Weekend Notes: Christmas Cookies, Roses, and Bruschetta

Happy Weekend! 

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend so far! 

Yesterday was a really fun day! It started Friday night when I baked 

4 dozen Cherry Blossoms for Katelyn's Rummage/Bake Sale. For the holiday's it's my tradition and a way to remember my father who passed away when I was in my early twenties, that we would enjoy a box of Anne's Choclate covered cherries, and this recipe didn't disappoint. It was almost as if  I was biting into one of those chocolate delights.

After the rummage sale, Lindsay and I went to go see the 'Peanuts' movie. Love Snoopy, and Charlie Brown and the Whole gang. It was wonderful to see a cartoon I grew up with continuing on for the next generation. 

In the afternoon, I spent several hours at my first Rose Convention at the Pacific Southwest Rose District, which included  Southern California, Arizona, parts of Nevada, New Mexico, and 

West Texas. I found myself surrounded by the most gorgeous blooms I have every seen.
One rose, that I found particularly beautiful, especially for this time of year, is named
'Hot Cocoa'. It is the loveliest shade of brown, that looks just like a cup of hot cocoa.

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'Hot Cocoa' is a  floribunda rose, with a burnt orange. The rose I saw was more on the light brown side with smoky edges.

What I have planned for next week, more baking, and suprisingly I'm baking something, that I'm really interested in finding out if I like it or not. It's one of those foods that I just don't find mouthwatering at all. I strongly dislike this as much as I dislike okra. It has Brandied Apricots, so it can't be that bad!! Right?!

Also, I will be sharing a review on Giada de Laurentiis's new cookbook. It's going to be a non-stop week next week, but I am Thankful to be able to spend it with and get together with the ones I love.

Easy Thanksgiving Crostini Appetizers via Country Living -

 My favorite, easiest appetizer, is Crostini with Bruschetta

Nine Healthy Snacks- If you need an energy boost to help you with all the hustle and bustle of this coming Holiday Season here are some healthy snacks to give you that extra boost!

Until next time! 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

xo,

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Five on Friday: Snow, Roses, and Brioche

Happy Fri-Yay!

Hope your week has gone well!

We don't have really anything planned,

 I was going up North to see my mother, and

I won't say it's too cold {but it is}, for me!

Anything less than 75F, and I start to freeze!

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The first year we went to the Grand Canyon

it was snowing, and looked like this!

 It has already snowed in Northern Arizona.

Take a look at these beautiful photos to 

see a Winter Wonderland Arizona style
over at Rue's!

Nest weekend, is the Pacific SouthWest Division Rose Convention,

held at Mesa Community College. If you love roses as much as I do, you can see some of the Roses at the college on my Instagram. So I'll be there checking everything out,

besides making Thanksgiving plans.

On the thought of Thanksgiving plans, besides cooking an enjoyable feast
for my family, this year I want to create a menu, that is
healthier, and what better way to start a menu, than with
appetizers!
 7 Super easy one-bite-appetizers
My favorite is the
Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta and Walnuts from The Roasted Root

Find more Thanksgiving Appetizer ideas on my Thanksgiving Food and Inspiration board!

Follow Cherishing A Sweet Life's board Thanksgiving on Pinterest.

Bake to Baking, starting with the Stuffed S'mores donuts I made last week, this weekend, I am really going to be baking up a storm from now until the New Year! Did I mention I picked up 10 pounds of butter, on sale for about $1.77 each, I couldn't beat the price and I most likely will use it all!

First up, I am going to start this today and hopefully have a peek of it for you within the next couple of days,

Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Brioche Wreath from Butter and Brioche

Back to Flowers, another post I am working on has been a flower arrangement I have been wanting to create for years, using a pumpkin and roses! Something like this, I'm thinking more of using burnt orange roses, instead of red or this one in White! I'll be sharing a sneek peek as well soon!

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Until next time! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xo,

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 You can follow me here!

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Weekend Notes

Happy Weekend! 

I hope your week went well, and 

you are enjoying the cooler Fall temperatures, as I am! 

Yesterday afternoon was fabulous, and 

earlier this week we had a nice rainfall for about an hour! 

My rose bush is literally glowing in this Fall weather.

Today the girls and I are going up North to spend time with my family and
then head up 

to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon 

to see if the leaves have changed their colors yet!
If we have time, on Sunday on the way home, we'll stop for
the Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake!

This is a quick post, as I am running late to get on the road,
but first I wanted to thank my dear, sweet and hysterically funny
bloggy friend, Benita over at Chasing Quaintness, for the
lovely gift,  she sent to me in the mail.
It absolutely made my day!

You can't help but smile when you see this!!!

Here are some links to read!
Wishing you all a Happy Weekend!

25 Pumpkin Recipes that don't involve Pie

Avoid These Nine Foods - I have a really hard time with Diet Soda!

5 Foods that Taste Better in October - I confess I've never eaten a Persimmon. If you have
would you eat it again?? Inquiring minds what to know!

These chemicals can affect your metabolism

Green Chili Pork Stew

Happy Fri-Yay! How has your week been going? It's been a busy one here. Both girls have had school project days, Katelyn's was a Toy Expo, where the children came up with their own toys to sell to children, created a website, commercial, and app for their toy and presented them. It was a really fun night. Lindsay's class is making a science project in class, it's tomorrow, but it seems like every day except Monday, I'm going here or there, and sometimes I don't know whether I'm coming or going, oh I'm just kidding!

Tuesday I went into town for some secret shopping, and I stopped by, and as long as I lived in Mesa, I even got my degree at Mesa Community College, and I'd heard of the Rose Garden on campus, but never took the time to smell the roses. Even though it's the end of Summer, and most of the roses seem like they are sitting the Summer out from blooming, there were a few rose bushes that really were stunning, as the Summer didn't even phase them, they went ahead and bloomed all over the place.

 My favorite was Bolero, with it's beautiful white fragrant ruffled petals. If you get the chance, you can self-guide yourself for an hour through the Rose garden that displays more than 8,000 roses! Tomorrow is my nieces birthday, and hopefully we'll be able to see a special showing of Disney Descendants, it's First come First serve with only one showing, that the girls really want to go see this weekend!

Onto the recipe. Here in the Southwest, Fall officially starts with the Harvesting of Hatch Green Chilis from New Mexico. Several years ago, I worked for a very well established local Mexican restaurant, Macayos, who maybe you've seen their canned goods in your grocery.  At Macayos they also farm and harvest their own Green chilis here in Arizona, and for a month, we'd run specials for our Fresh Chili Harvest, is how I marked the beginning of Fall.

My family loves Fresh Roasted Green Chili, and with the temperatures finally dipping below 100F, to me that's Fall, so tonight I am celebrating by cooking up one of my families favorite fall comfort foods, Green Chili Pork Stew!

Green Pork Chili Stew

2 pounds pork loin, cubed

3 or 4 fresh or frozen Hatch or Anaheim Chilis, roasted,seeded and diced

3 or 4 Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced

4 cups chicken broth

2 Tbls. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

3 or 4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. salt

Tabasco (optional)

1. Grill the chilis, until their skins are sweltering, and they are slightly charred on all sides. Turn off grill, and place chilis in a plastic bag, to allow the skins to steam off for about 20 minutes. Rinse under cold water, and the skins should easily come off. 

2. In a stock pot, heat 1 Tbls. Extra Virgin Olive oil on Medium-High heat. Add the pork, and sear until all sides are golden brown. Add 3 cups chicken broth, and potatoes. 

3. In small saute pan, heat the other 1 Tbls. olive oil and saute the onion and garlic, until onion is 

translucent, about 5 minutes. Add to the stock pot.

4. With 2 or  3 of the green chilis, add to the stock pot. With the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth and remaining green chili, blend in blender. Add the blended chili mixture to the stock pot. Cook until the potatoes and pork are tender about half an hour.

5. I take a potatoe masher and, mash the potatoes slightly to thicken the stew. For a spicier stew, add a couple shots of Tabasco. Then ladle into bowls.

Garnish with cilantro and sour cream. Serve with warmed flour tortillas.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend!

Until next time!

xo, 

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And Please Be Sure to Check Out my 1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway going on now until 9/24!

 

Weekend Notes: Fall Bucket List, Roses and Gold Pumpkins

Happy Weekend! Hope you all are having an amazing and relaxing weekend!

We're having a fun weekend around here, decorating for Fall!

The girls and I painted last night, here's a sneak peek on Instagram.

My mother caught a cold this weekend, so

 we're postponing our trip up North until next month!

For this weekend, I thought I'd get started

on our Fall Bucket List!

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I've picked up my Pumpkin Spice latte, and made a Pumpkin cake, to check off the list!
What are you wanting to do this Fall?

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I love bold Fall colors, and this minimalistic rustic orange rose centerpiece is not only
beautiful but very easy to make on a budget!

So far the rose bush I planted not too long ago, has survived the Summer, and is showing signs of thriving. It just shot off too new leaf outs, and a possible very small bud, so I'll keep checking back on it.

Three of my favorite Fall colors are Orange, Crimson and Gold.
While I am enjoying painting just about everything right now
Painting Pumpkins Gold is on my Fall Bucket List!

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Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Until next time!
xo,

In Memory of 9/11 and a Remembrance Rose

Happy Fri-Yay! I am so glad you stopped by to visit me today! 

Hope you've had an amazing week! 

First I wanted to stop and remember those who lost their lives 

in the Twin Tower Terrorist Attacks 14 years ago!

This is a White Rose for remembrance!

Pope John Paul

Yesterday, neither of the girls wanted to go with me to the Rose Society Meeting, which was ok, they will have more fun helping me in the garden than listening to someone talking about pruning roses. I learned a couple of great tips that I'm going to pass onto my mother and see if she's heard of these before. One she doesn't have to worry about, because the climate is milder up where she lives, but besides Winter pruning, I have never heard of Fall grooming, that you start to prune back in thirds (every two weeks), the front first, than the middle and finally the back of your rose bush, around September 21, when the night time temperatures start to cool down. Leaving the back of the roses taller, helps shade the front of the rose bush, and in a month by the time you prune the back, the front of the rose already has new growth on it! I'm not sure if this applies where you live, but if you live in the Southwest desert, than this will make sense. The other tip was from now until before Thanksgiving, to fertilize with Arizona's Best Citrus Food, it is less expensive than rose fertilizer and works just as well. So we will see!

This is a post I wrote back in 2006 on my old blog, that I dug up! If you'd like to read the post and comments you can find that HERE!




This remembrance is made possible by D.C.Roe's idea to commemorate the lives of those killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
For a complete list of *2996 coalition of volunteer blogger participants, please click HERE*
This was wonderful me to feel some connection to the angels of 9/11. Naomi was the same age as my father when he passed away at 52. Which I consider too young! I also share her love and passion for the art of music. I enjoy Broadway musicals and I have a dream that my 12 yr old daughter will continue her love of the violin and one day play for a great Orchestra. Here is Naomi's story.
Naomi Leah Solomon lived in New York City until she was 10, but then moved to California when her father, Herbert, who took a job at Stanford University. Naomi, 52, enjoyed being a classical pianist in her spare time, and was also a big fan of musicals and Broadway show tunes. She became one of the first female vice presidents at Bank of America, and spent many years as an executive at Chase Manhattan.
She left behind the world of banking for Callixa, (a small California software vendor), and moved back to New York City. She was at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. attending a conference on information technology at Windows on the World, the restaurant on the 106th floor of Tower One.
Naomi was loved and will forever be missed by her parents, Dr. Herbert and Lottie Solomon, and her brothers Mark and Jed who are lawyers in San Francisco,CA.

Where was I when the world stopped turning?

My husband had called me first thing in the morning and woke me up with the news that All Fights were grounded because of the Terrorists Attacks, and the destruction of the Twin Towers. My mom was visiting, and I remember holding my son, Josh who had just turned one in July, while I talked to my husband on the phone with my other hand (land line NOT cell)! Then, on my way to work in Scottsdale up the 101 Fwy, which is directly in the Flight path to PHX International Airport, you can see planes anytime during the day. All I could see were clear skies. Instead of the hearing the noise of Low-Flying planes, there was this eerie dead silence.

What were you doing on September 11, 2001?

  Wishing you all a beautiful weekend! Until next time! xo,

Visiting Prescott: Part 4 *picture heavy*

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? It was a fun and relaxing weekend, over here. Saturday was a little busy, I had plans for a quick day trip to Prescott to take my grandmother out for lunch, but she is still not feeling like going anywhere, until they are more settled in their new place. I did get to bring home with me her Singer sewing machine. This will be a fun and exciting adventure to see how much patience I have for any type of sewing project. Sunday, I just relaxed with the children, I thought I could finish my painting project, which I am getting closer to finishing. My husband said I take almost as long as he does to finish one whole entire kitchen. This is my first fun painting project for the house, and I want it to be just right! This morning, as I was taking the kids to school, I could feel fall in the air. The morning temperature was, and I mean this, slightly cooler than our normal hot and sultry, mornings after a monsoon storm.

This week again, since I was very busy helping my daughter with her school projects, and helping my family up North, I really didn't have time to do the photo prompts this week. Instead, I am finally posting about our trip up North to Prescott from last weekend.

First on our way up, I stopped at the new Natural Grocers in Scottsdale. When we entered, there was a very nice size classroom, where there was a class going on about healthy Back to School snacks for children. Immediately in front is what I thought was a little on the small size , compared to Whole Foods, or Sprouts produce department. Behind that was the Vitamin, Supplement and Holistic Living section with Essential oils, tinctures, and herbal remedies. I was impressed with the size of this department, as there seemed to be more here than other natural grocery stores. What really impressed me, and some of you may think me a little strange, but if you love and eat eggs as much as our family does, ok, for instance, on the weekends, either I pick up or my husband picks up the rest of our chickens' eggs, that I wasn't able to collect when I go out to my in laws, where are chickens are, so instead I bought a dozen eggs, just regular eggs, not organic, not free range. With the bird flu that is causing the price increase for eggs, that is said to bring the price for a dozen eggs up to $6, I paid close to $4. The natural free range eggs at Natural Grocers, cost the exact same amount. I'll update this post with a link to a review to follow.

At my mother's house, the girls and I were checking out her backyard garden, while Josh took a nap.

Apples cascading down her tree. 

Look at the size of this Pumpkin blossom. 

Mine are struggling in this heat wave, but I do have one strong survivor!

My mom has a bountiful supply of Yellow Pear tomatoes that were bursting with flavor! 

One of my mother's Sunflower blossoms. I can't wait to see how beautiful they are when they open up within the next couple of weeks!

The pink rose up top is from one of her rose bushes.

On Sunday, I took the kids antique shopping. I've been to most of the Antinque stores around Prescott's downtown square, but I was looking for a new place to check out.
I asked, dear, sweet Rue,
for suggestions, and she highly recommended Merchandise Mart. 

This store is amazing. It was almost like walking into a museum or taking a trip back through time. The girls had fun checking out all the vintage clothes, and Josh was amazed to see a record player and a type writer. Lindsay loved all the vintage Pyrex dishes. I loved looking at all the milk glass and if I were to start a collection of something it would be Roosters.

Katelyn plays the viola, and adored this sweet needlepoint chair cushion.

When we drink soda, it's Pepsi, but it just happens that Josh loves Coca-Cola, and

wanted to take these glasses home with us.

One item I did pick up, was this beautiful Indiana marigold Carnival iridescent grape leaf candy dish, that was half off. I found one similar on Ebay.
My mother gifted me with another Marigold iridescent bowl of hers to go with it, as well as an iridescent vase . So starts my vintage iridescent collection.

I'd mentioned before about the poor lighting in the house, so I am on the search for some interesting lighting for the house, and this caught my eye for the entrance to the Master Bedroom.
If it ever goes on Sale! *wink*



With it being Labor Day weekend, I am most likely going back up again this weekend to help again finish moving, and then my family is coming back down here on Monday for a barbecue get together.

Here is to the start of a great week!
Until next time!
xo,

If you enjoyed this trip to Prescott,
You can check out

Prescott part 1

Prescott part 2

Prescott Part 3



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Five Favorite Things

Happy Weekend! It's another busy weekend around here, finishing up with Back to School! I am not quite ready to give up the lazy relaxing days of Summer. This year, I am with the children, I think one more week of Summer Vacation is in order. Last night we finally got our monsoon. I didn't get to finish painting Katelyn's dresser, but we needed the rain so much more! Here are Five Things that have been on my mind this week!

Lil Luna

Back To School- I've started a  Back to School Pinterest Board if  you are looking for Inspiring Back to School Ideas, from lunches, to organizing back packs to things  you can buy at the $1 Store!

It's *almost* Fall Y'all

Salted Caramel Apple Rosette Tart 

Are you thinking of Fall yet? It is hard for me to believe it is August already! With Back to School starting Monday, and a few posts about Fall have caught my attention, to tell you the truth, I'm ready for some cooler temperatures, apples and spice, pumpkins. You'll find these and so much more on my Autumn Bliss Pinterest Board

Peonies and Roses

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It being Summer, I haven't been too concerned about my new rose bush. When we left the nursery last week, they took care of the deadheading of the old roses, removing the dead leaves, and pruned it up a little for me. That is until the other day I noticed orange spots on my roses. I found this article helpful on How to take care of Roses in the Hot Weather.

Ironstone & Blush

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Another *hint* about my upcoming project! Funny thing happened last night, my husband and I are walking around Walmart , I needed to pick something up for my roses. After leaving the garden center, we are walking through the craft aisles. Another interesting fact about my husband, he can sew, his mother worked in a drapery shop, and she taught him, and yet, he won't sit down to teach me. He'll teach me how to sharpen a knife, but not to use a sewing machine...Moving on...he's looking at sewing machines first, and wanting to know which one I wanted, I told him I wasn't ready for that commitment or disappointment of buying another sewing machine, and getting frustrated and it just sitting not getting used, but I am needing a new camera, as the last couple posts, my photos have starting looking a little grainy! Back on topic, I'm picking up my first batch of milk paints today! I am super excited! The colors, Miss Mustard Seed's Ironstone and Tricycle. This is where the funny part comes in....He says, (the master cabinet maker aka my husband) "You know you can mix milk paint colors"...He knew I was looking for a certain shade....and this is why I adore this man...of course I already knew that, but I thanked him for his help, with a little grin!

Green Smoothies

Starting Monday, I will have made a weeks worth of green smoothies. I did this a couple of summers ago, and I loved how it made me feel, I just needed to make it a habit to make a weeks worth of smoothies on Sunday a habit. During the school week, I'd get so busy some days that I'd forget to eat breakfast, and a smoothie really jump starts my day! This is my go to Green Smoothie with Citrus Green tea, Pear, Ginger and Spinach, but I found ways to combine ingredients and customize them to just how you like your smoothies, with these 10 Smoothie Hacks

Wishing you all a fun weekend!
 Until next time! xo
 

A Week in CASL photos: July 20th- July 26th

Happy Beautiful Monday! Hope you all had a relaxing weekend! It was a very busy, fun and lovely weekend over here! There is still more getting ready for back to school 

 and painting going on over here! I didn't get a chance to capture all of this week's prompts, but here are the ones I did!

What I like about doing a Photo365, 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!



July 21st~ Real...

 

Easy Homemade Pizza Bianco  The girls and I had a blast making homemade pizzas last week. They made pepperoni of course, and for me and my husband, this wonderful Pizza Bianco. It's easier than you think!!


July 22nd~ Fake

 

I would love to try and grow these 'Blue Orchids', but based on what I've read the roots are injected with blue dye, and are way overpriced! That they are basically white orchids, tinted blue! They are still gorgeous!

July 24th~ Bloom

'Luscious' rose

Here is the first bloom, from the first rose bush, in our new garden. I found it at Berridge Nurseries located in Phoenix. The staff is extremely friendly and very helpful indeed. With it being late in the year, finding roses is a challenge. At the nursery, there was still an unbelievable selection of potted roses, with many favorites. In January, the selection will be even more extensive. I'm looking forward to getting my next rose in January from them.

 

July 25th~ The Two of Us...

A fun day of Back to School shopping with the girls.

July 26th~ Clouds on Fire

One of the things I love most about living here in Arizona, are the incredible sunsets we have.
This was one of the prettiest I've seen. Others have had dark shades of purple, and fuschia.

Are you on Instagram? You really should be!! 

You can follow me here on Instagram! 

   I recently started following 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

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