Tips, Treats & Treasures: June 2012

Caramel Apple Bistro Tart

A tasty and easy dessert that you don't need to spend a lot of time on to create! I originally found this via some collectible recipes sheets. Caramel apples are a fall favorite for me, actually anytime really, but those delicious goodies usually only make an appearance at that time of year. Since at the time, it was in November, I decided I'd prepare this as one of our Thanksgiving desserts. It was a good decision, because everyone enjoyed it! It was a better choice rather than the traditional style apple pie. I recently enjoyed having some sliced apples with caramel apple dip, and that reminded me of this recipe and how delicious the caramel apple tart was, and also how easy it was to prepare...easy as pie!

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Caramel Apple Bistro Tart

Ingredients:
1 pie crust - unbaked/refrigerated/folded crust or make from scratch
1 can 20-21oz Apple pie filling
3/4 cup caramel apple dip
1/4 cup peanuts chopped
1/2 cup apple jelly
powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400F. Allow pie crust to stand per package directions.

Place unfolded pie crust on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Spread caramel apple dip onto crust and spread to within 2 inches of all edges. Spoon the apple pie filling on top of caramel and carefully spread, also within 2 inches of edges. Sprinkle with nuts. Fold edges two inches up and over the apple filling, leaving center uncovered, and pleating crust so that the crust lies relatively flat.

Bake at 400F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350F, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until fruit is bubbly and crust is golden brown. In small sauce pan melt apple jelly over low heat (or microwave until melted). Brush melted jelly over entire tart and edges. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Let cool slightly. Serve warm.

*recipe adapted from bhg.com

Enjoy!...

What the...Friday?

an unusual event or item, something of question? or

...things that make ya go hmmm?

WTF?

What the ...Friday

is that?:

"Raskullz" - A Helmet for Kids

...I'm not real sure if my granddaughter would even wear this, I think it's hilariously hideous! OK, it's kind of cute but also ridiculously funny too! OMGosh!

I came across this a while back and found it quite funny and perplexing at the same time.

O K so I'm sure it does what it is suppose to do for the wearer of it, it is a helmet for kids and is for safety, (and I'm all for 'safety for children') but what about the others around that child? I mean look at it, if their head is down and another child or person were to bump into that horn, or those ears even!...Ouch! "You could put an eye out with that!"...Seriously! I want to call fail on this one, and I think maybe they need to reconsider this 'safety' item! ???...

Confused and Amused...

~Tammy~

Wine Tasting Dinner

Dominick's Wine Tasting Dinner

We had an enjoyable evening out last night at Dominick's for another of their fantastic wine tasting dinners. We do enjoy attending these every chance that we get, and Dominick's usually has one about every three months or so. The food was not from their usual menu, it was prepared specially for this event. Let me tell you it really was fantastic and very delicious. I especially enjoyed the King Prawns and the Angus Steak. The wine featured was from famous golf legend, Greg Norman Estates. The best wine for me was the Petite Sirah, a very good wine!..(you can read info about it below) I really enjoy good eats like this, pure joy and satisfaction for the taste buds, it's fine cuisine indeed. Food and wine, that's my kind of good time! Also our friends were a blast to be with, lots of laughs and many cheers with clinks of the glasses! I even won a bottle of wine!

Food, Fun and Friends!

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A few photos of the fun!

Me, Susan, and Joan - Ladies having a good time!

I like Susan's shirt. "Age gets better with Wine"!

Greg, Chuck, and Marty - Our Guys/Dates having a great time too!

Cheers & Smiles!...and giggles too!

Yay! I won a bottle of Wine!
Susan and I, so nicely doing the wine presentation!
Actually I won a different bottle of wine, but with a little begging (and a pouty lip face) I persuaded a nice fella that had won this one to trade with me, because this was my favorite wine of the evening! Win Win!..or Wine Wine!! *giggles*

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The info below is from our invitation!

The Menu

FIRST COURSE

over edamame-napa cabbage slaw with avocado-wasabi aioli.

Greg Norman Chardonnay, Aus.
The Greg Norman Estates 2009 Chardonnay is pale straw in color with a vibrant green hue.
The nose is dominated by ripe stone fruit, mandarin peel and lifted spice. This wine is
bright and lively on the palate, with notes of fleshy peach, mandarin peel and fresh vanilla cream.
The wine finishes with crisp lemon zest acidity, giving it incredible length.

SECOND COURSE

Stuffed with figs, roasted peppers, spinach and goat cheese
with marble potatoes and dark cherry-cocoa jus.

Greg Norman Pinot Noir, Ca.
The Greg Norman Estates 2010 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir has lifted aromas of straw-berry,
black cherry and subtle earthy notes of crushed bay leaf and mushroom. The aromas lead to
a flavorful, fruit-forward palate with distinct cherry, raspberry and baking spice flavors.
The juicy palate is highlighted by vanilla notes and a touch of cardamom. This well balanced
wine is smooth, offers bright acidity and has a lingering finish.

THIRD COURSE

over truffled mac & cheese, confit tomatoes and summer
leeks with silky bone marrow butter.

Greg Norman Petite Sirah, Ca.
The 2008 Greg Norman Estates Petite Sirah is an inky, dark garnet color – beautiful in the glass.
The wine’s bright aromas of violets and blackberries invite from the glass immediately. The
palate is luscious with flavors of ripe blackberry and plum and notes of spice and roasted coffee.
This rich and well structured wine has nicely integrated velvet tannins that provide a smooth and lengthy finish.

FOURTH COURSE

over whipped celeriac, ruby port braised criminis, ginged
baby french beans with sticky shallot sauce.

Greg Norman Cabernet Merlot, Aus.
The Greg Norman Estates 2009 Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a dark crimson color
with garnet red hues. On the nose black currant fruit is prominent but hints of lavender add complexity.
The palate is soft and inviting and the medium bodied wine has generous flavors of cranberry, cherry,
mulberry and plum. Fine, soft tannins make this classic wine blend easy to sip. The focused linear
structure creates good length and plush, ripe berry flavors linger on the finish.

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Had a great time with great friends, food and wine!...

~Tammy~

Monday Message...

~ My Message for Monday ~

* * * * * * * * *

and again, and again, and again!...

~Tammy~

(o: Keep Smiling, Giggling and Laughing! :o)

Labels: Monday Message

~ Wine Divine ~

Wines I've enjoyed recently...

Saladini - Pilastri - Rosso - Piceno

As we are always on the search for more Rosso wines, it is nice to stumble upon one that is as enjoyable as this one. On one of our trips to Greenville, SC, we were introduced to this Rosso at a wine shop, and they recommended it, so we bought two bottles to give it a try. Later we wished we had gotten more, after we enjoyed the first bottle. On another visit to the same shop, we grabbed up the last four bottles!

Sangiovese is the primary grape in this Italian blend of Sangiovese (70%) and Montepulciano (30%). A great red for the price, aromatic, smooth and delicious! A nice full bodied wine with aromas of black cherries, berries, smoke and oak. We'll be looking for more of this.

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Terrazas - Altos Del Plata - Malbec

This wine was real a surprise. A Malbec from Argentina. I had remembered having it before at a wine tasting a while back, and I had made note of it by taking a photo at that time, since it was the wine we liked best at the tasting. It was the first time I had ever tasted a Malbec, and I really enjoyed it. I later noticed it on display in the wine area of my local grocery and remembered having had it before. The label seemed different, but I knew I'd definitely had this before! After searching for the *photo (pictured below), I noticed that it was different because it had a new label and was the next year's vintage, but was indeed the name I had remembered.

The first thing I noticed about this wine was the richness of it, the aroma and it is very deep in color, almost purple. On the bottle it is described as -

Color: Intense red, with violet highlights. Aroma: Great intensity of fruit. Outstanding notes of cherries and forest berries, with subtle notes of caramel, spices and toast provided by oak aging.

The Wines of Altos del Plata come from one of the highest mountains range of the Andes: The "Cordon del Plata".

This has become a new favorite!

* Terrazas Malbec photo from an earlier wine tasting.

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More to come! :o)

Cheers!...

~Tammy~

Confections of a Chocoholic

Chocolate

The lover of chocolate in me thinks it worthy to write about....Chocolate!!

A real treasure for the taste buds. This is a happiness for my mind, body (OK, maybe not that) and spirit! No wait a minute, dark chocolate in moderation is OK, and also said to be healthy, an antioxidant. (*thinking* moderation?.. yeah right!)

I had just enjoyed a banana with some nutella on it, (one of my favorite snacks, day or night!). And then it occurred to me that I really hadn't written about Chocolate. I have written about Nutella, a new discovery for me recently. I know, I know like where have I been since the stuff has been around for, forever! Anyway you can have a look at my links on Nutella later if you like. Oh yeah...Back to the Chocolate. (well actually I never really left the subject, since Nutella is chocolate too!) Hey, if it has cocoa in it...it's chocolate!

Chocolate is that feel good food. Mood altering in a good way! I do adore me some chocolate! That just doesn't sound as good, huh? (adore?..I've been trying not to use the word 'love' so much), but I do love chocolate, I do! There, putting in back in, ('love') cause it just belongs, and is true!

For as long as I can remember I have always loved Chocolate. Dark chocolate is usually my first choice, but milk chocolate, hey, it's deliciously awesome too. I don't turn it down for sure. It has it's place in so many good things to eat. Honestly though, if it's chocolate?...I want it! (I think I am salivating as I write this, uh, more like drooling.) I will be adding new or not so new tasty chocolate recipes and treats here to share with others who love chocolate too. I am always on the look out for new recipes with chocolate or tasty treats of chocolate so, a 'Chocolate' feature sounds ...magnifantabulicious!

I recently discovered a new goodie, it's like nutella.

(Shhhh, don't tell Nutella but I have been unfaithful!) Check out the new Jif. Jif Hazelnut Spread, a cocoa and hazelnut goodness! (Their peanut butter has always been my favorite of all other brands.) Wow, my eyes about popped out when I saw it! I tried the Mocha Cappuccino. It's nice and chocolatey with a hint of coffee/mocha flavor as well. I like it! Yum, another treat to put on bananas, or bagels for breakfast, and...oh the possibilities. Way to go Jif!

This choosy Mom always chose Jif!...
(you know I just had to say that!)
~Tammy~

Chocolate - wikipedia

& image source

Net Fun

[: My -Just for laughs- today :]

(-: Funny Funnies Around The Net :-)

Since I do really enjoy a good laugh, I have to confess my overwhelming desire to go and have a peek at some of those funny websites, i.e., People of Walmart.com! Another one is Fail Blog.org: and it has links to Engrish Funny (I didn't spell that wrong), also Autocowrecks and many many more!

One of my favorites there is, There I fixed it. So if you haven't partaken in this funny compilation of OMGosh they didn't really do that, scratching my head, gut busting, I can't even believe...oh yeah I can, hilariously stupid, clever, what the??? or what a great idea, amazing, unique, what were they thinking, and down right dumb and goofy things...

Here are a few I recently viewed:

This is my kind of repair!

If I can 'Tammy-rig' it with a bungee cord, you better bet I will.

Just ask my family! lol

They often call me the Bungee Queen! (I wear it well!)

- Screen glare -

This had a comment of: "The enemy of nerds everywhere"

Well hey, I say "good job nerd, well done"! I would do this! lol

This had a comment of: "I couldn't help but notice that your mug says "Astute Solutions" on it.

Way to live up to your company's namesake!"

I must admit there is within me a deep desire to do this at my house, since the hubs likes this full at all times! I wonder if he would like this...hmmm I wonder?

It's good to have other uses for toothpicks...and tape! lol

and

then there's this below

Weeeeeeeeeee!

Ride Closed This Summer...

...for construction?

These kids probably think they have the coolest Dad ever!

(I'm feeling a little dizzy now!)

Having a good laugh!...

Eyesight - I See!

~ A new vision for me~

I've been experiencing what I call, that over-the-hill loss of near vision, for some time now. I've learned the term for this is Presbyopia - a vision disorder that develops as we age, decreasing our ability to focus on near objects and small print. Actually I believe it started for me around forty five-ish, (no wait, I'm only 39...*wink*) when I started feeling like I needed longer arms so I could read what I held out that far, at arms length.

Hello Summer Solstice

~ Happy Summer Solstice ~

Summer is here! My favorite season of all! There's so much to enjoy about the summer time. I enjoy the warmer weather, both during the day and night. I truly do love the southern summer nights! Although I'll admit it can get pretty hot here in Georgia, "Hotlanta" as it's called, but I'd prefer that to winter any day of the week!

A few of my favorite summer things are:

[Photo taken at Panama Beach Florida]

- warmer weather

- enjoying the great outdoors

- lots of sunshine

- going to the beach

- longer daylight hours

- warm summer evenings

- fresh fruits and veggies

- cooking and eating outdoors
-ice cream trucks
-beautiful plants and flowers

- sandals

- lighter clothing

- swimming pools

- suntans

- july 4th celebrations
- flowers
- no school buses early morning
- the smell of fresh cut grass
- coffee mornings outside or on the deck

- football-preseason begins, Oh Yeah!

Summertime and the living is easy...

~Tammy~

Potatoes - Oven Roasted

One of my favorite ways to cook potatoes is oven roasting them. I have always liked fried potatoes, but let's face it, now it's all about trimming the fat and eating more healthy foods. I first made oven roasted potatoes during the winter time, and of course having the oven on is a plus when it's cold outside. I have a toaster oven and it gets used often for a variety of foods. Now that Hubster and I are empty-nesters I use the toaster oven even more often since I am only cooking for two most of the time. Also even if it's warm outside the toaster oven doesn't heat the kitchen like the my regular oven often does.

(back to the oven roasted taters) I made these for dinner tonight and remembered how much I really enjoy them, he does too, so I decided to add my recipe for those who might be interested and would enjoy a healthier version that tastes like fried potatoes. I like the simplicity of these potatoes, with easy preparation and clean-up too. I prefer the small red new potatoes and I like to add a little diced sweet onion often too. I find it easiest to cut the potatoes into bite sized chunks rather than slices, so I can sit the pieces up on their skins. This helps with less sticking, less turning them, and more even browning on the cut potato part. I cover the broiler pan with foil, this makes for easy clean-up after cooking too!

Prepared and ready for the oven.

Roasting in the toaster oven.

Finished and golden brown.

I think I could eat this everyday!

~ Oven Roasted Potatoes ~

6-8 small/medium red potatoes chopped - (for two servings)
1/2 c. diced onion
2 tbsp. olive oil
seasoned salt
garlic powder
onion powder
black pepper

Place potatoes and onions on foil lined broiler pan, coat with oil and seasonings, toss to coat well and then place in 400 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until golden brown. Serve or keep warm in lower oven temperature for a few minutes.

Enjoy...

Panama City Beach Trip

A nice trip to Panama City Beach with the daughters and granddaughters, yeah an all girls trip!

~The girls were ready for a vacation and had asked me last month about us all taking a trip to the beach, so we got busy making plans to go to Panama City Beach, Fl. for a little R and R all together. We drove down on sunday and stayed thru friday. The weather forecast had us all a bit unhappy since the forecast was showing rain for just about everyday that we had planned to be there. I said to the girls "It can't rain every minute, let's be positive!". We arrived to a thunderstorm just as we were getting to the hotel. "Great...this is awesome!" Thanks to the covered area for unloading we managed to unload the car and get moved into the hotel. The rain cleared out and we headed out into the sunshine to explore the surroundings i.e., the pool area and the beach. Luckily from then on, we had beautiful sunny days for the rest of the week and only had rain again on thursday evening and on friday morning, before the time that we checked out.

We had much sun and fun! Plenty of beach and pool time, some shopping and some good eats too. Speaking of good eats, one evening we went for dinner at Bishops's and had all you can eat crab legs, along with other seafood goodies and many other items that were on their buffet. Great place to eat, and eat, and eat for sure! We all had a great time on our beach vacation and enjoyed our time away.

I'm truly very glad I got to have the time with all my girls, all to myself.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

~ Dedicated to my Father ~

There is a special bond between a young woman and the first man she ever loves...her Daddy!

Hoosier Daddy!

My Dad was born and raised in Indiana, a true Hoosier. He moved to a couple of other states, but always and eventually went back to Indy. (singing ...♫ "back home again in Indiana"♫ ) Dad is that guy who is always a friend to everyone, I don't think he has ever met a stranger or at least they weren't one for long. He's a simple man and likes things simple, as in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Don't be a changing things on him either, "it's fine the way it is!" I see so much of him in me and in my appearance, he can't deny I'm his for sure! I do remember thinking he looked like Elvis when he and I were younger. Dark hair, blue eyes, and tall, "Tall, Dark and Handsome!"... and he can sing and play the guitar too! He shared life with four females (Mom and us three girls) and has managed to survive that without losing his mind! He is quite the character though, and always has been. He makes me laugh with his amusing humor. Well I suppose life with four females one would need a good sense of humor for sure, lots of patience, and just might question their own sanity from time to time! I'm very grateful to have had this gentle giant in my life and he has always been one of the people I look up to the most! He's many things, a son, a father, an uncle, a grandfather, a great grandfather, and a friend. He's my 'Pops' to me!

Dad,
I can't thank you enough for all that you have given to me all of my life and for being a good father, always protecting and looking out for me, and wanting only the best for me always!

Thanks so much Dad for all you have done and all that you are!

You're the best DAD!
I LOVE YOU!

~Tammy~

* Father's Day Wishes to All *

To all the Dad's today!

A Special wish to:
my Husband, my Father, my Father-in-Law and my Son-in-Law
...a few of my favorite Dads!

Jewelry by Tammy - Bracelets

~ Bracelet variety ~

Bracelets are that little something extra! I enjoy wearing bracelets and I do wear them a lot,

alone or mixed together with a similar type or style, or complimentary to the other bracelet(s). I also often wear a different bracelet on each wrist.

This is a variety of some of the bracelets I've made.

Rice pearls with gold and black glass beads

Pink crystal and golden bead frame pieces

Black crystal and gold twisted metal tubes

Clear crystals and gold metal tubes

Black crystaland gold twisted metal tubes

White cat's eye with gold

Blue and clear crystals with gold

Black and gold beads on twisted gold wire

Pearl and gold beads on gold twisted wire

What the ...Friday?

an unusual event or item, something of question? or

...things that make ya go hmmm?

WTF?

What the ...Friday

is that?:

First of all these are over a foot tall!
I should have made that clearer when I decided to take a picture!

I spotted these at a local store and thought to myself ...well, that they were kind of scary, and yet at the same time really cracked me up! OMGosh! I can't but wonder if a child would really like one of these! It dispenses a whole pack of pez candy at a time though, which it comes with a total of six packs. I got a good laugh out of it! Oh well maybe it would make a good ~~conversation~~ (I mean) laughing piece!

The Giant Barbie Pez Dispenser
the price was $21.99

Here ya go! Check it out in action!

Still laughing at this thing...
~Tammy~

What the...Friday?

I had an idea to do "What the Friday?" pages to share some of the unusual events or items,

something of question, or things that make you go ...hmm? WTF and WTH have become a popular acronym, or initialism if you want to get technical! Originally "What the Wednesday?", came

to mind for this, because it keeps the ol' mouth in check instead of an outburst such as, "What the ???!" (insert word here), no I meant friday, friday!!) but actually, "What the Friday?" works and is much better for WTF or WTH?! So I will use that, and I know there are plenty of "What The Friday" moments in life, and I'll share some as I come across them so, WTF do ya think about that?!

WTF have I started?!

~Tammy~

Jewelry by Tammy - Earrings: more earrings

~ A Variety of Earring Sets ~

I made these earrings over a period of time, some were for myself, and others as special gifts for a few people. I wanted to log them here for memories sake and as a reference for later. I've mentioned before, that earrings are my what I wear the most type of jewelry. Along with my rings, I feel like I'm just not complete without them.