Weekend Round-Up

Some of the week's best

One of my most favorite candy treats Almond Joys has a rival with Almond Joy Magic Cookie Bars.

Almond Joy Magic Cookie Bars

Cook's notes: 

Almond Joy Magic Cookie Bars are a slightly different blast from the past
These yummy gooey treats are sure to be a crowd pleaser for your summertime crowd.
This cookie bar recipe was developed in the 1960’s when Gail Borden offered money for homemade recipes for desserts using his product, Borden’s Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. He had invented condensed milk originally as a milk product that required no refrigeration for feeding babies. Once refrigeration came around in the United States after World War I, his product was used in making desserts. I adapted the recipe a bit by using sliced almonds and fat free sweetened condensed milk. I was able to cut some of the fat and enjoy a cookie bar that reminds me of my beloved Almond Joy!

Recipe adapted from Jenn@eatcakefordinner
Ingredients Cookie Crust:

• 1/2 c. butter, room temperature
• 3/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 9 full crackers) 
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Layers:

• 3/4 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1- 1/4 c. shredded sweetened coconut-lightly toasted
• 1/2 c. sliced almonds
• 1 cup fat free sweetened condensed milk (not quite one can)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 9 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal and spray with cooking spray; set aside. 
• For the crust: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar, using a hand mixer, then beat until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla, egg and mix until combined. 
• Use a food processor  to crumble graham crackers doing a few at a time. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and mix together in food processor. 
• Add flour/graham cracker mixture in a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Press graham cracker dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. (Flour your hands for easier dough spreading) Bake for 6 minutes.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (reserving 1/4 cup), 1 cup toasted coconut and sliced almonds. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the dough and top with remaining 1/4 cup toasted coconut and 1/4 cup mini chips. Remember the pan is hot and return to the oven and bake for 26-30 minutes or until set. Rotate the pan in the oven once during cooking time. 
• Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes and then place in refrigerator to cool all the way through (the bottom of the pan will be cold). Cut into 12 squares and keep refrigerated. 

Cooking Tip: DO NOT cut the bars while they are still warm or the gooey filling will run-and you might be tempted to do this :) 

Tea Light Votives with Colored Rice 

click here for directions Tea Light Votive with Colored Rice 

4th of July Treat Bag Toppers 

click here for free printables Treat Bag Toppers
4th of July free printables

Friday Sock Fairy Adventures in Sockland and A Summer Blueberry Tart

Reader ages 6-9 Story synopsis so far…

Will, an eight year old boy, is searching through the clothes in the dryer. He is looking for his other soccer sock. He really wants to find the mate as his soccer socks are a lucky pair. He once scored a winning goal wearing them. As Will leans into the dryer he suddenly is sucked in and tossed about. When Will stops spinning he tumbles out into a new place called Sockland.

Chapter One: SOCKLAND

Will rolled over a few times feeling dizzy from all the spinning. Lucky for him he still had his green striped soccer sock in his hand. He sat up and looked around. He wondered what kind of strange place he had rolled into. There were no cars, no people, no buildings just lots of mismatched socks everywhere hanging from tree branches. Even the sky looked funny, not blue, but many different colors of pinks, purples, oranges and yellows.

A "whoosh" sound made Will turn quickly around. Three fairy-like creatures flew by him. "Fairies", shouted Will. "I've seen pictures of you in my storybooks. Stop! Wait! Wait! for me,” yelled Will running down the road trying to catch up to them.
But the three fairies flew faster than Will could run. They seemed to be in a hurry. Each one was carrying a very full bag. Will was not watching where he was going and tripped over a large rock in the road. “Ouch!” he yelled looking at his knee. “That hurts.”

Will didn’t have time to worry about the pain in his knee. He needed to catch up and see where the fairies were going. It took him a long time to reach the hilltop with his leg hurting a lot. A large sign was posted. It said: THIS WAY TO SOCKLAND with an arrow pointing in the direction the fairies were flying. Will could see a town below the hill. The fairies stopped in front of a brick building. One fairy pulled something out of her pocket and waved it. Sprinkles of fairy dust flew off into the air and to the ground. The door opened. Three fairies flew in. The door shut quickly behind them.

By the time Will reached the building the pain in his leg was throbbing. He stood looking at the door that had opened and where the fairies flew in. Will wondered how he'd get in. He had heard fairies have their own magic wands and fairy dust but he didn't have either. There were no windows on the building just a big door with a sign above that said: SOCK BANK.

Will sat down on the ground hoping that his leg would feel better. Sprinkles of fairy dust on the road caught his attention. He scooped some up rubbing them in his hands. He liked all the sparkly colors. Will began to feel funny. He looked at himself. He was getting smaller, smaller and smaller. Will was surprised that his leg didn't hurt any more. Maybe rubbing fairy dust on his hands had helped his pain.

Will wasn't sure he liked his new small size. He heard a noise behind him. A fairy was waving her wand and whispering “Socks for Gold”. The door opened. She flew in and Will was quick. He got through the doorway just as the heavy door closed with a BANG!

© Copyright 2015 EVER READY All Rights Reserved

Look for Chapter Two: Sock Bank next Friday June 27th

_______________________________________

Cook's notes: Puff pastry has a bit of magic about it the way it rises and bakes quickly. This summer blueberry tart is made from puff pastry and look delicious and quite easy. The link has pictures with step by step directions. 

The recipe comes from http://thetiptoefairy.com/2015/05/summer-berry-tart/ 
And yes... there really exists a tiptoe fairy blogsite! 

The World of Fairy Magic

"I believe, of course, in magic. 

Magic is bringing about of unbelievable things 

through an obstinate faith 

that nothing is too good to be true..."

Frances Burnett Hodges, author "The Secret Garden" 

drawing by Susan Elizabeth Telke 

Backstory
Once upon a time I wrote a children’s story called Sock Fairy Thieves. Despite the fact I have had a number of rejection slips the lives of sock fairies still continue on through my writing in various ways. In September 2009 Ever Ready first emerged on the blogging scene. Sock fairies was used for the URL for my inspiration. Now fast forward some 1,600 blog postings to 2015. To kick off summer every Friday (during the summer) I will be posting a sock fairy adventure on Ever Ready. The first one will be posted June 19th. Share these adventures with a wee one.

There is no better time to step into the world of fairy magic than the coming of the longest day of the year June 21, also known as Midsummer. It is a time when fairies are thought to be abroad and at their most powerful. But there are some things you as a human must understand about sock fairies. 

• They are mischievous but intend no harm on humans. Sock fairies are quick and rarely seen by humans. 
• Sock fairies work in pairs. They carry their own bag for collecting socks. In their bag you can find a bottle of fairy dust, their secret weapon in case they need help and a fairy wand. 
• Sock fairies gather each morning for their to-do lists. They generally like to work during the day so they can gather in the evening to make merry near the fairy ring or work by the fireside on sock accessories. 
• Sock fairies go a sock bank whenever their bag is full. A sock bank carries only mismatched socks. If a sock fairy can find a matching sock at the sock bank, the pair can be exchanged for a gold coin. 
• Fall and winter seasons are sock fairies busiest times. Often they spend many evenings by the fireside making arm warmers, leg warmers, sock monkeys and other sock accessories from socks they have gathered. Mismatched socks are often turned into gifts to reward a human for a good deed. 

© Copyright 2015 EVER READY All Rights Reserved
Check back tomorrow for the first sock fairy adventure. Special thanks to the following for their encouragement and inspiration particularly my cousin Deb, Sarah C. Penny S. Becky F. and Shoreview Writing Group.

How about some fairy dust to make your world a more magical place? Haven't we all believed in magic at one time or another in our lives? Remember the whimsical nature of childhood dreams and fanciful ideas and themes? ...I wish...I wish... Why not make your own confection or medley of make believe? To wish for extraordinary blessings, to believe in wondrous events that sometimes one can only dream of...

If only I could share mine with you!

So the next best thing is making your own.

Recipe for Colored Pixie or Fairy Dust

Ingredients:

• 1 cup salt or sugar
• 6 drops of food coloring-add more if want a vibrant color
• generous sprinkle of extra fine glitter (any color) 
• 2 dashes of silver glitter

Directions:

• In a zip loc bag add salt or sugar and food coloring. Secure bag at top. Use fingers to press on outside of bag mixing dye into salt/sugar. 
• Add to the bag contents colored glitter with a little silver glitter and mix well.  

• Put the fairy dust into a small bottle or container. Try dollar stores or Michaels for containers. 

• You may need to use a funnel to get the fairy dust into a container, depending on how small the opening is. If you don't have a funnel, simply roll up a small piece of paper into a funnel shape and use a piece of tape to keep it in that shape. Cut the bottom of the funnel shape with a pair of scissors, making sure that the bottom of the funnel will fit into the container you want to put the fairy dust in.

Meet Candace Simar, Writer, Author and Poet

Candace Simar is a writer and poet from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, in the heart of Lake Country. As a life-long Minnesotan, the grandchild of immigrants, Candace nurtures a passion for Minnesota History. She is the author of the Spur Award-winning Abercrombie Trail Series which combines Candace's love of history intertwined with stories of her Scandinavian heritage. 

"Birdie", part of the Abercrombie Series, received the 2012 Spur Award for best juvenile fiction and is set in the west. "Blooming Prairie", also part of the series, was honored as a finalist for the 2013 Spur Award. 

"Farm Girls" was co-written with her sister, Angela F. Foster. This memoir written in poetry and prose celebrates growing up on a Minnesota dairy farm. 

Candace's books are also available in audio, e-book, and large print. She is a member of the Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, the Loft Literary Center and The Crossing Arts Alliance.

"Shelterbelts" is Candace's newest historical fiction. The book offers all the best of Candace's talents with a mesmerizing read. Her story chronicles Minnesota farming life during a tumultuous time period of World War II.  Candace draws on her Norwegian culture and crafts a compelling story whose characters' stories stay with you long after the book is closed. Grants from Five Wings, a non-profit organization, workshops, along with family and community support helped make "Shelterbelts" become a reality.  

Tia Fiskum, the old maid of Tolga Township, yearns to retain her hold on the family farm after her shell-shocked brother returns from World War II. The neighbor she hopes to marry chooses a town girl for his new wife.The Potato King listens to the radio preacher and prays for a miracle. Eddy Root fears a return to the asylum. A German war bride struggles to find acceptance in this tight-knit Scandinavian community. Woven throughout is the man who walks lizards, a grieving father, a disillusioned pastor, and the neighborhood gossipmonger. Shelterbelts chronicles the life of a community struggling to return to normal after war. This is a story true to history of those difficult times while rich in the complications of the human spirit.

The story is character driven and told from multiple points of view. Candace skillfully navigates the story, changing the narration from chapter to chapter with a different family in Tolga township but always keeping Tia and the town focal points of the story. The characters are well developed and everyone has a story to tell.  Readers feel their emotions as they react to community events and their relationships with neighbors. Each character is passionate about finding their place in the world despite the cruelties of war and having to live on the land. One of the best points of Candace's writing is she makes you care about her characters and what happens to them as the story unfolds. 
Candace draws upon her own farming experiences and infuses realism into plot development. Even though Candace grew up in the 50's her meticulous research for the World War II time period makes you feel a sense of place and time as if you are actually experiencing the events. Toga Township is a composite of Candace's childhood home, neighboring farmers, church and school.  
Currently Candace has several writing projects she is developing. But as one of her loyal fans I can only hope someday Candace will write a sequel to "Shelterbelts." My interest is piqued as to where these characters' lives may take them.  I lost my heart to each of them. 

Visit Candace at http://candacesimar.com/to learn more about her writings, book events, guest blogs and book ordering. 

I was fortunate to be able to spend some time with Candace at her home in northern Minnesota.  This is where the writer spends the majority of her time in her office at a very large L shaped desk, the envy of every writer.  

Candace is a proud recipient of the 2012 Spur Award from Western Writers of America. It was an impressive looking plaque as well as a distinguished award hanging on her wall.  

The framed enlarged book covers from each of Candace's 5 books made a creative wall arrangement. 

Candace lives in a semi rural area surrounded by her 10 "girls" which no doubt provided her with inspiration as she wrote about Tolga Township, a small farming community in her newest book "Shelterbelts." 
The book can be ordered following this link 

http://www.amazon.com/Shelterbelts-Candace-Simar/dp/0878398171/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434503760&sr=8-1&keywords=shelterbelts&pebp=1434503782892&perid=1ND5DBDRQYMYTZA6EM5T

Link-Up

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

-Nathaniel Hawthorne

31 Incredibly Creative Ways To Display All Your Stuff
If you’ve got it, flaunt it. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/collections?utm_term=.dgxVGw3jp#.vllxeK3wW

magnet nail polish display

matchbox cars display

Rounding up some of the best links for your holiday party planning

One Hundred Patriotic Ideas-Food and Decor

Strawberry Shortcake with Wild Blueberry Sauce

http://anightowlblog.com/2013/05/100-patriotic-ideas-recipes-decor-crafts-printables.html/
4th of July Recipes
http://www.midwestliving.com/holidays/july-4th/4th-of-july-dessert-recipes/?page=0

Cherry Raspberry Pie

Double Berry Cooler 

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/july-4th/recipes/

Summertime Living

Easy entertaining ideas

Berry Quinoa Salad
Cook's notes: A healthy salad that can be enjoyed any time of the day. The recipe comes from twopeasandapod  and serves 6
If you can't find red quinoa, use regular quinoa. Cook the quinoa according to package instructions. The quinoa can be made in advance. Make sure it is cool before making the salad. The salad is best the day it is made.

Ingredients: 

Citrus Honey Dressing:

• 1 tsp. orange zest
• 4 TB. fresh orange juice
• 2 TB.fresh lemon juice
• 1 TB. fresh lime juice
• 1 TB. honey
• 1 tsp.finely chopped mint
• 1 tsp. finely chopped basil

For the Salad:

• 2 cups cooked red quinoa
• 1-1/2 cups strawberries, cut in half
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup roughly chopped Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Cinnamon Almonds
• 1 TB. finely chopped mint
• 1 TB. finely chopped basil

Directions:

• First, make the dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, mint, and basil. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, almonds, mint, and basil. Gently stir. Drizzle citrus honey dressing over the salad and gently stir again. Serve.

Lemon-lime Mini Tarts 

Cook’s notes: Add these tiny tarts to your 4th of July buffet table. They're easy to make thanks to purchased phyllo shells and the homemade lemon-lime curd and raspberry filling. Totally divine and makes 45. Recipe from recipe.com

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs 
• 3/4 cup sugar 
• 1 tsp. each  lemon and lime zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 
• 3 packages (2.1 ounces each) prepared phyllo cups (45 cups total) 
• 1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries (45 total) 
• Toasted flake coconut for garnish, optional 

Directions:

• In a heavy-bottom small saucepan whisk eggs, sugar, lime and lemon zest and both juices. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, just until boiling and mixture is thickened, about 10 minutes (mixture should register 160 F on instant-read thermometer). 
• Cool curd in a bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours or until chilled. Can be made a day ahead. 
• To serve, spoon 1-1/2 teaspoons curd into each phyllo cup; top with a raspberry and a pinch of coconut. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 4 hours. 

If you’re looking for a way to cool down this 4th of July, try kicking back with a Margarita   Both strawberry and lime margaritas make a statement, and the addition of frozen blueberries adds a festive kick.
For this this drink pour half on one side of your glass and half on the other. Swirl and top with blueberries and a lime wedge and you’re ready to watch the fireworks. Recipe from babbles makes 3-4 Margaritas 

Red, White and Blue Margaritas

Strawberry

• 1 cup ice
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 3 oz. tequila
• 2 oz. lime juice
• 1 oz. Triple Sec or Cointreau
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup

Original

• 1 cup ice
• 3 oz. tequila
• 2 oz. lime juice
• 1 oz. Triple Sec or Cointreau

Directions;

• In a blender, blend together strawberry ingredients and place in freezer while blending all original ingredients. Pour half of the strawberry mixture into a glass and follow with half the original mix. 
• Gently swirl with a straw or spoon. 
• Top with frozen blueberries and a lime wedge.

Lemon and Garlic Tilapia served with a Balsamic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes side

A jump start for planning  your Father's Day celebration.

Lemon Garlic Tilapia

Cook's notes: Tilapia fillets are bathed in lemon juice and melted butter, seasoned with garlic and parsley, and baked to flaky perfection. Serve with side of Balsamic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes.   
Ingredients:

• 4 Tilapia filets (6 oz. each)
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed and diced large
• 2½ TB. butter 
• 3 TB. fresh lemon juice
• 2 TB. fresh parsley or 1-1/2 tsp. dried parsley
• 2 tsp. fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• olive oil or cooking spray

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Melt 2½ TB.  butter on a low in a small sauce pan. 
• Add garlic and saute on medium low for about 1 minute. Add 2 TB. lemon juice, mix and remove from heat.
• Spray the bottom of a baking dish lightly with cooking spray or olive oil. Add 1 TB. lemon juice.
• Place the fish on top and season with herbs, salt, and pepper. Pour the lemon butter mixture on the fish and top with fresh parsley for garnish
• Bake at 400 degrees until cooked, about 20 minutes. (or until flakes easily)

Balsamic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes
Roasted asparagus and tomatoes covered in melted Parmesan and drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Recipe adapted  from closetcooking.com
Ingredients:

• 1- 1/2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
• 1- 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 2 TB. olive oil or lemon olive oil, 
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 -3/4 cup grated Parmesan 
• 1/8- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar or Sicilian Lemon Balsamic White Vinegar
• 2 TB.basil, sliced (chiffonade style) 
• crumbled feta or goat cheese

see directions for chiffonade @ //sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-world-according-to-bella-and-berry.html

Directions:

• Toss the asparagus and tomatoes in the oil, salt and pepper, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Sprinkle Parmesan and roast in a preheated 400 degrees  oven until they start to caramelize, about 15-20 minutes. Stir halfway through the cooking time. 
• Remove pan from oven and drizzle balsamic over asparagus mixture. 
• Grate more Parmesan cheese right before serving or add crumbled feta/goat  cheese and fresh basil.

• 

Mini Garlic Monkey Bread
Cook's notes: Mini garlic bread so buttery, so garlicky and just so easy! Recipe from damndelicious.net
Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 
• 5 TB. unsalted butter, melted 
• 4 TB. freshly grated Parmesan 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil 
• 1/2 tsp. dried parsley flakes 
• Pinch of sea salt and sesame seed sprinkles
• 2 TB. extra melted butter

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray a standard muffin tin with nonstick spray.
  Cut each of the biscuits into eighths, making 64 pieces. 
• In a large bowl whisk together melted butter, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley and salt. Stir in biscuit pieces and gently toss to combine. The dough bits will be sticky. Using your fingertips, lightly reshape pieces. 
• Drop 6 pieces into each muffin cup. Grate extra Parmesan cheese over each roll and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven brush with extra melted butter and serve immediately
  Serve immediately, brushed with remaining butter mixture.