SUMMER DELICIOUS DRINK

Hello friends:

Today is so hot, that all we are doing is keeping cool, drinking a lot of water, and running the AC.

• • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 bunch fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns, crushed
  • 4 grapefruits, juiced
  • 2 cups vodka
  • Club soda
  • Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat. Add the thyme and peppercorns. Let steep for one hour. Strain and chill, reserving a few thyme sprigs for garnish.
2. Mix grapefruit juice and vodka in a pitcher. (Chill if making ahead.) To serve, fill each 8-ounce glass with 1 tablespoon thyme syrup, add ice to fill the glass, and fill 3/4 of the way full with the grapefruit mixture. Top with club soda. Garnish with 1 sprig of fresh thyme and some cracked black pepper if desired.

Courtesy of Martha Stewart

It sounds like a great refreshing drink for a very hot day,

love

martha

451 views CELEBRATION

Last week 451 people read my blog, I know we are small, but growing, to me this is a miracle.  I have no experience in blogging.  I write from the heart, and for you, the reader.  I see now, that there is an audience, when you are humble, tell the thruth, and write from the heart.

Well, we need a celebration, hum hum, oh yea I know what you are thinking, an excuse for a ___________?

Announcement:  tomorow, I have to put it together, I want to give you something really really nice, you deserve it.

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

marhta

Nate. we love you !!!

Dear friends:

Go to my NEW facebook page, tell me about your experience sitting next to the biggest decorator, tv show going on right now.  He is into flea markets, antique shows, curb picking, garage sales, yard sales, estate sales, DYI, and making trash to treasures.  His designs are fresh, simple, he loves color, organization,not just design, you can tell he sees it in his head effortless, such a brilliant guy.  Please tell me what you thought when you sat next to him and talked to him one on one, or if you went to the show, how was your experience.

Have a wonderful day

martha

YUM YUM YUM

Hello, how are you??  love to hear from you today.  This is a yummy post, CHOCOLATE CAKE, very yum and comforting, of course from courtesy of Martha Stewart magazine.  This is one of her favorite chocolate cake.  Try it very very yum.

Ingredients

• • 1 cup Valrhona cocoa, plus more for dusting
  • 3/4 cup strong coffee, boiling
  • 1 cup milk, room temperature
  • 2 3/4 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • Ultimate Chocolate Frosting (http://www.marthastewart.com/263621/ultimate-chocolate-frosting)

Directions

1. Place rack in middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper. Butter the parchment, and dust with cocoa powder; tap out excess. Sift cocoa; whisk in boiling coffee and milk. Let cool. Sift together cake flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Using a rubber spatula, mix the butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Pour in the cooled cocoa mixture. Mix until fully incorporated.
3. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pans (about 4 cups in each pan). Bake for 20 minutes, rotate the pans, and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the center.
4. Remove the cakes from the oven, and allow to cool in pans for 15 minutes on a cooling rack. Carefully run a small offset spatula around the edge of the cakes to loosen them from the pan. Remove cakes from pans, and invert onto a wire rack. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
5. To assemble, using a serrated knife, level the top surface of each cake layer. Place four strips of parchment paper around the perimeter of the cake stand. Spread with 3/4 cup of frosting. Top with the remaining layer, bottom side up. Using a swirling motion, cover the outside of cake with

Antique show pictures

Hello friends:

A few pictures from the Brimfield Antique Show, the newest trends in vintage decorating are:

leather, beautiful old leather chairs, rows and rows of chairs, couches, caramel yummy leather unique lamps,old furniture carts with old wheels for coffee tables, grainsack upholstery furniture,

I have lots of pictures and very very sore feet. At Brimfield you walk and walk and it never ends.  I certainly couldn't go to all the fields, you need at least four days to see all the fields, it is that big, and full of antiques.

More pictures tomorow, and a BIG SURPRISE  sh sh sh  more tomorow

love to you all

martha