God made rainy days so Gardeners could get the Housework Done

I have a serious case of the Mondays today.  Rain showers and "gasp" snow showers?  Whew, thankfully north of us. Nonetheless, I need to bring in some garden plants just purchased from the local farmer's market with the heavy frost prediction for us tonight.  This Gardeners Quote has made me smile more than once.  

Click and Print

I think I will print this quote and hang it in my entry with a few sunny flowers to remind me I need the rain, even on a Monday : )



Spring arrives in CNY

Biscuit Donuts

Childhood memories of my Mom making these for us make me smile.  I cannot resist the warm, cinnamon sugar coated Biscuit Donuts.  Mmmmm...

 

All that warm goodness starts with a tube of refrigerator buttermilk biscuits.

Punch a hole in center of each biscuit with your finger, heat oil in pan and add to donut to hot oil pan to fry.



Turn over to cook other side.  Drain on paper towels.

 

Coat in cinnamon sugar mixed together.

Sigh ; )  Mmmmmm.... Biscuit Donuts.  Thanks Mom

Soy Wood Wick Candles

It's a winter roaring fireplace or the summer open campfire sound effects that are packed into the convenience of this Soy Wood Wick Candle.  The Soy Wood Wick Candle has the subtle sounds of snap, crackle, hiss and the aroma of a well scented soy wax candle combined to make this candle irresistible.  It rivals a log fire as one of my all season favorites.

All the candles I make are made with soy wax because it is user friendly.  It's me being earth friendly green.  No soot to speak of when burned and super easy clean up with warm water and dish soap.  I love soy wax : )

To make a soy wax wood wick candle of your own gather the following:

 containers (I used a mason jar in photo)

*wax primed wood wicks (search candle wax suppliers for wood wicks)

*wax primed wood wick is a wood wick that has been dipped into you hot wax to coat and has been cooled. 

soy wax chips ( I used 6 ounces)

color dye chips ( soy wax produces muted tones not jewel tones)

fragrance oils

hot glue gun

thermometer

 

Directions:

• Clean your candle container. 
• Heat the container on a tray in the oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.  Pouring hot wax into a cold glass container may crack the container. 
• Heat your soy wax chips in the microwave to 185 degrees Fahrenheit
• While your soy wax chips heat, use a glue gun to adhere your wood wick to bottom of container.
• Add wax color chips to the melted soy wax and stir in well. 
•  Allow soy wax to cool to 110 degrees or lower before adding fragrance oil of your choice.  I used apple and balsam.  Too hot of  soy wax may evaporate your fragrance oil.  Stir fragrance into melted soy wax to evenly distribute.
• Slowly pour the soy wax into the container.
• Allow to cool and cure for 48 hours before using. 

Remember to keep wick trimmed to 1/8".    Burn only on a stable heat resistant surface. Keep from drafts. Do not burn candle when wax is less than 1/2 inch from bottom. Do not burn for more than 2 hours at a time. Do not touch or move candle while burning, or if wax is hot. Never leave candle burning unattended. Keep out of reach of children.

• Getting a Soy Wood Wick to light can take patience the first couple of times.  It is not unusual for it to take 3-4 attempts to light.



My Soy Wood Wick Candle looks inviting with it's slightly larger flame, smells soothing and the subtle snaps and crackles are what it is all about with a wood wick!

It's Party Time- I'm Co-Hosting!

Cinnamon Pretzels

Nancy from The Moonlight Factory is this weeks featured link/blog. At last weeks party Nancy linked up her Cinnamon Pretzel Snacks and received quite a few views which is one of the reasons she is this weeks featured link. If you are interested in gardening, crafting, DIY and/or food you should stop by to check it out and say "Hello".

Fluster's Creative Muster

Week #18

(begins Tuesday @ 6pm and ends Sunday at 11:59pm)

By linking to this party, you are giving Fluster Buster permission to use your photos in featured links.
Host Fluster Buster

 

Co-Host The Moonlight Factory

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flusterbuster.com" title="Fluster Buster"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FeiUVwAVKPE/UP7W9wYz1KI/AAAAAAAAGuo/ucejgOPJcWo/s1600/Fluster+Muster+1.jpg" alt="Fluster Buster" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Fajita Quesadilla

I started out thinking Fajita tonight.  Half way through prep I switch to Quesadilla.

We'll call it my Fajita Quesadilla inspiration.

 



 Saute green peppers, onions and thin sliced beef.

 Add Fajita seasoning mix to pan.  Drain well after mix is completely cooked.

 Flour Tortillas

 Place Tortilla on baking sheet.

 Top with meat mix and cheese.

Add top tortilla.  bake @ 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted.



Cut into wedge shaped pieces, serve with your choice of condiments.  We served them with salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

Enjoy Fajita Quesadilla, ¡Olé!



Cinnamon Pretzel Snack

Sometimes you want something salty, other times sweet.  And sometimes sweet and salty.

Tonight I decide to make a quick batch of Cinnamon Pretzel Snacks to nibble on while we cozy in for a movie.  Snowflakes in the air mid April calls for cozy fleece blankets and comfort food of Cinnamon Pretzel Snacks. 

Whisk together 1/2 cup of canola oil, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon.  Drizzle mixture over 16 0z. bag of pretzel twists that are in a glass, spray oiled baking dish.  Bake the pretzels in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.

Sometimes I throw a handful of pecans in with the pretzels, when I am feeling wild and crazy I roll with it.

Eat just one small handful.  Okay, two.  Very addictive, so three handfuls max.