DRAGON TRAINING CAMP AT GAYLORD TEXAN

I took my daughter's family to the Gaylord Texan Saturday and the grandkids went to the Dragon Training Camp.  Everyone had a great time!  Hiccup and Astrid were wonderful - Hiccup even sounded like the  movie actor!

"NO COLOR COORDINATION HERE" ETSY TREASURY BY LAURIE

Check out my Alexander Henry security blanket in Laurie's Etsy treasury called "No Color Coordination Here". Thanks Laurie!

OLYMPICS 2012

Best of luck to all the American 

contenders in the 

Olympic games in London!

Fort Worth Science Museum "Grossology"

The grandkids had a playdate last week at the Fort Worth Science Museum.  The main exhibit was "Grossology".  Everyone had a great time!

VBS

This week my granddaughters will attend Vacation Bible School.  They enjoy this every year!

TRIPLE BERRY CREAM PIE

Triple Berry Cream Pie

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening, chilled
• FILLING:
• 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and cut into quarters (8 oz.)
• 1 (6 oz.) basket raspberries
• 1 (4.4 oz.) basket blueberries

Directions

• Make crust: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, mix flour and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Sprinkle with 3 Tbsp. ice water; mix with a fork just until dough forms a ball (add water if needed). Form into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. On a floured surface, roll out into an 11-inch round. Fit into a 9-inch pie pan and crimp edge. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Line crust with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake for 6 minutes, remove foil and bake until lightly golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
• Make filling: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with a mixer on high speed. Beat in cream and vanilla, scraping down sides of bowl, until fluffy and well-mixed. In another bowl, gently mix berries.
• Spoon two-thirds of cream mixture into crust; smooth top. Spoon two-thirds of berries over cream. Mound remaining cream in center and top with remaining berries. Chill for 1 to 4 hours.

CARPET FLUFFER - PINTEREST TIP

Fork as Carpet Fluffer

Use the tines to gently fluff plush carpet fibers back to their original height, removing dents left by heavy furniture. Now, that's a real fork lift!

BEAUTIFUL BATHROOM CABINETRY

I love the look of these 

bathroom cabinets.

The wicker basket is a 

great idea for extra storage.

CROISSANT FRENCH TOAST WITH FRESH STRAWBERRY SYRUP

French Toast

Ingredients

• 4 large day-old croissants
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• Sweetened Whipped Cream (optional)
• Fresh Strawberry Syrup
• 
  

• Preparation

  Slice croissants in half lengthwise.

  Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour into a shallow dish. Dip croissant halves into egg mixture, coating well.

  Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add four croissant halves, and cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat procedure with remaining butter and croissant halves. Sprinkle with powdered sugar; top with Sweetened Whipped Cream, if desired, and Fresh Strawberry Syrup.
  Southern Living MAY 2005
  Check out the other delicious strawberry recipes from Southern Living.

DECORATING PAINT TIPS FROM THE PAINT WIZARD BRIAN SANTOS

Painting Made Easy

Painting Tips from the Wall Wizard

Not sure how to choose a color, prepare a room, or clean a paintbrush? Learn some practical and unusual tips from Brian Santos, the nation's favorite painting expert.

BHG BLUE, PINK, AND PURPLE ANNUAL PICKS FOR 2012

Osteospermum

Peachy Keen Verbena

Presto Geranium

Check out all the other beautiful

 blue, pink, and purple

annuals 

BHG 

picked for 2012.

BHG JULY STORAGE PROJECTS: HOBBY AREA

I am behind with my posts on BHG's monthly projects, so here are posts for the last 2 months.

HOBBY AREA

Clean Out Clutter. Test all the craft supplies you own, including paints, markers, and glues. Do the same with tools such as scissors, staplers, and punches. Toss everything that doesn't work. Put similar items in clear plastic containers with handles.
Storage for Small Gear. Hang a clear vinyl shoe bag inside a closet or behind a door. Slip small parts, supplies, and tools into the pouches.
Hang Fabric. Drape fabric scraps and swatches over rubber-coated hangers intended for multiple pairs of pants. Hang from hooks on the back of a door.
Organize Ideas. Purchase eight to 10 sturdy letter boxes and fill with inspirational materials from books, magazines, photographs, and online searching. Organize and label boxes by topic, source, or project. Stack near a chair or desk and use an extra counter, end table, or resting spot.

BHG JUNE STORAGE PROJECTS: KIDS' BEDROOMS

KIDS' BEDROOMS

Hooks for All Heights. Mount two strips of hooks or pegs to the back of a child's door--one about 3 feet from the floor, the other between 5 and 6 feet. Two levels of hooks allow kids to grow and provide more spots for shorter items such as jackets, towels, and bags.
See-Through Toy Storage. Skip the toy box and stash playthings in large clear containers. Line up against the wall, under windows. Top with a cushion for bench seating.
Keep Books Handy. Fill open boxes with children's books based on size and shape. (Kids' books always slide around on bookshelves anyway.) Keep a box near a child's bed for favorite bedtime reading.
Kid-Friendly Closet. Replace the low hanging-bar section of a child's closet with stackable, ready-to-assemble drawers or cubbies--or slide in a small chest or bookcase. Fill with folded clothes and other gear.

HOW TO CUT A PINEAPPLE

Check out this step-by-step method

how to cut a pineapple.  

Provide by Paula Deen.

BHG NEW TREES AND SHRUBS PICKS FOR 2012

You-Me Passion Hydrangea

Royal Raindrops Crabapple

Pewter Pillar Winter's Bark

Check out all the other 

BHG picks for new 

trees and shrubs 

for 2012.