Dairy Free Blueberry Coconut Smoothie

                                  There is nothing more refreshing in the Spring or Summer than a smoothie.

They are cold and delicious, a lot like a slushy but so much healthier. Smoothies are so easy to make

and so fast to whip up. This Blueberry Coconut Smoothie is not only healthy but decadent and dairy

free. What makes it dairy free you ask? There is no yogurt or animal milk in it. It's made with

almond milk. So, lets get to the recipe and see what makes this smoothie so special.

                              Prep and Blend time: about 5 minutes

                              Servings: 1


                               Ingredients:

                       1 cup frozen blueberries

                       1 1/4 cups almond milk

                       1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

                       1/2 Tb cacao nibs ( the decadent part)

                       1 lemon wedge

                       1 cup ice

                       honey to sweeten (optional)



                            Instructions:

                      1. Add ice, blueberries, coconut, cacao nibs and almond milk into a blender.

                      2. Squeeze juice of 1 lemon wedge into the blander and add honey to sweeten.

                      3. Blend until smooth. To make your smoothie less thick add more almond milk.

                      4. Pour into a fun smoothie glass, add a straw and go to town! Enjoy.


          Now, I want to hear from you. What is your favorite ingredient to put into a smoothie? What

smoothie recipe would you like to see next?  Let me know in the comments below.




                             

                             

Granny Stripe Baby Blanket

                   A few months ago I decided to crochet a baby blanket for my brother's newborn baby

boy. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to give something handmade. I guess my brain is just

wired that way. How about you? Do you just have to give the gift of handmade? There's just

something that is put into the item that makes it that much more special.

                  When I was little I had a quilt that I just loved. It was a yellow hand-tied quilt with squares

with different shades of yellow. I always used that blanket. It didn't matter what time of year it was it

was always there. Eventually, it got old and thin. Sadly, I don't know where it is. Maybe it's still with

my mom or maybe it was tossed. There is one thing I am sure of, though, it got a lot of love.

               Okay, back to the baby blanket. I used a multi-colored yarn for the body and a white yarn

that I had in my stash for the border. Now, to be honest, I don't remember what the pattern for the

the border is called. I do know that is was a simple pattern and an easy stitch. The granny stripe is

achieved by making three double crochets in each space of a cluster. It's super easy and it works very

quickly. You can find it just by searching the internet. It's pretty popular.

               What was your favorite blanket as a child? Share in the comments below. Do you have a

a project that you're working on right now? I would love to hear about it.

Summertime Treats: Orange Creamsicle Truffles

                             Summer is around the corner. I mean, literally, it's next month. How did the school

year go by so fast? Soon backyard BBQ's and cool treats will be in full swing. Are ready for the

onslaught of pool parties and picnics? I don't know about you, but I am always on the hunt for a new

sweet treat during the summer months. Ice cream flavored treat and just ice cream in general seem to

be the most popular choices.

                             Growing up orange creamsicles were one of my favorite treats. the orange outer

shell mixed with the creamy vanilla center. I kinda want one right now. I wanted these truffles to

remind me of those yummy treats and they do! Even my daughter was excited to try them. And if

you like them you will probably like my Blueberries and Cream Truffles too. Okay, here is the

recipe. I hope you like it. Wait! I have a question for you. What's your favorite summer time treat?

Tell me in the comments below.

Ingredients:

1. package of orange candy melts, about 11 oz.

2. 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

3. 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

4. orange candy flavor

Instructions:

1. Heat heavy whipping cream in a small sauce pan until simmering.

2. Pour whipping cream over candy melts in a heat safe bowl and stir until completely melted.

3. Cover bowl and place in the refrigerator for about an hour, or until the mixture is set.

4. Roll mixture into balls and place them on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Freeze until set. About 30 minutes.

5. Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl or mug and microwave in 10 second intervals until smooth.

6. Drizzle white chocolate onto the truffles and place them back into the freezer until set.

Store them in an air tight container in the fridge for about a week. Makes about 20 pieces. Enjoy!

Rose Quartz Garden Bracelet and Simple Drop Earrings

             A few weeks ago I was standing in my craft room staring blankly into the closet.

I was looking to see what I had and what would spark inspiration. Have you ever had one of those

days where you want to be creative but you don't know what to make? Well, that was how I was

feeling. Let me tell you, I get stuck, really get stuck. I will find myself looking at those

wonderful things to create with and no ideas at all. Nothing. A creative void of emptiness and there

no escape..... Okay, that might have a little bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea.

     
            After pulling myself out of my funk I decided to take all of  my beads out and see what I had

to work with. Turns out I had quite a bit. Looking at greens, purples, and pinks and then looking at

them again; (dramatic pause)and maybe a few more times after that. I found the perfect color

combos for my next couple of projects.

        Now to lay out all the pieces and put it all together. You know, putting jewelry together is a lot

like putting a puzzle together. You lay the pieces out, organize and start assembling. Then you make

a huge mess and then look for all the pieces, find you are missing some and spend half an hour

looking for all the tiny pieces. Finally, you get everything together and you are super excited.

            The earrings are very simple and elegant. They were so simple to make. Just take a headpin ( 

these have a little ball on the end). Add some beads in a cute design and attach to the fish hook 

earrings with some pliers by making a loop. So easy and you can customize the colors.

              The Garden Bracelet has a cute little rose dangle on one end and in the middle is a nice 

a tree branch or vine. Just string some Rose Quartz on two pieces of jewelry wire and attach them to 

the branch with a crimping bead. Do the same to secure both ends. I always give a little tug to make 

sure all the ends are secure. I made and added the dangle or drop the same way I made the earrings. 

Make sure to measure your wrist before you cut the wire to make sure it's the right size.

Now, go to your craft room and get creative. If you get stuck that's okay. Inspiration is everywhere, 

even in your craft room closet. What's your favorite project to work on when you have the creative bug? Have a sweet day!