It's All Good

We just got back from a couple days away. I had an unexpected day off from work (thank you Shalyn!) and we decided to head out of town and just relax. Of course, relaxing for us means a cute Bed & Breakfast, some antique shopping and trying new restaurants.

Checking out the beautiful architectural salvage at Materials Unlimited in Ypsilanti, MI

 We shopped til we dropped, even though we didn't really buy anything...I think I spent about $10, then enjoyed a quiet dinner of fire baked pizza and a cup of coffee and face time at the local coffee joint.  We had a lot to discuss. You see, my sweetheart has a new job!

He starts this week and we are so excited about the possibilities this brings.

If you have been a long time reader you know, when this economy tanked a few years ago, so did his job. We have muddled through, and God has kept us going in so many ways. Through gifts from friends, part time employment and amazing circumstances, I really can't say we suffered a lot. There wasn't a lot extra but there was...enough.

Cute stuff for the home at Home Sweet Home in  Plymouth, MI

So this getaway was our little celebration of all the good things that have happened. Things are looking up and the future is bright. We won't have to move, he will be working form home, and we can finally start doing a little dreaming again:>)

Ahhhh, God is good.  All the time.

Spring

My day off could not be more glorious. Coffee with hubby this morning, a little antiquing, some sewing and cupcakes baked for work tomorrow. Whew! A full day but happy. It is in the high 70's, the sun is shining and, yes, my sheets are drying on the line.

And now, Earl is starting the grill and we will be grilling bread with pesto, feta and sliced tomatoes for dinner. Yum.

Happy Spring everyone, I hope you're all celebrating:>)

Top Ten Things I love About Spring

This Spring is just a miracle. Maybe not for those of you who are used to warmth and flowers this time of year, but in Michigan? A miracle. We have a forecast for tomorrow of highs in the low 80's, and we have had record warmth for weeks. The lilac leaves are unfurling! In March! I admit, I'm a little scared of a frost, but I'm going to trust that everything will be ok. What else can I do?

So without further ado, let me share with you my top ten favorite spring things.

1. Raindrops instead of icicles.

2.Tomorrow is my day off and the sheets are going on the line! I may go to bed at 6 p.m.

3. Sunshine, glorious, warm, brilliant sunshine. It makes me want to find a sunspot and nap like a

kitten.

4. Garden planning! We may risk some peas and radishes and cooler weather crops this week. If it freezes we'll just try again.

 5. The first daffodils of the season. Unbelievable in March.

6.Open windows, it's been in the 50's at night and we have the windows flung wide open. Which leads to ......

7. Going to sleep to the chirping of the peepers. You know what peepers are right? Those dear little frogs who seem to wake up in early spring with what seems to be the sole purpose of singing. Love.

8. Waking up to the sounds of the birds singing. That's how you really know it's Spring:>) The birds strike up a chorus where the peepers leave off.

9. Finding the basket of previous years primroses out by the chicken coop in full bloom! When these little darlings look bedraggled and dead, give them a new life by planting them in an old basket and set it in the shade. They'll reward you next fall and spring!

10.The scent of the air. It smells so fresh and full of promise. All the green things unfurl and you can smell them coming to life.

Now it's your turn, tell me what do you love about Spring?

Let's talk about Spring....

I'm back.

I've enjoyed my time away, and I was looking back over previous years (this is my 5th year blogging!) and realized that me running out of steam about mid-February is the norm.  It's my own personal doldrums, and the only thing that brings me out of winter doldrums is Spring!

I see all you California and Southern girls with your gardens already blooming. We aren't there yet up here in the frozen North. So I decided to make a garden of a different kind.  With a little help from Fancy Flours, and my youngest dear daughter, home for Spring Break, I made my own garden, but this one is made of candy coating and filled with Oreo's.

 That's right, Oreo double stuff to be precise.

 I took these to work and my co-workers literally swooned. It was nearly embarrassing the attention these little beauties got, and they were easy!

 Start with the mold, you can get it here. I used a disposable decorating bag, with just a tiny bit of the tip cut off for the melted candy coating, to fill the center depression. Then a few minutes in the fridge or freezer to harden it before I added the next color.

 Then I added the color for the petals until the mold was about 1/3 full. Just pipe it around and then gently tap the mold on the counter to get rid of bubbles and level the melted candy.

 Next, gently center the sandwich cookies in the mold...

 Pipe more coating around the cookie...

 And fill the mold the rest of the way. Gently tap the mold on the counter again.

 Ten minutes in the fridge and your garden is blooming! Unmold and admire your handiwork.

 Take photos, think of more color combinations, Oooh and Ahh over how shiny and colorful they are:>)  Then remember they are supposed to be eaten:>P

Would these be gorgeous for Mother's Day? Easter brunch, showers, weddings, tea parties...what wouldn't they be perfect for?

These flowers will have to do until the real thing starts blooming here, but they'll do just fine for now.

 ♥ I. LOVE. SPRING. ♥