Texas Pepper Jams: prickly pear

THANK YOU RITA! for the reminder on this Blog Hop. I couldn't find my NOTE anywhere!

Back in April, Rita with Toltec Jewels invited participants to share in celebrating their favorite elements of Summer. We could share "jewelry and/or beads, of course, but also pretty photos, a
summer recipe, a campfire song, a craft, family memories, a poem -- anything you like!" A very broad spectrum of ideas came to mind because so far this summer has been FULL and it's only just begun.

A Much Needed Vacation

In July, my husband and I are going to Cabo San Lucas for a week!!!!! We've never been & can hardly wait. Everybody pray for no hurricanes until later in the year --- well, how about pray NO HURRICANES AT ALL!

Here's a taste of the awesome beaches!!! Isn't this pretty?!! Looks relaxing! :)

In preparation for this trip, I decided to make an anklet to wear on the beach.

Reminds me of the beach, what do you think?

In the meantime, I was thinking of this lovely, light summer cake I used to make for my kids. Who are now all grown up, married, & doing their own things. But it's a very tasty cake and yet very very easy to make. On hot summer days in Texas, we enjoy this taste of cold & sweet! One of the best things about this cake is that you can make it a day or two ahead. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator & you'll be good to go! :)

Raspberry (or Strawberry) Jello Cake

Ingredients

white cake mix
raspberry or strawberry jello - the large box (you can use any flavor you desire but these are the two my kids preferred)
cool whip or whip cream
sprinkles if desired

Directions

Prepare white cake mix according to directions & bake in a 9x12 pan.
Remove from oven & using a serving fork poke a plethora of holes in the cake.
Let cake cool for about 30 min.
Prepare jello with only the hot water - do not add the cold water into the mix. Stir the jello mixture until jello is well dissolved.
Pour jello mixture evenly over cake. It will be fairly saturated.
Place cake in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or until jello is set.
Remove cake after about 3-4 hours. Cover top with cool whip or whip cream. Sprinkle with candies if desired & replace in refrigerator until ready to serve. Cover with saran wrap or foil.

On a much different note ------- MY CACTI ARE BLOOMING!!!!

I have been waiting for years for this cactus to bloom & it is HERE!!!! finally

I've been waiting 13 years for this to bloom! :)

These bloom yearly!

Pretty soon the blossoms will fall & the prickly pear will ripen for us to make jam with!

The bees love these blooms!

The hummingbirds love these cactus blooms!

& they love these Aloe Vera blooms too!

LASTLY, Here is one of the beautiful Deer that's eating my flowers. :( She was born on our property last year. This year she has a fawn & snorts at us from time to time to let us know this is HER PROPERTY & she means business!!! It's really hilarious!

I took her picture at 9 pm out my living room window. She knew I was there & she's watching me!

Thanks Rita for hosting this Blog! It was fun to reminisce a little & to stop to "SMELL THE ROSES!" Come & join me in blog hopping!!!

The Summer Elements Blog Hop Participants:

Toltec Jewels (Hostess) http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Ailsa Cordner http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/

Sherri Stokey http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/

Christie (Charis Designs) http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Carolyn Lawson http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/

Susie Harris http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/

Andrea Glick-Zenith http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/