Easter Chit~Chat

Wednesday Evening Update: The Ginger Pear Cake that I mentioned earlier was *delicious!*


The cake had a delicate lemon-buttermilk flavor.


And the brown sugar-pear topping was amazing! Thank you for the wonderful recipe, Tracy. I'll definitely be making it again!
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Hello everyone! First of all, I want to say that blogger has been giving me trouble when I try to comment, but it appears to be fixed now, and I will be around soon.

Several of you asked about our Easter plans, so I will share them with you. We are taking this week off from school and I had plans for a lot of gardening projects, but it has rained non-stop. I guess that will make weed pulling easier next week!

I am having a friend and her daughter over for a visit tomorrow. We went to Michaels this afternoon for some egg decoupage supplies and I will be sure to share pictures of the finished creations. I'm going to make Tracy's Ginger Pear Cake for our snack.

The girls and Benjamin have new outfits and shoes for Easter. I still need to get their Easter baskets put together. They know the Easter bunny isn't real, but we still like to pretend. I want at least some of the credit for the goodies. :0) On Sunday, we will attend our church's beautiful Easter service and then go to Nana and Papa's house for dinner. We are still working on the menu details, but we usually have ham and scalloped potatoes, plus all the trimmings. The girls like to help me make a bunny shaped cake and I'd like to come up with another "lemon" dessert. Maybe lemon meringue pie.

Well, there's a bit of Easter chit~chat for you! How are your plans coming along?

Deviled Eggs and Spinach Salad

Good Morning everyone! Thank you for the Happy St. Patrick's Day wishes. The girls and I had fun in the kitchen together and we had a wonderful time with our company. It is dark and rainy today, so after a cup of tea and a slice of leftover Irish soda bread, we'll finish tidying up and maybe even reward ourselves with a trip to Michaels. :0)

The following two recipes will be on our table this coming Easter:

There are lots of Deviled Egg recipes, but this is the one I've been using for years.


We will also enjoy a Spinach Salad with a sweet balsamic dressing.



Come on over to Seasonal Delights for the recipes and have a wonderful day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Photo: art.com

~Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my friends!~


Our celebration began last night when Grace suggested we have a "goodbye to hot chocolate" treat. Spring is only 3 days away, so we won't be drinking hot chocolate until the fall.


We used these cute little mugs that we found at Joanns for 50% off.


We also snacked on some peanut butter cookies. I added green sprinkles just before baking.


In other news, I'm happy to report that I have actually finished a project! Some of you will remember these Irish linen napkins that I found at the resale store recently.


I appliqued a shamrock on a corner of each napkin.


They match my very pale green teacups.

Finally, we are having company over tonight, and I thought I would share my menu:

-Corned Beef
-Colcannon (Mashed potatoes and cabbage)
-Spinach Salad
-Homemade Soda Bread
-Clarice's Chocolate Mousse
-Chocolate cupcakes

As you can see, we will be busy in the kitchen today. I'd love to hear your St. Patrick's Day plans too! Have a wonderful Monday!

"Show and Tell Friday!"

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.

Note: Show and Tell Friday will be taking a break next week, so I can celebrate Easter weekend with my family.


I hope you all aren't tired of my decorating pictures because I have few more to show you! :0) These two shelves are in my dining room and hold a some of my special teacups.


I have mentioned my issues with things having to be symmetrical, and I'm trying to work through them! Last week I decided to experiment a little. I had ivy garlands, hankies, and quite a few spring knick-knacks that needed a place to go. Here is what I ended up with...




The top shelf.


The bottom shelf.


I used the hankies that my dear friend, Anita sent me all the way from Germany under the various brass teacup holders.


I wrapped ivy around this miniature grapevine twig wreath and added a few daffodils as well. There is a nest by the teapot.


A pink bunnies hidden in the ivy.


A dish full of Robin's eggs and two garden keys.


A small birdcage candle holder and another nest.


Hopefully I have overcome my symmetrical issues! Thank you for looking at my show and tell!


The Show and Tell Guidelines have been updated since last week, please read them before participating for step-by-step instructions.

If you would like to join in, please leave your *permalink* below, along with your *first name*. If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting. Have fun!

~A Spring Dining Room~

Thank you for joining me on my home tour this week! The last room I have to show is the dining room.


I have several spring decorations on my hutch.


Two silver compotes and my mini bunny tea set are on the left side.


One of the silver compotes holds this nest of robin's eggs.


On the right side, I have a miniature bunny tea pot on a stack of vintage cookbooks.


This is the spring banner that I made this year.


Little pink birds announce the arrival of the season.


And lastly, my centerpiece. It is a wooden tray covered with a lace cloth, and it is holding an assortment of vintage bottles that are filled with flowers.


I was told these bottles can be found at "junk" or antique stores for very cheap. I was shocked to find them more like $5.00-$10.00 each! I ended up getting a lot of 12 on Ebay for just under $20.00.



Thank you looking at my spring dining room! I will be back soon for Show and Tell Friday. The guidelines have been updated, so please take a look before participating.