~Marching Along~

Goodness- March already upon us! 

Today is my mother's birthday (Happy Birthday, Mom!)- the first of six March birthdays for our family. Yes, March is a busy month around here.

This is her present and I was so pleased with how the wrapping turned out that I thought I'd share it with you. :) 
(oops! There's the timer for the oven- let me dash off a moment! Okay, I'm back- had some baking to take care of- more on that in a bit) 
Isn't the little clip-on birdy cute? I think he makes the gift!

And so, March is here and where did February go? Well . . .

part of it was spent with both boys sick and me fighting off their germs. The Younger missed three days of school in a row . . . and after three days I was missing a bit of my sanity if you know what I mean.

Yup- cute, but oh-so cranky. Though, aren't we all when we're not feeling well?

Below is what is left of another of February's events: a friend's bridal shower. That lovely bouquet is one of the five we had festooning the party. I was lucky enough to get to take this one home with me. Everything turned out so beautifully- from the food and drinks to the decorations and games- if only there had been time to take pictures!

I also got a little crafting in last month- the kind that's just for me (funny how infrequently that happens). Below is the little entry way to our basement right off the kitchen. I set up a little wintry vignette at the beginning of the month . . .

and I made these simple wall hangings from materials I had lying around.

The borders are chalkboard paint which allows me to change the quotes bordering the images . . . though, I haven't changed a thing yet. It was especially fun to find fitting quotes that would fit the parameters of the hanging. The two I settled on are:

"In seed-time learn; in harvest teach; in winter enjoy" 
- William Blake

and . . .

In a way Winter is the real Spring, the time when the inner things happen, the resurgence of nature.
- O'Brian

And speaking of Spring . . . I actually got out in the garden last week! We had a gorgeous sunny day and I took advantage for some cutting back and clearing. You can see one tiny spot of the garden is all ready for Spring . . . and the rest will have to wait as we've had lots of rain and cold cold temperatures since. 'In like a lion' you know.

The most exciting part of visiting the garden had to be the tulips pushing their way through the mud. I planted these last Fall and it looks like they actually made it! I found only one dug up and fallen pray to some pesky squirrel. The rest are getting ready for their April display!

So- you may remember I had to run off to the kitchen at the beginning of this post . . . 

And here is the reason why . . . Lemon Squares!
These particular bits of yumminess come from my childhood days . . . my mother used to have Tupperware and Avon parties and these are what she would make. Lucy Lemon Squares. (the 'Lucy' part comes from them being a part of a 'Peanuts' cookbook) I don't think she could've ever made these often enough.

In my mind these are the cream of the crop when it comes to lemon bars . . . incredible shortbread-like crust, zesty lemon filling that isn't too over-powering and a dusting of powder sugar to make it that much better.

So if you are so inclined as to welcome March with some lemon-y goodness, here is the recipe:

~Lucy Lemon Squares~

1 cup flour

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup powder sugar

Sift flour and sugar into bowl. With fingers mix in butter (I am lazy and just use the mixer and add the butter in little bits until it all comes together)

Spread and flatten dough into greased 8x8 inch pan. 

Bake at 350 for 30 min.

Meanwhile . . . beat together:

2 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

dash of salt

Pour over baked crust and bake at 350 another 20 mins or so.

Sift powder sugar over top and let it cool- slice into squares and enjoy!

Cheers!

~Playing Cupid~

Dean Martin is on . . . and so is my red apron with the green embroidered heart. I was up early this morning to play cupid. 

Set the table for a festive breakfast: German Pancakes (from the freezer section at Trader Joes) with Raspberry Sauce and Whip Cream and Apple Chicken Sausages. It sounds fancy (especially if I capitalize all the words ;)) but it's really just about the fastest and easiest breakfast apart from cereal or instant oatmeal. What makes it really special is all the little touches at the table . . . heart sprinkles in the whip cream, pancakes with LOVE hearts in pretty cupcake liners, lots of pink and red . . . and a couple little presents for my boys. :) Pardon the Oldest's bare chest- that boy pretty much lives without a shirt on in the house. I get cold just looking at him.

I started the cookie dough for shortbread cookies and while they sat in the fridge I donned my wings and played cupid in the dining room, too. I'm preparing a special dinner just for the Husband and I and I love to set a romantic table. Lots of green and pink; white and roses. . . and, yes- a wrinkly tablecloth because this is real life and I just don't have the time! (besides, in nothing but candlelight will it even be noticeable? . . .  okay, I admit I'm the type of person who would still notice, but the Husband is the type who notices nothing, so it's all good)

On the buffet I set the little gifts from me to Him along with desert- chocolate heart cake picked up at New Seasons. Hoping it's good and not too dry. I prefer homemade, but again, this cupid has a very limited time span- as well as energy!

But one last thing cupid needs to do before she says ado . . .

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day- wherever you are, whatever you're doing, don't forget- you are LOVED, and that's the truth!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life! John 3:16

Cheers!

~Courage~

Something I've been meaning to share- my "courage" necklace, ordered from this lovely lady earlier this month.

I would say that this is my 'word for the year' except I have a sneaking suspicion that this is really a word for my lifetime.

Right before Christmas I read this passage from the devotional Jesus Today, and the words fell hard and powerfully. I knew they were for me:

Be of good courage, and I will strengthen your heart. I want my children to be brave- not cowardly. In fact, the Bible contains warnings for "the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers."

. . .

Though your circumstances may indeed be painful and difficult, they are not worthless. So muster the COURAGE to say yes to your life, trusting that I am in control and I am with you in your struggles.

Come to Me with a courageous heart, hoping in Me, and I will bless you in many ways. Moreover, I will multiply your small act of bravery: I will strengthen your heart.

And after reading this, the word 'COURAGE' would not leave my mind. 

Confession time here: I know I'm a big chicken. I have dreams and lots of excuses for not pursuing them. I avoid confrontations like the plague. I hide if I can- both from people and hard situations (I would make a great hermit if I could get away with it!). I struggle with making most decisions because of fear of getting it wrong.

Fear is my greatest enemy. 

And it comes in more forms than I've realized.

And something else I've come to realize? It's not okay for me to be a coward. I was made to live life- not run from it.

So that explanation may be a bit long-winded but it's the reason for having 'courage' bound around my neck.

And funny enough- knowing I would need the word 'courage' this year, kind of put the fear- and excitement-  of "what is going to happen in 2014?" into me. And as if right on cue, just last week, in the midst of the crazy busy, I got the call from my Mom telling me my grandfather has pancreatic cancer . . . and five days later, we find out my grandmother (his wife) has cancer, too. 

Yup, God knew what He was talking about when He said I would need courage this year. I was kinda hoping the courage would be needed in other areas -like taking steps to pursue my artistic dreams- and maybe it will, but right now courage means facing the nitty-gritty-hard-stuff. With grace, I hope.

Cheers!

~The Pinks and Greens of My Week~

Another week gone by. Shockingly fast, too! It seems the better I get, the more that pops up to take care of! There's been school stuff with the boys, much needed house cleaning and care (you can imagine the state of my home after 3 months of illness!),
appointments, paperwork type things that have been put off and some unexpected emotional family stuff (but that's for another post). 
Ironically, as I took a look at the photos I managed to squeeze in this week, I noticed an unintended theme: pink and green

So with out further ado, here is my week in Pinks and Greens.

Among the biggest things taking oodles of time this week has been the making of twenty bridal shower invitations and corresponding bachlorette invites as well. The bride's colors are mint green and rose. Pretty, don't you think? 

Truly, it's almost funny how it goes- you can be asked to take on a project, look at your calendar and see that you should have reasonable time to do it, accept said project and then in a blink of an eye, life explodes and all that empty calendar space gets eaten up along with other things that take a toll. Or at least, that seems to be my life. Anyone else?

I've enjoyed designing and making these . . . but I admit I have an even greater joy in the fact that they're finally done!

And speaking of joy, these gorgeous pink lilies from The Husband have been bringing me tons of happiness this week! Not only that, but we have had a good deal of sunshine and I have absolutely LOVED seeing it shining through the vase onto the table . . .

Happy, happy, happy . . .See?! Isn't it just lovely? I walk through the dining room and I'm constantly stunned with the beauty and the fresh smell of spring. Heavenly!!
This shot I took yesterday (Friday) in an effort to capture the light as well as my new thrift store treasures- a set of four rose painted dessert plates for only $3!

I'm in love! :)

Also this week, I had to do some baking- it's my latest way of counteracting stress- and if this past week has been anything (aside from pink and green,) then stressful is the word. 

So, a new recipe was tried and triumphantly received by all.

It's a nice bread, not too sweet and beyond heavenly with the cream cheese spread. A bit crumbly to be sure, but very good non the less.

And yes, perfect served on a pink and green flowered plate. :)

Here's the recipe from the Totally Teatime Cookbook. Enjoy!!

Chocolate Tea Bread with Vanilla Cream Cheese

1 3/4 cups four (it calls for all purpose, but I used whole wheat)

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

6 tbsp butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cocoa

1 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (I used pecans instead)

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a loaf pan.

Combine flour, baking powder and soda in bowl. Mix with fork.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Sprinkle in cocoa and beat until smooth; then pour in buttermilk and mix. Add flour mixture and lightly beat until flour disappears. Lightly beat in nuts then spoon batter into loaf pan.

Smooth top and bake one hour or until knife comes out clean when inserted. (Don't fret about cracked top of bread) Let cool in pan on rack, then invert and cool on rack. Serve with Vanilla Cream Cheese.

Vanilla Cream Cheese

3oz cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp powdered sugar

Beat ingredients together until combined and transfer to serving crock.

( fyi: this only makes 1/2 a cup and we ran out half way through the loaf. I plan on doubling the recipe next time )

~I hope you have a lovely weekend~

Cheers!

(and if you try the tea bread, let me know what you think!)

~Kitty ~ Corner~

It was a good, but busy week. Good, because after three months of illness I am once again able to drive . . . busy, because after three months of illness I am once again able to drive!

Took the Oldest to the bank to open his first bank account . . . ran lots of long-put-off-errands . . . met with girlfriends to plan another friend's bridal shower. . . ran all over town looking for supplies for invitations . . . picked up the Youngest from school each day as well as constant post office runs after reopening my Ebay shop. After all those weeks pining after freedom from the house I am so ready to never leave it again! Or at least not for a couple days . . .  

I did manage to get a little kitty love in with this fluffy guy and his brother. There's always time for a furry lap warmer in the winter. In fact, a cat on the lap is a good excuse not to get up for awhile. They make you to a rest.

And as far as furry friends go, this week I also managed to finish up this felty for a dear friend's very belated birthday . . .

I had fun designing him and adding some details . . . who doesn't want a kitty with 'hi' on their behind? It's a lot nicer that some of the stuff my living/breathing fur-balls have brought home on their behinds. ;)

Anyway, I hope she likes him!

Also wanted to share a little corner of my home. I thought it was pretty bathed in a quick moment of sunlight earlier this week.

And then there are these two handsome boys to make it shine as well.

And my small collection of vintage brown transferware. The dainty little creamer was a gift from a sweet friend. Isn't it lovely all lit up with sunshine?

And speaking of sun, we were lucky enough to have a sun-filled, dry Saturday today. The Husband and the Youngest did some tidying up in the garden while I did some well overdue dusting/cleaning/picking up in the house. And the Oldest spent the whole day at a videogame convention. *sigh*

At least we will all be together tomorrow for sure. . . in front of the tv, eating artichoke dip while sweating bullets and shouting at the top of our lungs. Yes, there's football tomorrow! Go Hawks! :)

Cheers!

~New~

Some new goodies are perking up my living room and making me very happy!

A new banner hanging from the mantle spells out 'HAPPY NEW YEAR' in snowflakes and vintage glass beads. I had lots of fun making this a couple weeks ago. And in a couple more weeks it will be time to think of something else to welcome Valentine's Day.

A new throw blanket for snuggling into. My old one was becoming a rag and wasn't even keeping me warm. I bought this one last weekend with some birthday money . . . it is SO incredibly soft. I absolutely love it- and so does Quinn as you can see. He's modeling just how soft and snug it is, which is very kind of him. He's very obliging that way. However, when it comes to sharing the blanket you will find that to be an entirely different matter. Don't let that sweet face fool you: his claws are sharp and he's not afraid to use them.

Finally, a new table lamp to help light up a dark corner. Also purchased with birthday money. I'm very pleased with the height and quality of light it gives out- it's just right for reading or stitching in the evening. 

So what's new with you? :)