I'm Getting Spring Fever!!!!

My home in the Spring & Summer

Ah, Spring is in the air. And I am itching to get my fingers DIRTY. Yes, I get them really dirty when I work in the yard. And yes, I work in the yard, not my Honey. I am the gardener aroundhere. I mow, haul dirt, plant and anything else that needs to be done in the yard. And with Spring around the corner and the beautiful day today I HAD to get out and piddle. I cut back roses a few weeks ago and did some weeding as well. But today was more maintenance. Raking all the fallen leaves and pine needles making nice beds for my azalea garden that I planted only a few years back. (I want more this year.) I tried just to mow and mulch the fallen leaves into my grass, but I have got to remember that oak leaves do not mulch well at all!!! They do however provide good nutrients for my azaleas. So I spent a great deal of time blowing the leaves. AND IT FELT GOOD!! I love working in my yard! Here's to a great Spring! How many of you are gardeners, too?

Trying on THE Dress

It was a fun day yesterday looking for dresses. Which do you like best?

THANKFUL

Yesterday was a scary day in our little part of the world. Tornado's ripped through our area and around the state late yesterday and did a lot of damage. The news report said our county was hit the hardest and from what I saw in the areas around us we are so bless that not one tree limb is down at our home. My husband & I did witness a tornado passing over the lake in our neighborhood and the ominous roar of the storm as it passed over was intense and thrilling and scary all rolled into one. I was so mesmerized and could not leave the front porch from watching it. I did not feel in danger for some reason and so I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures. Then the MOST incredible sight I have EVER, EVER seen was a full, bright, huge, incredible rainbow right in the middle of this storm. It was to say the least PERFECT and so awe inspiring! I took picture after picture then ran to my computer to down load them and almost cried when I realized that I did not have the chip in my camera. But the sight of both the tornado & the rainbow will stay with me forever and not having been hit by the storm will be a blessing all on it's own.
Thanks be to GOD.

A New Tea and a New Friend

Yesterday I had the privilege of spending lunch in the home of Patty Gironda a local TV cooking show host. But to call her that is just not giving her all she deserves. She is so kind, generous and so knowledgeable about foods that I was in AWE the entire time I shared with her. She has experienced so much of the world and has a gift of sharing it with you in such a way that you feel as if you have traveled it with her and such a gift of making you feel as if you are her best friend. She is also a fabulous cook. She creates her own dried herb mixtures from herbs she grows, has her own coffee line that she roasts & flavors and she knows so much about seasoning foods and experimenting with them. I left feeling so excited and can't wait until we can get together again. She taught me so much yesterday and know that I have made a lifelong friend. She did not let me leave empty handed either. She sent me home with 2 pounds of her coffee, a jar of a new brand of tea (because she knew I loved teas) and she also sent me home with fresh grown turmeric, and 2 bags of herb mixtures that she made for me. I don't know what I am going to cook with them yet, but I look forward to using them. Please visit her website & blog.

www.homeatlast.net/index.php I think you will be happy that you did. I have attached some pictures of the delicious tea she sent home with me.

The ingredients list just makes you want to try a cup!

The front label White Tea with Tropical fusionThe pretty sachet before steeping- can you see all the pretty colors?

Steeping- again look at the colors.The finished tea after 3 minutes. Beautiful golden color, a sweet & not bitter taste with the most delicious fruit tastes. It is good! I am not a white tea drinker, but I REALLY like this a lot!

"TICKLED PINK!"

I told you all about my great find at TJ MAXX this past week, well the findings got even better yesterday. I traveled to another store to see if I could find anymore of the cute, pink cups, saucers & dessert plates that I found late last week. I was tinkled 'pink' to find an even better deal yesterday at $1.00 EACH!! That's $1.00 per cup & saucer set & $1.00 per dessert plate. ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? I got enough for 12. I never have much time to entertain at home, but a tea party is in the works in my head right now! I have to use these cute little sets!

OH I do love TJ MAXX! Now if I can only find a really nice pink tea pot at such a great deal!

(Yes, My Table is already set for Easter)

A Valentine's Day Surprise

I have been truly blessed with a wonderful new friend thanks to blogging. Imagine the delight I had when opening the mail on Valentine's day and finding an envelope from Angela of Tea With Friends. There was a beautiful handmade card and samples of Bigalow's Valentines Teas. I was thrilled! So, thank you Angela. (I think we should drop the last "A" in her name and call her Angel instead) By the way the teas were really good. I think the White Chocolate Kisses with a little added sugar & milk was my favorite. The beautiful tea cup was also a gift from Angela a few weeks ago!

I am truly blessed!

Table Scapes

Before & After

I found some new dishes this week and HAD to have them even though it is only a partial set. They are pink, so of course the price being right they were coming home with me! (When I say right I mean it- $2.00 for the cup & saucer sets & 1.99 per dessert plate!)

I always keep my dining room table set throughout the year with the different seasons & holidays and these pink dishes were just perfect for a Valentine's Day table. I already knew what I was going to use for my centerpiece but after I finished assembling it, it looked more like Easter. So I remembered my Easter/Spring plates and decided to keep the centerpiece, add part of the Easter set and voila I have a totally different setting but keep my same centerpiece.

What'da ya think? Valentine's Day & Easter all rolled into one! And what do you think about my candlestick holders? We'll talk about those later.
Isn't my centerpiece cute. I love that old rabbit. I have had him so many years. Can you see the cut work in the candlestick?
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

To My Honey

Come on in and sit with me

Together we will share some tea.

We'll talk a while

And eat a bite.

And then we'll share a lovely night.

Love,

Your Wife

The Little Munchkin Reads with MiMi

This is so precious I had to share. My mother-in-law spent the night recently as did my grand daughter Samantha. Samantha being at the age now where she wants to be & do everthing like everyone else, climbed right on in next to MiMi to read the Sunday paper. She would flip the pages everytime her MiMi did as well. Grandkids! Nothing like 'em.

Hello's & Thank You's From Peggie- My Mom

On my last visit to mom's house I told her of my blogging buddies and of their concerns and prayers for her. Although she didn't grasp the blogging concept, she did understand the prayers part and wanted to extend her thanks to all. She was having a "good day" this day and I even managed to get a small smile from her. She is blind in both eyes and I know they look bad, but at 78 years old look at her skin- hardly any wrinkles and no gray hair! Let's hope I get her genes on the wrinkle part!

So thank you everyone and "Thank You" especially from Mom.

New Hand Towels

I found these adorable hand towels while browsing a local gift store in town yesterday and had to have them! I just recently changed the colors in my family room & kitchen to green & yellow from blue & yellow and am getting ready to change my powder room too. (It's stuck in the eighties with blue & peach wallpaper- I moved into it I did not install it!!!) Anyway, I collect bird ornamentations and though I hate "theme" rooms, I am planning on doing a bird/ garden theme in the powder room and thought these would be a great starter. Aren't they sweet? They will go well with the theme don't you think?

(These are a few of the bird things I have.)

No post today

Prepping for a catering tomorrow- all have a great weekend!!!!!!

NINA'S CULINARY CREATIONS !

You have got to see this site if you love food! I visited this site by accident today and fell in love. Nina is one of the most creative food designers I've ever seen. Go visit- you won't be sorry! Here are two of her designs - (Hope you don't mind Nina)

ninasculinarycreations.blogspot.com

Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

I love, love asparagus, and my Honey really does not. But when I prepare this recipe he does! It is light and gives a nice bright flavor to the asparagus without overbearing it. I hope you enjoy it.

Asparagus With Lemon Sauce

1 pound of asparagus- trimmed & washed

1 stick of butter

1 lemon

1/4 cup of white balsamic vinegar

Salt & pepper to taste
Blanch the asparagus and set aside.

Melt the butter in a small pot on medium heat. Grate the lemon into the melted butter then roll the lemon on the counter to get it soft and cut in half and squeeze the juice into the melted butter. Next add the balsamic vinegar and cook until slightly bubbling. Add salt & pepper to taste. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Tomorrow- Citrus Chocolate Mousse Cups

Valentine Menu Ideas

This week I will be focusing on recipes for Valentine's Day Dinner.
Today will be Chateaubriand.
CHATEAUBRIAND
1. 1 Beef tenderloin- trimmed & tied (your local butcher can trim it- you will have to tie it. Make sure that the butcher has removed the 'Silver Skin' and ask for all the trimmings to take home, they will be great for seasoning and using in stew.)
2. Olive oil
3. McCormick's - Monterey Seasoning
Tools Needed: Cast Iron Skillet, Meat Twine and Meat Thermometer
Set oven to 475 degrees.
After tying the tenderloin, wash and pat dry. Then rub the tenderloin down with olive oil and sprinkle on the Monterey Seasoning. (Tenderloin may have to be cut in half to fit in skillet. But do not put both pieces in at the same time this will cause the meat to sweat and not sear as well. If you do have to cut in half, do the next step in intervals. You can later put them both in the skillet when they go into the oven.)
Pour about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the iron skillet and turn on high heat. Let skillet get hot BUT NOT SMOKING. Reduce heat to medium and place one piece only of the tenderloin in the skillet and brown on all sides making sure to brown it and not burn it. When completely browned, place meat in the oven in the skillet. Cook for about 15 minutes then check the internal temperature.
Rare= 120 degrees
Medium= 140-160 degrees
Well Done= anything over 160- Don't do this though.
Tomorrow- Sauteed Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

Engaged!

We will be busy over the next several months planning for a wedding! Our oldest daughter Kristen became engaged last night! My husband and I are very happy for her and our granddaughter. Kristen has found a man whom we find to be a sweet and genuine man. He loves her and most importantly he loves our granddaughter.

His name is Eric and he was a real gentleman regarding us as her parents. He made a lunch date with my husband this past week to express his love for our daughter and granddaughter and to ask permission and blessings from Ken.

Eric comes with a ten year old daughter Erica and a five year old son Jesse, and we are thrilled about that as well.