Monday, July 13, 2009

Keeping Cool

Here are a couple more pictures of our trip to Fredericksburg. This is the cute little cottage we rented during our stay. It was very charming and cozy, with lots of things to discover. I just love old houses and their creaky floors, don't you? My husband does not, but I couldn't get enough!

The gazebo covered hot tub that we got steamy in. I'll leave it at that. It really was too warm outside to be comfortable in, but it was nice and relaxing.

And LOOK! I even had time to whip up this fabulous cake! Kidding, it's made of styrofoam and fake icing :-) It's was a prop, which I think it beyond weird. Know what's even more weird? There were two of them, decorated with different color flowers. It was on display on the cupboard next to a cookbook. ha!

There was an attic in the house but the door was locked so Mr. H popped it open and we went up stairs. There wasn't much in there besides an air bed, but there was a tattered flag in the window that I caught my eye.

Before heading out to dinner we did a little window shopping and there was a sign place open so we wandered in. Mr. H loves signs. If we had blank walls in our garage, they'd be covered in signs. He did buy two of them, but there were thousands. This is one partial wall of 2 huge rooms.

I have a few more pictures for you involving a wonderful bakery and The Butterfly Haus. Those are for another day though.

Have I mentioned at all how hot it is here in Texas? We've been breaking record temperatures daily! it's been averaging between 102 -104 F. It did get up as hot as 107 though a couple weeks ago. Ridiculous! To cool off, I made popsicles! I found the popsicle molds at Goodwill for $2.99- score!

I found this recipe from Whole Foods and decided on it because I love orange and strawberry together. It reminds me of when I was a kid and I'd walk to the little corner mart across the street from my grandparents house. Aside from getting candy (Laffy Taffy), I'd get Tropicana Twisters in Strawberry Orange. Of course that was on the days I didn't get Clearly Canadian :-)

These popsicles were smooth and pulpy, but not hard and icy like most popsicles. They were tart and refreshing! Perfect for the sweltering heat!

Strawberry Orange Popsicles from Whole Foods

  • 1 cup puréed strawberries*
  • 1 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
  • Lime or lemon juice, to taste

Combine strawberry purée and orange juice concentrate in a medium bowl; set aside.

Heat water and sugar together in a small pot over medium heat, stirring just until sugar dissolves; add to bowl with strawberry-orange mixture. Stir in lime or lemon juice.

Fill popsicle molds with fruit mixture, making sure to leave a bit of room at the top for expansion when they freeze. Set the lids in place and insert the sticks through the holes.

Freeze until firmly set, 3 to 4 hours. To serve, first remove the lids or wrap then squeeze the sides of the molds, twisting them slightly, to dislodge each popsicle. (If necessary, rinse the outside of the molds briefly under hot water to unmold them.)

NOTE: These can be made in small cups or empty yogurt tubs as well. But be sure to stretch plastic wrap or foil across the top, then make a small incision in the top and insert a popsicle stick in each.

*For a smoother consistency, strain the puree of it's seeds.

Makes 8-10 popsicles, depending on size.

Updated: I entered this in the ice cream social sponsored by ScottySnacks, SavortheThyme and Tangled Noodle.

28 comments:

  1. The popsicles sound perfect :) And fake cakes huh? That is very strange :)

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  2. The cottage looks like fun! Cake cake is the kind I need to be having :P
    Love the popsicles too.

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  3. The popsicles look excellent!!! Styrofoam cakes are everywhere. The big samples of wedding cakes in the bakeries are all royal frosting over styrofoam (non-perishable examples I'm guessing). I've seen them for years.

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  4. Yummy ice pops. What an adorable cottage. I love exploring the places I stay. I have my beach hose next week, we will see what I find.

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  5. Hi. I believe its my first time here and I love love love your header!! I did some browsin' around and I enjoyed your posts. Nice to meet you.

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  6. Yay! Popsicles! It's just so wonderful to have it during a hot day :)

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  7. I love your Goodwill buy. The molding of your popsicles look store bought...so cool!!

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  8. I bought popsicle molds, I just need to use them! Great summer treat!

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  9. I've been meaning to make popsicles with my daughter--these look perfect!

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  10. Hooray for popsicles!! These look refreshing...and they're pretty, too :) I do love creaky old floorboards (character!).

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  11. What a big score to find those molds. Lucky you! These look fantastic. I agree about strawberry and orange. Great combo! I can't even imagine the kind of searing heat you live in. I'd melt faster than those delectable popsicles.

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  12. Love the new blog look!!!
    Those popsicles sound fantastic. I am bookmarking them to make for my kidlets :)

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  13. PS: Forgot to mention-- I love staying in a home/cottage vs. a hotel room. This looks so inviting, and the hot tub...ooh, la la!

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  14. I live in Texas too and its so freaking hot out these would be awesome on a hot afternoon! Although my favorite part of your post was the clearly canadian...which I was obsessed with as a kid! Too funny! Pretty popsicles!

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  15. What a cool prop :)! It looks so real. I adore cottages, especially old ones.

    The popsicles look great, I used to love buying strawberry popsicles from the store when I was little (the dole ones) and they can be pretty expensive, making them at home makes more sense to me now :D.

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  16. These popsicles are so amazing that I want to bite my computer screen! What a perfect treat for hot summer days!

    I am glad you had fun on your trip, btw.

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  17. Looks like a fun trip! I've always wanted to make my own popsicles, need to buy some molds before the summer is over :)

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  18. It's been hotter than Hades here, too! I could used a few of those today. Poor Devon has been playing baseball in it!

    Think some pureed banana would be yum in those. I like strawberry, banana, and orange together. I make smoothies with the three.
    ~ingrid

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  19. I adore that cottage, and with a hot tub.. how awesome!! Must have been so charming! The ice pops look and sound very refreshing! I like goodwill exploring!

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  20. Sounds like you all had a great time. The pops looks so pretty and yummy. I love making popsicles at home. Have you seen the cookbook called POPS! It's an entire cookbook on making homemade popsicles. It is a joy to look at with all the pictures and ideas.

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  21. Oh, those popsicles look so refreshing and delicious!

    And I'm late...Happppppppy Belated Birthday to you!!! Sounds like you have been having a great time!

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  22. Just found your blog today and I think I've gained 10 lb's this afternoon just looking at your beautiful food blog!

    I lived in TX back in the early 90's and one thing my husband and I miss foodwise is kolaches...do you have a recipe??

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  23. I love that pictures with the bite taken out of the popsicle - I want a bite! They look so refreshing and I'm jealous of your cool mold.

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  24. Freaking yummy! I don't think there's anything quite like a cute red popsicle in the summertime. Kind of brings back memories... I love the mold you used!

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  25. These look yummy!

    What ever happened to Clearly Canadian!?? I love it. :)

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  26. You just reminded me that I have some molds somewhere--man, guess a trip to the store is in order. Be sure to etner thses creations into the ice cream social challenge at savorthethyme.blogspot.com

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  27. what a great Blog I founded today and I really liked.

    I live un Washington DC and its very hot right now.

    Great popsicles.

    Regards

    olga.

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Thank you for your supportive comments. I appreciate each and every one of them!