Follow Friday #18

@mscraftberrybush

Happy Friday friends! So how was your week? We've had a great week! Spring is in full force here. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to see the very first bloom on my Pineapple Guava Tree!

This weekend my mother is coming down for a visit, and we are going to do a little shopping; antiquing, fabric shopping (for new pillows, and either IKEA or Home Goods). Last night, we rented 'Into the Woods'. I had mixed feelings. It is a great musical, and any movie Johnny Depp is in, I'm not disappointed, but the ending just seemed strange, and drawn out. My husband is funny. Since the master bedroom is downstairs, he's pushing to be moved into the new house this weekend, instead of next, because he doesn't want to walk up stairs any more. Go to love him!

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!

This week, I wanted to try something a little different, than just share, I want this to be more interactive and fun! For this week, I want to hear from you...I want to know who inspires you.
Here's the plan:
1. Post a comment, tagging an individual (or individuals) who inspired you this past week.
2. Visit and follow at least one of those mentioned. A comment is always nice...:)
3. Spread the love of inspiring others by reposting this photo and asking your friends to do the same as above (kindly provide photo credit to @mscraftberrybush). 

You all know how much I LOVE color! This is just what I needed to see! With moving, it's hard to stay inspired, when you are taking things down and all you can see are plain, bare walls. I wasn't sure about dyeing our brown eggs, just  how exactly they would turn out! I saw these, and was amazed how vibrant the colors truly are! So, next year, definitely dyeing our brown eggs!

 Also, this blog is simply beautiful!

Chic Provence

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I visit blogs, a lot!! At first, it seemed like this was my first time visiting her blog, but then the more I looked around, I remembered visiting before. This time I stayed a little while longer, and what drew me in the first time, was her style. My daughter Katelyn, has been asking to paint bird houses, and I kept thinking how sweet these birdhouses are, my daughter would love to do something like this!

Simply Vintageous

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Three words: Lovely, charming and simply beautiful!
Petite Michelle Louise

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Very pretty blog! It's lovely, soft and inviting!
Restoration House



 Let's see how much love and inspiration we can spread together.

Have a lovely weekend! Until next time!

xo Christine

Follow Friday #17: Bunnies, Easter Eggs, Table runners Oh my!

@mscraftberrybush

 

Happy Friday friends! So how was your week? We've had a great week! We got the keys to our new house, so for the next couple of weeks I'll be packing, and getting decorating ideas together for it.
I have a couple of Springtime crafts I've been planning on posting, with a busy weekend last weekend, I'm just about caught up, so look for those this coming week! This weekend, our plans include coloring eggs, and visiting with family! What ever your plans are this weekend, I hope you get to spend them with the ones you love!

 

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!

This week, I wanted to try something a little different, than just share, I want this to be more interactive and fun! For this week, I want to hear from you...I want to know who inspires you.
Here's the plan:
1. Post a comment, tagging an individual (or individuals) who inspired you this past week.
2. Visit and follow at least one of those mentioned. A comment is always nice...:)
3. Spread the love of inspiring others by reposting this photo and asking your friends to do the same as above (kindly provide photo credit to @mscraftberrybush).
Let's see how much love and inspiration we can spread together.

First, I wanted to share these links for you, one I've mentioned before, Pine Cones and Acorns. You don't have to be a child to color easter eggs, and you all know how much I love color, so I couldn't resist posting these gorgeous and vibrant colored eggs.
On her blog, her post is "My Favorite 15 Ways to Decorate Eggs!"

 

Drizzeled Easter Eggs from Better Homes and Gardens

Right now, I am seriously obsessed with all things French, and oh my word, literally,
 at Dreams on 34th Street,  I imagine myself breaking French bread and sipping red wine around a farmhouse table with friends in a charming ville in the French countryside.
I found these 'sweet brioche lapins'

Returning to Follow Friday, the first two blogs, I found both by accident, I honestly wasn't searching for table runners. I am taking it as a sign, since I've wanted to make one for quite awhile.

Cottage & Vine

I am really crushing on this fringed table runner, and botanic prints! If you'd like to make one, here is her tutorial for the Fringed Table Runner! By the way, she also is a treasure trove of inspiration!

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Driven by Décor

 

This is a coincidence, I wasn't searching for table runners! Honest, but I came upon Driven by Decor's Macramé Table runner. What drew me to her blog was the transferware plate collection gallery wall! I'm imagining greens, reds, blue, even purple patterned transferware! She also has some fun DIYs!

 

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The second two are painted furniture projects, that I am swooning over.

 

 

 

via a new friend on IG @The Crowned Goat, she has a Follow Friday post on IG, I found

Canary Street Crafts, and her tutorial for French Graphic Dresser. My sister in law gifted me with two end tables, she was wanting to refresh but gave up, and I know I want to paint them white and DIY some French graphics on them. You can find some fabulous DIYs also on their blog.

 

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I don't know what I love most about this other, than it is simply stunning. The contrast of the dark and white wood. The milk paint vase/flower arrangement or the quote! For more painting furniture inspiration visit
ferpie and fray

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Wishing you all and your families a Blessed Easter Weekend! Until Next time!
xo Christine


 

Springime in Paris Strawberry Macarons

Happy Thursday, friends! This week has really flown by! This exciting news first, we got the keys to our house late Tuesday night! I've started writing down all the decorating ideas I want to do in each room, I can't wait to get started!

It has come to my attention that the correct spelling of these delightful cookies is Macaron, with only one O. When my husband asked me what they were called I said macaroon with a suave and sophisticated French accent, and all he did was looked at me, raised one eyebrow, shrugged his shoulders, and stuffed one whole cookie in his mouth and inhaled it!

This is the second time I've made Macarons. I am equating my love of all things French for enjoying these lovely cookies. While these cookies may not be the simplest of cookies to make, and require patience and a gentle touch, the result is beyond amazing! These cookies melt in your mouth with all their decadent goodness.

These cookies reminded me of Spring in Paris, with their lovely, pastel pink color and how one day I would love to stroll down the Champs-Elysee. Do a lot  some shopping; stop in a café for some lunch, enjoy a café au lait with a couple of these beauties, and I'd be in heaven.

Strawberry Macarons (adapted from Sandra Lee)

For the macarons:

1 cup almond flour

1 2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp. strawberry JELLO

3 egg whites at room temperature

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

For the strawberry buttercream filling:

1/4 cup butter, not chilled, but not at room temperature

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 cups. powdered sugar

2 Tbls. fresh strawberry puree

For the strawberry puree:

1 1/2 cups. fresh strawberries, quartered

1 Tbls. granulated sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a separate bowl, sift together the almond flour, powdered sugar and Jello.

2. Separate eggs, placing the whites in a stand up mixer, fitted with a wire whisk. On medium high speed, whip egg whites until they are at soft peaks. Continue whipping eggs, adding the granulated sugar gradually, until stiff peaks form, and the egg whites are nice and shiny.

3. This is a tip I got from my pastry chef, when folding in meringue. Fold half the meringue into the almond flour mixture, gently. You want to preserve as much air in the egg whites as possible. My pastry chef instructed us to NOT cut or chop the meringue, rather using the spatula to scrape around the edges and gently fold in. The almond flour will soften, and the meringue will loose some of its airiness, but not to worry.

4. In a pastry bag fitted with Wilton tip #12, (I like to fold the top of the bag down, creating a cuff, to keep the top of the bag from getting all sticky and messy), spoon the macaron dough into the pastry bag. Kneed the air out of the bag.

5. Pipe round circles out onto the parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes. I check mine after 3 minutes. The first sight of browning, take the cookies out. Set aside to cool.

6. For the strawberry puree: Halve and quarter strawberries. Sprinkle them with the granulated sugar and macerate them, for about 5 minutes, then puree them. Store unused puree in the refridgerator for up to 3 to 5 days.

7. For the buttercream: In a stand up mixer, beat butter, until creamy, on medium high speed. Add the pure vanilla extract and the strawberry puree. Slowly add the powdered sugar, and beat until, stiff, but not too stiff to be piped out. If it is too stiff, add 1 tsp. of milk. Store unused frosting for up to one week in the refrigerator.

8. Pipe buttercream onto one cookie half, and top with another cookie. Enjoy right away, as the meringue softens with the frosting.

Here are a few more inspiring Springtime Macaron recipes to check out!

Lemon Macaron

Egg Shaped Macarons via @MarthaStewart by @butterbakedgoods Photo by: @kateberryberry

Enjoy your Easter Weekend! Until next time! xo Christine

Sharing these with:
Metamorphosis Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Marvelous Monday
Merry Monday
Inspire Me Monday
Treasure Box Tuesday
Wake Up Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
Full Plate Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Friday Favorites
Thursday Favorites
Share Your Style
Roses of Inspiration
City of Links
Your Time to Shine
Freedom Fridays
Show and Tell Friday
Home Sweet Home
 Creative Collection
Shabbilicious Friday
What to Do Weekends
Sunflower Supper Club
Home and Garden Thursday
Snickerdoodle Sunday
Sunday Showcase
Sweet and Savoury Sundays
SilverPennies SundaysLoulou Girls

Follow Friday #16: Spread the Love of Inspiring

@mscraftberrybush

Happy Friday friends! Today when Katelyn woke up, she said "I am happy it's Friday!" I don't know about you, but me too! I hope you had a great week! Today, I am so excited to see my oldest daughter who is visiting from Washington state on Spring break. Tomorrow, I am taking Katelyn and a few of her friends to a skate park, for her birthday, and tomorrow night there is a salsa festival, that we missed last year I want to go to! Should be a fun and busy weekend!

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!

This week, I wanted to try something a little different, than just share, I want this to be more interactive and fun! For this week, I want to hear from you...I want to know who inspires you.
Here's the plan:
1. Post a comment, tagging an individual (or individuals) who inspired you this past week.
2. Visit and follow at least one of those mentioned. A comment is always nice...:)
3. Spread the love of inspiring others by reposting this photo and asking your friends to do the same as above (kindly provide photo credit to @mscraftberrybush).
Let's see how much love and inspiration we can spread together.

 

The Sunny Side Up

 

Love the name of her blog! It's fun and fresh! 

 

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Pop of Pretty

Her blog name says it all! She definitely does have a "Pop of Pretty" style! Love it!

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Faded Charm Cottage

It's hard to find something I like best out of this photo and the many more like this one on her blog! Her charm is anything but faded! I almost scooped up an enamel colander last week! Think I'll go back and see if it's still there!

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At Home In Love

 

I am finding one style that makes my heart happy, is a colorful one! One DIY I want to *cough* try and make is a tufted headboard! The pretty bright blue one caught my eye, as did the title of her blog!

 

In honor of my daughter visiting from Washington, here are two of her DIY State Pride Artwork!

 

 

 

and another fun DIY Washi-ngton

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Have a great weekend! Until next time!

xo, Christine

 

Why Lemon Poundcake is more tempting than Cinnamon rolls!

When it came to what to bake for our upcoming Easter lunch or dinner,

 I knew, without a shadow of a doubt it had to be made with lemons.

I love the smell of fresh citrus!

The tang of real lemon juice,

and how as crazy as it's sounds I love when it

has that sourness that makes my mouth pucker!

For me it was an easy choice; the lemon poundcake!

Only because I eat cinnamon rolls once a year on

Christmas Day!

(butter, sugar, and eggs)

This is because, growing up we did with what we had.

For breakfast, we didn't have jam, unless it was mom's strawberry jam that she made

but we had sugar and we had cinnamon.

So every morning, that's what my brother and I grew up on, Cinnamon-Sugar toast.

Fast forward twenty years, when I was pregnant with my son, my husband brought home a Lemon meringue pie for me; just for me!

And I did, I ate the whole pie! Don't judge me, this is one thing my son and I love to do together now,

is enjoy a slice of lemon pie together.

And now it gets even better, because my husband's favorite treat in the Summer time is Frozen, yes Frozen,

Not the "Let it Go, Let it Go", Frozen, but stick the pound cake in the freezer until it's Frozen

poundcake.

Again, I love pound cake, don't get me wrong, but for me Lemon is the Wow factor in my poundcake!

Putting twists on recipes is what I like best, something different to try!

Has anyone heard these song lyrics before...

"Put a lime in a coconut..."

So that's just what I came up with; and the only way this recipe will give you a stomach ache, is if you eat it all up!

Lemon Poundcake with Lime-Coconut glaze!

It's luscious.

It's lovely,

and best of all it's lemony!
That is why Lemon Poundcake is better than Cinnamon rolls!
 Yay or Nay!

Here I've saved a slice for you!

Lemon Poundcake with Lime-Coconut glaze (adapted from Land O' Lakes)

Cake

2 cups sugar

1 cup unsalted butter , softened to room temperature

4  Eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup buttermilk (I used milk, and 1 Tbls. of lemon juice. Let that sit for 5 minutes)

1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Glaze

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1 Tbls. lime juice

1 to 2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup sweetened coconut, toasted

Zest of one lime

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. On a baking sheet, spread coconut out in a thin layer. Toast for 5-10 minutes. Check often, ( I did about every 2 minutes) and remove the toasted coconut around the edges. Be careful, because it does toast up quickly. Set aside.

 

2. Grease a 12-cup bundt pan.

3. Combine sugar and butter in bowl at medium speed; until creamy. Scrape down sides of bowl. Continue beating, adding 1 egg at a time, until well mixed. Mixture should look creamy, and fluffy.

4. In separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat at low speed, gradually adding flour;  alternately with buttermilk and then scraping down the sides each time, until well mixed. Add lemon zest and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Continue beating until well mixed.

5. Pour  batter into prepared pan. The recipe says to bake for 55-65 minutes, mine was finished a little less than 55. I would start checking your cake at 50 minutes, for golden browness, the sides of the cake pull away from the pan, and if the top of the cake, springs back when touched slightly. Cool in pan. Again, very important, wait until the bundt cake is completely cooled, then invert onto serving plate.

6.Stir together powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon juice and enough water for desired glazing consistency in small bowl. Drizzle over cooled cake. Sprinkle with lime zest and toasted coconut.

Here are a couple more Lemon recipes for you to try!

Lemon Tassies

Blueberry Lemon cupcakes

Lemon Macarons

Until Next time! xo Christine

Taking it to these parties:
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Monday
LouLou Girls
Wake Up Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday
Pin Worthy Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday
Full Plate Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday
Pure Blog Love
Feathered Nest Friday
Foodie Friday and Everything else
City of Links

Funtastic Friday
Creative Collection
Best of the Weekend Party
Home Matters Party
Sweet and Savory Sundays
Silver Pennies Sunday
Sunday's At Home
Something to Talk About

A Week in CASL photos: March 19- March 25

I am so glad you stopped by to visit me today! What I love about Wednesday is that I get to share with you a peek into what my week has been like, and possibly a sneak peek to what next week will bring. I've tried 365 Photo or Daily photo memes several times before, and surprisingly, I am getting farther posting my photos once a week, instead of once a day. It makes a big difference, and it's really nice to look back and see a slice of my day!

March 19th: Private - Enjoying a private mom moment, before my children get out of school, with my favorite caffeinated beverage, and pretty Spring magazine by Matthew Mead.

(affiliate link) Matthew Meads Upcycled Style

March 20th-  Hand drawn..Since I'm simply not really good at drawing, how about hand "picking'. I just went with one of my day's events. No need to dye eggs...My chickens' eggs today were 3 different and lovely shades of brown. 

March 21st- Sun Flare- Gave it a go! Looks ok for first time!! Although I was seeing sun spots after taking this picture for the next 5 minutes after! If you like photography, here is a Lesson on How to Capture Sun flare in your photographs!

March 22nd- Leaves- Love the pattern on these leaves. Very tropical. This picture reminded me of a container garden, that I wanted to use for our front porch, that contained Red Cannas and Red Dahlias. Look for a post coming up!

March 23- Too Much! This picture if you haven't already seen in an earlier post here, I had too mch Rose Blooms, which actually came in first. Chocolate took the back seat on this one. 

March 24th- Treasure- Not all treasure is Silver and Gold....The time I spend with my family and friends IRL and online...every like...every comment...every moment I spend...I dearly treasure! Since I took a pic of Lindsay for her birthday...Happy Birthday Katelyn 3:16! This was taken last year, at a Horse Ranch in Cave Creek, AZ! The horses name is Albert, and Katelyn was in heaven. So was Albert! Every time Katelyn went to brush his bangs and nose he wanted to take a nap!

March 25th- Half- Sneak Peek! What am I doing with lemons? Y'all know I love lemons! Check back later to find out!

Are you on Instagram?  You really should be!!  I recently started a photo a day prompt on #fmsphotoaday.

 Let me know if you decide to join in the fun!

Have a great rest of your week! Until next time!

xo, Christine

Follow Friday #14: Spring edition Part 2

Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a great week! It's been a fun Spring break over here. This weekend, we're taking a little road trip up to Northern Arizona to visit with family! I was hoping, yesterday to buy a rose bush or two at Baker's Nursery in Phoenix, and was sad to find out they had closed! My mom has a nursery by her (not the same), but I'm hoping to come back with a new rose bush for the new house! Me and the girls did find our way to Home Depot where we picked up these super cute knobs for my accent table, which I did get all painted, just waiting for my husband to resurface and clear stain it.

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and inspiration!

What is there not to love about this Spring Mantle from Domestically Speaking!!

Speckled eggs, Mason jars, tulips!

Simply, beautiful! She also has some amazing DIYs!

 

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What'cha think about this Easter wreath? Isn't it gorgeous!! Love all the vibrant Spring colors!

Check out how to make it @ the very talented Nest of Posies!

 

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Aren't these naturally dyed eggs stunning? So is Dreamy Whites blog, be sure and check her blog out!

 

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Refresh Restyle

 

Love the name of her blog and her style! Very refreshing and I'm enjoying reading her series on

 No Cost Decorating, using what you all ready have!

 

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Have a great weekend! Until next time!

xo, Christine