Time Time Time is on My Side ~ Yes It Is

No its not! What is it with songs. I've got this one stuck in my head but I don't know why....I don't have a lot of time today but maybe its a subliminal encouragement. The sun is shining and I feel a good day ahead I think. I was up so early this morning. My kitty Hannah hasn't been feeling well...I thought I was going to lose her earlier this week but she seems to be on the road to recovery now just as the rain has gone away. If your an animal lover like me you understand how much those little fur balls mean to you. Dino feels bad when I feel bad but his family coming from Italy thinks I'm a little nutty about the animal world. Okay maybe a little....I would never kill a spider...but who are we to judge?

I'll be taking a week off to spend with my family while Dino is on vacation from work. We have lots of little plans and it should be fun. Then the craziness starts up again with Lydia's schedule. She sure is busy for an 8 year old!

Have a lovely week and weekend. I'll be back in August. xoxox me

p.s. everyone sing.....TIIIIIIIME IS ON MY SIDE oh yes its is......

Free Shipping July 18, 19 and 20th ~ Rabbit Hill Primitives

I've been trying to squeeze in an update for July and just can't seem to get it done....too many picnics and too much summer fun...is that possible??! Instead this month I'm offering a special of free shipping on anything listed available (no orders) on my Rabbit Hill Primitives website ordered on 7/18, 7/19 and 7/20. (Only open to continental U.S. ~~ For those of you outside the U.S. you'll get a $5.00 shipping credit.). I'd love for you to stop on over and take a peek. www.rabbithillprimitives.com

Hava a happy day!

Kennywood Carmelitas

What a great day Lydia and I had yesterday at the park with a wonderful family. I'm trying to figure out how long I've been going and it seems that its been since 1996 or so. I don't even know how I got included...probably invited myself :)but its a joy every year.

That's my friend Jessica (on left) and her sister-in-law Patti (on right) with me up there waiting in a LOOOOONG line for some crazy spinning roller coaster that I knew would make me sick but Lydia wouldn't go on it without me (then she didn't even want to ride with me go figure). We all have daughters the same age....Lily, Grace, and Lydia...aren't those the prettiest names ever? I love old fashioned names. They've been palling around since invitro, meant to be friends always.

A little bit sleepy today but lots to do. Here is the Carmelita recipe I've been bringing to Kennywood Park since the beginning. Make these trust me. I think these are one of the reasons I'm invited back every year. Have a happy sunny day! xoxo

Kennywood Carmelitas

Crust:

2 Cups Flour

2 Cups Whole Oats

1 1/2 Cups Packed Brown Sugar

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1 1/4 CUPS (not sticks...like I always think) Butter ~ softened

Filling:

1 Jar Caramel Ice Cream Topping

3 TBSP Flour

1 16 oz Package Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts (I use walnuts)

Heat oven 350 degrees and spray 13" x 9" pan with non-stick spray.

In large bowl, blend all crust ingredients with fork until crumbly. Press half mixture into bottom of the prepared pan and bake 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 tbsp flour. Set aside.

When crust is done, sprinkle while warm with chocolate chips and nuts. Pour caramel topping over evenly and then top with remaining crust mixture. Bake an additional 18 - 22 minutes. Let cool before cutting (unlike what I did below...couldn't help myself)

You want a bite don't you?

Primitive Gatherings Update

It's been such a busy month that I almost missed the deadline for this! Luckily I had a few things started and was able to make it. My photos of the kitties are a bit dark on the Primitive Gathering Site as I was taking them at 11:30 p.m. Above is a photo I took this morning outside. Very primitive and hand sewn and rag stuffed to look and feel old, the litter of three sock kitties are $36.00 plus travel fare...they are already housebroken :) Click here for photos on Primitive Gatherings Site.

My next offering is for the birds ~ hah! I have a love for all birds and just can't help making them. These folky cloth bird pin keep make-do's are $14.00 - $16.00 each plus shipping. Again you can see more photos and get more details on the PG site.

We've a busy day ahead as we are meeting my friends and their family for a picnic at a local amusement park. Another gorgeous day is in the forecast. We each bring something...her mom makes the best ham BBQ! I'm drooling just thinking about it. I'll be bringing Oatmeal Carmelita's. I'll post the recipe later this week, I still have to make them!!

I'm off to water my flower pots, then finish up some orders and get cracking on those carmelita's. Have a great day everyone!

Blueberry Muffin Mornings

I've been up since the crack of dawn. I love these types of mornings. The sun is shining in the bluest colbolt sky. Flowers are blooming profusely, happily watered and soaking up that wonderful sunshine. Its a perfect morning, cool with not a stitch of humidity. It fills me with energy I wish I could bottle up for those cold winter days (yikes ~ don't even want to think about them). I want to nest and not work. I want to weed outside in the garden. I want to paint the cute desk I bought so cheap at an estate sale months ago. I want to finally finish and move into my little sewing cottage studio. BUT I should be working. I will be working. Later I will be working....for certain.

This is a baking morning for sure. I made these muffins earlier from a recipe from Country Living magazine this past month. Lydia has eaten six already so they definitely past the kids test. Here's the recipe....I make them in mini's so we can eat more. Mangia Mangia!!

Fresh Blueberry Corn Muffins

1 Cup Yellow Corn Meal
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 Large Egg
1 Cup Buttermilk (didn't have this, add 1 tsp vinegar to measuring cup and fill rest with milk, let sit few minutes)
6 TBSP Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled
1 Cup Fresh Blueberries
1 Cup Fresh Corn Kernels ~ about 2 ears (I used frozen sweet corn kernels)
1 TBSP Turbinado Sugar (who has this? I used regular sugar)

Preheat oven 400 degrees. Combined dry ingredients (except turbinado sugar). In separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients and stir into dry ingredients until just combined. Gently fold in blueberries and corn. Add to muffin tins that are lined or sprayed with no-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake about 25 minutes if making large muffins; or 11 minutes if making mini's.

Per large muffin: protein 3.5 grams; fat 6.0 grams; carbs 29.9 grams; fiber 2.6 grams; sodium 331 mg; cholesterol 33 mg; calories 192

Happy Friday!

This is so funny and adorable....great music also! Have a good one!! xoxox

Sweet Summertime

You know what they say...once 4th of July comes summer is over. Waaah!! I don't even want to think about it.

I hope you all had a fantastic fourth with good friends, family and food. (lots of "f" words flying there.)

We had our usual picnic thing here. The fireworks seemed extra special this year or maybe it was just the good company. We live close to our community park and you can see the fireworks from our back yard......I think Dino set me up to find this house so that he would NEVER have to drive to see fireworks ever again.

I made a strawberry shortcake from Pioneer Women. You must try this lovely creation and trust me whatever goes wrong it will still taste yummy good.

Several things I did differently....

First you need to forgot to put in the flour mixture. Then when you take it out of the oven, turn your oven off. Dump it back into the mixing bowl, add the flour and place in a cold oven for 35 minutes. Check to make sure it did not rise THEN preheat the oven AGAIN and baked it for 45 minutes (I only had one drink ~ really). Also while inverting it on the cooling rack make sure it breaks in 5 - 6 pieces.

After that things did go better. First I had another drink. Then I iced it all together to look like a cake. I had used a bundt pan because I though it might be prettier. Of course nobody was the wiser and it really was fabulous...I had lots of requests for this recipe ~ try it :)

The week before we took a quick trip to Lancaster County. While sitting at a red light I took this picture.

Hee Hee! Smart advertising. Of course anything with the words "Dairy Queen" will capture my attention. I'm waiting on Dino now so we can go get a cone. Have a pleasant evening my friends.