Supernatural Botanicals

Tired of taking the same old bottle of wine when you and friends get together on the weekends?  Mix it up and take a basket of muffins.  Muffins are always a hit.  Every.  Single.  Time.  Muffins are quick and easy to make when you get home from work on Friday, and will be amazingly delicious when your friends are nibbling on them that night.  One caveat…make plenty.  Make at least 3 to 4 muffins per person.  Trust my experience on this one. 

   Love these Le Creuset pans?  You can win them!  These heavy-duty, chef-quality pans are a $240 value.  Click here to win!

This is an example of the hilarity that’s going on over at Cake Wreck Blog.  A blog where professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong.  Take a look for yourself. 

   Lemons!  I’m crazy about them.  There’s so much you can do with them, everything from decorating with them to cooking with them to sanitizing with them.  Purchase some clear glass containers, and your lemons will look great on your counters until they are ready for use. 

   I like keeping seasonal items in glass containers like this.  Previously, I had pine cones and cranberries in the jars.  Out with winter, in with spring!

   The sun-shinny yellow looks sensational next to other vibrant colored containers and planters. 

  The flavor combinations are endless when cooking with lemon and fresh herbs. 

   Lemons and herbs also look fantastic when grouped together; great as a centerpiece for your table or picnic.

   Parsley and lemon….I’m thinking Mediterranean food!

   Slicing lemon wheels for cool drinks. 

   Use lemon ends to sanitize your cutting board….not to mention, make it smell super fresh and clean.

   Ice cold water with freshly sliced lemon wheels…the ultimate summer cocktail!

  Clean up never smelled better.  You can grind up small lemon pieces in your garbage disposal to make your kitchen smell fresh and clean. 

Channel your inner girly-girl with this recessionista find.  You’ll be irresistible for whomever you are cooking for in this retro-inspired girly apron. 

One of the best gifts you can give to someone is to make them a table-full of their favorite delicious foods.   And who can resist a girl who meets her man at the door wearing this apron with a glass of homemade lemonade in hand, adorned with thin lemon wheel slices?  Seriously, who? 

Channel your femininity and shower it on someone today.  At only $23.75, this aligns with a recessionista’s budget.  Shop Etsy for more girly finds.   

Scrambling to find great breakfast/brunch recipes for overnight guest? Try these two great variations of French Toast.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRyTaSflfqo

Whose ready to win $1,000,000?  I am, bring it, Dough Boy!  Pillsbury is having their 44th Pillsbury Bake Off Contest.  They are offering their fabulous cash and prizes, as usual, with the grand prize being a cool mill! 

I love Bake Off time.  It’s always fun competing for great prizes, but the process of winning is just as fun.  You have to create original recipes, which lets you spread your creative wings in the kitchen to invent great dishes, many of which you’ll discover by chance.  My mind is constantly in motion, the wheels are always turning when I’m thinking of original recipes for Bake Off.  Inspiration is everywhere, so use it to your advantage and be savvy enough to recognize it. 

You’ll have four categories in which you can enter…Breakfasts and Brunches , Entertaining Appetizers, Dinners Made Easy, and Sweet Treats.  Are your wheels turning yet?  I feel like a strong contender in Breakfasts and Brunches and Entertaining Appetizers!  My mind is most definitely in motion. 

I love Bake Off!

For complete details on Pillsbury’s Bake Off, click the blue-eyed one above.  Test your recipes out on your friends and family for feedback.  Feed your neighbors,  your co-workers and see what makes them beg for more.  Throw a party and test out some Entertaining appetizers.  Host Sunday open house dinner for family and try out dinner recipes.  Try a double date.  Have the other couple bring the wine, and you test your Sweet Treat recipes on them all night. 

Good luck, foodies!