...all things pertaining to the warmth and coziness of home

Friday 28 August 2015

Delicious Lemon Squares

 
These lemon bars are truly delicious!
I found the recipe in an issue of the Daytripping magazine.
The "newspaper" magazine is just what the title says.
I've taken it with me on many a road trip.
The recipe comes from the kitchen of Mary Jane MacVicar.
 
 
I used a different recipe for the bottom of the bars, than what the original recipe called for.
(My version included in recipe below)
Not sure you want to hear the reason why.
I was going to make another recipe that included coconut.
HOWEVER, upon opening the jar to scoop out some coconut there were
wee wee little creepy crawlers crawling all amongst the coconut.
Ewwwwww!!!!!!
Dumped the whole jar in the garbage.
You probably wished I didn't say that.
I had already baked the bottom so now I needed a different top.
 
 This recipe will fit a 9" x 13" baking dish.
The base of the squares are baked first for 10-12 minutes.
 
 
 Combine the ingredients for the topping and then put back in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
 
 
 Sift with icing sugar and cut into squares when cooled.
Click here to print a copy of the recipe.
 
 
Lemon is so refreshing.
These squares are better enjoyed when you take little nibble bites.
 
 
I've been adding lemon pieces to my water.
So refreshing!
The colour is so cheery!
 
 
Summer is not over yet!
If you have a function to go to,
or company coming,
this is sure to be a hit.
 
I'm sure you'll enjoy them as much as I and the ladies at WLC did.
 
Blessings on your day today!
 
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Tuesday 18 August 2015

"Like a Little Candle" and Thrifty Finds

 
I love to go thrift shopping.
Probably too much.
It's the thrill of the hunt.
I think I could open a shop.
We find that funny, but our husbands don't!
 
I have found several (more than several) things recently but today is a simple post.
 
 
I'm sure you are like me, that when you shop, certain things just "jump out at you".
Some things you may have to think about,
but others there is no thinking twice.
That's how it was with this white porcelain candle holder,
and the hand-stitched doily it is sitting on.
 
 
 The colours are pretty and I like how the flowers are out-lined in black.
I have black accents in my main living area.
It makes the white "pop".
 
 
The edging is so pretty too.
 
 
It's been hot here the last few days.
I am not complaining at all.
Soon the cold months will be here and I'll be wishing for summer again.
But even in the summer,
I still like to have a candle or two on in the evening.
It helps to make the evening cozy.
 
 
I picked up the wicker tray at our Salvation Army thrift shop for one dollar.
The low prices are part of the thrill of the hunt.
Actually, everything you see there are thrift shop and flea market finds.
 
 
The insulators were half off at an antique market.
The white roses (fake) were found at thrift shop.
I enjoy making it all work together.
 
 
 
In my last post, I shared about the children's hymn, "Jesus Loves Me."
You can read about that here.
As I was researching it, I found out that the author's sister wrote, "Jesus Bids us Shine."
I've been singing it for the last week.
When I lit this candle, it made me think of the song.
 
It was hard to find a simple video, but I finally did.
This little girl is singing it for her grandparents.
 
 
To read more about Susan Warner, go here.
Susan and her sister Anna lived together on Constitution Island.
Neither ever married.
Together they produced over 106 publications.
They started writing to help with much needed finances.
They both taught the students at West Point about the Bible.
They are the only civilians buried at West Point.
 
It doesn't take much to be a light to someone in your small corner.
A smile, a call, a baked good, a card.
If you are a follower of Jesus, then shining your light will be a natural expression.
That expression is who God made you to be.
Your world needs your light.
"You in your small corner and I in mine."
 
 
 
Blessings to you,
 
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Wednesday 12 August 2015

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, For the Bible Tells Me So

Talk on Tuesday
 
Do you remember that song that you learned in Sunday School?
 
 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

Matthew 18:1-5
 
 
Such a sweet song.
It's probably one of the first songs a lot of us ever sung.
And because we are always young at heart, it never grows old.
 
Last Night I shared about the history of this beloved children's hymn.
 
But first I have to share with you how it came to be that I shared about this.
I've said before about how God uniquely lets me know
 what it is that I'm to share with the ladies at the Windsor Life Centre.
 
 
I was visiting my folks/family the first weekend of August.
My sister and I visited with our cousins who we grew up with,
but are now both working and living in England.
 
 
This picture is from a few years ago but same place and mostly the same people.
We got to sharing about coming to know Jesus so many years ago as young girls.
It was a special visit.
 
Then on Sunday, the church we belonged to when coming to know Jesus,
celebrated their 46th Anniversary.
 
For me, it was a time to reflect back on my salvation and the early days of our church.
 
Then, my sister in law, was sharing with me a book she was reading,
and how a portion of what she was reading prompted her to search more,
bringing her to the author of "Jesus Loves Me"
As she began sharing a bit of the story I knew what I was going to be sharing about.
For me, it was just a sweet reminder from God about that time so long ago,
when I decided to ask Jesus into my heart at the age of nine.
I simply believed.
And like the song says, "for the Bible tells me so".
 
 
Anna Bartlett Warner
 
This is the back of the postcard I made for the ladies.
It gives a quick overview.
To read more information go here
 
 
This is the front of the postcard.
I changed it to Sepia on PicMonkey
Definitely from a vintage children's book.
 
 
 
This is an older picture of the Warner home on Constitution Island.
 
 
Here is a newer photograph.
There used to be tours but I'm not sure if that has stopped
due to the unstable condition of the building.
You can see a small tour here on You Tube.
 
 
The original furniture and fixtures remain in the home.
That is where Anna sat and penned the words, "Jesus Loves Me."
 
I found an adorable video of a seven year old girl singing this song.
 
 
She does a beautiful job.
 
 
Anna died in 1915.
 
 
Anna and her sister Susan are buried at the West Point Cemetery.
They are the only civilians buried there.
 
Remember, you are never too old to sing this song.
Yes, Jesus Loves Me
For the Bible tells me so.
 
 
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Monday 10 August 2015

Healthy Zucchini Muffins

 
I was visiting my folks last weekend and my sister-in-law
gave me two large zucchinis from her garden when I left.
So this weekend, I started searching for some recipes.
 
 
I cut it in thirds and then cut them in half and scooped out the seeds with a spoon.
It's easier to hold in your hand for shredding.
I don't have a machine to do this for me,
so my arm gets a workout.
This large zucchini produced 6 1/2 cups of shredded zucchini,
so I was able to make three different recipes.
 
 
These muffins are DELICIOUS and I found them at
You can print the recipe out there as well.
Not only do you have to shred zucchini, you have to shred an apple and a carrot.
Your arm might be a tad sore, but it won't be too sore to pick up a muffin to eat.
 
 
I didn't use muffin cups.
I didn't want to chance them sticking to the paper.
You know how that can be.
Kinda wrecks your muffin.
I just buttered the muffin tins and they came out perfectly.
This recipe made 20 muffins.
The only change I made was using one cup of white flour instead of oat flour,
and I used whole wheat flour.
I baked them at 350 degrees for 18 minutes.
You can also make them into loaves.
The recipe also calls for honey and maple syrup,
which I love.
Of course they taste the best warmed with a tad bit of butter.
You won't be disappointed.
 
 
This is Maddy.
I have my outdoor chair pads in a bag that I keep inside cause we don't have a storage box outside.
I didn't even know she was in there until I had to get something from the floor,
and my eyes were on the same level.
Good thing I didn't throw something on top of her!
Isn't that so cute though!
Just had to share.
She makes me smile.
 
Have the best day!
 
Blessings,
 
 
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Wednesday 5 August 2015

Re "Vase" alized!

How's that for a new word?!
 
 
Pretty good considering it's near midnight right now.
 
 
My sister gave me this vase as a gift several years ago.
My colour scheme was a bit different back then.
I didn't want to get rid of it, because of course, my beloved sister gave it to me.
So I decided to make it work with my colours now.
 
 
My sister Renita and I (a few years ago but we still look the same!)
 
 
I painted it with Annie Sloan's Old Ochre Chalk Paint.
It needed a few coats.
I painted the bottom black, just using folk art paint from Michael's.
I applied a clear wax to the whole vase.
 
 
I applied Annie Sloan's dark wax to the raised design on the vase.
When the vase looked satisfactory, I applied two coats of Mod Podge
so that it would be easy to wipe if it got wet,
since it is a vase.
 
 
Re "Vase" alized!
The dictionary meaning for re·vi·tal·ize is:
 
imbue (something) with new life and vitality.
 
 
I went to Michael's in search of some type of floral wonder
to grace this revitalized creation.
 
 
I don't know the name of these flowers, but they were 50% off
and they totally match the vase!
 
 
I found the flowers to put in the vase, but where to put the vase?
On another one of my painted projects of course!
 
 
This little table was another thrift find.
I painted it with homemade chalk paint using Lowes colour of Brandied Pears.
It was covered in clear wax.
 
 
I love doilies and I love the tatting (I think that's what it is) on this.
 
 
Overall, it came together nicely.
I added a piece of jute to tie at the base to hide the imperfections there.
It may or may not stay.
 
 
And that's the story of a vase that became re"Vase"alized!
 
Have yourself the most wonderful day!
 
Blessings,
 
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