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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 17, 2011

A Big Welcome to Val So Cal!

Hey there, this is Val from ValSoCal, a Southern California food/life blog. I’m thrilled to be guest posting today At The Picket Fence. I adore both Vanessa and Heather.  Summer is here and I love to entertain and whip up easy and delicious recipes. Hop on over to my blog and lets have some yummy fun! Here are a couple easy recipes! Enjoy.

                  
   This sweet dip is the epitome of what Summer is all about!!  Refreshing and oh so good! Do you have a Summer get together that you are going to? Are you about to have a party at your own house? I beg you, Like, pleading with you to make this. Turn on some Jimmy Buffet or maybe Bob Marley and have a little fun.

Pina Colada Dip

1 package ( 8 ounce ) cream cheese, softened
1 jar ( 7 ounce ) marshmallow crème
1 can ( 8 ounce ) crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 pound cake or angel food cake, cubed
strawberries
fresh pineapple, cubed

Directions:          

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme until fluffy. Fold in pineapple and coconut. Cover and chill until serving. Serve.

    
      There are very few things in life that I love more than butter….It just make me happy. I love full fat with salt butter. I could slather it on everything. I wish I could indulge more often but my thighs would not like me. Everything in moderation, right? You need to make this…like today!!



Blueberry Butter

1 pint blueberries
1 stick salted butter
4 to 5 tablespoons of powdered sugar
lemon zest ( optional )

Directions:

In a small bowl mash blueberries and set aside. In a another bowl mix butter and sugar until well combined. Mix the blueberries and butter together and place in a canning jar or bowl. Refrigerate or sever room temp and thoroughly enjoy!

blueberry butter

I came up with recipe because I needed to use up the berries I had!  This is perfect for a hostess gift. I like to smear some on croissants any carb will do. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy!
Thank you so much Val for guest posting at the picket fence today! We encourage you to run… er um well…actually… type your way over as quickly as you can to Val’s fabulous, gorgeous blog and browse through all of her other amazing recipes! You will drool on your keyboard. we swear it!
Thanks for meeting us and Val from Val So Cal...at the picket fence!
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17 Comments Filed Under: Appetizer, Guest Posts, Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Inspire Me Heather says

    August 17, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Looks so yummy – thanks!

    Reply
  2. Honey at 2805 says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    So nice to meet Val! The blueberry butter sounds so yummy!

    Reply
  3. Tammy says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Yum! My stomach is growling 🙂

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    I absolutely MUST try the pina colada dip!

    Reply
  5. Val says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Aww, I’m smiling big! Thank you ladies. You made my day!

    Reply
  6. Marina @ Yummy Mummy says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Yay! Love seeing Val being featured around the blogosphere! She’s the best! xoxo

    Reply
  7. CraveCute says

    August 17, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    These both look and sound delicious!

    Reply
  8. Ginger Zuck says

    August 17, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Yum, looks pretty too.

    Reply
  9. michelle says

    August 17, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Love Val, she is so sweet and all her recipes are YUMMY!!!!
    xo

    Reply
  10. A Cozy Cottage in the City says

    August 17, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Great to meet Val!!! I too am from southern Cal!!! 😉 I will have to go and check out her blog now!!! I do love me some “food posts!” 😉

    XOXO’s,
    Jessie

    Reply
  11. Liz says

    August 17, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    I love Val, too! She is so talented and in so many ways, not only with her great inspiring recipes, but she is a fabulous decorator and photographer. Thanks for sharing! XO ~Liz

    Reply
  12. Coley says

    August 17, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    seriously, you need to stop! My tummy is hungry after seeing those photos and I just ate lunch!

    Reply
  13. Elizabeth says

    August 18, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    I love flavored butter! We frequent a tapas restaurant that serves flavored. Utter and hot crush bread. Delicious! I must try this blueberry butter.

    Reply
  14. Leslie says

    August 18, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    I love Val’s blog, and I’m so glad you featured her! These recipes look D’lish!!! I’ve got to try them before the summer is up. 🙂

    Reply
  15. Light and Voices says

    August 18, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    So do you dip the cake into the dip?
    Joyce

    Reply
  16. Not Your Ordinary Agent says

    August 19, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    these are perfect for summertime! i cannot wait to try the blueberry butter! will you link it to foodie friday? http://notyourordinaryrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/08/foodie-friday-2.html
    can’t wait to check out your blog!
    http://www.homesandbabies.com
    http://notyourordinaryrecipes.blogspot.com Oh and congrats for being featured here… what an honor!

    Reply
  17. Tanya Anurag says

    August 19, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Cake… creme… pineapple… aahh so yummy!!

    Reply

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But, hey, at least I can take comfort in the soft glow of twinkling lights and having my halls decked for Christmas!

Today on the blog I’m sharing the details of my soft and simple mantel decorations and I’d love for you to stop by! ✨
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There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our kids or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

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And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap.

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

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Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
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For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

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