Hello Yard Sale

August has totally been my yard sale month. I started off the month heading up to Signal Mountain, Tennessee for the 127 Sale and have been spending the rest of my time getting ready for my own yard sale. I have to say, I’d much rather be pickin’ through items at someone else’s yard sale instead of running my own. It’s such hard work! I’m even sporting a sweet farmer’s tan after the long, hot day of wheelin’ and dealin’.

via

We got up around 5:00 on Saturday and stuck with it until 3:00 that afternoon. That’s when we heard a little thunder and the wind picked up all of the sudden. We had to chase place mats and plastic bags all over the parking lot. It started to drizzle and we had to scramble to get everything inside before the sky opened up and unloaded on us. We just barely made it inside.

So needless to say, I’m plum tuckered out. Sometimes the “busy-ness” catches up to you and you just have to curl up in the bed and watch Cold Case Files with your hubby; doze a little while and let your batteries recharge.

What about you… do you enjoy the thrill of the sale or the thrill of the buy?

Posted 8/23/11, Topic: Blog

29 Ways to Stay Creative

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

This video makes me smile. Lots of these tips give me a little “ah-ha” moment, especially #25. So whether you’re on top of your creative game or in a rut right now, give this video a peek. It never hurts to have a little reminder to boost those creative juices.

Which tip is your favorite?

Posted 8/17/11, Topic: Blog

Sprinkles

1 & 2

Hi.

My name is Krista,

and I’m addicted to sprinkles.

That pretty much sums it up. The more the merrier. Spoon ’em on and pile ’em high. Their bright colors bring an instant smile to my face. It turns boring desserts into a party. And they’re just so little and cute.

I guess it’s mostly the texture that I love. My favorite is the soft, rainbow sprinkles. You can never have too many of those.

via Style Me Pretty

So why all the talk about sprinkles? Well, it’s been three weeks (gasp!) since I have had any sugar. Just a little effort to live more on the healthy side. Which basically means I have been trying non-stop to discover a way to make ‘healthy’ sprinkles. Don’t get excited, I didn’t figure it out. I’m pretty sure ‘healthy’ sprinkles are an oxymoron anyway.

To satisfy my curiosity, I just had to find out… how do you even make sprinkles? Believe it or not, you can actually make sprinkles at home. It sounds a little painstaking, but I do like that with homemade sprinkles you can create your own custom colors and you also skip all of the harmful preservatives and chemicals found in store bought sprinkles.

I have to admit, at first the idea of making your own sprinkles sounded a little nutso, but it’s slowly growing on me. Unfortunately, homemade sprinkles are not in my future just yet… I’d be tempted to dump them on top of a double dip strawberry ice cream waffle cone. So for now these pretty, pretty pics will have to do.

via Carter and Cook Event

{But if you’re really in the mood to torture yourself, check out these bad boys. And if you make them, don’t tell me or I’ll say a little prayer that the Sugar Fairy sends all of the cake batter balls straight to your thighs.}

Posted 8/16/11, Topic: Blog

Do I live under a rock?

via USPS

I caught a glimpse of these stamps and thought, “wow, what a great idea for custom stamps”, only to realize they’re not custom stamps they’re issued by the USPS. They’re so unbelievably hipster, I love them! I jumped onto the USPS site and ordered a bundle of these babies. Now, I just have to figure out which one is my favorite.

Which one do you like best?

Posted 8/12/11, Topic: Blog

Fig and Ginger Jam

Last week, while I was knee deep in figs, Amy was kind enough to share an intriguing fig recipe for fig and ginger preserves. I’m such a ginger fan and love the surprising twist it adds to dishes. This recipe called for crystallized ginger.

It make look all sweet like candy, but pop a piece of this in your mouth and you’re guaranteed to get lock jaw. (Trust me, I looked like a goof ball in Whole Foods.)

Super simple ingredients for a preserve packed with flavor. I can’t wait to try some of these preserves over a grilled pork loin, doesn’t that sound good? Thanks again Amy for the sweet tip. Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder and I are both big fans of this recipe.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Fig and Ginger Jam
adapted from Tasty Kitchen

2 quarts fresh figs, coarsely chopped
4 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cups water
Juice from one lemon
1/2 cups crystallized ginger, chopped fine
1/2 teaspoons salt

Begin by rinsing the figs and removing the stems. Coarsely chop figs and combine will all other ingredients in a large pot. Heat the mixture until boiling. You want a good roiling boil that does not fade when stirred.

Reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Stir frequently.

Remove from heat and immediately ladle fig mixture into prepared mason jars, fill to 1/4″ from the top and seal tightly with lids. I did not process my figs in a water bath, the heat from the figs was enough to cause the jars to seal. If for some reason the jars do not seal, simply store in the refrigerator.

Posted 8/11/11, Topic: Eats

Archive for August, 2011

Hello Yard Sale

29 Ways to Stay Creative

Sprinkles

Do I live under a rock?

Fig and Ginger Jam

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Search the blog

Post Archives

Archive for August, 2011

Hello Yard Sale

29 Ways to Stay Creative

Sprinkles

Do I live under a rock?

Fig and Ginger Jam

Topics

Search the blog

Post Archives

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