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Orange Blossoms (a favorite recipe)

By KariV on April 25, 2013 in Dessert, Favorite Things, Recipes

We have four beautiful orange trees and today they were calling to me. One of my favorite things is to enjoy the fruit from our CITRUS trees here in Arizona. We have a new lemon and lime tree, too, and I’m hoping soon they will produce! But now, it’s time to harvest the rest of these sweet oranges and MAKE something. I went to pick some low hanging fruit and came in with a basket just full of oranges ready to juice, zest, and slice.

Aren’t they beautiful!? Of course, we love our fresh-squeezed orange juice, but today I’m thinking my very favorite orange cookies: Orange Blossoms. My sister, who lives in Utah, made these the other day and sent me a picture…she said “These cookies always remind me of you!” So thank you, dear sister, for the inspiration!

I will warn you now: this post has a lot of pictures! I couldn’t help it…these darlings made such a photogenic subject and I got a little carried away. I even got my husband in on the picture taking (you will see his picture at the end of the post).

I love the simple ingredients: oranges, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, eggs, butter, and buttermilk. We just happened to have some buttermilk on hand that I needed to use up, but if you don’t have buttermilk you can add a little lemon juice to regular milk (see how to do this here).

{Have you used one of these microplane zesters? It’s one of my favorite tools in the kitchen, especially when I’m working with citrus!}

Mix up the ingredients and drop by tablespoons onto a cookie sheet. Today, I made them regular sized, but if I’m having a ladies’ lunch or tea party, I will make them half this size. And they turn out so cute!

Bake them up and while they are baking, make the orange glaze. It’s a simple mixture of butter, powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. You will want to frost these cookies while they are still warm because the frosting melts and enrobes the cookies a little bit.

I love these little cookies. They are more cake-like and when you bite into them it is just. like. heaven.

Can you see the bits of orange zest in the frosting? There is zest in both the cookie dough AND the frosting, which adds up to a great citrus-y kick of flavor!

Doesn’t this make a pretty picture? It screams luncheon (or tea party) to me! Or the next best thing: which is to wrap them up pretty and take them to some of my favorite people.

OK. That orange slice (out of felt!) and printable is so cute for this little gift! Click here to get instructions on how to make it AND get the free printable!

This is the fantastic photo my husband captured with all the prettiness and citrus colors! I love it.

So, will you go try this recipe and just see if you love these delicious Orange Blossoms as much? And then let me know what you think! Enjoy!

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Comments { 2 }

Taste Test Tuesday — Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

By KariV on April 23, 2013 in Favorite Things, Taste Test Tuesday

For this very important taste test we were in search of The Perfect Reese’s Ratio! I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of these Reese’s options, but in the quest for truth and best taste to report back to you, I just knew that this taste test could not be overlooked!

We tested the original Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the Reese’s Big Cup, Reese’s Miniatures (wrapped in foil), and Reese’s Mini Peanut butter Cups (unwrapped), all pictured. EDITOR’S NOTE: It was my intention to add the Reese’s Easter Peanut Butter Egg to our taste options, however, when I went to check my stash, I discovered they had all been eaten! (Who would’ve done that?!) So we stuck with the four options.

I think it’s important to show you the difference in peanut butter and chocolate ratios for each.

You can see that the Big Cup has some serious peanut butter! With the Miniatures coming in with not quite as much peanut butter and then originals. Let’s check them out side by side:

It may look like the minis have just as much peanut butter as the originals, but they are actually covered in a thicker amount of CHOCOLATE, with just a bit of peanut butter enrobed in the center.

I do realize that taste tests are very subjective and dependent upon what each individual panelist prefers. But that is why I had a LARGER group to discover the truth for you. And the winner won by an overwhelming majority! (Care to take a guess before I reveal the winner?)

THE WINNER (drum roll, please….)

First Place: ORIGINAL PEANUT BUTTER CUPS ARE THE WINNER!!! Yes. I love that the original peanut butter cup won!

But we did have a few judges who disagreed: one voted for the Big Cup (more peanut butter), one voted for the Minis (more chocolate). There was a bit of an argument on the Big Cup…because even though it was a favorite for one judge, another said it was too rich to eat a whole cup at one sitting. I love it when our judges disagree. 😉

Have you given this taste test a try? Which one is YOUR favorite?

Really, you can’t go wrong with any of them! So, why not buy them all to shake things up a bit. (Reese’s did not pay me or compensate me in any way to do this blog post, by the way!)

Second Place: Miniatures (wrapped in foil)
Third Place: Big Cup
Final Place: Minis

I would LOVE to use the minis for baking (think cookies or cupcakes). And when I do, you’ll be the first to know. Wink.

See you at our next taste test!

Comments { 6 }

Dose of Sunshine Monday — Earth Day Free Printable (Do not print)

By KariV on April 22, 2013 in Freebies, Holidays

It’s Earth Day! And to celebrate, I thought I’d make you a free printable! But for Heaven’s sake, don’t print it. Because that would take paper, which is made from trees…and that might completely negate my good will toward Earth on this very special day.

So, maybe it’s not a printable. It’s just a little sign I created for you to enjoy on this day! 🙂

And to further celebrate and pay homage to this day, here are some ideas:

1) Use real plates (not paper plates)…my son Nate would love this one! He is much in favor of NOT using paper plates

2) Plant something. A tree, a flower, a garden item.

3) Recycle.

4) Take some pictures of nature. Really appreciate it. (And share, share, share!)

Enjoy this beautiful Monday and enjoy our wonderful and amazing Earth! It’s a great place to live. 😉

Comments { 0 }

How to Make Felt Roses

By KariV on April 18, 2013 in DIY, Gift Ideas, Paper Crafting

I love roses! Love them. In fact, I have a rose garden just outside my kitchen window so I can look at my roses as I’m doing dishes (what could be more inspiring)? It seems I have been extra inspired by roses this week! See my rose photo inspiration here.

So, to stay with the rose theme, today I am showing you how to make a FELT rose. And, oh, they are adorable! Felt roses are one of my favorite things to use to dress up a small gift. 🙂
Click here to see the video on how to make felt roses:

And after you have watched the first video, take a look at some ideas on how to use these felt roses on gifts to spread a little sunshine:

By the way, these are a few of my very first videos up on this blog and on my YouTube channel. So, let me know what you think! (Be nice! *Wink*)

Thanks for visiting today…see you next time.

Comments { 0 }

Announcement for Taste Test Tuesday

By KariV on April 16, 2013 in Taste Test Tuesday

Taste Test Tuesday: Questions Answered

Hello! And Happy Tuesday. I’ve been working on the next Taste Test Tuesday and I’m pleased to tell you that this is going to be a DELICIOUS taste test. I just love to conduct these taste tests! Life is good.

But before I announce what our next taste test is, I’ve been asked a few questions about Taste Test Tuesday that I will answer now!

First, let me tell you: What is Taste Test Tuesday?

Taste Test Tuesday is a tasting opportunity that I report on every other week. I conduct taste tests of many {important} food or beverage items. Then I report the winners and runners up for you, my readers. I hope it will help you to eat more deliciously! It is a small gift from me to ~~humanity~~ you. I hope you enjoy my gifts as much as I enjoy putting them together!

Why do you spend your time on Taste Test Tuesday?

This is something that I really enjoy. I love gathering each panel together, I love designing the taste test forms and the “logos” for each one, I love researching different brands, and I love compiling results to find the winner! With all these things that I love put together into one Taste Testing Opportunity, I feel so alive! I know, it sounds cheesy (which reminds me of another taste test I must conduct), but I really do LOVE it. And we all need to do more of what we love, don’t you think?

How can I participate as a taste test panelist?

I’m always looking for panelists, but I am very particular in the panelists that participate. Not only must you have good taste, but you must also pass a series of taste testing requirements, such as: must be over the age of 17, must have no food allergies, must be able to discern a variety of tastes, must make it to the assigned time, and of course must live in Arizona! So far I have not conducted virtual taste tests. 🙂

Can I suggest a Taste Test Tuesday item?

Absolutely! I love to hear ideas about taste tests! Simply comment on this blog post and let me know what you’d like to see tested. (But do keep in mind that this is NOT “Fear Factor.” Ha!) Thanks!

And now, a sneak peek at our NEXT TASTE TEST: