Another Birthday has come and gone

My younger brother and I celebrated our birthdays last month. Yes, we are July birthday twins, but born 11 years apart. Fifty four years ago when Richard was born on my 11th birthday.
This was a milestone birthday for me as I became a genuine senior citizen. My  brother, who is 11 months older than me told me, on the upside..now  you can take advantage of senior discounts. (LOL) Age is but a number and I don't feel any different.

My 94 year old dad called first thing in the  morning on my birthday to wish me a happy birthday. Dad made me laugh when he mentioned that not many parents live to see 2 of their children become senior citizens. 

I had a lovely birthday. My friend took me out to lunch, we then did a bit of shopping. When I got home there was a package that came in the mail from Renee who was my birthday swap partner in the Yahoo group AAWA.
birthday goodies that arrived from California.

I also received lots of birthday wishes by phone, in emails and on facebook along with gifts of money and gift cards. I also received a box of deli papers that I had been trying to find to use with my Gelli plate. Now to find time to create some art.

I didn't feel like going out to dinner that night so Tom brought home takeout. A couple days later we went out my youngest son and his family to celebrate my birthday. We did go out and I decided I wanted a lobster roll. It was so good. I only ate a few fries as I was trying to stay on my diet. Since the middle of April when I started WW's I have lost 18 pounds and dropped a size.

I love this fragrant lily that blooms in the yard every July. So many blooms on the one plant.

this is the life. Princess one of my rescued strays enjoying a peaceful afternoon on the cat tree.

Fabric panels to share..giveaway

 
I was given a long piece of fabric of 7, large, Christmas- Manger scene panels. Obviously, I don't need all of them. Let me know if you could use one and would like a panel. I have 6 to share/giveaway. Leave a comment and an email address so I can get in touch with you for your mailing info.If signing in anonymously leave your name too. Thanks!
It is another hot and humid day. The past several days have been brutal with no breeze. Don't feel like doing anything
Elaine

2 ingredient...Lemon squares

Happy 4th of July! Wow, it is July already and the heat and humidity have been unbearable. It is stifling outside. What a day to put the oven on and bake.

Two Ingredient Lemon Squares.....
Yes, this cake only uses  2 ingredients.
1 box angel food cake mix( I used Betty Crocker)
2 cans lemon pie filling..I used two - 21 oz cans of Lucky Leaf pie filling ( total of 42 oz) , because I couldn't find Comstock lemon pie filling.
Mix dry cake mix and the 2 cans of lemon pie filling together in a large bowl.
I just mixed it by hand with a rubber spatula. The batter will be heavy but fluffy
Pour mix into a greased 9 x 13″ baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until top is starting to brown.
NOTE...Because I used a 3 quart Pyrex baking dish mine took longer than 25 minutes to bake.  When baking in glass you need to lower the baking temperature by 25 degrees. I did turn up the oven to 350 degrees after 35 minutes, because the center of the pan of mix when tested with a toothpick for doneness still came out wet. I lost track of time, and maybe let them brown a little too much baking at  35o degrees.
Cool cake in the pan/dish on a wire rack. Then sprinkle with powered sugar when cake is cool. The cake has a melt in your mouth spongy texture.
I found this recipe on several sites on the internet. So, I thought I would give it a try.
I took step by step photos while making these squares.
cake mix and 2 cans of lemon filling in a large bowl
   
mixing the 2 ingredients together
done mixing and you can see that the combined ingredients are quite puffy
in a greased dish and ready to put into the oven
baking in the oven the cake rose high  over the sides of the baking dish
top of cake just after taking out of the oven
cooling on rack
after cooling for awhile the cake's height dropped. Will add the confectioner's sugar when cool.
Finished..

P.S..this isn't a cheap dessert to make. I usually bake everything from scratch, but I love lemon desserts and wanted to give this recipe a try. The cans of lemon were about $3.69 each and the cake mix was just under $3.00.
What did I think of this dessert now that I've tried it....it's okay. I took a plate to my son's house and my son loved these squares. I guess I just prefer a slice of homemade lemon meringue pie or yellow cupcakes with lemon filling in the middle. To be truthful I didn't really care for these squares. I didn't like the texture..very spongy. I won't make this recipe again, but my youngest son loved them.
  my youngest granddaughters all decked out in red, white and blue. Bella 3 and Sammi 2 months. Below..I gave Bella a flag and she carried it around with her all afternoon.

Have a happy but safe 4th of July.
Elaine

Backyard flowers in bloom and niece Kelly's wedding

  Hydrangea's are along  the side yard property line. I started all of them from cuttings several years ago.
my rock garden has been taken over with bee balm and brown eyed Susan's. Hydrangea's in the background


The flowers have been so beautiful this year. Could it have something to do with all the snow and really cold weather we had last winter?
Last Saturday night my niece, Kelly got married. We all prayed for a nice sunny day, because for over a week we had heavy rains and thunderstorms. We got our wish and Kelly and Geno were able to be married outside. They had such a fun wedding, and I didn't get home until after 2 a.m. I enjoyed  dancing.

best man and Kelly's twin nephews..Kyle and Cody as ring bearers

    Mr. and Mrs. Geno Busa
Kelly and her maid of honor, her sister Trish
 
Trying to hold back tears during father daughter dance. Her dad is my younger brother
Elaine

Another bracelet/earring set

This morning I made another bracelet and earring set. I wanted to make a bracelet that had navy blue to wear with an outfit today. Filigree cut coin type beads with navy blue seed beads.

 

I had a hard time getting a good photo.

Elaine

Did some beading this afternoon

abalone shell bead bracelet
I dragged out some beads this afternoon. I was going to make something to go with my outfit for my nieces upcoming wedding, but got side tracked with other beads instead. Maybe I will make something tomorrow that will go with my outfit for the wedding.

  I love this sterling silver clasp that I bought this past March at a bead store in Florida.
Then I beaded a bracelet and earring set..silver and black crystal


Sharing some pictures of Bella and Sammi
at the circus this afternoon and having her first pony ride
Sammi in her first Boston Red Sox outfit
Elaine

Coin Pearl earring giveaway..Winner is....

I used a random number generator that I found using a Google search.

Random number generation / Random Numbers

Generate a random number between 1 and 6 =  Get number 5 

The number that was selected was 5.  Terry can you contact me in an email EAkers@aol.com with your mailing info.

Thanks to all that left comments. I have lots of earrings made up..so I will have another earring giveaway soon.

Elaine

T J Maxx...made my day

my new weekend bag
If you are a follower of my blog you know that I love Laurel Burch's colorful cat fabrics. Last year while in T J Maxx shopping I found a large, colorful cat weekend tote bag by Laurel Burch. I had the bag in my cart, and after debating with myself, I put it back on the rack. Yes, I was being cheap that day,  and I regretted it after. The next day I went back, and of course the bag I should have bought the day before was gone. Since that time months ago, every time I shop at any T J Maxx stores I look for Laurel Burch tote bags and have had no luck finding any.
Yesterday was my lucky day. I had gone to return some items at JCP in Wareham. I returned the shirts, stopped at Michael's to see what I could use a 50% off coupon on and then headed to my car. (which I had just got back from the auto body shop late Friday afternoon)  I was in my car and all set to go home, when I decided to go in and see what T J Maxx had. I am so glad that I decided to go into the store. First thing I did was check out the bags, and lo and behold I spied Laurel Burch bags and small totes. 5 different styles. Woohoo!!!! I was so excited. Seeing the LB bags just made my day. :-)

I liked all of the bags, but decided on the first one pictured as it had a wider base and had metal knobs on the bottom of the bag to keep it clean and off the floor. The size is perfect for a weekend bag. I also really liked the pink/purple full cats design, but it wasn't as wide. I wonder if it is still there as there were a few of that design. I may have to go back and see. Prices ranged from $16.99 - $24.99.
also really liked the colors and design on this bag
  cat with parrots on it's back 
2 different smaller horse design bags
Do you ever not buy something and regret it later?
Elaine
P.S...I saw a lovely Cedar Waxwing on my Mountain Ash tree in the front yard this morning. When I first saw it with a quick glance I thought it was a female cardinal. Then I saw the tail and knew it was a Cedar Waxwing. First one I've seen this spring.