Things I ♥ right now...

From sweet sweater handbags to Halloween decor that will give you cavities; my eyes have had a feast of beautiful things lately & I thought I should share them with you!

Etsy seller Laura Bucci has created the perfect saturday morning coffee accessory! Wont all the moms on the soccer field be jealous of not only my stunning good looks, but also my totally cool & eco friendly coffee jewlery!



Laura has many different cozie designs and colors, and the vintage inspired ones are simply darling! Your saturday morning coffee needs these!

Okay... I was trying to drop a hint to the chef about this bag... I said "oh this would be perfect with my new fall boots!"... I said "honey, look at this adorable bag... isnt it perfect for fall?" and even got a bit more specific when I told him "THIS IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO GET ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!"... his response was "its white... you will kill it the first night you take it to Edna's" UGH. He doesnt understand. So Im gonna treat myself! {insert super big grin here}




Located in Europe NZL Bags on Etsy has soooo many delicious bags! I cant decide.. do I want the cream or the orange?? ..OH or maybe the moss green!! OH LORD the decisions! Get your orders in with her now... because I have a feeling this girl is gonna be BUSY when Christmas rolls around!

Next, I came across this next seller a few days ago... these sweet arm warmers are too freakin cute! And she has soooo many different styles to choose from!



I love to keep my hands all snugglie in my shirts when it gets cold out, and these arm warmers look like they will do the trick! And the sweet button thumb straps are super cute!
These are my favorites from MiloCreative... I may need more than one pair... L♥L!

And now for my paper addiction... OMG. I have been looking for cool, one of a kind, handmade Halloween decorations to add to our Haunted House, and when I came across
Joosy Card Co. I was THRILLED. You see, I have developed a small obession for Marie Antoinette recently and when I saw this banner I was in L♥VE...



No, not for Halloween... but my studio walls are calling for this pink sparkley treat! THIS is what I now have in my etsy basket... and I may grab a few of her uber cute mustaches on sticks {you know I love a good mustache!} or maybe that adorable monster crown!

Hey... do you want Daily Icing AND Lollipops Sugar Shoppe updates to come right to your email??
Join my mailing list!{top right corner} For deals on sweets and all the up to date Lollipops info!


Be good to each other & enjoy your week!

♥Tawny

Sunday Dinner... All cozied up with the things I love most!

This weekend has been all about recharging... I spent Friday puttering around in the kitchen with my favorite chef making some amazing treats for Destiny Christians' Fall Festival

{Blueberry gingerbread cake with lemon glaze... looks yummy huh??}
Saturday was all about me time... shopping with some of my girlfriends that I had not seen in FOREVER and then home for movie night with the familia... and now today, all snuggled in with whoopie pies in the oven, a lovely blend of honey chamomille tea, and puppies snuggled between us on the couch... maybe some Halloween decorating later... ahhhhhh I do love weekends in the fall!

And as always, there is Sunday Dinner...
today on the menu is one of MY personal faves... {thought I would give the chef the day off}


Pot Roast
Its simple... its familiar... its hearty... its home. Perfect Sunday Dinner.



Ingredients


2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 5-pound beef chuck roast
Salt and pepper
2 cups beef stock or reduced sodium canned beef broth
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
3 onions, cut into large wedges
4 cloves garlic , chopped
2 dried bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 pounds carrots, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
2 pounds potatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle roast all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place in pan, and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
2.Turn meat fat side up. Add stock, wine, {if using} onions, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir in tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, cover; put in the oven, and roast for 3 hours. Add carrots and potatoes, and cook until vegetables are tender, about 1 hour more.
3.Transfer the roast, carrots, and potatoes to a platter. With a spoon, skim the fat off the surface of the cooking liquid. Cut the roast into thick slices, and serve with the vegetables. Pass the pan juices separately.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Now Im off to sneak a sweet snack... that gingerbread cake is calling my name!

Be good to each other and have a wonderful Sunday!
♥Tawny

And the winners are.....

Well, so I am a day late getting the winners announced... sorry.

I know you all have been on the edge of your seats waiting!!

So without futher ado...

The winners are:

♥♥ For the amazing Chocolate Body Scrub From Sea Shore Paradise...



Thanks to Random Generator...
WENDY!!
Congrats!!
I hope you enjoy your body scrub!!


♥♥ For the $10 Gift Certificate from Wish Fox...



Thanks to Random Generator...
SUSAN!
Congrats!!


And Finally...

Our beautiful Good Witch Bad Witch tags from my dear friend Rowena of Crafty Pagen...



And the winner is...
KELLI!

Congrats!
I hope you enjoy your tags!

Thanks again to everyone who entered & shared in our awesome party fun!

Be Blessed & Love one another!
♥ Tawny

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

Well smack my butt & dip me in chocolate!

So, we all know my love of all things CHOCOLATE... hot chocolate, mocha coffee, chocolate ice cream, chocolate covered pretzels & potato chips & truffles & bacon &.... well you get the picture!

Thats why when I found THIS


I HAD to have it!!! {And yes I got the coffee flavored also} Its chocolate air! "all chocolate flavor none of the guilt!"

But I dont think I could go this far... actually I KNOW I couldnt go this far, chocolate or not, I have my limits!

ONIONS

Nothing screams "crazy combo" more than a chocolate-covered onion. The taste is obviously comparable to taking a chunk of a raw onion and following up with a bite of Hershey's chocolate. Photo courtesy of Jean-Paul de Guzman via Flickr ... this just makes me think of Shrek!

ANTS

Made by the insect candy company HOTLIX, which also produces chocolate-covered worms and sugar-encased scorpions, these wafers of white chocolate contain swirls of milk chocolate mixed with a creepy-crawly insect in every bite. Photo courtesy of CandyWarehouse.com. ...eeewwww!

SQUID

Yes, this is real: chocolate-covered squid. While Noah Weinstein was cooking squid in his Oakland, California, home, he was intrigued with the thought of covering it with chocolate. First he boiled the squid, then coated them in a spicy chocolate mix. Photo courtesy of Noah Weinstein..... thanks but no thanks Noah!!

However... my birthday is right around the corner {and by that I mean November 20th} & if any of you were just perplexed as what to get me... I must have some of this!!



Holy Monkey Butts!!!!! Vodka??? YES PLEASE!! Bacon?? YOU KNOW IT!! Chocolate??? SOLD AMERICAN!!!

As for tonight... I have a pint of Baskin Robins World Class Chocolate calling my name! Have a sweet night!!

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner... Welcome to the Familia!

And welcome once again to our dinner table!
"Entrare, Sedersi e Godere!"... Come in, sit down and enjoy!

This week The Chef & I wanted to share one of our favorite sunday dinner recipes!
Its always a bit magical when we pull out the family cookbook, all tattered, held together by years of tape... pages all yellowed & stained with sauce splatter... little notes scribbled in the margins faded but still beautiful. The smell of it makes me think of history & love that have been in the family for generations... I am honored to be apart of it all.




We sincerly hope you try this amazing recipe! It feeds your stomach as well as your soul!

Gnocchi Puttanesca



Ingredients {Gnocchi}
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 (1-pound) russet potato
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, beaten to blend
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions
Cook the butter in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the thyme leaves. Set aside.


Pierce the potato all over with a fork. Microwave the potato until tender, turning once, about 12 minutes. Cut the potato in half and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; discard the skin. Using a fork, mash the potato well. Mash in the salt and pepper. Mix in 3 tablespoons of the egg; discard the remaining egg. Sift the flour over the potato mixture and knead just until blended.


Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece between your palms and the work surface into a 1/2-inch-diameter rope (about 20 inches long). Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. Roll each piece of dough over a wooden paddle with ridges or over the tines of a fork to form grooves in the dough.


Cook the gnocchi in a large pot of boiling salted water until the gnocchi rise to the surface, about 1 minute. Continue cooking until the gnocchi are tender, about 4 minutes longer. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi to the hot thyme-butter in the skillet. Toss to coat.


Ingredients{Puttanesca}

1 pound gnocchi
1 (2-ounce) can anchovies, drained, oil reserved, chopped
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with added puree
1 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/4 cup capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish
1/4 cup shaved Pecorino Romano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large skillet, heat the reserved oil from anchovies over medium-high heat. Add chopped anchovies; saute until aroma is released. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Add tomatoes, olives, capers, and dried crushed red pepper. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. To the skillet add gnocchi and toss in anchovy mixture to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.Spoon into shallow bowls. Top with the Pecorino and parsley...serve.



A tavola non si invecchia.
At the table with good friends and family you do not become old.

♥ Tawny

I'm Kvelling!!!!!

Im so excited that i have been nominated for a blog award!
{its my first, thank you very much!}



And now for the rules!!!
{I take my award responsibility very seriously... just like Miss America}

#1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the Versatile Blogger Award:
Thank you!!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! to The Blue Fairie of Dancing with a Spatula Wand Im so honored you like my recipes & my music *blush* okay and... first, you had me at Blue Fairie ♥... also, your blog name makes my heart smile... SO CUTE... and now I want to be a belly dancer!!

#2. Share 7 things about yourself.
1. I am addicted to laffy taffy & kettle corn ice cream... {not at the same time}
2. I am a professional crafter for... well, I dont know if Im allowed to say.. but its NOT Michaels or JoAnns {hint}
3. I have been in the top secret storage warehouse of ELVIS PRESLEY & read his personal script from Blue Hawaii
4. If I dont have caffine in the morning... RUN
5. My hubby the chef feeds me icecream in bed every night.
6. I HATE spiders & traffic
7. When I wear dresses... I spin.



#3. Pass the Versatile Blogger Award along to 10 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!
1. Lindsay of Crochet D Lane
2. Melissa of Organized Chaos
3. Theresa of My MiNuTia ummm... have you heard of Silver Bella???
4. Sherry of Pashnada
5. Lolliblog = eye candy
6. Because I said so... a mom blog.
7. A Beautiful Mess = Inspiration
8. A Faniful Twist = magical.
9. Emmy from Confessions of a Paper Freak
10. Fawn she makes me jealous... in a good way!

#4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the Versatile Blogger Award.
Okay... off I go!!! Miss Americas job is never done!!! :)

♥ Tawny

Its almost Fall Ya'll!

Who has two thumbs & is ready for Fall??

THIS CHIC!
Its been so hot here in the 405! & with a "cold front" coming tonight the temps MIGHT drop from 106 to a balmy 85 degrees! And that has me doing a happy dance!

And with all this talk of Fall, I realized it was time to get crackin on my Halloween costumes!

Unfortunatly... all my original pics were lost with the old computer!!! ARG! that is not helpfull when you've revamped your business... & with that came a name change!!
{did I say ARG!}

Soooo... I guess this means LOTS of new designs!! YIPPEEE!!!! I have been sketching my little tushy off! This Halloween we will be visited by a car hop... a cuppie cake... Alice... AND the Mad Hattress!! and if we are lucky a few more!!

But for now... how about an oldie but a goodie?...



Isnt she sweet!
{That darling little witch is Xiera... her mom is Lindsay of Crochet D Lane} You can find her adorable blog HERE.

So I guess its time to click my heels together & get busy making some Halloween wishes come true!

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner.... drinks anyone?

I will have to admit that I concidered the following as your Sunday Dinner feature...

1. turn on computer
2. find favorite pizza delivery
3. order

thats how tired I am right now.... HaHa! But I couldnt do that to you, so I thought we would keep it simple, cool & Thirst quinching!

This is one of our favorite things to whip up when we have guests...

Rosemary Lemonade



Ingredients

20 fresh lemons
2 cups of simple syrup
* 1 cup water
* 1 cup sugar
5 sprigs of fresh rosemary (reserved 2 for garnish)
1 quart of water (spring water)
1 whole lemon sliced for garnish

Directions

Cut the lemons in half and juice it through a cheesecloth or
strainer.

In a medium saucepan, combine the rosemary sprigs, sugar, and water, and bring to a simmer. Let cook for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened and well-infused.

In a pitcher, add the fresh squeezed lemon juice and water, then pour in the infused syrup. Do not pour all the syrup in at once.

add 2 fresh sprigs of rosemary, sliced lemon for garnish, and crushed ice.

Want a limeyer {I know thats NOT a word!} version... well then add Limes!!

I like to give this as hostess gifts as well, by putting the fresh herbs in pretty bottles with the lemons then pouring in the lemonade.

Also, you can of course make this a fabulous adult beverage & add a peach vodka! YUM!

So if this week hands you lemons...

♥ Tawny

Things I ♥ today...

One of my favorite things to do to unwind after a long day is to browse a little eye candy on the interwebs!!!

I love flickr! These images have made my eyes happy! Enjoy!!



1. Savoy camera... it will be mine... oh yes, it will be mine!
2. This sweet little Shasta is my dream
3. I want these sweet little cones all around my house!
4. If this little bouquet was on my desk at work it would make everything happier!!

oh & if I had this stationary set I would write love notes & fairy tales all day long!



It is from Etsy seller Quirky and Cute Art by Stephanie Fizer her store is spectacular!

Have a great week blog friends!
♥ Tawny

Welcome to Hollywood! Land of Dreams.....

You know that last scene in Pretty Woman where the Rasta guy is walking across the street & he says...
"Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don't; but keep on dreamin"??
I dont know how many of you know this... but a few weeks ago I had my "whats your dream" break through

I decided those few weeks ago that I was going to dig myself out of this creative funk... I was going to jump back into my studio & reconnect with the Tawny that I put on the back burner 2 years ago. & to make a long story short... its working.

I have tuned out all the noise... & now Im back on the right path.

I havent been this inspired in so long!
I am determined to make this crazy dream of mine come true, & so I started diving into the sea of information there is out there about building a blog... crafting & selling... website design... & just basic eye candy!

& I thought I would share a few here!

First & foremost... Handmade Market Place by Kari Chapin... is my new bible!



If you want to make the crazy world of handmade your life... you gotta check out her book! I found Kari's book one day when I was blog surfing. I came across Tranquility Du Jour & was hooked... & then Kimberly interviewed Kari about her book. I went & bought it THAT NIGHT! I ♥ it!!

Also through the beauty of the blogsphere I came across Confessions of a Paper Freak



I have to admit I clicked onto Emmy's blog in the hopes of winning a giveaway... & in the end I feel like I got so much more!
Right now {Emmy} is nearing the end of her blog series "Your The Boss"
Its a MUST read... there are so many tips & words of encouragement!

There are so many others in this crazy, busting at the seams, crafty, bloggy community that have inspired me & made me want to make this dream come true... too many to list here... so i guess all there is left to say is...
Whats your dream?

♥Tawny

Sunday Dinner... Back to School

Well, the time has come.
BACK to SCHOOL!!! The past couple of weeks around here have been about notebook buying & uniform fittings.



& in the spirit of back to school I thought we {here on the blog} needed a bit of Bento for our Sunday Dinner inspiration!
We are going with bento boxes this year instead of lunch boxes... I have picky eaters... & by that I mean, my kids dont want just normal sandwhiches... & school lunch is well... out of the question {unless its pizza day!}

What is BENTO you ask?? Well, it is the Japanese word for a meal served in a box. Beyond that basic definition though, just about anything goes as to what kind of box or container is used, as well as what is put inside that box...

So to cure the sacklunch boredom we decided to make lunch fun for the kiddos.
It takes a little extra prep time... but its so worth it! grab a few cookie cutters, & other bento accessories {I LOVE Wiltons silicone cupcake molds to seperate side items!} A little bit of art makes healthy eating fun! And its an ecofriendly lunch!



And there are so many adorable bento boxes & accessories out there... we got these... Super Cute huh!



you can find tons of fun Bento boxes & supplies HERE.

So rethink lunch this school year... make it cheap... make it earth friendly.. & make it fun!!

Happy Bentoing!

♥ Tawny

Coming Soon...

Do you think you can handle it OKC?

♥ Tawny

A little inspiration... a surprise field trip... & my newest addiction

Isnt it awesome that I get paid {occationally} to cruise about town & take in a new breath of inspiration!?
It really was needed... & we all had a super time! I have to say... that as far as surprise field trips go... this one was good.

What girl doesnt love a bit of The French Cowgirl, some antique browsing a cafe lunch & more with her girls??

And the inspiration was... well inspiring!



A very Tawny version of this is being constructed in my garage as we speak!

My camera wanted to click away at all the yumminess my eyes took in... but I couldnt let it. sad.

However with all those colors & textures in my brain I can now sit here & play with my newest addiction...



Yeah, I know Im the last to jump on the digital scrapbooking wagon... but I am in ♥ ♥ ♥!!

Lots more to come this week... so keep checking back!!
& oh... are you following me?? you want some cool freebies & a rad back to school giveaway?? click that follow button!!

♥ Tawny

Sundays are for Brunchin'!

Ahhhh.... Sunday!
I live for these relaxing... snuggling... coffee sipping... blog surfing... no where to rush off to days!

A little cinnamon vanilla coffee, a little brioche & jam, & the beginnings of a spectacular brunch are born!

Sundays were made for this!

West Coast Style Oscar Benedict



Ingredients

1 cup white-wine vinegar
8 large eggs
2 pounds fresh cooked crab meat
4 English muffins, split and toasted
Hollandaise
Avacado sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, {for serving}

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring vinegar and 16 cups water to a boil over high heat; immediately reduce heat to a low simmer.
Crack each egg into an individual bowl, checking for shells. Working in two batches, gently drop eggs, one at a time, into simmering water and cook for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggs to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat process until all eggs are cooked. Let water continue to simmer.

Return eggs to simmering water until heated through, about 1 minute. Place each English muffin face up on a plate. Top each muffin half with slices of avacado, crab meat and a poached egg. Top eggs with Hollandaise sauce and garnish with chives.

Hollandaise

2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Coarse salt
Cayenne pepper
Freshly squeezed lemon juice


In a heatproof bowl, set over a simmering water bath, whisk together yolks with 1 tablespoon water until fluffy and doubled in volume.
Whisk in butter until melted and well combined; mixture should thicken and coat the back of a spoon.
Season with salt, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice.
Let stand at room temperature until ready to use, up to 1 hour.

Brunch Appetite!

♥ Tawny

How about dessert??

I came home this weekend with Mimosas on my mind!
And this is the best thing about being married to The Chef... I can say, "You know what sounds good??..." & POOF! Like magic I have a delicious treat!!

So, when I said a mimosa slushy sounded good... THIS is what I got!

Peach Champagne Sorbet



Get your ice cream scoops ready!
& have some frosty fun!!!


Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds peaches
1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup champagne
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:
Put the peaches in a large saucepan and cover them with boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. Peel the peaches; halve them and remove the pits. Transfer the peaches to a food processor and coarsely puree. Pour into a medium bowl.

In a medium nonreactive saucepan bring the sugar and 1/2 cup of water to a boil over moderately high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of the lemon zest and let simmer about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set the syrup aside for about 10 minutes.

Strain the syrup into the peach puree and blend well. Add the champagne, the lemon juice, and the remaining 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Stir Well. Refrigerate until chilled.

Transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Oh... & I cant forget the cookie treat on the side...

Waffle Cookie

1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
8 tbsp. cocoa
Dash of salt

Cream together the sugar and butter. Add beaten eggs and vanilla, then the flour, cocoa and salt. Spoon rounded teaspoonfuls into each side of your waffle iron and bake about 1 1/2 minutes.

Soooo YUMMY!!

♥ Tawny

these moments are rare...

Your growing so fast... & like every 8yr old boy, you are most days found playing xbox with the puppies all snuggled around...

Its so rare to find you like this anymore...



And it makes me a little sad knowing that soon these guys will be packed away & where there was a little boy fighting the universe on my couch cushions, will stand a teenager, eating all the cereal & rolling his eyes!

♥ Mom

Sunday Dinner anyone??

Its Sunday afternoon... & I would love to tell you how relaxing & peaceful my weekend has been... but with errands to run, hospital visits to make, kids to entertain & 2 sick puppies... relaxing is NOT the word I would use.

But all that is behind me... I am now snuggled in with the chef & Sunday dinner is right around the corner!

A VooDoo Familia classic, This weekends recipe is all about comfort...
So grab a bowl, & big glass of sweet tea... curl up on the couch & ENJOY!

VooDoo Daddy Mac & Cheese



Ingredients
4 ounces Pancetta
Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
2 cups elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
3 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
2 ounces Muenster, grated
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch nutmeg
1/4 cup Roasted Red Bell Pepper
1/2 cup Panko Crumbs
2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves
pinch crushed red pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the pancetta in on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20
minutes, until the pancetta is crisp. Remove the pan carefully from the oven - there will be hot grease in the
pan! Transfer the pancetta to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble when it is cool enough to handle.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on
the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the
flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for
a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, Muenster, 1
teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni, crumbled pancetta and roasted red bell peppers, stir well. Pour into 2
individual size gratin dishes.

Combine panko, basil, and crushed red pepper. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to
40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.


Thanks for coming to dinner... we will see you soon!
♥ Tawny