Springtime!

Josephine has been playing outside with her sister and daddy.  She's loving this springtime weather!

doily project

Just a quick little Sunday post, I don't have much to say. 
Today I completed doily #3 in my doily project.  (see original post here.)
Again, it needs to be blocked.  but I think it's sweet anyway.

Another gorgeous day here in Missouri.  The girls and I spent most of the day outside, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk.  We also checked on our zucchini, which was planted yesterday.  We are doing raised beds this year.  I'll post pictures once there's something of interest to show.

Doily Project - Day 1

I bought the coolest little book called 99 Little Doilies by Patricia Kristoffersen.  You know how some books have one or two patterns you want to make, and the rest seem to be just filler?  Not this one.  At least not for me.

So I am going to make every doily in the book.  Not in any specific order, just randomly.  Today I started my project with #31 in the book.  I used an E hook and I Love This Cotton! yarn, to make the doily a little more modern.  Here's the outcome:

It needs to be blocked, but I just couldn't wait to show it off.  I think it turned out quite well. 

Here's my new doily in action:

Please excuse the darkness of the picture, I couldn't wait until morning.  Are you catching on yet that I am lacking in patience?  I'll work on that.

I won!

Oh, I'm jumping out of my skin excited!!!  I won the Shabby Apple giveaway over at The Pink Couch!!! I can hardly believe it! 

Now, the real delimma is choosing from all the gorgeous Shabby Apple dresses.  I want one of each!  In the end, I chose 

Piazza Navona

because it looks easy to wear, and I'm so ready for spring!

I've been busy working on coffee cozies lately, I'll post more about that later.  On my agenda today:  finishing up orders, painting, and if I have time, maybe a market bag or two.

Have a lovely day!

        

Recovering

As you can see, Bonita and Oliver had surgery this week.  They are recovering nicely, and are no longer as pathetic as the pictures would leave you to believe.

The vet techs fell in love with Oliver, who was of course his usual charming and adorable self.  Their best guess, as far as his breed, is a mix of wire hair dachshund and labrador.  I can see it.

Hubby called at lunch, said his "work cat" had kittens this weekend.  He is all bent out of shape worried about their safety, so I told him to bring them home tonight.  Who would have thought we would be adding a big orange mama cat and three tiny kittens to our already large family?  I think I will call her Clementine.  Pictures coming soon. 

Why I'm Smiling Today

I picked up a fun little book that I simply must tell you about.  It's called 1033 Reasons to Smile by Elizabeth Dutton.  I've only read a few pages, and I am indeed smiling! 

This is the other reason  I'm smiling.  My sweet little Bonita, who is my constant companion.  She loves to sit on my lap and watch me make slippers.

I'm also smiling at the bad squirrel, stealing the bird food.  He's irritating, yet funny.  I don't have the heart to tell him he can't have the yummy seeds I set out.  I'm sure he thinks they are just for him.

What's making you smile on this lovely Monday?

Caramel Nut Bread Pudding

It's been a while since I've blogged.  One of my resolutions for 2012 was to blog regularly.  I'm not doing so well, am I? 

I think my problem with blogging is, I'm always so busy enjoying what I'm doing that I don't take the time to record it properly!  After the fact I think about it, but then it's too late.

Last week I make a delicious Caramel Nut Bread Pudding from a vintage book I inherited from my grandmother.  I actually remembered to document it! 

See the cute owl measuring cups and the spoons?  A gift from my bestie Stacey.  She knows me so well!

Caramel Nut Bread Pudding

3/4 c brown sugar
2 T butter
2 cups milk
2 eggs, separated
1/2 t vanilla
dash salt
1 1/2 c day old bread
1/2 cups chopped nuts (I used pecan pieces)

Combine the brown sugar and butter in the top of a double boiler over boiling water.  Carmelize the sugar, cooking and stirring for two minutes.  Stir in milk and scald, do not boil.  Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm.  In a separate bowl whisk egg yolks with vanilla and salt.  Blend into cooled milk mixture.  Butter a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.  Spread bread cubes evenly over bottom of dish.  Sprinkle chopped nuts over bread cubes.  Pour custard m ixture into dish and stir to distribute bread cutes and nuts evenly.  Beat egg whites to stiff-peak stage and fold into custard.  Set dish in a pan of hot water and bake at 350 for 40 to 50 minutes.  Serve with caramel sauce.