Driftwood, Seashells and Roses

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Good morning ! How has your week/ weekend been? With Summer vacation officially started, it's been much slower around here. On Wednesday it was very exciting to see Katelyn graduate from 6th grade. We celebrated by sharing a Hot Fudge sundae, and giggled over the things that went on over her last couple days of school. It's a rare thing to be able to spend time with my children one on one; time which both of us truly enjoyed.

 

Katelyn with one of her teachers

 

 

The last couple of days have been very restful and relaxing. While the kids have been swimming in the pool, I've been flipping through magazines, I've been wanting to read, but only get a quick minute or two, and I don't really like skimming articles. Here is what I have been dreaming about.

 

 

1. We are planning several trips, not sure which ones will actually happen. The first place is to Corona del Mar in Orange County. It's been too long, since I visited Sherman Gardens there.

 

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On a trip almost 10 years ago, I drove along Pacific Coast Highway to San Diego, and I remember all the gorgeous beaches we passed. Just looking for new places to explore, rather than our usual trip to the beach.

 

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2. With the children getting a little older now, I've been wanting to hike up in Sedona. One of the hiking trails, that looks like the perfect one, is West Fork at Oak Creek Canyon. It's said to be one of the most picturesque for every season. How beautiful it would be in the Fall?! In the Summer, this looks like it would be nice and cool, with refreshing water and tons of shade.

 

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3. Bright cheery Summer colors. I've been looking at my blog, and knowing I need to update the header, and give it more of a Summer Look, or maybe add a few colorful touches here and there.

 

 

(affiliate link) 

Trina Turk Trellis Coral Abstract Embroidered Decorative Pillow, 20 by 12-Inch, Turquoise/Coral

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4. Driftwood and Seashells- go together like Roses and Peonies. Summertime for me means, it's time to head to the beach. It doesn't matter if I live in a desert that has plenty of sand, I want to feel the ocean breeze, smell the salt air, and listen to the waves as they crash upon the sand.

 

5. Roses- Is it sad, that I miss my rose bushes more, at the old house, rather than the kitchen!
Another side trip in California would also include a trip to Roger's Gardens. I've been dreaming of their roses, and it's been over 20 years since I was last there.

I am looking for a deep pink, very fragrant rose, and this one looks perfect to me!

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David Austin English Roses Huntington Rose (affiliate link)!

 

Hope you all have a relaxing Memorial Weekend!

Until next time!!

xo Christine

Want to stay connected & up to date with Cherishing A Sweet Life? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, & Pinterest!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

I am so excited today, not just because it's Friday, or that it is the first day of Summer vacation, but that I get to share with you this mouth watering, super moist, made by scratch pudding cake!

For the ten of you that read my blog, you know me. You know, sweet recipes usually catch my attention, even better still a recipe with a personal story attached to it. At the end of the post I'll post some of my favorites.

Before I received "Twenty Dinners" ( you can read my review here), I've had some type of Date bread before, and it was alright, nothing out of the ordinary! Flipping through the pages, this recipe literally jumps off the page and pulled me into. The photograph was beautiful, but the story behind the recipe, caught me, and my eyes got kind of misty, how this dessert, when the author got homesick, reminded her of the cake her mother made, and it comforted her.

If you've spent any time on Pinterest, then you have seen Date energy bites, or Date energy bars, they have wonderful health benefits. Although dates have a high amount of natural fructose, dates are very healthy for you. They are high in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, A1 and C, proteins, dietary fiber, iron (11 percent), potassium (16 percent), calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. The soluble and insoluble fibers and amino acids present in dates can also help to improve the digestive system.



One thing about me is I like warm, sticky, gooey desserts! Hot fudge, brownie sundaes, or salted caramel anything, with caramel oozing everywhere. Let me just say a couple of things, first chopped dates are very sticky, and the name of this recipe is an understatement. I was pleasantly surprised just how sticky it was. I understand if you find my food tastes on the strange side, and no longer want to be friends. It was after that one bite, I could see why this is the heavenly, comfort food that it is, and WHY haven't I had it before. When the Holidays come around, this is getting made.

Even though my grandmother didn't make this specific cake, she made these delightful, very soft, glazed cookies, with candied fruit, and some of the cookies she'd put candied cherries, and others she put dates on top. It's been over thirty years, since I've tasted anything remotely similar to her cookies. In that one bite, it reminded me of Christmas time, as a little girl, enjoying my grandmother's not overly sweet cookies.

I am forewarning you, this is a very rich, moist cake, and while not sickly sweet, it is on the super sweet side and sticky side!

Sticky Toffee Pudding (adapted from "Twenty Dinners")

For the cake:

6 oz. dates, pitted and chopped
1-1/4 cup water

1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups. self-rising flour, sifted

3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 eggs

For the sauce:

2- 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Whipped cream, roasted pecans, Sea Salt; for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. I use butter to coat the 8x11.5 inch glass pan.
2. Pit and roughly chop dates. In small saucepan, bring dates, and 1 1/4 cups water to boil. Take off heat and set aside to completely cool.
3. In stand up mixer, cream together butter and sugar, for 5 minutes, until fluffy. Next time, I want to do this, puree the cooled dates and water.
4. To the butter/sugar mixture, add 1 egg, and vanilla; completely blend. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add half the flour; scrape down sides of bowl. Then add half the pureed dates and completely blend. Scrape down sides of bowl and repeat.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 40-45 minutes. Mine took 40 minutes, and it is a pudding cake, so it was a little jiggly, but firm to the touch. Insert tooth pick, it should come out clean.
6. While cake is baking, make toffee sauce. In medium saucepan, on medium heat, cook together the brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, stirring constantly and boil for 3 minutes. Take off heat, and add vanilla.
7. Poke small holes in cake, and pour half of the toffee sauce over cake. Reserve the rest to spoon over cake for serving.
8. Roast pecans in a 275F oven for 5 minutes. Watch carefully, because they can burn.
9. Garnish with whipped cream, and/or Sea Salt.

As always , I saved a slice for you!

Hope you have a lovely and relaxing weekend!

Until next time!

xo Christine

Want to stay connected & up to date with Cherishing A Sweet Life? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, & Pinterest!



As promised, this is the cake that started it all ! Here are several of my favorite post of recipe stories!

Cold Chicken and Potato Curry Salad

The Great Depression

A Mother's Day Tribute to Mimi

Farm to Table Individual Meatloaves

Sharing this at these fabulous parties:

Feathered Nest Friday
Foodie Friday and Everything Else
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Share Your Style 

Best of the Weekend

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Best Recipes & DIY
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Wined Down Wednesday
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Dream Create Inspire

Twenty Dinners by Ithai Schori, Chris Taylor with Rachel Holtzman

Happy Day before Friday!
 Today , I am excited to share with you this awe-inspiring cookbook,"Twenty Dinners".

Is the style of your entertaining one, where you want your guests to feel relaxed; that they can step through your door, leave the busyness of the world, to unwind and slow down; where you like to sip a drink, savor a great meal, while enjoying the company of dearest family and friends?

 

That is the focus of this wonderful cookbook; to not only cook for company, but with them. This is what caught my attention. The writers of this cookbook, one; a member of an Indie rockband 'Grizzly Bear', who learned his cooking techniques from his mother, the other a photographer, who is an ex-chef, that worked in high end restaurants.  With the help of their friends, they put together this cookbook, to evoke the feeling of enjoying the simpler things in life! What could be more simple, than great tasting food and our dear loved ones.

 

I couldn't wait for the book to arrive, and as I opened it up, I loved it, from the gorgeous photographs, to my favorite thing in the world, is the attaching of a personal story to a recipe. This is what connects a reader and pulls you in, and helps you to feel a part of the author's world.  

 

Twenty Dinners

 

Authors: Ithai Schori and Chris Taylor

 

Hardcover: 272 pages

 

Book size: 8.2 x 1 x 10.3 inches

 

 

3 Things I like about this book:

 

• If you are like me, and are a more visual person, then the gorgeous photographs will not only make you fall in love with the cookbook, but will really make you feel like you are actually a dinner guest, enjoying the meals before you; from a simple meal like spaghetti and meatballs, and egg framed toast, to comfort food like PorkChops and Charred Applesauce, to meals that sound a little more complicated like Crisp Brick Chicken, but with their techniques, turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.
• Does this happen to you? What do I serve with this and what time of year is the best for this? This book is amazing, because it not only provides full course menus from appetizers to desserts and either with a drink recipe or a wine pairing, but it is divided into the four seasons; for example there is an excellent Summertime grilling menu, with potato salad, hamburgers, and cabbage slaw. Again, simple things, given a great taste.
• Ok, here's a combo of two things, only because they are both important to me. The recipes, themselves have personal stories attached to them; stories that remind you of home, a comforting meal and of simpler times. I am planning on making, one of the desserts in the book *wink* it's a surprise! Then in the back of the book there is a great resource section of cooking techniques, a list of some favorite cooking tools, how to shop for fresh ingredients, and how to simplify your pantry. Which would it surprise you that I have 4 Pumpkin Spice containers??

To read more reviews about this book, Twenty Dinners at Amazon via the picture link below.

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them help support this website.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this honest review.

Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party and Giveaway

Welcome to the Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party! I hope you  all had a fabulous and relaxing weekend. 
 I am so glad you’re here and linking up and sharing your inspiration with us!

If you are new to the party, this is where many bloggers can link up their favorite crafts, diy, recipes and more posts.  You will find amazing and creative projects, inspiration and DIYs.  This party is also a fantastic way to meet and make some new friends, as well as a great way to get more exposure and traffic to your website. I showcase and share many of your creative ideas on social media,
mostly Pinning and Tweeting your posts; I do also share on Facebook!
Let's get this party started!

 

Oh My Heartsie Girl and bloggy friends Welcomes you toThe Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday, and we take the opportunity to introduce you to meet new friends, as they are highlighted in our post each week. Something new, you can be sure!! Our Wordless Wednesday is One Party Seen on (11) blogs❢❢❢ What do you have to share, a recipe, review, diy craft, gardening hints, travel, beauty ideas, jewelry you make, a card you have made, we want to see it all!

 

And if you Missed Last Weeks Party You Can Still Check Out All Those That Linked up along with out Co-Hosts and their wonderful Blogs!!!

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♥Karren-Host //Oh My Heartsie Girl // Makeup Tray Organizer // Create a makeup tray and organizer in as little as 5 Minute// With a plate, dishes, odd wine glasses, or tea cups and a hot glue gun.

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♥Co-Host Cathy// A Peek Into My Paradise// Breakfast Pizza with Hash Brown Crust // Our family enjoyed the uniqueness of Breakfast Tacos filled with our favorites I thought how much fun Breakfast Pizza would be! Shredded hash browns are the perfect “crust” to add your favorite breakfast meats and toppings to!

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♥Co-Host Ashleigh // Simply Wright // 10 Hair Masks for Healthier, Better Hair // Looking for hair products that leave your hair looking and feeling amazing? And are all natural, too? Look no further than your kitchen!

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♥Co-Host Christine // Cherishing A Sweet Life // Firecracker Sugar Cookies // Today I am, thrilled to share with you these perfectly sweet and super soft cookies, that explode with bursts of fresh fruit flavor in your mouth! Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest

♥Co-Host Sarah Hamlin // Living Intentionally// 28 Ways To Eat Dandelions // Dandelions aren't just pesky weeds but full of nutrition from the root to the petal. I've compiled nutritional information about the different parts of the flower (root, greens, & petal) and included 28 different ways you can eat them w/ recipes. Who knew these flowers were so versatile?.

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♥Co-Host Mary Burris // Jingle Jangle Jingle// Kara's Flowers aka Maroon 5 // This post tells the story of Maroon 5. From their early beginnings to present day and how they got their name.

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♥Co-Host Pamela Barton // Growing Up In the 70s // Most People Don't Know The Meaning Of Hotel California? // Have you always wondered what the lyrics mean? Do you wonder if its about Satanism? Some believe the song was written about a real inn in Todos Santos bearing that name or a state-run psychiatric hospital near Los Angeles. Do you want to know the real meaning?

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♥Co-Host Shannon Crossin // The Daily DIYer // Spring Patio Tour //View a walking tour of my bright and welcoming spring patio! I incorporated many DIY projects into the details, including a hand build side table, to make the space come together!

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♥Co-Host Evija Roberts // From Evija with Love // Transform an Old Ccandle Jar // I love collecting jars and empty candle holders as I think they are so versatile and there are so many things you can do with them. Here is one way of re-purposing an old candle jar.

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♥Co-Host Shellie Bowdoin // The FABulous Journey // "An Awesome Opportunity To Introduce Myself" // This week I was nominated for the Liebster Award; an award for new bloggers to welcome them into the big wide world of blogging. This is an awesome opportunity to introduce myself to you.

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♥Co-Host Heather // Moms Who Can // Turning Dreams Into Reality// "If you aim at nothing you will get it every time". Zig Ziglar. In the beginning it was all about just getting started, however, as the days flew by I realized that without a goal my efforts were pointless. I was aiming at nothing. Join my journey of putting dreams into goals and setting actions to take to achieve them.

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Ann over at // Apple Street Cottage
is always in transition, she shares them each week on her blog. Tell her we said, Hello!

Penny over at Penny's Vintage Home

In photo she takes a winged back chair and remakes it into a beautiful chair. And if you have never stopped by and love vintage then you will enjoy the journey through Penny's home and yard!!

 

The Baking Chocolatess

 Kim makes the most decadent desserts and my mouth was watering when I saw this Strawberry Cheese Coffee Cake.

From Sharie Lynn over at Faith Filled Food For Moms learn how to make these delicious looking alcohol free drinks. There are 15 to chose from

A Few Rules And Etiquette For The Party Are Simple ~ Please follow the Host and Co-Hosts on at least 1 of their Social Media ~ NO adult content please (They will be deleted —-of course) And please ♥::: Leave a Link.....Leave a Comment….Please ::::♥ ~ Don’t be a drive-by shooter- Please comment, Thank you :) ~ Help Grow Our WW We Would Love It If You Grab Our banner for your side bar, just copy and paste, or link back in your WW post.

 

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