We had a glorious, mystical, effervescent moon tonight.
It was a a beautiful sight.
It was a a beautiful sight.
"Wisdom is as the moon rises, perceptible not in progress but in result."
--Chinese Proverb
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Songbirds, BEWARE!
You've not only captured my attention, but that of a Sharp-Shinned Hawk, as well!
Best lay low and be wary for the time being.
And Mr. Hawk, if you so much as lay a TALON on my beloved Cardinals, you will have me to deal with! (I am not a stranger to your cousin the Cooper's Hawk, having grown up raising chickens, and I know someone who will help me mightily convince you to move on.)
Best lay low and be wary for the time being.
And Mr. Hawk, if you so much as lay a TALON on my beloved Cardinals, you will have me to deal with! (I am not a stranger to your cousin the Cooper's Hawk, having grown up raising chickens, and I know someone who will help me mightily convince you to move on.)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A Quick and Easy (and Sweet) Bag!
I made this sweet little bag last night. Isn't it adorable?
You can find the tutorial online here. I have linked to Tiny Happy in my blogroll for almost three years. Her eye for sweet, unusual and sentimental little pieces has always drawn me to her blog.
My sister came for a visit and she wanted to make a similar bag. She brought a pattern with her and the minute I pulled out the tissue paper pattern and the directions I was overwhelmed. I immediately knew where to look for a simple, uncluttered and eye-appealing tutorial.
We whipped up these bags in under two hours. There is even a little pocket inside. But the cherry on top? The button. Divine.
Thank you, Tiny Happy.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
What Do Wee Ones Do When Visiting Grandpaw?
They feed the horses,
they visit with their Auntie Amy,
they bed down the stalls,
they run around in the fresh air,
they learn how to ride a bike,
and they make their Grandpaw smile,
and smile,
and
SMILE!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Bathtime for Ella
I had a rare opportunity to snap some photos of Ella during her bath last night.
I am so glad I did--these baby times are fleeting.
I am so glad I did--these baby times are fleeting.
My girl. SO BEAUTIFUL.
Why yes, that's a plunger. Why do you ask? Tee hee.
Ella's newest game is a sort of "cleaning" of the bathroom floor--but with the plunger.
Why yes, that's a plunger. Why do you ask? Tee hee.
Ella's newest game is a sort of "cleaning" of the bathroom floor--but with the plunger.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
My Complete and Utter Fall off the Wagon
* * * WARNING * * *
If you are attempting to diet, or have sworn off sugar, or chocolate, or you think my instructions on how to make one of the simplest and yet most decadent deserts I have ever made will force you to run to the kitchen to start making it, I take NO RESPONSIBILITY.
Okay, that said, now back to my post. Look at these:
This is called Chocolate Bark. I was randomly thinking about it the other day, as I ran across a mention of it on a friend's blog. And then I couldn't get it out of my mind. (sigh). Let's back up a bit.
Last Friday I had to visit my Doctor. Just a routine exam. No biggie. When the nurse weighed me, I did the usual roll-my-eyes-and-groan and stepped on the scale. I was pretty happy with the result. "That should be at least ten pounds less than last year." I said. The nurse looked up at me from her paperwork and said "At least? Honey, that's 24 pounds less than last year!!" (Alright, maybe she didn't say "Honey," but it sounds good, and I happen to like a colorful story!
OH BABY. I skipped out of that office, smiling a big, goofy smile and dancing on air. I now weighed less than I did when I got pregnant with Ella, or with James for that fact. I was so darn proud of myself that I told this same story to everyone who would listen. My Dad, my friends, my family, the mailman, the crazy lady at the checkout . . (no, I didn't.) But I wanted to!
So that was Friday. Well, back to the Bark. I decided to make it for Super Bowl Sunday. I made two pans of it. And . . . well . . . I think I ate ONE WHOLE PAN MYSELF. So that loss of 24 pounds? I think it will have been short-lived. So, I am sharing the recipe with you, but if you think it will take you off course, I beg you, DON'T MAKE IT. And if you do, don't bring me any. (OK, maybe just a little).
Ready for the ride? Let's go.
CHOCOLATE BARK
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
Line two baking sheets with tinfoil, and place Saltine crackers in a single layer.
Set a saucepan to medium high and add four sticks of butter.
Then add 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 cup white sugar.
Bring it to boil for just a minute.
Remember those saltines? Pour the butter toffee mixture over the saltines.
Put the sheets in the oven for ten minutes. I rotate the pans at the 5 minute mark. They'll come out all brown and bubbly.
Next get some chocloate, either 2 bags of Nestle morsels, or you can use Hershey Bars. After the sheet pans come out, put the chocolate on top of the crackers, and pop them back in the oven for a couple of minutes--just long enough to soften the chocolate.
Next chop some nuts. Whatever you like. I use that awesome Pampered Chef chopper. Got one? Get one!
Now, take the sheets out of the oven and with a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly over the saltines. (Honestly, I didn't have as much chocolate here as I wanted.) I would have liked to have had twice as much.
Next sprinkle the chocolatey goodness with the nuts. Or if you don't like nuts, skip that step altogether.
Place the baking sheets in the fridge or in a cold place so that they candy can set up for a few hours. After that, peel the bark away from the tinfoil and break into pieces.
Next? enjoy, hoover it like crazy, eat it for three meals a day, put it over vanilla ice cream, what have you. Me? I'm getting back on the treadmill!
You can find more fabulous foodie finds over at Balancing Beauty & Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday Link Party!
If you are attempting to diet, or have sworn off sugar, or chocolate, or you think my instructions on how to make one of the simplest and yet most decadent deserts I have ever made will force you to run to the kitchen to start making it, I take NO RESPONSIBILITY.
Okay, that said, now back to my post. Look at these:
This is called Chocolate Bark. I was randomly thinking about it the other day, as I ran across a mention of it on a friend's blog. And then I couldn't get it out of my mind. (sigh). Let's back up a bit.
Last Friday I had to visit my Doctor. Just a routine exam. No biggie. When the nurse weighed me, I did the usual roll-my-eyes-and-groan and stepped on the scale. I was pretty happy with the result. "That should be at least ten pounds less than last year." I said. The nurse looked up at me from her paperwork and said "At least? Honey, that's 24 pounds less than last year!!" (Alright, maybe she didn't say "Honey," but it sounds good, and I happen to like a colorful story!
OH BABY. I skipped out of that office, smiling a big, goofy smile and dancing on air. I now weighed less than I did when I got pregnant with Ella, or with James for that fact. I was so darn proud of myself that I told this same story to everyone who would listen. My Dad, my friends, my family, the mailman, the crazy lady at the checkout . . (no, I didn't.) But I wanted to!
So that was Friday. Well, back to the Bark. I decided to make it for Super Bowl Sunday. I made two pans of it. And . . . well . . . I think I ate ONE WHOLE PAN MYSELF. So that loss of 24 pounds? I think it will have been short-lived. So, I am sharing the recipe with you, but if you think it will take you off course, I beg you, DON'T MAKE IT. And if you do, don't bring me any. (OK, maybe just a little).
Ready for the ride? Let's go.
CHOCOLATE BARK
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
Line two baking sheets with tinfoil, and place Saltine crackers in a single layer.
Set a saucepan to medium high and add four sticks of butter.
Then add 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 cup white sugar.
Bring it to boil for just a minute.
Remember those saltines? Pour the butter toffee mixture over the saltines.
Put the sheets in the oven for ten minutes. I rotate the pans at the 5 minute mark. They'll come out all brown and bubbly.
Next get some chocloate, either 2 bags of Nestle morsels, or you can use Hershey Bars. After the sheet pans come out, put the chocolate on top of the crackers, and pop them back in the oven for a couple of minutes--just long enough to soften the chocolate.
Next chop some nuts. Whatever you like. I use that awesome Pampered Chef chopper. Got one? Get one!
Now, take the sheets out of the oven and with a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly over the saltines. (Honestly, I didn't have as much chocolate here as I wanted.) I would have liked to have had twice as much.
Next sprinkle the chocolatey goodness with the nuts. Or if you don't like nuts, skip that step altogether.
Place the baking sheets in the fridge or in a cold place so that they candy can set up for a few hours. After that, peel the bark away from the tinfoil and break into pieces.
Next? enjoy, hoover it like crazy, eat it for three meals a day, put it over vanilla ice cream, what have you. Me? I'm getting back on the treadmill!
You can find more fabulous foodie finds over at Balancing Beauty & Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday Link Party!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sewing Valentine's Day Hearts
Thanks to my Bloggy friend Birgit over at A Primitive Country Bug, I have been dreaming of hearts, hearts, and more hearts since she put up this tutorial for a Valentine's Day Pillow. While I didn't use the pattern that she shared, I did make up my own with hers in mind! Now, thanks to Birgit, my husband is just about as nauseated as a man can get with seeing hearts appliqued on anything that isn't tied down!
These photos are just "Sneaky Peekys," as my other friend Kim would term them. Shhh . . . there are some gifts in here, so I can't give all of my secrets away! Stay tuned when I reveal them all after Valentine's Day!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Another Reason Why I Love Craigslist
Found a play kitchen on Craigslist, LIKE NEW condition, all accessories included. Retails for $100, seller was asking $50, I got it for $40. You can't beat that with a stick!
The funniest thing is that when you set the pots and pans on the toy burner it lights up and sizzles and boils. It cracks me up every time I hear it!
So far I have been the recipient of cookies, pies, and lots and lots of soups!
And the bonus? Shhhh . . . can you hear it? The melodious sounds of a brother and sister playing together. Oh, wait a minute, I just woke up from the dream I am having to some screaming-- "NO ELLA! I'M COOKING NOW!"
Have I mentioned that I love Craigslist?
The funniest thing is that when you set the pots and pans on the toy burner it lights up and sizzles and boils. It cracks me up every time I hear it!
So far I have been the recipient of cookies, pies, and lots and lots of soups!
And the bonus? Shhhh . . . can you hear it? The melodious sounds of a brother and sister playing together. Oh, wait a minute, I just woke up from the dream I am having to some screaming-- "NO ELLA! I'M COOKING NOW!"
Have I mentioned that I love Craigslist?
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