Strawberry Topped Cupcakes

Hello to all! It's been a while as well since I joined in Foodie Friday with Michael on Designs by Gollum, so I'm really glad that I have something delicious to share!

Every year starting in Fall, we hit the library and grab seasonal story books. I read to my children out loud, going back to cuddling and reading 101.

Well, my kids and read I this book called "Cook-a-doodle-do!" The author fashioned it after the story of the Little Red Hen where the character is a great grandson of Little Red.

With the help of his friends, a pot-bellied pig, iguana and a turtle, they managed to bake a beautiful Strawberry Shortcake!

So we printed the recipe written on the back page, but when it came to it, we didn't have the flour that it called for. So...

We found a regular cake mix and we turned them into cupcakes. We chopped up some strawberries and floated them on top of some Redi-Whip! Yum!

That is my hubby's cool hands. I had to quickly snap it up before he ate his cupcake. He loves strawberries on whipped cream!
And this one's mine... Oh, it was worth the wait from taking pictures. (I think they're both a bit grainy because I was not paying attention to the setting, I was too busy imagining how delicious they would be! LOL)

Love ya for stopping by! Time to eat over at your blog.

Hawaiian Table Splash

Hello everyone! I know, I know... Long time between posts. Been really busy so I hope you can forgive me. I'm still working on getting all of my dishes out of the storage place, but I promise, I'll have more posts soon enough.

This is the buffet table I put together for my daughter's "Off to College" (Brigham Young University in Oahu, HI) Farewell Dinner back in August. And since I'm busy, busy...

I'm participating in Tabletop Tuesday with Marty, Thrifty Thursday with Leigh and Tablescape Thursday with Susan, of course!

This is definitely fitting to all three memes- there's a suped-up table for Marty's :-); I only had to buy the pineapple ($3), votive holders (75% off), hibiscus ($5 for 20) and lanterns (75% off), everything else, I've had so that's thrifty enough for Leigh's; and it's a tablescape for Susan's meme! I'm so clever sometimes, it scares me. (Oh, look at that, I even made a Halloween pun. Ha!) Enjoy!

THEME:

"Aloha Farewell"

INSPIRATION:

Brigham Young University

Laie, Oahu, Hawaii

I had some shells and candles...
Soft blue Ikea napkins and Asian lanterns...
I had pebbles, pineapple, bamboo, hibiscus, too!
So under the candlelight,
and with colorful pearls and pebbles...
I set the stage for some Hawaiian buffet dining!
Afterwards, when everyone was pull of roasted pulled pork, chicken adobo, lumpias, noodles, fruits and steamed rice... I made sure that the pineapple took a freezer nap, the shells, pebbles and pearls were back in their boxes;
and the candles, bamboo and dinnerware were all put away-- A WEEK LATER!

What? It was a beautiful table!

Thanks for peeking!

A Little Sad Now That I'm Back...

Hosted by the lovely Leigh and Susan

Yes... I'm a little sad... That my busy schedule also led to some loss of dear followers. But I assure you, I haven't lost my touch even in the midst of a chaotic unpacking into a new, and finally a house, home.

You know I'm all about THRIFT with STYLE. So of course, our 4th of July table wouldn't be any less than that! Brain would not let me! :-)

Theme:

"FREEDOM STARTS ANEW"

Inspiration:

Whatever I had available from the few boxes I was able to unpack

And since all that I used have been with used for other tablescapes, it cost me NOTHING! How's that for thrifty, Leigh?

(Psst! Psst! See those lamps there? Got them from Lowe's for $7.50 each! Originally, $40! The plants and pots, all on clearance, too! Told you I still got it. LOL)
I used my red check tablecloth and a floral dusty blue and white flat sheet. To simulate the first USA flag, I used a glass table top surrounded by tea lights. The centerpiece floral arrangement, just of grass blades to remember the simplicity of the land at the time it was being fought for.
I used plain white salad bowls, forks and float mugs and red, white and blue starry napkins I got last year.

I used just what was available and stayed within the scheme of the theme. (Look, I'm even rhyming for this meme!)
What do you think? Did I do alright? Susan, does this qualify as a tablescape? Ok, love to all!

I'm working on another blog that focuses on being frugal, practical and inventive.

It's called SHE WHO P=R=A=Y=S, EATS!

Come check it out and tell me what you think. Then tell your other blog friends. It's very new so it's still being polished, but just like this blog, I know You won't be disappointed.

If you are feeling adventurous and want more cooking ideas, then check out my friend Lynn's blog called Nonna's Kitchen Life. It's packed full of great stuff to make you a great cook!

TABLESCAPING IDEAS: (Brain thought this table was clever) If you find yourself short on materials, focus on colors. Often, the theme is recognized from the hues layered on the table.

She Who Prays...

Eats! That's the new name of my other blog dedicated to all things frugal, practical and inventive!

So today's MM, is just a click away! JUST DO IT!

Hope to see you there!

Heaven and Earth

Hosted by LEIGH and SUSAN

Happy Thursday, everyone! I'm so glad to be joining you today! Now that I'm home again, I can definitely blog more!

So how do you get back in table designing after months of absence? You come up with something QUICK, BEAUTIFUL AND ETHEREAL! Nothing short of magical, right?

Leigh, Susan, our dear lovely hosts... You and our readers are probably thinking: "What could she possibly mean?" Well, sometimes when you dine, only just the right setting makes it.

Is it expensive? NO. Is it too unique? NO. Is it easy? YES!

This design inspiration came from IKEA. Yep... IKEA! I found this 79-cent a piece sandy beige dinnerware set and these sky blue and bamboo green napkins. The glasses, TARGET. The utensils, Hampton "LACE". The candles, IKEA again!

So you see? With just the right combination, color and lighting, it's just like dining up in HEAVEN while on EARTH... ENJOY!

Come and sit down, the menu is divine! Why? Because it is exactly what you wish it to be!

I'll take this seat. Did you decide on your first course yet?

Oh, isn't it so romantic and uplifting? I feel like I'm dining amongst the stars...

The bamboo trio and the big gray patched up candles "ground" the whole look.

I only used napkins and candles to add the sparkle and extra color (sky blue). A new twist to a heavenly dining experience, eh? Ehhh?

Now let's adjust our eyes and see how "bright" our night really is. With you as my guest, who needs Superstars?

Notice how I played up the circles and twists? It gives it an "eternal", I mean, enduring appeal. I'd definitely do this table again.

Just close your eyes and think of the "nectar of the Gods" you wish poured on your glass to savor.

You see that stack of dishes? We at least will dine on a "trinity" of deliciousness. I can't wait to see what appears on yours...

Mmm... That was definitely amazing! Let's enjoy the atmosphere and just be grateful... for being full! LOL

How about from this angle?

Up close maybe?

Closer?

And closer still.

Well... What do you think? Did I lose my touch? I can't wait to see yours!

Thanks for stopping by!

House Adventures #1: Master Disaster

Hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch

Hello everyone! Happy Spring! Can't believe April's almost done!

So sorry haven't been posting for a while. As you know, we moved and so being new homeowners, we are delving into completely new territory. Hence my post today...

This is my new Master Bedroom; spacious, raised ceiling, two separate walk-ins, plush carpeting and huge windows and a bay. Lovely, lovely, lovely...

I was sold on this room. So of course, I took this picture. Making sure I get to show off the raised ceiling housing the original ceiling fan. It works, so no hurry to change it on our part.

Well... The day after we got the keys, we met with our ceiling retexturing guy (popcorn gotta go!), we all went up to the master to talk options. Mr. Man noticed that one of the blades were tilted down so he went up to it. Before he can touch it, it broke! And fell just barely missing his head! (I guess the poor fan couldn't handle another decade of use (LOL). Actually, I was secretly hoping to change all the old ones ASAP, so talk about great coinkidink!)
So 5 becomes 4, but since it broke at the arm, it became instantly unusable... *mad face*
(closer look of the damage. broken blade on the carpet)

What to do? (or should I say... What Now?) :-) No problem. I had one I owned in Arizona, in the storage. So off we go there to fix this dilemma. We get there ready only to realize that it's buried way back and don't know exactly where! Nice...

What Now? ("Brain" says, That's ok, I can wait. Summer's not for a few months away and the weather's been cool. We'll just open all the windows. Then my mom calls while we were dining out with the whole family with some good news!)

My F&MIL's were over for two weeks to help us move (LOVE THEM) and they agreed we can wait until we can grab the fan out of the storage. But we were all so happy when we realized Mr. Man and I didn't have to wait at all! Off to Western Union!

So... Presto-chang-0! With my mom's housewarming gift, we were off to the nearest Lowe's to pick out a new ceiling fan! I followed my Mama's instructions: "Get exactly the one I want." (Listen to your moms, they know what they're talking about. LOL) And with my mom in-law helping to make sure Mr. Man got to see what he's doing and that he didn't fall (I was the photographer) while Mr. Man's gladly installed it, we now enjoy a new ceiling fan! Yay!!!

It's the one we both fell in love with the last time we were at Lowe's.
He assembled the whole fan on the floor and installed it as one piece. It was heavy because of the separate motors for the fan and light. And as a surprise gift to me, hubby sprung for a remote control! He's a keeper!
There's my wonderful MIL. She's such a great lady. (Glad my ILs came and helped us pack, move, pack... Good thing, we moved only 2 minutes away from our old apartment.)
And here's my new fan! (see the antenna for the remote peeking?) I love those blades!

And there you have it... Master Disaster and how we "morphed" a problem into a solution!

Susan, our lovely host; thank you once again for letting us have fun "changing" our lives one project at a time.

Heart to all of you who stopped by!

TABLESCAPING IDEAS: (Brain is so happy with her new house!) Need candles for your next tablescape? Candle too used but scent is just your fave? No problem! Cut the used portion part and shape your newly carved candles and incorporate them into an eclectic and chic new table for the "piece de resistance"!

Free and Discounted

Hosted by Tales of Bloggeritaville
I've been needing new pots for a while now (like years now) but am not wanting a set to replace again so I set my sights on Calphalon at Kohl's. Well, last week, we went but didn't buy anything because it wasn't on sale though they gave out "discount cards of up to 15%". Tonight, we almost didn't again until we saw a great incentive that we completely didn't notice last week.

You buy this set...
Get this for FREE!!! (Anywhere from $79.99-$159.99)

Isn't that an amazing deal?! And... I also had a new discount card, 15% again, So, I actually beat the online sale price, plus I got something FREE!!!

I also had a great experience of helping Kohl's sell a 13-piece set of Farberware cookware that has a $20 mail-in rebate! At the register, the same saleslady, who happens to be the Manager of the Housewares Department(of course I didn't know that at the time), was the same woman who was trying to sell this lady the Farberware set! I helped explain that the Farberware line has been around and they are the best for affordable non-stick cookware. The customer didn't understand the rebate so I explained that too and she bought it! So again, at the register, the manager recognized me and greeted me warmly plus... she declared that we make a great team then whispered, "I'm looking for someone, you want a part-time job?" Now that's a compliment! Yeah!

TABLESCAPING IDEAS: ("Brain" is excited, very excited!) When holidays come around, don't be afraid to incorporate simple pieces with lavish but inexpensively acquired pieces. It will give your table a classic and yet contemporary look that is constantly known to surface in design and home magazines!

Thanks to our great host, Leigh! And thanks to all of you!