May Day, Geese, and Fridge Wraps

 

 

This new month has arrived with summer-like temperatures. I can hardly believe how lovely it is..
Years ago when my girls were in elementary school May Day was celebrated with a May pole. By the time the boys were that age it was no longer a thing.  Sheila sent me this picture. Obviously she remembers those days.
 

 We skipped walking this morning because we had the weekly shopping to do and a doctor's appointment. ( Just a routine appt.  Seems when you get to a certain age you need to be seen by your doctor every year or even more often!)

We did walk yesterday and although we still haven't seen the ducklings we found 2 goose families just waking up to a new day.

 

  On a totally different subject....I have been seeing different fridge wraps on Pinterest. I didn't even know that they existed but they do.  How about being greeted by a cow when you come into the kitchen in the morning?  Or maybe something a little less in-your-face.

 

 This last one is just so out of place  If forced to choose one what I think I'd have to choose the second one in muted shades. More restful.

 

Thanks for visiting

 

 

 

 

 

Busy Monday

 Monday was a busy day, as Mondays always seem to be. Besides the usual laundry I sowed some flower seeds in peat pots just to give them a head start once the earth has warmed and I can put them in the ground. I don't imagine the Sweet Williams will bloom this year but the Nasturtiums and Morning Glories most certainly will.

 

Our Lilacs are blooming and DH brought some in. I also have a Hyacinth in a vase in the kitchen and the scent of these two old favourites is almost overpowering.

 I made another of my Impossible Pies. This time with rhubarb that was from our own garden. It is delicious and if you want the recipe just look for Impossible Rhubarb Cake and you will find it.

picture is from the internet.

 That was  yesterday and now a new day waits for me to decide what I'll do next.  I hope your day is a good one!!

 

Thanks for coming by.

 Leave a comment so I know that you did💗 

 

Sunday Chit Chat

 It has happened again. We went to Walmart and I got out of the truck, looked down at  my feet and behold!!  I was still wearing my slippers.  Fortunately they are black suede and with my black slacks they were not terribly noticeable, but really!  Dear Husband  asked me what I would have done if I'd been wearing my pink slippers with fur. My answer?  I'd go straight to the shoe department and buy some shoes, pay for them, then wear them as I continued my shopping. 

A pretty bouquet of flowers for the table.

 What do you think of the trend of having open shelving in the kitchen?

pictures from the internet.

 

In my opinion this trend makes a lot more work because you'd have to keep it very neat and orderly not to mention how dusty the dishes would get.  That said, I do like the look of the second kitchen. The cupboards in pale green and the white counter top make it seem very calm and peaceful. Let me know what you think.

It's a little less sunny today and the furnace ran for a while first thing in the morning.  Lovely for walking ( if you were wearing a jacket).

 

Thanks for coming by.

 

 

 

Walk in the Park

 Another beautiful sunny morning.  When we went for our walk we were looking for a goose family. M said when he walked yesterday he saw a mother goose and her babies but we didn't find her. Maybe she already had them on the lake seeing as they can swim almost right after hatching.
The tulips are at their finest.

 Looking across the lake you can just make out the top of Mt Baker ( middle of the photo.)

 I'm not sure what kind of tree this is. Maybe an ornamental cherry?

 These folks put up this skeleton last Halloween and now they change "her" outfit from time to time.

 Last of all I have to show you the scones  I made from the recipe in my last post. They are very good and hardly more work than my old recipe. The glaze/icing enhances the orange flavour.

 That's it for today.

 Thanks for visiting.

 

 

Easter food and a recipe

 

 

Easter was lovely. We gathered at Sheila's in the afternoon. Some couldn't make it but the thing about a big family....there are always some that can. Sheila had put on a spread for us to enjoy. IF you want to see photos here they are...

Continuing on with the subject of food I received this picture of one of my sister's Jello creations.

 I'm not nearly as creative as she is.  Today I plan on making scones. I've got a recipe I've been meaning to try.

 

Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scones Copycat Recipe

 

Ingredients

2 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes

1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped (I used dried cranberries)

Zest from one orange, divided (reserve 2 teaspoons for glaze)

1 cup buttermilk ( I used milk plus lemon juice)

1 large egg, lightly beaten ( not really necessary. It's only to brush on before baking)

Glaze

2 teaspoon orange zest

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: all purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and orange zest. (Note: set aside 2 teaspoons of orange zest to use in the glaze).

3. Using a pastry blender, cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Add buttermilk and stir with a fork until a soft dough forms.

5. Fold in the cranberries. Lightly flour your hands and press dough into a ball. 

6. Sprinkle work surface with a little all purpose flour and knead dough 6 to 8 times.

7. Pat dough into a ten inch circle and cut into wedges using a pastry cutter, sharp knife or a pizza cutter will work as well. 

8. Separate wedges and place on prepared baking sheet. Brush with lightly beaten egg. 

9. Bake in 425°F for 13 to 16 minutes. Move to wire cooling rack and cool for a few minutes before glazing.

10. For glaze: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, orange juice and 2 teaspoons of orange zest. 

11. You might need to add a little more powdered sugar or and little more orange juice to get the right drizzling consistency. Use a spoon to drizzle glaze on each scone.

     

    Thanks for visiting. Let me know if you try the scone recipe.

     

    
    
     
    

Cookies and Flowers

 

I hope each one of you has a wonderful Easter.

 

Recently I saw over on Lorrie's blog, Fabric Paper Thread, that she had made Hob Nobs which are a delicious cookie somewhat like a digestive but with oatmeal in the recipe. I thought I'd give them a try. They are meant to be thin, and once they are cooled covered with chocolate.  Mine spread quite a bit but turned out very well I thought. A bit more work than usual cookies but worth the bother.  They are delicious right out of the freezer ( ask me how I know this).

 Yesterday's trip to look for flowers was successful ( except there were no tomato plants that I could see)

 

There's even a little pot of Basil ( on the left). For now I'm going to enjoy most of these inside either in the sunroom or on the enclosed porch. Once the nights are less chilly I'll put them into the ground.

 

 

Thanks for visiting

Thursday Chit Chat

 A third Amaryllis has opened. This one is Red Lion and I think is one of my favourites; it certainly is DH's.   As a rule he doesn't pay much attention to my house plants but when the Amaryllis bloom, especially the red ones, he notices. We're having some days of sunshine and I keep the blind down far enough to keep the flowers in the shade.

 On this day in 1913 Dora Saint was born. We who love her books know her as Miss Read.
( Her pseudonym was derived from her mother's maiden name.)

Happy Birthday, Miss Read.

 

 I'm looking forward to going to buying  some plants this weekend. We'll go early because I have the feeling many others will have the same idea and  I avoid crowds if at all possible.

 Thanks for popping by