Sunday, June 16, 2013

SUMMER ELEMENTS BLOG HOP

THANK YOU RITA! for the reminder on this Blog Hop. I couldn't find my NOTE anywhere!

Back in April, Rita with Toltec Jewels invited participants to share in celebrating their favorite elements of Summer. We could share "jewelry and/or beads, of course, but also pretty photos, a
summer recipe, a campfire song, a craft, family memories, a poem -- anything you like!"  A very broad spectrum of ideas came to mind because so far this summer has been FULL and it's only just begun.

A Much Needed Vacation


In July, my husband and I are going to Cabo San Lucas for a week!!!!! We've never been & can hardly wait.  Everybody pray for no hurricanes until later in the year --- well, how about pray NO HURRICANES AT ALL! 
 




Here's a taste of the awesome beaches!!! Isn't this pretty?!!  Looks relaxing! :)





In preparation for this trip, I decided to make an anklet to wear on the beach.
 Reminds me of the beach, what do you think?


In the meantime, I was thinking of this lovely, light summer cake I used to make for my kids. Who are now all grown up, married, & doing their own things. But it's a very tasty cake and yet very very easy to make. On hot summer days in Texas, we enjoy this taste of cold & sweet! One of the best things about this cake is that you can make it a day or two ahead. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator & you'll be good to go! :)

Raspberry (or Strawberry) Jello Cake

Ingredients

  • white cake mix
  • raspberry or strawberry jello - the large box (you can use any flavor you desire but these are the two my kids preferred)
  • cool whip or whip cream
  • sprinkles if desired

Directions

  1. Prepare white cake mix according to directions & bake in a 9x12 pan.
  2. Remove from oven & using a serving fork poke a plethora of holes in the cake.
  3. Let cake cool for about 30 min.
  4. Prepare jello with only the hot water - do not add the cold water into the mix. Stir the jello mixture until jello is well dissolved.
  5. Pour jello mixture evenly over cake. It will be fairly saturated.
  6. Place cake in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or until jello is set.
  7. Remove cake after about 3-4 hours. Cover top with cool whip or whip cream. Sprinkle with candies if desired & replace in refrigerator until ready to serve. Cover with saran wrap or foil. 

 

On a much different note -------   MY CACTI ARE BLOOMING!!!!

                   I have been waiting for years for this cactus to bloom & it is HERE!!!! finally






I've been waiting 13 years for this to bloom! :)


These bloom yearly!


Pretty soon the blossoms will fall & the prickly pear will ripen for us to make jam with!

The bees love these blooms!





The hummingbirds love these cactus blooms!





& they love these Aloe Vera blooms too!








LASTLY,  Here is one of the beautiful Deer that's eating my flowers. :(  She was born on our property last year. This year she has a fawn & snorts at us from time to time to let us know this is HER PROPERTY & she means business!!! It's really hilarious!






I took her picture at 9 pm out my living room window. She knew I was there & she's watching me!

Thanks Rita for hosting this Blog!  It was fun to reminisce a little & to stop to "SMELL THE ROSES!"  Come & join me in blog hopping!!!

The Summer Elements Blog Hop Participants: 

Toltec Jewels (Hostess)     http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/
Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/
Cheri Reed                        http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Ailsa Cordner                    http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/
Robin Reed                       http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Nan Smith                         http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/
Sherri Stokey                     http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/
Christie (Charis Designs)    http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Lawson                 http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/
Susie Harris                        http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Glick-Zenith           http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Nelly May                          http://smellynelly.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger               http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Dini Bruinsma                     http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Cory Tompkins                  http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett                     http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Karen Martinez                 http://www.fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/
Liz                                    http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/
Jasvanti Patel                     http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/
Solange Collin                    http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com/
Gerda                                http://gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com/
Karla Morgan  (ME)           http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Anindita Basu                     http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Andrea Trank                    http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Mischelle Fanucchi             http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti               http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/
Shaiha Williams                  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Mary Govaars                    http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/
Becca Sirevaag                  http://godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com/
Lennis Carrier                    http://windbent.wordpress.com/
Regina Wood                     http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com/
Sue Kennedy                     http://suebeads.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Breeding             https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW









23 comments:

  1. Have fun on your vacation. I know you'll look stylish. I used to make that cake with my mom! I love cacti and succulents, although I usually kill them. :(

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    1. It's a great cake for the summer months! :) Succulents and cacti love to be ignored!

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  2. Wow reading your post reminded me of a trip I took one time and my aunts cactus garden.. lol I loved being on the beach in Mexico. They had little stands where the men would bring in fresh seafood and make your tacos right in front of you.. Pair that with the drink of your choice and for me that was heaven.. Enjoy your trip!!! Your anklet rocks. Definitely Beach wearable :) have a wonderful summer :)

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  3. Love the anklet. But that's a fine how do you do. You don't tell your best friend you're going to Cabo for a week? I have to find out on your blog? :) Have fun. Love the cactus. And now you know how I feel with the deer and grasshoppers eating everything in site. Plus I had a turkey in the yard Thursday, but at least he was trying to eat the grasshoppers. Have fun.

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    1. Thanks Kay! Art surprised me with this trip! We didn't do anything for our anniversary last year, so this is a belated..... I don't know how we'll top it for this year! We can all go on an Alaskan cruise?! Yep gotta love the wildlife! I do prefer the deer & turkeys over the skunks & grasshoppers. Cicadas should be presenting themselves real soon! Yippee :(

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  4. My prickly pear is in bloom now in Delaware. I am amazed that it winters over each year. Happy summer!

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    Replies
    1. Wow, didn't know they would grow in Delaware. That's fantastic! Cactus are pretty hardy & handle/cold pretty well, although you get a heap colder there than we do here. I would love to see a picture. :)

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  5. Thank you for the recipe. I hope you enjoyed your vacation, very nice anklet.

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  6. Very beautiful pictures. I love cactus and Aloe Vera so much and I can't get enough to see wildlife. Enjoy your vacation to Cabo San Lucas. We will pray for no hurricane, very beautiful anklet, great colour for beach. I might try the strawberry jelly cake. Have a wonderful trip to Ghana, you will love it but don't forget your hat please!!!Thank you for the fantastic post.

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  7. I hope that your vacation goes off as planned and I just love your deer. They really do become accustomed to us.

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  8. MUST try that cake recipe next time the grandkids are over. Enjoyed all the pictures in your post. Have a great time on your vacation, BUT not before you send off some of that prickly pear jam to ME!

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  9. what a gorgeous spot! enjoy those beaches!! My husband and I were there years ago, we went to celebrate our 1 year anniversary, and just loved it there!

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  10. That anklet will be perfect for Cabo! Enjoy your trip! The recipe looks fun too.

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  11. Great post - I can't imagine having the patience to wait 13 years for anything!

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  12. the anklet you made looks so pretty! love the colors

    Delightful Ideas
    Bag Giveaway

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  13. Love the anklet, it is really pretty!!! that cactus is really tall, I am glad it bloomed after 13 years??? and don't they call that cake a Texas sheet cake? My Nephew lives in Texas and I thought that is what he called it. Any how it sounds yummy!!! Have a blessed day!!!

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  14. Your anklets will look great @ that lovely beach!

    Thanks for the recipe! We live in 2 completely different worlds, yours with aloe vera, cactus and prickly pears! Here in the Netherlands it's strawberrie time :-)

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  15. Karla, your post is simply wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely post.

    How happy I am to read about your beautiful life, and to celebrate summer with you. Your anklet is colorful and fun, with tropical colors and a light-hearted style. It's perfect for your vacation to Cabo San Lucas!

    I am awed to get to see your cactus bloom! How cool! 13 years and oh, it was so worth it -- wow, special and exquisite and rare. I'm waiting on my wisteria to bloom -- 5 years now -and I think there's about 10 more years to go. I will think of your beautiful cactus as I wait, enjoying my aloe vera also :)

    Your cool and light summer jello cake sounds so good. My kids are grown too, and have kids of their own, but I remember the jello cake I made for them and my mom made for me! Your recipe brings back so many dear memories. Food for the summer and food for the soul.

    And I LOVE love your deer! You are so blessed! I know they are a little ornery with flowers but oh, such grace and what a gift. Thanks for sharing photos. I'm smiling because your deer sure does know you are looking and is indeed saying, "OK, I'll share my land with you. After all, you make really cool jam, delicious jello cake, and gorgeous jewelry!"

    Have a wonderful vacation and great Texas summer!

    Love,
    Rita

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  16. Lovely anklet! And your deer story & pictures are too funny! I want to try that cake recipe. Looks sooooo good!

    <3,
    Andrea

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  17. Lovely, lovely post. Your story of your deer made me giggle. We have a wombat who lets us know how little he thinks of us by pooping on anything we may accidentally leave on 'his' path. I am still patently waiting for one of my cactii to bloom after 9 years so I understand your excitement.

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  18. Great post. You have so many things to be thankful for, including the deer and long-time coming cactus bloom. I hope you and your hubby have a wonderful trip to Cabo. Your anklet is so cheerful and pretty, perfect for kicking your sandals off and having a stroll on that lovely white sand beach! Have a great vacation =)

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