What about Strawberries

I woke up extremely early (for me) yesterday, 6:30 to be exact. Rolled out of bed and straight into my husbands diesel work truck. Chloe' and I decided to spend the day at my Mom's while Mr. Cookie worked. Chloe' loves to play with her cousins and I really enjoy the time with my Mom.
We took pictures around her house of different things. I was happy to show off my Camera skills or lack there of. LOL I think she enjoyed it. She was running around finding fun things to place together for me to photograph. We got a kick out of this one. Now before you judge, and wonder why the toilet is outside in the field, I have to say that it was removed from the bathroom and replaced with a new shiny one. We just happen to move it around and get a funny picture of it before it was hauled off.
Mom made a funny, and said she was "Going Green" LOL


We then moved to prettier things like these yummy Tennessee Strawberries. TennGa berries to be exact. They are grown on the Tennessee Georgia line in none other than a town called Tenga.
After all the photo fun I sat out on the patio cutting the berries up to make Strawberry Jam. It was such a gloriously beautiful day for this. The breeze blowing and warm sun on my face really relaxed me.
We were making jam ,cooking, dinner, and dessert at the same time. Surprisingly it all went smoothly with 6 kids running around. :)
We had fried chicken, pinto beans, Mexican cornbread and tea for dinner. And for dessert.....Cream cheese Pound Cake with fresh macerated strawberries and freshly made whip cream.

Of course I took a picture! What kind of questions is that? LOL


I'll even give you the recipe, cause I'm nice like that. It is the one my Grandmother makes all the time. Hope you like it.
So that was my Marvelous Monday. How was yours?

(This recipe can be baked in loaf pans as well. It will not hurt the results)

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

3 sticks butter softened

3 cups sugar

1-8 oz. pkg cream cheese

2 tsp. vanilla

6 eggs

2 3/4 cups AP Flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease and flour bundt pan


Combine flour,salt and soda in bowl and whisk together until well sifted.


In separate mixing bowl combine all other ingredients and blend well. Raise mixer speed to medium high and mix for about 4 minutes until really fluffy.
Return to slow speed and add flour mixture a little at a time until well blended.

Pour into pan and bake for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Use a knife to loosen edges and remove from pan. Cool on serving plate or wire rack.

Top each serving with fresh berries and whip cream.

Valentine's Day Ideas

ro-mance -roh-mans–verb (used with object) 1. to court or woo romantically; treat with ardor or chivalrousness.

As you all know by now, I love Valentine's Day. So I thought I would share with you some very easy and inexpensive ideas to "romance" the love of your life on the sweetest of days.

A Valentine bought or even made is a Valentine worth sending.

Purchase or make your Valentine's day card in advance and mail it to Loveland, Colorado, for extra special treatment. Your card will be postmarked LOVEland, Colorado, and it will also be handstamped with a unique four-line poem.

The Loveland Chamber of Commerce organizes this yearly romance project with cards going to all fifty states and over 100 foreign countries annually.
It's simple. Just enclose your pre-addressed, prestamped Valentine's card in a larger envelope and mail to:

Postmaster, Attn: Valentine's, Loveland, CO 80537

Don't stop here! Even if you can't cook or just don't really have the time to, there are many edible ideas to make this Valentine's day sweet. (This is a Rated G Blog) LOL

Breakfast with Heart

Use a heart cookie cutter to cut out your bread for toast.

Even use a smaller heart cookie cutter to cut out little pats of butter in heart shapes. (The butter should be chilled but not hard to do this)

This time of year there are an abundance of heart shaped items available. You can find heart containers everywhere. Purchase one to put your jam or jelly into serve with toast.

Instead of regular juice glasses, use champagne flutes and tint your OJ with a bit of red food color. It won't be red but a pretty salmon color. (Don't use too much or it will taste funny)

Who doesn't love chocolate covered Strawberries? They are a favorite of mine! Use them for breakfast too.

Snack Time

My DH goes to work early in the morning and is always hungry way before lunch time. I love to fix him little snack packs to take with him when he leaves. Sometimes I just slip them into his bag and he is surprised when he opens it. He loves them .

For a special Valentine's day snack add all of these ingredients into a ziploc back and tie with a red ribbon.

Ingredients:

Mini Marshmallows

Milk Chocolate Morsels

( change it up if you like White Chocolate,Butterscotch etc...)

Walnuts or nut of choice

Cranberries

Red Hots or a favorite red candy that isn't sticky

Shake it up and tie with a ribbon. Write a love note and slip it into you love's bag for a sweet Valentine Snack.

You light up my life

Twinkle lights are not just for Christmas anymore! They can be used to form messages too.

Whether you use the message to propose or reaffirm your love, it will certainly make for a very beautiful and memorable evening.

Baby It's Cold Outside~Use it for Romance

In some places there is always snow in February. Take advantage of it. Take a squirt bottle add ice cold water and red food color or a pack of red kool-aid. Shake it up and get to work!

Spray out a message on your front or back lawn that says I love you or something sweet like that. Be creative!

These are just a few fun ideas to use. I hope you enjoy them.

They are great for guys and gals both.

Here's to Love and Romance

xoxo