Friday Favorites ~ Nutcracker Sheriff

I'm so excited about my newest wedding couple ~
It's fun to create these custom cake toppers.

This was a cute couple from Minnisota, who are having a holiday wedding.

He is a state police officer ~ you can see the sheriff's badge on his sharp Nutcracker uniform.

She has a beautiful flowing ballgown ~ with red shoes peeping underneath.

I know the wedding will be beautiful and wish them years of happiness.
You can find lots more happy couples at my ETSY shop ~ Gimme Some Sugar
I am linking to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.
Y'all join in~
 Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Fall

I am posting a Photo for 'Fall' . . .
Anyone from the south will appreciate this photo, which appeared in the local magazine for their article on Households Divided.
Yep . . . that's us.
Every Fall ~ one of us in going to take a fall.

I am hoping that today it is not Auburn
But . . . since Alabama is having ANOTHER great season ~
I may have to take the fall.
Check for all the other Fall Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

~ Travel Tuesday ~

This is a Traveling Tuesday for sure!
We have just returned from a quick trip to the beach . . . and now I'm headed off to Boston for a Thanksgiving with the family.

I love it when we can all be together ~ unfortunately that rarely happens.

We have so very much to be thankful for!


Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Mural

The PhotoHunt for this week is mural . . . as I was digging through those boxes of photos, I remembered this photo that I had taken years ago at a local restaurant.

I always thought that it would be to cute in a game room ~
Equal representation for Auburn and Alabama Universities.

and this cute tribute to Birmingham's Sloss furnace.

Mural's come in all shapes and sizes.
Check for all the other Mural Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Aqua Alta ~ Traveling Tuesday

I am watching the sad news of the Aqua Alta in Venice and that makes me think of this special spot.

My friend Jerry and I sat right at the edge of the water, and enjoyed a mediocer pizza ~ and one of the best views of the grand canal in Venice.

Yesterday the news reported that the water was 60 inches above flood ~ that is 5 feet !

I am sure it is under water today . . . maybe it will be recovered by May.

I'm thinking  Venice needs to be on my itinerary this spring ~ while it is still there!

Where are Y'all traveling?~
Sandi

Photohunt ~ Kite

The PhotoHunt today is 'Kite'

Can you believe I couldn't find a single photo of the kites that PaPa used to fly at the beach?
Every year it was this ginormous contraption of 4 kites strung together. He flew them like he was flying a U-2 . . . with help from everyone else on the beach.
Such a fun and special memory.
This is the best I could do . . . hang gliding over Perdido Beach.

I am going through boxes of photos now. . . determined to find that memory.

Check for all the other Kite Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Cooking Light ~ National Peanut Butter Month

This month we are celebrating National Peanut Butter Month...
All the members of the Virtual Supper Club are posting recipes from Cooking Light ~ recipes that feature Peanut Butter.

I found this recipe for a pork stew. The addition of Almond butter at the end, adds a creamy nutty taste. I wasn't sure . . . but believe me, This is a Winner!

Pork Stew with Chick Peas and Sweet Potatoes
1 tsp olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
2 Tbs fresh ginger
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
2 cups cubed sweet potatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup pork carnitas (boston butt roast cooked)
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 Tbs almond butter

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven lightly coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add onion and next 8 ingredients (through garlic); sauté 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in 1/2 cup water, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add potato; sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in broth, tomatoes, and chickpeas; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender, stirring occasionally.

Stir in Pork Carnitas and raisins; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat; stir in almond butter.
( in truth . . . I used leftover pork chops and added more than one Tbs of almond butter )
Serve with rice.

This makes a hearty and flavorful stew. Bill pronounced it a winner ~ we'll be having this again!

 
Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our Nutty Celebration.
Jerry has made a Pork Sate with Peanut Sauce
Val is making Curried Peanut Squash Soup
Giz is bringing a dessert of PB&J muffins... well, kind of a dessert!
 Susan @ The Spice Garden is our newest member of the Virtual Supper Club. She is bringing Peanut Crusted Chicken.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

Travel Tuesday ~ Teatro Del Sale

This traveling tuesday, I'm thinking about the fabulous landmarks in Florence

Another landmark in Florence is Teatro Del Sale . . .
This is a fun video with my friend Judy Witts Francini at Teatro Del Sale ~

That brings back memories of a fun evening we spent there 5 years ago . . . of course we couldn't understand a word the chef was shouting from the kitchen.
But, we knew the food was good!

Just another tucked away spot in Fabulous Florence!


Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Finally!

Finally!
I am getting my kitchen renovation.

I know that I have a beautiful kitchen . . .
But ~ I have always wanted a gas cooktop, and to loose these black shiny tile countertops,

and . . . I have wanted to be a part of the action when I am cooking.

So . . . this wall is going to go ~

Now we just have to figure out what to do with these wires and pipes.
Yikes !
You never know what is behind the sheet rock.

I have had fun 'pinning' lots of photos with ideas for storage and design. We are loosing a wall of cabinets . . . it is time to downsize anyway.
Who needs those tiny crystal red and white wine glasses?
I have my favorite kitchen pieces . . . the rest can go to Good Will for someone else to love.
I'll be posting photos along the way ~
Y'all enjoy~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Seasonal ~

The PhotoHunt for today is Seasonal . . .
I had plenty of Christmas photos to choose from, but I just can't bring myself to start posting Christmas things yet.
Instead... how about some roasted pumpkin seeds.

I like mine with plenty of olive oil and thyme. Then add the salt once they are roasted.
That is a seasonal treat for us!
Check for all the other Seasonal Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Newest Favorite Couple

This is my newest favorite little couple ~
It's another wedding cake topper, check my ETSY shop Gimme Some Sugar for others!                         

I say 'little' . . . He stands a good foot taller than the bride.
So of course, I had to make the couple match them.

They are looking forward to a small wedding in just a few weeks . . . This will be a great momento of their special day.

and then an exciting life . . .

I wish them nothing but happiness and peace in their new lives.

Do you have a friday favorite today?

I am linking to Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest.

Y'all join in~
 Sandi