside.  I've finally accepted that I just cannot carry a small purse.  As cute as they are I need to carry my life with me wherever I go.  This one is big enough to fit my day planner/journal, which I cannot leave home without.  Plus I love the flower pattern.  It's so pretty for the season. 

 

 

 

A perfect summer lipstick is Bare Minerals Moxie in Raise the Bar.  I got mine at Ulta for $18.  Since cutting my hair short I like to do a more bolder lip color.  The Bare Minerals goes on so smooth and lasts a long time! I actually love the Bare Minerals line and have been using their foundation for years.

 

 

 

Last week I whipped up a batch of these strawberries and cream scones. They are topped with sugar and cinnamon and will make your mouth water.  I got the recipe from Taste of Home. One of my all time favorite websites for easy, old fashioned recipes. 

 

Strawberries are everywhere right now.  I've been buying them every week for smoothies and to pack in lunches.  This scone recipe came together in minutes and the results were yummy! There is nothing like a sweet scone with my morning coffee ♥♥♥

 

 

Here's how to make them:

 

2 cups flour

1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

3/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

2/3 cup half & half cream

1 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries

1 egg lightly beaten

 

In a large bowl combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, lemon peel, salt and cinnamon.

Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cream just until moistened.

Knead in strawberries.  (I used a potato masher to gently mash them in).
 

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. (*tip- flouring your hands will help the dough from sticking to you*) Pat into an 8 inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges and place on a baking sheet - greased or lined with parchment paper.  Brush with egg and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake at 425 degrees  for 9 - 12 minutes. 

Enjoy!!!

This week I downloaded Echosmith's Bright on my IPOD. I'm in love with this song, listening it to in on repeat forever! If you are obsessed with the moon & stars like I am, you are probably loving it too!

I hope you are all having a relaxing Sunday.  I'm off to make a big Italian dinner tonight for the family. With extra red wine for my hubby and extra garlic bread for me! Xx


♥♥♥