• Blog - Kitchen

    T Tuesday: shrub edition

    Good morning…welcome to T stands for Tuesdayshrub mocktail

    Today I’d like to share my new refreshing summer drink with you….in my favorite glass, of course. I love this glass so much.  Recently I had a nightmare that I broke the top off it in a wickedly jagged form…I was very happy to wake and realize it was just a bad dream.

    So what’s in the glass?? It’s a shrub or drinking vinegar.  Ok…not as gross as it sounds. In fact, quite tasty. The first I ever heard of a shrub was from Kim over at art in red wagons.  Recently, I’ve started out the morning drinking a tablespoon or so of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of water usually with a touch of honey or molasses.  I know…a little wacky but I like tart flavors and the health benefits are great.

    This brought me back to thinking about a shrub…then we got our first CSA box this past Wednesday.  Not a whole lot in it since our growing season has been less than ideal so far. The was rhubarb though. I’m the only one in the family that likes it. I started searching recipes on Pinterest and a shrub recipe appeared. shrubMaking a shrub is not an exact science. Here’s what I did.

    I chopped approx 2 cups rhubarb and a half dozen or so organic strawberries into a glass bowl.  Then sprinkled 1 cup of sugar over top and shook it around to coat. This mixture went in the refrigerator overnight to macerate.

    I poured everything into a clean dry canning jar..it was approx 2/3 full at this point. I then filled the jar to the neck with raw apple cider vinegar. I labeled it and let it sit on the counter, giving it a shake everyday. The recipes I found said to let it sit for a week before draining off the liquid and storing it in the fridge but I was very anxious to try it.

    Making the shrub is very simple. I poured approx 1/4 glass of shrub syrup over ice then filled the glass with club soda. It was slightly tart, slightly sweet and bubbly. Very refreshing.

    What do you think? Would you try this? Does it sound appealing at all?

  • Blog - Crafts

    T Tuesday: start of summer edition

     

    Welcome to another edition of T stands for Tuesday hosted by my friend Elizabeth. As always I have my beverage at hand. coffee to goA to-go cup?  Yep…we’ve already been to the orthodontist this morning.  Ah yes…the joys of summer vacation.  I’m thinking we are going to get out and enjoy some sunshine today and fresh air. Maybe walk around a lake…  Bike some trails…. Throw a frisbee… Not sure but we could all use some outside time.

    I’ve been continuing to work on some cards.more cardsI started a painting yesterday on a canvas board. I’m out of regular canvas to this will have to do for now.painting in progressIt still a work in progress….

  • Blog - Crafts

    T Tuesday: random craft edition

    It’s Tuesday again…time to have some sparkling water in my favorite glass and link up with Elizabeth for T stands for Tuesday.20140601_5021        So what I have I been up to lately?  I’ve been doing more crafting than blogging….          And more yard work than crafting. Weeding, mowing, planting and watering…  But now that we’ve had over 4 inches of rain, at least I don’t have to worry about the watering.

    Now on to the random crafts…20140601_4987Here we have scarf/necklace made from my favorite tie-dye t-shirt. I finally had to give the shirt up after discovering a huge unrepairable hole.  Apparently I wasn’t ready to completely part with it…

    20140601_5010I started this American Girl doll hat when Little J and I were at our camp. One of the little girls asked if she could have it when I was done. Well certainly, my dear. I used my cabbage dyed yarn and knitting loom.

    Then, of course, more cards…20140601_5008 20140601_5007 20140601_5006 20140601_5005 20140601_5003I’m trying to get ahead for the Fall/Winter craft sale season.

    I was going to share one more new item today but I’m thinking that it deserves it’s own post. It’s something new that I’ve never tried. I was inspired by something on YouTube. Basically to think outside the box.  That’s generally how my brain works anyway.

    Stop back tomorrow and see what I’m talking about. (how’s that for a teaser)

    What are you doing today??