Quinch Your Citrus Thirst, LemonLimeAde

Hello Dear friends. Today I want to share a recipe for LemonLimeAde, it can be made with sugar or sugarfree, or Lemonade or Limeade. However you mix it up, It will be simple and great tasting!
 I will also talk about re-hydration a little.
With summer time in full swing, and temperatures hotter than ever, it is so refreshing to have an ice cold glass of something Citrus!

Lemons and limes are so plentiful and they are perfect sliced and added to ice water, or iced tea.
 But beside being delicious for a thirst quenching taste. They are also so good for you.

  

If you are like me, then you may be spending quite a bit of time outdoors in your yard and garden. Don't forget a quick pick me up of a hydrating drink, it is such a replenishing need for you. 

 So have some citrus fruits, lemons, limes, and orange slices on hand to add to your favorite drink, or even just add it to your water.

Not only will you be hydrating yourself, 

but cleansing out toxins and adding some all important Vitamin C to your day.

And don't forget the kiddos.
They play hard and forget to drink!

Yes, lemonades and limeades are good, but forget the sugar, and go for a little Stevia if you want to subtract a few calories.

 I am including my recipe for Lemonlimeade.

Lemon-Limeade Sugar Free

• 1 Quart Water
• 1 Cup Granulated Stevia or monkfruit (or sugar) *
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice 

Start by heating 1 cup of the water in a saucepan. Add the stevia/monkfruit when the water is warm. Stir the liquid until stevia/monkfruit is dissolved and remove from heat.

Place the remaining 3 cups of cool water into a large pitcher and add the lemon and the lime juice. ( Of course you can use only 1 cup of either type of juice if preferred). Then slowly add the stevia/monkfruit water mixture into the picture as well. Stir and chill. 

Serve with sliced lemon or lime twist over ice.

*For Stevia Conversion:

Sugar amount	Equivalent Stevia powdered extract	Equivalent Stevia liquid concentrate
1 cup	1 teaspoon	1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon	1/4 teaspoon	6 to 9 drops
1 teaspoon	A pinch to 1/16 teaspoon	2 to 4 drops

From The Stevia Cookbook, copyright 1999 Ray Sahelian and Donna Gates

Please enjoy staying refreshed this summer.
And don't forget to drink!

I know you have something to say,
so go ahead and leave a comment, please!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Linking to

All Star Block Party 
Thursday Favorite Things 

Homemade Hummingbird Feeder & Recipe

The other day, I was looking out the window at one of our new tube bird feeders. I didn't think about it's bright red color when I bought it. Just thought it was pretty. Well we had been really having some of the most terribly windy days recently. My old feeders were blowing in the wind, and came crashing down. Needless to say, a few new feeders were in order.

source

Unfortunately, I hadn't replaced the hummingbird feeder. I noticed a humming bird fly about the red tube feeder! The tiny feathered beauty seemed disappointed to find only seed offered.

source

Well, I knew I needed to do something. So, I looked around and found this little old salt shaker. It is one of those tiny mason jar types with the handle. I figured I would try to make one out of it. Now, how would I do it? I decided to scrape out the holes with the small point of a steak knife and make the holes a more accommodating size. Then looked around and found a piece of red button hole elastic that was cut from a pair of child jeans. I looped it through the handle. I found some red pipe cleaners with my Christmas craft supplies, and twisted three of them together and formed a few petals. Then twisted them around the neck of the jar. 

Cool! Now I need to hang it some how. I just found a wire hanger and bent it so the hook hung down to pick up the loop in the elastic... Voila! A hummingbird feeder!

So I filled it with 
Home Made Hummingbird Food:

1 part granulated sugar
4 parts boiling water, cooled.

I was happy to hang it outside and offer some food for the liking of my hummingbird visitor!
I was pleased that I found everything already on hand. I managed to get it all together rather quickly.
 The hummingbirds have been attracted to this little feeder, and it's cute as well! 

Hope you enjoyed my little story about my feeder!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Be sure to check out the First ever

Junkin Joe's Linky Party at the Cottage Market

I am honored to be a part of this first party~

Thrifty Vintage Finds

 You know how you are driving down the street with no intentions to shop for vintage antique collectables, and then something happens. In my case there was a young man waving a Thrift Store sign trying to get my attention. And He did! So I pull into the little shopping center on my way home from a doctors appointment. It looks like a little second hand store, just a hole in the wall. Hmm.. This might be interesting!

So I venture into the little store. It is a bit messy and cluttered. I see some shelves with dishware. I start looking and the prices are not bad! My eyes first make a b=line straight for this little pyrex stackable square dish and lid in red! I have been wanting one of these! I am so surprised to see this in here! I look at the tag and it says $1 , yes!! It is in good condition, too! So looking more diligently, now. I wonder what else I may find in this shopping adventure. Then I spot  a milk glass vase and a milk glass bowl. They are marked $2 each.  I am starting to get excited now. This is really getting fun!

Now, you know my love of chickens. Here is the sweetest salt shaker, but no pepper to be found. It says made in Japan on the bottom. The little hen and rooster scratching to eat. So cute! I don't mind a little chipping along the bottom. No price tag. I will ask.

 As I go through the store, there really is not a lot of so great stuff. Mostly just second hand clothes, etc. But then I find a little bin and dig out these sewing notions! Oh, me, oh my! One zipper marked 50 cents and one marked a dollar. I grab up the cards of little hooks and eyes, and a card of buttons to cover.

 I wonder how old these are?

Check out the lady on the zipper pull packaging! Isn't she pretty! I am so pleased with my finds, I get this feeling that I am getting away with something! Gee, why do I feel this way?

Getting ready to check out and ask the attendant what they want to charge for the sewing supplies, I spot some pictures hanging on the wall. 

Nothing too special...  except this!

Isn't it lovely! It is a heavy molded frame of some kind of metal. The glass has a curved dome shaped, with the prettiest floral print in the frame! The back is a sun faded purple felt. The price tag.. $2 eek! I am really happy to take that to the register as well. I ask the kind lady behind the counter what the unmarked items will cost and she decides to charge me $8 for the whole bunch of goodies! I am thinking,  "WOW! I Scored!! Yippy!!" But I politely tell her, "Thank you so very much." with a smile.

I am so happy that I saw the young man with the thrift store sign waving me into the parking lot! I am feeling very happy and blessed with all my vintage discoveries! And I feel that some times these little unexpected changes in our day are the little things that make an ordinary day just a little bit more special!

Do you ever get excited when you find some little treasures?

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

I am joining these fun parties, please visit them!
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
All Star Blogger Block Party
Rednesday
Thursday Favorite Things
Show Off Friday 

Little Susie Home Maker's Baked Hake or Cod

Baked Hake Fish Recipe

Recently, I came across some beautiful Hake fish filets. They are considered a white fish and said to be similar to Cod with a mild flavor. Being sure to include fish in our diet is a great way to increase our cardiovascular health and good brain function. So please, count me in!

When it comes to cooking fish. I always love to oven-fry mine. Here is my recipe that I use to oven-fry these wonderful fish fillets. Please feel free to substitute your favorite fish in this recipe!

Susie Home Maker's Baked Hake (Cod)

4 Hake or cod fillets

Juice of 1 lemon, (or lemon juice in a little yellow plastic squeeze container)

4 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic

3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 400* F

Place butter, olive oil and 2 cloves of crushed garlic in a small saucepan over simmer. 
Slowly melt butter while stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, rinse and pat dry the fish fillets with paper towels. 
After the fillets are dried, cover them with lemon juice on both sides. 

Pour the melted butter mixture into a pie plate or shallow dish. 

Next, saturate the fish well with the butter mixture.

In another shallow dish that is filled with the bread crumbs, 
place the fish fillet and turn to coat evenly.

Then you can place the fillets onto a shallow baking pan
 that is coated with about 1-2 Tbsp oil.

Repeat with remaining fish fillets.

 In a small bowl add mayonnaise, pepper, salt 
and remaining 2 cloves crushed garlic and mix together.

Spoon mixture onto the top of the fish fillets on pan.

You can leave this mayo mixture off, 
but this adds a lot of flavor to the mild fish, so I slather it on!

Place into oven and bake for 20 minutes. 

Fillets should be flaky and golden.

Serve on a favorite platter. 

This goes well with a wild rice and roasted veggies, and a simple green salad!

My family loves this dish.

I hope that you will try it. 

Do you like to include fish in your weekly dinner menu?

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

cat image source
I am linking with these great parties!!!
Go ahead.. check them out!
Flour Me With Love's Mix-it-up-Monday
Sew Many Ways' Sew Darn Crafty
Daily Cup From Mrs. Olson's Share Your Cup Thursday
New House's All Star Blogger Block Party

KREATIVE BLOGGER

Oh, my, I am just so happy! It is such a surprise to have received an award this week.

The Kreativ Blogger Award.

Do you know Dorothy and Wilma of Hensrule? 

If not, then you have to visit Dorothy and her sweet dachshund's blog!

Well, she just awarded me the honor and I am so pleased with her kindness.

Dorothy is such a sweet heart and she has so many fun interest. She is a librarian as well!

As a recipient, this award comes with responsibility.  

I have to tell 7 things about

 myself that other bloggers would find interesting.

1. I am easily entertained and laugh quite easily at the simplest and silliest of things!

2. I have won several ribbons for baking and confections at the Colorado State Fair!

3. I studied both Graphic & Fine Arts in College; painting, computer art, and pottery, among many forms.

4. I once broke a brick at a brick breaking demonstration at my daughters martial arts school, with no prior experience and no warning! It even surprised me!

5. I once played Fiddle in a Country Swing band!

6. I was temporarily blind for one year of my adult life, and baked and decorated my daughters third birthday cake to look like a bunny!

7. I like to do voice overs, and am really good at the Winnie the Pooh characters!

I hope those seem interesting to you. 

Now, I get to pick 7 blogs that I feel are worthy of this Kreativ Blogger Award. 

Congratulations to my picks:

Threads in the Nest

A Quilting Sheep

Stamping Up North

Sweet Bee Cottage

Old Time Pickers

My Enchanted Home

Golden Egg Vintage.

Thank you again Dorothy   for the award!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Sunshine surprises!

Isn't it fun to be surprised? That was me this morning. I was over at one of my favorite blogs, Twinkles, Tutorials & Twirls to see what she was posting about. I was so happy to find out she had been awarded a blog award! The Sunshine Award! This is a nice award, and Estelle really deserves it! As I read through her list of favorite things, I was being quite entertained. Then at the end when she gave out her list of five blogs she was passing it along to, I saw Little Susie Home Maker on the list! Wow! That sure made my day!
Now she had come by to visit me and let me know, but I hadn't read her comment to me yet! So it was really fun finding out this way. Thank you, Estelle! Please go visit her blog it is such a great blog with so many wonderful craft ideas. I don't know how she comes up with all her ideas, but they are always great!

I now need to answer 10 questions and pass on the award to 5 blogs who brighten my day...

1) Favourite Colour ~ I have to say green. I am always attracted to the lighter happier tones that are similar to Jade-ite, and the shade of green Araucana chicken eggs! I also enjoy, the sage greens, but I  love red so much it is definitely almost tied! So you see both of these colors repeated throughout my home and life!

2) Favourite Number ~ Well that is a silly question. I think 12, and multiples of 6!

3) Favourite Animal ~ This is a funny question, because I am a big time animal lover! Growing up my parents owned pet stores, and then as a tween they purchased a small farm! Lots and lots of different animals have always been a huge part of my life. Currently we have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 cockatiel, 1 dove, 1 hamster, several tropical fish, and around 35 chickens. But my favorite has to be the ever faithful man's best friend.. the dog and his unconditional love! But I really love them all!

4) Favourite Non-Alcoholic Drink ~ It must be freshly brewed unsweetened ice tea, because that is what I drink constantly!

5) Facebook or Twitter ~  I have never looked at Twitter. Facebook is interesting. I have a Google + account associated with this blog. It is kind of fun, but I really enjoy my blog buddies and comments!

6) What is my Passion ~ It is definitely my family. Being a mom is the most important and awesome responsibility I have ever had! I am blessed to be in God's family and love all of my family!

7) Receiving or Giving ~ Of course..giving. Hands down, there is such a reward in giving.

8) Favourite Pattern - For clothing stripes, but for home decor, I love florals!

9) Favourite Day of the Week ~ Probably Friday, because I get to pick up my kids early from school, and then we have pizza and a movie with my Hubby!

10) Favourite Flowers ~ I have a hard time choosing here, but I choose Cosmos because they are so ever true in returning yearly and bringing me waves of pink blooms!

I now pass the award on to 5 blogs that brighten my day

 

Life of an Ordinary Hausefrau 

Lois Laugh Lines

Sunny Skies and Sweet Tea

Go Ahead Take a Bite

Have a Daily Cup with Mrs Olson 

 

 I wanted to choose more!

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy the award. Please visit these amazing blogs!

Thank you again Twinkles, Tutus & Twirls

 

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

 

Mother's Day 2012

My Mother - Anne Taylor

In remembrance of the greatest childhood memories.

Who fed me from her gentle breast,
And hushed me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?

My Mother.

When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept, for fear that I should die?

My Mother.

Who dressed my doll in clothes so gay,
And fondly taught me how to play,
And minded all I had to say?

My Mother.

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?

My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who was so very kind to me?

My Mother.

Have a blessed Mother's Day,
Little Susie Home Maker