coconut lime rice pudding

July 8, 2014

Isn’t rice pudding a winter dessert?

I love to eat it warm and I find it very satisfying as a cold weather treat, but I was given a sample of Carolina Jasmine rice at the Country Living Magazine Fair this year and it motivated me to try a recipe for coconut lime rice pudding.

Two big surprises here! 1. It is not winter… and, 2. I am making rice pudding and not using my grandmother’s recipe!

I love the subtle jasmine flavor of the rice combined with the coconut and lime flavors. As always, when I find a great recipe…and a super easy one at that…I need to share!

Coconut Lime Rice Pudding Recipe

1 cup Carolina Jasmine Rice
2 cans (13 to 14 oz. each) light unsweetened coconut milk
2 ½ cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
2 ½ tsp fresh lime zest (buy 2 limes – I also added a squeeze of fresh lime juice)
Toasted flaked coconut and lime peel, for garnish
6 gingersnaps crushed with a rolling pin, for garnish

In a bowl, soak rice in water for 20 minutes. Drain.

In a 3-quart heavy saucepan, bring coconut milk, milk, sugar and rice to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and add lime zest (and a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired). Serve chilled. Sprinkle with toasted coconut, crushed gingersnaps, and lime peel, if desired. Serves 8.

Based on a recipe from Carolina Rice.

Because I love making small plated portions of desserts, I used my mini latte bowls from Anthropologie to serve up the recipe and got 14 individual servings. In these small portions, served chilled right from the fridge, coconut lime rice pudding is a refreshing summer dessert.

I hope you enjoy coconut lime rice pudding as much as I do!

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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patriotic mason jars

June 17, 2014

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint can be very dangerous. Once you have some in the house, you can think of so many ways to use it!

Painting mason jars is nothing new, but since I had some leftover paint from my last furniture project, I thought I would share how I decided to paint some blue Ball jars to use at my 4^th of July celebration at the beach.

I liked the idea of using blue jars so that it would be possible to catch glimpses of the inside blue hues even after the jars were painted.

I started by painting the outside of the jars with two coats of Paris Grey. Then, after cutting a kitchen sponge into a star shape, sponged stars onto the jars using Primer Red. I used some sandpaper to distress them a little bit and then gave them a coat of clear wax.

For the one jar I wanted to use as a candleholder, I masked off a star shape (a little smaller than the size of the sponge star) before I started the painting process (also leaving the metal top ring screwed into place). By masking off the star, the clear blue jar stayed clear in the masked area, enabling light from a candle to shine through.

I finished them off by tying some twine around the tops of the jars.

Fun and patriotic! I will use them on the 4^th to hold picnic utensils, but they will also be great all summer for flowers, candles, etc.

Thanks for stopping by and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Shabby Nest, Craftberry Bush, and Finding Silver Pennies.

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fun with gelatin

June 6, 2014

You have heard of signature drinks? What about a signature jelly shot?

For Friday field trip this week, I will show you just that…and, some other fun with gelatin!

After my nephew’s wedding this past summer, I was able to secure the recipe for his signature drink – the D & P Pimm’s Cup – from his wedding venue. When Thanksgiving rolled around, I used the signature drink as an inspiration to create the D & P Pimm’s Cup cupcake by incorporating the signature drink ingredients into a cupcake recipe.

Wanting to continue the D & P signature drink inspiration for the newlywed couple’s first year of holidays, on Easter I created the D & P Pimm’s Cup Jelly Shot!

D & P Pimm’s Cup Jelly Shot

4 strawberries
2 sprigs fresh basil
1 (1 inch piece) cucumber, coarsely chopped
¾ cup Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
6 ice cubes
2/3 cup ginger ale
1/3 cup cold water
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate (thawed & strained)
2 envelopes Knox gelatin
Garnish (optional) basil, strawberries, lemon, cucumber

Muddle (mash) strawberries, basil and cucumber in a large cocktail shaker. Add the Pimm’s and the ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer and set aside.

Combine the ginger ale, lemon syrup, and water in a medium saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two.

Heat over very low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2/3 cup of the reserved Pimm’s liquid, stirring well to blend.

Pour into a standard size loaf pan and chill overnight or until fully set. Cut, serve, and add garnish as desired.

This recipe is a variation of a recipe created by the jelly shot master Michelle Palm – Michelle has been my inspiration to start playing with gelatin. :)

Since these jelly shots can only be consumed by those over 21, I also created a fun jelly shot for the younger set. During Jell-O brand gelatin’s heyday in the 1960’s, a recipe for ‘Broken Glass Jell-O’ was printed right on the side of the Jell-O box. It is the technique from this recipe that I implemented to create my ‘kid friendly’ jelly shots. The recipe – the name wisely updated to ‘Stained Glass Bars’ – is available on the Kraft Foods website. I cut the completed recipe into small cubes and added mini marshmallows to the skewers…there are so many fun variations based on a party theme, color scheme, etc.

I hope you will use these ideas to help inspire some of your own gelatin fun!

P.S. For more jelly shot fun, you might like a school of pink lemonade fish jelly shots.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush.

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7 ways to use spring blooms

June 3, 2014

Here in Connecticut, we had a loooooong winter and spring was very hesitant in getting started. As a result, gardens were a little behind in blooming this year…the usual ‘planting on Mother’s Day’ was stalled big time! So, when the spring blooms finally started to emerge, it created a sense of celebration like no other year I can remember!

Today, I am sharing my appreciation for the first blooms of the season. Because, after all, the best part of gardening is appreciating the results!

Here are seven ways I used the first of my garden flowers.

As a garnish.

Pansies are a pretty garnish for a dessert. I press petals from organic pansies overnight in a book and then wet them with water and add sugar. (I know egg whites are usually used for this, but they scare me a little, and I can usually get the sugar to adhere with just water.)

To make a pretty ice cube.

I have always loved adding unexpected items to ice cubes…here, I added flower petals. They look so pretty at a garden party, bridal shower, or brunch. I am careful to use flowers that are safe and edible.

Add to a placesetting.

What better way to add some springtime to a place setting than to adorn napkins with a bloom from the garden? Even a tiny garden can spare a few stems for a spring table.

Give to a friend.

Sharing flowers from the garden is always fun. I had a neighbor that recently moved into a retirement facility. I decided to grab some of the lilacs off the bush that bordered her yard when I last went to visit, intending to put them in one of her vases when I got there. I casually wrapped them in some old sheet music to transport them, knowing the nostalgia would make her smile when she received them. .

Bring the garden indoors.

Arguably, the best way to use flowers from the garden is to put small vases everywhere in the house. A taste of the garden in every room is a great way to experience the season. Just a sprig or two of a bloom can add beauty and a scent to any corner!

Create an arrangement.

Creating an arrangement is a big statement in using garden flowers. This was a quick and casual arrangement I put together with garden flowers and a clearance vase from Anthropologie for the refreshment table at a monthly garden club meeting…a great way to share my spring garden with friends who love flowers!

As an ingredient.

Not exactly a flower, but the herbs from the garden have already been in use. I have already made one dessert from some of the mint and, the basil has been utilized for appetizers as well as used as a garnish many times.

What are some ways you used your first flowers of the season?

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Sand & Sisal.

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recreating the freeze pop

May 23, 2014

Today’s Friday field trip is kickin’ it back to my childhood.

I’ve always loved freeze pops. When I was a kid, that’s what I called the ice pops that came in a long plastic tube…tubes of sweet iciness that brought with them reminders of many hot, fun summers. So, when I recently discovered that food-safe plastic tubes were available online, I had no choice but to purchase some – pronto!

As the years have gone by, I have been more and more hesitant to pick up my old favorites at the grocery stores. Because, I have to admit, the list of ingredients in those pops is pretty scary! This made the idea of creating my own even more intriguing!

I have been playing around with possible flavor combinations. I am still working on some recipes…and others, like the basil watermelon or the spicy chocolate, I have already perfected!

For Memorial Day, I am making ice pops from my watermelon recipe to share with my partner in freeze pop crime (aka, my son) who has been known to help me devour an entire box in a very (too short to admit) amount of time!

If you want to make some yourself and don’t have the plastic sleeves, use this recipe with ice pop molds or go old school with small paper cups and wooden sticks. The recipe can also be frozen up in ice cube trays to add to sparkling water or lemonade.

pleasure in simple things ice pops in plastic sleeves

The ice pop plastic sleeves filled, tied, and ready for the freezer.

To make these frozen confections, I first made basil simple syrup to use as a sweetener for the watermelon. I love basil with watermelon and the flavor profile makes for a more adult flavor than the watermelon by itself. The leftover syrup is wonderful for sweetening ice tea or lemonade…it is also great drizzled on fresh strawberries or strawberry shortcake. Or, it can be a wonderful addition to a summer cocktail! If you want to add a little ‘kick’ to your pop, I bet a little melon liquor would be a nice addition to the recipe.

I hope I have inspired you to try creating some of your own frozen treats this weekend.

Remember to take some time this Memorial Day to honor those who have paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom and to thank all those who serve our country both now and in the past.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush, Shabby Nest, and Crafts a la Mode.

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summertime diy napkin rings

May 13, 2014

What flower suggests the summertime to you? Queen Anne’s lace screams summer to me. Even though some people may consider it a weed…I see it as a sweet and nostalgic symbol of the summertime! Combining this flower with a napkin ring creates the perfect summer accessory for outdoor dinners on the sand. :)

I recently saw a photo in a magazine of a napkin ring with a bloom of Queen Anne’s lace and I fell in love with it!

The napkin ring was listed as available from Crate & Barrel. Normally, I would have run right out to Crate & Barrel and scooped some up – they were so reasonably priced! (And I love any excuse to visit the store!) But, since I already had all the materials needed to create them at home, I was able to make them up at basically no cost! Besides, I had been eager to upscale the old napkin rings my friend Terry gave me months ago…she knew I would find a great use for them! (Thank you Terry!)

I had picked up a solitary stem of artificial Queen Anne’s lace last summer in the bargain bin at the craft store – not really sure what I’d do with it. Conveniently, it contained four blooms on the one stem – perfect to create a set of napkin rings!

Adding in some scrap twine, I made all four napkin rings for the cost of the flower stem ($1. plus tax). These napkin rings will serve as the perfect accessory for some of my many nautical napkins to use with meals on the beach this summer.

I wrapped each napkin ring with twine – using my trusty glue gun to hold the twine in place. After completely covering the old napkin ring, I removed a bloom from the stem of the artificial flower and affixed it to the top of the twine covered ring using the glue gun.

Easy! This technique can be used for any artificial flower you may have…or, one you have crafted from paper. This is also a great and inexpensive way to add a theme color or favorite flower to a bridal shower… or any celebration! Recycle old napkin rings, curtain rings, or shower rings using this technique to create some beautiful new napkin rings!

I love my new napkin rings…and, the Queen Anne’s lace reminds me that summer is ahead!

A nostalgic summertime song to set the mood for meals on the beach. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. You can click here for a tutorial on making the anchor napkins shown here…and click here for some great ways to use seaglass! Enjoy!

Sharing at Sand & Sisal, Finding Silver Pennies, and Savvy Southern Style.

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vintage teacup earl grey crème brûlée

May 6, 2014

Serving crème brûlée from vintage teacups is sure to make a family bridal shower, tea party, or Mother’s Day a special one! What could be better than serving dessert from your grandmother’s teacups? I think individual desserts add a special quality to a meal all on their own, but to add the sentiment of serving it in a special piece of history makes it all the sweeter!

Everyone thinks of crème brûlée as a special occasion dessert, but it is not a hard one to create. Traditionally, it is cooked in the oven, but I have found that good results are possible with a no-bake method. You can use any no-bake recipe or the one I found online and, by using my simple variation, can create Earl Grey crème brûlée!

Most teacups are not oven safe and I would not advise putting family heirlooms in a hot oven…a vintage piece with sentimental value is not something to experiment with! This is the reason I went with a no-bake method for my Earl Grey crème brûlée…I think it is the perfect flavor profile to combine with vintage teacups! If Earl Grey is not your thing, just don’t add it to the recipe.

If you prefer a more contemporary choice of vessel, I recommend the mini latte bowls from Anthropologie…the perfect size to hold 3 ounces for a small, individual portion.

I found the no-bake recipe I used from Completely Delicious during an internet search – it is easy and makes the perfect amount of custard for a special dessert for a mom (and maybe a couple of grandmas)…it will fill 3 or 4 teacups or 4 mini latte bowls. Following this recipe (click here), make these changes to create Earl Grey crème brûlée:

After completing step 1, place 4 Earl Grey teabags into the hot mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, dunk the teabags a couple of times and then gently squeeze the liquid out of the teabags and into the pan (being mindful that the mixture will be hot.)

Continue with the recipe, substituting 1 teaspoon of vanilla for the 1 Tablespoon listed.

Be sure to strain the mixture. I found while testing no-bake recipes that this is extremely important for a smooth texture – don’t skip this step! (As a special note – I was very cautious with my kitchen torch – I didn’t venture near the edges of my special cups!)

To play up the tea theme, add lemon and mint as garnish. :)

If you are an Earl Grey lover as I am, you may enjoy trying these Earl Grey cream puffs. I also love adding the flavor to shortbreads…I still have Earl Grey ice cream on my list of experiments…maybe this summer. ;)

I hope I have inspired you to think of ways to use your own heirlooms to create some special memories. We will continue the family heirloom theme on Friday when I show you how to create a special diy gift using an old family treasure.

Thank you for stopping by and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Coastal Charm, Sand & Sisal, and Silver Pennies.

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book giveaway for may!

April 29, 2014

April is already coming to a close and that means it is time to announce the winner of the April book and to let you know the book selection for May! I am happy to announce that Lindsay from Pennsylvania is the winner of a copy of Ecobeauty by Lauren Cox with Janice Cox. Congratulations! This book is sure to come in handy to create some Mother’s Day surprises! I will be sharing a couple of the natural beauty product recipes from the book in the days ahead to help all my friends create some beautiful gifts!

I am excited about May’s book selection! Have you heard of the Beekman Boys? You may have seen them on the Cooking Channel. I had the opportunity to see them in person recently when I attended the Philadelphia Flower Show. At the show, I picked up a copy of their book The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert Cookbook. I love this book! I am so excited by it, that I had to pick up another copy to include as a monthly giveaway to send to one lucky follower!

The book is so beautifully put together and the photos are truly inspiring. Since I am a ‘farm to table’ kind of gal, I love the way the recipes are organized by season. The most recent recipe I tried from the book was one using fresh mint – one of the first spring selections from the garden. The mint bars were so yummy and fresh tasting!

Trying a spring recipe for mint bars from The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert Cookbook.

I know you will enjoy this marvelous dessert recipe book. Just leave a comment here or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or send me an email message during the month of May for a chance to win a free copy of this month’s selection. The winner will be announced at the end of the month. Good luck!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Instagram users, please read on for the pleasure in simple things May Instagram Challenge!

For May, we are sharing our flower photos…it can be a flower from your garden, from a garden you visit, or even a patch of beautiful wildflowers you spot along the side of the road! Please share your inspiring flower photos for the whole month of May using the hashtag #pleasuregram. Enjoy!

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shades of gray…and purple

April 15, 2014

Here comes the egg lady! I joked around this week that the late night cashier at the grocery store’s ’10 items or less’ aisle must call me that! It is probably true…I have stopped in late night at the grocery store so often lately – each time for just a carton of white eggs!

I already admitted I have an egg dyeing obsession…but it looks like I am now down to my last batch for the year. It’s Easter week and, since I’m making all the desserts for Easter dinner, I have no more time to dye eggs!

Any free time I have this week will now be spent planning and making the Easter desserts!

I dyed my last batch of eggs in shades of gray. I love neutral shades for egg dyeing, but gray dyed eggs are particularly beautiful. The best way to make gray dye is to simply mix 1/2 cup of room temperature water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and some black paste food coloring.

Because I put together a vignette with a pretty iridescent purple glass I picked up in the clearance section at Anthropologie, I decided to dye a couple of my last dozen of eggs purple before putting them into the gray dye.

I made various shades of gray eggs by varying the time in the dye. I also rubbed off some of the color on the eggs so the wouldn’t look “too perfect.”

The irregular shading gives them so much character!

So that is it…the last of this year’s egg dyeing! :( I hope you will try dyeing some gray eggs, if you haven’t already! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with StoneGable, Sand & Sisal, Coastal Charm

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easter place cards

April 8, 2014

I promised to show you how to use the grass-filled eggshells from an earlier post. One of the ways I use them is as Easter place cards. Making a simple paper holder, the eggs help serve as part of pretty place cards on an Easter table.

To make the egg holder, use any scrap of fabric or paper you may find attractive that fits well with your table top color scheme.

Options can include: a pretty paper cocktail napkin, magazine page, newspaper, scrapbook or wrapping paper, wall paper, brown paper, empty seed packets, paint chips…even birch bark.

Just add an egg you have planted with grass…or, any decorated egg and you are good to go!

There is another way go…if you have kids, you may have seen this coming…grass heads! Instead of adding names to the placeholders, have the children draw the person’s likeness on the egg with a marker. Guests can be asked to find ‘their egg’ to locate their seat…sure to get the young artists giggling!

There is still plenty of time to plant some grass heads before Easter!

Join me Friday for more egg fun! Friday field trip this week is kickin’ it back to kindergarten by using some easy techniques from my childhood to make some great egg designs…see you then!

Thanks for stopping by.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Finding Silver Pennies, Little Red House, and Crafts a la Mode.

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coconut lime rice pudding

patriotic mason jars

fun with gelatin

7 ways to use spring blooms

recreating the freeze pop

summertime diy napkin rings

vintage teacup earl grey crème brûlée

book giveaway for may!

shades of gray…and purple

easter place cards