My How To... for the day

I can't resist embellishing... I found this cute photo album at Hobby Lobby and decided it would make a cute recipe book. So with the help from a little cream colored ric-rac, a cheap flower torn apart, a flat glass bead, some polka dot scrap paper with the word RECIPES printed on it from the computer...this once plain photo album has a purpose...No peaking Haley! It's a shower gift! Can't wait for another fun partying weekend.

Beautiful Spring Morning...

our on-going back yard project...

my favorite color right now is GREEN!!!

Book Club

I'm so excited for Book Club a.k.a. "Treats and a Good Book" tonight... we are discussing the book Lemon Tart.

I decided to make my version of gingerbread.
chocolate swirl gingerbread
1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cloves
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. molasses
1 egg
2 oz. melted semi sweet chocolate

1. preheat oven 325. Butter 8" square dish. combine dry ingredients.
2. melt butter and water in saucepan. stir into dry ingredients. add molasses and egg
3. pour half of batter into dish. drizzle half of chocolate over batter. add remaning batter and drizzle remaining batter in zig zag pattern over top.
4. run a knife through the lines of chocolate, alternating the direction each time.
5. bake until toothpick comes out clean. about 30 minutes.

weekend at a glance...

boy how the time flies by on the weekend... do you like my new $20 clock from Tia Pan?

Speaking of pan...I got in the mood for these...and yes... you know me.. i mention french bread and it remains on the brain until...good thing I found these sweet things at the grocery storewe are working on our yard...look what's popping up

speaking of popping up... nothing got past this cute first baseman...well, at least nothing I saw.

so that's it in a nutshell... my next question is... Is IT FRIDAY YET? I'm ready for another weekend.

PROGRESS REPORT:

WE'RE TALKING CENTIMETERS OF INCH WORM CRAWLING PROGRESS FOR THIS ALMOST 1 YEAR OLD....BUT WHAT'S THE RUSH?

AS LONG AS THERE IS PROGRESS...SMALL IS BETTER THAN NONE

STRAWBERRY JAM DAY

This is my favorite time of year for lots of reason... but STRAWBERRY JAM is right up there TOP 10!!! It has become a ritual for me almost... clean up the kitchen, organize the bowls and towels and containers... make room in the sink... and then the star of the SHOW...

DON'T FORGET ... THE KITCHEN HELP (nick) WHO SORTS, WASHES AND FISHES THEM FROM THE SINK...

I "CUT THE HEADS OFF" AND THROW THEM INTO THE "CRUSHER"... THEN... LEST WE WORRY ABOUT CALORIES...

Ahhh, the sweet smell of strawberry jam

now.... only one thing could make this better...

Birthday Wishes

What a great weekend I had with my family. We spent tons of time outside from baseball games, to yard work, to playing catch, and looking around at an outdoor nursery. It is so nice to have the sun shining and the grass green. I feel so blessed to have so many great things around me... mostly my family. I DID go to the temple Friday night and totally enjoyed myself. What a calm and rejuvinating place the temple is. I love it. Saturday evening Jake, Mason and Sadie took off on a shopping spree for me. They returned with gifts, and a turtle ice cream cake that was so yummy. It made my birthday surprising and fun and I felt very loved. Jake took over the grill and the kids set up the table and we fully enjoyed dinner on the patio. I don't mind 34! If this is the way this year is going to be spent, with a family like this... I'm the Luckiest Woman in the World.