Neat-O

I have been seeing so many neat things lately. Things that I would like to have. Things that would make my life easier. Things that I never knew existed.

So...I thought that I would share:-)

While browsing the Pottery Barn website, which I do often. Not because I can afford all of the lovely things I find, but because I like to torture myself by looking at all the lovely things I can't afford.

Make sense?

Good!

Anywho...I saw this gorgeous bedding.





I LOVE it! I want it! I can't have it.

Darn it!

I was a little shocked to find something that I loved as much as this set...





Which is SOLD OUT.

I was bummed out about that.

Until last night, when I realized there was another gorgeous bedding set for me to lust after. (sigh)






Moving on...





I just bought a new purse. It's great. Except for the fact that it only has two small pockets on the inside. And a black hole of space for all my worldly possesions to become lost.

I wish that they made an organizer that could hold all of my belongings, that I could just drop into my purse...









Ta-da!

The Purseket.

Apparently Oprah made these popular. I guess I was the last to know.








Now, this may be my favorite thing.






I saw this in my March issue of Better Homes and Gardens. I think I even had a dream about it last night.

I know. I know. I live a pathetic, sheltered life.

But I hate laundry! And this is just too cool. I want one for each bedroom. You can find them at landofnod.com






Finally...

I was on one of my favorite websites this morning, Allrecipes.com, and found out about this website.




Stilltasty.com

A website where you can find out if that leftover whatever is still good, or if you will end up tossing your cookies if you consume it.

I must warn you though...

Never ask a bunch of total strangers if it is safe to eat a leftover Christmas ham that you stuffed in the freezer after eight days of sitting in your fridge. It will spark a heated debate on food safety (and whether or not you should put your digestive health in the hands of complete strangers). Love you guys on the Recipe Buzz!



Have a happy Friday!



Jessie

Immunity Boost

Last year I had numerous colds, 13 to be exact, some of which turned into nasty sinus infections, and caused me to have cronic sinusitis throughout the summer. I have struggled with allergies and asthma since early adolesence. I spent most every allergy season sneezing and wheezing, puffing on my Albuterol inhaler. I had pretty much expected that I was going to have to just deal with it.

I was WRONG! After a visit to my allergy and immunology specialist, which required me to have a scope crammed up my nose and down my throat (not a fun experience), I found out that I had a deviated septum, tons of nasal inflamation, and sinus polyps. The first thing he wanted me to do was get a prescription for an antihistamine and a steroid nasal inhaler. Then he wanted me to consider allergy shots! Whoa!

I am by no means a total naturalist, but I don't like the thought of injecting my body with anything. And I am not to keen on taking a lot of pills or steroids. (disclaimer: I understand that steroids are a necessary evil sometimes, especially with asthma, so I will say that I don't mess around with my ability to breathe and do occassionally use a steroid inhaler for my asthma. And encourage anyone with asthma to do the same.) So, thinking that he was going to laugh in my face, I asked him if there was anything I could try that was more natural first. To my utter astonishment he was very receptive. He suggested that I try nasal lavage.









He gave me a sample of this nasal rinse bottle and some natural saline packets.

I was a little icked out at the thought of blasting my nostrils with a shot of salty water twice a day, but it was better that the alternative. I left that appointment with instructions to return in a month if the problems continued.

That night I filled my bottle with distilled water and a saline packet, and shot it into my right nostril. A little too hard. I felt like I was had sucked a bucket full of lake water into my nose. It burned and stung and I vowed never to do that again. Then I read the instructions (which I urge anyone to do BEFORE they try this). I was a little overzealous with my squirting technique. So, being the trooper that I am, I tried again. This time it was a much smoother process. I won't go into specifics because cleaning out your nasal passages is not so pleasant.

A few days later I noticed a definite improvement. I could breath through Both nostrils for the first time in years!

I decided to do a little Google search to see what else I could do to boost my immunity naturally.






Green tea! I have read so much about the benefits of green tea. It is really a remarkable drink. I cut out most of my coffee, and started organic drinking green tea. Eight cups a day! Having the Cuisinart one-cup brewing station really helps this process. I just slide my cup under the head and push a couple of buttons. Easy peasy.







I also read about the benefits of probiotics. They come in a few forms, capsules and yogurt are the most popular.

My absolute fave is Chobani Greek style yogurt. It has several different cultures, including immune boosting and digestive (a whole other issue entirely).






And, last but not least, my super immunity smootie. It had strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pomagranate juice, bananas, and yogurt (I like Stonyfield Farms Organic Vanilla). The berries are loaded with vitamin C, and pomegranate is one of the healthiest juices you can drink. Plus the yogurt gives another dose of probiotics.


The results...


This fall and winter I have only had 2 colds!

But, I feel that I have to tell you, I am suffering from a cold as I write this (with a pile of tissues accumulating in the trash beside me). It has been very mild, with not one asthmatic symptom, or even a stuffed up snoot. Which is a total victory for me! I will take 2 over 13 any day.



Jessie

Weekend Craziness

This weekend was busy, busy, busy!

I was asked to be a "hair model" for a wedding expo on Saturday. It was an excellent chance to scope out the cake vendors in my area (and I got in for FREE). Hopefully I will be experienced enough to have my own booth next year! There were some gorgeous cakes on display.


I was taking my own pictures, so they aren't the best quality.














I had to go to mass with my hair like that, because I knew if I took it out it would be a hot mess.



Then, on Sunday morning, we went to Kohl's. We had gotten two Keurig coffee brewers for Christmas, and had to return one of them. I know, I know, Christmas was TWO months ago, but Kohl's is forty miles away. In the SNOW. Nuff said.







We purchased a new knife set. I can't wait to make soup tonight! Hopefully I won't chop my finger off. (side note: I got a new serrated knife a few weeks ago and sliced my finger open not once, but twice, within a span of ohhh....five days. The first cut definitely needed stiches, but I had cakes to bake, so I taped it up and soldiered through. The second one wasn't as deep.)


Then, last night, I finally got to finish my sample purse shaped cake.





It is incredibly dry in my house, so the fondant was cracking all over the place, but I managed to get the cake covered and the cute zebra stripes applied.







After the kiddos were in bed, I cut out and shaped my flowers. I have way too many "helpers", so I have found that if I want to get anything accomplished, I have to wait for the little stinkers to drift off to dreamland.




The finished product! Not too bad for my first try.




Now...


Here is my office space. Which is also our bedroom. Notice the awful purple walls, and horrible looking vanity-table-turned-desk.








I have some mighty big plans for this area! Including a fresh coat of paint for my walls (it was painted ten years ago...give me a break please), and a good sanding and painting for my desk (which had a mirror attached to it last week, but I already ditched that). Maybe a fabric covered bulliten board...



I can't wait to get started!






Jessie

Awesome Cake Book

A few weeks ago I ordered this book from Amazon.








Sky High Irresitable Triple Layer Cakes, By Alisa Huntsman and Peter Wynne

It is THE best cake cookbook that I have read. The recipes are fabulous. Triple Decker Boston Cream Pie, Banana Chocolate Chip Cake and a truly delectable Vanilla Buttermilk Cake are a few of my new faves.

But the recipes aren't the only thing this book offers. It has some wonderful baking tips, and detailed, easy instructions.

Oh yeah...and the picures are gorgeous!

I know I am gushing, but I LOVE this book!



Happy Friday!

Jessie

Business Is Booming!

Hey there! Long time no blog.

I finally got my new computer up and running. Yay!!! And my super-speedy internet hooked up. Yay again!!!

I have been seriously busy with Seriously Sweet. The first week I was in business I made 5 cakes and an order of cupcakes (3 of the cakes and the cupcakes were all in the same weekend!). I have been trying to design my flyer and finish my price list. That is the boring part. All that math makes my head hurt;-)

I'll show you a few of my creations.








I made this one for the Superbowl (obviously).







My VERY popular Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.






This one was for my mother-in-law to take on a girl's weekend.







I LOVE this one. Owls are so cute!


Now that I finally have high-speed internet(I know, I know, it isn't that big of a deal to have HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, but give me a break, I live in the sticks of Northern Michigan), I am going to redesign my blog. So it may look funky for a while. I've said it before and I'll say it again I AM NOT A COMPUTER PERSON.

I also plan on writing a little more about my life, aside from the baking.



Jessie