Thursday Tea Time

L and I went back to the Hill Country, to get another college t-shirt to wear tomorrow at her school's National College Decision Day celebration.

(Wow, they can wear a t-shirt with their skirts! That's about as good as it gets at that place. Though I also bought for her a school colors mascot bandana, a set of 1" tattoos and animal paw print nail decals. Discretion is the name of the game - we'll roll the bandana and wear as a hairband, not headband a la Bret Michaels and maybe one tat on her inside wrist or arm, and one or two nail decals. I believe I am showing consideration restraint by not Swavorski-hotcrystaling the bandana or t-shirt.)

Of course, we had to make a stop at the closest Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf --wherein I was able to grab THE LAST canister of fat free/sugar free French Deluxe Vanilla. Just in time, for 5 minutes later, a couple came in asking for it -- and then eyeballing mine. Hey, possession is 9/10ths of the law!

Anyways, I tried and bought a new tea -- Indian Assam. It's a black tea which is described as ...bright with golden colors and a rich, piquant flavor with hints of spice, cream and notes of peach and chocolate...

All I can say is wow! Hard to actually describe other than very pleasant and yummy. Tastes great hot or in their iced tea lattes.

20 teabags for $8.20. (There was also only one can of that on the shelf, too!)

About Face!

Actually that is the name of my new rose - "About Face," a grandiflora rose from Costco for $13.99. The fragrance is described (and accurately, I add) as "freshly-cut apple" The outside of the petals are a bronze-y red, and the inside - gold.

Cooking Light - Kalamata Olive Bread with Oregano

...And I added a bit of rosemary, several shakes of onion powder and a dash of garlic. I did not have the fresh herbs nor onion, so went with dried instead.

Kalamata Olive Bread with Oregano is from the January/February 2009 issue of Cooking Light. It received mixed reviews online.

In addition to subbing some of the ingredients, I baked the bread in two 3" x 5" loaf pans for 33 minutes - I started checking at 30 minutes and that extra three sealed the deal. I still included the tablespoon of olive oil which was supposed to be used for saute'ing the onion. I figured it needed the moisture and the bit of fat, since the recipe called for only 2 tablespoons of butter.

Our result -- 3 stars...not bad! I will add it to the notebook recipe binder and make it again. It is a denser bread. Fresh out of the pan warm, it reminded me of a dumpling texture. I almost think it would make a great biscuit or muffin, too. I may try that version next time. My original intent was to use this as a sandwich bread, but it's a bit too crumbly. But I think it would be absolutely yummy with soup, either in the mini loaf pan or muffin pan.

Stila at Costco!

Stila has two makeup sets at Costco for $19.99 - "All About You"- in both a Cool and a Warm version. The Warm version eyeshadows were more golden and brown. I already have a lot of those shades. But I heard that blues are trendy now, so I went with the Cool set, Item #498587. Most likely I will only blog about it, for my daughter is eyeing it right now as I'm typing!

You get:

• Double Ended Brush #30
• Lash Visor Mascara in Black
• One Step Makeup tube in Medium
• Smudge Pot in Black
• Eye Shadow Trio in Cool -- "Stone, Smog and Kitten" (the colors in "Warm" are "Lame', Chloe and Kitten")

("Kitten" was voted 2008 ALLURE Magazine Editor's Choice Award for Best Beige Eye Shadow)

A pretty good deal for less than $20! You can do the math --

The brush is $32, full size mascara $20, the eyeshadows usually retail for $18 each, the Smudge Pot is the 2g size, half the regular retail size which sells for $14-$18. The .10 ounce One Step Makeup is new and supposed to combine primer, foundation, concealer and powder into one product. Retail size is $44. I would say this tube is a little bit larger than a sample size, perfect to tuck into your purse.

J.Jill Triple Play!

Gotta love it when J.Jill has overlapping promotions! There's a double Take 5 discount (10%) going on right now (ending April 25), and I just received this morning a $20 off $80 purchase email/coupon -- BB0510. Perhaps they may be starting the "Easy Style Pass" (April 26/May 16) early? Or I had a fairy godmother clerk! Hmmm, I just checked my pass card - the code is different! The Easy Style code is RF0510. And yes, it is a head start!

Run to J.Jill and start shopping and saving now! The new catalog is out and the store has lots of new clothes in stock from it - especially linens and in new colors -- red and orange. With the discount, the coupon and clearance sale markdown, I basically got a dress almost half off and a free camisole tank!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Super Saturday Sale - May 1
McCall's $1.99
Butterick $1.99

April 25/May 1 --
50% off interfacing by the yard
30% off Gingher cutting tools

Target Liberty of London - Now 30% Off!

Just the ladies' clothes right now, at least at one of the Targets in my area. Some items have been moved to the 30% markdown rack, others are red tagged and still near the front in the Liberty of London women's clothing section.

Thursday Tea Time

When we were in Phoenix, we tried unsuccessfully to find a boba or tapioca tea place. But along the way we serendipitously discovered something else instead -- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

They only have U.S. locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Texas. None in Houston, yet, but Austin has four!

I became addicted to their iced tea lattes, and L the Ice Blended Fru-Teas and straight up iced teas in the different flavors. She also likes the Japanese Cherry Green Tea. And check out the purple straws!

The Spring Peach Oolong and Peach Ginger Green Teas are special limited editions. The Peoria/Phoenix location was sold out of the Peach Ginger, but I was able to get the Spring Peach AND the French Vanilla Powder -- in the fat-free/sugar-free version.

BUT -- when we went up to their website, we found and went to one of their Austin locations! There I found and bought the Peach Ginger (last one!) and then tried the Raspberry Ceylon iced tea latte. Bliss! It was like raspberries and cream!

Aren't the tin containers pretty?

CBTL teas are whole leaf teas. So these pretty silky teabags go from this

<----

and turn into this ---->

Practically golfball-sized!

I have been making the hot tea lattes in the morning or when I need a little something sweet and filling. The French Vanilla Powder also goes well with the Stash Moroccan Mint tea - iced with a touch of honey. Sa-weet! Thank goodness for mail order and maybe another trip to the Hill Country to try and buy more tea...and Vanilla Powder!

Celebrate Earth Day at Hancocks!

Starting today through April 25 at Hancock Fabrics --
99 cent McCalls patterns
50% off Blumenthal buttons
50% off Bamboo fiber, pillow forms and batting

Free Summer Grilling Coupons from Penzeys!

The newest Penzeys catalog - Grilling 2010 - has a free 1/4 cup coupon for your choice of three grilling seasonings -- BBQ 3000, Black & Red Spice and Northwoods Seasoning. . .

Along with their great recipes for these spices, such as Northwoods Grilled Asparagus, Black & Red Chicken and BBQ 3000 Veggie Skewers. (And Whoopie Pie Cookies - no, you don't use the grilling spices for those, but the recipe is also in the catalog on page 51. They look cute and tasty!)

If you aren't on their mailing list, sign up! Not only does their catalog have a wide variety of spices, seasonings and extracts -- which are not only affordable but also educational to read about -- it features yummy, real-life recipes which easily rival and surpass those found in cooking magazines, and for free! Call 800/741-7787 or visit their website, http://www.penzeys.com/

Can't wait for the mail to get a peek at the recipes? You can download their catalog now, too!

Online and phone coupon codes are: BBQ3000 20235C...Black & Red 10537C...Northwoods Seasoning 22134C

Timing is everything - or - Oh, NOW I read about it!

In the May/June issue of AAA's Texas Journey magazine, just received today -- I found out as an AAA member you can renew your vehicle registration at your local AAA branch office if you live in Dallas, Denton, Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery or Williamson counties. Sigh, after going to FedEx/Kinkos or whatever they are calling themselves to make a copy of the insurance card, I dropped it in the mail yesterday. . .

Chantal at Costco!

This is even cheaper than the prices at Chantal's annual warehouse sale! And in a cool color I haven't seen before, too. $19.99 for 2-piece stoneware baker set. Rectangular 9x13, square 8x8 in a gorgeous Pomegranate Red. Item #366387. Found in the Houston Galleria store this afternoon, a third were gone already.

Back in the Oven Again...Cooking Light Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

Finally, after battling fierce allergies to record-breaking tree pollen levels and being out-of-town, I can get back to baking and cooking!

Tonight I made Cooking Light's Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, found on page 28 of the Cooking Light Best Recipes 2010 (which is on the newsstands until April 23) This recipe was originally from the March 2009 issue. The "Best Recipes of 2010" is actually the top-rated recipes from 2009.

Very easy to make, but I think I would change up the directions just a bit. Instead of preheating the oven first, start the oven after you've seasoned the pork and while it is standing for 20 minutes. Why heat up the kitchen any longer than you need to. I also transferred the pork to a baking dish instead of putting the pan in the oven. My pan is old, and I'm not sure if the handles are or were ovenproof. The dish helped corral the juices, and after transferring the cooked pork to a plate to rest and stand, I poured the extra liquid on top.

The rub is an interesting and fragrant combination of spices, typical of Cooking Light. I used all pre-ground spices. The house smelled wonderful. And the pork was just delicious! It is definitely going into our family favorites binder.

Today's iPod Workout List

My iPod was so random today. It found and played these songs--

Ghosts 'n' Stuff - Deadmau5...SexyBack - Justin Timberlake...Skateaway - Dire Straits...I Can't Help Myself - Four Tops...Fort Knox - Goldfish...You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates...You're the First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White...It's All Been Done - Barenaked Ladies

What a workout!

Texas Spring Time is Texas Bluebonnets and Wildflowers Time!

Taken along U.S. 290 in Washington County. . .the orange/red flowers are Indian Paintbrushes.

There's still some left!

of the PJ fabric, but I've folded and put it away for another day, another project. (I even saved the mini patch pocket). It's probably my part magpie tendency with the silver metallic stripe or the color combination, I just really liked and enjoyed repurposing this fabric.

For my last trick, I made a little drawstring bag -- the waistband already had the buttonhole openings. And the stripe placement was too fun to pass up. I just serged finished a strip of fabric for the tie. Again, I'm trying to get away from plastic, so I'll probably use this little bag to put my eyeshadows or brushes in for my travel case. And yes, still be able to enjoy the fabric! (ooh, shiny pretty...!)

Spring International Quilt Festival Moving to Cincinnati!

Next year's Spring edition of the International Quilt Festival will be April 8/10, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. After eight years, this is the last year for Chicago to host the Quilt Festival, which is starting today, April 15, with Preview Night - through April 18 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

The decision to change locales was based upon attendee feedback, requesting easier parking, affordable accommodations and more restaurant options. Festival Director, Karey Bresenhan points out, "I think this shows we're really sincere in our desire to seek out and act upon well-thought-out suggestions for improving our shows..." Nice to know it is worth your time to complete those evaluations and surveys, and that people listen!

Shoo Plastic! Fabric Shoe Bags

I really did love the fabric from the pink stripe PJ's! In addition to a fabric tray, I used the legs to create shoe bags for traveling. Even reusing the elastic waistband as a closure because I was too lazy to make a drawstring! Since it's just a shoe holder and just for my eyes only - well, now bloggy land - I didn't even bother to finish off the raw edge of the waistband I snipped off. Of course for a gift, you probably would be using new or stash fabric, not old PJ's.

These did the trick just fine - I'm even making another pair from flannel PJ's a little bit bigger and little more sturdier for my sneakers. Plastic bags are fine to use for workouts, too - especially for wet things. But I hated wasting them for workout shoes which are dirtier and ultimately rubbing against each other, unless you use two bags, etc., etc. And nowadays I'm not getting as many as I'm bringing my own bags shopping.

Traveling Fabric Trays

Thank you to Megann at Boutique NutMeg Designs for her easy-to-follow tutorial instructions!

I repurposed a pair of sleep pants and a fleece hoodie, even using the drawstrings from both as the tray ties. I grabbed a package of the fusible fleece during Jo-Ann's recent 50% off notions wall sale.

I followed the directions for the pink stripe PJ's; and then for the purple hoodie, I serged the edges of the layers together, then tacked the ties in place.

We used these on a recent trip and they did a great job corralling change, car keys, room cardkey and cell phones.

Coca-Cola Happiness Machine

I consider myself lucky if I don't get an exploding can or bottle...!http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=lqT_dPApj9U