A Touch of Spring Decor

It is starting to feel a bit more like Spring around here, and it certainly looks like it outside.  I am enjoying seeing all of the beautiful Spring flowers, and also the trees that are changing daily with their beautiful show of budding glory!

Now that it is Spring I wanted to freshen my decor by adding a little touch of Spring to my home.

I began by simply adding some white tulips to a glass vase and placing them in front of the window.  Even though the tulips are not real, they do add a nice touch of Spring!  

The little white, ceramic bird was a very sweet find, as was the fifty-percent off sale that convinced me both the tulips and the bird should come home with me.  The bird contains a sachet of potpourri, and smells lovely like spring flowers.  I doubled up on the tulip bouquets with them being two for the price of one!  I love a good a bargain! ...couldn't pass up this one for around eight dollars total for both the silk tulips, and the sweet little bird.

With decorating I find it is best to go with what you love!  Be happy with what makes you happy in your surroundings.  I tend to go with naturals and neutrals.  I'm not afraid of color though, I just like soft muted tones these days.   

I also did a bit of re-arranging and editing on my baker's rack.  It is always fun to find new ways to display items on it that I love!  I often shop my home for ideas and inspiration for what to display.  And, when I get something new I like to showcase it, too.  I created the cute little topiary a couple of days ago, I'll share more details on that later.

I like the light and bright feel that the white and cream adds against the dark contrast of the bronze iron of the baker's rack.  I think the whole look is soft to the eye.   Fresh like Spring!  I also like the way the light bounces off the glass pieces, and the hint of color from the green and gold adds just enough color for me!

I enjoy being able to change and edit the look of my decor.  I'll probably walk by here in a day or two and add or take away from what you see here.  It's what I do.  And, why I love decorating!

I'm off now to see what other touches of Spring I can add to my home!  Have you caught the Spring fever yet?

I love my touch of Spring!...

Easter Egg Coloring and Decorating Ideas

Easter is only a couple of weeks away and in preparation the tradition of coloring Easter Eggs will be happening among many a household.  I found some great ideas for easy and fun ways to decorate those eggs.

Never mind the pre-package sets of dyes that are available everywhere, try this idea and make custom colors for your eggs that just might be the envy of all who see them.  And then you can share your knowledge with them ...that is, if you choose to not keep the secret all to yourself!  

Check out these fun ideas to make custom colors for your Easter Eggs and a few other ideas for designs and techniques that McCormick has shared.  I think they're as they said, "to dye for", so I wanted to share them with you today!

Visit McCormick for lots of great ideas, tips and techniques for your Easter Egg decorating!

Like these must-have Spring colors, inspired by Pantone-colors of the season.

Using this...

McCormick Assorted Food Color & Egg Dye

...and this

McCormick NEON Food Color & Egg Dye

... and their helpful guide.

images source - mccormick.com

McCormick.com - Easter Egg Color Guide

Click on the link above, once the page opens click on the image to view larger (I had to adjust my zoom to view the page after it opened).  There you'll find the combinations for creating all of those beautiful colors so you can custom color your Easter Eggs!




Here is even more egg-decorating inspiration for you.


Visit Better Homes and Gardens for many creative ideas that don't require any dye to decorate your eggs,

 like these.

 Pretty No-Dye Easter Eggs.

image source - bhg.com



And aren't these Easter Egg Chicks the cutest?!

image source - bhg.com



And these Chenille -Stem Egg Bunnies are adorable too!

Image source - bhg.com






Hippity-Hoppity ...Easter is on it's way!...

Welcome SPRING!

Are you as happy as I am that it is the first day of SPRING today?  

In honor of our first day of Spring, I felt this was a perfect way to begin the day!

Enjoy this beautiful time lapse of flowers in bloom.

It is truly captivating.

Source-Flowers Timelapse from Katka Pruskova on Vimeo.

And another by the same photographer.

                                                                                                                                                                      

Source-Flowers Timelapse II from Katka Pruskova on Vimeo

Beautiful!

Happy Spring!...

Stylish Succulent Pot - DIY Jar Recycle

I think it's terrific that it has become so popular to recycle and repurpose items into home decor.   

I like finding new ways to use something in a new way.  

I do tend to hold on to glass jars these days.  

Just ask the hubby, he has actually gotten to where he asks me "Are you saving that for something?", when I have an item set aside and not in the actual recycling bin.  Thanks honey!

There's a myriad of ideas and inspiration out there for re-using glass jars.

Here's one that I put together!

This decorative jar-recycle project took a short amount of time to make and just a couple dollars was spent in the process. 

My clean jar is strikingly similar to the salsa jar above, and previously contained the same delicious contents.  I found the faux succulent in the 'Spring' sale area of Hobby Lobby and it was half-off, which was a real bargain at two-fifty!  It was originally (not)living in the little block pictured in the photo, and well, I just felt the succulent needed a better home!  And, as for the empty block no biggie, it is fine as a lift or platform for my candle for now!

A bit of my ever-handy and always useful jute twine wrapped around the jar lip and tied into a double bow, dresses it up in a casual sort of way.  The stones were on hand from a previous project, and were an inexpensive find a while back from the dollar store.  I carefully filled the jar with the stones, then added the succulent to the top and placed a few more stones around it to secure it in place.
Note: My jar was already clean and on the ready.  I prepare my jars by soaking them in hot soapy water overnight and the label is then easy to remove.  

This was my inspiration photo!

source-republicofsucculents.com

 I think I need a whole family of these now!  

Faux real!...

Ever had Beer Can Chicken?

We sure had a beautiful day on Sunday.  With one look at the forecast, we were ready to lay claim to Spring.  We quickly made plans for cooking something out on our Big Green Egg, and by something, I mean chicken and some corn-on-the-cob!   We actually prepared two chickens, because we made Beer Can Chicken.  If you have not made or enjoyed Beer Can Chicken yet, you need to get on it!  I mean, seriously!  It's delicious, it's so easy to prepare, and it never disappoints.  It is the juiciest chicken too!  

In case you have never prepared, tasted, or even heard of Beer Can Chicken, I wanted to share with you why we so enjoy it!  Beer Can Chicken, is simply chicken cooked while sitting over a can of beer, and it produces a very moist and juicy chicken.  It doesn't taste like beer, in case you are wondering.  We purchased a Beer Can Chicken holder (we found ours at the Ace Hardware store), and then we later picked up a second one the next time we were at the Big Green Egg shop, because we knew we would want to be able to make more than one at a time, especially if we had guests.  This holds the beer can, and the chicken nice and stable while it cooks.  You could maybe get away with not having the holder and just sit the chicken over a can, but the stability will be lacking.  

Here is what our holder(s) looks like when ready for the chicken.  It folds flat when not in use.  I've seen different types available at a few different stores, especially in the spring/summer.

This photo shows the chickens that have been placed over the beer cans in the holder, and they're ready for the grill, uh Big Green Egg that is, and ain't it a beaut?  We sure enjoy cooking our food on it!

We cleaned and prepared the whole chickens then added some seasonings for extra flavor.  We like to try different types of seasonings, but my all time favorite is Bad Byron's Butt Rub.  Boy, do I love that stuff!  There's a link there for you where I even wrote a post about it!  We also like the Whirly Bird seasoning from the BGE shop, it's great on chicken.  Oh and their Viva Caliente seasoning too, it adds a bit of heat and is also good for chicken, especially hot wings.  

We cooked our chickens according to their package direction, which suggested 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh area, reads 180 degrees.  One of the great things about our BGE is being able to control the temperature, but the taste of the food cooked on it is the best reason to own one.  Nothing beats the flavor and taste of that lump wood charcoal, and the aroma while cooking is something else!

We prepared about a 5 lb and a 6 lb chicken, so just under two hours cook time was needed.  We cooked two so we could use the extra chicken for a cobb salad the next evening for our dinner, and also have some left-over for lunches.

Ta da!  Look at that deliciousness!  

I should have turned them around and gotten another shot of the 'breast' side, but we were so ready to get our chicken off of the beer can holder, onto the serving platter and sliced, that it was not as important as the desire to taste them!  And, that chicken tasted so delicious.  This method always produces the juiciest chicken!  I hope you'll give Beer Can Chicken a try real soon!

Enjoy!...

P.S.  I simply couldn't resist adding this little touch of humor!

source unknown

:)...

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

Slow down and enjoy today!...

Thoughts and Things - This week...Chocolate Crescents & More

One of the more frequently visited and popular posts here on my blog is my Chocolate Crescent Rolls.  They are a family favorite here at home, too!  We enjoy having them occasionally as a special treat for breakfast, but they are an anytime treat.  You don't need a special occasion, but we think they are pretty special though.  Hubby and I enjoyed some fresh baked Chocolate Crescent Rolls this morning with our coffee, while sitting out on the porch as we experienced beautiful Spring like temperatures.

I enjoy just about anything chocolate, and having it at breakfast is my way to start the day, mmm hmm!  A little something sweet with my morning coffee, yes please!  These Chocolate Crescents Rolls are so easy to prepare, very delicious, and everyone loves them.  You can find the recipe below, and try them for yourself.  You, and your family will be glad you did! 

Chocolate Crescent Rolls

***

  

If you're looking for more ways to enjoy crescent rolls, here are a couple from the good folks at Kraft, which caught my eye and have peeked my curiosity.  I think my taste buds are saying "yes please, let's give those a try!"

Savory Parmesan Bites

Cream Cheese Bacon Crescents

Oh and speaking of cream cheese, and bacon, I recently noticed that Philadelphia Cream Cheese has a 'Bacon' flavored cream cheese now to add the many other flavors that they offer!  Uh huh, I'll have to give that one a try!

image source

Enjoy!...

St. Patrick's Day - Food Ideas

Looking for a little 'green' to serve on St. Patrick's Day?   

While I am not planning on adding green food coloring to everything, I do have a few ideas that would work well for the day.  I have some green food ideas to serve, from appetizer to dessert, and even a beverage too!

If you're looking for naturally green foods, Spinach is a good choice.  Here are a few of my recipes using Spinach:

Spinach Salad,  is a tasty salad that is wholesome and good-for-you good!  It's one of my favorites.  This salad is great as is, but if you want to add more green, simply replace the blueberries with sliced or diced green apples, honeydew or kiwi.  You'll find a link to the recipe below this photo.

Spinach Salad

***

Summer Spinach Salad, it doesn't have to be summer to make this salad, and you can change the fruit ingredients if you prefer.  And, as I suggested above, sliced or diced green apples, honeydew or kiwi would be another green addition, and pecans or walnuts rather than almonds would go very well.  Or you could use cantaloupe, also strawberries or raspberries would be good in place of the watermelon as well.

Makes my mouth water when I see this salad, it's full of flavor!  You can get the link to the recipe below the photo, and you'll also find my basic Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette I used for this salad there too.

Summer Spinach Salad

***

Sauteed Spinach is an easy and delicious dish.  I literally just threw this together once and it became a new favorite recipe to serve again and again.  I usually serve this as a side, but I could make this a main course and be totally happy with that.  Just reading the words for the description..."with bacon, caramelized onion and garlic", makes me want some right now!

Sauteed Spinach

***

I started thinking about a tasty punch my Mom use to make for parties, it was well liked by everyone.  I also made it a few times when my kids were younger, and also made some flavor variations of it.  Kids always like this punch, and it can be spiked for the adults if you so choose.  All you need is a few ingredients for the punch, oh and also vodka if you want to make it an adult beverage!  I call this tasty treat Lime Sherbert Punch, but I think for St. Patty's Day it should be...

Shamrock Lime Sherbert Punch

Ingredients:
one half gallon lime sherbert
one can pineapple juice
half two liter bottle of sprite or seven-up
vodka (can added to individual servings-1/2 oz or more per preference)

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a punch bowl stir to blend. Serve immediately.

Try this with tasty variations by using other sherbert flavors, orange, raspberry, pineapple, etc.
(The sherbert would probably have artificial color added)

***

I also found a few 'green' recipes from Kraft.

Another Spinach recipe.  I love Spinach!  This sounds delicious and would be a great appetizer.
Zesty Spinach Dip


How about stuffed peppers?  They're green!
Classic Stuffed Peppers


This one is minty, and green if you add food color to your recipe.
Grasshopper-parfaits


Need more green ideas?    Grapes are green, avocados, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, green beans and green peppers too.  How about some lime flavored jello, or mint or pistachio ice cream for dessert?  Or a favorite of many, Key-lime pie, mmm!

 There you have it, green, green, and more green ideas for St. Patrick's Day!...

Time to SPRING Forward!

As you all know, Daylight Saving Time began yesterday, and as annually performed our clocks were moved forward an hour.  While most complain about the loss of an hour from their day, I see it as gaining a SPRING!  Bring it on I say.  Bring it on!

I welcome Daylight Saving Time with great excitement and will appreciate the days growing longer, each and everyday!  And, the transformation in the scenery around us outdoors, that too is an exciting thought for me.  I am so ready to say "Buh-bye" to winter, and "Hello SPRING!"

With a SPRING in my step!...

A FRIENDLY REMINDER: Daylight Saving Time is also a good reminder to change your smoke detector batteries!  Many fire departments encourage people to do it at this time each year.  "More than 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke detectors, but one-third are estimated to have dead or missing batteries."

More Interesting facts and information on:  Daylight Saving Time 

Show and Tell it - Grand Adventures

Feeling Lucky!

Yay!  It's MARCH.  The month when Spring arrives!   I am counting the days, too.  Although the cold isn't over yet I am hopeful it will end soon, and it is a lovely sixty-five degrees here today.

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and there is green and shamrocks galore at the craft and hobby areas of most stores at the moment, along with lots of Easter decorations and goodies mingled in among them.  Sure signs that Spring is coming.  Just yesterday while out and about with my family, I noticed some daffodils popping up through the ground.  Come on Spring!

I'm not planning on decorating my house in a St. Patrick's Day theme, but I thought a little something in it's honor for my door would be nice.  As luck would have it the dollar store had lots of St. Patty's things on display, and so I just had to get this cute sparkly shamrock and bring it home with me!  I mean I didn't even have a shamrock, and that just wasn't leaving me feeling very lucky!  And hey it was just a buck, what luck?!

I added a little Irish verse to the photo, since my shamrock hangs on my door I felt the verse was quite fitting.

And here are a couple more...

For each petal of the shamrock... This brings a wish your way... Good health, good luck and happiness...  For today and every day!

"Wherever you go

and whatever you do,

may the luck of the Irish

be there with you."

- Irish Blessing 

An interesting read on the history of:  The Shamrock.

Lots of Love and Luck to you!...