Tuesday Tablescape

I have a fondness for coastal tablescapes and as the summer season begins to wind down, I wanted to put together one. 

Many years ago, we bought this seagull at a little shop in U.P. of MI where we were touring lighthouses.

I rounded out the centerpiece when I "shopped" our bathroom decor and added the candle and small basket of FL shells.

I found these mini blue stands at a yard sale. New and never used, they cost $1 for a set of four. For today's table, they were perfect to use as a candle stand at each place-setting.

I purchased the sturdy fish dishes about five years ago at a yard sale. The woven placemats with real shell detail are some of my favorites from my stash. The awesome shell napkin rings were a gift from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

Is it just me or does this make you want to spend a day at the beach?

A Favorite Summer Recipe

Although I have run this recipe on my blog a few years ago, it's worth repeating. Gazpacho, made with garden-fresh tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, is the epitome of a summer dish. I just made a batch yesterday afternoon and so we will be enjoying a dish of this cold soup at lunchtime.

Gazpacho

1 cup finely chopped tomato

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped cucumber

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 tsp. snipped parsley

1 tsp. snipped chives

1 small clove minced garlic

2-3 T. wine vinegar

2 T. olive oil

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 cups tomato juice

Combine ingredients in glass or stainless bowl. Cover and chill at least four hours before serving. Store in an airtight bowl in the refrigerator.

Click here for a printable version of the recipe. It is coupled with a recipe for tomato pie, which is another tasty dish!

Happy Monday!

 

Happy National Gooey Butter Cake Day! When I first read of this unusual "holiday", I remembered that I had highlighted this recipe a few years ago and so I am rerunning the post from 2018. I have not had occasion to make this delicious dessert in more time than I can recall, but it worth sharing. St. Louisans love their gooey butter cakes! Legend has it that a local German baker erroneously created this cake back in the 1930s when he reversed the proportions of flour and butter. There are many versions of this recipe, but this one of my mother's is my favorite. It's very simple since it begins with a cake mix. I made one this weekend to take to church, so I decided to share the recipe with you in case you want to try it. Be imaginative with the cake mix you use. Spice, red velvet and chocolate all yield delicious results, too!

No-Fail Gooey Butter Cake

1 stick of butter, melted

1 yellow cake mix (or any flavor)

1 egg

Mix these ingredients (by hand) thoroughly until no lumps are visible.

Press into a greased 9x13 pan.

Set aside.

Now mix 8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature and cut into 6-8 cubes to make it mix more quickly),

1/2 teas. vanilla,

1# confectioners sugar (I saved out maybe an ounce to use to sift onto the finished cake),

2 eggs. 

Beat to combine and then beat for 3 minutes (yes, 3).

Pour over the cake mix in the pan.

Bake at 350 degrees 30-45 minutes until light golden brown.

Top dress with sifted confectioners sugar when cooled.

For a printable version, click here. As always, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on "print page" to get a copy of the recipe. 

                              Enjoy!

A Few Good Products...

When I find a product that I like, I think it's good to share just in case someone else may be interested. I have three items to mention.

Earlier this summer I read about Feeder Fresh Nectar Defender, an additive for hummingbird feeders. After locating it at my local Wild Birds Unlimited, I decided to give it a try. This all natural liquid is not nectar, but is to be added to the sugar water you make at home for your little birds. The mineral micronutrients keep your solution from spoiling. Especially during extremely hot weather, I attend to our hummingbird feeders daily in an effort to prevent the nectar from getting cloudy. Not only must it be distasteful to the hummers, it can make them sick. Feeder Fresh claims to keep everything viable for two weeks! I have used it for a few months and while I continue to monitor our feeders, I am highly satisfied with the product. It really does do as it claims. I have had no cloudy juice and our bird traffic is very good. I will most definitely continue to use it. Since you only use a cap of Feeder Fresh to a quart of solution, it goes a long way. Now my only concern is keeping the raccoons out of the hummingbird feeders! 🙄

I read a review of these Dollar Tree impostor magic erasers and decided to give them a try. For my purposes, Scrub Buddies 2 in 1 Quick Erasers work just fine. I basically use them for routine tub and shower door cleaning and they have performed well in those applications. I would buy them again.

This little decor item was something I saw on an endcap display at Dollar Tree when I buzzed in for an item. I just thought it was cute and, for a dollar, decided to grab it so that I can incorporate it in my autumn decorations. Things like this tend to go pretty quickly, so you may want to look the next time you run into your local store. They had a few other sayings and color options. 

                           Happy shopping!

Tuesday Tablescape

Happy 200th Birthday, Missouri! It was on August 10, 1821 that  MO became the 24th state. That calls for a special tablescape!

Earlier this summer when we visited the beautiful MO state park, Arrow Rock, we found bicentennial T-shirts for sale in the visitor center. I love them! I felt it would be fitting to fold and fashion them into a "table runner" for today. 

Faux cupcakes sitting on a platter, birthday napkins and some scattered confetti round-out the table.

What's a birthday celebration without ice cream, especially when an ice cream cone is MO's official dessert? If you live in this area, stop by your local library branch today and obtain a coupon good for a free ice cream to be redeemed at a designated area restaurant.

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Bicentennial Birthday, dear Missouri,

Happy Birthday to you...and many MO! 🎜🎝

I'm Back...

It seems as if it has been ages since my last post. Part of my hiatus was spent away on a trip. We had a lovely time visiting west central Colorado. It was my first time there and I did love both the landscape and weather. I did not love traversing the steep Rocky Mountain roads in a 36 foot long motorhome! 😳 At the risk of boring you with vacation pictures, I am including a few favorite shots that I took.

Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!

                                                                Dr. Seuss

Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains.

                            William Shakespeare

Who is like you, Lord, magestic in holiness, awesome in glory 

and working wonders.

                                                                       Exodus 15:11