halloween container

October 27th, 2014 | Posted by admin in FLOWERS | Outdoor - (0 Comments)

Another last minute container ready for Halloween!

 

I love tea any time of the year but when the weather starts to turn and a chill is in the air… there is nothing better than a cup of hot tea!  I am constantly trying to cut out the needless calories and at the same time fighting an enormous sweet tooth that I insist comes from my Mother’s Danish side.   I credit the Armenian side of the family with every other food group.

I found these teas at first to satisfy my desire for dessert after a delicious “low carb” meal.  They are amazing!  This is coming from a gal who loves a slice of apple crisp, a warm chocolate chip cookie, and an oozing deep chocolate brownie.   I know you may not believe that these teas can foot the bill as a substitute but they are wonderful.

I make a cup every night to satisfy that craving of chocolate, dessert, and the warmth of something a tad bit sweet.  I add Truvia instead of sugar and never artificial sweeteners.  In the past a bit of honey was usually added but I have to say the Truvia is great alternative.

My absolute favorite is the peppermint chocolate… yummmm!  But really I enjoy them all.  Please try a cup and let me know what you think.  Enjoy!

 

 

recipe: butterscotch brownies

October 9th, 2014 | Posted by admin in Desserts | RECIPES - (0 Comments)

I was looking for an easy recipe to make that I could freeze if I had left overs.  My thinking was then I wouldn’t be tempted to finish the left over dessert.  So I have made variations of this recipe but the one below is out of a cookbook “Southern My Way” by Gena Knox, it’s her grandmother Dot’s recipe.  Of course brown sugar and butter made into a bar… there were very few left overs! Four bars made it into the freezer and were eaten several days later with a dollop of ice cream.

 

 

INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 lb of light brown sugar
• 1 ½ sticks of butter
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ teaspoons of “good” vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ¾ cup of chocolate chips or butterscotch chips (optional)
• Preheat oven to 350˚

 

DIRECTIONS:
• Sift dry ingredients together and set aside.

• Melt butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan over a low heat till melted.

• Let cool slightly then whisk in eggs and vanilla.

• Transfer to a larger bowl and add in dry ingredients ½ cup at a time.

• Fold in pecans and chips then pour into a greased (buttered) 8 ½” x 11” baking dish.

• Bake for 40-45 minutes until center is a bit gooey but somewhat set.

• Let cool and then cut into squares… or whatever shape you prefer!

Enjoy!

 

 

new fall containers

October 1st, 2014 | Posted by admin in FLOWERS | Outdoor - (0 Comments)

Perennials, grasses, cabbages, and bittersweet make a great arrangement.

Mums, cabbages , bittersweet, pumpkins & grasses a beautiful look for fall.