Berry Banana Martini For Friday's Happy Hour and Favorite Blog Links

Today I give you a Berry Banana Martini for Friday's Happy Hour. This was delicious.  I made my wonderful H. his Cucumber Martini, and as I have told you in the past I love berry drinks, so I made myself this tasty little drink, and boy was it good.  I hope all of you like it as much as I did.

After the Berry Banana Martini Recipe I will present this weeks Favorite Blog Links of the week.  So stay and read awhile.

Berry Banana Martini

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka

1 oz blackberry liqueur

1/2 oz banana liqueur

1/2 oz simple syrup

3 blackberries

3 raspberries

Directions:

Muddle 2 rasberries and 2 blackberries (basically this means crushing them to release the juices.)

Then add the vodka, blackberry liqueur, banana liqueur, simple syrup, blackberries, and rasberries to a martini shaker or a large container to mix your ingredients.

Then add ice and mix well.  I like my martini's well chilled, so I let it sit for a few minutes.  

Then pour into a martini glass and garnish with a rasberry and a blackberry.

Serves 1

Now onto one of my favorite days of the week, Friday's Favorite Blog Links.  I hope you enjoy these wonderful bloggers.  It would be great if you visit and follow them.

Couch Potato Organizing Your T-Shirts from Susan at Organized 31

Chalk Candy Jar Labels from Katie at The Crafty Blog Stalker

Grain Free Chocolate Muffins from Anne Marie Cain

Caramel Apple Cake from Freshly Completed

I loved reading all of these blogs, and I know you will also.  So hop over and visit them and share some love with them while you are there.

Well I'm done for today.  I hope that you like the Berry Banana Martini for Friday's Happy Hour. Let me know what you think.  Send me your comments.  Have a great weekend.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

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Split Pea Soup

Fall is really the time of year when I start making comfort foods and Split Pea Soup  is one of my favorite comfort foods.  I can't stand peas, but I love Split Pea Soup.  When I make it, I make it really thick and full of ham.  It is truly a meal in its own right.  I serve it with cornbread, and I always feel like I'm in Heaven when I take that first bite.  It is also one of those meals that you can put in a pan and just let it cook for hours.  Then you come back and have this wonderfully, hearty, and delicious soup.

Anyway, enough with the descriptions,  here is a great and simple recipe for Split Pea Soup.

Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

2 lbs split peas

1 onion diced

3 lbs ham steaks cubed

4 ham hocks

3 bay leaves

1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

Rinse split peas, and then put them in a large pan.

Add onions, ham, ham hocks, bay leaves, and pepper.

 

Add 12 cups of water and bring it to a boil.

Lower the heat to low and cook for 2 to 3 hours.

Pull ham hocks out of the pan, take the meat off of the ham hocks and throw the rest away.

 

Add the meat back into the soup.

The soup should be really thick at this point and ready to serve.

So isn't this an easy recipe for Split Pea Soup?  It is a hearty, stick to your ribs meal.  Add cornbread and you're set.

Let me know what you think of this recipe.  I always love hearing from you.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

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Almond Sugar Body Scrub and Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 21

Read all the way through to get the directions for The Directions to make Almond Sugar Body Scrub.

Welcome to my Wednesdays Adorned from Above Link Party 21.   I hope that all of you have fun, and I can't wait to see all of your beautiful work from the last week.  You are all truly amazing.  

I would love for you to follow me on GFC, Pinterest, Twitter, or Google +.

I feature the top 3 most view links each week

To those of you that I featured just grab my Wednesdays Adorned From Above Featured Button in my sidebar, or you can post a text link.

Mary's Kitchen Healthy Smoothies

The Hobby Harbor - Yummy Yellow Skirt

Coldham Cuddlies Calling - Rejuvenation of Fred Bear

I want to thank everyone who linked with my Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party 20.  All of your projects are wonderful and I would feature all of them if I could, but I think that the blog would probably be a little too long.  I hope that all of you link more posts this week.  

Let's Party!!!

Your posts can include anything, I love to see everything that you have been up to.

The only rules are to follow me, have a link somewhere on your post to Adorned From Above, and visit some other posts - after all it is a party.

• Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party Link
• Or Grab my Link Party Button in my sidebar.

I love the sweet smell of almonds,  especially, Almond Soap.  So this week I decided to make an Almond Sugar Body Scrub.  I was sitting on a plane thinking about how dry my skin gets in the winter, and that a new scrub sounded good, and decided that I would try making a scrub with almonds, almond oil, honey, and brown sugar.

 

I love using brown sugar in scrubs, because it melts into my skin.  It is not quite as rough on my skin as white sugar or moscabado sugar.  Since I love the smell of almonds I thought that I would roughly chop them in the food processor.  Almonds will also make a great exfolliant.   Next, I decided to use a little honey in this scrub because it is a natural humectant.  This means it will help add moisture into my skin.  I need all the help that I can get in the  moisture department.  I also decided that I would use almond oil in this recipe rather then coconut oil.  I just love the lingering scent of almonds, and these ingredients meet all of the criteria for a great scrub.  Not only will it exfoliate, but it will moisturize, which is what I need in the cold, dry Colorado winters.

So here is a recipe for a great and delicious smelling Almond and Brown Sugar Body Scrub.

Almond Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Ingredients:

1/4 cup almonds (ground in a food processor or blender, be careful not to grind to much or you will end up with almond butter)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup raw unfiltered honey

1/4 cup almond oil

Directions:

Mix all together in a bowl and store in a sterilized jar.  I use wide mouth mason jars for my scrubs.  It is easy to get them out of the jar that way. 

I hope that you like this Almond Brown Sugar Body Scrub.  Let me know what you think.  I always love hearing from you.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

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Patched Jeans

Today, I am going to show you my patched jeans.  They are my favorite jeans, and about 12 years old.  They are so worn that the whole butt is patched and most of the front.  I don't want to get rid of them, because they are so soft, they feel like pajamas.  So each time I get a new hole, I just add another patch.

A long time ago, there was an upholstery store going out of business, and I bought all of their sample pieces of fabric.  You know, those big squares of fabric that they let you borrow when you are trying to see the fabric on your furniture.  I knew that they would come in handy at some point, and they certainly have.  I love the chintzes, and I use them on my jeans.  I just cut out different patterns in the fabric and use them for patches.

Sometimes I will sew them on with my sewing machine and sometimes I will do it by hand.  It just depends on where the hole is on the jeans.  I will use a straight stitch or a zigzag, it just depends on my mood.  These are kind of free form, and fun.

I hope that this gives you ideas on what you can do to your favorite jeans, once they are too worn out to wear without fixing.  Let me know what you think, and what you do to fix your torn jeans.

Have fun creating.

Debi

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Knowledge Ephesians 3:14 - 3:19

Hi everyone.  I am in Florida right now, but I still wanted to post a verse for today.  I missed one last week, and kinda felt lost not doing one for the week.  This week I am writing about Knowledge Ephesians 3:14 to 3:19.  I'm just giving you the verses today.  I felt like this was something to think about for the week.

We are trying to find a home near Fort Lauderdale, God willing.  So keep us in your prayers.

3: 14 For the reason I bow my knees to the Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

3:15 from whom the whole family in heaven

and earth is named,

3:16 that He would grant you according the the riches

of His glory, to be strengthened with might
through His Spirit in the inner man,

3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith: that you being rooted and grounded in love,

3:18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints
what is the width and length and depth and height-

3:19 to know the love of Christ which passes for
knowledge: that you may be fulfilled with all the 
Fullness  of God

Esphsians 3:14 - 3:19

I think this is so beautiful and so full of God's promises.

I hope that you enjoyed today's Bible Verses.  I always love hearing from you, so send m your comments.

Have a Blessed Week.
Debi
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Mia Lace Scarf Pattern

Today I am giving you my Mia Lace Scarf Pattern, just because I love all of you. This is a simple knit pattern, but it looks hard. Have fun knitting girls.

For those of you who have printed this out, I have made the corrections to the pattern. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience.

Mia Lace Scarf

Print Pattern

Yarn

Lion Brand Vanna’s Glamour 4 skeins of (202 yards)

Size 5 Knitting needles

P - Purl 

K - Knit 

YO - Yarn Over 

K2tog - Knit 2 together 

SL - slip stitch as if to purl 

PSSO - pass slip stitch over knit stitch 

Pattern

(Pattern Corrections in Blue)

Cast on 34 stitches

Row 1: (Right Side) K1, P1 to end

Row 2: P1, K1 to end

Row 3 and 4: Repeat row 1 and 2

Row 5: (P1, K1) twice, K4, P2, (K1, P2) twice, K2, P2, (K1, P2) twice, K4, (P1,K1) twice

Row 6: (K1, P1) twice, P4, K2, (P1, K2) twice, P2, K2, (P1, K2) twice, P4,  (K1, P1) twice

Row 7: Repeat Row 5

Row 8: Repeat Row 6

Row 9: (P1, K1) twice, K4, (P1, YO, sl 1, K1, PSSO, P2, YO, K2tog, P2) K2, (P1, YO, sl 1, K1, Psso, P2, YO, K2tog), K4, (P1, K1) twice (correct)

Row 10: (K1, P1) twice, P4, (K1, P2, K2, P2, K1), P2, (K1, P2, K2, P2, K1), P4, (K1, P1) twice

Row 11: (P1, K1) twice, K4, (P2, YO, (sl 1, K1, PSSO,) YO, K2tog, P2), K2, (P2, YO, (sl 1, K1, PSSO,) YO, K2tog, P2), K4, (P1, K1) twice (correct)

Row 12: (K1, P1) twice, P4, (K2, P4, K2), P2,  (K2, P4, K2), P4, (K1, P1) twice

Repeat Rows 5 through 12 until scarf measures 78 inches

Then do rows 1-4

Then bind off. Weave ends in, and block. 

I hope that if you knit you like this pattern.  It is simple and pretty, and great for winter, whether for yourself or a loved one.  I always love hearing from you, so send me your comments.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

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Swiss Chocolate Almond Sundae Recipe

Today I am posting the recipe for Swiss Chocolate Almond Sundae Recipe from my How To Throw A Dinner Party post.

This is a really great and easy recipe, and my husband's favorite sundae.  He grew up in Connecticut and they have ice cream parlors there called Friendly's, and he used to get these there as a kid.  When we go and visit his mom, we hit Friendly's at least two times so that he can get his Swiss Chocolate Almond Sundae fix.  His cousins even bought him some for him to take home for his birthday when we were there in September.

A few years ago I came up with a recipe for Swiss Chocolate Sauce and it is really close to what we get when we eat at Friendly's.  My husband can now get his sundae fix in Denver, and because I am such a good wife, I try to help out as often as possible.

So here is a great recipe for

Swiss Chocolate Almond Sundaes.

Ingredients:

Swiss Chocolate Sauce

1 pt chocolate ice cream

1 pt vanilla ice cream

1 pt coffee ice cream

sliced almonds

whipped cream

maraschino cherry

Directions:

Put one scoop of each ice cream flavor in a bowl or sundae cup.

Put Swiss Chocolate Sauce over the ice cream

Top with almonds, whipped cream, and a cherry.

Swiss Chocolate Sauce

1 jar hot fudge sauce ( heated to make it softer and stirable)

1/2 container marshmallow cream

Mix hot fudge and marshmallow cream together until mixed well.

Now wasn't that easy.  These were so cute at the party.  I served them in mason jars.  I was able to make them the day before, and I put them in the freezer in the mason jars.  I also made 1/2 of them with caramel cone crunch ice cream and 1/2 with the coffee ice cream.  I let everyone put the whipped cream, almonds, and cherries on their sundaes themselves.

This turned out to be a really fun dessert for everyone, and they looked so pretty.  Let me know what you think.  I always love hearing from you.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

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Peach Sangria for Friday's Happy Hour and Favorite Blog Links

Today for Friday's Happy Hour I have a great recipe for Peach Sangria.  It's a really good and easy recipe, and tastes delicious.  I know that you are going to love it.  You will find my Favorite Blogs Links for this week after the recipe.  So take off your shoes and stay awhile.  Who said that, do any of you know?  I looked it up on Google and couldn't find it.

Peach Sangria

Ingredients:

1 bottle Moscato Wine ( I used Lindeman's 90, it is inexpensive, but good)

1  1/2  12 oz can peach nectar ( You can find it with the Mexican Food)

3/4 cup Peach liqueur

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and serve over ice.

Have fun and enjoy your Peach Sangria Recipe for Friday's Happy Hour.

Now on to my Favorite Blog Links for this week.  I hope that you  like them as much as I do.  It would be great if you would follow them in some way.

Happy Blogiversary To Me from Shasta at In The Road

Burlap Bins (Kitchen Storage) from Courtney at A Diamond in the Stuff

Chocolate Caramel Brownies from Mandy at The Project Queen

Sew and Tell Plate of Pumpkins from Carolyn at Homework

Featured bloggers grab the button in my sidebar for your blogs.

Sit back take a sip of your Peach Sangria and read these great posts.
I hope all of you have a great weekend.  See you tomorrow.
I always love hearing from you.  Let me know if you like the Peach Sangria Recipe.

Enjoy!!!
Debi
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Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe

I love Homemade Garlic Bread.  I tend to use a lot of butter.  I know, I know, not really healthy, but definitely delicious.  If I ate this all of the time it would be an issue, but I might make and eat Garlic Bread twice a year.  Not to bad when you put it in that context.  Anyway, today I am posting my really easy Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe.

Homemade Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

4 cloves garlic

1 loaf Italian Bread

Directions:

Let butter soften or soften in microwave for 15 seconds

Mix in garlic.

Cut loaf of Italian Bread in half.

Spread garlic butter on both halves

Slice halves into 2 inch slices

Broil for 3 to 5 minutes until lightly browned.  Watch the bread, it burns easily.

Take bread out of oven and serve.

Okay, so was that easy or what.  I hope that you enjoy this recipe for Homemade Garlic Bread.  Let me know what you think.  I always love hearing from you.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

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Jasmine Body Butter and Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 20

Read all the way through to get the directions for How to Make Jasmine Body Butter.

Welcome to my Wednesdays Adorned from Above Link Party 20.   I hope that all of you have fun, and I can't wait to see all of your beautiful work from the last week.  You are all truly amazing.  

I would love for you to follow me on GFC, Pinterest, Twitter, or Google +.

I feature the top 3 most view links each week

 

To those of you that I featured just grab my Wednesdays Adorned From Above Featured Button in my sidebar, or you can post a text link.

Pine Cone Flowers from The Bounty Earth

Quilling Heart from Wesens-Art

Pink Puff N Chiffon Clouds from Style N Seasons

I want to thank everyone who linked with my Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party 20.  All of your projects are wonderful and I would feature all of them if I could, but I think that the blog would probably be a little too long.  I hope that all of you link more posts this week.  Let's Party!!!

Your posts can include anything, I love to see everything that you have been up to.

The only rules are to follow me, have a link somewhere on your post to Adorned From Above, and visit some other posts - after all it is a party.

• Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party Link
• Or Grab my Link Party Button in my sidebar.

Now are you ready to make your own Jasmine Body Butter?  It is a simple recipe to make, and I got it from Rawmazing's Body Butter.  This is the greatest body butter ever.  I live in Colorado where it is extremely dry, so consequently my skin is always dry.  This stuff is wonderful in our dry winters.  Susan at Rawmazing used rosemary and sweet orange and peppermint essential oils, and since I love jasmine, I decided to use Jasmine Fragrance.  You could use whatever essential oils you like in this recipe.  It is very versatile.

Jasmine Body Butter

Ingredients:

1 cup Shea Butter

1/2 Cup Coconut Oil

1/2 cup Almond Oil

30 drops Jasmine Fragrance

Directions:

Melt Shea Butter and Coconut Oil over medium heat on stove.


Let cool for 30 minutes in refrigerator.


Then add the almond oil and jasmine fragrance.

Once the mixture starts to partially solidify it is ready to whip.


Next you are going to whip this with your mixer.  It will actually whip up like whipped cream.

It will does not take long to whip somewhere around 5 minutes.

Next put it in a sterile jar and you are ready to go.

A little goes a long way.

I love this Jasmine Body Butter.  It makes my skin feel amazing.  Let me know what you think of this recipe.  I always love hearing from you.

Enjoy!!!
Debi  

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Burlap and Lace Breadstick Holders

I made the cutest Burlap Bread Stick Holders last weekend and they were really simple to make.  I saw a Burlap Silverware Caddy on Cupcakes and Crinoline and I thought it was adorable.  I knew I wanted to make something like it.  What cinched the deal was when I saw a tutorial on Cutting Burlap Without the Mess on What Meegan Makes.

I had saved the large cans from the crushed tomatoes that I used for my Bolognese Sauce for this project.  I thought these would make the cutest bread stick holders, and I was correct.

Meegan from What Meegan Makes posted a tutorial last week on cutting burlap, and it worked like a charm.    This is how you do it

1.  Measure where you want to cut your burlap.
 
2. Next go to the space next to where you want to cut and start pulling on the thread.  You want to do this slowly, so that you don't break the thread. 

 

3. Once you have pulled the thread out, you will have a space that you can cut a straight line and you wont have a huge mess.

4.  Cut the burlap.

5.  I did this both width wise and length wise and got beautiful squares of burlap to use for my Burlap and Lace Bread Stick Holders. 

 

5. Next I just put the burlap inside the can, and gathered it around the outside of the can.

6.  I cut a piece of lace trim to tie in a bow around the outside of the can.

7.  I put in the bread sticks and was good to go.

Isn't this a really fun and easy project for serving bread sticks or anything else that stands up straight for a party.  It only took about 15 minutes, and I have these really cute little serving pieces.  I always love hearing from you.  Let me know what you think.

Enjoy!!!
Debi 

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