One of My Favorite Things....

This is one of my favorite curios. I love the idea of two people sitting down to tea and enjoying themselves. I love the homey feeling I get when I look at this. I also love the chickens on the mantle!

Royal Wedding

OK OK I will admit it. I am an unabashed anglophile. I love all things British. I could not wait to see the royal wedding this morning.

I woke up a little before 6am and began with Kate leaving her hotel with her dad. I savored every wave, every smile, every flag waving, crowd cheering part of it. I started getting panicky because I had agreed to sub today.

I showered in between the I Dos and hymn singing. I dressed in between hymns and sermons. I sat at the edge of my couch trying to gauge how fast I could realistically get down the GSP to Lincroft. How many lights would really be red once I got onto 520? I didn't really need to eat breakfast, or make lunch -- but I did need my am tea. Right - 3 minutes to get the tea. My daughter convinced me to wait a bit longer, "Until they get in the carriage mom."

Kate and Wills walked down the aisle got into the carriage and... I was off! Down the GSP in record time. Down 520 and into the parking lot in a blur. I signed in ran upstairs and the other teachers had the TV on. I was just in time to watch them arrive at Buckingham Palace.

I fiddled with the screen in my classroom and voila (or ta da)! When my first class came in we were able to see the royal couple come out onto the balcony and the 2 royal first kisses!

I absolutely loved it all. Her dress was so Grace Kelly-like. Simple yet stunning. She was beautiful. he looked like he was just beaming from head to toe. It just warms the heart to see all that happiness.

The Chocolate Diaries by Karen Scalf Linamen

Reading this book was like sitting down with a great group of girlfriends. You know, getting the advice that you need? Maybe you don't want to hear it - but they are your girlfriends so they are going to tell it to you straight. Karen Scalf Linamen has just become one of my new girlfriends. (She may not know it yet - but she has). I read through her whole book and then went back and reread portions that I really needed to let sink in. "Living with paradox is like rowing a boat",and because I am a list lover , her whole chapter"Want Sweet Change? Put it on Your List" was a definite reread for me. Not only did I enjoy her real life advice - but her techniques for eating and enjoying chocolate, as well as her recipes just add to the delightful book.

This book is available through Waterbrook Press. ISBN#978-1-4000-7402-0.

What Do I Do During Thunderstorms? Bake!

I don't know about you but I bake during major thunderstorms. It was humid as anything today but when the baking bug bites one must scratch! (Or bake from scratch). Today was the mini donuts.

I dragged out all the ingredients.

Put all the dry together.

Put all the wet together.

Mixed them up.

Put them in the very small donut pan.

Put them in the oven for 10 minutes.

Took them out and let them cool.

Made the orange glaze.

Dipped the donuts in the glaze.

Let them dry and then yummo!

I posted this recipe earlier on my blog as

Buttermilk Donuts. They are delicious.

Getting the Garden Ready

The pictures below are of my garden, or actually getting the garden ready for planting. You can also see my trusty composter at the top! Can't wait for the weather to get a bit warmer so I can plant my seedlings.

New Pictures - Getting the Garden Ready

New Use for Old Teacups

About a week ago I posted this picture to the Mary Jane's Farm chatroom. I was overwhelmed by the response. Everyone really like my teacup clock!

I had found a picture of one like this in a magazine about 3 years ago. I held onto the magazine and kept collecting teacups.

Finally I went to Lowe's and bought this huge round piece of wood.(It was precut and already sanded).

Finally I spraypainted the clock with a soft yellow. I had to paint it many times.

The clockwork I bought on e-bay for next to nothing.

The hardest part was drilling the hole for the clock hands and the clock work. My dad came over one afternoon and helped me . (Gotta love dads).

Voila!

Hoppy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone! You'll notice I managed to get a gnome in the picture also.

So, as you can see I am still obsessed with the gnomes. I love this Lady Gnome. I am starting to look like that.

Anyway, remember the tiller I bought on e-Bay. Buyer beware. It didn't work. My dad and I bought a new spark plug, new gas with the correct mixture, we tried to start it. I guess we looked like we had no clue because my neighbor, Bob came over with his son , Nick and tried to help us. Bob tried some kind of spray, undid and redid the spark plug, checked the lines. After all of this we still couldn't start it. My dad gave me the "cut your losses" look.

I figured I would either sell it for parts or give it to someone who could take it apart and reassemble it so it worked properly.

As you might well imagine, I was not very happy with myself. I did not want to throw good money after bad so I

figured it was time to get my hoe out. It was a very depressing

thought.

The next morning the birds were singing, the sun was actually out, I had just had my first cup of tea when I looked out and... and... I rubbed my eyes...My dad was there with a mantis!!! Ooh we cranked it up and I tilled every single raised bed section. I am even eyeing new places where I can till and plant. I am so very thankful to my dad and mom. I am blessed to have them in my life.

And they are getting a ton of tomatoes and cucumbers this summer!

More gnomes.....

More gnomes.. I just can't seem to get them out of my head. You can't really read the sign in the second picture but it says "Stop Oppressive Gardening". I saw that motto on the "Free the Gnomes" website. It just cracks me up every time I think of it. I know, I know I am easily amused.

Gnomes on the Brain

I love gnomes. I was working on this blanket in Maine and am finishing it up here at home. I have been putting gnomes on dishtowels, pot holders, sweat shirts, coffee sleeves... you name it!

More Rain...

More rain today. Ugh. I am ready for an end of the rain already. Just a little warmth would be nice.

I did get a chance to work on sewing more hand towels. I also was able to paint the background for my May ATC cards for the swap on Mary Jane's Farm Girl Connection. I think that this month's card is going to be fun to make.

Believe it or not, in between raindrops I was able to go outside and get rid of junk in the garden. I had held onto some metal attachments from my old gazebo. I went through them and kept some plain ones for tomato stakes but I did get rid of about 8 of them that I could honestly find no use for. I am trying to use more recycled items in my garden but I also have to let go of and dispose of items that just make my yard look like a junk yard.

Fingers crossed that tomorrow there will be some sunshine...

More Gardening

I was lucky today. It was damp and a litle raw out today and the sun hid behind the clouds but it did not rain. I woke up early - ran to Walmart to pick up some cheap pots and ran home to get started.

I moved about 8 cement paving blocks from the side of the house into the garden and placed my re-potted herbs on them. I can't wait for summer when the herbs are blooming and I can sit on the bench just smelling them!

I was lucky because my neighbors' children Annalisa and Nick came over and helped me to start all my seeds and then helped me label them and place them into the two little greenhouses. Wouldn't it be a magnificient thing gto have a permanent little greenhouse in the yard? One can only dream...and dream...and dream!

I am hoping that the rain will hold off tomorrow as well so that I can get the rest of my seed into little pots. I am going to try to make some out of newspaper.

There is nothing better than spending the day out in the garden , getting dirty and bone tired, and then coming in and taking a hot shower!

Finally ...The Sun!

Well this morning it looked like it was going to be another washed out day. I peered out my bedroom window and into the low corner of my yard and ta da! A lake... a pond... and ducks. yes, in fact ducks were swimming in my backyard. That did not bode well for the garden work. But I pressed on. I headed over to Lowe's, picked up some fencing, some stakes, some weed barrier and some more seed pots.

Driving back home the sky grew dark and boy did the wind whip! Ugh. I went inside and did some work and then joy of joys - the sun came out. It was still windy but I was determined to get outside. It was great - I was able to do a lot of weeding, straightening up of the rock border. I even got most of the fencing up - I still have to decide what to do about a garden gate.

I was able to prune down and trim many of my plants. I even got a chance to start to train my blackberry bush around a trellis.

It was so nice to take a break and sit on the bench and dream about my garden. I have a plan for my herb plot and a great idea for a movable trellis for my beans.

My new little plastic greenhouses came in the mail. I popped them up today. I am going to place them in a bare spot in the garden. Unfortunately tomorrow it is supposed to rain. If it doesn't I will place the greenhouses. Even if it does rain I am going to cover the dining room table with plastic and plant my seeds.

Giant Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Yumm-o from Martha Stewart.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup butter at room temp, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable shortening melted and cooled, 1 large egg, 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in melted shortening. Add egg and vanilla; mix until creamy. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Using a 2 1/2 inch ice cram scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing about 4 inches apart. Bake until edges are firm, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

Snickerdoodles

I love cookies. These snickerdoodles are a cookie lover's dream!

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1 cup unsalted butter at room temp.,1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Put butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer with paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in eggs. reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture.

Stir together cinnamon and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into twenty 1 3/4-inch balls; roll in cinnamon sugar. Space 3 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

These cookies barely have time to cool before my family starts to eat them up!

Love My Knifty Knitter

I have always wanted to knit but I completely lack the coordination and let's face it the patience. So, a few years ago I found this "knifty knitter" in JoAnns. They come in circles and other shapes. Looms - mini looms are what they are! I have been "knitting" hats and scarves with them and they really come out looking great.

I have found one that looks just like a straight line and now I am "knitting" sections to put together to make an afghan for Mother's Day. It should be really pretty. So far I have only used rose colored cotton thread but think I am going to add other colors to it.

Blame Someone Else Day

I was reading a post on MaryJane's FarnGirl Sisterhood forum this afternoon. One of the girls was discussing that she heard announced on the radio that it was "Blame Someone Else" Day. She was appalled and suggested that instead she was going to "Praise someone else" today. I felt myself agreeing but thinking in the back of my head "Lighten up" to the outraged sister.

Then I stopped myself. Lighten up? I recalled my week, as a substitute teacher, in the classroom of 8th graders and 1st graders. This whole week has been "blame someone else". Rarely when I had to address any type of disciplinary situation had any student actually taken responsibility for their actions.

Lighten up? Flashback to the last 17 years that I spent, mostly as Vice Principal, 1 year as Principal of the same Elementary School. Let's face it - Vice Principal should just be synonymous with "Warden". How many kids actually took responsibility for their actions? How many parents actually allowed them to take responsibility and face the consequences? Precious few. (And I could go on forever about that and probably will at a later date).

So kudos to the outraged farm girl. And kudos to her speaking out against it. Kudos to taking a self centered narcissistic day and turning it into a day to praise other people.

I can only hope that there are many more people who are involved in the lives of children who feel this same way and don't say, "Lighten up".

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark. When I see her name embossed across the front of a glossy paperback I can feel myself start to salivate. Actually salivate. I can devour a Mary Higgins Clark mystery as fast as I can devour a piece of chocolate cake.

But why would I want to do that? It is so deliciously wonderful to read her books that I try, really try, not to read it so quickly.

I know, I know she has a "formula" for her books. But you know what? I am hooked. I love the way she describes the setting , I love the way her characters are strong but also flawed. I love the last minute switcheroo that she does. Love..love...love.

So I bought her latest out in paperback "The Shadow of Your Smile" at Costco on sale. I tried to read it slowly....but it is finished...and it was delicious.

Now where is that chocolate cake?

Excited about new camera

OK - I used some of my puppet money and finally went to Target and bought myself a new digital camera. I took my daughter, Sara Jane, with me because, well because, (whisper) she knows more about this than I do.

We finally picked out a camera, on sale, about $30.00 that I can plug directly into my computer and download pictures. So now there is some hope that I will be able to post more pictures here.

Beautiful Day!

I have that U2 song "Beautiful Day" rolling around in my head. Yesterday was, in fact, a beautiful day. It had to be 56, wicked sunny with just a soft breeze. To make the day even more perfect was the fact that I got to spend the whole day outside. I helped my friend, John, who co owns and operates The Paper Moon Puppet Theatre, with a bank opening in Clifton.

We "walked" the marionettes around, he and Jody performed two puppet shows, and John and I worked on finger puppet crafts with the kids. It was fun! True, it was a long day with an hour ride up and an hour ride back- and when I got home I was bone tired - but it was fun!

To make it an even more perfect day - when I got home my hubby said "Let's go to the Diner". Music to my ears! Because, as we all know, food tastes even better when some one else cooks it and places it in front of you!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with a Chocolatey Kick

I remember making plain regular oatmeal raisin cookies when I was younger. I remember the mid 70's and winning the local girl scout cookie bake off with this recipe. I remember the thrill of going to the Sear's store in the next town and having to bake the cookies all by myself for the bake off. It was thrilling!

Flash forward to 2000. Needing my chewy oatmeal raisin cookie fix. Needing some chocolate. Chocolate? Raisins? (Listen for the aha music - light bulb sound clicking on) Let's put some Raisinets in these puppies.

Flash forward to...today! Standing in the candy aisle at Harmon's trying to rationalize a purchase of you guessed it - Raisinets. Wait-- do I see DARK chocolate Raisinets? Isn't dark chocolate good for our hearts? (Slight pause) Isn't oatmeal good for our hearts? Yes, yes it is.

I took the proactive heart healthy step, purchased the Raisinets ,ran home (exercise ) and baked up a batch of these delicious cookies. I will feel so healthy when I eat them tonight with a big glass of skim milk! (LOL)

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar,1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups all- purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 cups Oats, 1cup (1bag -let's face it whatever makes it into the bowl) of Raisinets.

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

Enjoy! (I know I will).

Paper Moon Puppet Theatre

My dear friend John and his partner Jimmy own and operate Paper Moon Puppet Theatre. They are two of the most creative people I know. The shows there are absolutely incredible!

Jimmy makes all of the marionettes and stages and performs all of the shows. John has been going out on the road with the traveling puppet show. I offered to help with the craft portion of the puppet show this weekend. John and I have been cutting out little shapes for finger puppets and tomorrow I am going to glue them together so that they can just be decorated on Saturday.

I am going to take pictures of the performance to post (fingers crossed) but in the meantime if any one is interested please check out my link at the bottom to the theatre!

My Little Grey Cat

I have the cutest little grey cat. Her name is Jasmine. (Lovingly named after the Disney princess by my daughter) She is only about 5 pounds. We have been together for about 14 years.

I remember searching shelters and going to adoption fairs for kittens. My daughter, who was young at the time, couldn't understand why we just didn't pick any old cat. I remember telling her that we were waiting to find the perfect cat for us.

One winter afternoon we went into PetSmart and there was an adoption fair going on and there she was.... small, grey, with beautiful green eyes. When I looked at her I knew she was THE one.

We have been together for many years, She has been such a comfort tome in so many ways. If I wasn't feeling well or feeling down she would curl up in my lap or just lay down next to me and offer whatever comfort she could. When she wasn't well I would pick her up and carry her like a baby.

Jasmine has the biggest meow going. If you just heard her meow and didn't see her you would think she was a 20 pound cat. When she jumps down from the couch and runs across the floor she sounds like a herd of elephants. Nope, just a teeny tiny cat.

A teeny tiny cat with a great big heart.

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Recipe

I just bought the best little (and I mean litle) donut pan to use to bake donuts. Not only do the sell the little pan but there is also a slighgtly larger one that is also available. This recipe produces the tastiest, most moist donuts I have had in a while.

Donuts

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup white sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1cup buttermilk, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup butter, melted.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degree. Lightly grease the donut baking pan. Mix all dry ingredients flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Mix buttermilk, eggs and melted butter in a separate medium bowl, and stir into the dry ingredients. Fill each donut cup approximately 3/4 full. Bake 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, until donuts spring back when touched.Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan.

The following glaze is very simple and really tasty. Just make sure that it is thick enough to coat the top of the donut and not so runny that it will slide off of it.

Glaze Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup confectioner's sugar, 2 tablespoons HOT water, 1/2 teaspoon orange (or any flavor you like) extract.

Directions:

Blend confectioner's sugar, hot water and orange extractin a small bowl. Dip cooled donuts in the glaze before serving.

Raised Bed boxes

My mom and dad came over today and helped me to buld two more raosed bed boxes for my garden. I already had 2 8x8 boxes and 1 2x6 and 1 8x4. I really wanted to have 2 smaller ones to do some Square Foot Gardening. We built 2 4x4 boxes.

I really need to ge a hold of someone who can deliver about a dump truck full of dirt. I need to add the dirt to my boxes and I really need to level the land off in and around my boxes.

I was also able to straighten out my fencing and get a really good idea of how much more I need to buy. I am also going to look online to see about building a garden gate.

Tomorrow I want to go out and take a picture of the garden before I start to do all of the work and then every time I finish a task - take another picture. Kind of documenting the progress of my garden.

Jury Duty Over

Jury Duty is officially over. The case I was closed, we deliberated, and now it is over. It was actually aggravating for me to sit on this case. Suffice it to say that it was about a minor car accident and it was completely frivolous.

I know all about Tort Reform and I can't say that I agree with that scenario. I don't think that a one size fits all approach is the way to go. That being said, there has to be some way to discourage the filing of frivolous lawsuits. I feel that the last five days were a waste of  time and taxpayers' money, not to mention the money that the defendant in this case had to lay out.

A good idea, though probably not feasible, if a case is decided in favor of the defendant and it is determined to be a frivolous case then the plaintiff should have to reimburse the defendant for court costs. 

I don't know that there is any solution to this problem. I can just say that I am glad this is over!