New Curtains For My Kitchen

At a thrift store I saw this beautiful queen size eyelet bed skirt. It was brand new and only $2. I didn't know at the time what I was going to use it for, but it was too good of a deal to pass up :)

I took it apart, re-cut it, and used it to make new curtains for my kitchen.

Three equal pieces for my Kitchen windows.

My kitchen walls are butter yellow, so these sweet white eyelet curtains really stand out.

The curtains turned out beautiful and I only spend $2.

A New Summer Dress For LiliBeth

Oh my goodness, it is so very hot outside and poor LilyBeth was sweating and sweating. She changed her clothes 3-4 times a day, so I needed to come up with something cool and cute before my laundry turned into a monster. I couldn't find a cute pattern I liked; so I made my own, and she likes it :)

 It's so easy, only three pieces of material and a 5 inch elastic piece. Two or three cute buttons and we are done!  (give me time and I will have a tutorial on this dress, should there be an interest)

 Here is another dress in the making.

She really likes her new dress.

She likes to be outdoors and helping with everything I do :)

I decided to close the top with buttons, she likes it better then a tie. And more buttons for room to grow.

Wheat/Gluten Free Sponge Cake

 This is the first time I baked with "spelt flour" a wheat/gluten free flour. I purchased the spelt berries and ground them into flour with my mill. My husband could not stop eating this cake. I guess he really liked it :)

 In the oven it goes.

 I couldn't believe how much it rose for being virtually gluten free.

Here is the recipe,

2 1/2 cups of spelt flour

1 cup cane sugar ( or any sugar you have)

1 Tablespoon baking powder 

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

6 eggs, separated ( save the egg whites in a bowl)

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup olive oil ( or butter)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar for the egg whites

In a bowl, combine egg yolks, water, oil, and vanilla; mix well and set aside. In another bowl combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon,  and sea salt.

Add the egg yolk mixture to the flour mixture and beat until smooth.

In a different bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar; beat until soft peaks form. Fold into batter. Pour into a greased 10-in. tube pan ( or any other pan you have.) Bake at 350 for 55 minutes.

Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

Since it was Tommy's birthday (my oldest), LilyBeth and I thought we would make something special for him.

We cut up some strawberries and made some whipped cream.

I used 3 cups of fresh whipping cream

1 cup of cane sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form.Gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla extract until you have stiff peaks.

We cut up have the cake into small bite size cubes. In a glass bowl of any kind, layer the whipping  cream, cake, and strawberries. Continue with a couple of layers and sprinkle with chocolate shavings , if you like.

 It looks so elegant, and tastes sooo good!

And we still had half of a cake left for tomorrow  :) 

Carrot Soup with a Twist

 Here is one of my favorite soups. It has a great flavor, and I like to serve it with fresh baked bread and a green salad.

I love the creamy texture.

 I had to change some things for my wheat and gluten free Husband of course :)

 2 Tablespoons of butter or dairy free substitute
3 Tablespoons spelt flour or any other flour
2 to 3 good size carrots, diced
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup diced or sliced fully cooked turkey ham
2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese or dairy free cheese
2 Tablespoons fresh minced parsley
Sea salt and pepper
2 dashes of hot pepper sauce

In a sauce pan, combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ham, carrots, and green onions; season with sea salt and pepper ( 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper) you can add as little or as much as you like. Cook on low for about 10 minutes and stir here and there, until carrots and onions are tender.
In the mean time:

In a different sauce pan, melt the butter and stir in the flour until combined. Cook and stir for a minute. Add broth little by little, bring to a boil. Add cheese, parsley, hot pepper sauce; heat until the cheese is melted.
Pour the creamy cheese broth into the other sauce pan, containing your carrots, ham, and green onions; stir. Serve hot with fresh bread and salad, YUMMY!

 We are back from our vacation on Englewood Island. One wonderful week. Our friend Mary kindly let us use her two story beach house on this beautiful Island. Thank you Mary.

 Isn't it breath taking! Her house is right on the beach.

LiliBeth had so much fun

 Tristan loved the water.

 The front of the house facing the Island.

 My older daughter Stephanie aka sparkles!

My daughter Melanie and myself.

My wonderful Husband.... exhausted. He had to put the sailboat away.

Tj,  my daughter Stephanie's boyfriend, yes he came with us :), Timmy,  my second son ( Thomas my oldest could not make it) and Melanie.

 Mother and Son moment :)

 He even posted this picture as his Facebook profile picture....I must be cool :)

Even "Elwood" our dog came with us, he is totally devoted to Melanie.

Stephanie and me

 Tia , my daughters friend also came with us.

My daughter Melanie shot this picture.....she is so talented!