The Pink Veranda

I made this dip last week when we had company coming to visit.  It is strawberry season in this part of the country and I wanted to use the berries I bought from the local farmer's market.  I thought this would make a nice snack for our guests when they arrived and it did! This dip has a terrific strawberry and coconut flavor and the toasted coconut and strawberry slices makes a nice garnish. You really cannot stop eating it.  It has a light fresh flavor and the use of Greek yogurt makes it a healthier version than a fruit dip made with sour cream.  You can also substitute blueberries and just about any other berries for this recipe. Enjoy! Strawberry Coconut Greek Yogurt Dip Yield:   8-10 servings Ingredients 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 8 tablespoons powdered sugar 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped ½ teaspoon coconut extract 1/2 cup toasted coconut + 1 tablespoon to garnish Instructions In...

    I felt very lucky today. I went with a friend to an annual rummage sale in town. It was a gigantic sale with tons and tons of  fabulous "things" for sale.  Hidden among a huge table filled with crystal, china and silverware was a single teaspoon tea infuser.  This lovely little silver plated spoon has found a new home with me and  it will be a welcome addition to my tea time. The end of the teaspoon is oval shaped, with ridges and a shape that sort of remind me of a walnut:) The tip of the spoon snaps open and this is where you place loose tea leaves.  It holds a perfect portion of tea for making a single cup. Perfection!  For when the little things in life can smooth the rough edges of a prickly day. Stir and steep, stir and steep.

I love making and eating a toasty, gooey s'more, but I can't wait until the snow melts in New England to taste the chocolaty, marshmallow goodness of this campfire treat. I found a recipe for s'mores pie in Garden & Guns magazine that captures the flavor in a pie pan and it tastes amazing! Here are a few tips that I found helpful when making this yummy pie: If the filling/custard takes longer than 5-7 min to thicken, it's not  getting hot enough.  Try whisking it constantly in a saucepan over  direct heat being careful that it doesn't curdle.  If you don't have a blow torch, put the pie under the broiler briefly  to toast the marshmallow topping. Watch it the whole time it is under the broiler, the browning occurs really quickly!  Plan on making two pies because this rich chocolaty dessert will not last! Enjoy!! S'mores Pie Ingredients:   5 large egg yolks 6 tbsp. sugar 3 tbsp. cornstarch,...

I love making desserts and this is one of my favorite fall treats for my family.  The base is a dough that tastes a little like shortbread but it is softer and less dense. Then there is a layer of velvety caramel that is topped with more of the yummy dough.  What makes this bar so darn good is the addition of fleur de sel.  I use fleur de sel because I feel it goes well with caramel, but any other type of coarse salt will do. What you taste when you bite into each bar is the sweet and salty flavor of the caramel and salt combination.  So good, a little unexpected and you will find after the first bite that it's so hard to eat just one! Here's the recipe, enjoy! Salted Caramel Bars Ingredients 2 cups butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 1½ cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla 4 cups flour 1 -14 oz bag caramels, unwrapped ⅓ cup whipping cream ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoons fleur de sel salt or other coarse sea salt Instructions ...

I am organizing a birthday luncheon for a dear friend.  I am polishing the silver, bringing out the crystal and using my finest white linen.  I also thought it would be nice to have favors for all of my guests. Years ago someone gave me the book, A Guide to Elegance by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux.  I thought this book would be a nice gift for this occasion. I am tying the books with white bows and adding a vintage rhinestone brooch to each one for a little panache! Madame Dariaux wrote this little Tiffany blue book back in 1964, but the advice is timeless. This lovely pocket guide provides advice on fashion in a charming but straight forward manner. Advice that your mother may have taught you, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded. Elegance should always have a place in our lives and like birthdays should never be forgotten.

I am obsessed with a clutch purse.  I like to use them when I go out for dinner or meeting the girls for lunch, or whatever excuse I have to take one out of my closet. I like them because I can choose designs that I might not select with a larger bag. Because of their size a brighter, louder print will add a little punch to my outfit and not overwhelm it. How cute are these clutch purses?  I can't choose which one I like best. Isn't the apple and pear print on the Pomum clutch just so fresh and pretty?   Veggie Garden print of this clutch would make a great gift for my gardener friend. I want the Sleeping Beauty clutch to wear with a little black dress or just a pair of black jeans. I love the whimsical blue birds print on this Pennipotenti Clutch.   

Have I said how much I love One Kings Lane ?  They have mastered the art of finding unique home furnishings and accessories so expertly that I don't have to leave the comfort of my southern city to get fabulous deals on luxe items for my home. So now I am not only drooling over the furniture on their web site but also their jewelry.  Yes, I am now being tempted by Carolina Design .  Not a place, but the person. Carol Workinger is the artist behind Carolina Design and she has gorgeous pieces that were sold on One Kings Lane. What I love about the website is that it is like opening a present, you never know what's inside until you open it, but it's always a nice surprise :)   Here are a few pieces from their "Necklaces We Love" and  "Gold Rush" collection now on sale:   Teardrop Sunburst Pendant, Blue Drusy by Coralia Leets .    Gold Rush, Gold Coin Bracelet by BEN-AMUN .   Gold Chain Link Bracelet by BEN-A...