Friday's Favorites ~ The dress

It is time for our Friday's Favorites! This week I'm doing to share some pictures of this wedding dress. I think we were all happy with the way it turned out.
Brooke loved the idea of this the two-piece dress. It is a long flow-ey dress... and a short party dress too.
Once the ceremony was over... off came the long skirt and the Bride and Groom stepped out in their dancing clothes.
Along with those dancin' shoes!
We found Ting Bridal on ETSY, and she created this gown. What a beautiful job. Ting is a friday's favorite for sure :-)
What is your favorite today?
Y'all join in~

Sandi

Happy Cinco de Mayo y'all~

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I wonder if this will work?

Cooking Light ~ Spring is Berry-licious

Roz decided that in the month of May we would celebrate Spring with our Virtual Supper Club. Spring is Berry-licious you know!
I found my Berry-special recipe Here on Cooking Light .
This side dish just sang out a spring time song. Asparagus is so fresh this time of year.
Raspberry Asparagus
1 Tbs white wine vinegar
2 Tbs raspberry preserves
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
2 1/2 c sliced asparagus (about 1 pound)
1 1/2 c fresh raspberries
2 Tbs finely chopped pecans, toasted
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in rind. Cook asparagus in boiling water 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and plunge into ice water; drain. Combine preserves mixture, asparagus, and raspberries in a bowl; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with pecans. The raspberries and pecans really spiced up a plate of fresh asparagus.
Now let's see what everyone else has brought for our Berrylicious Virtual Supper Club...
Jerry has a pitcher of Raspberry Daiquiris... we might need 2!
Jamie is bringing a dessert with Balsamic Strawberry Topping YUM!
Val is bringing a light salad of Mesclun with Berries and Sweet Spiced Almonds
MaryAnn has made an appetizer of Strawberry-Avocado salsa.
Roz has our main course, a Pork Tenderloin with a Spicy Pomegranate-Blueberry Reduction
Don't forget, that y'all are Berry-welcome to join in our virtual supper with the blog hop!

Y'all enjoy~
Sandi

Blue Monday~ I do Monday

Blue Mondays have become 'I do' mondays around here. They royal couple aren't the only ones looking at their wedding photos today.
Our wedding photos have come in!
I promise not to bore you with lots of traditional photos.

Unless you want :-)

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues.
y'all enjoy~
Sandi

Pomodori e Vino ~ Zabaglione

I decided to make my Zabaglione when I had a little help in the kitchen. Little did I know that this dessert recipe would bring on criticism from my son, the Chef-to-be.
To be honest... my son is right. (this time and this time only)The criticism has nothing to do with Marcella's recipe for Zabaglione, but the fact that I don't have a legit double boiler. I have made countless egg custards, chocolate sauces, and lemon curds; my 'ghetto' system of steel bowl in a pot of boiling water has served me well.

Until now.
We took the time to make the Zabaglione together. This recipe is really very simple... warmed egg yolks and sugar, whipped to a frenzy. Add a nice Marsala wine and whip to a froth. This is served over fruit and has the most unique sweet warm spiced wine flavor. It is something I would make again.

And maybe I'll be getting a real double boiler for Mother's Day.
Ciao y'all~
Sandi

Photohunt ~ Square

The photohunt for this week is 'square'. Remember the rhinestone shoeclips that Brooke borrowed for the wedding? They ended up being a lot of fun, along with shoes for all the bridesmaids.They will such a momento of the day.Our pictures are in... So the royal wedding won't be the only one you are seeing pictures of!

I can't imagine that theirs was any more special.

Happy hunting y'all~
Sandi

Friday's Favorites ~ The Royal Wedding

There has been a royal sighting! Well... kind of anyway~
Here are Will and Kate in their wedding finery.
We had to use our imagination about the dress, because of course it is a international secret. I'm calling for a little rouching and feathers. Won't that set the tongues a-wagging?

We aren't sure which military uniform Prince William will be wearing. So, again, imagination works well.

Doesn't he look like a happy guy?

I'll be up watching the wedding friday morning. That will be my Friday's Favorite for sure!

What is your favorite today?

Y'all join in the linky party~

Sandi

Blue Monday

This is my Blue Monday... Just in time for the Royal Wedding.Here is a Blue imitation of Kate Middleton's ring.
My sister is in London and is our local correspondent.
Will you be watching with us next friday?

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues.
y'all enjoy~
Sandi

Happy Easter y'all!

I hope you get to spend this special daywith gratitude~ for the colors of spring and those special people in your life.

Happy Easter y'all!
Sandi

Photohunt ~ Dusty

The photohunt for this week is 'Dusty'.This was what was covering Everthing in the south last week.Believe it or not, this is not dust... It is yellow pollen.

But, just as icky.

Happy huntng y'all~ Sandi

Friday's Favorites

Y'all know the story of the Wedding cake topper that I made for Brooke's wedding. It turned out so cute and so personal, and we had so many compliments.

Most importantly, Brooke and Brad have a one of a kind momento of their wedding day.

My BFF's daughter is getting married in June, so I decided to make a Clothes-Pin bride and groom for the happy couple.

Chelsea's dress is flowing layers, Blayne will be waiting for her in a black suit with a grey tie. The pretty purple flowers just set off the special event. I have gotten lots of emails, and excitement over these wedding cake toppers. This has started me thinking of a new business venture... 'Gimme Some Sugar'

What do you think?

I think this ETSY Store Front might be the newest Friday Favorite for weddings.

Do you think it will work?

Now~ what is your favorite today?

Y'all join in~
Sandi

Rosemary in a cookie?

I have gotten my pots all filled with Basil and Rosemary. There is nothing like fresh herbs that are just a few steps from the kitchen.
Which brings me to these crazy cookies... I found this recipe on Guy Fieri's site (hush your moaning!) They were just crazed enough to intrigue me~ Oatmeal cookies with cranberries rather than raisins and some fresh rosemary. I changed the recipe up a bit, he called for coconut, and I left that out.

Craizy Cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup dried cranberries
2 cups quick oats
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, soda, powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with a mixer. Mix in honey and vanilla until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, until fully incorporated. Mix in dried cranberries, oats and rosemary. Fold dry ingredients into butter mixture. Using a cookie scoop, place 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake until cookies turn golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven to cooling rack. Let sit 5 minutes in the pan before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
Craizy! They are awesome.

Y'all enjoy~
Sandi

Blue Monday ~ Stars!

Look at these fabulous Stars~ With a bit of glue, they were easily turned into beautiful hair pins for the bride and her bridesmaids.

They were just the special touch we needed!

Happy Blue Monday~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues.

y'all enjoy~

Sandi

Photohunt ~ Road

The photohunt for this week is 'Road'. It won't be long before I will be driving these back roads in Tuscany again.I hope I can remember how to read the road signs!Happy huntng y'all~

Sandi

Pomodori e Vino ~ Monte Biano

This has been a fun dish... one that comes with a story. Where should I begin?

Actually, I think this story begins in Italy... In Ferarra. In This Old Post you could see where Jerry and I spent a day taking photos of Bicycles in that beautiful Italian town. I conceeded bragging rights to Jerry for our little photo competition, based on a few well timed photos. I think he has felt a tad guilty over that ever since.

So... when I was desperate for Chestnuts to make my Monte Bianco, guess who came to my rescue? Jerry did! Not only did he find the chestnuts in Canada, he also made the recipe and sent me photos. What a champ!

Apparently fresh chestnuts are only available in Alabama during the one small week of Christmas; fresh chestnuts are essential to this dessert. "Monte Biano is a pyramid of dark chocolate and pureed fresh chestnuts, topped by a snowy peak of whipped cream" Marcella says that the aroma is a consolation for the approach of winter. And indeed resembles the white snow covered summit of Mont Blanc.

This is one recipe I can't wait to make ... next Christmas.

In the mean time, I hope that y'all will all take a second and go to Thoughts, Musings, and Rants and tell Jerry how much we appreciate his generosity.

Ciao y'all~ Sandi