Colors of Spring

This was the second batch of flowers that I cut from my garden. Love the burst of color when they open up.

Took a ride to the farm and started checking out some plants. I always wait till Mother's Day to plant. But boy, going through the green house, I was itching to pick up some plants.

But I was good. Just kept on walking and looking at all the different types out there. I did happen to pick up some Pansies for my mom.

She loves putting them into her baskets and pots on her patio. The colors were just beautiful, they just popped right at you. It wasn't hard at all picking some of these.

I have bunches of these popping up all over the place. Front of the house and the back yard. I'm surprised they still are popping in the back yard. With Chloe on the prowl, usually nothing stays alive.

My plum and pear trees take my breath away in the Spring. The way the colors just come out in the trees. I could just sit out there all day looking at them. Just wished the colors would last longer.

I love Spring for the new beginnings that it brings to everything outside. From the birds singing to the flowers breaking through the ground. A fresh start for everything.

Bunny Swap!

This was the wonderful package that I got from my Bunny Swap partner Sarah. My son and I loved opening up all the gifts. Everything was wrapped in pink paper. So it took him some time to open everything up. Loved everything in the box. We already dug up some dirt outside over the weekend for the seeds she sent. Thank you Sarah for being my partner and thank you to Mizmollye for being a wonderful host.

Finished!

Finally finished my first quilting project. It took me 4 classes to do it.

Loved how it came out!

I need some help on the corners, which I know will come in time.

Just have to keep at it.

Looks wonderful on my table with my first batch of flowers from the garden.

Now, I have to look for another project before Friday's class.

Signed up with a group that meets twice a month.

There will be helpers in the class to help me along.

Help is something I'm going to need.

I know this, from reading some of the directions on some things I'd like to make.

Wishing you and your family......

HAPPY EASTER!

Wordless Wednesday

Thrifty Finds

Found myself a couple of goodies. The first goodies I found was this tree. It had 4 glass eggs with it. Only a $1.00!

Each egg was painted differently. I'm not sure if this was a store item or if someone painted it themselves. Either way, I love it. Thinking I might just paint the tree.

Got a couple of magazines, which I love to go through. Some felt, in all different colors and a beautiful candle holder that holds the egg candles. Which I already have a carton of. Got the whole bunch above for $1.50.

This was all in a bag for 50 cents. How could I pass that up.

Found this plant holder. It called my name. :) For 75 cents. I know it would look good on my fence, in a different color. I also picked up some clay pots and plastic pots for the outside. There was a guy at the market selling spray paint at 50 cents a can. Couldn't pass that up, we bought a couple of each color.

We rarely iron in our house. Only if it's a special occasion or I have to iron some fabric. We don't even have an iron board. We use whatever space is around. So when I came across this little number, I grabbed it. $2.00! Now I can say, I have an iron board. Also has the cutest material.

I love to hit the thrift shops. Never know what you could find.

TGIF!

Weekend plans...flea market, thrift stores, craft shows

and some crafting at home.

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Spring!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nothing But...

Blue skies and warmer weather! That's how the next few days are going to be for us. Just beautiful. Today it hit up to 72 degrees. I love this kind of weather.

You just know Spring is right around the corner. With the warmer weather, longer days, more birds singing outside. Ahhh! just that smell of air in the mornings, knowing that cabin fever is behind you.

Today was cleanup day outside. Cleaned up more flowers beds, started pulling out the garden decor out of the shed. Even pulled out some chairs. Made alot of progress. Cant wait to get outside tomorrow.

I remember watching Barney with my boys and he always sang a song on sunny days. Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me! As I laugh to myself, wondering what bought up that memory.

Sure hope your having some fabulous days!

A Toast!

For each petal on the shamrock.

This brings a wish your way~

Good health, good luck and happiness.

For today and every day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Soda Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Mix egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter.

Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

Clean Up Monday

The whole weekend was a wash. We had severe rains and winds that did alot of damage around the neighborhoods. Some neighbors lost power for a day, some, power not coming back till Tuesday. We were lucky, nothing.

It was a good weekend to stay inside and work on some projects. As you can tell by the picture, really have to work on cleaning as I go. That's what today will be, a clean up day. Still rainy outside, so being inside today, wont be that bad. I love rainy days and Mondays. Good start for the week.

Hope your week starts out good.

Rainy Day.....

Let's make bread!

Today it did nothing but rain. So figured, why not bake some.

Found my bread machine in the back cabinet and pulled it out.

This was a machine that I had to have, used it all the

time when I first got it. Now??? Sits in the cabinet.

Have any appliances like that?

Hmmm..makes me wonder what other appliances are in that cabinet.

Sweet Milk Bread

1 1/4 cups water, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 TBL butter,
3 1/3 cups of bread flour, 2 tsp yeast

Place all ingredients in bread pan, select 2lb loaf and light crust.
Cool 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy!

Almost Spring?

While I was cleaning up the yard, I spotted it under leaves and debris. It was such a pretty sight. I stood there looking at it, what a welcome sign it was. Knowing that Spring is right around the corner. Have you had any spotting of Spring yet?

Wednesday was my second class with quilting. I had enough time to cut out my borders and sew some on. I got caught up with watching everyone. We are all working on the same project. And just looking around at all the different colors that everyone picked out. Everyone is so different. I think mine will win for the brightest egg in the class. I was going for the Spring theme. My homework is to work and put the wider borders on. This is what I came home with, just need to remember what the teacher said to do.

Since it's suppose to rain for a couple of days. Dh went in the attic for my Spring things. Figured I'd decorate and start on my Spring Swaps this weekend. What better to do on a rainy weekend. Don't forget, Spring ahead this weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope Spring is popping up by you.

Wordless Wednesday

First Class!

I finally signed up for a quilting class. The library was offering a 4 week course, making a table runner. I knew I had to jump on it. Being that there was no fee and space was limited. I had all my material, so didn't have to purchase anything. When I got to the class, the women that were teaching the class. Made me feel welcome and any question I asked, was not a dumb question. I had fun, they helped me cut out my material and started me along. This is what I came home with. Sorry so wrinkled, was folded up in my bag.

My homework for the week was to finish what I cut. My next class is Wednesday, which I'm really looking forward too! I even treated myself to a new ruler. Which was okay, I had a 40% coupon.

Enjoy your day!

Winter Wonderland

That's what it's been looking like around here. Just seems like one storm after another. Getting worse all the time. The kids had so many days off. That they took away some of their Spring Break. Think it's only down to 3 days. I sure hope this is the last of the snow. Kind of getting cabin fever. Cant wait for the snow to melt.

My little one is loving this weather. I bought him snow pants for Christmas. Thinking, he would never use them. Look at that, we were prepared this year. Who knew? They said, every state except Hawaii got snow. Crazy weather, who knows what summer will bring.

So for now, I'll be drinking my tea and cleaning up the cabin. Waiting for the snow to melt and counting the days till Spring.

"OWOH" Winners!

I received 205 comments, so that means,

4 winners!

1st winner is Noelle from Lil Bits & Pieces Of Me

2nd winner is Holly from Its The Little Things

3rd winner is Angie from This and That

4th winner is Chris from Ruby In The Garden

Winners, please make sure you contact me by the 20th, or I will

draw another name.

Thank you to everyone who commented for the giveaway.

Thank you to Lisa for hosting such a wonderful event.

Until next year!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Received my Vintage Heart Swap package from Joan.

It was a wonderful package that came wrapped in this
beautiful box. I love the box. It's going to look so
nice on my shelf filled with all my ribbons and

trims.

(Sorry, I cant seem to change the picture around, can anyone help)

Everything was all package up so nice. We had so much fun

unwrapping everything.

(Again, with the picture)

The package include this wonderful wind chime, which is hanging already

in the window.

And look at all the other goodies I received. It was a great package.

Love everything I received.

Thank you Joan for being a wonderful swapper and a new friend.
Stop by at Dolly's to see all the wonderful other packages

swappers received.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Here is to a wonderful day filled with Love!

Ready and waiting....

For the snow! Went to the food store today to load up. We have everything we need for a couple of days inside the house. The stores were packed, some were even closing at 5:00. I guess they aren't taken any chances. Right now, they are posting a blizzard warning for us. Expecting 18" or more. Yikes! I don't know about you, but I think I had enough of this white stuff. Spring can not come soon enough. And with that, they say, 6 more weeks of winter. Come on Spring, start breaking through, I need some hope that your there. With this snow coming, I'm not feeling it.

Don't forget to join in my OWOH giveaway on the previous post.

Since the comments have reached 100.

I'm adding another "Love" package.

To enter, you must leave a comment on the previous post.

Good luck!

Now I'm off to make some soup. Already made it once this week.

They are asking for it again, now that's a good thing.

Corn Chowder

7 slices of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 Tbl of olive oil

2 C. chopped onion

3 stalks of celery, chopped

2 Tbl flour

2 C. chicken stock

2 C. milk

3 large potatoes, peeled and diced

3 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed

2 Tbl sugar

1 cup half and half

salt, pepper to taste

4 scallions, chopped

In a large pot, cook bacon for approx 5 minutes over medium heat until almost crispy.

Reduce heat and add oil, onions and celery. Cook approx 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle in flour and cook for approx 2 -3minutes. Add stock, milk and potatoes. Simmer over medium heat then reduce heat to low. Cook until potatoes are just tender, approx. 12 minutes

Take approx 2-3 cups of soup out of pot and mash, this is to thicken the soup. Pour back into pot. Add corn and sugar. Stir well. Stir in half and half, and salt

and pepper to taste. Add scallions and cook for approx. 5 more minutes.

Serve Warm.

Enjoy your weekend!

All Aboard..... For the Magic Carpet Ride!

It's that time again. "One World, One Heart", bloggers event. Hosted by Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian. All bloggers from around the world participate. It's a nice way to meet some fellow bloggers as well as see some great giveaways! This is the 3rd year I've participated and cant say enough about it. Thank you Lisa for hosting such a wonderful event.

For the event, I put together a "love" package. Something handmade, some store bought items and a thrifted item.

The thrifted item in this package is some gold laced ribbon and a heart tack.

For every 50 entries, I will add another "love" package to give away!

How to win!

Everyone must leave a comment to be eligible to win and they must have a way to link back to them OR leave an email address so they can be contacted if they should win.(If I can't contact you, then I will have to pick someone else). ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. I will randomly choose the winner on Feb 14th at midnight, from all comments received. If I don't hear back from the winner or winners by Friday February 19th, 2010, I will choose another name.

Thank you for stopping by for the One World One Heart Event. Hope you enjoyed your stay and hope that once it's over, you'll come back and visit.

Hearts and a Recipe.....

I've started working on some Valentine's swaps. Which consists of things handmade and store bought. I enjoy the handmade part. It's a challenge to start with a clean slate and create something that you'd think your partner will like. You go over and over in your head, how about this, how about that, what if I add this? The wheels turn and turn until something clicks and you start. The best part is the ending. Knowing that you just made

something for someone else.

Makes me happy.

Stuffed Bread Bowls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut top of bread bowl and hollow out. Brush with olive oil, inside and top of bread.

Combine in a bowl...1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 3 cloves of garlic chopped, 3 scallions chopped, 1/2 chopped green olives with pimento, 1 cup chopped hard salami, 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery, 1/2 cup mayo and 1/2 tsp oregano

Mix well and pour into bread bowl.

Wrap well with foil and bake for approx. 40-45 minutes.

Pull out of oven and let set for 10 minutes before cutting.

Cut into 4.

MMMM! Soooo good!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Soup's On!

Cutting back on junk and eating healthy has been a test for me. I love to cook and bake. I love to eat what I cook and bake. Switching what I eat during the day has helped me. I eat my big meal for lunch. Usually around 1:00. Then for dinner, it's usually what ever healthy thing I could put together. Lately, it's been soup. I love soup, especially homemade soup. I make my soup with whatever I have in the fridge. Today, I made Ravioli soup.

I started out with 2 cans of low sodium broth, threw in some onions, carrots and celery. Cooked that a bit to get the vegetables tender. Approx 10-15 minutes. Then I spotted the asparagus, had to throw that in there also. Then went in the ravioli. Cooked for approx. 10 minutes more. Done! Perfect with a salad. Light, warm and satisfying. Hit the spot.

For this week, I lost 3 more lbs. For a total of 11lbs since the beginning of January. Have some more to go. One day at a time.

A Clean Start

For the New Year. I don't know about you, but I'm still working on last year. Just finishing up packing things away. Doing a major cleaning of paperwork and such. Hoping to be all in order by the weekend. I've cleaned closets, draws, under beds. Every nook and cranny that was to be found in the house. I promised myself that I was going to start off clean for the New Year. Makes me happy to walk into a room that is spotless. And if I just pick up here and there. Things wont build up. Like paperwork! That is probably my least favorite task, going through the mail. Most of it is junk anyway. Some days, that's all it is, advertisements. Advertisements I can do without. Isn't there a number that I could call to take me off some kind of list???

I made some promises I'm hoping to keep for the 2010.

* Stick with my WW program, stay on track.
* Don't stray off my grocery list. Stick to what I need, not what I want.
* Be more patient with the kids, the older they get. The more I want to lose it!
* No more coffee drinks from the shops. If I want coffee, I will make it at home and save the $.
* Use what I have, don't go out and buy what I don't need. Spend wisely.
* More family time.
* Try and stay more organized with planning and projects.

So far, it's been going pretty good. I printed my list off and put it on the fridge and one in my wallet. I find if I start to stray, I just look at my list and remember that I've made a promise. Not going to lie, I miss my carmel latte's! But with not having them, I already saved myself a couple of bucks.

Have you made any promises for the New Year?