Summer Recipes ~ Cucumber Dill Sandwich Appetizers

These are good any time of year, but are perfect for your cookout or picnic on a hot summer day!   If you make these I guarantee people will ask for the recipe. 

Cucumber Dill Sandwiches
8 oz light cream cheese, softened
1 packet dry Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
1 seedless cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 package pumpernickle or rye cocktail bread
dried dillweed

Combine cream cheese and dressing mix.  Refrigerate for at least an hour.  Spread each bread slice with cream cheese mixture.  Top with a cucumber slice and sprinkle with dillweed.  (see - I told you they were easy!)

Refrigerate until ready to serve.  I don't recommend making them the day before - the bread will get a little soggy.  I've made several hours in advance and they were perfect.

Hydrangeas

We had a couple pretty severe frosts this Spring, so I wasn't sure how the hydrangeas would hold up.  But these guys are tough and sturdy... and now the blooms are just starting to turn pretty shades of pink and lavender.  I just love them!  And they make the most beautiful bouquets.

I love using them as a backdrop to some of my jewelry pictures for ETSY!

ETSY Finds: Wedding Sparkle

I've been busy making earrings for bridal parties.  My top selling earrings are simple but add lots of sparkle!  These can be found in my ETSY shop.

Here are other items you'll find on ETSY with lots of sparkle.  These artists have shops filled with wedding items in vaious colors and themes.... check them out!

 

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Rhinestone and Pearl Belt by Something Ivory

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Shotgun Casing Cuff Links by Key of A

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Vintage Purse by Chrysalis e-Shop

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Shoe Clips by Daisyclub Crafts

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Rhinestone Beaded Braclet by Untamed Petals

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Monogram Cake Topper by The Panache Bride

Basic Cole Slaw Recipe

I love cole slaw with BBQ. So when my sister-n-law said she was serving ribs for Father's Day, I happily agreed to make it!

Here is the recipe my mom and I use. It's easy to adjust the amounts depending on how much cabbage you have.  You can also change the amounts of sugar and vinegar you use, depending if you like it sweeter or tangier.   I always 'cheat' and buy a bag of the pre-chopped cabbage and carrots at GFS.  I like it because it's chopped and not just shredded.  Just like the kind at KFC!


Basic Cole Slaw Dressing
2 cups Miracle Whip Light dressing
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar

Mix together with a whisk until smooth.  Toss with shredded or chopped cabbage and carrots.  Let sit in fridge for at least an hour.

Turquoise ETSY Finds

Working with turquoise and howlite puts me in a good mood.  The blue gemstones remind me of vacations out West to Sedona and Sante Fe. 

I thought it would be fun to search ETSY to find other items in turquoise colors.  I think you'll enjoy looking at these items and browsing the ETSY shops of the artists!

Knitted Purse from Bell Adora

Infinity Scarf from Candice's Closet

Sea Turtle Photo from JessMae Photography

Bracelet from Stone Source

Birthday Card from Megan Jewel

Heart Pendant from Damson Tree Pottery

Re-Purposed Earrings

My sister-n-law recently gave me a bag of old costume jewelry from her mom.  In the mix, a pair of white enameled earrings caught my eye.  The enamel is a little worn, but these are still in good condition.  All of the cyrstals are in place.

All I did was exchange the old screw-type earring post for a new sterling silver simple post.  Now I have a new pair of cute hoop earrings!  These are perfect for summer.  

Tangerine Wedding Ideas from ETSY

This past Saturday my Mom and I had to make a stop at the city service department to drop off some recycling.  The city hall is an old mansion built in 1915. The architecture of the building along with the surrounding gardens make it a popular spot for wedding photography.  We stopped to sit in the shade for a bit and watched a beautiful bride and her bridesmaids get their photos taken.  The girls were in knee-length tangerine colored dresses.  The style was a simple strapless dress, which made the color really pop.

Below are some great wedding finds from ETSY in vibrants shades of tangerine.  Even if you're wedding is a different color scheme, be sure to check these shops out - they all have items in a rainbow of colors!  Enjoy browsing ♥

Invitation from My Hello Designs

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Pomander Flower Ball from Bride in Bloom

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Men's Bow Tie from CCA Design

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Clutch from White Aisle Boutique

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Cocktail Rim Sugar from Dell Cove Spice Company

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Personalized Bridesmaid Clutch from Mama Bleu Art

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Bouquet from Songs from the Garden

Wedding Jewelry

Some of my most popular earrings:

No Bake Chocolate Pie

This was easy, creamy and oh so good!  I've come to admire food bloggers who get such good pictures of their creations!  I was lucky to get a few decent shots of this before everyone grabbed a piece!


No Bake Chocolate Pie
4 ounces dark baking chocolate
1/3 cup milk
4 ounces cream cheese softened
2 T sugar
8 ounces cool whip, thawed  
9 inch pre-baked pie shell  (I used a chocolate one)


Melt Chocolate and 2 tablespoons of the milk in a double boiler or microwave until chocolate is almost melted.  Stire until chocolate is completely melted.  


Beat chocolate, cream cheese, sugar and remaining milk with mixer until well blended.  Refrigerate about 10 minutes until cool.  Spoon into crust.  Place in freezer about 3 hours or until firm.  Top with additional cool whip if desired.


Let pie stand at room temperature or in fridge about 15 minutes.  Serve and enjoy the compliments :)  Store leftover (if there are any) in the freezer.

New Pandora Style Charms

New Pandora-style charms have been listed in my ETSY shop!