Super Cute!

This is so cute and its super easy to make!
All you need:
A Paper-Mache letter from your local craft store
Jelly Beans
Acrylic Paint the color of the Jelly Beans
Hot Glue
Ribbon

Paint the paper-mache letter and let dry completely.
Hot glue the jelly beans to painted letter.
Then hot glue the ribbon on the back of letter and let it fully dry before hanging

Simply Divine!

Homemade Thin Mints (I found this recipe on Baking Bites)

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup of sugar

1/2 cup butter,softened

1/3 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 tsp peppermint extract

In a small bowl,whisk together flour,cornstarch,cocoa, and salt.

In a large bowl,cream together butter and sugar, with the mixer on low,add in milk and vanilla and peppermint.

Gradually add in flour mixture until fully incorporated.

Shape dough into 2 logs,about 1 1/2 inch's wide.Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for about 2 hours,dough should be very firm.

Preheat oven 375 degrees.

Slice dough in 1/4 inch slices,place on parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 13-15 minutes,until edges are firm.

Cool completely before moving onto the next step.

Dark Chocolate Coating

10 oz Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate

1/2 cup butter,softened

In microwave safe bowl, Melt chocolate and butter on high power,stopping and stirring every 45-60 seconds,until the mixture is smooth and have the consistency of syrup.

Dip cookie in melted chocolate,making sure to coat cookie.

Transfer cookie to parchment paper or wax paper to set up for 30 minutes.

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies

~The Smell of Spring~

The smell of spring to me is Violets.

The violets were always one of the first flowers to bloom on the old farmstead.

I would open up my bedroom window and just let the smell of the violets flow through my window.

When I was younger I was so sure that heaven must smell like violets,and I still believe that there couldn't be a more heavenly scent then violets.

What are the smells of Spring for you?

Front Porch Sittin'

I have a quirk.

OK....I have quite a few quirks,but one of them is my love for front porches.

My husband still smiles when we are on our way someplace and I say "Oooh,what a pretty porch that house has!" or "*sigh* that could have been a cute house if it had a porch".

Not sure what brought this love on,fond memories of summer nights sitting on the porch with my friends or family,or my love for things that are old-fashioned and simple.

I even love gazing at pictures of porches.

Chai Snickerdoodles

These are some of the yummiest cookies I have ever had,and certainly the best snickerdoodles.

Thanks to 'Sophia's Blog' for posting it.

2 cups of sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cardamom

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 cup of butter,softened

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 3/4 cup of flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In large mixing bowl, combine spices and sugar,remove 1/2 cup of mixture and reserve for rolling cookies in before baking.

Add butter to rest of sugar/spice mixture in mixer bowl and cream mixture till fluffy.

Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In medium bowl, whisk together flour,salt,cream of tartar and baking soda. Add to mixer bowl and mix till incorporated.

Shape dough into one inch balls and roll in reserved sugar/spice mixture, place on baking sheet about two inch's apart,the cookies will spread.

Bake cookies for 12 minutes till edges are firm but not browned.

Cool for 3-5 minutes,then transfer to cooling rack.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

~SpringShine~

It's Spring!

A Time for Tulips.

A Time for Bare Toes.

A Time for Good Reads in the Sunshine.

What's For Supper?

Croque Madames with Asparagus Tips


Salt
1 bundle of thin asparagus tips,trimmed into 4 inch tips
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups whole milk
Pepper
Nutmeg
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
8 slices good quality white bread
3/4 pound thinly sliced ham
About 2 cups Gruyere cheese
4 large eggs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a saucepan,bring a few inchs of water to a boil,add salt and asparagus and cook till tender(a couple of minutes) but still has a snap or crispness. Cold shock the asparagus in ice water and then place on clean kitchen towel to dry.
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat,add flour,cook one minute then whisk in milk. Season with Salt and Pepper and continue stirring over medium heat till thickened(about 7 minutes) Season with nutmeg,turn off heat,then add mustard.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper,line up 4 slices of bread on top of paper,top bread with half of sauce,the asparagus tips,the ham and half of the cheese.
Top with other slices of bread,cover the sandwich with rest of sauce and cheese.
Place in oven,bake for 15 minutes till bread is toasted on bottom and cheese is a dark golden brown on top.
When sandwichs are close to being done,in medium frying pan,melt butter and fry 4 eggs according to preference,season with salt and pepper,place on top of sandwichs when done baking. (if the eggs arn't your cup of tea thats fine,simply serve them as Croque Monsieurs(without the egg) Croque Madames are with eggs:)

A lesson learned......

Never let your husband wear carhartt's to a Farm Auction.
If you think that couldn't be so bad,then let tell you what will happen.
You will be standing next to your husband,staring at a piece of machinery that every farmer in this county apparently would kill to have,you look longingly over at the Pie Wagon that the Mennonite women have set up to sell slices of pie and hot coffee,you decide that you must have pie and hot coffee,your hubby hands you a few bucks and you amble your way over.
You purchase some pie and coffee for you and Mister and try to make your way back over to the crowd.
You stop in your tracks.
It is nothing but a sea of Carhartt colored clothing in front of you.
You try to remember which side of the crowd he was on,you think you remember and venture forth,as you get closer you see him and you feel better.
But,as you get closer a gust of wind and dirt blow right into your face and *gasp* the pie and coffee,you shield your treasure and stumble up to your husband,shove the food at him and say "I hope your happy! The trouble I had getting that to you!!!" only to discover that you approached the wrong Carhartt clad fellow,and he is staring at you,totally bewildered,which would be embarrassing enough,but it was worse when you realized that his wife isn't looking none to pleased,but to top it all off ,your hubby who is 2 feet away(darn it! you were so close!)and has that famous look on his face that says is all "What the sam heck are you doing ,Woman!?"
Thats what will happen if you let your man wear Carhartts to a Farm Auction