Two Thoughts for a New Year

The world is filled with many things.

Joy.
Love.
Laughter.
Pain.
Tears.
Loneliness.
Hope.
Just a handful of things...

Some are...
amazing moments that you wished would last forever,
and ones that you wish could be erased.

But that's life.
As we moved into a new year I don't have a list of resolutions or goals.
I only have two thoughts to share with you.
One is a favorite quote and one is an Irish Blessing.

One:

It's not original, but it is how I try to live...

said by someone, profound.

 

Simple.

To the point.

Perfect.

Not easy, by any means, but if everyone did this...

whoa...

Can you imagine the world?!

It would be amazing.

 

Two:
I'm a little, tiny bit Irish,
so I feel that I can send this your way with authority. (wink, wink)
It's small.
I do MEAN it.
A blessing for you.
It doesn't belong to me, it belongs to all of us.
To me, you and the world.

 

It's true. 
I wish you all that your heart desires in 2013.
And if you can (I know you can) find something to believe in. 
Something to focus on that is NOT work.
Something that fills your heart and soul, while rejuvenating your view of the world.
People are amazing.
Everyday, amazing things happen.
I plan to be a part of it.
Wanna join me?

Cheers, Blessings, and SPARKLE,
Lori

"Shut My Mouth" Pie

Maple Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie

"Song, song of the south

Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth

Gone, gone with the wind

There ain't nobody looking back again"

You said it Alabama...this Sweet Potato Pie will shut your mouth!

Well, at least until you want another bite...and another bite...and another.

You get the idea.

It's simple, and so very tasty.

Sometimes I just need to try a new recipe.
Actually, I guess that is every week. 
This recipe was interesting to me because it has maple and bourbon.
I like maple, but I'm not much of a drinker and bourbon, well, I never really liked that.
Fortunately, I know someone who likes both of those things,
and that is exactly who will receive it.




Maple Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie

Recipe slightly modified from  Karen Barker
Show: Sweet Dreams (Food Network):

Ingredients

• Favorite pie crust
• 3 medium sized sweet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 3/4 cup cream
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• A few grinds black pepper

Roast Sweet Potatoes:

1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Pierce the sweet potatoes a few times with a fork and place them on a foiled-lined or parchment paper lined baking sheet.
3. Roach the potatoes for at least an hour, or until the a soft.



4. After they have cooled for a bit, use a food processor or mash with a potato masher until smooth.
5. You will need 2 cups of mashed sweet potato for the recipe.




Blind Bake the Pie Crust:
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Roll out or press in one portion of pie crust into a 9-inch pan.  I used a recipe that was "press-in" since I've been having pie crust rolling uses lately. (sigh) :0(
3. Use foil or parchment paper to line the crust and fill with dry rice or beans.
4. Blind Bake in the over for 20 minutes.
5.  Remove the foil and beans before filling with the sweet potato mixture.






Pie Filling:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Combine the sweet potato puree with all of the other ingredients.  Mix until it is very smooth.
3. Pour the filling into the partially baked pie shell.

4. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes, until the filling is just barely set.

Remove pie from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature.

Serve and enjoy with fresh whipped cream!

Heck, and play some Alabama while you're at it...

This is "Shut-My-Mouth" good.

Cheers~ Lori  :0)

A Dog's Christmas

Christmas came early for Murphy.

Christmas Eve to be exact.

When you only trust 13 people in the world,

it can be a scary and anxiety producing place.

Especially when your human keeps putting strange ears on you!

(But, in my defense, he's sooooooo cute!)

But, Christmas, well it's all about joy...happiness...and spending it with the people that you adore.
Murphy only needs HIS people by his side to have a Christmas of love.








 







This is his story of love and his people.
....well at least a few of them.
Now...a photo journal of puppy love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receiving loves from my brother...

 Even this really strange Santa got the Murphy seal of approval! 

I guess he smelled too much like his grandpa to fool him.

 Now, this is the "Gpa" that Murphy knows and adores...not that weird Santa Dude!

 Nothing makes him as happy as getting love from his GREAT Grandma! 

He loves to cuddle up to her and get cookies too! 

 Leanna, she might get taller, but he can still get to her lips for a big smooch!

Jorden still has his favorite lips to smooch,

but she's learned to be a quick move...she's difficult for him to catch!

 Murphy was happy to see that he wasn't the only one that had to put things on their head!

 

At the end of the night,

he was sad to leave all of his favorite humans,

but thankfully he had a new moose-friend to ease the pain.

Exhausted pup, ready to dream the night away,

 with millions of pets and endless love dancing in his head.

Merry Christmas to all

and to all a beautiful New Year!



Sprinkles = Freedom & Joy

That might sound strange, but to many dogs in our community,
that's exactly what it means.
It means a life of freedom from being chained outside,
and pure joy on their faces as they run...
...run free around their newly fenced yard.





How's that for starting a new year off right?!?!




I mix sugar cookie dough to help dogs.
I sprinkle crystallized sugar to bring hope to those who need it.
I raise money for a cause, because it makes me feel connected to the world in a different way.
The holidays can be stressful,
so I put my stress into pounding on delicious dough
and shaping cookies for other families to enjoy.

Sounds perfect to me...

...so take a look into my sugary world of sparkly sprinkles.

I sure feel the sparkle...don't you?!

Happy Christmas to you

and all of my four-legged furry friends.

May your year be filled with joy, love, and so much SPARKLE!

Love you all~ Lori and Murphy