HAPPY FRIDAY !

Greetings –

Hard for me to believe February has crossed its half-way mark! But it has.

PICTURE LINE UP:

#1

Madagascar Vanilla Bean + Cinnamon stick infused Simple Syrup getting ready to happen. Recipe in today’s episode.

#2

My new groovy home accessory! Disco ball hanging in the over-the-sink kitchen window. It’s so much fun watching dancing pieces of light on kitchen walls and even in to the living room throughout the day!

#3

Shadow play – 3 cats in a window grabbing some sunshine!

#4

Feather in a hat – How cool is this feather embellished with a few perfectly positioned beads? Hat tip to this artsy idea!

3 cats in a window grabbing some sunshine

DEAR ANNIE
BY ANNIE LANE

SIGNED — A HAPPY GUEST

Dear Annie:

This is in response to the writer who said she was only invited to the shower but not the wedding. This happened to me once. I figured that the invitation had gotten lost in the mail. I did not want to ask directly if this was the case, so instead I asked about the upcoming wedding, including where it was to be held and whether they had chosen a time for the event. It worked. My friend was startled. She said that she didn’t know — hadn’t I received the invitation? When I said no, she immediately mailed another one to me! — A Happy Guest

Dear Happy Guest:

I love your letter because it shows the importance of communication. We as humans make so many assumptions about what is going on in the other person’s mind, and if we were to just ask them, a great deal would be cleared up.

MADAGASCAR VANILLA BEAN + CINNAMON STICK INFUSED SIMPLE SYRUP

This super simple to make infused simple syrup is just-plain-fantastic. Add by TBSP or tsp to hot tea, coffee or house-made cocktails – (think good quality whiskey or bourbon with a splash of soda and a generous squirt of this syrup + a fine drop-in of a canned dark cherry).

IN A MEDIUM SIZE SAUCE PAN:

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 Madagascar vanilla beans (split open)
3 Cinnamon sticks (that have been gently squashed – think garlic clove procedure)

Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring to a slight boil. Stir mixture every now and then to make sure the sugar is melting and blending with the water. Slow boil about 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat. Cap saucepan with a tight fitting lid and let it set (infuse) for about 7 hours (or overnight).

After the infusion has taken place (wait until you see the beautiful honey amber color it turns!) strain it through a sieve into vessel of choice.

I used a recycled mason jar. I’m thinking some type of squirt-from-the-top bottle (think hamburger joint catsup or mustard squirt bottles) will be my choice for final destination of this delicious add-in liquid.

Store in the fridge (up to 2 weeks works in this house) and have fun adding to beverages!

~ Hippie Cowboy recipe box