Tazo Iced Passion Tea

 

I was shopping for a box of TZAO Passion tea to make my favorite Shaken Iced Passion Tea Lemonade, when I saw this NEW TAZO *Iced* Passion Tea, in 6 filterbags. Now my favorite iced tea drink is even easier to make at home! Just brew 1 filterbag in 1 quart of boiling water for 5 minutes, then add 1 quart of cold lemonade, and serve over ice. Tastes just like they make it at Starbucks! But without the hefty price. Pure refreshment.

Alaskan Wedding Welcome Basket Labels

I have been working on a few different wedding design projects lately - which I love working on! My most recent was for a destination wedding in Homer, Alaska (wow!). Jen, a friend from high school, contacted me for help designing 3 labels for guest welcome baskets. A 2-inch circle treat tag that says, "Love is sweet, have a treat!" Isn't that a cute little saying?

A 4x6 inch label to adhere to a gable box, containing treats and other goodies. The bride and groom are both ornithologists (bird scientists), and the bride drew an illustration of Alaskan mountains and a pair of terns (birds), for their "Big Day" bird watching theme wedding. How unique and original is that? 

I also incorporated the illustration into a mini water bottle label with the colors of the wedding. Jen cleverly added a little bird wordplay, "Chris and Jessie will marry each other because one good tern deserves another." Get it? Turn/Tern? Love it. 

I wish the bride and groom a beautiful wedding, with everything they hope for - including fantastic weather (and lots of birds). What an exquisite location. I am thrilled that I was able to design some special details for their wedding guests.

Mammy Ohl

I want to remember Great-Grandma "Mammy" Ohl. Helen was 96 when she went home to be with Jesus on April 7, 2012. Can you believe that, 96? She lived a long life with children, grand children, great-grand children, and 2 great-great-grand daughters. I didn't get to grow up with either of my biological grandmothers, so when Andrew and I got married, and I gained grandparents and a great-grandmother, it was a blessing for me. 

Mammy had a quiet presence about her. She didn't really talk very much, unless you talked to her. She was sort of a mystery. I tried to get her to talk about her life and smile for photos, not always successfully. I remember going to her 90th birthday party. Quite a milestone! She never really liked a fuss, but the whole family wanted to celebrate her life. 

She was always there at every holiday. Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. Dressed in her best. Usually sitting quietly, observing everyone and watching the kids play. She lived her entire life in Pennsylvania.

In the last few years, Mammy's mind wasn't what is used to be. She eventually had trouble remembering people and places, which was very difficult.

She wanted to live in her house as long as possible and she loved having her dog(s) by her side. Mammy made the most delicious chocolate peanut butter and chocolate coconut eggs - every Easter. It's no secret that she loved sweets! A woman after my own heart. We will miss you Mammy, but we'll see you again one day. I'm glad I had the chance to know you. 

Buffalo Bandits Lacrosse Game

A couple weeks ago, we went to a Buffalo Bandits lacrosse game (my first lacrosse game ever). I got free vouchers around Christmas time, and we planned to go to one of their home games vs. the Philadelphia Wings (Andrew's pick). 

We drove to Buffalo on Saturday afternoon and made it a date night, with dinner before the game at the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, within walking distance of the First Niagara Center arena. 

It was sunny and a little chilly, but a great day for walking. 

We arrived early to make sure we would get seats. Which ended up being waaaay at the top, very steep, but a perfect view of the entire field.

This is where the Buffalo Sabres (hockey) play. I've never been to one of their games either, and was amazed at the stadium and the number of seats.

The logos and mascots crack me up. This fierce looking "bandit" guy was plastered all over the place. 

The Wings logo is not quite as intimidating. It could use a facelift.

Maybe that's partially why the Bandits crushed the Wings, 17 to 7! Ouch. It was a good game and fun to watch. It was faster paced than I thought and the shots they took and the ones that went in were impressive. And, Buffalo has some serious fans! A very cool sport that I wouldn't mind watching again. 

Fun Fabric for Girls or Boys

I just love this adorable, colorful polka dot fabric with cherries, cupcakes and apples on it. It could be used for a girl or a boy. 

I made a bib and burp cloth set for Kristy's baby #2, as I anxiously awaited to find out if it was a boy or a girl - it's a boy!

I also used this same fabric to made a fun tote bag for Jennalyn's 3rd birthday. I put a coloring book with stickers inside. 

I can imagine her toting a doll and a few books to her grandparent's house.


This fabric was at Joanne Fabrics and it was on clearance, so I scooped up the last couple yards. I'm sure I'll find more fun projects to use it for.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, or as I think of it, Happy Resurrection Day! It's not about bunnies, chicks, eggs or candy. It's about Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for us, when he died on the cross for our sin, and rose from the dead, offering us the undeserved gift of salvation.

Amazing love, how can it be
That you my king would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor you
I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well, you're spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

-Amazing Love, Hillsong 

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's alive!

- Christ Has Risen, Matt Maher

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 16:6

My prayer is that you too, would accept the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for you, when he died on the cross and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, once and for all. Salvation is available to anyone and everyone.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9

Spinach, Mushroom, Chicken Sausage & Cheese Quiche

This morning I made a quiche for breakfast with some different ingredients. I usually make this one with Ham, Cheese, Broccoli and Mushrooms. Today, I was in the mood for spinach, mushrooms and chicken sausage. I can't get enough of Wegmans all natural fully cooked breakfast with sage chicken sausage. It's a healthier breakfast sausage option, and goes great with eggs, breakfast sandwiches or in a quiche. 

Ingredients:
1 cup sliced breakfast sausage (cooked), about 4 links
1/2 cup diced onion
1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup Bisquick
4 eggs
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray.

Chop sausage and veggies and add to a large bowl with shredded cheese. Toss to combine. 

 Sprinkle mixture into a deep-dish pie plate and distribute evenly.

Add Bisquick, eggs, milk, salt and pepper to large bowl, and whisk by hand for 1 minute. 

Pour liquid into pie plate, covering all ingredients. Press down vegetables and try to keep everything covered. It will be very full. 

Bake at 400 degrees for about 50-60 minutes, until top is golden and knife inserted into center comes out clean. If it's still too "jiggly" in the middle, bake until more set. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Cut and serve.

Enjoy! Perfect for breakfast or an Easter brunch. Refrigerate leftovers.

Baby Shower Gifts for Baby Boys

This week I attended two baby showers, both for two sweet friends, both having boys, and ironically both last names beginning with "W". Sometimes I stick to the baby registry, and sometimes I like to make up my own gift and include handmade bibs and burp cloths. You know how much I like assembling gift baskets! This time I just got two of everything. 

I like when a reusable storage container is part of the gift. I found baby blue rectangular bins at Target, the perfect size to hold a few items. 

Like a pack of diapers and wipes.

Layer in some tissue paper at the bottom and start arranging the goodies. 

I found these adorable plush dinosaurs at Target too - so cute! 

I made each baby a pair of "manly" bibs and burp cloths. I love this fabric that I found at Hobby Lobby, in argyle and plaid.

These little boys will be stylish! 

Everything fit perfectly! I skipped the cellophane this time, but you could wrap the entire basket or add a ribbon.

I made a tag for each with scrapbook paper, to hang from the box handle.

Two cute baby boy baskets, with both practical and handmade gifts. I can't wait to meet both baby "W's"!