Reflections on Spring

How do you capture the first Spring breeze? It's such a clean, fresh scent that you want to just breathe in over and over. That's when I know Spring has sprung!

I would love to "fly" so easily as the curtains do on a breezy, spring day. What a beautiful sign to show that Spring is in the air.
There's something so wonderful about this process of Spring coming in and winter going out. It's the new life that it brings. Birds happily chirping. Nests being made. Babies being born.

The warm sun has it's own say in the matter. It heats up the ground and ushers forth the beautiful buds that we are all longing for. I LOVE SPRING. It's in the air.

Thank you Lord for such beautiful, warm weather.

It's a wonderful thing to feel the sun on your back. I just have to smile.

"B" is for Beautiful

Hi Ladies --

My girls and I are discussing the letter B in kindergarten this week. B is for Butterfly. My girls can't wait to get these caterpillars that we are sending away for. We will "raise" them and they will become butterfly's before our eyes. We are all so excited!

I thought I would share with you a few other "B" words that I like as well!

I know I've said this before, but I love old barns. "B" is for Barns.

"B" is for beaches! I could so see myself in this picture right now. We have been having so much rain and thunderstorms and flash flooding in South Central Pennsylvania, that I could really use a break to the beach. How about you? 

Last but not least, "B" is for books! I love books! (Magazines would be in the list too, but it didn't start with B : ) Especially old, vintage copies that look so pretty on an antique table or bench.

Have a beautiful day!

Heavenly Rolls

We've all had crescent rolls, but have you tried these? They are simply divine and go way too quick! (In fact I need to make another batch just to get some pictures!) Easy too!
Take one package of crescent rolls. Unwrap. Fill one bowl with 1/4 cup melted butter, one bowl with 1/4 cup cinnamon/sugar. Take 8 marshmallows one by one and dip in butter, then sugar mixture. Wrap crescent roll around marshmallow from the narrow end first. Completely "hide" marshmallow inside. Bake for 12 minutes.

These are fabulous!! They remind me of the empty tomb on Easter day. Mary and others ran to see Jesus inside, but HE wasn't there. What's the connection, you ask?
Well, when you bite into these heavenly rolls, you will notice that the marshmallow is melted gone. It's then that you can think of the empty tomb and the goodness of Jesus!

Enjoy!!

Old Barns

Happy Easter Week!
There is something about seeing an old barn afar off in the field, that really warms my heart. I love to gaze at it as we drive by for as long as I can keep it in view. Maybe it's because we grew up beside my grandparents' farm. I would run a couple hundred feet through the corn field and there I was. A red barn. A white, looming silo and a two-story farmhouse.

Farmhouse living was fun! There was always lots of people. My dad and his brothers would be wrestling from one room to the next, and us girls (kids at the time) would have to hurry out of the way to miss being knocked over in their crazy, fun antics. My "blue" grandma would always be in the kitchen cooking and baking. It always smelled good and I always raided the fridge.

I would raid her candy jar too. She never disappointed. She had this antique, silver dish with a lid and inside were always thick, pink mints and at Christmas time, those chewy Christmas wreath peppermints.

I hope you are having fond memories of your childhood today!

Easter Blessings!

Finding Fabulous on Friday

HAPPY FRIDAY!
We are in search of a dishwasher, a pendant light and a range hood for our kitchen as part of our remodel. We signed the contract to have our cabinets refaced and a new counter top and back splash added. It looks like that will happen some time in mid-May. IT CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH!!! I CAN'T WAIT!

I came across this fabulous light for above our kitchen sink. It's a little bit industrial-chic! JUST WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR! I hope I can find it somewhere. Every site I have checked so far says, DISCONTINUED. I hope I am not too late in finding fabulous on Friday!

Enjoy your weekend!! I hope you find something fabulous too!

Kitchen Accessories

Thought I would share with you some kitchen accessories I've been drooling over at Anthropolie.

I could see myself making a french dish out of this cookbook in my new kitchen!

Everybody has these, right? BUT I DON'T!

Be Calm and Eat Cake!

Happy Sunshine!!

It is a beautiful, Spring day here and we are thrilled for the sunshine! HOORAY!!
The bikes came out, the sleeveless tops and shorts. Nothing more beautiful than a sun-filled day!

We've all seen (maybe have) one of these signs. I've decided to change up the wording a little bit to fit my "needs." My family is participating in giving something up for Lent.
My beloved has given up tv (a big sacrifice!); my oldest: straws, my youngest: juice and yours truly: cakes, cookies and pies(another big sacrifice!)
So, my kitchen chalkboard has been boasting, EAT CAKE and CARRY ON (NOT!) just as a little reminder to my commitment.
I'll tell you, it's been tough to give up my favorite treat: chocolate junior tasty cakes, but I am doing it!!

I've been so proud of my girls too who are making their sacrifices for the first time.
Nothing compares to what Jesus has done for us on the cross! Happy Easter season!

Hole in the Wall

Happy Weekend Girls!
I think I can officially say we began our kitchen remodeling! My beloved tore our microwave out of the wall. It has left us with a big, gaping "hole" between our cabinets. IT'S A GREAT FEELING!

It's going to be somewhat of a slow process since we are doing a little here and there throughout the Spring/Summer seasons. BUT AT LEAST IT IS STARTED! WOOHOO!
As soon as I have pictures of something-other than a hole in the wall-I will show you.

For now enjoy these beautiful, inspirational pictures from Skona Hem. Aren't they amazing?! Enjoy your weekend!

SO LOVING THIS FARM TABLE!

C.O.F.F.E.E.

Have you heard that little song that goes, "C.O.F.F.E.E. Why in the World Do We Drink Cof-fee?" It's a fun little ditty that my girls love to sing over and over. In light of hostessing at our upcoming Women's Night Out, "Brewed Awakenings", my sister and I have "hit the road" with our two little cohorts in crime (aka my 4&5 year olds) and are visiting all the coffee shops in our area.

I don't let me girls drink coffee, but they think they are big stuff going to these coffee shops and hanging out with Aunt "TuTu" as they affectionately dubbed my sister Tina.

My oldest took along a pink lint ball from our dryer and and my silly sister used it as a wig on her finger and drew a face. We were cracking up so loud, I think we livened the place up!

Weekend Crafting

Happy Saturday!
My mom took the girls for a couple hours today and I set off for a little antique shop not far from my home. It had been years since I had visited last, and it was fun to check out all their goodies again!

I saw a great metal locker with a blue-green patina. F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S I just couldn't think of where I would put it, or I would have bought it! I also found a bottle holder, some white linen napkins and a Country Living decorating book. Wonderful treasures which I am incorporating into my home. I'll show you pictures in another post.

The linen napkins made me think of the dinner guests we are having tomorrow. I wanted to do something special with them, but didn't want to ruin them if it didn't turn out.

I took a length of canvas drop cloth and cut it about four inches wide and about five inches long. I used a black fabric paint pen and my stencil and "dabbed" the paint on.

The napkins need hemmed. I have to get my grandma's help with that. Other than that, I think they are cute. I can't wait to see what my friends say.

Coffee, Anyone?

We have our annual ladies' event coming up at church in May. It's always a fabulous time! People Go All Out! This year they are having a play entitled, "Brewed Awakenings" in a dinner- theater atmosphere. Isn't that a cute title? The auditorium is set up with round tables of eight and the hostess of each table does her own table scape and dessert preparations.

Let me tell you! These ladies GO ALL OUT!!! Their table scapes are over-the-top-fabulous! They bring in their best china. Even their beautiful table linens and polished silver is not forgotten. I've been one of those ladies that come to the event early just to gawk at everyone's table. You ought to see their desserts too! They are bakery-perfect.


 

This year I will be a hostess! My plan is to set up my own "little coffee shop" at my table. Kinda like a Parisian cafe. I'm scouring the stores now to find just the right touches. Have any ideas? I would love to hear them!

I told my sister (who is my brainstorming partner in all this) that we will have to make it a point to visit every coffee shop in the area 'til then. I know. I know what you are thinking!  But somebody has to do it. hee hee

I'm glad it gets to be me! As for the desserts.... Well I'll probably be visiting some of our local bakeries, just to make sure my goodies don't look out of place. (smile!)

Farm House Tables & White Wash

I am in HOT PURSUIT of a farm table. One that can seat six people comfortably. Ones where you can gather all your best girlfriends and sip some chai tea or mocha lattes and laugh and hoot and holler about everything. YOU NAME IT!

This is the ultimate one from Dreamy Whites. Love how she has the farm table set and the sweet little chairs all around it. This is the look I am going for!
I am also swooning right now over white washed flooring.

materiadesigns.notepad
Maybe after I find my Farm Table, I'll talk my beloved into white washing our living room floors! Stay Tuned!

Fun With Food

We have been trying some new recipes lately. Not just new recipes, though, but having a little more fun with food. For instance, instead of just having Chiquitas the other night (fried corn tortillas in olive oil and filled with chicken and cheese and seasonings)we decided to do a chiquitas "bar".

The girls thought it was fun to pick out the ingredients they wanted for their wrap. Kinda like painting your own portrait, of sorts. We'll do it again!

We also made OUTRAGEOUSLY FABULOUS cinnamon rolls! I am talking F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.
If you have never visited www.pioneerwoman.com, please do yourself a favor. That is where the recipee is found. YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

The process of making your dough and letting it rise, is a little time consuming. But it can prove fun (albeit, messy) with a few little helpers, such as I had (smile)

I have made three batches now (at five pie pans a
batch) and most everyone has asked for the recipe. THEY ARE THAT GOOD!

If you decide to make the cinnamon rolls, come back and tell me. I'll be curious how many pans you kept for yourself! (Smile)

More Kitchen News!

GET THIS! I am so excited! Remember me telling you about the kitchen remodel my beloved and I are embarking on come Spring/Summer? Well, I was thinking about asking someone for some pointers. Then I saw Flea Market Trixie's kitchen remodel!

I fell in total kitchen love! Do you see why?

I wrote Flea Market Trixie and asked her if she would look at my before photos and give us some advice and tips. Guess what she said?

She would be happy to!! WOOHOOOO!!!

This weekend I will be busy taking photos of my "before" kitchen and sending them off to Trixie!! I will be sure to show you pictures as we get to work! In the meantime, stop by www.fleamarkettrixie.com for yourself and check out her lovely blog. And fabulous new kitchen!
THANK YOU TRIXIE! You made my weekend!!!

Favorite Nook

Hello Ladies!
I wanted to share with you my latest project. I have just been loving all these cute chalkboards I've been seeing around blogland. So I decided to make one myself. I picked up a really cute white frame at my recent trip to Luckets Store in Virginia. I JUST COULDN'T WAIT TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT! My beloved had some extra board laying around the basement and I snatched that up.

Then I bought a couple cans of Krylon Chalkboard spray paint. After 24 hours of dry time, some wood glue and nails, my chalkboard was done. I thought the twine added a nice touch as a hanger.

I hung the chalkboard in the kitchen right above my favorite chair. It's my favorite place to sit and sip and visit your lovely blogs.

Many mornings my girls will cozy up to me in my favorite nook and we'll read piles of books and enjoy the sun that streams through the kitchen window.

I'm wondering if you have a cozy little spot you like to read or write in? ENJOY!

Spring Chicken

Oh did I say "Spring Chicken?" I meant to say Spring Kitchen! We will be embarking on a little project this Spring. I am a little nervous about it. Changing a kitchen -- no matter the size of the remodel -- can be a little nail biting.

My beloved and I have a differing opinion about the light fixture(s). I want a chandelier. He doesn't. I want an over-the-sink pendant light, he doesn't. So we are still working out some minor details.

The main thing for me is to get rid of this horribly ugly and ancient ceiling fan that attracts dust every time it is turned on. And unfortunately, that is a lot even in our little kitchen (smile).

I think we will start around about Memorial Day weekend and I will keep you posted with (hopefully) some exciting white and creamy pictures!!

Tootles!