Valentine Sodas

 

I’m posting an easy one this week.  We have these every Valentine’s Day as a special treat.  You probably don’t even need the recipe, but just in case…

Valentine Floats

Strawberry Soda
Vanilla Ice Cream

For each serving:  In a tall glass, put two scoops of vanilla ice cream. Pour the soda over the ice cream. Slap in a straw and prepare to slurp.

Find more recipes at Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday:) 

Etsy Update

Just listed on Etsy: 



Easter Bunny Mary Janes 






Chocolate Shamrock Coffee Cup Cozy 






Shamrock Garland 







Red tulips…






Pink, Green or Turquoise Coffee Cozies

Bliss for your coffee

Indulge in one of these rich and soothing treats for your coffee without the big price of syrups and liquid creamers.  Only four ingredients or less and with the help of your food processor they are very quick too!  You can use Splenda or another sugar substitute if you prefer a sugar-free creamer. 

Directions are the same for all flavors and are at the end.  

Vanilla
3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
Amaretto
3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
Peppermint Mocha
3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract 

DIRECTIONS:  Blend ingredients well in a food processor.  Store in a glass jar or other airtight container.  Add 1-2 tablespoons of creamer to 6 ounces of coffee. 

Thanks Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!

Snow Bunny

Have you noticed I haven’t been blogging much?  Well, this pink snow bunny is 1/2 of my excuse…

For a very short season my 2 grandbabies are living in the same city.  Right here.  In the same city.  I KNOW.  It’s all so very fun and exciting.  There has been quite a lot some dropping of everything to  spend a few minutes with them while they are here.  And one of those things being dropped is blogging.  But I’m still here and I haven’t forgotten you!

Here are some pictures of lil’ miss  experiencing her first big snow.  You see, she spent her whole life, all 17 months of it in a magical place called North Carolina.  Where it doesn’t really snow.  And clearly there is no need for layers and layers of winter finery.  Which was the way she liked things, thank you. 

Because how do people walk with all this stuff on, anyway?

 

Okay, I’ll try a few steps.  But that is all.  I mean it.

 

This is all way too much work.  I believe I’ll just sit a spell and….. 

 

eat snow. 

If it’s pink, red or has a heart…..

it’s now part of the ♥SWEETHEART SALE♥ at Prairie Cottage Rose!

There are lots more of the pink, red and hearts at the Cottage!

Bavarian Torte

I might have mentioned approximately 22 a few times that we aren’t big fans of the cake family in general. Especially, the frosting that comes slathered all over the cake. Poor cake.

Chocolate Bavarian Torte is one of the lucky few to make the cut. The frosting. It’s all whip creamy and just a little sweet. Perfect.

So simple to make, it’s not even much of a recipe. Just instructions on how to fancy up an ordinary cake mix and make it purdy-like.

I feel like a baking genius every time I make it. Which is only reinforced by all the oohs, ahs, and wows. Just don’t tell them how easy it is!

Chocolate Bavarian Torte

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) German chocolate cake mix

1 package (8 ounces) Cream Cheese softened

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

2 tablespoons grated or shaved semisweet chocolate

Directions

• Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using two 9-in. round baking pans. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth. Fold in cream.
• Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally into two layers. (You need four layers total). Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with a fourth of the cream mixture. Sprinkle with a fourth of the chocolate. Repeat layers three times.
• Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Makes 12 servings.

Oohs and ahs. Never fails.

Visit Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday for more great recipes!

Treasuries

Just look at the pretty treasury I found myself in: 

And this one too!

Treasuries are an interesting part of having an Etsy shop.  They help a shop owner gain exposure for their products.  Each treasury also has the potential to make it to the “front page” of Etsy.  Which is cause for much elation and happy dancing.  Front page shops have an exponentially increased amount of traffic and sales! 

When a treasury becomes “hot” it has a much better shot at the front page.  Hotness happens in 3 ways: Views, clicks, and comments.  I’m sure there is a top secret formula for figuring it all out, but basically the more unique views and comments a treasury has, the hotter it becomes.  Also very important is clicking on each item picture in the treasury.

So if you have time, please go give them some click and comment love here and here.  Maybe one of these will be my first front page treasury :)