Cherries

I have never been one for "fake cherries" (that's what I call the ones that come on your ice cream, I know they have an official name but oh well). In fact the thought of eating one makes me want to gag. Now I know that probably sounds a little dramatic but again, oh well I'm just tellin' it like it is. A few months ago I thought I would give the "real deal" a try. I mean heck they're only $5.99 a pound (and there's at least 3 pounds pre-packaged for you, how sweet of those grocers).
Well let me tell you I have found a new love and that new love is cherries. I don't know about you but I love looking up veggies and fruits to find out what's so healthy about 'em. So here it goes...

A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.

Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process.

A recent study from the University of Michigan reveals new evidence linking cherries to heart health benefits. The study found that a cherry-enriched diet lowered total weight, body fat (especially the important “belly” fat), inflammation and cholesterol-all risk factors associated with heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, being overweight or obese, in particular when the weight is concentrated in the middle, is a major risk factor for heart disease. As nearly two out of three Americans are overweight, emerging studies like this are important in examining the role diet may play in disease management and prevention.

Wow, maybe it is worth spending $18 on a bag of cherries :)

Too Cute for Words

Hummel Hummel

Not too far from my old home on Long Island was a local Bakery, Hummel Hummel. We grew up on their famous pizza crumb. 16 inches round of thin cake covered in crumbs! Well it's been 10years since we left good ol'e NY so I had to find a replacement recipe. I found this one on Monica's blog. I love that I can make it at home and I love it even more that my boys request it.

New York Crumb Cake

Preheat oven 325degrees
1.5 cups flour
.5cup sugar
2.5t. baking powder
1 egg
.5cup milk
2T. oil
2t. vanilla
Mix wet & dry ingredients and pour in greased 9x13 baking dish.

2.5cups flour
1.5t. cinnamon
1cup brown sugar
2sticks marg.
mix and crumble on top of cake mixture

Bake in a 325degree oven for 20-30min.
Let cool then dust with powdered sugar.

Saturday Mornings

Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home, sweet home
For there the heart can rest.
-Henry Van Dyke

From This to That

On a whim (less than a yr ago) my hubby and I decided to paint our living room/dinning room orange. I really liked it at first, it was fall time so it gave us a very cozy atmosphere. I'm sure you've seen it in the background of some of my older photos.

Yeah, see there it is. You really couldn't miss it. In fact when we would have visitors and the curtains were back they could see it from the road. WHAT WAS I THINKING! We decided it was time for a change, a more mellow change.

Thank the Lord for painting pros! He came to save us from "orange gone wrong".













Needless to say I love our new color. We went with Valspar's Earthy Cane. White accents with splashes of color here and there. Now when entering the room I no longer let out a long distugusted "Uggghhh" but a happy "Ahhhhh".

Book Review

Katie at Harrington House recently mentioned this book in one of her posts. I'm a sucker for good reads so anything someone recommends I'll probably read it. Let me just tell ya what a wonderful read this book was. It is an absolute faith builder, and whew, I have really been needin' some faith building. It is chock full of beautiful scriptures and stories that really hit home. Numerous times while reading I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit in areas of my life that have been slackin'. I'm usually not one to read a book more than once, but this one found a permanent spot on my night stand.

Simply Cute

I just love my sweet little Longaberger Flower Pot Basket! So cute and the possibilities are endless. Today it's a holders for some garden flowers, maybe I'll use it as a dip container next time we have a party (it has a plastic liner that is food safe).

How Does Your Garden Grow?

"My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."
Lamentations 3:20-25 KJV

This is one of my very favorite verses in the Bible. What an encouragement to me that my Heavenly Father, who created the universe, has compassion for me and you! Every morning is a fresh start with NEW MERCIES. Great is His faithfulness. As a young mother, this verse is so helpful by reminding me that we might have had a bad day yesterday but today is a new day.

A Busy Week...

The last week of June and the first week of July is always a very busy time for us. A birthday, an anniversary, and a national holiday all wrapped in one busy week.