Monday Breather

Today is the day before school starts here. Tomorrow the two teen will be off to start their second year at High Marq Environmental Charter School here in Montello.  I can't explain how much nicer they are and how much more enthusiastic and involved they have become in their studies. I am thrilled. The two little guys headed back by mom for her week so after this I will have almost a perfect week. Hours to myself to finish crochet projects, get the Etsy shop changed around, blog and bake. Sounds like alot of work but I can't wait. I also have a big project under way. I am going to throw a family Holiday party. Ever since I can remember we as a family have all gathered either on Christmas Eve or in later years the Sunday before to visit , catch up and just be together. A few years back my Gram passed on and since then we have stopped doing this. A big mistake I think, maybe no one wants to do all the planning and people are all so busy but I think we need to take time to pass along to the kids what we all enjoyed so much as kids.  So, with the new house and some extra space I am working on inviting everyone up here. It will be a Saturday so the fact that we are a four hour drive from Chicago where many of them live should not be a problem. In fact should we chat late there are quite a few nice motels right in town for an overnight stay.  I have invited my sister and her family from Tulsa to come and spend a few days , so they will be at my house visiting with Mom and us.  As usual my husband will take the drive to Watertown and pick up Uncle Eddie and for the first time in about 45 yeasr my Aunt Charlotte who we recently found will be able to come and meet everyone too. Right now we are busy working on my favorite room.....the sun porch where there is a fireplace and I want to put the Christmas  Tree.

It is hard to tell by this photos but the room is all white right now.  A big change is in the works. Something cheerful and cozy. I have been painting tables and ma working on a painting for over the fireplace. I have been a little worried if I can pull it off but hubby says I can.  We will see if not it is firewood!

I just listed a little monster hat on the etsy shop  http://www.etsy.com/listing/80702670/monster-hat

well I am off to finsih a frog sweater and blanket order and then make a family favorite that needs to simmer all day pork roast, potato dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage.  

What a Difference a Day Makes

Just a day or two ago the snow flakes flew and my newly sprouted floers were covered with a blanket of snow.  This morning here is not a trace of snow in the yard.  I am very thankful for that  becasue I have an Easter Egg Hunt planned for Sunday morning and really did not want to wear snow boots to do it.

I get so excited when I see these plants come back because I am NOT a gardener. No green thumb, sand for soil and hate pulling weeds. Over the past few years I have added perenials to the space along my dricveway in hopes to not have to plant ever again. Now, I check each morning to see just what has come back. Hens and chicks are up, some of the sedum, a few unknown plants and of course day lilies. Spring really is here, finally.

I have the eggs on to boil and two little boys on their way here to color the eggs. I miss the fun of having the little ones, the teenagers are really not into all the prep fun any more. They still look for the Easter Basket and are on board to help tommorrow with the Easter Bunny Parade downtown.  It is fun to look at last years photos and see how much the kids have grown.

This Montello Easter Bunny Parade we started about 4 years back and it keeps getting bigger. The businesses along the sidewalk downtown come out to pass out candy as the kids follow the bunny through the downtown.  A funny story.... the first year my grandson Mike was about 8. After the parade and photos the bunny needed a ride back to the Garden Center. My husband offered to drive. Mike went with foir the ride. Not wanting to burst his belief in the Easter Bunny, Bob the owner of the Garden Center and (Bunny) could not remove the head. They dropped him off and he waved as they drove off. To anyone who would listen , Mike told that the Bunny went to the Garden Center and somehow lived there. If only they could stay that way just a little longer. Thank you to Bob for all the happy memories and fun.  I am having dinner at home for Easter and have a small shoppping list, some baking to do and last minute check on the ingredients for dinner. A low stress day would be great and much appreciated. My MOM has moved here from Tulsa and this will be our first Easter I think since I was a toddler. ( long story on why, and I will save that for another day). So the guest list will look something like this....Hubby and me, daughter Kathy and her son Mike, Daughter Patrice and her Matt, Liz, hopefully sam and Joey with his two boys JJ and Carsen, Chrissy and her friend Zach, Mom and maybe Cheryl and a friend.
 The boys and I have planned to make placecards and finish a centerpiece, I hope to get photos of all the craftiness that goes on. At almost 2 and just 3 it should be quite an afternoon.

Here is a cupcake recipe I found for Easter, but I am using orange instead of lemon.  Have a great weekend!
Raspberry Lemonade Angel Food Cupcakes

Cake

•1 box Angel Food Cake Mix, prepared as directed
•Zest of 2 medium lemons
•1 package of raspberry Jello (3 oz) – sugar free is fine
•1 cup of water
Frosting
•2 cups heavy whipping cream
•2 tablespoons white sugar
•3 fluid ounces of frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
•Candied Lemon or fresh raspberries to garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven as directed on the cake mix box.
2. Mix the cake batter as directed on the box.
3. Fold in lemon zest after mixing.
4. Bake according to the instructions for cupcakes on the box.
5. After your cupcakes have cooled, use a fork to pierce holes in the top. Poke the fork into the tops 2-3 times per cupcake.
6. Heat one cup of water to boiling. Stir into gelatin mix until dissolved (in a glass measuring cup if you have one – will make the next step easier!)
7. Pour (or spoon) slowly over cupcakes. You don’t want a full swimming pool in the cupcakes – just a little to run into the tunnels you made with the fork. Attempting to photograph yourself pouring into the cupcakes = spilled liquid gelatin mess on the counter. Trust me.
8. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. I made these the night before and refrigerated overnight!
Onto the frosting!
9. If possible, chill your mixing bowl before you get started. Then combine whipping cream, sugar and lemonade concentrate in a bowl and beat until the frosting reaches stiff peaks when you remove your beaters.
10. Put whipped cream into a piping bag and frost your cupcakes! Top with candied lemon or fresh raspberries!
http://www.didsomeonesaypartysite.com/2011/04/raspberry-lemonade-angel-food-cupcakes.html

Black & White Wednesdays

This is my first week following Lisa's Black & White Wednesdays and I can hardly wait to check out all the other blogs

Here is my photo....if titled it would be CHEESE ! This is my Great Grandson JJ and he is a ham. It is amazing to me as I watch him, exactly how much he is like his Dad. And just like dad he is a grammas boy.  Secretly I would'nt have it any other way. JJ is also my cupcake buddy, we bake and he always comes running when he hears the mixer.

working hard......

It is still cold here but, the snow has ended and hopefully we can get it all cleared before the cold sets in. This is just one of the new items I am adding. Would'nt this look cute on your little one?