CRUSHING ON MY NEW PUMPKIN COFFEE CREAMER

Good Morning Friends,

Hope you're enjoying your week!

This time of year I find myself craving pumpkin everything. How about you? Every weekend hubby and I hit one of the large coffee chains for an early Saturday morning coffee together.

You know that great coffee smell that hits you as soon as you enter the door? Well, in the Fall with all of the pumpkin signage that hangs around the store, the power of suggestion overtakes me and I find myself wishing for a taste of pumpkin anything in my coffee. 

I typically add just a touch of cream so my coffee is not sweet. Unfortunately, if I do want a taste of pumpkin in my coffee it comes in the form of a sugary syrup. Darn!

Have you ever wondered what was in that syrup?  I'm sure the ingredients are locked away in a vault somewhere.

In search of the perfect sugar-free Pumpkin Spice Coffee creamer I hit the internet. I found tons of recipes, but one in particular caught my eye. It's made with lots of spices that we associate with Fall, unsweetened Almond Milk (oh so good for you),heavy whipping cream, a couple tablespoons of pure pumpkin and a bit of sweetener in the form of Swerve or Splenda. It's also really easy to make........

Does that sound good?

Here's the recipe:

http://www.cutthewheat.com/2013/09/pumpkin-spice-coffee-creamer-low-carb.html

If you're in the mood for a bit of Fall Spices and pumpkin in your coffee, head to the grocery store, and grab the ingredients for this quick and easy creamer. It keeps fresh in an air tight container in the frig for up to two weeks.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Kathleen

ON A PERSONAL NOTE--THE MEREDITH VIERIA SHOW!

Good Morning my friends! 

Today's blog is a bit different than most. I believe we all have times in our lives where we are afraid to take that step into the unknown.... grab your coffee cup, and join me as I tell you about my experience.

When I first started blogging it was never my intention to write about my personal side, however, I soon realized that it was important to portray in words who I am, what I love, and how much my family means to me.

A few weeks ago I applied for tickets to THE MEREDITH VIERIA SHOW and received admittance for two. I was so excited because this was the taping for her very first show. Meredith Vieira is a strong, intelligent woman that isn't afraid to voice her opinion, but is also sensitive and approachable. Qualitites that I personally find appealing.

I asked my friend if she could come along, but unfortunately (or fortunately for her financially), she had a real estate closing that day. I decided that I was not going to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity and went to NYC myself.

I was so excited and a bit nervous. I've been into the city many times, but always with family or friends. I got up early, 5:00 a.m. for a 7:00 train departure. My husband drove me to the train station. I purchased my round trip ticket and my adventure began!

While sitting on the train a wonderful lady sat next to me. I was reviewing my walking maps taking me from NY Penn to the NBC Experience store where we all were to meet. She saw what I was reading and told me she worked in the building for a law firm. She said, "let's walk together." I thought, wow, I just hit the jackpot. This lady walks this route which takes about 30 minutes, every day rain, snow or shine. How lucky could I be?

When we arrived I bought her a coffee, we chatted for a moment, I thanked her,she went her way to work and I went mine. What a lovely beginning to my day! I was so early because I didn't know what to expect. My daughter's laugh at me, but it's a trait of mine they have become accustomed to. 

I waited in line for quite some time. I chatted with so many wonderful ladies and even some younger girls that were my daughter's ages. It was great and helped pass the time. I realized after talking to many of these ladies, that they love doing these show circuits. They had been to Rachel Ray, The Chew, Katie Couric, and Dr. Oz, just to name a few. They were seasoned and I was ready and willing to listen as to how this deal worked!!

We were divided into groups and given a color coded Audience landyard to wear around our necks. Mine was purple.

After waiting for another hour or so in a holding area we were escorted into the stage/audience area. It was warm, inviting and very comfortable. She even has a chair that actually came from her own living room that her doggies chewed on a bit! 

The show was a fantastic first show and I feel privileged to have been a part of it. I believe Meredith Vieria will have no problem soaring with her daytime ratings. She is not only a beautiful woman on the outside, but her show exudes her authentic personality, warm, inviting and funny. She has an interesting way of connecting people through her heartfelt wish to bring us "real life" connections.

Walking back to the train station for my trip home, the hustle and bustle of NYC was around me. I felt a sense of personal accomplishment and of fulfillment. 

I will leave you with my thoughts for the day:

I am only 6 months younger than Meredith Vieria and look at what a big step she is taking........kind of makes my solo trip to NYC minor. But I came to the realization that no matter how old you are you should never be afraid to take that step into the unknown. It's a big world out there and there is so much to learn and experience both good and bad. If we don't take that step, we will never know what we could have been!

THANK YOU MEREDITH VIERIA!

Wishing you all an exciting new day!!

Kathleen

***Thanks so much for stopping by. Do you have a life experience you would like to share with us? Please feel free to leave a comment.....we love to hear from you!

RALPH LAUREN INSPIRED SUMMER AND SHERBET

Hello everyone. Are you a newbie to The Lavender Bouquet? If so, Welcome....if not..so glad you are all back! 

A few weeks ago on one of my Florida trips I mentioned to you that I went to my favorite fabric store, Boca Bargoons. I walked away with some beautiful designer fabrics and lots of ideas on how to use them.

The fabric I am using today is Ralph Lauren's Porcelain Stripe. At first glance, I thought Summer and Sherbet when I saw it.  (No it wasn't because I hadn't had lunch before I shopped.) I thought how fun it would  be to have an Ice Cream Social using these beautiful colors..... bright orange and pink!

I do have this thing for PINK lately, and when I was in the grocery store I spotted these vintage Jardin jars in the floral department. They aren't food safe, however, they make great vases and candle holders. Hence today's centerpiece. Simply vintage....with my new Sherbet Stripe fabric.

I found these great luncheon plates in Homegoods that begged me to bring them home. I thought of my fabric as soon as I saw them. Don't you just love the addition of yellow to the mix?

Try using these colors for your parties or maybe just a lunch with the girls. They are sure to make your guests smile.

Have a beautiful day!

Kathleen

***Thanks for sharing your day with me. Don't forget to stop in on Wednesday for a little DIY fun!  Also, remember THE LAVENDER BOUQUET is on Facebook too! 

Good Morning Monday--"Dunk in Coffee or Red Wine"

Sometimes you just have to take that afternoon break and share it with a friend or someone you care about. When Ron and I were first married we lived next to a wonderful Italian couple that we just adored. Florence was an awesome baker. She made us things we had never tasted in our lifetime. I was thinking of Florence and her Biscotti today as I prepare for an afternoon phone call date with my niece. We are states away from one another, but somehow even a phone call recharges us until we see each other again.

Although I wish we could sit down and enjoy Florence's Biscotti and coffee together, my photographs will have to do today. Do you have a friend or family member that you could enjoy coffee & Biscotti with?

My recipe from Florence is written in her hand writing on a now tattered piece of paper. I love the state it is in........it brings back many great memories of the early years of our marriage and the wonderful people we were surrounded by. And also just how many times this Biscotti recipe was served to my friends and family.

Florence's Biscotti

Beat with mixer--
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup oil (veg)
3 eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. pure almond
pinch of salt

Mix in--
3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
(I added mini choc chips 1/3 cup to one batch, and 2 tsp. pure lemon and lemon zest
to the other batch)

You may chill if you like. I did not.

Form dough into 3 loaves and bake on a greased or parchment lined pan.

Bake at 350 degrees 20-25 min. depending on your oven.

Cool

With a serrated knife slice each loaf diagonally into 1/2 inch slices.
Place the slices, cut side down on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees
for about 5-6 min. Remove the pan and turn slices over and Bake 2-4 more minutes
and cool. The Biscotti should be crispy and dry.

Optional glaze:  Use powdered sugar and water OR l egg yolk and water on top of
each slice before baking.

FLORENCE WRITES THIS AT THE END OF HER RECIPE:
 Dunk in coffee OR red wine!  :)


I hope you all enjoy Florence's Biscotti making new memories of your own.

                                                      Have a wonderful day!
                                                               
                                                                   Kathleen
                                                 
***Thanks so much for being part of The Lavender Bouquet.