Catching up

We went to the Farmer's Market this weekend and while it's still a little early, we managed to find a few goodies. Honestly, even if we hadn't bought anything we had a great time just wandering around. They had everything from fruits, vegetables, and plants to boiled peanuts and live chickens. (I'm not sure if the chickens were for laying or frying, but I'm going to go with eggs!)
This is one of the things we bought at the antique/junque shops on Friday. I've wanted a small bench for a while now to put on my small front porch, for sitting, yes, but also for setting packages while I unlock the front door. On the way home we stopped and bought a can of black spray paint as I'm not real fond of the green!

We also bought two chairs for the back deck. I don't have pictures of them as Murph took them straight to the garage and has already started working on them.
Kathy of Kat Collects is my partner in the Vintage Easter Basket swap. I've been spending a lot of time on her blog and have fallen in love with all of her bunnies. Not surprising that I had to have a few of my own!
I LOVE this little egg! It's so very sweet!
These little bunnies are salt and pepper shakers and just too cute!

I bought a couple of other things for swap packages and Easter baskets that I'll share later. I'll share the other chairs, too, as soon as they are finished.

Gracie is at the vet today, being spayed and microchipped. We took her bright and early this morning. She was not nervous at all, as a matter of fact she was so happy to see the other dogs and ready to play! The house is so quiet without her, I'll be glad when she is home. Brutus must agree with me as he's looked high and low for his buddy all day. Stella is just enjoying the quiet!

ETA: Gracie is home now - she was happy to see us, but happier to see the front door! She slept all the way home. I carried her in and put her in her kennel where she's been sleeping for the last hour and a half. Other than sleepy, she's fine. Brutus is happy to have her home, he can finally relax!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

Winter Basics and Baubles

Yesterday the mailman brought my Winter Basics and Baubles swap from Peggy of Pegs Life In The Button Jar. She had it wrapped so nicely! I don't always think to wrap my swaps, but it's so nice to receive a wrapped package.
Here's what was inside: Two red dish towels, which I appreciate as they are so hard to find. A vintage crocheted doily, so pretty with it's red and pink trim. A handmade St. Patrick's Day tag - you know we love all things Irish! A set of red and white measuring cups - those always come in handy. Look at the vintage butterfly pin - you should see it sparkle - just lovely! Can't wait to wear it to church tomorrow. Two pretty candles and two red jar openers! Thank you for such a thoughtful package, Pegg!

Thanks also to Heidi for hosting another wonderfully fun swap!

Speaking of swaps - yesterday Murph and I went to my favorite antique/junque shop. I haven't taken any pictures yet, but wait until I show you what we found!

Strawberry Bread

Yesterday I finally got around to making strawberry bread - even if you don't like strawberries, doesn't it look yummy?
It's an easy recipe to make with basic ingredients. The only thing I added was a simple glaze.
(This picture is really so you can see my bunny!)

Strawberries and Cream Bread
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar (use if you want sweeter bread)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups strawberries, fresh and coarsley chopped (do NOT use frozen) or fresh blueberries
3/4 cup walnuts (optional)

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside.
In another bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beat 1 minute or until light and airy. Add brown sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in sour cream and vanilla.
Add dry ingredients, stirring only until they are moistened.
Fold in strawberries and nuts.
Pour int a greased 8x4 loaf pan. (You can make muffins, too. Just adjust your baking time.)
Bake at 350 for 60 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let stand 20 minutes in pan, then turn out on wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your weekend!

Spring China

I don't know much about this China pattern other than I love how delicate it is. Look at the shape of the sugar bowl and cream pitcher - aren't they lovely?
There is a service for four (luncheon plate, dessert plate, bread plate, salad bowl, berry bowl, cup and saucer) with two platters (on the left) and two serving bowls. You can click on the pictures to get a closer look. My china cabinet is filled to the brim already, so I've no idea where to keep this pretty set of dishes, but I'll figure something out!

I'll leave you with a Gracie fix! She cannot understand why she's in her bed and not my lap - check out those eyes!

Strawberry Jam

Today I made strawberry jam! It's been a few years since I'd done this and I forgot how much sugar a batch of jam takes. Since I had so many strawberries I made a double batch - 10 cups of crushed strawberries and 14, yes 14, cups of sugar! And the stirring! Oh, the stirring! But it smells so good you don't really mind.
My favorite part of making jam is hearing the jars ping when they seal!
Not to mention how pretty all those jars of jam look lined up on the counter. For me making strawberry jam is a true labor of love, because I don't like strawberries! (Hard to believe there is someone who doesn't like strawberries, I know, but it's true. I try one every year just to make sure - so far I still don't like them. Maybe next year.)

I have some strawberries left over and a recipe for Strawberries & Cream Bread - I think I'll make it tomorrow morning - stop by for a slice!

St. Augustine

Yesterday after church, Justin, my oldest son and Ashleigh, his fiancée (or is it fiancé) invited us to visit St. Augustine with them. It was a perfect day for walking around the old town and we had a wonderful time taking tourist-type pictures!

We went to a lovely restaurant for lunch - the food was very good - just small portions, at least for Murph and Justin!

My neighbor brought over a huge flat of strawberries this weekend, so I'm making strawberry jam today! Murph is golfing for the first time since his knee surgery, he's been looking forward to this since before his surgeries!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Dusting the cobwebs from my blog

How did it get to be March so quickly? And how is that I haven't blogged in more than 2 weeks? I'll tell you - my husband is still home after his knee replacements and I can't seem to find a routine where I get everything done!

He's doing fine, actually he's MUCH better than before he had the surgery. He is cleared to go back to work on April 1st. (If that turns out to be some kind of April Fools joke, I won't think it's funny!) In the meantime I have company all day long!
I recently joined a "Kitchen Basics & Baubles" swap - it's on the sidebar. This made me really look at kitchen towels and I didn't find a lot that I really liked. That is until I found these over at Sew, Mama, Sew.
Here's one hanging on the kitchen island. Towel ring courtesy of Lisa.
I found these wonderful waffle weave towels at Marshall's - a package of 10 for $7.00, I added a border of red and white fabrics - really easy. Once I got the hang of it, I could finish a towel in about 20 minutes.
I don't know why I buy more yarn! It seems I cannot help myself. I'm still working on the green shawl I started more than a year ago! (It's twice that length now, but not finished.) Anyway, I've always wanted to knit a Clapotis. (I'd also like to learn how to pronounce it.) I think the Clapotis, knit in a light silky yarn would be perfect in the summer months to take with you to all those places that are over air conditioned. I saw this yarn, a Malabrigo in Raspberry, 51% silk and 49% Merino and knew it was what I wanted. When I'll actually get it made up is another story ~ but just having it and knowing it's waiting makes me happy.
I'll leave you with a puppy picture! I love the look on Brutus's face! Can that Gracie stretch out or what!

Thanks for checking back!