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!