Egg~cellent Idea

Thursday, April 21, 2011 | | 16 comments
I'm really late in posting these ideas but life seems to get in the way and take away from my blogging time. It also doesn't help that my picture files are having issues and I can't find all of them that I wanted to show you.

Last year a clever friend of mine created the most adorable Easter egg trees. I knew then and there that I was going to borrow her idea this Easter. She spray painted her tree in a soft pink. As much as I love the color, I went with creme with the theory that it will go with all my other Easter decor. I created two of these egg topiaries for my home. One for the living room and one for the dinning room.

This was not only an easy project but it turn out so darn adorable! I'm going to keep my eyes open for an egg wreath on the after Easter sale table next.



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Once the egg trees were dry, I hot glued spanish moss into the crevices around the eggs. This too was very easily done and adds so much to the finished project.

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The smaller egg tree came in an urn. The larger one needed a little something to dress it up so I placed him in a pewter serving piece that was just waiting for something special.

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With the crafty bug in my system, I moved on to an Easter egg tree. Once again, oh so easy with a fabulous turn out!

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I found the pink gilded eggs at HomeGoods and the paper mache eggs at Michael's. I already had a healthy stash of Martha Stewart glitter in my art room.
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The "tree" is a branch from my yard that {yep, you guessed it} I spray painted then mounted in a larger urn that I had on hand.

To create the glittered eggs, I coated them in craft glue, sprinkled on the glitter, and let them dry. For the hangers, I used narrow satin ribbon which I adhered with a dab of hot glue.

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 I must admit that I'm really enjoying the new additions to my Easter decor this year. There is just something about a homemade item that brings a little welcomed warmth to a home.


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I have proof ...

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 | | 9 comments
by the blooms, if not the weather, that spring has sprung.

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I'm really really ready to be outdoors after our marathon winter. With some luck, I hope to have my green house up by the weekend so I can start some of my seeds and pick up plants when I find them at the local garden shops.


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It's been chilly and rainy here but my blooming beauties aren't letting a little weather hold them back. Each day I see a little more green and a little brown in our yard ~ yea!


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This week I received the nicest email from a sweet woman that follows my blog. Not only does she read my posts, but her husband peeks in to see photos of our bullies, Bozley and Bentley. So here you go Jon, these are for you :)

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We hired a gardener this year. He's awfully cute but not all that productive. However, does do a good job of supervising and picking out a nice sunny spot in the yard during his break time  ~ which seems to be most of the time he is outdoors!


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Bentley decided  to take some time and smell the flowers ... and walk on them, chew on them and lay in them. Now if only we could get him to pick up a rake and get to work!


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What a Week

Saturday, April 16, 2011 | | 23 comments


It's been an eventful week here in my little life. Each day provided a new entry for the Winner of the Week Award.


The entries ...


** my cold that won't go away ~ it's been lingering for the past couple of weeks
** sneezed on, coughed on, sneezed on, coughed on, for the past few weeks by sick students
** vomited on by very sick child at school {almost the winner}
** Bentley went lame with yet another round of tick borne disease ~ trip to Vet before school
** field mouse moved into the wall of master bedroom ~I'm in denial, there are probably more than one.
** husband is away; of course
** house is in total disarray from on going projects 
** family room is half primed because I can only work on it in the evenings


In true Hollywood style, the best was saved for last ...


After a  L   O   N    G  week I was so glad to finally have Friday behind me with the promise of a relaxing weekend on the horizon. I had plans to meet friends for dinner and the rest of the weekend was for finishing up my painting project and getting the rest of our home back in order ~ it's all been affected by our home projects.




Well, that's not exactly what LIFE had planned for Friday evening.


I arrived home to a beeping noise. The kind that a dying battery in a smoke alarm makes. After letting the dogs out of their kennels, I went upstairs to access the situation. The smoke alarm was fine. The Carbon Monoxide Detector however wasn't. Yep, it was beeping and flashing. Great, just what I needed for the final entry into my Winner of the Week contest.


Ladies and gentlemen, we have a WINNER!


After grabbing the phone, getting Bentley and Bozley, I called 911 and let them know the situation.




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They arrived in style and promptly went to work. Due to the potential seriousness of the situation, they donned all their protective gear and meters.


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Just before setting off to assess my home, I felt compelled to apologize for the condition of our home. Yes, I AM that neurotic! After a quick low down of our projects which have caused such havoc in our home, I felt better. Seriously, I didn't want them to think we were such slobs.



My neighbor was politely laughing at me during this "prep" time.


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Bringing the detectors out from our home to have them tested.

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Reviewing the equipment from our home ~ me standing numb.

 

The whole time they were in my home, I was trying to come up with a plan ... where does one go with 2 dogs, a husband away? We have a plan for just about everything but not this type of situation. I do not like being unprepared or surprised by the unknown.


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In the end, all this commotion was caused by a faulty carbon monoxide detector.



Thankfully, all is well and life is back to {chaotic} normal.


I was very grateful and relieved with the news. I'll be adding a new detector to my list of things to buy this weekend.



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A Little Sunshine

Friday, April 8, 2011 | | 19 comments

We've had some sunny days this week that have put a little spring in my step, smile on my face and brightened my disposition tremendously!


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With my new found energy, I made a batch of these yummy lemon and orange poppy seed muffins.



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They are moist, delicious, and melt in your mouth!


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The perfect way to start your day with a steaming cup of coffee or an afternoon delight.


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The bite size mini muffin can be a little dangerous ~ they pop in your mouth a little too easily.
Best of all, they are the perfect gift of sunshine to share with friends and brighten their day :)


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Have a fabulous Friday!


Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup poppy seeds
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2eggs
1 cup lemon flavored yogurt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon grated orange zest



Directions


1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Lightly grease a muffin tin.
2.Combine the flour, 3/4 cup white sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3.In a separate bowl mix the eggs, yogurt, vegetable oil and orange zest. Blend well and pour over the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Do no over mix!
4.Spoon batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.


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Keeping Warm with a Yummy Recipe

Thursday, March 31, 2011 | | 18 comments


I thought by now we'd be feasting on some of my favorite spring like meals but instead we have a fire blazing, I'm still wearing every article of clothing I own in hopes of staying warm and yes ....

IT'S SNOWING OUT!!!
AGAIN


I guess it's safe to say that my disposition is in need of a little adjustment. Nothing a little sunshine, warm days and something besides wool and layers to chose from my closet each morning. Seriously, I am so tired of wearing winter clothing. My spring clothes in their bright colors are begging to come out and be seen!

You know it's getting bad when the weatherman starts giving you pep talks about looking on the bright side ... spring is already here, but the proof isn't far off. I'm getting therapy lessons from the man who can't even get the forecast right. Yes, it's getting that bad here in Chillyville Connecticut. 

 
On a cheery note {see, I'm trying :) } this is a fabulous soup that my friend shared with me last week. I am adding it to my recipe binder for future fall and winter menus. 

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Lasagna Soup

Soup ~
1tsp. olive oil
1.5 lbs spicy Italian sausage
2 cups chopped onions
6 cloves garlic
2 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbs tomato paste
1 14 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes {with juice}
1 28 oz. diced tomatoes {with juice}
3 bay leaves
6 c. chicken broth
8 oz medium size pasta

Cheese center ~

8oz light ricotta
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp salt
dash of pepper

Shredded mozzarella for top


Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 5 minutes. Add onions, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until softened. Stir in the tomato paste. Incorporate the diced tomatoes and begin to simmer. Add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil for a few minutes and then turn down to simmer for 30 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and add the pasta. Watch to make sure it doesn't over cook.

While waiting for the pasta, blend the cheese mixture.

In the bottom of each bowl place a healthy dollop of the cheese mixture. Spoon the soup on top of the mixture and sprinkle the mozzarella on top. Let it sit for just a few minutes to allow the cheese in the bottom to become oozy. Oh yum!


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Someone didn't get the memo

Thursday, March 24, 2011 | | 24 comments
I've done my very best to be a good sport

For many months in a row

Really, I have

We've had inches, feet, and mountains of snow this year

Finally, it melted

I was thrilled

Dare I tempt luck for some warm temperatures?

As in anything above 40 degrees

Word cannot describe how I was looking ahead to green grass and bright sunshine

INSTEAD WE AWOKE TO  . . .

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Spring showers

As in more snow!

UGH!

I checked, double checked

Ummm, Mother Nature, it's spring

Can we please start acting like it now?


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Good News!

Monday, March 21, 2011 | | 11 comments

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Our prayers have been answered!
I so appreciate your kind hearts and giving spirits.

 
Thank you for all your prayers, sweet comments and emails. I am beyond thrilled to share with you that our school family is safe and in a few days will be making their way home to the United States. I wish I could share more details with you regarding the condition and state of families in Japan, but at this time, we aren't aware of any. I hope to hear firsthand once they return and any possible suggestions of how we can additionally help. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all those in Japan.





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