Let's Start with Lumpy Brown Sugar

During my recent baking spree, I opened a new bag of brown sugar only to find it full of hard lumps. Don't you hate that?

Wait! Don't throw it away! I have a little trick that may help someone out there who thinks you have to toss out the lumpy sugar.

Put some water in a cup and the sugar in a bowl or jar. Put them both in the microwave at 15-second intervals. After each 15-seconds, give it a good stir and try to squash the hard lumps. Keep doing it until the lumps are gone. It took mine about a minute and a half.

The water will throw off steam, providing moisture to soften the sugar. With just a little crushing of the spoon against the lumps, you should be able to use the sugar.

There. My little brown sugar man is smiling again. Hopefully he does his job and keeps this sugar lump free now that it's in a covered jar.

Remember my oriental lady vase that I bought a few weeks ago for 70% off? I finally used it Monday night to hold some tulips DH bought me.

Isn't it just the most unique flower holder? I love it. If you want to see the whole table I did, just click on my tablescaping blog in the right side bar. (I'm too lazy right now to hyperlink it)

After work yesterday I had my nails done. I decided to match them to that pink/orange/white jacket I showed you a few weeks ago.

I think that's a pretty good match. I will have to wear it sometime during the next two weeks.