Easter Eggs

Ukrainian Eggs

My father created these many years ago. They are much more elaborate than the Easter eggs my brother and I decorated with the Paas kit!

It's a process similar to batik. The eggs are raw so it requires a delicate touch with the tools. To begin, you create a design of choice. Many are created with symbols and family crests. You cover the area you want to keep white or your desired color with wax then dye the rest. Once the egg is dry, you melt the wax to remove it and begin the process all over. The orange egg below was in the beginning steps of the laborious process. The black egg is close to being finished.

It takes hours to complete these mini master pieces and very good eye site :)

If you look closely, you'll notice he placed the date on off the eggs ~ 1979.

My father passed away almost 15 years ago. I have many items that remind me of him tucked away. While looking for something unrelated a few weeks ago, I came across these eggs. I decided to display them in our home for Easter. While some of the eggs were never completed, they help me to remember the layering process and stages of the art. They also bring back the times I sat and watched him while he worked away and the conversations we shared.

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Dinner and Dessert

Our friends came over for dinner the other evening with their sweet boys.

To keep them interested until dinner was served, I had them

create their dessert. They decorated {self designed} Easter basket

cupcakes. They had a blast, the adults were able to chat, and all were content

until dinner was served.

~ I sent all the cupcakes home with them so I didn't "accidentally" sneak one while no one was looking. Bathing suit season is right around the corner. I don't need an extra cupcake sitting on these thighs! ~

Don't you just love the look of concentration ~ sugar overload will it every time!

Currently I am the "bestest" in his eyes. He reminded me a few times that he doesn't get candy like this at home ~ I hope the payback coming my way isn't too severe: )

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A little fun!

To support MSU's win on Saturday, I made a few of these fun goodies

to share with my fellow teachers

(many just happen to be UCONN grads)

because I'm just nice like that :)

They are white chocolate cupcakes with a whipped topping

tinted a lovely shade of Spartan green

{get it? green and white!}

I packaged them up and tucked them sweetly

on their desks as a special little treat to enjoy

this morning ~ a simple little "thank you" for all their

kind words on Friday about my choice of teams.

Tonight's game should be interesting as I've already recieved many phone
calls from my son who just happens to attend the "other college."
I told him to make a "good choice" about who he cheers for ~ he says he will.
Oh, that son of mine!

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I have just two simple words

(maybe a few more at the bottom)

GO STATE!

I wish I could be there to support you in person (instead my lucky little brother will be ~ no, I'm not jealous, why would you think that? I'm a immature adult!)

Instead I'll be here in Connecticut with those "other people" that want the team you're playing against today to win.

I've banned all blue and white from our home and I'm forcing my entire family to sport the lovely MSU colors of green and white.

(they don't really have a choice if they are hoping to be fed today!)

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ABC dating

Alphabet dating

Do you remember your first date with your husband?

I do.

Our dates were amazing ~ he sent flowers, small gifts, lovely restaurants,

weekends away, wrote me poems, called just because he was thinking of me ...

I knew on our first date that he was the man I wanted to marry.

He was such a gentleman. I loved just "being" with him. No matter what we were doing ~ we were together. Ahhh, those were the days.

Phase II of Life

Add a couple of children into the picture, careers, pets, school projects, committee meetings, seasonal sports, home improvement projects, hectic holidays and what do you get?

Well, to be honest, not much.

We both have made attempts to embrace a weekly date night. The first week is great and then "something comes up" and it falls by the wayside.

I had an idea a few months ago to date using the alphabet!

Strange thought? Yes.

When I proposed it to my husband he agreed (what a sport!) to give it a go and even took on the first letter A! Our dates have to have something to do with that letter. My husband had read about a wonderful new restaurant. He tried so hard to plan out our first date and it was a total failure (the restaurant wasn't open and we had car trouble) but we had a fabulous time regardless! That's the point of this ~ being with each other and having fun.

Our strategy has brought back the newness of "dating" each other. It's fun to be together and since we have to be creative, we both look forward to what the other has planned when it's their letter.

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Cute huh?

This little guy has you (and us too!) all fooled!

That face looks innocent enough,

He loves to snuggle,

Always happy to see you,

Loves the neighbors,

Charms the Vet each time he visits,

Happy to pitch in and clean up spills,

So willing to warm a spot for you on

the furniture,

Jumps for joy (on you) for no reason at all!

If you haven't guessed by now, we are having a few puppy "issues" around our home. The breaking point was when he wouldn't come in the house when my husband called him. I guess he just wasn't ready. The neighbor children were playing and someone (or somedog) needed to keep an eye on them. He was just the dog to take on the job ~ in fact he left our yard to make sure they were safe. NOT what he is allowed to do. He is totally harmless and just wants to makes friends ~ with everyone!

The training books are in the mail, I've been looking on the internet for suggestions, and I'm looking into a trainer.

Our last bulldog was SO laid back! We were totally spoiled. We laid the rules down and he never challenged them ~ just rolled with the rules, no questions asked.

Bozley has a few different thoughts on our so called rules. He apparently would like to make a few amendments. The real problem here is that we (the humans) think we are in charge and he (the canine) thinks he should be in charge. While that is a lovely thought, we have something a little different in mind.

So for the next few weeks, I'm dusting off my favorite phrase (just ask my children, they have threatened to put in on my headstone when I pass) "Choices, consequences." If you make a good choice, you'll enjoy the consequences. If you make a bad choice, you'll think twice next time. I guarantee it!

If you have to have a bulldog, I'd love to hear your training secrets!

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Oh yum!

There is just something about the impending arrival of spring that makes me crave lemon and coconut flavored goodies. I think it may have something to do with the Easter holiday and the revival of all that is green, fresh and bright!

I made this for dessert recently. We were invited to our friends along with another couple for dinner. I knew instantly what I wanted to bring~ coconut creme cake with whip creme topping sprinkled with toasted coconut. It didn't disappoint and some even had seconds *names are being withheld for protection purposes : ) *

I can't say that it is diet friendly but,

it does wonders for your winter gray disposition!

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