ladybug

I found this little ladybug crawling on my sleeve yesterday so I placed her on our roses and then snapped a few pictures not knowing if my little pocket camera could actually focus on something so small. I was amazed.  

Such a lovely little ladybug!

Happy Monday

DIY car repair

Dad & Daughter

working on the car together....

...PRICELESS!!!

My DIY husband does most of the repair and maintenance on our cars and has spent the last few days working on one of our kids cars. He has been researching, troubleshooting and testing parts of the engine in an effort to narrow down the problem which seems to be the fuel pump. Another diagnostic test was required to pinpoint the exact part that needed to be replaced. This test required two people, one person to start the car and one person to hopefully catch the gas that should come out of the hose if his diagnosis was correct. {This is where our daughter comes in} Our boys weren't home so he asked if she could come out and hold a cup {recycled yogurt container} under a hose from the fuel pump and let him know if and when any gas comes out. He gave her some quick instructions and showed her what to do. Then he bypassed the relay switch and sure enough, the gas started flowing. Problem solved. He called the auto parts store and ordered a new switch. Two hours later they called to let him know it had arrived from the warehouse so he hurried down and picked up the $30 part.

He plugged it in,
turned the key.....turned it again....and again....


you guessed it
it wouldn't start
{BUMMER}
apparently it's going to take 
a little more work 
a few more parts 
and a bit more time


but he is determined and I'm sure he'll get it running
he ALWAYS does!

backyard in bloom

our lilacs

our espaliered

granny smith

apple

tree

our candy tuft

These are just some of the beautiful flowers blooming in our backyard this week. Most won't last for long. Already our pear tree blossoms are being blown from the branches by the gentle spring breeze, drifting like snowflakes to the ground and leaving a temporary blanket of pretty white polka dots all over the yard. Not to worry though, there are still plenty of buds that have yet to open, ready and waiting to add new flowers, more colors and the sweet smell of spring to our backyard.

Happy Friday!

twice baked potatoes

 aka: stuffed potatoes or loaded potatoes

I made twice baked potatoes for the 
"Birthday Dinner"  
Tuesday along with grilled steaks, a few salads, some homemade bread and

BIRTHDAY PIE! 

~SO GOOD~

Birthday Pie

simple

 old fashioned

apple crumb

birthday 

pie!!!

Sometimes our kids choose pie for their birthday dessert instead of cake. Apple and cherry pie are the two that are the most often requested. Yesterday I made this apple crumb pie to serve with the birthday dinner we had for our oldest son. I baked it late in the day so I could serve it warm from the oven which we think 

is the

very best 

way to eat

BIRTHDAY PIE!

Marinated Carrots

2# carrots, cleaned & cut into matchsticks

1 large sweet onion, sliced

1 can tomato soup

1 C. salad oil

1 C. sugar

3/4 C. vinegar

1 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

1/4 t. dill weed

Cook carrots until  just tender.  Drain and cool quickly. Place in 2 quart casserole or bowl with pepper and onion. Combine remaining ingredients for marinade and pour over vegetables. Chill at least 24 hours before serving.

This is one of my favorite spring time salad recipes. I'm not sure why it reminds me of spring but I always make it a lot around this time of year. 

● ● ● ● ●

from my list of one thousand gifts

coffee in china tea cups::a bouquet of pink tulips::80 degree days::yard work::spring cleaning::the sound of birds singing at dawn::the smell of fresh cut grass::the birth of our first child 27 years ago today

Happy Birthday JOHN!

● ● ● ● ●

It Is Well With My Soul

rain drops on roses

{photos taken by our daughter}

Russell Street Bar•B•Que

the guys had ribs

the girls had chicken

Last night we went out for dinner, sort of a belated birthday celebration for Peter since his actual birthday fell on a work night. We decided it would be better to wait until a weekend, after Easter, so there would be no worries about getting home early because of work and school the next day and we agreed, it was worth the wait. Peter asked that we pick a place he had never tried, something unique and preferably outside our stomping grounds. Well, there are lots of fun, interesting, yummy restaurants in pockets all over the city but we finally settled on Russell Street Bar•B•Que which he really liked. He said it was exactly the type of place he was thinking of and he especially liked that it was BBQ. The food was great and we arrived just before the rush. Since it is a very popular place there was a long waiting line when we left.

It was just the four of us for dinner this time however, we have more family birthdays to celebrate in April so I'm sure we'll be doing this again. 

Have a Great Saturday!

tulips

The great thing about spring is that something is always in bloom!

Beach Party

Last Saturday our family went to the

 "BEACH"

...well, sort of.

Actually, it was a 

surprise

BEACH

birthday party!

Our creative friends transformed their garage into a tropical paradise, complete with raked SAND covering the floor, PALM TRESS and BEACHCOMBER HATS.

I loved the big tropical mural which was custom made for their party by another talented friend. It was the perfect prop and a great backdrop for

photos.

To continue the "beach" theme the hosts served a variety of amazing Jamaican food that they had prepared as well as tropical themed treats and beverages.

They had thought of everything

so

when the "birthday girl" arrived

she was very 

SURPRISED!

It was a fun filled afternoon at the 

BEACH!

pineapple & penguins

Last week I  made these cards

and envelopes. 

The envelopes are made out of magazine pages and maps. 

I also make a smaller size envelope

which can be seen here.

A fun and creative way to recycle.

Happy Monday!

Happy Easter!

Easter prep

A beautiful, busy day before Easter! 

My "not so perfect" stenciled Easter eggs. 

(I mistakenly used my dry erase contact paper instead of my vinyl...bummer.)

I still think they're pretty cute.

Next year they'll be perfect,

I hope.

Good Friday

My DIY paper Lilies.

Easter prep & parties today!

Have a wonderful Saturday!