ROSE PETALS ...

You ever see that sarcastic bunny?  Well, his androgynous tail isn't the only one who knows how to have fun.  Here's (magnetic) proof:

Lovely You by Olive_Rosehips

Grass Hole by Olive_Rosehips

Fabulous Called by Olive_Rosehips

I'm here until Tuesday!  Ok, I'm always here and these are for sale.  Always.

Off the Beaten Path...

Cobblestone or pebble mosaic path by MaggyHowarth.  This design is created by imbedding individual stones in cement according to a predesigned pattern.  This one is very colorful and intricate but simpler ones are quite the eye candy, also.

Having long been a fan of cobblestone mosaics, I have patiently waited for a chance to do something with this art form that doesn't take a lifetime, after all, I do have a day job.

image

Well, darn it, the grout between my flagstone has cracked in various places and needs tending to.  Hmm, cobblestones!

Get some of these from your local rock yard after looking at inspiration like this and see what you can make.

image  

image

Feedback is AWESOME !!
Would you mind leaving a check mark in one of the response boxes or even leave a comment.  

image

Image

Image 

 This vining pebble mosaic here in the grout line gave me the inspiration go do a cobblestone grout project.  While this flat stone vein is attractive, I craved something stunning.  Placing the stones on their side will do the trick.  I believe this will take me the better part of the summer to complete, so you can expect a progress check blog later.

Fine Gardening was kind enough to instruct us on how to create a pebble mosaic. Photo by Virginia Small.  

I want to share with you a much smaller project because I suspect your grout is fine and some of you wouldn't mind creating a stunning pebble mosaic in this lifetime.  Check out these outdoor mosaic projects:

The contrived tree rends a healthy workload.

image

image

WATERMELON..... with style

image kiwi, feta, melon salad
Watermelon is a refreshing part of summer for many and when we become adults; sticking our faces into a cold, refreshing watermelon, dripping it down the front of our shirts and spittin out the seeds really isn't as cute as it was back in the good ol' days.  I still want some, though, so let us refine our sensibilities and see if we can enjoy watermelon with dignity, shall we? 



follow this blog...

Would you, could you
with a fork?

A sure sign that you are an adult is that you eat your watermelon with a fork.  Isn't that lovely... (yawn)?  Let's perk that baby up (the watermelon, silly) and throw it in a salad to mingle with interesting things like feta cheese and red onion!  That's worth sticking a fork into! Martha Stewart, well, her staff likely came up with this fantastic Watermelon and Feta Salad.  Who cares who created it, I want some! Recipe found here.

Or, hey! How about a straw?
Would you, could you
with a straw?



I could... and not just because this delightful Watermelon and Cucumber Tonic is imbibed with gin.  I think a citrine rum might be a lovely substitute myself, but, nonetheless, this has refreshing mint, plenty of tonic water, some lemon and I want some!  I found this recipe here at MyRecipes dot com.




Would you, could you
as an hors d'oeuvres?

Well, I got this recipe from Charles Springfield, who got it from Paula Deen, and it's simple and elegant enough that when served to your guests, they will smile and enjoy the watermelon squares and find it grand in doing so in spite of the fact that it does not remain on their faces and they can not spit out the seeds like small children.  Scroll down for recipe of Watermelon Salad with Mint leaves. 


If you just want to K.I.S.S. your watermelon (keep it simple, stupid) because you are just not into all the smancy stuff, that is totally cool, my friend.  Slice your watermelon into sticks, call it finger food, have a little something to dip it into if you like; yogurt, low fat sour cream... it's all good.  I found this little source of joy here at Babble.  Kids and adults alike will appreciate this as finger food and it is a neat (as in not messy) way to have some summer joy.


Leave a Comment...  
Perhaps this is where a nice person would say  "please" instead of "dammit"!


For more watermelon joy...


Olive Rosehipes archives has these lovelies for your review:


These recipes are here in the August 2009 edition

FASHION AROUND $100

I love fashion and I tried to create a fashion look for under $100 but I only came close as this edgy fashion statement came in at $103.79.  You can keep in under $100 if you use a t-shirt or white jeans you already have. 

$47 This bell sleeve jacket in gunmetal grey is a statement piece with just enough color to be elegant in 3 seasons and works in those air conditioned summer environments.  Wear it open or closed. 

image source

$19.99 White skinny capris look splendid under the boxy jacket, this link connects you to capris similar to the ones shown but at a reasonable price.  The jacket does the talking and the capris offer a supporting role in this look.
image source

I would be honored if you followed my BLOG, options on the right~~~>

 $28 Sling back pumps unmistakably reiterate your hotty status here in an espadrille platform which features an animal print.  Animal prints are classic, the two colors still make these relatively neutral and ensure you get plenty of opportunity to wear again.

image source

This is where we go over our $100 because you may want to wear a lacy femme fatal top under that jacket and let it peek out over your jeans or tuck it in.  The price isn't outrageous  at all at $8.80 and a lacy number like this is sure to keep you from over heating this summer.  Wear a camisole underneath if you wear your jacket unbuttoned.
image source

Speaking of classics, it is wonderful to have one special sarong in your wardrobe and here are a few ways to wear one from the ORH archives.

Comments are alway welcome...

THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS

image source


(willing to exchange follow for follow to your blog)

You bring wine to parties or to your host and you want to be as thoughtful as can be.  I know that about you and that is why I want to share some ideas on how to be memorable.   Bring a BIG ASS ZIN or a BIG ASS CAB.  Heh heh.  You will be remembered.  These get their name from the big taste and so you know, they have a smooth finish on the tongue.  Their corks say Big Ass, which you must admit, is conversational.  The artwork on the label is precious as well, the gentleman wears an impressed expression. Here you will find something fun to do with the cork if you had a memorable event and are saving it.

Ok, say a BIG ASS is not your thing, I get that.  Really, I do.  Something refined and vintage suits your palate and style.  I recommend a classic, large cock.  Rex Goliath to be exact.  The label comes from a vintage poster and speaks of your fine standards and what you offer.  This large tasting line of wines has a Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio.  The prices range from about $5-$10 American dollars.  The wine bottle has so nice a label that you may not want to throw it away which is why I used mine for watering my plants... fill it with water and shove the mouth down into the soil like this here.

  The more elegant affair 

calls for a LITTLE BLACK DRESS wine.  They come in Cab’s, Pinot’s, Merlot’s, Chard’s.  Yeah, yeah, blah, blah.  Hey, you can do something fun with you wines and make them into light cocktails to serve or include the recipe with your gift.  You need a shaker, get one!  This wine cocktail recipe for a LBD Fashionista comes from MY WOODEN SPOON DOT  COM.  You’ll find several other recipes there for your enjoyment.

Fashionista

• 2 oz Little Black Dress Pinot Noir
• ½ oz Pomegranate
• ½ oz Fresh Squeeze Lime
• ½ oz Agave Nectar

In a shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients, roll to mix and transfer to a tall glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Also fun to try:

 image source






If these remind you of the people you know and love and want to bring a fond smile to their faces, I hope you'll drop by your local winery.


I would love if you left the name of your favorite wine in the comments section.  Especially if it is a white wine, I have never met a white wine I like so I hope someone can recommend one.

HAPPY ACCIDENTS

As a girl I was captivated by simple things.  Not much has changed apparently because my kitchen faucet is leaking and it made me think to share these recipes based upon thoughts of splats.  Don’t ask. They’re all delicious though to be sure.

Cheese Crisps...

that’s what FOOD & WINE magazine calls these tasty little bits of cheese oops.  I made these on accident (I know you have also but we’re not talking about you are we? No, haha, so anywho...) when cheese leaked from something else I was preparing.  I kindly lifted them from the pan with my spatula and let them cool.  I served them as little food accessories and I thought they were pretty cool.  My guests did also and I never forgot them.  You try ‘em, ok.  On purpose. FOOD AND WINE did it like this:  http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/stovetop-mac-and-cheese-with-cheese-crisps

Brittle...

that’s what one gets when sugar cooks in an oiled, medium high heat pan until it browns.  You could have this happy accident in a pan sprayed with cooking spray (Pam) and then sprinkle it with walnuts, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds - you pick.  Then remove the beautiful browned sugar and seeds from your medium high heat pan and allow time to cool (10 minutes).  Crumble to size you find pleasing and sprinkle over something to fancy it up.  I do this over a lettuce salad.  No it’s not healthy but it is incredible to behold with your eyes and with your taste buds.   

You could also make little sugar discs and add to a scoop of ice cream for a gourmet touch.

Image source: http://fotobank.ru/image/SF20-9868.html

Tuille Cookies

I know you have taken cookies too soon from the cookie sheet and they have melted like a sleepy baby from your spatula and then you let them cool some more.  What happens if you don’t?  Well you can shape them into culinary magic if you were so inclined... 

Do this with a really light cookie and you can shape a cone, a fortune cookie, a chip or crisp.  Sometimes I make these when people show up unannounced, they’re that quick and easy.  I drape the warm cookie over my rolling pin.  Here is a simple recipe for a light cookie but not as thin as the one pictured above.  Most closely matches the cookie shown in ice cream cake photo.  The cookies can be chocolate, with cocoa powder added, or vanilla.  Try something fun by piping chocolate into an initial or shape and then add the vanilla over the top.  The thin cookie spreads out on the cookie sheet so allow ample room.  Tuille cookie recipe.

Shown above are a Tuille Orange Lace Cookies  (recipe link)

Though I think the term cookie is generously bestowed here, they are still fun to make for your coffee, dieting friends or to have ala mode. 

 

The real magic of Tuille Cookies is that what you can do with them is infinite.  Trace into something sturdy, a simple shape. Lay the template on a silpat or cookie sheet and smear your tuille batter over it, then lift.  Bake your cookie and then shape it while it's still warm and you should have something insanely amazing.

• TEMPLATE (AND TUILLE COOKIE RECIPE)

PHOTO SOURCE:

ice cream cake tuille

five spiral swirls of vanilla tuille

chocolate tuille cookie spoons with peanut butter mouse

CONTROL YOURSELF

You ever have an off-hand remark stop you in your tracks?  I do on occasion, like today.  It's probably not a bad thing that I was frozen like a deer in headlights because it prevented what could have been a regrettable response.  Later, I thought about pulling the speaker of the astonishing remark aside and having a discussion but it occurred that she was entitled to her opinion so I just said to myself : Wow. When I'd said wow about 7 times I followed up with: "Enough of this.  I am going to keep the good of what she said and release the bad.  I am going to move on with the grace that she did not possess."  With that, the concern vanished.  Why am I telling you this?  Because sometimes we forget that we have control over our thoughts.  We don't have to go for the ride that our inner dialog can take us on.  These quotes inspire me, I hope you'll let them inspire you.  The calm mind is attainable.    

Remember that poise and power are inseparably associated. The calm and balanced mind is the strong and great mind; the hurried and agitated mind is the weak one.~ Wallace D. Wattles 

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." — Marcus Aurelius

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.~Marcus Aurelius


"Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears."
— Marcus Aurelius