Monday, September 29, 2014

Apple, Carrot & Broccoli Slaw with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing...


The other day I had a Jicama Slaw at a restaurant in California. It was wonderful and it got me thinking about other ingredients one could use for a slaw recipe. I decided on this combination, and it was a hit. This is an embarrassingly simple recipe. It will take you a minute to put together, and it only has three ingredients!

Apple, Carrot & Broccoli Slaw
(feeds 2)

1 pkg. ready-made broccoli & carrot slaw
1 apple (Honeycrisp or other sweet variety)
Ready-made Lemon or Orange Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

1.) Put two small handfuls of Broccoli and Carrot Slaw into a bowl...


2.) Cut apple into slivers to resemble the pieces of slivered broccoli and carrots. No need to remove the apple peel. Add apple to mixture.


3.) Add enough ready-made Lemon or Orange Poppy Seed Salad Dressing to moisten. Regular Poppy Seed salad dressing can be substituted, but the citrus definitely brightens the flavor of the slaw. This salad can easily be doubled, tripled or more!


Enjoy!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Thankful Thoughts...

What inspired me this week?
My husband and I had the opportunity to spend some time with my 91 year old mother last week. She is an inspiration. She has a walker as a constant companion, but the walkways and halls of her independent living home must remind her of a racetrack. I hope in the future she continues to have the same agility and finesse as she speeds around objects and individuals like she demonstrated while we were there. I'd hate to hear that she had a collision with a bookcase or mowed some poor soul down because her walker got away from her. I'm certain she would come out of a collision in one piece, but as for a bookcase...

What surprised me this week?
 While in California my husband and I were able to visit the LDS Oakland Temple. It sits high on a hill and has an imposing view of the San Francisco Bay Area. As we looked at this beautiful building that symbolizes so much to us, it surprised us to realize that it was 37 years ago this week that we were married there. Much has happened in our lives since that day -- so much good and, of course, some difficult times as well. However, every aspect of our life together has been blessed by our marriage taking place in this House of the Lord.


What moved me this week?
Lately I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness, so I paid special attention in church last Sunday when someone spoke on this subject. One particular thought the speaker expressed touched my heart. His comment, as I remember it, was, "When we demonstrate forgiveness we open ourselves up to other possibilities, opportunities and blessings." That simple thought gave me peace and moved me. Maybe it will help you too. 

Friday, September 26, 2014

Friday's Fabulous Finds...


I spy with my Etsy eye something...
violaceous.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Wishing you a fun weekend!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

{Not so} Bloomin' Tuesday...


I've let our garden slide these last two months. I've had better things to do -- like spending time with children and grandchildren. We also welcomed this little blossom onto our family tree...


Macy is our 14th grandchild. As you can see she is absolutely adorable. She won't have very long to enjoy the "youngest" grandchild status because we have another one due in January and two more {a week apart} in March. It's another "year of the babies" in our family. We seem to have baby clusters every few years, which makes this grandma very happy and makes for very fun family get-togethers.

A couple of days ago I went into my backyard and saw this -- our birdie submerged head-first into the birdbath...


That pretty much describes our yard right now. With everything else happening in our family, I've let the garden go to pot. Figuratively speaking -- not literally. {One has to be careful in Colorado regarding what one says about "pot."}

Anyway, our garden has been neglected. The only plants that are thriving are these beautiful impatiens. They've been ignored and haven't even received the water they've needed, so it's only by sheer determination on their part that they are flourishing.
 

This last week I scheduled some gardening time and began winterizing the yard. Some of the container plants were the first things to go. We picked the apples off our two trees {twas a bountiful harvest this year}...


and cut back our clematis and other perennials. It feels good to give the yard a little attention. This week I am away from home again. When I get back I'm going to start painting and redecorating one of the bedrooms. Do you remember the dresser I refurbished last spring? 


It will find a home in this redesigned bedroom. I also have a few more projects in the works -- an little-girl owl purse, some flower headbands and a princess cape to name a few! There's never a dull moment around here. Have a nice day,  

Friday, September 19, 2014

Friday's Fabulous Finds ...


I spy with my Esty eye some... 
nature and burgundy.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Wishing you a beautiful autumn weekend!


Friday, September 12, 2014

Friday's Fabulous Finds...


I spy with my Etsy eye some... 
fabulous fall finds!


Clockwise, starting top left:


Wishing you a fun fall weekend!


Friday, September 05, 2014