If Im Willie Wonka.... where the heck are my Umpa-lumpas!

Hey there, Hi there, & hello there friends!
Did everyone have a bewitching time at the Practical Magic Blog Party this weekend?

I know I did!!
It was so awesome to see all the talent that just covers the interwebs!
So, with one party under my belt... and the lovely Miss V's party in a few weeks... I had hoped to be able to take a bit of a breather... but alas instead I am up to my wee bitty nose in chocolate orders!!

Im so excited that Lollipops has been received so well! & its online success is just the first step to getting my dream traveling sweet shoppe!!

So can I take a second to brag??
I know its unbecoming... but Im so the proud Momma!!

My little Sugar Shoppe hit the front page today!


Im kvelling!!
I can not believe how fast we are growing! Its like i need a river of chocolate and hundreds of tiny singing men to get it all done!

New Holiday Flavors and Specials are coming next week!
And if you havent gotten your holiday orders in with me yet please do so as soon as you can! I am booking up like crazy!!
oh!! & join my new mailing list for all kinds of Daily Icing AND Lollipops info!

Well Im off to chocolate land!

Be blessed & love one another!
♥Tawny

PS
Dont forget you have till friday night at midnight to enter the giveawys!! I cant wait to see who wins!

He will hear my call a mile away. He will whistle my favorite song. He can ride a pony backwards...

Welcome back friends!

You know... there really is a little witch in all of us... it just takes an open mind, and a pure love to hear her...or at least thats what I believe...

I wanted to share my own very magical, very Sally moment with you...

I was 19 years old... it was 1996, so before the movie even came out... years later when I saw the movie in theaters I was floored by the scene with Sally casting her love spell... you see those few years before I had done almost the same thing, but not with hopes of dodging the heartbreak of love, but with the hopes of recovering from loves heartbreak...

Like I said, I was 19, alone... and a mother of two precious little boys. People ask me all the time if I could change the decisions I made back then would I... and the answer is no, my boys have made me who I am today... but thats another story.

One summer night in July of 96, I was at my lowest... my face was finally healing from the rage that had been inflicted upon it, but my heart was another story.

I sat into the wee hours of the night in tears, swearing I would never let another man hurt me... would never again let another man into my heart, & this certain night had found me face down crying out to whatever God would listen...

I knew that for the sake of my children I needed a male role model that would teach them to be the man of my dreams... the man I had always been searching for... the man that would never leave another little girl in the state I was currently in.

So I told the universe that IF I was to ever fall in love again, these were my requirements...
1. that he loves my boys from the moment he lays eyes on them
2. that he treats me like a princess
3. he must bring me flowers for no reason
4. he needs to understand that sometimes I go a little crazy & love me through it
5. he MUST cook, cuz I burn toast
6. he has to make me laugh

I know these were very selfish wishes... I knew how selfish they were at the time, thats why I said them... I thought if the universe wanted me to be happy then damnit, I was going to get prince charming!

I left this place of mourning and continued on my life... with really no thought of that late night "break down".

Then it happened... my best friend came to my door one night, holding a note... and a single rose. I was perplexed needless to say. Then she began to explain... a friend of hers had sent me the rose... he knew a little about what was going on in my life, and really only knew who I was from a picture he had of me that was taken at a dinner party I had attended at his home... {where he had made the whole meal} He said he was drawn to my photo, & asked my friend to send me the flower and the note, which read: "I know your going through some things right now, Im here if you need to go a little crazy, you can call me anytime."

I was floored... & a little freaked out. With no thought of my earlier prayer I thought I would simply stop by his house, & tell him thanks for the flower but I was not in a healthy place to start even a friendship let alone start dating.
The next evening, with the boys in tow, I knocked on his door preparing to do just that... needless to say, from the moment he picked up my 5 month old baby into his arms & spun him around we were not seprate a day... till the night before our wedding. That was 15 years ago.

And though it hasnt been all rainbows and lollipops, he does make me laugh... and he does treat me like a princess... and from the moment he laid eyes on my boys he fell in love.

And now for the give away....



Rowena of Crafty Pagan offered to donate a set of her simply delicious tags.

If you are familiar with Rowenas work you will know how magical everything in her shop is!!

Now... How to enter:
1. be a follower here on my blog
2. leave me a comment on this post about a time when you realized there was a little witch in you.

Dont forget you have till Oct 2nd to enter all 3 giveawys!

Be Blessed
♥ Tawny

Can love really travel back in time and heal a broken heart? Was it our joined hands that finally lifted Maria's curse? I'd like to think so. But there are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.


{sorry this post was so late, I had a family emergency that kept me away from the computer most of the day}

And this is what comes from dabbling....

Another quick giveaway!!!

Etsy Seller Wish Fox has graciously offered one lucky Daily Icing Follower a $10 gift certificate to her shop!!



Her goatmilk oatmeal vanilla soaps sound fantastic!! & I LOVE how she packages them!!



The rules to enter are...

1. Comment on this post
2. follow this blog
3. visit Wish Fox on etsy

Thats it!


And dont forget to check the other giveaway post HERE

♥ Tawny
...thats what love is like. It makes
your heart race. It turns the world upside down. But if youre not
careful, if you dont keep your eyes on something still, you can
lose your balance....

"...He really loved my mint-oatmeal shaving cream. He couldn't stop eating it..."

Well hello my friends!!

Hows the party going??

I ment to pop on here much much earlier, but motherhood responsiblities called!!
But now I am all snuggled in, fresh batch of brownies in the oven... the little one cuddled up by my side... and Practical Magic on the screen... {of course!!}

And I thought this would be the perfect time for our first giveaway!!!
Your excited arent you???... I knew you would be!

One of my favorite parts of the movie is Sally's botanical shop! It was always a dream of mine to have a sweet little boutique, in a quaint little town... preferably one where people dont shout at me or think Im going to curse them with chicken pox!! LOL!

So honor of Sally & her wonderful little shop Verbena here is our first giveaway!!




Etsy seller Toki of Sea Shore Paradise has been kind enough to offer up to you my sweet friends a batch of her yummy chocolate sugar body scrub!!!
I can only imagine how delicious this smells... and feels on your skin!


So here are the rules...

{1} To enter once... comment on this post

{2} To Enter twice... become a follower of my little blog!

{3} To enter three times... {are you noticing a trend here?}... go to Toki's shop & tell me what other yummy bath products you find!

{4} Fourth entry... Become a fan on my facebook page

{5} Fifth entry... put one of my buttons on your blog!! {{You can choose which one}}

Thats 5 chances to win!!
{I know... im totally awesome!}

Be sure to let me know in the comments how many times you entered!

Winners will be announced Oct.2nd!!

More giveaways coming throughout the whole weekend! So keep coming back!

♥ Tawny

Of course you're going to see me again. We'll grow old together. It's going to be you and me living in a big house... these two old biddies with all these cats. I bet we even die on the same day.

Eye of newt, toe of frog, wing of bat, tongue of dog.....

Welcome my wonderful witchy friends!
Come in and sit a spell... I am so happy you stopped by!





I have to start off this post by sending out blessings to our wonderful party hostesses La Boheme & Frosted Petunias {click on thier names to go to thier delicious blogs!} Be sure to click on the party invite in my side bar to go the main party page & have a ball blog hopping!

So, I guess its time to get the party started...
I thought I would start this off the right way with some... MIDNIGHT MARGARITAS!!!
this is my all time favorite margarita recipe...




Ingredients

1 lime, juiced, plus 2 lime slices, for garnish
2 scoops lemon sorbet
4 scoops lime sherbet
4 shots tequila
1/2 shot Triple Sec or other orange liqueur

Directions
Place all ingredients in blender and process on high. Pour into glasses and garnish with a round slice of lime.

its magical... truly!

Keep visiting the blog throughout the weekend! I have some amazing giveaways coming... I will even give you a quick sneak peek... Sea Shore Paradise ... Crafty Pagan... Wish Fox... and a few more!
It all starts tomorrow!

♥ Tawny

My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage!

Peek ~A~ Boo!!!

Have you been wondering?? Worried perhaps??
Where oh where has the Tawnykins gone!!!!



Well.... here is the deal... I have been SWAMPED!
Lollipops Sugar Shoppe has been crazy insane!

Its been nonstop!... not that Im complaining!
And of course Im getting everything together for our magical gathering on Saturday... I cant wait to reveal the amazing giveaways & all the other fun stuff I have up my sleeve!

But for now...


I have to go get the party hats ready & grab some limes cuz the next time you see me it will be time for... MIDNIGHT MARGARITAS!!!


♥ Tawny

Oh.... & Im being featured on the Green Eyed Monster blog tomorrow! Head on over there for a chance to win a Lollipops Sugar Shoppe Bodachious Apple.

Sunday Dinner... Are you ready for some football?

When September rolls around, this house turns from quite family refuge... to insane man cave! And I have 2 words that explain it all.... FOOT-BALL Ok, so its really one word, but that wouldnt have had the cool super suspenceful effect now would it?

The benifits of football season are as follows...
1. My house now contains quadruple the daily allowence of testosterone, therefore if the trash needs to be taken out or a light bulb needs changing you can throw & stick & hit a man to do it for you!!

2. With the men folks minds on touchdowns & fumbles the ladies can head into the craft room for our own drinks & fun!! {oh, & it helps when your hubby surprises you with lots of new crafty things that you've had your little eyes on for awhile... but thats another post!}

3. THE FOOD! Being married to the chef means lots of yummy football snacks!! He spent the day yesterday cooking like crazy for the game & then started back in this morning... my house smells sweet & spicy {just like me!}

So in honor of the fine tradition {at least in this house} of Football grub; I give you.....

Hot Wings and Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip



Ingredients
For the Sauce:

1 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese {Gorganzola is our fave}
2 tablespoons finely grated red onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the Wings:

Peanut oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons ancho chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 pounds chicken wings, split at the joint, tips removed
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 to 2 tablespoons pureed chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 tablespoon Mexican chili powder
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 to 2 tablespoons honey
1 stick unsalted butter, quartered
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Jicama sticks, for serving

Directions
Make the sauce... Combine the yogurt, blue cheese, red onion, cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to get all friendly with each other.

Make the wings: Heat 2 inches of peanut oil in a large high-sided pan until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.

Stir together the flour, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder and the garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Season the wings with salt and pepper and add in batches to the flour mixture to lightly coat. Tap off the excess flour, add the wings to the oil in batches and fry until golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate.

Bring the vinegar, chipotle puree, the remaining 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder and the Mexican chili powder to a simmer in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, the honey and butter until smooth. Add the wings and toss to coat. Garnish with cilantro, if desired, and serve with the jicama sticks and blue cheese sauce.

Enjoy your snacks & your games... no matter who you cheer for!

♥ Tawny

Puddle jumping...

Fall is coming... I feel it. I smell it.
I. Cant. Wait.
Its been rainy here today... not monsoon or anything, but just the right amount of sprinkle to thunder ratio. The kind of rain that is still warm enough to play in... the kind of rain that is perfect for puddle jumping!!
So I grabbed Bella & we went for a splash!



Its amazing how wonderfully relaxing a play in the rain is... you should try it!

♥ Tawny

A new look, sweet news & a cordial invitation...

Sooooo.... you like my new look??
I am simply nuts about Halloween... crazy about it!!! So I couldnt wait to get my blogsphere all spooked out!!
And I figured since I will be casting spells in The Practical Magic blog party in a couple of weeks it was fitting!!

wait... you havent heard??

I havent told you?? Where have my manners gone!!

You are cordially invited to join me & many other great bloggers... in celebrating one of MY favorite movies of all time {is it one of yours as well??}



Its going to be a bewitching... midnight margaritia kind of party!
& I have so many magical giveaways planned! So make sure your a follower here {hit the google follow button ---> } And on Facebook for at least 2 chances to enter ... I have a few other spells up my sleeve & a witchy recipe or two!

I hope you join me!!

And now....
drum roll please......

Now open for {online} business!!
Lollipops Sugar Shoppe

Im still on the search for the perfect sweet little mobile shop...
{I found this one but Im sure the owners wont want to give it up...}
*sigh*
So I had to settle for on line right now! There are only a few things in the shop currently... I hope to post a few new sweeties everyday!
But for only being open for 24 hours I was bubbly when I came home to find I had been featured in 7 different treasuries today! Simply giddy I tell you!
So stop on by & check out the treats!

I for one am going to dust off my book of spells...

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner...

Labor Day Weekend!!!

The last true weekend of summer! Its the last trip to the lake... to the beach... to the where ever your summer house/activities are, the last chance for a mini vacation... & in our house the chef & I like to take the last weekend of summer to sit pool side with family & friends... enjoying a nice meal, good wine & lots of laughs!



So in celebration of our relaxing labor day weekend... here is a super simple & totally yummy side dish for your next cook out!

Ratatouille Pasta Salad



Ingredients
2 cups diced peeled eggplant
2 cups sliced zucchini
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups uncooked spiral pasta
1 cup sliced onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Dash pepper
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions
1.Place eggplant and zucchini in a colander over a plate; sprinkle with salt and toss. Let stand for 30 minutes; rinse and drain well.
2.Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, saute the eggplant, zucchini and onion in oil until tender. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, garlic powder, basil and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3.Drain pasta; place on a platter. Top with vegetable mixture. Mix in basil leaves Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend... & be sure to check back tomorrow... I will have some really exciting news & updates on the Practical Magic Blog party!

♥ Tawny

Wordless Wednesday

♥ Tawny