Thrifty Tea Idea

   One of the things I love about blogging, and there are many, that it brings the world to me. It's like my very own encyclopedia and boy have I used it, I do get my moneys worth! I came across a new to me blog that got me hooked by this post, tea in a jar. I'm sure you can relate to not having enough space in the fridge for ice tea, or wanting to try different blends over ice but don't have enough space? If this relates to you, check out Angry Chicken for her thrifty idea making a concentrated tea in a jar. I tried it over the 4th of July weekend last year because I knew I'd have little room with all the leftovers. I must say, it was the best ice tea I've had in awhile. And so easy too, I like easy!

All you do is place teabags in a jar, the number of teabags varies to how strong you like it. I used 8 in a quart jar filled with cold water, place in fridge overnight. The next day, squeeze out all the tea you can from the teabags, discard. Now all you do when you want a glass of ice tea is grab a glass, use several spoons of the concentrated tea, again depending on how strong you like it, add cold water, stir and top with ice. Refreshing, takes us less room in the fridge and is thrifty too! 

Birthday Bash Giveaway Winner

              This one goes to Paula Parrish!! Congrats Paula, send me your mailing info and I'll get your surprise giftie out to you by the weeks end. Paula is a new friend, we met on Facebook, she's also a soap maker, I envy her for that! I loved her wish, a magic cupcake! Wouldn't that be nice! Thank you all for the birthday wishes and comments left, everyone did a great job at being selfish and aren't birthdays just that, all about you! I had a wonderful day, a free day, in more ways than not having to work! I spent the day at home, I love being at home, to clean and putter. Went out to dinner, got my free hamburger from Ruby Tuesday's, yum! Then used my free Redbox rental for my birthday and topped it off with a free blizzard from Dairy Queen, you guessed it, for my birthday! I strongly suggest you sign up for all the birthday clubs you can, they really do pay off and they are free!

Tasty Tuesday

              When I was a kid, many moons ago, I loved going to the mall with my friends. We had no money but window shopping satisfied us, along with a orange julius from the food court! I'm not a mall rat anymore, in fact, I hate going to the mall, but I've never out grown this refreshing treat from my childhood. I used to make these for my kids when they were little, and now it's time to introduce my grand kids to them.

Orange Julius

1 can frozen orange juice ( 6 oz.)
1  c. milk
1 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
6  ice cubes
Mix everything but the ice cubes in a blender well. Pour over ice. Enjoy!

Birthday Bash Giveaway

 
                 After a certain age you really don't look forward to your own birthday anymore, at least I don't, and in a few days, that dreaded moment will hit me when I must add a number to mine! Now, I'm not boosting, or bucking for birthday wishes here, just stating a fact, it's not fun after a certain age! But I do like to give gifts and when I turned 50, I did a whole month of me here on my blog for the occasion, to ease the pain some, and it worked, so I turned it into a annual event, a birthday bash to celebrate life and the life on my blog just keeps growing in numbers, the good kind! So since it's been awhile since I've hosted a giveaway, it's due time and no better reason than to celebrate my followers! All you have to do to enter this giveaway is be a follower of Country Pleasures and leave a answer to this question: What do you want for your birthday?  Now, let's be honest and selfish here, something for YOU other than peace on earth and to win the lottery! I'll leave this open until the 26th, long after I've recovered from my big day! lol The winner will receive a nice surprise giftie so  put on your thinking caps and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all June babies!!

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

             For me, canning season always begins with zucchini relish, never heard of it? I hadn't either but in my early gardening years, I always planted more than we could use and as every one knows, you can never get rid of zucchini but this recipe will make you want to keep all the zucchini for yourself and relish, of course!

Zucchini Relish

4 c. shredded zucchini
3 c. shredded carrots
4 1/2 c. chopped onions
1 1/2 c. chopped red or green peppers
1/4 c. salt
2 1/4 c. vinegar
3/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. celery seed
3/4 t. dry mustard
In a large kettle combine all ingredients well and cook for 30 min. or till veggies are tender. Process in hot water bath as directed for 20 min. Makes 4-5 pints.

     If you like cucumber relish, you will love this! Great on burgers and dogs, this is a staple in my fridge and one of two reasons why I grow zucchini, chocolate zucchini bread being the other! If you must share your zucchini, make it into relish then give it away, you'll be surprised at how many grow their own next year!

Tasty Tuesday

          It's still HOT here, about 10 degrees above normal so when this recipe came my way I just knew I had to share it with you! I love a good odd ball recipe and I know many of you have the main ingredient handy this time of the year, so believe it or not, this week's recipe is Ice Cream Bread! I'm not sure it's worthy of having the oven on right now, but it does look interesting and I will try it one day, a cooler day!

ICE CREAM BREAD

Printed from The Hungry Housewife

Makes 1 8 x 4 loaf

2 Cups Ice Cream, any flavor, softened

1 1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour

Preheat your oven to 350. Spray and flour an 8 x 4 loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl mix the ice cream and flour together until just combined.

Scoop into the loaf and and smooth out.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck in the loaf comes out with a few crumbs stuck to it.

Remove from the pan and allow to cool (if you can wait that long)!

*****For best results, use FULL FAT ice cream

    So, what do you think? Will you try it, and if so, what flavor ice cream do you think you will use? I love the fact that any flavor will work, add some nuts or fruit maybe? When our temps get back to normal, I'm game! Stay cool!

Garden Envy

           How does your garden grow?  Mine has been challenged by the weather, first by major rains in April and May, and now excessive heat that resembles late July, early August. I shouldn't be watering this soon into the season, but I am, so I'm a little concerned.  I had high hopes for better gardening months this year but Mother Nature is still above normal and off her rocker!!  I know I shouldn't complain but I must vent somewhere and your all so good at comforting, plus I'd love to know how your conditions are too? So many are turning to gardens to help supply food and fill the freezer so I know how you feel, it's depressing at times....But we can't give up! Gardening is a huge leap of faith, so if you are in need of some cheap inspiration, comb through gardening books and magazines for cool ideas to help your gardens survive. Mulching is tops on my list, and I'm going deeper than ever before this year! I'm also collecting milk jugs so I can fill them up, poke holes in the bottom so it will slowly water my plants over a longer period. High 90's here this week so it dries up pretty fast!

    Dear Mother Nature,
           I'm not sure what is going on in your life, but please stop taking it out on us! Gardeners from all over are overwhelmed with poor growing conditions of all kinds! I'm not asking for miracles, I realize it is June, but these above normal temps. are too soon, please check your calender again and help us out! We are on your side but need some help here! Thank you and carry on!
Love, Sue