Showing posts with label Metamorphoses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Metamorphoses. Show all posts

Friday, December 28, 2012

SNOWMEN


Snowmen delight us...sculptures made of snow, as individual as the flakes that create them, snowmen have to be added to everyone's list of things that make us happy. They are a must to enjoy, as they are here today and gone tomorrow.









The beginning of a family of snowmen our kids made.

They can be SWEET...

Who doesn't love Snowmen!? Fresh fallen snow brings excitement to families, like ours, who love to play in it. We dress our children up in their winter best and take them outside to introduce them to the wonders an afternoon can bring playing in the frosty white fluff. The crunch beneath our boots as we look for the best spot to make snow angels, and ice forts. If the snow is just right for packing, friendly little guys begin to appear as kids roll balls around the yard to create large rounds for their snow bodies. Traditional have a carrot nose, eyes of coal, twigs for arms..and over the years non-tradional snowmen who pop up out of children and children-at-heart's imaginations really make us laugh. Take a car ride during the snowy winter season, rediscover the beauty a fresh glistening blanket of snow can bring and a cheerful snowman or two to bring a smile. Here are some of our faves.

Snowmen aren't just for kids, this neighbor sculpts a different giant each year. Everyone loves his ideas!

...STOUT.....

Their creative snowman built a memory the family still talks about.

....STATUESQUE....

..discovered on our walk., impressed by her fashion sense..

...SLIM...


.....SOULFUL...
Taken on a February walk last year..was he waiting for his true love??


While making soup, I ran out to make a little one to send to my daughter while she was away.

...SPIRITED...

the year Green Bay was in the Superbowl, we saw this one..
...SCRAPPY...




Lake Erie


Linking with some of my faves:






Sunday, May 13, 2012

Pink Old Ladies....(repost)

Just wanted to share these beautiful Victorians one more time. Todays post theme, Pink Old Ladies ...ha! Was it what you expected? These georgous, stately old gals were a grand discovery in Buffalo this week. many were getting prepped and gussied up for the world's most beautiful garden tour. The Buffalo Garden Walk is an annual event that takes place the last weekend of every July. The gardens are breath taking manifestations of the resident's imaginations coming to life. Visitors decend from all over the world to walk and view and beyond, more about that when I return to view them in late July.










Linking with some of my favorites:














Monday, February 20, 2012

Chef Jeff in the kitchen with the California Girls!

My husband offered to make his stir fry for dinner tonight. (When he offers, I get out of the way!) The only fresh things growing in Ohio in late February are ICE  CHRYSTALS. However, the Golden State, California, had everything in our produce market this week! The California Girls arrived! Fresh broccoli, snarky onions, sweet carrots, crunchy celery, tender pea pods, and more arrived  and were waiting for "Chef Jeff" to bring them home.  All of these I was also happy because it meant fresh veggies. His method is so good and healthy that I thought I'd follow him around, snap pics , and share with you. When he saw the camera he said, "stay out of the way or no dinner." lol Of coarse I AGREED! He is a good cook and makes several dishes really well, sometimes his measurements are little unusual..but here's the recipe: One Corningware cereal bowl is his measuring tool. The recipe is not fancy, just simple and really appreciated when local produce is not available.
Just  a personal note, we strive to buy regional produce, from local farmers, then freeze or can our produce, but as we all know, it is hard to resist fresh, colorful produce ...The California Girls.

1 heaping bowl each of:
- chopped celery  
- sliced carrots

His measurement bowl :)

- broccoli heads                                                
- pea pods
- bean sprouts
- chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
1 small chopped green bell pepper
1 small chopped red bell pepper
3 chopped green onions incl stems
1 can water chestnuts
2 pkgs SunBird Stir Fry mix...(nothing complicated)
1 Kikkoman's bottle  of stir fry flavoring to sprinkle on top after cooking.
Fesh veggies in winter, always a treat!


I just realized that he forgot the sprouts, shhhh.Criticism gets women back in the kitchen.


Thank you Sweetie!Did I mention he put in the new sink, tiled back splash and assisted in counter top install.  Best husband ever!
 
Heat Wok, pour in 1 Tblspoon Oil , add chicken , cook about 6 minutes , Drain pan, add all vegetables,and  2 pkg of Sunbird Seasoning , plus 2 tablespoons of water. Saute apx 5-7 minutes. (Less for crunchy veggies)  Gotta go..dinner is ready! Posting to the best:.

List of Links

Saturday, January 28, 2012

50 Reasons of Love

Happy Pink Saturday!
Found this heart at Walgreens, they were 2/$8.00.

 
 




A request arrived to ask me to talk about the jar on my Valentine's Day tablescape, delighted to explain. Don't you love this Day? It is the best time to focus on the ones we love and show them; candy, flowers, messages on pillows... and the best gifts are the ones from our heart. This Valentine's Day gift jar for my husband , made last year, has become part of our Holiday decor. He loves it and has read each note over again. The notes inside include messages of his greatness as a father, his faith, our experiences over the last 25 years, his forgiving nature, wisdom, and enduring qualities , and so on...50 was just the starting point for this ongoing project, the jar will have 25 MORE reasons inside this Valentine's Day. It's easy to write them if you think of them in topics. ex: the time he took you fishing, his volunteerisms, driving vacations with kids in the car, the little things that go unnoticed each day...  He 'll be surprised and who wouldn't be happy to read how appreciated for their daily choices to make their family happy. This year I am planning to do something similar for our children (they are in college). While I have the words all put together, I haven't figured out the presentation for them yet...ie a jar like their fathers or some other idea. Any suggestions?? Happy Valentines Day to you!!






Some have stick figure drawings...

Monday, January 16, 2012

Cookie Exchange 2011



Our Cookie Exchange 2011 theme was "Comfort and Joy"



Mixed cookie tins ready for delivery


Adding to the fun we had a secret slipper exchange. Look at those toasty tootsies!
  This year's (11th ) cookie exchange was the least planned yet one of the nicest! The group was 8 this year, a manageable baking for the working girls. Normally, I plan each minute detail , but therewasn't time...just goes to show the party is within the spirit! Altho, good food, and a few touches add to the festivites. I host a cookie exchange with a purpose; each baking elf is asked to bring one extra dozen to donate to our community. Our family, friends , and co-workers are a most generous group. After each exchange my daughter and I make trays, toss on Santa hats, and hitch up the Camry. We deliver them to our seniors..families...shut ins..by way of our food bank or other organizations; each year has a different group. many of the "Baking Elves" have returned annually for the event. As a thank you, each guest goes home with an ornament commemorating the theme. Unable to find slippers, I gave feathered angel wings, found at Pier One, with a message that each baker was earning their wings. Then, about every 15 minutes a bell chimed to remind them that their baking efforts was helping bring a little cheer to others. Looking forward to next season.
Linking with Metamophoses Monday, Foodie Friday,


 The Menu included:
Beef n Bleu Minis :
 Roast Beef Thin sliced
Saute sweet onions
Mix 1 sm cream cheese, 4T bleu cheese, 2t worchester
assemble and eat warmed or chilled
finger foods with dips, fruited punch
Russian Teacakes



Creme Wafers
 

Chocolate Pecan Carmel
 

Ladylocks out of the oven


Belinger Brod



Saturday, January 14, 2012

12 Days of Cookies!

Although I have years of baking behind me, this year I have had an awful year with one of my favorite Christmas cookies. The culprits: my creme wafers . Bought fresh ingredients, twice, yet the same problem happened. The wafers puffed too high. I rolled the dough , as I usually did..even used those 1/8th inch  rubberbands on the edge of my rolling pin..sigh...Nontheless, some were adorable and all were quite tasty, despite their physical appearance. Like all families, a few new recipes, but most are family annual faves.
Day 1 : Iced Shortbreads 
Day 2 : Butter Hearts
Day 3 : Pa Rhum Pum Pum Pums (Rhum Balls)
Day 4: Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprises 
Day 5: Peanut Kisses 
Day 6 : Thumbprints;Butter cream ,Apricot,&Blueberry 
Day 7: Lady Locks (pic didn't load) 
Day 8: Chocolate Truffles 
Day 8: Snowmen cutouts and sugar cookies 
Day 9: Anise, Lemon, and Almond Pizzelles 
Day 10: Jess's Ginger guys 
Day 11: Peanut Butter Fudge & Kitchen Sink Bars (they didn't photograph well but tasted good :)
Day 12 : Russian Teacakes (oops forgot to take a pic)
Despite all the baking,I host an annual Cookie Exchange too. ..more later...Happy New Year!
Linking with Foodie Friday, Metamophoses Monday