Genius Idea

We needed a headboard to complete the Master bedroom at our Bahamas house. Finding a cheap headboard, shipping it and paying duty made getting a headboard an outrageous expense. But the bedroom didn't feel complete without a headboard so I kept searching. I was so excited to find that there is such a thing as an inflatable headboard.

You choose the style of headboard and size as well as the slipcover. Your kit comes with an inflatable "bladder", air pump, slip cover and Velcro tabs to attach to the wall.

Pump up the bladder and insert it into the slipcover. Attach the Velcro tabs to the headboard and then position and attach to the wall. That simple!!! Who knew?

I ordered my headboard from Target but if you search the Internet you can find many places to order these amazing inflatable headboards.

Can you tell I'm excited about this! I am. I love getting a "look for less"!

Rock Candy Bracelet

This new bracelet reminds me of rock candy. The gemstones are 1 inch nuggets of pink quartz, black onyx, amethyst, amazonite and green chalcedony. I hand crafted a silver clasp that joins the hammered silver strip with the stone and jump rings. The clasp is easily fastened by the wearer.

You can see other views or purchase by clicking here.

Blogging

It has been two weeks since I started my blog. I have learned so much about starting and writing a blog but I have so much yet to learn. I have made some new blogging friends. Click to see the very kind words of Sarah at her Dayspring blog. She featured my jewelry as her Etsy find. Sarah has been very encouraging. Thanks Sarah!

I was very fortunate to get an ad spot on A Cup of Joe. Joanna was patient with me as I had never bought an ad on a blog before. I needed to get the correct pixel size for the ad which isn't a big deal but was new to me.

Speaking of ads, I want to thank Amber Mabe for her help with the graphics. She designed my Etsy banner and avatar as well as business cards and jewelry display cards. Thanks Amber. You can click here to see Amber's Etsy shop.

Thanks for reading this post. If you haven't become a FOLLOWER, please do... and add your photo or logo, that makes it more personal and fun. Also, pass the word along to your friends to follow. Make comments if you wish, I'd love the feedback and ideas.

xxoo Deborah

Fresh Pick

I just ate a bowl of these berries. Today may have been the last day to pick your own berries at the local berry farm. I made some jam and shared what we couldn't eat with the neighbors. What a delicious pleasure!

Earrings Inspired by Shells

I was inspired by the shells I collected this past week and made some simple earrings. The 3-D spirals and fun for the summer. They swing and catch the light.

Coconut Tea Cake

I love to bake coconut cakes in the Bahamas. Coconuts are just laying beside the road for the taking. Last trip, I bought a machete for cutting open the tough, fibrous husks. It still isn't easy and I'm very conscious of chopping off a digit! This recipe is from Dorie Greenspans's book, BAKING From My Home to Yours. I add lime zest and juice. My husband loves this with a cup of coffee for breakfast. I eat it all day long.

Coconut Tea Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk (I use low fat coconut milk, shake the can well before measuring)

1/2 stick unsalted butter

4 large eggs, room temperature

2 cups sugar

Zest and juice of 1 lime

3/4 cups shredded coconut (unsweetened or sweetened or fresh) toasted or not

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 or 10 inch bundt pan (I used a 13x9 pan since I didn't have a bundt pan)

Sift flour, baking powder, salt together. Pour the coconut milk into a saucepan and add the butter and heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat but keep warm.

With electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar at medium high speed until pale, thick and almost doubled in volume, about 3 minutes. Beat in the lime juice and zest. Reduce mixer speed and add dry ingredients. When all flour disappears, add coconut mixing only until blended, then steadily add hot milk and butter mixture. When mixture is smooth, stop mixing and give the batter a couple of turns with a rubber spatula, just to make certain that any ingredients that might have fallen to the bottom of the bowl are incorporated. Pour batter into the pan.

Bake about 60 minutes if using a bundt pan. Cool before unmolding.

Bake about 35 minutes if using a 13x9 pan.

No need to frost or glaze but you certainly could for a more sweet cake.

Beach Treasures

We are back from our Bahamas vacation. What a great relaxing time. I got to garden quite a bit and planted a mango tree. Our banana tree doubled in size from March. Can't wait for the first fruit.

A big storm knocked out our power and Internet connection so I wasn't able to make any postings on my blog.

Back home now and my garden here is overflowing with arugula and lettuces. I'll be harvesting after a much needed trip to the gym. Too many conch fritters!