Tea on Tuesday: Lemon Curd Muffins

Ingredients:
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg
* 3/4 cup milk
* 1/4 cup cooking oil
* 2/3 cup purchased lemon curd
* 2 tablespoons toasted coconut

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Grease six popover pans and line with paper bake cups; set aside. Stir together the all-purpose flour, sugar, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients; set aside.

2. Combine the egg, milk, and oil in a small mixing bowl. Add egg mixture all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).

3. Spoon half of the batter into prepared popover pans (two rounded tablespoons in each popover pan). Spoon two rounded teaspoons of the lemon curd on top of the batter in each pan. (There will be some remaining lemon curd for topping). Spoon remaining batter into popover pans filling each pan two-thirds full.

4. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in popover pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Top with remaining lemon curd and toasted coconut. Serve warm or cool.

Makes 6 popovers.

To make in Muffin Cups: Grease twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups or line with paper bake cups; set aside. Prepare muffin batter as above. Spoon half of the batter into prepared muffin cups (a rounded tablespoon in each muffin cup). Spoon a rounded teaspoon of the lemon curd on top of the batter in each cup. (There will be some remaining lemon curd for topping). Spoon remaining batter into muffin cups, filling each cup two-thirds full. Bake and cool as directed. Makes 12 muffins.

~~ yummy recipe and photo from: Better Homes & Gardens ~~

~~ VALENTINE'S DAY GETAWAY ~~

I hope you had a sweet Valentine's Day! We spent the weekend in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN. A nice little getaway! Actually we were so sick of snow we had to go somewhere free of it! LOL. It appeared they did get a tiny bit, but believe me, nothing like we've gotten here in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. I hope to get our travel blog updated this week with the pictures we took, but until then, here's a few photos:Yes they still have a few Christmas decorations/lights still up for their Winterfest.

Blowing flurries in Gatlinburg.

Smoky Mountains roads closed from Gatlinburg to Cherokee because of snow in the mountains.

Ice hanging from the rocks on the Parkway between Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg.

Snow days...are crafting days!

Ok, enough already! I am soooo tired of snow! I spent the last 5 days snowed in with Mr. PrimRoseHill and yesterday we were getting snippy. ;) Thank goodness I made it into work today. {whew!} I like snow, really I do, but we had a major snowstorm the weekend of my birthday (Dec 18th) and couldn't get out for days. Then we had rain, rain, and more rain...and thought the creek across the road was going to be in our yard if it didn't quit. THEN we had more snow last Friday (8") and I get up to go to work yesterday and guess what? It's pouring SNOW and SLEET! So there's about 3" on top of the snow from the weekend. Oh yes, did I mention that the weather guys are saying we're in for a MAJOR SNOW STORM Friday? Really now. I think we've had enough. My biggest complaint is that I'm using up my "vacation days" because I can't make it into work. Which then means I'll be extra-cranky this summer when I'm having to work instead of taking those fun vacation days running to craft shows and all.

So I did lounge around the house for days on end I admit ;) but I did get a few crafts done too. I've been making more "mannequin ladies" for my etsy shop and thought I'd share a few pics here. Hopefully I will get them loaded up today. IF I can quit Farmville long enough...LOL...sadly I have become one of those dreadful Farmville addicts. :)

So my first "lady" is a wonderful indigo/turquoise blue! It was really heard to capture her blue batik fabric. I attached her to a keepsake box. I thought she would make a cute pinkeep and the box could be used for notions. OR these ladies can be used for jewelry holders too:

For my prim lovers, I think this one will be going in my Country-Fried Primitives shoppe. She is made with cranberry & spice tan ticking fabric and has a hand-stitched gingerbread man with candies apron. She would make an adorable pinkeep with her button necklace and spool base, but I think she would be cute sitting in a prim kitchen too:

And you know how I love pink roses, so this is just like one I made for my dear friend Helen who LOVES anything with pink roses. She has pearl trim "shawl" and pearl button at her waist:

So I almost forgot to share with you these stockings I did for one of my favorite eBay buyers. She emailed me about doing a custom order for her after she bought a few of my stockings I had for sale before Christmas. Her friend, who is a big prim-lover, fell in love with her prim punch needle stockings I had made and so she contacted me about making two for her friend. What a thoughtful friend! I really enjoyed making these. They coordinate beautifully with the same blue background and cranberry red in the punch needle:

And it's time already for St. Patty Days items! Ok, well time for me to be making them. And here's my first shamrock I hope to be posting right after Valentine's Day on eBay:

So I haven't totally wasted my snow days I guess. :) But really, enough snow! Hope you're having a warm and SUNNY day in your part of the world.

Hugs,
Sheri

Friday Flickr Inspirations: Valentine's Day Hearts

feltsewgood

my artistic side

kreinikgirl

such pretty things

scrapdemon

cake girl

apple & eve

punkie pies

Tea on Tuesday: Strawberry-Lavender Scones

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups sifted bread flour
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted almond slivers
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream, divided
2 teaspoons lavender
2 1/2 tablespoons honey

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add the strawberries and almonds, and toss gently to combine.

3. In a small bowl, microwave 1/2 cup cream on HIGH in 30-second intervals until cream simmers. Add the lavender to the cream, and let steep for 5 minutes; strain.

4. In a separate small bowl, mix together the honey and the lavender-infused cream. Pour the honey-cream mixture into the flour mixture, and stir until dough just comes together (dough will be sticky).

5. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch square cutter, cut 12 scones. Place on prepared baking sheet, and brush tops with remaining cream. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Makes 12 scones.

~~ yummy recipe and photo from: Tea Time Magazine ~~

Pink Saturday!

Hello everyone! I have been missing Pink Saturdays and am glad to finally be back! I'm rather glad to see the holidays wind down and the new year always seems to be a new beginning. I know I'm looking forward to spring and getting rid of this cold wintry weather! So today I thought I'd think about the best kind of spring...a pink spring, of course!

Be sure to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound and join in all the fun of visiting Pink Saturday bloggers!

Hope you're having a fabulous Pink Saturday and remember to "think pink spring"!

Hugs,
Sheri

FRIDAY FLICKR INSPIRATIONS: PIN CUSHIONS/PIN KEEPS

tanyawhelan

adriannasboutique

lauriescharmingdesigns

lollihops

jillianhaupt

misspriss4595

leafpeople

sweetmemorymakingmom

beths bagz

gina2424

Tea on Tuesday: Creamy White-Bean and Sage Soup

Ingredients:
4 ounces bacon, finely diced
2 cups finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon prepared roasted garlic
4 cups chicken broth
4 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 sprigs fresh parsley
8 sprigs fresh thyme
3 bay leaves
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon black truffle oil
Garnish: additional black truffle oil and ground black pepper

Directions:
1. In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.

2. Add the onion and roasted garlic to the bacon drippings in the pot, and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the broth, and bring to a boil. Add the beans, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves; cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool slightly.

3. Remove the parsley, thyme, and bay leaves from the soup. Using a blender, puree the mixture in batches until smooth.

4. Return soup to the pot, and add cream, butter, lemon juice, white pepper, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat until hot. Stir in truffle oil. Ladle soup into individual serving dishes, and drizzle each serving with additional truffle oil and a sprinkle of black pepper, if desired.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

~~ yummy recipe and photo from: Tea Time Magazine ~~

FRIDAY FLICKR INSPIRATIONS: PAPERCLAY

OK, I admit it. I've become fascinated with paperclay! I keep seeing all these great creations and I want to give it a try!littlesomethings1

sleephollowfolkart

applehillsdolls

ambitionsdesign

ginnydiezelstudios

thesnippets

thepolkadotpixie

holidaysparkle

What city do you a belong in?

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

Wishing you...