ALL-AMERICAN SEA SALT CARAMELS

Ahhh, sweet and salty..it gets me every time!! I bought a bag of the patriotic M&M's and thought "Hey, I need to make a little bite sized candy outta these for the 4th!" Thus, these sea salt, white chocolate and caramel covered cashew babies were born!! 
Yum  

They just look so festive and would make a great gift or fun treat to take to your 4th get together.

They also freeze really well, which is what I did with half the batch and then I'll get them out about an hour before treat time on the 4th.

What you'll need

ALL AMERICAN SEA SALT CARAMELS

INGREDIENTS
1 (8.5 oz) can Salted whole Cashews (I like Planters)
1 (110z) bag Kraft Caramel Bits
8 ozs white Chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup heavy cream
Course Sea Salt to sprinkle on candies
Red, White and Blue M&M's

DIRECTIONS
Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place clusters of the cashews (about 6-8) of the cashews about 2 inches apart on the parchment and set aside. In a microwave safe medium to large mixing bowl, place the caramel bits and cream, microwave for 30 seconds, stir and continue to microwave and stir at 30 sec. Intervals for about 3 minutes until caramel bits are smooth and melted. Spoon 2 teaspoons on each cashew cluster. In a double boiler, melt the white chocolate or per pkg instructions in the microwave. Spoon a heaping teaspoon onto each caramel and sprinkle with sea salt. After about 30 minutes, lightly place a few M&M's on each caramel and refrigerate a couple hours until firm. The can be refrigerated for a couple weeks or frozen for up to 3 months. 

The nuts clustered with the caramel spooned on top, cooling while I melted the chocolate

 With the chocolate

So cute with the festive M&M's added

Happy Tasty Tuesday! 
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xoxo

4th of JULY FABULOUS: Food, Fashion & Family!!

Family, Food and Fashion, to me that is what 4th of July is all about and in that order...oh and add the 4th "F"...Fireworks and you've got memories in the making. I decided to incorporate all of these for Andrea and Erika's Let's Talk Series
This whole week I will be showcasing 4th of July related Posts...soooo Excited!!

FASHION

The above college includes all the fun things I'd be wearing for the 4th of July. I'm excited to have added a few cute 4th of July fashions to my wardrobe for the upcoming Holiday week including a darling American Flag kimono, which I will show you soon

This outfit from from My Nautical Themed Mother's Day shoot with my mama and both would be the perfect 4th outfits.

This outfit I posted for Cookout Couture a couple weeks ago would be perfect too.

Buy Similar Tank HERE

AND LOVE THIS KIMONO

I'll be back on Wednesday with some more Americana/4th Fashion goodness.

Sneak Peak.......

FOOD

Ahhh, the foods of Summer and the goodness gathered at 4th of July get togethers and vacays..just gotta love it. Now, while I love a good pasta salad and lean grilled meats, oh and Lay's Potato Chips, this girl has gotta have her sweets and hello...fresh fruit season. So, I have gathered 3 of my favorite Summer desserts that I always make around this time of year to incorporate the yummy Summer fruits and ones that include some red or blue beautiful-ness..perfect tor the 4th.

My Award Winning Strawberry Crunch Parfait

While I made this winning recipe with Blueberries for the contest, I love it even more with strawberries. Recipe HERE

Next up, the Delicious with coffee, tea or milk Blueberry Streusel Muffins

This is another Fair award winner and with the Blueberries predicted to be so plump this year, who can resist these with the sweet streusel topping!! Yum!!

And how bout some yummy cherry and cream cheese goodness with one of my favs....Cherry Delight

While, I love to make this at Christmas time, Summer is fun too for it's refreshing taste, colorfulness and imagine making it with fresh cherries...so good!! Recipe Here

And last but not least...Let's just incorporate all the berries, like I did last week in my Summer Cornet recipe from last week

Tomorrow I'm back with another food little 4th Goodie recipe...

FAMILY......and Flowers

My childhood 4th memories revolve around fireworks at a local high school football field called Rice Field, bomb pops, sparklers, my mom's red velvet Flag cake and picnics with our neighbors, the Brewster's
The fam now gets in on the Americana wear and we may even do a All-American attire for our beach family photo this year.

Even my posies this year are All-Amereican!!

What are your favorite 4th memories or shenanigans?
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

xoxo
Linking up with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Show and Tell Tuesdays // Wordless Wednesday // Inspire Me Monday // Share The joy// Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Creative Monday's Blog Hop // Thoughts on Thursday // Waiting On Wednesday // Create It Thursday // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop //  The Alder Collective // Feathered Nest Friday // Dishing It & Digging It // Wildly Original

FRIDAY FAVORITES....End of June Edition

There is no way it is the LAST Friday in June! NOOOO...Summer barely got here and it is flying.
Going to be a beautiful couple days here and I am going to soak up every last second by enjoying the sunshine, making blueberry scones and having a meal compete with Italian pasta salad, baked beans and all the trimmings! I hope you do the same and your weekend is full of fun!!

1. Mermaid Cocktail

Beautiful, delicious...and  video how to make this yumminess!!

This Recipe is from The Tipsy Bartender

Here is the YouTube Video on how to make it.

YUM!!!

2. Prison Break
I mentioned our love for this series on my Currently post on Monday. 81 episodes and we are on like 26...so good. A twist and turn in every.single.episode. So glad we took our son's suggestion on this! Every Summer I love having a binge watch with Mr. Nine.
During the last 3 Summers we've watched Breaking Bad, 
Boardwalk Empire and Justified.

3. Week's Attire

A little of this and a little of that...

Macy's vest, TJ Maxx top, Forever 21 necklace and Charlotte Russe ombre skirt

Kohl's top, Necklace from my sweet friend Laura

Target top, Loft pants, Fashion Bella necklace, Target sandals

4. Hi-Low Hems

Obviously loving sea foam greens and blues this week. Especially loving the look of a hi-low hem like this dress I wore last Saturday.

This dress Kohl's, Target sandals

This beauty I ordered online and feel in love with the fit and color...

so I ordered it in black too!

Gauze dress from Target HERE

5. My Posies
Here are some of my flowers I planted this year. You know I love my posies and it seems the end of June is when they always look the prettiest. These pics were taken last Sun eve, then this week a couple storms and lots of wind went through. The white petunias below actually toppled down the deck stairs and now look like crap. Hoping they come out of it.

Clockwise from top left: Bougainvillea,  Vista Silverberry Petunias, Vista Bubblegum Petunias and Lanai Candy Cane Verbenas 

Cheers sweet friends!!

Now, go put on a sundress and hula hoop in your barefeet!

Linking up with  Amanda // Friday Favorites  // Oh Hey, Friday  // High 5 For Friday // 5 on Friday 

xoxo

SUMMER CORNET

According to one of my favorite pastry and chocolate chefs, Jacques Torres, A Cornet is a piping bag, in a cone shape, to pipe filling or icing decorations. This is the most delightful summer dessert EVAH!!! After Mr. Nine and I had a dessert similar at one of our areas best restaurants, I knew I had to re-create it or I'd never stop thinking about it!! In this case, I made my cornet to pipe the creamy vanilla cheesecake mousse onto a delicious buttery Dolce de Leche caramel flavored pizzelle cookie. OH MY!! 
Yum

 The PERFECT SUMMER Dessert

With all the fresh berries, you are gonna WOW your guests and family for sure!! 

And it's the perfect 4th of July dessert!!

What you'll need

SUMMER CORNET

INGREDIENTS

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

¾ cup powdered sugar

1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy whipping cream

½ tsp corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

8-10 Pizzelles (I find mine at TJ. Maxx)

Chopped fresh berries {strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries}

Strawberry Syrup

Fresh Mint Springs (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In large bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add in corn syrup and whip until stiff peaks form. Set aside. In a separate bowl whip cream cheese and vanilla until soft and creamy Mix in powdered sugar. Slowly fold in the whipped cream mixture, until combined. Cover bowl with plastic and refrigerate for 2 at least an hour. Once you are ready to serve, spoon mousse into a quart sized plastic bag, cut an inch whole on one corner of the bag and pipe the mousse on your pizzelles. Sprinkle on your favorite berries and top with a drizzle of Strawberry syrup. Top with a piece of Pizzelle and mint leaves if desired.

My homemade cornet bag

Such a pretty summer dessert!!

Happy Tasty Tuesday! 
Linking up with Tasty Tuesdays // Tuesday Talk // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Full Plate Thursday // Handmade Hangout // Simple and Sweet Fridays // Throwback Thursday // Share It // Too Cute Tuesdsy // Sweet and Simple Fridays // Grace At Home // Inspire Me Monday // Friday Favorites  // Creativity Unleashed // Two Cup Tuesday // The Alder Collective // The SITS Girls Clever Chicks Blog Hop // Snickerdoodle Sunday // Dishing It & Digging It // Feathered Nest Friday // Weekend Potluck // The Scoop // Between Naps on the porch // Meal Plan Monday #112 //Delicious Dishes Recipe Party #115
xoxo