Saturday Scrumptious Snacks!

Peppery Pear Salsa (courtesy of my mom)

1 cup vingear
8 cups chopped pears
3 finely diced red peppers
3 finely diced green peppers
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp salt
2 tsp dry mustard powder
1 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

- Bring everything to a boil and simmer for at least 5 minutes or until liquid thickens a bit.


  *Optional* I also added 2 jalapenos and 1 red onion to this recipe for a bit more of a kick and less sweet salsa 


Honey Almond Flax Granola

1 cup coconut
5 cups rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups almond meal
3 tbsp flax seeds
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 cup dried blueberries
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil

- Pre-heat oven to 350 F
- Mix together all dry ingredients EXCEPT the dried fruit
- Combine honey, cinnamon, oil in a saucepan and bring to just boiling.
- Coat dry ingredients with honey mixture and spread out evenly in a cookie tray (or two)
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes (or until golden brown) stirring halfway
- Cool and add in dried fruit


Enjoy some Scrumptious Saturday Snacks!

Loves,
Sarah

So I Have a VERY Productive Pear Tree... Now What?

Now what you ask?

Jam! Jelly! Pearsauce! Oh My!

So much thanks to my mother who canned all sorts of goodies when I was younger and a bit of how to/follow the pictures help from Pick Your Own and I was all set to make up some lovely pear jam this evening. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at this batch of 14 jars didn't even put a dent in the massive amount of pears I still need to process (and there is still more on the tree!) But the Jam is ultra tasty and we'll be enjoying it all year long! 

Final Product. Yummy!!

Summer Bounty

 Summer Bounty.... wonderful!

I love fresh flowers, and they are the most satisfying when you've picked them right from your own garden (or perhaps stolen some from the neighbour across the street... ssh don't tell)

DIY Glassless Photo Frame

Cute as a Button Creations

Okay, fresh start. More than two years since I've last posted but since I've been hooked into some "Pinteresting" things lately I thought I'd share some of my craftiness this summer.

Latest and Greatest: DIY Glassless Photo Frame

Supplies:
- Old Picture Frame (or window could be cool) - without the glass
- 10-15 wooden clothespins
- Jute Twine
- Sandpaper
- Staple gun
- Stain/Paint
- Paint Brush
- Old Rag
- Wood Glue (for repair of frame if required)

Start with ugly old broken frame...

Exhibit A

Fix up as required. This one need some serious corner attention as you can see. Follow with a light sanding and then paint or stain your favourite colour. I choose a nice dark walnut stain that managed to cover the original dirty dusty rose with a few coats. Since I had the stain out anyways I also did a quick coat on my clothespins so they wouldn't look so new. If you have nice old ones that a bit used that would be ideal!

Once your frame is good and dry (best to let it dry overnight so you're not dealing with any sticky paint or stain) you can staple on your jute twine (or hemp, or heavy yarn could work too) At the spacing you require for your photos. And Voila! A unique way to display your pictures and a reason to get some prints too and not just leave them stuck in an album on your computer that no one ever gets to see anyways....

Enjoy!