Sweet Buttons :)

Buttons?? Did you say buttons? You must be kidding! Yes, these are! You can win from Fresh Vintage. Amanda at Fresh Vintage showed them on her blog. They're made with button molds and candy melts. She's having a drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Bake It Pretty...the company that sells the molds. The drawing is on Sunday at 8:00 PM. So, head over to her blog and leave a comment to be entered into the drawing.

Hugs!
Sheri

Tea on Tuesday : Mississippi Mud Cupcakes

Ingredients:
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1 cup butter
* 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 4 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 (10.5-oz.) bag miniature marshmallows
* Chocolate Frosting

Directions:
1. Place pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet.

2. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted.

3. Microwave 1 cup butter and semisweet chocolate in a large microwave-safe glass bowl at HIGH 1 minute or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds.

4. Whisk sugar and next 5 ingredients into chocolate mixture. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.

5. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until puffed. Sprinkle evenly with 2 cups miniature marshmallows, and bake 5 more minutes or until golden. Remove from oven, and cool cupcakes in muffin pans 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans, and place on wire rack. Drizzle warm cakes evenly with 1 1/4 cups Chocolate Frosting, and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Reserve remaining 3/4 cup frosting for another use.

Note: To serve remaining Chocolate Frosting over pound cake or ice cream, microwave reserved 3/4 cup Chocolate Frosting in a medium-size microwave-safe glass bowl at HIGH 15 seconds or until warm.

~~yummy recipe and photo from: bhg.com~~

Monday: The Simple Woman's Daybook

I will be moving my Monday Daybook posts to my other blog Bee Blessed soon...

FOR TODAY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16...
~~Outside my window~~

it is a cold windy day with snow flurries madly flying around. I think the high is only supposed to be 35 today. Brrrr!

~~I am thinking~~

of how I long for spring and spring flowers! I hate going out in this cold weather. (I hurt more in cold weather).

~~I am thankful for~~

a job! We have more budget cuts coming and I hope we don't have to lay off anyone. I hope to keep my job too.


~~From the kitchen~~

is the wonderful smell of coffee this morning. I think I will fix scrambled eggs for breakfast. Probably have speghetti for dinner with a veggie.

~~I am wearing~~
a red and blue top, navy pants, socks.

~~I am creating~~

a new pinkeep and thinking about starting another afghan (crochet).

~~I am going~~
to work very soon.

~~I am (still) reading~~

Having a Mary Spirit: Alowing God to change us from the inside out by Joanna Weaver.

~~I am hoping~~

that my dr visit tomorrow goes well and I can get on a different medicine for my arthritis. I have been in so much pain the past few weeks. AND to get back into an exercise routine soon (part of my weight loss plan). Gotta boost that metabolism!


~~I am hearing~~

music in the background, coffee brewing, windy "whipping" around the side of the house.

~~Around the house~~
I have stacks of cookbooks I need to go through and do a menu for the week. I really need to be more organized than this!


~~One of my favorite things~~

my celtic cross necklance I wear all the time.


~~A few plans for the rest of the week~~

Wednesday night bible study at church; Thursday night weight loss support group; finish some craft projects.

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing~~
don't we all need some humor in our lives? ;)

Want to read more Daybooks? See Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Happy Pink Saturday!

Hello friends!
Here it is another Pink Saturday already! I've been thinking of starting a new crochet project and you know pink is my favorite color...so here's some ideas! Have a fabulous Pink Saturday!
Hugs, Sheri

Oh these are sooooo sweet!!

Get the free pattern here
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A crochet choker, perhaps?

Get the free pattern here
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A pink drawstring bag?Get the free pattern here
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A Fancy Pink cake?
Get the free pattern here

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Or would you rather have donuts? ;)Get the free pattern here

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A Barbie doll dress?

Get the free pattern here

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A lovely pink shawl!Get the free pattern here

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Ooh la la, a masquerade?
Get your free pattern here

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How dainty and sweet!
Get your free pattern here

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And finally.....If I was thin...and young...and daring...(haha)

Sweet Thoughts

How perfect....No calories! No fat! Now that's sweeeet!! :)
Enjoy your day!

hugs,
Sheri

Please click on photos to be taken to owner's page on Flickr for more info! Thanks!















http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20548469















http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20379731

Fairy Cake
Originally uploaded by sweetimaginations

rows of sugared cupcakes
Originally uploaded by Karla's Cottage

cover by Karla with hand painted cupcake and painted gold flourishes
Originally uploaded by Karla's Cottage

cupcake painting by Natasha BurnsOriginally uploaded by Holly Abston

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20976434

Tea on Tuesday: Strawberry Schaum Torte

Ingredients:
* 8 egg whites
* 1 tablespoon white vinegar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups sugar
* 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
* 1-1/2 cups whipped cream

Directions:
Place egg whites in the bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat the egg whites, vinegar, vanilla and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved.

Spread into a greased 10-in. springform pan. Bake at 300° for 50-60 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack to cool (meringue will fall).

Serve with strawberries and whipped cream. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Yield: 12 servings.

~~yummy recipe and photo from: taste of home.com~~

Monday: The simple woman's daybook

FOR TODAY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16...
~~Outside my window~~

the sun is no where to be found yet today....cold windy day. We were supposed to get 2 inches of snow last night. None! I am a bit disappointed.

~~I am thinking~~

of how I long for spring and spring flowers!

~~I am thankful for~~

my husband...a second marriage for both of us. Both of our previous marriages were nightmares, so this one seems so heaven-made to us. **AND** I am thankful for friends I have met online like dear Jan at Rose Haven. I won a teacup from her giveaway a week ago and just recently won a blog makeover for my Tea at Prim Rose Hill blog. How delightful! She has greatly blessed me.

~~From the kitchen~~

I smell coffee brewing and toast. I think we will have baked chicken casserole for dinner.

~~I am wearing~~
a brown tunic with butterlies batik-print, black pants.

~~I am creating~~

a menu for the rest of the week--trying to be more frugal and follow a budget.

~~I am going~~
to work very soon...I am just happy/grateful/blessed to have a job in this economy.

~~I am (still) reading~~
Having a Mary Spirit: Alowing God to change us from the inside out by Joanna Weaver.

~~I am hoping~~

that my pinkeeps will sell on eBay this week. :)


~~I am hearing~~

music in the background, coffee brewing, my tea kettle humming.

~~Around the house~~

I need to dust & vacuum! And so many other things. One day at a time, it shall happen.

~~One of my favorite things~~

teacups. I don't know...I am just a tea lover. I have a collection of tea cups and tea pots. Yes, I believe in using them. No sense in just putting them on a shelf to look at. They were meant to be used and enjoyed. If I break one, oh well, as my grandmother said: "Forget it. People are more important than things."

~~A few plans for the rest of the week~~

add some more things to our eBay shop; Wal-mart Tuesday night; Wednesday night bible study at church; prepare/practice interpretation of music for church Sunday.

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing~~

Want to read more Daybooks? See Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Inspirational Sunday

Especially for You...

Pink Saturday

Hello dear friends!

I have met so many wonderful friends here in blogland! I would love to have a tea party with you, so I thought I'd get out my favorite tea sets! Let's have a PINK tea party! Nothing quite like hot tea on a cold, wintry day. We have only had about 2 inches of snow here so far this winter...quite lovely! (But I really want more!) BUT....today is a unusually warm day of 60! WOW! That's unusual for us. So let's enjoy tea together and chat!

Want to enjoy the fun with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound? Visit some dear friends celebrating Pink Saturday too!

Enjoy!
SHERI

Discover your Inner valentine heart!

discover what candy you are @ quiz me

Hello Friends!

I will be out of town this weekend, but have posted for tomorrow's Pink Saturday! I hope you have a lovely Pink Saturday & Valentine's Day! I will be in TN with my sweetie. :)

Hugs,
Sheri

Crochet: Rose Edging Pattern

This edging pattern and photo originally published by Clark's O.N.T. in Floral Insertions and Floral Edgings, Book 263, in 1949.

Materials:

J. & P. Coats Tatting-Crochet, Size 70, Rose (No. 46) and Bright Nile Green (No. 26-B) . . . Steel Crochet Hook No. 14.

Edging--Rose . . . Starting at center with Rose, ch 8. Join with sl st to form ring.

1st rnd: 20 sc in ring. Sl st in first sc.

2nd rnd: Ch 1, sc in same place as sl st, * ch 5, skip 3 sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around, ending with sl st in first sc.

3rd rnd: In each loop around make sc, half dc, 5 dc, half dc and sc. Sl st in next sc on previous rnd.

4th rnd: * Ch 7, sc in next sc on 2nd rnd. Repeat from * around.

5th rnd: In each loop around make sc, half dc, 7 dc, half dc and sc. Join and break off.

Leaf . . . Starting at tip with Green, ch 15.

1st row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across to within last ch, 3 sc in last ch (this is tip of Leaf), sc in each ch along opposite side of starting chain, sc in same place as last sc. Mark last sc for base of Leaf. Hereafter pick up only the back loop of each sc. Do not turn but work sc in each sc to within 3 sc from center sc at tip of Leaf. Ch 1, turn.

2nd Row: Sc in each sc to within marked sc, 3 sc in marked sc, sc in each sc on other side to within 3 sc from center sc at tip of Leaf. Ch 1, turn.

3rd and 4th Rows: Sc in each sc to within center sc of 3 sc group, 3 sc in next sc, sc in each sc on other side to within last 3 sts. Ch 1, turn.

5th Row: Same as 3rd row, making sc, ch 7 and sc in center sc of sc group at base of Leaf.

6th Row: Sc in back loop of each sc to within ch 7 loop, in loop make (3 sc, ch 5) 3 times and 3 sc; sc in back loop of each sc across to within last 3 sts. Break off. Make necessary number of roses and leaves, and tack together in alternate order, having a rose at both ends.

Heading . . . 1st row: Attach Green to center st of 2nd free petal on Rose, ch 8, sc in center st of next free petal, * ch 5, sc in next free picot on Leaf, ch 2, sc in next free picot, ch 5, tr in center sc on side of Leaf, ch 5, dc in center of next free petal on next Rose, ch 5, sc in center of next free petal on Rose. Repeat from * across, ending with sc in center of next petal. Ch 5, turn.

2nd Row: * Dc in ch 5 sp, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, dc in next tr, ch 2, dc in next ch 5 sp, ( ch 2, dc in next sc) twice; ch 2, dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2. Repeat from * across, ending with dc in last ch 5 sp, ch 2, dc in 3rd st of turning ch 8. Break off.

Insertion . . . Work as for Edging No. EI-283, making Heading on both long sides and being careful to have the same number of spaces.

They've done it again! Another giveaway!

I have been abundantly blessed by Tom & Jan at Rose Haven! Not only did I win a tea cup from them last week, but now I've won a blog makeover! You will have to go to my Tea at Prim Rose Hill blog to see how grand it now looks! It's so spring-y and cheery & has the sweetest bunny! And it has my favorite tea cup pattern...Old Country Roses! How sweet is that!

But...the good news is...YOU CAN WIN ONE TOO!! They are designing and giving away a blog makeover through March. So get over there and get your name in the drawing! :)

Thank you Jan for a great giveaway! My blog readers thank you too. :)
Blessings to you and Tom!

Hugs,
SHERI

Tea on Tuesday: Valentine Cookies



recipe.com

MY favorite holiday is quickly approaching! How about some valentine cookies for a special treat for a special someone? ENJOY your day!

Ingredients:
* 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* Dash salt
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup shortening
* 1 egg
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 3 drops oil of cinnamon (optional)
* 1/4 cup hard cinnamon candies, finely crushed

Directions:
1. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl beat sugar and shortening with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and oil of cinnamon, if desired; beat well. Add flour mixture; beat well. Cover and chill in the refrigerator about 2 hours or until firm.

2. Cut a 10x8-inch heart pattern from paper. Halve dough. Line 2 cookie sheets with foil. Place half of the dough on each cookie sheet; roll into 10x8-inch rectangles. With pattern, cut dough into heart shapes. Reserve scraps. (If dough seems too soft, freeze 30 minutes or until firm.) Use alphabet- and heart-shaped cutters to cut out a message from each cookie or carefully use a paring knife to cut out a message. Remove dough from cutters.

3. Spoon candy into cutouts to fill holes to level of the dough. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until candy is melted and cookies are done. Cool on cookie sheets. Peel foil from cookies. Reroll dough scraps; cut with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the 375 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until done. Cool on pan.

Makes 2 large and 6 small cookies.

~~yummy recipe and photo from: recipe.com~~

Monday: The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9...

~~Outside my window~~

the sun is shining brightly but there is still a chill in the air.

~~I am thinking~~

of how I long for spring and spring flowers.

~~I am thankful for~~

no snow or ice storms. My in-laws live in Cincinnati and I have heard all about the snow, ice, snow, ice...ugh. We have only had a few "snow-flurry" storms, :) never leaving us with more than an inch or two of snow at a time which quickly melts away within a day or so. However, we have had our share of windchills below 0. **AND** I am thankful for friends I have met online like dear Jan at Rose Haven. I won a teacup from her giveaway last week (see post from Friday). How delightful! I will cherish it fondly.

~~From the kitchen~~

I smell coffee brewing and english muffins toasting. Getting ready to scramble egg (beaters--allergic to egg yolks). I think we will have baked salmon on cedar for dinner with pasta and fresh veggies.

~~I am wearing~~
my favorite sky blue top with little navy flowers, navy pants.

~~I am creating~~

yet another punchneedle pinkeep for our craft business :) and a menu for the rest of the week--life really would be easier if I would plan more often.

~~I am going~~
to work very soon...I am just happy/grateful/blessed to have a job in this economy.

~~I am reading~~
Having a Mary Spirit: Alowing God to change us from the inside out by Joanna Weaver.

~~I am hoping~~
for an early spring and good weather. I love and adore daffodils. They remind me of my grandmother in the spring. She always had tons of them in her yard and brought them in for vases in the house. It was always so cheery.

~~I am hearing~~

music in the background, coffee brewing, my tea kettle humming, the washer filling.

~~Around the house~~

I need to dust & vacuum! And so many other things. But we spent Saturday working at the other house...still hoping to get moved this spring.

~~One of my favorite things~~

hot tea. ALWAYS. :) Although I enjoy herbal tea, I am a black tea lover. Sometimes with lemon, sometimes not. Just plain today.

~~A few plans for the rest of the week~~

finish this pinkeep and add some things to our eBay shop; plan a Valentine dinner with my DH; Wednesday night bible study at church; dentist appt on Thursday.

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing~~

I love vintage images & especially vintage Valetines...

Want to read more Daybooks? See Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Inspirational Sunday

Pink Saturday

Hello Friends!
My inspiration for this Pink Saturday goes to The Muse. She shared a beautiful fleur-de-lis screen she acquired and I was smitten! :) I have always love the emblem and collect it when I find it. So it is only fitting I would find one in pink! This is a brooch that I wear on my jacket. How perfect for Pink Saturday! Not the best picture as the sunlight kept hitting the 4 pink crystals & gold...but you get the idea. :) I hope you are enjoying your Pink Saturday and don't forget to join in the fun by joining us over at Beverly's!
Have a fabulous Pink Saturday!
SHERI

I WON! I WON!

Just wanted to share my happiness today! I received a teacup from Tom & Jan at Rose Haven! Isn't it a beauty?! I won on week #2 but there are 15 weeks. So get on over there and post a comment to get a chance at winning! Thank you Jan for such a wonderful giveaway...you are such a sweetie!! I always drink tea at breakfast (at minimum!) and will always cherish this teacup! Aren't friends just wonderful? I feel so blessed to have met so many wonderful people here in blogland. May God richly bless you in all you do!
HUGS to Tom & Jan,
SHERI

Redbud Lane



With Thy Needle and Thread

Yep...you know me. I started another one! I am addicted to punch needle. As soon as I get my pinkeeps done, I will have to upload a picture for you. I hope to get these all done by the weekend.

We ended up with a bit of snow today. I was disappointed to only see about 1-2 inches. :) I think we need a good 6 inches at least once during this winter! OK, but I am requesting it on the weekend when I don't have to go to work! And since I'll be off, I'm requesting about a foot! It's just not fair everyone else is getting snow but us!

I signed up for the Secret Pals over on Mary Janes Farm. So I guess I had better get busy and write a letter!

Hope you're having a great Thursday!
SHERI

Monday: The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2...

Outside my window...it is blowing snow flurries again! But we have yet to get any snow this year. BUMMER.

I am thinking...plans for the week, things I have to get done.

I am thankful for...my job, especially in this economy. As much as I would love to not have to work, I am thankful that I am one of the few in our area still with a job. One day I'd like to be able to work FT with my craft business...but until then, I am grateful I have a steady paycheck.

From the kitchen...I smell coffee brewing and english muffins toasting.

I am wearing...socks before I get dressed because it's so cold!

I am creating...yet another punchneedle pinkeep for our craft business. :)

I am going...to work soon.

I am reading...through older craft magazines, looking for inspiration.

I am hoping...that the economy will improve and no one else loses their job.

I am hearing...music in the background, coffee brewing.

Around the house...I have different craft projects in different stages of being finished, haha.

One of my favorite things...hot tea.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finish this pinkeep and start yet another and start adding some things to our eBay shop; shopping trip to Walmart (ugh...I hate those days).

Here is picture thought I am sharing...(dreaming of warm summer days)...

Want to join? See Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman's Daybook.