Tasty Tuesday

           You should know all about my love affair with coffee by now, and if you don't, you will soon! I love coffee like I never knew I could or even would! The smell of  those yummy beans brewing starts my day in delight! I drink it hot year round, 3-4 cups in the morning makes for a good day! It was only a few years ago when I discovered Mo lattes from Dairy Queen, what a treat!  And now McDonald's has Fares, another wow moment and the only thing I go to McDonald's for, their coffee is excellent but who can afford those pricey iced coffee drinks? Not me, so guess what? I found a super easy recipe for us to make them right at home.  Now, from the links I visited, there seems to be a science to making them, some say use double strength coffee, or cold brew? So, I played around with the best of the bunch and here is my recipe for my favorite way to drink coffee cold, in mocha form!

Mocha Chiller

1 c. extra strong brewed coffee
Sugar to taste
1 c. half & half
1/4 c. chocolate syrup ( more if you like but at least 1/4 c.)
Ice cubes
Whip cream
Brew coffee and add sugar while still hot to dissolve. Combine coffee, half and half, and chocolate syrup in pitcher, stir well to combine. Serve over ice and top with whip cream, which is optional. Enjoy!

    Doesn't that hit the spot on a hot day while at work or play? And so much cheaper. Join me in a summer love fest with coffee, hot and cold! Now, treat yourself to something nice with the money you are saving by making this at home! Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Tipsy Planter

           This is a hit from last summer but worth repeating, since I still haven't gotten around to making one yet! But, this one is made from plasitc pots that can be cheaply bought from your favorite dollar store, so I'm glad I waited, this one will be much lighter, plus, you can spray paint the pots to match your decor or porch! A easy tuturial can be snagged here, just search for Tipsy Planter.  Should be a fun and fast summer project!

       Summer is back to normal for us, finally! Even got some much needed rain, it was over 2 weeks with out any, and my poor flowers are hanging in there, barley! Less humidity this week and more chances of rain makes this woman happy as can be! Oh, how I've missed normal!

Sure Shots

            One of my readers asked me recently how she could join my camera club over at Facebook, so this request reminded me that I've been meaning to post about it so others can join on the fun! So, I'm gonna try to leave you a link but remember, you must be on Facebook to join.  Were called Sure Shots because we have a monthly challenge shot that is judged on and one winner each month is chosen for the  best shot in that challenge. Now,  were all learning together by sharing what our eye sees once the camera is pointed and the shot is snapped.  The only requirement is that you love to take photos and want to learn to do so even better. All levels of skill are welcome, we teach, learn and share with one another. I myself have learned alot about my camera, it goes where ever I go now! So, if you'd like to join us, try this link, if for reason it doesn't work, look us up on Facebook under Sure Shots, and look for the photo above to make sure you have the right group. Or, I can send you a invite if you be-friend me, either way, if your interested, we'll get you invited one way or another! The July challenge begins June 26th, the theme has yet to be announced but we have also have a Brag Book for you to upload your favorite brag shots plus you can check out the other challenges so far to a idea of how we play! All are welcome, hope to see you there! Start snapping!

Porch Season Giveaway Winner!

       The winner of the American Porch book is "Faithfullness Farm" ! Congrats to you, get me your mailing info so I can get your book in the mail soon! Just wanted to say, I love her blog and the title, what a cool name for a farm and blog, you can't go wrong there!

Tasty Tuesday

      Does baking bring you joy?  It sure does me, especially when I'm baking for our Sunday School class, muffins are my mission! The kids from all classes come downstairs for muffins before class, I've never seen such eager kids, brings me joy each week! Joy of Baking is one my favorite to go places for just any recipe I need and they came through once again when I was in the mood to make some zucchini bread, not just any zucchini bread, chocolate, which is way better! Doesn't chocolate make all things better?  Plus, you can't tell there is any zucchini in it so the kids will never know! lol

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

1 1/2 c. zucchini (half pound)
1 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. cinnamon and allspice
1/2 c. oil  ( I use canola for baking)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 lg. eggs
1 t. vanilla
3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x5x3 pan and set aside. Grate zucchini and set aside.  In a large bowl whisk together flour, cocoa, b. soda and powder and spices, set aside. In another bowl, beat oil, sugars, eggs and vanilla till well blended. Fold in zucchini. Add to flour mixture, beating till combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan and bake for almost 1 hour or till toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!

   This has to be best way to use zucchini, if you ask me? Then again, this is the only way I eat zucchini! lol

Summer, bah humbug!

           The calender still says June, but to the body it feels more like August, what is up with the weather this year, oh wait, and last year too? We seem to be a month early at least all year long, so far anyway. Spring only lasted a month before summer hit hard and dry! And summer hasn't officially begun yet, I'm wondering what August will bring? Plus, at this rate, I"m already hoping fall will be early too!
   And, I'm not alone in my thinking and wishing, most everyone has complained about the above normal temps and lack of rain, so at least I know it's just not me! As I get older, and I turn a year older in a few days, I don't take kindly to the heat, not when the number hits 90 and climbing. Can't forget the humidity either, it's been up there too, so humid the other night, my camera lens was too foggy for a clear shot! I feel for the wildlife, plant life and all the air conditioners working overtime trying to keep our houses comfy, man, am I ever grateful for air conditioning!
    So, how do you stay cool and beat the heat other than stay inside? I like to watch Christmas movies or winter themed, anything with snow in it, you get the idea! The old tea jug is working overtime too and oh yes, ice cream is a must, and well earned after a evening of weeding the garden......I guess I don't have to tell you summer is not my favorite season! Stay cool and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the dad's out there!

Junk Gypsy GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Junk Gypsy GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click on the link above for your chance to win a $50 gift card to the hippest, and vintage cowgirl goodies around! Check it out!

Tasty Tuesday

              If you know me at all, and some of you do from Facebook, you know how much I love coffee! So, this lead to pondering the idea of making a coffee syrup for ice cream, the notion woke me up better than a cup of joe! So, I hopped on the information highway and found a exit for a easy recipe that filled the house with a triple shot aroma of java juice! Ok, enough with the fancy talk, but really, this recipe is so easy, turns your home into a coffee house scent that Glade should invent and just the right treat on a bowl of chocolate ice cream on a warm evening.......but beware, the sugar content is high so save this for a special occasion!

Coffee Syrup

Place enough coffee and water to make 6 servings in your drip coffeemaker. Brew then cool a bit.  Replace coffee in filter with fresh grounds but use the brewed coffee to pour back into the coffee maker making this batch double strength.  Repeat this process for a third time making it triple strength.

Measure the amount of brewed coffee and add half as much sugar, for example, if you have 5 cups of brewed coffee, add 2 1/2 cups of sugar. Stir directly into brewed coffee while still hot to melt the sugar, store in airtight container and keep in fridge, for up too 2 months.  Enjoy!

    Just think, now you can have a sweet fix over ice cream or even used in milkshakes or cold coffee drinks, who says the summer is too hot for coffee, not me!

Porch Season Giveaway!

             Oh, tis the season for porch sitting, decorating and living outside as much as possible! Summer is here! It feels like summer already, we went from a little taste of spring to a big blast of summer, both odd for us! I sure hope Mother Nature gets back on track soon, but till then, we can always make the best of it and even if that means not getting out on the porch till the sun goes down a bit, well, that's life and porch season!

       It's been awhile since I've had a giveaway so I thought no better reason than to celebrate the Great American Porch! I have a wonderful little coffee table book on "Porches" that will be the giftie, so leave me a comment here on what your porch looks like, is it old and full of flair? Or is it new, treated and simple? I love porches and I love hearing about them and seeing them too, so inspire me with yours in detail, and if you have a photo posted on your blog of your porch, you will be entered twice if you leave a link for all of us to visit! And for a third shot at the book, email me the name of the famous porch in the photo above! I'll be curious to see how many know of it! You have till June 22 to enter so good luck and get out and enjoy your porch!

Rachel Ray Giveaway

             Now, that I got your attention, the giveaway for the RR baking pans is over at The Country Blossom, so head over and check it out. We all could stand to update our bakeware and aren't these pretty! Good luck!

Tasty Tuesday

             I'm back with another cool treat to help pass your summer cravings for something frozen and oh so good!  I posted this last winter, but this is truely a summer time treat and a great way to use up your hot chocolate mix! Frozen hot chocolate is easy, and we love easy, don't we and you'll love this yummy and rich dessert.


Frozen Hot Chocolate





3 oz. good chocolate
2 Tbsp. store bought hot cocoa mix or homemade
1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 c. milk
3 c. ice
whipped cream
Chop chocolate into small pieces and melt in a small saucepan, stirring till melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar, stirring well till blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 c. of the milk and stir well again. Cool to room temp. In a blender place remaining 1 c. milk, the chocolate mix and ice. Blend on high till smooth and resembles a frozen drink. Pour into a tall glass or big cup and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or sprinkles. Enjoy!


       I hope your enjoying my out of the normal recipes but after all these years of cooking and baking, I love to try new things, and I must say, the bacon post above has got to be one of the top three oddest for me recipes, but I also have to confess, that I have made pig candy via Paula Deen for my bacon loving friend, and it was a huge hit. So, I guess don't judge the cover till you've read the book applies to food too? 

Bizarre Bacon: 12 Weird Bacon Products You Won't Believe

Bizarre Bacon: 12 Weird Bacon Products You Won't Believe

I have a friend who LOVES bacon, more than one person should, so when this link came to me via Facebook, I had to share it with him and now you! Call it a early pre-Tasty Tuesday treat, but don't fret, the weekly TT post will come your way tomorrow as planned, and with another cool, but odd treat! Till then, check out all the bizarre ways bacon can be eaten, I'll pass on the bacon ice cream!

Summer Snowflakes

              Wildflowers are plenty this year and one of my favorites seem to be blooming early this summer, Queen Anne's Lace is also known as the wild carrot but I don't use it for that purpose, I make snowflakes out of them! Summer snowflakes are easy and fun to make, but the key ingredient for this project is patience! All you have to do is gather as many QAL as you'd like, shake off any bugs as they like them too. Cut the flower head off at the base of the stem leaving very little so they will lay out flat.  Press in a flower press or in a big, heavy book. I've used both and both look equally well, just make sure you place them in between 2 sheets of waxed paper, esp. if your using the book method.  Months later, check once a month to see if they are fully dry. I like to keep them pressed for at least 4 months, giving me time to make snowflakes for Christmas.

     Once dried, you can spray paint them white or lightly spray with spray snow for a festive effect or you can leave them naturally, like I do and seal them with a clear spray.  You may need to spray them a second time to get the effect you want or if they are not stiff enough to hang on a tree. Once you have your snowflakes compete and ready to decorate with, don't forget using them on packages, homemade cards, craft projects or even home baked goods.  The sky is the limit and the  QAL is plenty so get out now and harvest some. This is a fun summer time project with the kids, now and again at Christmas time. And if your really into natural crafts, you can also make a jelly from QAL, just google the recipe!  Snowflakes aren't just for winter anymore!

Tasty Tuesday on Wednesday

           I just realized that I'm a day late, blame it on the long weekend! But this super easy, cool dessert comes just in time with the temps. rising and feeling more like July than June.  Freezer pies are refreshing, easy and can be made in advanced to be thawed later for consumption, yummy! This recipe is for a pink lemonade pie but you can use reg. lemonade or even limeade, gee...I love super easy and cool!

Pink Lemonade Pie

1 small can pink lemonade, thawed
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup cool whip
Blend together well and pour into a graham cracker crust, chill or freeze.

       This has to be one of the easier and quickest recipes I've ever posted, so make sure you keep the ingredients handy to make whenever you want something sweet but don't want to turn the oven on. Summer is here, enjoy!