Costco Finds

Pizzelles

Le Delice de Bourgogne Triple Creme

Sea Salt and Black Sesame Wildrice Crisps

It's amazing what you can discover at Costco.  I hadn't ventured into Costco for at least a month.  I have a membership to both Sam's Club and Costco through my husbands work.  I like Costco's food items a lot better, but Sams is more convenient.  I was thrilled to find Costco carried pizzelles.  My mother makes pizzelles every Christmas.  They are a thin Italian cookie that's made with an iron similar to a waffle iron.  My mother makes them with anisette which has a black licorice taste to it.  I'm not positive, but I think that's how they are traditionally made.  I have a pizzelle iron, but it only makes two cookies at a time.  It's a bit labor and time intensive so I was happy to find Costco sells a huge container of  vanilla pizzelles for $5.99.  They aren't quite as good as my mothers, but they are good enough.  

My second find was triple creme cheese.  A friend of mine told me about this rich, soft and creamy cheese. It's delicious spread on a slice of crusty french bread.  I think it's similar to a brie cheese.  It can be difficult to find because it sells out quickly.  It's also a bargain at $10.99 a pound.  

The third item is sea salt and black sesame wildrice crisps.  I bought these when a friend was visiting who is allergic to gluten.  There are a lot of gluten free items out there which aren't very tasty, but these are delicious.  I now buy them for myself.  Feel free to leave a comment on any Costco items that are your favorites.  

The Ocean

I loved the name of this boat since I'm a day dreamer as well. 

On the beach overlooking the ocean is one of my favorite places to be.  I had the opportunity to visit Turks and Caicos a few years ago and the beach and ocean there is stunning.  My pictures really don't do it justice.  It reminds me of the old bain de soleil suntan lotion commercial.  If you are wanting to relax and enjoy aqua blue crystal clear water and white sandy beaches then Turks and Caicos is your place.  The day dreamer in me wishes I had the superpower to transport myself anywhere within minutes. I would be at the beach baking instead of in the 90 degree Kansas heat.  For now,  I'll put on my ocean sounds CD and a little bain de soleil and imagine I'm there.   

It is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea---whether it is to sail or to watch it---we are going back from whence we came. - John F. Kennedy

Trader Joe's

I love to share what I call good things (I borrowed the term from Martha).  It could be a website, recipe, home decor item, book, etc.  That is one of my intentions for this blog, but I haven't been too consistent lately about posting them.  Trader Joe's is a grocery store chain which opened about a year ago where I live.  The West Coast has been enjoying their delightful food items for quite awhile now, but it is still somewhat of a novelty here in the Midwest. If you like lemon you will love these two items.  The Meyer Lemon Cookie Thins are crisp, light and melt in your mouth.  The lemon curd can be spread on toast or cake.  There are multiple uses for it.  I mixed it with some cool whip and served it with angel food cake and berries.  A friend of mine gave me the idea and it was a hit.  I like desserts that are simple.  Both the cookies and lemon curd make a nice light summer dessert.  Do you have any good things you recommend from Trader Joe's?

T-Shirts

I'm a graphic tee kind of gal.  I love a 100% cotton T-shirt.  They are reminiscent of a well loved blanket to me.  When my daughter was in 5th and 6th grade all she wanted to wear was graphic tees.   During one of my complain about my children tangents, I told a friend about my t-shirt dilemma with my daughter.  She commented, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it?"  I didn't take offense, but had to laugh because she was right.  While visiting New Orleans with my husband, we wandered into a Retro T-Shirt store.  These were two of my favorites because I used to watch these shows as a kid.  I sent my son a text  to see if he'd wear the Sesame Street one, but his reply was a firm NO.  I guess he's not a big fan of Elmo anymore.  Do you have a favorite T-shirt?

Succulents

I don't really have much to say about succulent plants other than the fact they are easy to maintain and I like them.  I like the fact you don't have to water them much and they look really nice grouped together.  Once the mid summer months hit in Kansas the idea of watering flowers becomes a chore I no longer enjoy.  I also like the fact that not many people I know plant them in containers so they are something different than the usual begonias and geraniums that many people plant.

 I love the quote "bloom where you're planted" which is actually derived from the Bible.  We sometimes don't have a choice as to where we live or call home.  When I start bemoaning the fact I don't live close to an ocean this summer,  I'll think of the succulent plant and how it can thrive even in the desert.  

Sur La Table

I just love their shopping bag!

Sur La Table is a store full of all sorts of culinary gadgets you never knew you needed.  They have the usual table linens, cookware, bake ware, etc. but all sorts of other fun things to have on hand for entertaining.  I found a few new treasures on a recent shopping trip with some friends.  It was my first visit to the Kansas City store, but I have been to one in another city.  You can also order items by catalog or on line.

I am a sucker for kitchen gadgets.  Two that I was unable to pass up are the candle carver and rattan pedestal.  The candle carver says it easily carves a hole for a tea light candle in seconds.  You can use it to carve holes in pumpkins, apples, squash, etc.  I have seen pictures in magazines where people have done this, but never really thought about what they used to carve the hole.  Mostly likely they simply used a kitchen knife, but if this makes the carving easier I'm all for it.  I just need to remember to use it instead of it simply taking up valuable space in my drawers.

The rattan pedestal is simply a pedestal to set things on top of for height.  You can never have too many things to help you create height especially if you are setting up a buffet table.  It is nice to have things set out at varying heights.  I bought it to set my glass drink dispenser on.  It will be easier for people to fill their drinks that way instead of placing it at the end of a counter.

I'll post pictures in the future of me actually using these items until then have fun exploring Sur La Table.   www.surlatable.com

Owls

Owl purchased from Z Gallerie

Owls have made a comeback over the last few years.  I'm a big fan of owls.  I'm not sure if it's because they remind me of the 70's and the tootsie roll pop commercial or because they are often associated with wisdom.  It's probably a little bit of both.  I can be nostalgic and wisdom is something I feel like I'm always seeking.

 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. [Proverbs 3:13-15] 

Nefertiti

I love books.  I love their smell and the feel of turning crisp or worn pages.  I think that's why it has been so hard for me to read a book on my Kindle.  The Kindle is convenient in certain situations like if you are trying to read while on an exercise machine or if you are traveling.  However, it doesn't quite give me the same satisfaction as a book.  I love to collect books as much as I like to read them which is why my husband gifted me with the Kindle.   I just recently read Nefertiti by Michelle Moran.   If you like historical fiction, you will love Nefertiti.  There are very few books that I've had a hard time putting down and Nefertiti was one of the them.  It is the fascinating story of Nefertiti's rise to the Egyptian throne.  The author has pieced together her story based on hundreds of images excavated  at archaeological sites. Many of the main historical events are accurate, but it's impossible to know every little detail of Nefertiti's life.  I felt the author did a great job of  imagining what life was like for one of the most powerful Egyptian Pharaoh-Queens.

Some of my other favorite page turners are:

• The Glass Castle
• The Red Tent
• The Other Boleyn Girl
• Pillars of the Earth
• The Kite Runner
• The Hunger Games (books 1 and 2 in the series)

What have been some of your favorite books that you couldn't put down?

 

Color

Spring is in the air and with it comes growth, rebirth, and an explosion of color.  Colored jeans are the rage right now.  You can find them in just about every color of the rainbow in various shades.  Unfortunately, most of the styles I've seen are skinny jeans which isn't a flattering look on me.  My desire to take part in the color trend has resulted in coral shorts and turquoise athletic shoes.  I just love my new shoes.  They are lightweight and put a spring in my step. What are some ways you add color to your wardrobe?

Pinterest

I am addicted to the website www.pinterest.com.  For years I have been ripping images out of magazines and have various notebooks filled with recipes, decorating ideas, quotes, books I love or want to read, places I want to visit, etc.  With pinterest I can store all of my ideas and images on a virtual board on my computer.  The best part about it is that you can see what other people are pinning and follow friends who are also on the site.  I spend more time repinning things than I do adding images I found on the internet.  For those who are technically challenged like myself and if this pinning business sounds like  Greek to you have no fear, there are several tutorials on the internet.  One that I came across is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtmmGA0M_yk .  Goodbye facebook, hello pinterest.  Happy Pinning!

iphone

Simply Hue Designs

I said goodbye to my old blackberry phone and hello to the iphone.  I have never been much of a cell phone aficionado.  A cell phone used to be a nuisance to me and the battery would inevitably be going low the times I really needed to use it.  However, I'm enjoying my IPhone, and I'm still learning all of the bells and whistles on it.  Being from the old school of keypads the touch screen took a little getting used to. 

Not only am I excited about my phone, but all of the cool cases you can get for it.  I found this one by Simply Hue Designs on Society6. com.  I recently completed an online creativity course by the artist Vicki Dvorak.  I love her vintage and whimsical style and already have my eye on another one of her cases.  If a girl can have multiple purses why not phone cases.  After all, they have become somewhat of the new accessory.  Please feel free to comment if you have any favorite apps.