Atc Summer cards

 Happy Thursday and I am sharing my new ATC cards for Summer..

These small works of art features watercolor background, print book pages and  hand drawn pictures.

Summer Simmer Pot

 

Fresh Kitchen Simmer Pot

• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 orange
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 2-3 sprigs thyme
• Tablespoon of peppercorns

• Dutch Oven or Stock Pot

1. Add ingredients to a large pot (at least 4 quarts). Cover with 4-6 cups of water until the ingredients float.
2. Turn heat to low/medium and simmer for up to two hours.
3. If you'd like to have the simmer pot for longer, simply check on it each hour and add more water as needed.

Crockpot version: 

In addition to the stovetop, you can also use a crockpot or slow cooker as a simmer pot. Add the ingredients you wish to use to the slow cooker, then fill with enough water so that the ingredients are floating. Set the slow cooker to high. Once the water starts to simmer, turn the heat to low or keep warm and simmer for up to two hours. If you wish to simmer longer, simply check on the water and add more each hour.

Other Summer Simmer Pot Ideas

• 1 Tablespoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup strawberries, cut in half
• 1/2 cup whole blueberries
• 1/4 cup dried coconut

German Chocolate Bundt cake:

 German Chocolate Bundt cake: 

It's National German Chocolate cake day....

Happy National German Cho cholate cake day !!! 

Ingredients:

Cake

• 1 box German Chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 (16-oz) can Coconut Pecan frosting

Chocolate Ganache

• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 to 4 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp corn syrup

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a bundt cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Combine cake mix, water, oil, eggs and frosting in a large mixing bowl. Beat with a handheld mixer until smooth.
• Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake for 50 minutes, until cake tests done.
• Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Invert pan onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips, heavy cream, and corn syrup.
• Pour chocolate over cooled cake. Sprinkle with coconut and chopped pecans, if desired.

June : Iced tea day

And it's another hot day I. Louisiana.  We are in the yard drinking ice tea and planning for the library summer reading program. 

Sun tea

11/2gall of water

12 tea bags 

And about 3 hours ,left out in the sun.Add honey to sweeten and lemons for flavor 

Summer Reading program....

The Summer reading program is always a great time for the kids . But it's also serves many purposes in our small town.  The library is a cooling spot for all ages ,a meeting place and a place to keep kids safe while learning during the summer months

Library favorite book....

Please check your neighborhood library for fun events and program details.  Volunteers are always welcome... Lisa 

Pepper mint plant

 

 National Herb and Spice day 

I am showing off what I have planted in my herb garden and a skin care recipe: 

Peppermint Plant : New this year in my herb garden but already have plans for using it. 

COOLING FACE AND BODY MIST

Makes approximately 3/4 cups.

Use this mist whenever you need a little cooling off. Peppermint can be very refreshing. Incorporating green tea into this blend can help to reduce redness.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cups (6 oz) distilled or purified water
• 1 Tbsp. dried peppermint leaf ( from my garden)
• 1/2 tsp.  Green Tea leaf
• 1 drop peppermint oil l (optional)

1. Pour boiling water over the peppermint and green sencha tea leaves and infuse until cool.
2. Strain and pour liquid into a spray bottle.
3. Add the essential oil (if using) and shake to combine all ingredients.
4. Store in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.

Can I make my own peppermint oil?

To make peppermint oil, crush the fresh peppermint leaves with your hands or chop them using a knife. Thereafter, put it in a glass jar. Pour olive oil over it and mix thoroughly. Close the lid, shake the jar, and let it steep for about 1-2 weeks.

It's National Herb and Spice day

Strawberry days of Summer

Iam sharing today my sweet strawberry Hello card. I love this stamp with strawberry and blooms you can taste the berries. I lightly colored with pencils after stamping on white paper.

I used an old zig zag Sizexx die to cut the frame and I added a latch detail in cute stripes. 

It's National Strawberry rhubarb day

Tuesday: in the Garden

In the Garden with Me

I am decorating Terra cot pots. 

Strawberry day ! 

Make it a gift with a Strawberry plant inside. Just paint and seal. 

Napkin Decopodge

Using Napkin and Decopodge to cover this pot. Seal with outdoor sealer. 

Drip paint: 

White outdoor paint

Acrylic paint

Polyurethane sealer 

Coat pot with white paint.  Let dry. Flip over and drip paint down the pot. When dry seal. 

This is a fun way to transform your old pots for this year Garden fun. Lisa