8 DAYS OF LOVE

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So my story begins on November 19th, 2014 –

I traveled to Henryville PA for our annual sister’s weekend.  I usually leave 1 day before the weekend starts to spend a little time with my sister Josie.  We made cute little Christmas ornaments for each of our (6) sisters and Mom –

Friday morning we shared a wonderful visit with coffee (which we usually have over the phone) so being in person was so special.

Around 12 noon Mary Ann, Cathy and our niece Danielle arrived.

So good to see Danielle – she is in the Navy and we are so very proud of her.

So wonderful to see  Mary Ann who lives in San Diego Ca. and Cathy in Crofton Md. so as you might know we do not see each other too often.

Wrapping arms around each other felt so good.

We sat and had lunch together just talking about anything and everything.  It was wonderful.

The girls on Long Island arrived around 3pm – we are all together, what a wonderful sight.  My Mom has to be overwhelmed to see all her daughters together in one place.

Jeanne is with the girls on Long Island – she flew from Idaho, and again so wonderful to see her.  She has such a way of showing her love to all she comes in contact with.

Lori, Theresa & Regina and of course Mom live on Long Island – I see them from time to time but again to share time with them is priceless.

We laughed and had separate conversation with each other and all together, we cooked and cleaned and just loved each other – it was wonderful.

On Sunday, we all left around the same time – Mary Ann, Jeanne, Danielle & Cathy all left for BWI where M.A and Jeanne took flights back home.

The rest of us left for Long Island to see my daughter Kristin at her book signing – yes she wrote a book (along with her business partner Dannielle) the book title  ”This is a book for Parents of Gay Kids”

I am so proud of Kristin – as my sister Theresa said – “she is a missionary of sorts.” helping kids with this HUGE bulling problem, and just answering questions they might have about life in general.

They have a new project called “The Parent Project” which helps parent and, child who come out to their families.  Their book is an amazing reference guide for parent and child to go to for help and answers to questions they might have throughout the process of understanding each other.

Couldn’t be prouder of my daughter.  Love you so much.

I continued to spend time with the Long Island girls for 2 more day.

Lots of laughter, tears and eating and of course a glass of wine or 3 just the best time being with my family.

Pete arrived on Tuesday night for the Thanksgiving holiday, so good to see him after 6 days.

We traveled to Brooklyn on Wednesday to be with Kristin and Jenny for Thanksgiving.

Had a wonderful time with them. We watched a few movies, had a great Thanksgiving meal together and then Skyped Alyson our youngest – who lives in LA – so good to see her face – can’t wait to be with her for Christmas (this will be another story)

I have such a warm feeling of contentment and love as I visit with my daughter and daughter-in-law Jenny.

Their home has so much love that you feel it all around you.

Such a beautiful visit.

Pete and I traveled back to Altamont reflecting back on our wonderful visit with everyone.

God Bless you all and I thank you all for the best 8 days of love.

Much love,

Rose

Go to Breakfast

granola

This is my go to breakfast –

I cut up an apple into small pieces

Add 1 5.3 oz container of Chobani Yogurt ( I love Pineapple)

Add 1/4 cup of Fruit & Honey Granola

***********YUM************

Ingredients:

  • 3-1/2 Cups Quaker Oats
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
  • One – 6-oz package diced dried mixed fruit  –  about 1-1/3 cups

Preparation:

Heat oven to 350

In large bowl, combine oats and pecans; mix well.

In seperate bowl, mix honey,vegetable oil,vanilla & cinnamon salt if you like

Mix together with wisk –

Pour over oats & pecans – (use a large fork to mix ingredients together)

Spread evenly in 15×10 inch jelly roll pan (rimmed baking sheet)

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown, after 15 minutes take out of oven and stirring mixture around

Put back in oven and cook another 10 minutes (should be finished )

Stir in fruit as soon as you take out of oven

Let cool and ENJOY………

Calories 210 per 1/2 cup 

*I use on top of yogurt and only use 1/4 cup – its plenty.

Saturday Morning

Good Morning my Friends ~

As I sit here looking outside it’s becoming pretty clear that we are going to be looking at snow for a good long time.

We had a storm door installed in November, and I think I’m never going to see it opened.  It has the coolest drop down screen and I just want to feel the fresh air coming into the house.

Sometime it takes so long for the winter to pass.

I need a little spring day –

We all have our feeling about winter, and I know it is a good time to organize, but I still want to open my new storm door.

Stay warm and cozy by the fireplace – or if you are in a warmer climate ENJOY the warm weather .

I guess I am lucky to have a beautiful fireplace.

Here is where you can find this beautiful door ~

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Andersen-3000-Series-36-in-White-Self-Storing-TruScene-Storm-Door-3TSN-36WH/202528707

Much love,

Rose

storm door
Here is the door from the inside of the condo
storm door 2
At the top – as you pull down the white box the screen is tucked away and will begin to show and the glass fits nicely at the bottom of the door.
storm door 1
As you see this is the outside ~

New Blog on WordPress

To all my friends & family ~

Today I begin a New Blog on “WordPress” Link is ~ http://www.muchloverose.wordpress.com

The name is the same. “Follow Your Heart”

The format is a little different, but everything I have posted on Tumblr still remains the same.

I will no longer be using Tumblr.

As you view the new blog you will see a column on the right side this indicates the following:

About Me ~

Which tell a little bit about me.

Blogs I Follow ~

A Calendar ~

Primary Menu ~ this includes:

1) My Etsy Store

2) Preview “New Etsy Items”

3) Recipes

4) Our Home

5) Crafts

6) Just Thoughts

All My Posts ~

This is all the posts I have published.

My Information ~

After many hours of playing around, and finally getting someone to help me ~ I have decided to use this Theme ~

Theme meaning “The Pretty Side of the blog”.  The part you see.

I feel it is a very friendly theme and nice to the eye.

Much Love,

Rose

p.s. Be sure to Follow Me – When you do you will receive all new post I put on my blog

APPLE TART

This is my first time making an apple tart ~

I have to say it came out amazing ~ I did not taste it yet, but if it tastes as good as it smells, I’m thinking it will be pretty good.

This is before it went into the oven ~

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This is just coming out of the oven ~

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And this is how I am serving it tonight ~

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And now for the recipe ~

FOR THE SHELL ~

6T of butter (I used unsalted)

1T of sugar

1T vegetable oil

3T water

1 Cup Flour

1/2 cup of apricot jam

small amount of powdered sugar

Put butter, sugar, vegetable oil, & water into a Pyrex dish and microwave for 90 seconds.

Mix all wet ingredients together, add flour right away and mix everything together.  It will be warm, but this is good – you will be able to form the dough in bottom and sides of tart pan.

Poke bottom of shell with a fork

Put into fridge for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven 400 

Take shell out of fridge and let stand till it becomes room temp. around 15 mins. 

Use a piece of parchment paper large enough to put on top of the shell and have some fall over the sides of the pan

Place about 1-1/2 cups of rice on top of the parchment paper to weight it down

Cook for 20 minutes 

While this is cooking ~ begin preparing apple filling

NOW FOR THE APPLE FILLING ~

4 Granny Smith Apples

1T butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 t cinnamon

1/2 ~ 3/4 cup of apple sauce

On stove top melt butter, sugar & cinnamon ~ pour apples into butter mixture.

Cook apples for 10/15 minutes on med/low heat until apples become a little soft, not too soft ~

FOR THE APRICOT JAM ~

Place in microwave dish and cook for 1 minute

Strain with small strainer to get all the juice from the jam

Use 1T of liqueur of your choice  ~  I used Disaronno 

Stir together in apricot jam ~ then use pastry brush and coat the bottom of the pie shell with the mixture.

Keep the rest for later.

Take the pie shell out of oven and remove the parchment paper and rice 

Let stand until room temp around 30 minutes.

Put apple sauce in bottom of shell

Start arranging apples ~ placing them in a circle around the shell ~ continue to go all around the shell then in the middle.  It will form a rose like shape (this is why the apples need to be on the softer side)

Brush melted butter 1T on top of apples and top of pie crust.

Put into 350 oven for 25/30 minutes

 After tart is finished take out of oven and put small amount of powdered sugar on top of apples and put back into oven on broil for 1 ~ 2 minutes (watch so it does not burn) 

This will melt the sugar and the apples will be a bit brown on the edges.

Then use the remaining apricot jam mixture and brush all over the top of the tart including the crust.

Refrigerate for several hrs 

Can be made in morning and served later that night.

You can warm up before serving.

ENJOY ~~~

Much love,

Rose

PRETTY HAND WIRED ROSE & PEARL NECKLACE ~NEW~

Just in time for Valentine’s Day.

New to Etsy ~ Sterling silver hand wired rose & pearl necklace.

THERE IS A COUPON CODE FOR ALL JEWELRY IN MY STORE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY “LOVE2015” BE SURE TO USE FOR ANYTHING IN THE STORE.

COUPON GOOD FROM JANUARY 21 – FEBRUARY 14, 2015

Happy Valentine’s Day

Much love,

Rose

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New to Etsy

Hi Everyone~

New to Etsy:

Coin pearl necklace & bracelet

– with Swarovski crystals and sterling silver rose charm.

Go to http://www.muchloverose.etsy.com

Bracelet ~ $30.00

Necklace ~ $42.00

Both Necklace & Bracelet ~ $65.00

Much love,

Rose

NEW LOOK FOR THE DINING ROOM

OK we all know by now – winter is the best time for rearranging – you are in the house so much, that you actually have time to look at your home – with that being said, I decided to rearrange my dining room again.

All we did was turn the table – put the sofa table in front of the window and lower the mirror, oh yes we did turn the mirror too.

ENJOY *****

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I ordered 6 of these plates.  They will go on either side of the large window in the dining room 

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This little tool box was brought on Etsy 

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The mirror was lowered and turned in the opposite direction –

Above the mirror is a sign that reads:

A House is built with Boards & Beams A Home is Built with Love & Dreams.

Love this saying…..

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Much love,

Rose

NEW ADDITION TO MY DINING ROOM

Hi All ~

When I saw this cute little tool box (hand made) on Etsy, I knew I just had to have it. www.dedescountrycrafts.etsy.com

I saw a picture on Pinterest and thought what a great idea for extra plates.

It just look so cute on the table  ******

I attached the little watering can and bow.

I had the little watering can for so many years, and kept moving it from one spot to another, finally found a home for it..

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Have a wonderful rest of your day.

Much love,

Rose