Isn’t this the most spectacular flower? I’m not sure what it is – a dahlia? I’m sure the sign said, but I just don’t remember. I took this photo, and the next, in late June at the Del Mar Fair in the garden exhibit. I wanted to run right home and plant a field of these, but of course, I didn’t – maybe next year *heavy sigh*. But it is awesome, nonetheless, and while not one of the 17 Awesome Things I’m Sweet On in September 2014, it is, without a doubt, something I covet!
Welcome to the 6th edition of Awesome Things I’m Sweet On during the preceding month. Many bloggers do these round-ups weekly, but I find it challenging even to do this monthly! I read many blogs and many times I think “gosh, I’d love for readers to see this post or that blog,” so started this monthly series in April to share the fabulous work done by other bloggers.
Some of the things I share are silly, some practical, some will make you hungry and others will feed your soul! In any case, I hope you enjoy my “finds”.
If you haven’t noticed from the 12 earlier posts that I’ve shared about New York, I went to visit my brother’s family in August. And, during that visit, my sister-in-law, Missy, asked me “do you use Magic Erasers?”
“No,” I replied.
“Well, they work really great and I highly recommend them.”
So, I did a Google search for uses for Magic Erasers and voila’, over at Life is Poppin’, Missi (not my Missy, but Missi the blogger over at Life is Poppin’) shares 20 Awesome Uses for Magic Erasers. I tried several and guess what? Awesome results!
Okay, I admit it. I have a decent sized walk-in pantry. I also have a refrigerator and separate freezer in my garage in addition to the refrigerator/freezer combo I have in my kitchen. And, guess what? They are full. Full to the brim!
So, when I found this pin on Pinterest titled Living on a Pantry, Freezer and a Prayer…I was intrigued. Because, I had to face facts: my pantry and garage freezer are completely out of control! Kim at Thrifty Little Mom got her pantry, freezer “make-over” idea from Ruth over at Living Well, Spending Less and her post 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero.
Baby steps…I’ll join the 30-day challenge to live off my pantry and freezer, but I’ll need to “ramp up” to tackle a spending zero dollars for one month challenge {grin}!
Surprise for me: I was checking out my friend’s (and blog designer, Tana) recent posts and guess what? She included me in a link in this post: How to Significantly Improve Your Online Marketing. I’m so honored! Thanks, Tana! Plus, her post is so spot-on, providing a useful road map of steps bloggers and others can do to improve their marketing results.
I love The Kitchn blog. But, I have a hard time keeping up with it because they post multiple times a day! But, in spite of their aggressive posting schedule, their blog is bursting with useful stuff: awesome recipes, useful tips, fun ideas and interviews with other chefs, bloggers and celebrities. Their blog is what I’d like Toot Sweet 4 Two to morph into when it grows up! Anyway, I don’t have a salad spinner, but this post, 10 Alternative Uses for Your Salad Spinner, makes me want to go out and buy one!
On the other hand, while Rosie over at Sweetapolita doesn’t post often, she posts amazingly beautiful cakes and treats! Her Birthday Medley Layer Cake is an inspiring combination of various vanilla cake layers with different flavors (chocolate chip, confetti and cherry chip) AND she includes chocolate layers. Frosted in a beautiful shade of turquoise (or is that aqua?), it almost makes me want to take cake decorating classes in my spare time {just kidding – all my spare time goes into this blog!).
How about some Sticky Garlic Chicken and Broccoli? Doesn’t the name alone make you salivate? Wait until you see the pictures! Lindsay at Pinch of Yum has knocked it out of the park, yet again, with fun prose, gorgeous pictures and just a hint about the blogging conference they attended in Houston. As always, Lindsay and husband, Bjork, inspire me. Check out their August Traffic and Income Report if you really want to knock your socks off!
And, because I’m hungry while I’m writing this post, here are some drool-worthy food porn {grin} posts of stuff I wish I’d made:
Graham Cracker Toffee from Nikki at Chef in Training
Taco Salad Mini Bites from Jillian at Food, Folks and Fun
Sunken Apple and Honey Cake from Deb at Smitten Kitchen
Salted Caramel Apple Cups from Christy at The Girl Who Ate Everything
Square Pastel Layer Cake from Rachel at Baked by Rachel
Caramel Apple Mousse Cake from Tonia at The Gunny Sack
Ummm…I seem to be thinking and dreaming about yummy apple recipes from the choices above {thinking Fall, even though it’s still high 90’s here} – half are apple and two involve caramel *laughing*!
Need a boost of motivation, a shot of confidence, etc.? Heather at It’s a Lovely Life has rounded up a bunch of quotes that will get you in the right frame of mind and jump start your week – Monday Pep Talk: 10 Quotes to Boost Your Self Confidence.
I had the honor of attending a mini-breakout session led by Robin at the Mom 2.0 conference in 2013 (Laguna Niguel). Naturally funny, Robin was a hoot and I thoroughly enjoyed her rapid-fire delivery in a sweet Southern accent and the content she shared. This post caught me off guard: Peeking Out of the Closet. How brave that she can share her personal struggle with readers…
And, this brought me to tears: Seat 21A – A Window Seat Reminder of Humanity.
Tootles,
Related Posts:
(other awesome things I’m sweet on)
Great stuff – as always! xo
Thanks, Tana! I enjoy doing these round-ups and, hopefully, will do more in the future!