Vintage Upcycling with Class....soap or jewelry dishes

 Okay, before I say anything else, the top soap dish is mine. Just saying. I have a dream for my bathroom in our little fix up cottage in Joseph, a turquoise and white, with gold and bronze themed bath. So I'm testing the waters in our apartment in Wendover, and I'm loving the results so far.

 For a romantic bed or bath, these lovely dishes are perfect! Think wedding or Valentines for that special someone, or treat yourself!

These are upcycled vintage tea cup saucers without their mates, that I've added bases to to give them new life and a new purpose. You can find these inexpensive giftables at  SIMPLY SHERYL'S

My Hearts Desire...

My heart's desire would be for thee
to know my love is true...

ETSY

Cowgirl Chic, with a Retro Feel

 I love treasure hunting, yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, you name it, I love to peruse the possibilities that await. When I saw the belt this cuff was made out of I immediately knew....

 ...that there would be several bracelets in the works made from it. What fun I had digging through my stash of beads and charms, until I found the brass stars I used for this cuff.

 What else but red, white and blue to go along with the stars?! This bracelet looks so great on, but my vanity wouldn't let me share a photo with my lined wrists...lol. Hmmmm blogger is misbehaving again, so here is where I will post the link to Simply Sheryl's on etsy.

Bleeding Hearts.......

 Lovely blossoms, Bleeding Hearts, all dangle in a row....
Like maids in waiting, hoping, praying, for their handsome Beau.

Elusive blossoms, Bleeding Hearts, they come and go so soon...
Catch your chance at true romance and give these by the light of the moon.
Necklace     Earrings

On Pearls and other pretties

Cultured or freshwater pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience, to quicken the laws of karma and to cement engagements and love relationships. They are thought to keep children safe.
Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought. Ancient legend says that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods and the Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.
Whether real or not, pearls and other lovelies in glass will sparkle and shine on your sweetheart or loved ones wrist. Consider a gift of hand made love this Valentines Day from Simply Sheryl's 

 

Tasty Tuesday - Coconut Layer Cake with Raspberry Filling

 Somehow the coconut supply keeps replenishing itself in my mother-in-laws refrigerator. Don't know how, and neither does she as I've not ever seen it used for anything since I've been taking care of them. Be that as it may, I decided to try a luscious coconut cake recipe she kept telling me about.

 The recipe for the layers is pretty basic. We cut the sugar by 1/2 a cup and I can see why now that I've tasted the finished product. It would be way too sweet...
Start with 1/2 cup of butter, cream that and then add 1 cup of sugar, and cream until the sugar is almost dissolved. Add 2 eggs and beat well, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Combine 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt and add to creamed mixture gradually, alternating with 1 cup of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Beat until well blended and pour into 2 greased and floured 9 inch cake pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until toothpick tested in center of cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes then turn layers out of pans onto rack to cool. Grandma's kitchen is rather primitive so we don't have a cooling rack here so I had to use waxed paper. It works.

 For the seven minute frosting I had to be creative and use a bowl as the top of a "double boiler". Next time I will use a larger bowl. You start with 2 egg whites. The yolks will be used in French Toast for breakfast. Add 1 1/2 cups sugar to the egg whites in the bowl or top of double boiler, and a pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon of corn syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1/4 cup of water. blend with hand mixer and then put on top of pan of boiling water and beat for 7 minutes or until stiff peaks form.

 Place one layer of cake top side down on cake plate and spread the up side with raspberry jam, just about 1/2 inch to the edge of the cake all the way around. Darn I wish I had photos. Then top with other layer, flat side down, and start spreading the frosting up the sides and over the top of the cake, being somewhat generous. Now sprinkle fresh coconut over the top and press into the sides of the cake, covering the frosting most of the way. If you like, top with fresh raspberries.

Taadaa! This cake is actually lighter and deliciously wonderfuller than I thought it would be. Okay I know that wonderfuller is not a word per se, but hey, it's my blog...;-)
Coconut Layer Cake with Raspberry Filling
1/2 cup butter, creamed
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon each salt and vanilla
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon baking powder


Raspberry jam for filling
Seven minute Frosting
2 egg whites
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon corn syrup
pinch of salt

Fresh coconut

Pretty in Pink & Chocolate Hues in a Valentines Necklace

Lovely shades of smokey pink, with a drop of chocolate to mix things up are combined to create this lovely necklace. A tiny copper heart charm adds a spark of romance to this one of a kind creation. Say "I love you" with a hand crafted one of a kind necklace from Simply Sheryl's at esty