NOT GUILTY DOES NOT MEAN INNOCENT

Caylee Anthony

I was so surprised Casey Anthony received the "not guilty" verdict.  Now my question is - who killed her daughter, Caylee, and disposed of her body?  Let's see how Casey Anthony lives her life in the aftermath of this trial and the cloud of guilt that surrounds her.

DIY WALLPAPER PROJECT IDEAS

DIY Project

To dress up the plain fold-up tables, Stephen Saint-Onge used decoupage glue to line the tables with wallpaper scraps. This is an easy and inexpensive way to add personality to the area.

Budget Tip: Use scraps of wallpaper to embellish items in any room. Here, Saint-Onge adds personality to a tray table, but wallpaper can be used in a variety of ways. Frame it for easy wall art, use it to cover storage bins, or add it to the backs of shelves for a pop of pattern.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE BEAUTIES - ETSYKIDS SOUTH TREASURY

In celebration of the 4th of July holiday, I made this treasury collection of red, white and blue creations by EtsyKids South designers.

Patriotic Hair Bow

by

Originali Tee Too

Tutu

by

Atutudes

Hello Kitty Diaper Cake Centerpiece

by

My Little Angel Co.

Art Display Wall Hanger

by

fanTABBulous Designs

Check out other patriotic creations in my Red, White and Blue Beauties treasury.  Find more designers at Etsy and EtsyKids.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

God Bless America

Ina Garten's Potato Salad

Potato Salad

We enjoyed this potato salad at a 4th of July neighborhood gathering today.  Tasted wonderful!

Ingredients

• 3 pounds small white potatoes
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion

Directions

Place the potatoes and 2 tablespoons of salt in a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain the potatoes in a colander, then place the colander with the potatoes over the empty pot and cover with a clean, dry kitchen towel. Allow the potatoes to steam for 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, dill, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Set aside.

When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in quarters or in half, depending on their size. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl. While the potatoes are still warm, pour enough dressing over them to moisten. Add the celery and red onion, 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Toss well, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend. Serve cold or at room temperature.

DECORATING WITH SEA SHELLS

DIY Sea Shell Picture Frame

Wonder what to do with all the little shells you have found washed up on the shore? Collect the small beauties and glue them around a frame for a quick and easy beachy accessory.

Shell Bowl

This is a pretty way to display large shells in a bathroom. One bowl-shaped shell is filled with a variety of shells and soaps, then topped with a pretty starfish.

Sea Shell Mirror

The cool sparkle of a mirror is a natural complement to the gentle colors and shapes of common shells. When the shells are layered, they bring to mind buckets of treasures gathered on a warm summer day.

ROSEMARY AND THYME

RosemaryThis evergreen shrub, a symbol of remembrance and friendship, prefers a hot, dry growing environment. In warm winter climates, rosemary can grow outside year-round, but in the North bring it inside during the cold months.
Test Garden Tip: Surround rosemary plants with gravel mulch to ensure soil does not become too wet.

Thyme

This Greek herb loves heat and sun and is a magnet for honeybees. The flavors of thyme are strongest when it grows in well-drained soil, so consider planting it in a raised bed or mulching with gravel.


Test Garden Tip: After plants bloom, shear off about a third of the stem.

DINNER WITH CHEF MICKEY - DISNEY WORLD 2011

Pat and I enjoying the excitement 

of the grandchildren at

dinner with Chef Mickey

at the 

Contemporary Resort

in

Disney World.

Minnie Mouse

and

Mickey Mouse

with

the granddaughters.

A TIP FROM THE SOUTHERN LADY COOKS

Most everyone uses the oven for baking, here is a tip from the Southern Lady Cooks blog:

If your recipe says preheat your oven to 400 degrees, you should preheat to 425 degrees and decrease to 400 when you put your dish in. You lose heat when you open the oven door.

SUNDAY DINNER WITH FAMILY

Love the tradition of having a Sunday meal with family.

ICE CREAM BALL TREATS

Ice Cream Pops

These would be great treats; especially since it is so hot outside!

INGREDIENTS

    ice cream

    chocolate hard shell-style ice cream coating (Magic Shell)

    toasted coconut

DIRECTIONS

1. Freeze a baking sheet.
2. Insert lollipop sticks into small scoops of ice cream and place on frozen sheet.
   Freeze overnight.
3. Dip ice cream ball into chocolate hard shell-style ice cream coating (Magic Shell).
   Immediately sprinkle with toasted coconut.
   Return to freezer until serving time.

ETSYKIDS SOUTH TREASURY

Burp Cloths

by

Originali Tee Too

Fuchsia Tutu

by

Tutu Cute and Moore

Diaper Clutch and Wipe Case

by

Ella Minnow Pea

Magnetic Refrigerator Chart

by

Oh Suzy-Q Designs

Check out more hot creations in my treasury by EtsyKids South designers.

BIRTHDAY PARTY CANDY TREATS FAVORS

Birthday Party Favors

How much fun would this be for the birthday guests to make their own party favors with their favorite candy treats?  Set out bowls of colorful candies they can chose from to make their own tasty party gift.  These were made from layering colored Skittles in cleaned recycled plastic bottles.

BIRTHDAY PARTY CANDY DISKS DECORATIONS

Land o' Candy Party Decorations

Make these easy birthday party decorations from colorful plastic dinner plates.  Wrap two plates (adhere together) in cellophane and cinch the ends with ribbon.  You can place them on the wall or hang them around the party area.  You could also insert dowel rods (sticks) in them and line the sidewalk leading up to your entryway or place them around the outside party area.  You could also personalize them.

BIRTHDAY PARTY BALLOON POPS DECORATIONS

Balloon Pops

Turn basic balloons into freestanding lollipops. Wrap them in cellophane and add a wrapping paper tube stick, then position them around the room.

MATERIALS:

Large foam brush, white acrylic paint, wrapping-paper tubes, balloons, ribbon, 2-oz. paint or glue bottles, tape, cellophane, scissors

DIRECTIONS:
1. Use the brush to apply two coats of paint to a tube; let dry.

2. Blow up a balloon, knot the end, and to the bottom attach a length of ribbon that is about 6" longer than the tube.

3. Tie the loose end of the ribbon to the paint or glue bottle (secure with tape if necessary) and drop it into the tube so that ribbon comes out the other end.

4. Cut the ribbon from the paint or glue bottle, pull it taut and tape it to the inside of the tube. (The top of the tube should cover the balloon knot.)

5. Cut a 3'x4' piece of cellophane, cinch around the balloon, and tie with ribbon.

6. Insert the loose paint or glue bottle in the bottom of the tube to help it stand up. Secure in place on the floor with strips of tape if necessary.