I Spotted Spring Giveaway!

Lookie what I found today while out walking around, my first sign of spring. Not sure what they are, they seem to be a wild crocus, a mini version too, only standing 3 inches. But they sure did stand out, I love the bright yellow, so cheery! So, now my hopes are high for the arrival of spring, planting gardens and just playing outside in the dirt! I'm so excited! I hope you too can spot spring where you live, it's such a wonder! To celebrate this fine day, I'm hosting another giveaway, you got it, spring themed! To enter just leave me a comment here about what blooms first in your area and let us know if it has yet. I'll leave this open till March 1st. that is Sunday, so get entered and spread the word, we wanna hear about spring, no more winter talk!

National Pancake Day

Here's a yummy example that there really is a day for everything, today is National Pancake Day, it's also Fat Tuesday, funny isn't it? But for the last 3 years, IHop has given away a free stack of pancakes (donations accepted for charity) to all who enter their fine Establishment on this day, so if you are lucky enough to live near one, head over and get your free short stack! And if you can't, I have a easy recipe for homemade pancakes that is better than any boxed mix. Hot flapjacks smothered in butter and drizzled in pure maple syrup just can't be beat, a winter comfort food for sure! I sometimes make pancakes for dinner, with eggs and bacon. When the kids were little they would get a kick out of eating breakfast for supper, it was a nice change.

Homemade Pancakes

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. allspice
2 eggs
1 c. milk
1/4 c. canola oil

Heat griddle or large pan to med. heat. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and allspice. Separate eggs and whisk egg yolks in small bowl with milk and oil. With a electric mixer, beat egg whites to stiff peeks, about one minute. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture just till combined. Fold in egg whites until no white streaks remain. Using a ladle, drop 1/3 c. batter onto heated griddle. Repeat, spacing one inch apart. Cook one minute to till bubbles in batter pop and remain open. Flip and cook another minute. Keep warm and serve with butter, syrup, powdered sugar or jam. Makes about 15 hotcakes.

Comfort foods can ease many pains, but words are the leader in comforting times and I just wanted to thank all who left such caring comments on the passing of my father in law. We all are doing fine, his life has come full circle, with his family tucked inside his ring of love. As a child you never vision life without your parents, but when the time comes you find the peace to let go. Thank you again, bloggers are the best people in the world and such blessings! Enjoy some hot cakes on me!

The Process of LIfe

I trust it and I accept it. It's never easy, always sad but it happens to all of us. We lost my father in law yesterday, he'd been winning his battle with colon cancer till his body could not fight anymore. He was ready to join his wife, all he needed was a simple "ok" to leave us, he was concerned about us. He suffers no more, God's grace took him home and left us with a peace knowing he is saved from the pain he lived with, his final weeks on earth. Both my husband and I are now parent-less, a odd feeling but we keep the memories alive and passed on.

"The truth is that life is delicious, horrible, charming, frightful, sweet, bitter and that it is everything" anatole france

A memorial service is planned for Saturday in a 1800's country church, where we will celebrate his life, and praise God for all his blessings.

Shutter Craft

I'm a firm believer in recycle, reuse and Restores! Look what I found at our local Habitat for Humanity Restore this morning, aren't they the neatest shutters? And just $20 for the pair! I was told they came from a very old historic house here in town, all the better in my book. I plan to use these charming shutters in a bedroom project I have been thinking about and these shutters confirmed my idea. I just love the cutout of a old fashioned candle stick holder, perfect for a bedroom. I will post photos when I'm finished, I hope to start this week sometime.



This is what I did with a used pair of outside shutters that were given to me, I had planned to use them outside on the old house but instead I packed them in the move and so glad I did. A can of black spray paint cleaned them right up and I hung them in the living room, the only window in the room so I wanted it to look bigger than it was. It's hard to see the detail in the photo but it does add something to this small window, I'm happy with the out come. My hubby thought I was silly for hanging shutters inside but I like it, what do you think? Leave it to me to rescue and reuse!

Just one month till the calendar reads the first day of spring, and I'm ready! It snowed like crazy this morning for about a hour but didn't stick, and now it's nearing 50. Crazy weather! I'm baking bread this afternoon and making a big ole pot of pototo soup for supper, so back to the kitchen I go!

Hoodie Hoo Day!

They have a "day" for everything these days, don't they? But when I heard today was "Hoodie Hoo Day" and that Paul Harvey supported it, I had to pass it along...so what is Hoodie Hoo Day? February 20th has been set aside to chase away winter and welcome spring, at noon, you are to go outside and yell "Hoodie Hoo" so winter could be chased away to make way for spring. I gave it a try, I was riding home and yelled "Hoodie Hoo" as loud as I could, because I for one am tired of winter, I'm just glad the windows were up and I was out in the country! LOL But hey, it's worth a try to scare winter away, won't you agree? And if Paul Harvey does it, it must work, right?

I've enjoyed all the childhood tales of Barbie, keep them coming! And thanks to those who tried to convince me that age is just a number, I have till June to convince myself of that. I just wish I looked as good as Barbie, maybe then age would seem timeless and just a number? lol But, I know what your getting at, I'll work on it!

Here's hoping all our efforts to chase winter away will work and we can think about all things related to spring. Have a wonderful weekend!

Fifty is Nifty, for Barbie!

I have alot in common with Barbie, she turns 50 this year, as I will. She has curves, as I do. She was born a blonde, as I was. She's lead a interesting life, as I have. And her creator had faith in her, as mine does. With that said, Barbie and I have come a long way!

Barbie was born to replace the flimsy paper dolls that were so popular in the day. But she faced tough critics that thought no Mommy would buy a doll with breasts for their daughters, if only they could see the toys of today? Barbie is still the best selling doll of all time, lending girlhood memories to all females alike. She's held up much better than I!

I wish I still had my first Barbie, not sure which one it was, but I do remember we spent many years together, playing house and sharing secrets. I'd love to hear about your memories of Barbie, your first one or your favorite one?

Happy Birthday Barbie! Fifty is nifty for you, not so much for me!

Treat Yourself!

I love the half off sales after a holiday, it's my time to stock up for next year or just treat myself to something I didn't want to pay full price for. There wasn't much left this morning by the time I got to Walmart but the grocery store did have fresh bouquets of flowers marked down to 99 cents so I grabbed two of the same colors, just a treat till spring arrives and I can plant and cut fresh flowers all summer long. I also picked up some flower seeds to cover all bases and vases! lol
I think us girls should have fresh flowers in the house more often, why do we wait till a holiday or special occasion? I say we treat ourselves to fresh flowers more often, they smell lovely, they instantly make a house a home and they just make you smile each time you glance at them, so why not? So, join me in my campaign to treat ourselves and our homes to flowers, just because!

Another Apron Giveaway!

It's true, Susan, aka "Not Quite June Cleaver" is hosting another giveaway, not only one of her adorable aprons but a copy of the new publication "Apron-olgy". I've been looking for that new magazine all week since it just came out last Friday but my Walmart doesn't have it, so I'm hoping I win Susan's extra copy. If you'd like to try your luck, head over to Not Quite June Cleaver, leave her a comment on your favorite apron and your entered, that easy, but hurry, you have till Feb.23.

We had a blast last night, the youth cooked and served us a lovely Valentines dinner with so many desserts to choose from. They really did a great job! Afterwards, we played the Newly Wed, Oldly Wed game, it was so funny! I sure hope everyone had a lovely day full of love and sweet times!

It's time to think ahead to spring, a new makeover here and another giveaway in the works, stayed tuned. It's 5:14pm now and the sun is still shining, proof that the next season is soon to come! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, as I will be!

Happy Heart Day!

Hubby surprised me with a orchid last night, something I've been wanting for sometime now, so my Valentines day is off to a good start! I hope the same for each and everyone of you, my heart smiles knowing you all! Our youth group is cooking and serving us a valentines dinner tonight so that should be fun! The weather is a little below normal but sunny so only bright thoughts can be had today and for us, today marks 18 years ago since we became engaged, and it really does getter sweeter with time......

As promised and if my computer will behave long enough, I have a winner for my extra cupcake calendar, out of the 9 names entered, I drew out #1, how easy! Congrats to Rondell over at Tomatoe Creek Prims, woohoo!! Rondell, send me your addy and I'll pop the calendar in the mail, enjoy it and I hope you will follow along with me in making each month's featured cuppie!

Like I mentioned above, my computer has had a mind of it's own lately, a evil mind at that, it keeps shutting down on me and not allowing me to get online at all? So, if I'm absent for any length of time, you know why. I'm saving for a new computer, this is 5 yrs. old now and starting to be cranky with me, so it's time to replace it. Plus, my profile photo here hasn't shown up all week, not sure what's up with that? Well, I've got a peanut butter pound cake in the oven for hubby and with things to do before tonight's dinner, I"m off to tackle the day! Happy Valentines Day to you all, love and hugs!

Showered by Kindness

I've got the best mailman ever! He's been busy bringing me gifties this week, just look at what's come in the mail, I haven't had to walk down the hill all week! The valentine apron is from a farmgirl and so are most of the valentines in the basket. I won the oil painting from a bloggy giveaway, the detail is awesome, I only wish I could paint that well! And yesterday to my surprise, the embroidery pillow cases arrived from yet another farmgirl with the biggest heart, I've been overwhelmed by the kindness that has been sent my way!

I saw a robin yesterday and by mid afternoon I had many foraging for worms in the yard after a warm rain, spring has to be near.....Walmart has their bare root roses out, I grabbed a pretty yellow climber, I couldn't resist! Do you have any signs of spring yet?

Thinkin Pink

This week is the week of love in the month of love, and nature has it's own version of valentines, the bleeding heart is such a wonder, God was in a good mood the day he created them! I've got a new article up over at my other blog, "The Herbal Farmstead" all about bleeding hearts, a favorite of mine. With spring only a month away, I'm planning and thinking gardening! I had a beautiful bleeding heart at the old house, and the hardest part about leaving that place was all my plants I had to leave behind. The bleeding heart was always one of the first to break ground and treat me to pretty little hearts hanging down, I will miss it, till I can find another to plant here.

Can you believe Saturday is Valentines day already? Like so many, it's also the day I got engaged making it extra special for us, so I like to try to do something different each year, memorable? I had a very busy weekend of painting a friends office, we hoped to get it done before business day today but it will take the rest of the week, if my body holds out? I'm sore all over! Our weather returned to near normal after the ice storms then turned oddly warm, rain today? I don't think it will ever be back to normal, like it should? I"m glad to see some got signed up the cupcake calendar, you still have till Saturday morning when I'll draw a name. I'm enjoying all the pretty blogs dressed up for Valentines day too, and the cards are still coming in...happy dance! Here's a yummy dessert that will be perfect for any Valentines dinner for two!

Chocolate Espresso Souffle
1/2 c. sugar, divided
3 Tbsp. espresso or very strong coffee
5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
6 egg whites
4 egg yolks
Preheat oven to 400. Thoroughly butter a 2 qt. souffle dish and sprinkle with 1/4 c. sugar. Combine espresso and chocolate in glass bowl, microwave for 1 min., stir till melted. Whisk egg yolks into chocolate mixture. Beat egg whites in bowl with mixer till frothy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 c. sugar, beating till soft peaks form. Stir about 1 cup egg whites into chocolate mixture. Spoon into prepared dish, bake for 30-40 min. or till souffle rises. Serves 6.

Cupcake Challenge for February

This months cupcake challenge is Lion and Clowns, not what I would of printed on a calendar for the month of love but Betty Crocker did? But, we will make the best of it and bake these fun cakes for the kids in our lives. The recipe is simple, start with a yellow cake mix, bake and cool. Frost with your choice of frosting, Betty used vanilla, and chocolate. Once your 24 cupcakes are cool and ready to ice, get creative in making the lions and clowns. Shown here are candies for eyes and ears. Chinese noodles for hair and gum drops for a mouth, but you can use just about anything so go wild!

I have a extra cupcake calendar that I'll giveaway, so leave me a comment here with your choice of your favorite cupcake, I'll draw out a winner on Valentines day and get the calendar off to you that same day, so you have till the morning of the 14th. Good luck to all who enter, it's a sweet calendar!

Forgiveness

This is our apple tree today, standing tall and free of ice.

This is the same apple tree last week, weighed down by ice and sleet, isn't Mother Nature amazing and forgiving! I still don't care for the ice, even more so after this winter but I must agree with those who commented on how pretty it was, and it was, a true winter wonderland, esp. when the sun came out and everything sparkled, icles hanging all about just beamed. The stillness was true silence. I can say all of this because we never lost power and were kept warm and safe, missed 4 days of work but we were safe. My area is down to a little over 500 still in the dark, that number is down from over 11,000. I am grateful! I too will forgive the weather and look forward to the next season. I know the groundhog saw his shadow leaving us with 6 more weeks of winter, but in 4 weeks we change the clocks ahead to day time savings so spring has to be right around the corner, right?

I'm back, finally!

So long January, bring on February please! What a month, I'm glad to see it end. My Internet has been down due to the ice, then my modem went out and let me tell you, the last 5 days without Internet, blogging, facebook and email, I had major withdrawals! I guess I'm addicted? So, I have alot of catching up to do and I sure have missed you all! This barn looks pretty much the same today, a week after the ice storms, that sheet of ice on the roof is still hanging even though we did warm up over the weekend it wasn't enough to get rid of the layers of ice. I fell again, darn ice, hitting my head on ice covered concrete steps, if they were not covered in ice I would of been knocked out cold, so thankful, I just had a major headache for a few days. Did I tell you I hate ice! My hubby now has proof that I'm hard headed! lol

I'm so thankful we never lost power, some are still out a week later, I feel so bad for them, this ice storm broke all kinds of records here, not surprising as that has been the tune all year. Our pastor and his family lost their house to a fire the second night of the storms, making this the second time they lost a house to a fire, I feel so helpless. But once we have church again, no power out there, we will see what our church family can do for them. I'm so grateful for my God.

The valentines are coming in and cheering things up, I wish more of you had signed up for this swap, it's such a delight, maybe next year? One sweet swapper even sent me a valentine apron she made, I was tickled pink! lol Surprising what you can get done when you don't have Internet, I finished organizing my craft room, I've got everything labeled and easy to find. I made 30 valentines and did alot of baking. Photos soon to come.....

It's so good to be back! If any of you are on Facebook, look me up, would love to add you. There are tons of great groups on Facebook, I've joined several and the info. is priceless. I'll be visiting you all soon so till then, think spring, please!