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In: In The Garden

Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward. – Terri Guillemets. Yesterday afternoon, between thunderstorms, I took a walk around the place just to see how everything is holding up and to check for damage.  I was so excited to see new green leaves popping up in our strawberry patch!  I was worried about them because I wasn’t able to get them put to bed for winter before the first freeze and snow hit last fall.  A little gentle clean up and they will be sprouting berries again soon. The strawberry is a perennial and will come back year afterRead More →

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In: Reflections, Thoughts and Ideas

Here we are, half way through the fourth month of the new year.  I realized this morning I haven’t accomplished or even thought much about the goals I set for the year way back at the end of last December.  Not a very good track record, but for me it’s nothing new.  My husband once told me that I have really good ideas but I quit before I get anything completed, harsh to hear but so very true.  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying about the person who keeps doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results…yep that’s me.  After reading and followingRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

Delicious and decadent, this cake uses no flour or leavening agents but uses ground almonds and egg whites instead.  Be sure to use bittersweet chocolate and not unsweetened or semi sweet.  It goes together rather easily and can be served with whipped cream, ice cream, berries or just the powdered sugar.  I think you will enjoy this one! Flourless Chocolate Cake 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate 1 t. vanilla 1 T. strong brewed coffee or espresso 1 T. brandy 6 T. butter 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. ground almonds 3 large eggs, divided Preheat oven to 300•, butter a spring form pan.  Grind up fine enough almondsRead More →

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In: In The Garden

Lilium longiflorum, better known as the Easter Lily, has been a tradition at Easter for many, many years.  With their fragrant, white trumpet shaped flowers they were introduced into the United States in 1919 when WWI soldier, Louis Houghton brought some home to the Oregon Coast from Japan.  Symbolizing purity, innocence, virtue, hope and life these beautiful white flowers were said to spring from the earth where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground during His final hours of stress and deep distress. When picking out your potted Easter Lily, choose one that doesn’t have all the flowers open, make sure there are no bugsRead More →

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In: Reflections, Thoughts and Ideas

“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” –A.A. Milne Spring brings renewal and renewal often brings change.  Yes, change can sometimes be unpleasant and scary, but I am learning to shift my focus to the positive.  I often find myself fighting change kicking and screaming only to realize how much happier I am afterwards.  My son doesn’t do well with change either so I encourage him to look at is as an adventure, a lesson I am trying to learn as well. This year our families have children that are spreading their wings and learning to fly on their own, and new childrenRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

My Grandma Sarah was a phenomenal cook and I have many of her recipes to share.  This is an oldie and one that not many people have tried.  If you are craving something sweet and creamy, give this one a try, I think you’ll like it.  It’s quick and easy to mix up and only has a few simple ingredients. Grandma Sarah’s Baked Custard 4 eggs, well beaten 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 t. salt 4 cups scalded whole milk 1/2 t. vanilla ground nutmeg Preheat oven to 350•.  Whisk together eggs, sugar and salt.  Add vanilla to the scalded milk and SLOWLY add to the egg mixtureRead More →

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In: In The Garden

A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.~ William Wordsworth Blooming just after the snow crocus, daffodils seem to be the official flower to welcome spring.  Beautiful and cheerful in varying shades ranging from bright yellow to white, you can’t help but smile when you see them.  They are easy to care for, spread abundantly and with little help will bloom vigorously year after year.  A big bonus in our area…the deer don’t eat them! Bulbs are planted in the fall, about 2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes.  Plant at least 3 to 4Read More →

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In: Reflections, Thoughts and Ideas

In my quest to regain my organizational skills and reduce the clutter in my home, I spent my weekend going through my cedar chest, boxes of pictures and a box of all the things I have been collecting for my son’s scrapbook which I bought when he was born.  Seventeen years later it’s still in the bag with the receipt.  One of my goals is to get everything in photo albums and scrapbooks, sooner, rather than later. I wasn’t prepared for the sense of melancholy that came over me and still lingered days later.  Pictures of loved ones no longer with us brought sad smiles and fond memories.  PicturesRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

This is a favorite of ours, we serve it every Easter and at just about every summer get together. It’s pretty quick and easy, especially if you have one of those pineapple corer gadgets. Unfortunately it doesn’t hold real well so for best results make it the morning you want to serve it. Strawberry Pineapple Salad Fresh strawberries Fresh pineapple Shredded Coconut Powdered Sugar 1/2  orange Wash, hull and cut strawberries up in to chunks.  Peel, core and cut pineapple in to chunks.  In a clear glass serving bowl layer pineapple, strawberries, coconut and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.  Continue layering until bowl is full.  IRead More →

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In: In The Garden

I find figuring out when to prune what trees and shrubs can get very confusing.  Apparently, it not always best just to pick up the loppers and start whacking away when the mood strikes.  We  have a big, old growth lilac that my husband wants to take a chainsaw to.  After a little research I have found that large ones like that have to be pruned in stages cutting one-third at a time over a three year period.  He’s not happy about that.  For now, I think we will start with dead heading after the flowers bloom and keeping the suckers at bay.  Since lilacs form theirRead More →