So Sweet Lilacs

Out of Africa

It's a very fortunate thing to have a sister who is working on her PhD, and takes trips to exotic places such as, oh...Cameroon, Africa. And brings back wonderful treasures like elephants and crocodile bottle cap openers carved from ebony wood, and beaded necklaces, and beautiful fabric.

Here's the fabric sewn into a cute little bag by my talented mama with an antler button made by Dad. It looks like an elephant's tusk, don't you think?

Sweet #3!

Can it be three years already since we brought this tiny person home?! Nameless for two weeks...we needed to find the perfect one to suit her personality. She has a huge heart for doggies, kitties, and whatever critter that happens to be within reach. She's a cuddle bug! Extremely generous with "big, juicy hugs and kisses". =)

Happy Birthday, Morgan Presley! xoxoxo

A Blissful Monday

Laundry on the clothesline...

...and a profusion of flowers from two wee garden fairies.

Buttons

My dad has been a great outdoorsman for as long as I've known him (and probably longer). Deer being one of his favorite subjects, I asked him if he could spare some antlers and test out making some rustic buttons from them. He wasn't willing to part with any of his trophies ;) but he did scout out some winter shed that the mice hadn't gotten to yet (they eat them!) Dad sliced the antlers, drilled the holes, and polished them into these beautiful buttons. And I put some in my store.

Aaahhh, Bath Time...

Caution: "fowl" video follows, involving outdoor bathing. ;)

This little chickie enjoyed her dust bath immensely! Just listen to her contented sigh as she tells all about her busy day.


Now these little chickies desperately need a bath, too!


And finally, this chick is going to enjoy a nice, long soak in the tub. Aaahhh...

A Very Happy Easter!

"But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

"The angel said to the woman, 'Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said...'" Matthew 28:5 & 6
What good news!

We had a very busy, and very blessed Easter yesterday. How about you?

My little Daisy and Daffodil modeling their eyelet Easter frocks.

The Easter table with my little spring peeps. All ready for a feast with family.

More of my peeps hunting for brightly colored Easter eggs.

And finally, a trip down the trail for a delightful end of the holiday.

The Vintage Mouse Dress

This is the original. Worn almost 30 years ago by Auntie Shan. It's been passed to friends, and children of friends, and though it is looking a bit well~loved, still has plenty of good playtime left in it.

I love the little knot in his tail. I wonder what milestone in his life it marks.

Awards

I've been blessed with two awards recently. Actually, this first one is not very recent ~ my apologies, Heather!

Seven interesting things about me (wow! I'm really not very interesting!)

1. I've never had my ears pierced. That's right; I've held out for 33 years. I have considered it before, but my hubby prefers my maiden earlobes. =)

2. I was "sweet sixteen twenty-one, and never been kissed." Can you guess who he was? ;)

3. When I was 16, I had the amazing opportunity to tour Germany and other parts of Europe with my high school German class. Only regret: I didn't appreciate the experience quite as much as I would now, at twice that age. But, I did have so much fun!

4. I do not like Kielbasa sausage. Neither does Papa B. We never have. It's because of the "white things."

5. I used to want 17 children to beat Rosie, the sweetest little old lady we used to visit in the nursing home who had 16. She couldn't remember all their names.

6. I still have my tonsils, appendix, gall bladder, all that good stuff.

7. One time, I ran out of gas on the freeway, walked to the nearest farmhouse, asked the two young men who lived there if I could use their phone, and when they said they didn't have one, allowed them to drive me to a pay phone to call my dad...in their low-rider...with some sort of fringe along the top of the windshield...and (velvet?) seats...

Gave my guardian angel a run for his money! (But really, they were very kind people to me, bless their hearts. It was my dad I needed to worry about when I told him what I did. =D)

Thank you so much, Heather, for the sweet award! I pass it on to:

Lady Farmer

Shannon

Melody

Roo and Wren's Mama

Kat

Miss Jen

Marquita

I know some of you have "award free" buttons on your blogs, so please don't feel obligated in any way. Just know you're appreciated! :)

And this award is from my dear friend, Kat. I'm so honored that she thought of me, and that she so often visits my little blog with such kind words. Thank you! Readers, you really should check out her blogs; she has the most amazing talent for poetry, haiku, words in general. And her genuine love for all creatures is so happily obvious. =)

And now I get to choose a dozen sunny blogs to award, too.

Blogs with a beautiful mix of family and creative home life:

Weaving God's Word Into Our Lives

They Call Me Mama

The Adventures of Roo and Wren

Blessed Femina

No Greater Joy
With A Grateful Prayer And A Thankful Heart
Sweete Felicity
A Merry Heart Journal
Ivory Spring
Greyhaven Pines
Le Monde de Catherine
Robin's Egg Blues

Only twelve, huh? But I'm not done. I could name so many more wonderful spots on the web, so please check out my sidebar for a whole bunch of treasures from blogland. ;)

Caution: Student Driver!

One is terribly anxious about this speedy contraption, the other can't wait to step on the gas! Can you tell which is which? The look of impish delight might be a clue.

"Oh, good grief! I didn't see that Buick parked there, honestly! Sis, don't be so dramatic."

Please excuse the lack of camera savvy. ;)

Words of Promise

From our 5 Bible verses the girls and I read together every night before bed...

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."

~ Psalm 50:14 & 15

Hot Cross Buns

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot-cross Buns!

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot-cross Buns!

Hot-cross Buns!

If ye have no daughters,

Give them to your sons.

Hot Cross Buns

4 to 4 1/2 cups all~purpose flour
1 package yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash ground cloves
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
2/3 cup currants or raisins
1/4 cup diced candied orange peel (optional)
1 beaten egg white
1 recipe Powdered Sugar Icing
[1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk or orange juice

Combine ingredients; stir in milk or juice 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches drizzling consistency.]

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups flour, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In a pan heat and stir milk, butter, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt till warm (120* ~ 130*) and butter almost melts. Add milk mixture to dry mixture. Add eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high 3 minutes. Stir in currants and orange peel (if desired), and as much remaining flour as you can.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover; let rise in a warm place till double (about 1 1/2 hours).

Punch dough down. Turn onto floured surface. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 20 portions. Shape portions into smooth balls. Place balls 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise till nearly double (45 to 60 minutes).

Using a sharp knife, make a crisscross slash across top of each bun. In small bowl combine beaten egg white and 1 tablespoon water. Brush mixture of egg white and water over rolls. Bake in a 375* oven 12 to 15 minutes or till golden brown. Cool slightly. Drizzle Powdered Sugar Icing into slashes atop each bun. Serve warm.

Traditionally in England and other Christian countries, these buns were eaten on Good Friday, because of the symbolism of the cross. The cute little nursery rhyme was originally a street cry in London in the 1700's at Easter and Christmas times.

"Good Friday come this month, the old woman runs
With one or two a penny hot cross buns." ~ Poor Robin's Almanack for 1733 (info from wikipedia. Check out their link for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_cross_bun)

Back to Business

My poor PC picked up a virus somewhere last week (no more playing with the other little PCs at the playground, I guess...ugh, I'm such a nerd!) =) We're all fixed up now, so I'm sharing some projects I've been working on for my Etsy store. So much fun and quick to make!

The apple scrubbers.

And some wash cloths that remind me of springtime daffy~down~dillies.

Has Spring Sprung Already?

Hoping for a little feathered family to move in soon.

Patience Is Rewarded

After a lengthy sabbatical, Lizzy is back in production! Yippee! No more buying pricey organic eggs from the store, or begging dozens from Mother. =)

(In)Famous Quotes

♥ Raegan, after enjoying a tasty lunch, "That was de~ and ~licious!"

♥ Morgan, rummaging through a pile of plastic animals for a certain dog, "Oh smash!" (though not with frustration so much as glee...)

Stitching Up Some Fun

...in my shoppe. =)

B is for Banana Bread

When life gives you black bananas, make...

Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
(throw in some nutmeg and a dash of salt, too)
1 egg
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil

Grease the bottom and half inch up the sides of an 8 x 4 x 2-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Make a well in the center of dry mixture; set aside.

In another bowl combine the egg, bananas, sugar, and cooking oil. Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture. Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy).

Spoon batter into the prepared pan. Bake in a 350* oven for 50-55 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Recipe here says to cool, wrap and store overnight...but, I don't follow directions very well; we ate it warm with lots of butter. =)

♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." Song of Solomon 6:3

♥ Buffalo Valentine ♥

"Smooch, smooch!"

On Saturday we trekked up to the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim to celebrate Valentine's Day. Romantic, huh? We'll take dining on cheap bread with wild animals over wine and caviar in a fancy restaurant any day. ;)

This guy had it all figured out. "I'll just park myself right here in the road, so they'll HAVE to stop and feed me!"

And then up to Dungeness for lunch on the shore. I love the sharp wind on the water in February!

My three sweethearts. ♥♥♥

"Look at the puddleduck!" A seagull elevated in status by Beatrix Potter's wonderful stories. =)