PEPPERMINT PATTIES ....

York Peppermint Patties are a favorite chocolate treat in our house. Hubby especially is a BIG fan !!!
I found a recipe a while back, for homemade peppermint patties - I think I found it on Pinterest (I can't find the place that I found it anymore).

The world celebrates Father Day today .... a day to tell all of those Dads (Our Dad, Dads In Law, and Husbands) in our lives, how special and loved they are. We decided to treat Andy to a sweet treat ......

A jar full of LOVE (and peppermint patties).
I really like the shape of these jars I found at Hobby Lobby ..... I filled another one up with peanut clusters, earlier in the week, for a friends birthday. I added a pretty drawer pull to the top of hers ..... really cute.

Just look at all that yumminess !!!
They have been voted, better than Yorkies by my peanut gallery.
Because I can't find the recipe link, I thought I'd share it with you. (If anyone finds this link, let me know, as I'd love to give kuddos to the person who created this recipe.)

HOMEMADE PEPPERMINT PATTIES

- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 2-3 Tbsp Half & Half
- 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 11/2 Tsp Peppermint Extract

Mix this all together, until well blended and smooth.
Add
- 33/4 Cups Powdered Sugar
To the above mixture, 1 Cup at a time. If the dough is too crumbly add a little more Half & Half. (I needed 31/2 Tbsp of Half & Half to get the right consistency). It should have a fondant like consistency.

Roll dough out on a parchment lined cookie sheet dusted with powdered sugar. The dough should be about 1/4 inch thick.
Place in the freezer for 15 mins.
Use 11/2 inch round cutter to cut out circles. Return these cutouts to the freezer for another 10 mins.
In the meantime .....

Melt Chocolate or Almond Bark in a glass bowl.
Remove rounds from the freezer, and quickly dunk them into the chocolate, making sure the patty is completely covered.
Remove from chocolate, and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Place cookie sheet in the fridge, to allow the chocolate to harden.
ENJOY !!!!

LADYBIRD THREAD CATCHER ....

It was a friend of mines birthday on Wednesday .... She's a great friend. A friend who knows exactly how I feel, and what I've gone through, because she's walked pretty much the same path I have walked over the past 10 years. We moved to the States within months of each other, have kids of similar ages, and have been through the same stuff !!!
She is proof to me, that God is good - He gave us one another, knowing how much we'd each need someone who could 100% understand what we go through.

A special friend, deserves a special gift. She LOVES ladybirds ....
I decided to make her a pincushion thread catcher combo. I love this pattern, and making it for the second time was a breeze.
I'm going to apologize for the pictures ...... the light was awful, as Tropical Storm Bill, was in full swing when I took them .......... there was torrential rain pouring !!!!

The pattern calls for boning, but I use that really thick, stiff interfacing, and it alleviates the need for the boning. The thread catcher bucket holds itself open beautifully.

The pincushion part is a great size ... even with the pretty flower.
As you can see, it's roomy inside ............ it'll hold a fair amount of trash.

I really must make myself one. I've only ever made them to give as gifts ..... I'll add it to my already ridiculously long "To Do" List :-)

Hope you're all having a wonderful, restful Summer, making memories with your families, that will last a lifetime.

SUMMER LOVING .....

 That title sounds so appropriate for this time of the year ......
I love the fact that in less than 72 hours my kiddos will be out for the Summer ....... a loose routine, lazy mornings ..... no school run .... no school lunches (I detest packing those things !!!!!) ..... time spent making memories, BUT,  truth be told, I am no lover of the Texas Summer .... it's too hot, too humid and I spend too much time grumpy and irritable because of the heat.

After the busyness of the past month, and all that I planned, prepared and put on for our 8th Grade group, it's time now, to take the time, to show some appreciation to a few people, without whose help, the task would have been so much more difficult.

I wanted to give them just a little something .....

Some Summer themed sugar cookies. I think that they turned out so cute :-) Those little flip flops just make me smile....

I can just imagine some pretty painted toes peeking out .... While enjoying an ice cold slice of watermelon .....

Dreaming of far off islands - close your eyes .....  feel the warm sun on your face, and hear the wind rustling the leaves of the palm trees and the gentle lapping of the waves.

I used my regular shortbread cookie recipe and my go to sugar cookie icing recipe (it's not Royal icing (nobody wants to pay the dentist a visit !!!), but it does set up firmly).

Wishing you warm summer days filled with love and laughter ......