While the temps outside are still chilly and spring flowers seem a long way off, my houseplants don’t seem to mind
Waiting for Spring
Sugar & Spice
Sally Lunn Batter Bread
Sally Lunn Batter Bread is a lovely yeast bread, golden in color and baked in a round. Delicious toasted with butter and jam or marmalade. Great with meat and gravy too. Instead of dinner rolls I served this unusual bread last night. Sally Lunn batter bread is unusual in appearance and texture and it comes with a bit of history. I have made it in the past but was now curious as to the origin.
My Rock
to print, right click and save to your computer
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
1 Peter 5:7
Springtime ~ Easter Flowers in Eggshell Pots
Sweet and dainty, springtime Easter flowers in eggshell pots are super cute. Fill with faux flowers, fresh cut flowers or plant seeds and watch them sprout. Tuck into spaces needing some happy after a dreary winterscape.Continue Reading
Irish Cream Cake Roll
You’ll think you’ve reached the rainbow’s end with this over-the-top, Double Chocolate Irish Cream Cake Roll. It is filled with a creamy chocolate center and then covered with a decadent chocolate ganache. Bits of minty chocolate garnish the top for an impressive dessert that will please any Irishman or Irish Lassie.Continue ReadingMandisa, Brandon Heath and Laura Story
Sunday night, John and I spent the evening at Lancaster Bible College enjoying and worshiping with Mandisa, Brandon Heath and Laura Story at their 3 in 1 Tour. It was wonderful!
Caleb’s Birthday
This handsome young chap just celebrated his 5th birthday!
PopPop and I made him a set of wooden chalkboard city buildings for playing with his cars
Project found on Hellobee
simple angles cut from 2×4’s
a good sanding and several coats of chalkboard paint applied with a roller
windows and doors drawn on with chalk
and ready for imaginative playtime
Chloe’s 1st Birthday
Chloe celebrated her 1st birthday. Well, unless you want to wait three more years until February 29th, 2016 for this leap-year baby.
(these sweet photos were taken by Jamie)
Remembering her tiny face from last year, PopPop John thought an outing for another Shamrock Shake mustache would be fun.
Chloe liked this idea. It is hard to see, but both she and PopPop are sporting green mustaches.
Sweet girl took her first steps her birthday morning and by afternoon was walking like a champ at our house.
Chocolate Anise Biscotti
I never grow tired of cookies and biscotti are my favorite kind. That crunchiness! Chocolate Anise Biscotti have all the qualities of a perfect cookie with a hint of anise, chocolate chips throughout and a lovely chocolate edge that makes every bite so good!Continue Reading
warm your soul with… Oatmeal
simplicity 
plain . simple . humble . oatmeal
And, did you know it “sticks to your ribs?“
That’s what my mom always said when serving us huge bowls of oatmeal as she often did.
I like oatmeal. It is healthy, inexpensive with a comforting, chewy texture. There is evidence eating oatmeal can reduce cholesterol and it is high in fiber.
There are many preferences for topping your oatmeal.
A little butter, some brown sugar, cream and berries is my favorite way to eat oatmeal. Other sweeteners such as honey or sugar as well as sugar substitutes are popular. Stir in jam, raisins or nuts for variety. For a nice autumn flavor, I chop apples into small pieces and toss them into the pot when adding the oats. They cook and become soft. A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a lovely taste of fall.
My husband always has buttered toast with his. Since his childhood, he and his brother would have buttered toast with their huge bowls of oatmeal.
I’m sure you have a favorite way to eat your oatmeal. Or do you call it porridge?
Making oatmeal requires little time or effort. Before your coffee is finished brewing, you can have a wholesome breakfast ready too.
The oats simmer for just five minutes when using the quick-cooking oatmeal Cook until the water is absorbed and the oats are tender.
Oatmeal
(It is kind of silly to post directions for making oatmeal when it is right on the container of oats, but if you store your oats in a jar, as I do, and have a husband that occasionally makes oatmeal, you might want to print it out)
1 cup of water or milk ( use milk to increase the protein and calcium)
Dash of salt (optional)
1/2 cup of quick cooking oatmeal, or old fashioned oatmeal
Add oats and cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally.
For creamier oats, combine water (or milk), salt and oats in saucepan and then heat water to boiling. Cook over medium heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Spoon into bowl, top with a pat of butter, brown sugar and drizzle a little cream. Add fresh/frozen fruit, if desired.
For double serving, increase water to 1 3/4 cups and oats to 1 cup.
Basket of Felt toys
Our granddaughter, Chloe Shiloah, will soon celebrate her 1st birthday. Since she is a leap-year baby, her birthday will be celebrated March 1st. I made her a basket of felt toys full of brightly colored, softies for her little hands.Continue ReadingWolfgang Puck’s Spago House Dressing
An easy salad of spring greens, grape tomatoes, thinly sliced zucchini and shaved cheese comes to life with the sophisticated flavor of a dressing from Wolfgang Puck’s Spago House Dressing. Put it together in a few minutes!
Sour Cream Cherry Scones
My Valentine will begin his day with a breakfast treat. Sour Cream Cherry Scones are not-too-sweet and filled with dried cherries, sprinkled with chopped almonds then drizzled with a confectioner’s glaze.
Mustache Bash Birthday Party Ideas
My beloved had a birthday in January. Wanting to celebrate, get together with family and a few friends and looking for a time of laughter and fun, I decided to throw a party. A party with a Mustache theme. A Mustache Bash Birthday party. There is tons of inspiration and ideas packed into this post!
Cherry Muffins
My blogging friend and author of children’s books, Beth, from Of Muses and Meringues recently shared this King Arthur recipe for muffins. John and I love muffins of all types so I couldn’t wait to whip up a batch, especially since I had a can of cherries in my pantry that needed using.
Beth recommends fresh or frozen cherries but the canned cherries worked well too.
Oh, I made them a bit lighter by substituting unsweetened applesauce for half of the butter 🙂
Cherry Muffins
(from King Arthur Flour)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups cherries, pitted, coarsely chopped, and drained (either fresh or frozen)
1 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
1 tsp almond extract
granulated sugar for sprinkling
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Combine dry ingredients and add them to butter/sugar mixture alternately with milk. Stir in almond extract, then gently fold in almonds and cherries.
Spoon muffin batter into 12 muffin cups (either greased or lined with paper liners). Cups will be quite full. Sprinkle each muffin with a little granulated sugar. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until muffins test done.