~September Random and a Recipe~

Ah, September . . . these acorns signify what is yet to come.

Like so many families we have been up to our eye-balls in back-to-school preparations. And unlike so many families, there has been the added trauma adventure of transitioning from homeschooled elementary school to public middle school for my baby. Two years ago it was the Oldest and now I find myself no longer teaching and no longer with a Younger around as well.

The Husband summed it up well when I stepped out of the shower Wednesday morning to find this phone message: "So, are you dancing around the house or balled up in a corner crying your eyes out?" . . . I responded as any sensible woman would with,"both".

 So adjustments are being made but for the most part, 

I. am. ecstatic.

For the first time in 14 years I have the days to myself. I find myself gaping at the amount I can manage to fit into six hours without the countless interruptions of two young males. That 'to-do' list I've had to put off for 14 years? I'm finally pulling it out!

So here are the two middle schoolers on their first day.

 My eighth-grader looking like the cocky almost 14-year old he is . . .

and my sweet sixth grader still untainted from the throes of middle school (though I know that's not gonna last long).

 So, yes, the last couple of weeks have been full, but there have been some moments for the sweet little things that make life so grand. Like scone baking . . .

And playing with my food . . .

Cat adoring . . .

 and admiring sunflowers from a dear friend . . .

 Some painting . . .

And some blackberry jam making.

And speaking of blackberries, I have the promised blackberry cobbler recipe to share!

There it is in all it's glory, cooling on the stove.

And this was taken part-way in . . . another minute and there would have been nothing but crumbs.

Blackberry Cobbler
-from the Mary Engelbreit Sweet Treat Dessert Cookbook-

For biscuit topping you need:

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp cold, unsalted butter cut into pieces
3/4 heavy cream

For blackberry filling you need:

4 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1/8 tsp ground allspice

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Make topping: in a large bowl toss together first 4 ingredients- then you fingers to crumble in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (I always use the mixer to do this and it works great- I'm lazy and don't want my hands dirty)

3. Add cream to crumbs, tossing with a fork until soft batter forms. Set aside.

4. Make filling: in a large bowl toss all the filling ingredients together and then spoon into an ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan. Using a large spoon, drop mounds of the biscuit topping on the blackberry filling (don't worry, it will spread as it cooks and cover it all)

5. Bake cobbler for 45 mins. or until the top is golden brown and filling is bubbling. Let it cool before serving, but not too long because it is SO good still warm and all that waiting should be rewarded! 
Enjoy~

Cheers!

~Random Happy~

 Can you believe it's already been a full week since Valentine's Day? Insane how fast time is flying by. The husband was nearly late in the bill-paying as he forgot we're not in January anymore!

I have a bit of random happy things to share. Hoping the cheer will spread. :)

First off, here are the fun little Valentines I water colored in honor of the day . . . all sent and received by the family members they were created for, and now I can share them with you! So much fun!

And wrapping them carefully to send is also enjoyment in plenty!

I also had a request for this scone recipe which you can find HERE-

created by the amazing Susan Branch.

These scones are THE best, hands down. Simple and delicious!  Scones are their own kind of wonderful happy.

More happy below.
She's on the shelf peeking out in the corner. She's a bit shy.

Isn't she lovely? Do you recognize her? NO? Allow her freckles, red hair and 'worn' carpet bag to jog some recognition.

Why it's Anne of course! Anne spelled with an 'e'. 
Anne of Green Gables and made by Madame Alexander.

Believe it or not, this sweet gal has been packed away for the last thirteen+ years, waiting her turn in the spotlight. She was given to me right before we moved to our current city while I was still prego with the Oldest. She had been stashed away with my other Madame Alexander dolls in the Christmas boxes and after finally giving those boxes a thorough going-over last month, she was just rediscovered. It's like Christmas twice. :) 
Oh, to have a cute little apron made up in that fabric! With the ric-rac mind you. 

Well, upwards and onwards . . . it's grocery day and I need to get at it. Hope your day finds all sorts of happy in it! :)

Cheers!

~Valentine Peeking~

Due to a plantar's wart on my heel causing me to compensate enough to therefore inflame my knees and hips (talk about the ankle-bone connected to the knee-bone!), I haven't done a whole lot of Valentine decorating to date.

Or anything else 'active' for that matter.

Just a couple little things here and there between the must do's and icing my knees.

It's all fine though- really. 

It's given me the perfect excuse to let some of the urgent chores go to other family members.

(as in "Poor mom can barely move! *sniff* Guess she shouldn't make dinner tonight- too much standing")

;)

It's also bought me the time to sit and watercolor again. 

*YAY!*

(It's been almost 9 months!)

So here's a little sneak peek at some of what I've been up to.

Shhh . . . this little valentine is for the cat-lover in our family- the Youngest. 

There's more, but I'll have to unveil them after the holiday so they stay a surprise. :)

Anyone else working on valentines?

Cheers!

~Tip-Toeing Through the Tulips~

Another week flying by.

 A few moments captured from Monday to Friday.

The tulips- my beacons of cheer - are nearly done with their spring time visit.

Lots of rain mixed with sun.

Lots of peering from the rain-splattered windows eager for dry spells.

Some brightness in the dark hours of the days.

Some painting to spread that brightness to others.

Some remembering to see the gifts.

Always Laundry.

Some loads more time-consuming than others.

Some Inspiration:

More projects. More dreams.

Some Spring Cleaning:

how wonderful is it to not smell the fridge before even opening it?

Some time spent with family, good food and good wine.

What moments did you capture this week?

Happy Weekend!

Cheers!

"We must have faith during the period of our grief. We think that our afflictions will be greater than we can bear, but we do not know the strength of our own hearts, nor the power of God. He knows all. He knows every folding of the heart and also the extent of the sorrow that he inflicts. What we think will overwhelm us entirely only subdues and conquers our pride. Our renewed spirit rises from its subjugation with a celestial strength and consolation."

-Francois Fenelon

~It IS Spring, Right?~

This is what we woke to this morning. 

Yes, the cold, white stuff was three inches deep. We have now had more snow in the month of March than in all the winter months combined this year. My poor forsythia- it looks so cold all huddled in it's snowy blanket!

However, the boys were not one bit sad- 

this means snowballs!

(sorry these pictures aren't the best- they were taken through the window)

Do you notice there is a monkey in the yard?

He was doing his best to fill the fire-pit in with snow.

It seems there has been more spring inside than outside this week. And where I live, this is very unusual!

Here is a little 'spring' something I made as a birthday gift for a very dear friend.

I've made these before (all different designs), but it's been a good nine months since and it took way longer to get through than anticipated. I'm eager to make another one right away so I can better remember how I've done it and improve upon it.

So here it is 'leaning' . . .

and here it is 'hanging'.

And a card of course.

(three March birthdays down, three more to go!)

On a separate note:

Things are really tough right now, in just about every way.

Any prayers for myself and my family would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all! I hope your day is much more 'spring-like' than mine!

Cheers!

~Wildlife Weekend~

Last Sunday was beautiful here, so we three took a walk.

We headed a ways out of town and went for a slow and sweet stroll by the creek.

It was quiet except for the chattering of birds and rustling of squirrels every which way.

We took the time to search for wildlife.

We looked high . . .

and found way up in a tree . . .

a bald eagle!

We looked low . . .

and found ducks

and a white crane!

We enjoyed the sun, the sky . . .

the water and the rocks.

But after more than 4 miles of walking, we were very, very glad to finally get back to our car! :)

And birds aren't the only wildlife I've been around lately-

one of my projects last week was making this little guy for my Mom's birthday.

I've never painted a fox before, but since she loves them, I gave it a try.

In general I'm pretty happy with how he turned out- 

and happier still that she likes him!

(one March birthday down, five more to go!)

Cheers!