Quite, Quite!

Sometimes I just need my UK fix. When I do, I look at pictures like this. I took these last time I was there a year and a half ago. I loved Portobello Market and want to go so bad again - this time WITH money. I was just about to get married so I had hardly a dime to my name (Wait, not much has changed there!) but I did buy a beautiful wrap for 5 quid!

My aunt and uncle lived in a beautiful home in the West Midlands, and this was the property that behind their back garden. It was the perfect country walk. The old barn was icing on the cake.

Birthdays are the Best...

What do you do when you have a ton of pretty paper and a very special friend's birthday breakfast?

Making a handmade card is one of the most enjoyable things on the planet...for both the giver and the receiver.

Making placecards are also very fulfilling...and EVERYONE likes to feel special!
And homemade ice cream pie/cake is probably the BEST thing you will ever eat. Tiff Noel's masterpiece!

Wine Tasting Birthday

A group of friends headed out to Troon Vineyards in the Applegate Valley for my bday, and oh what fun!

We sat on the patio and enjoyed their VinoLab, a series of tapas (shrimp guacamole, anyone?) paired with their different selection of wines. We also ordered the a meat and cheese plate, of course. A fantastic birthday.

Caramelly Caramel Corn

Mmmm. Caramel Corn. It's so easy to make and SO good, plus it makes a great gift for friends with a severe sweet tooth. My favorite caramel corn recipe right now is from Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.

You need:7-8 cups freshly popped corn, preferably from your own popper (no butter!), 6 Tbsp. butter, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp. vanilla, and 3 Tbsp. corn syrup.

Remove the unpopped kernels from your popcorn. Put the corn in a baking or roasting pan and keep warm at a 300 degree oven.

Melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat until mixture boils, and continue boiling without stirring for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla. Pour mixture over warm popcorn.

Bake in 300 degree oven for 15 mins, stir, bake 5 mins more. Spread caramel corn on a large piece of buttered foil or waxed paper to cool.

This lasts a week, but it will be gone before then, guaranteed!