HAPPY SPRING AND I WON!

Today is the first day of spring and it's raining. Hope it melts all the snow. We have lots yet here in northern Wisconsin. Can't wait to get out and start gardening. Here are some of my irises from a previous year.

Also, Kim at Old Road Primitives, http://oldroadprimitives.blogspot.com had a surprise giveaway for the first three people that commented on her blog and I was one of them. I got to pick out a pattern of my choice from her website. How cool is that? Check out her blog and website if you haven't already. She has so many adorable prim patterns. Kim, thank you so much.

PEEP, PEEP, PEEP. I'm going chick crazy.

Here's my newest creation. These little chicks turned out soooooooooo cute. They're flying out the door before I can hardly finish them.

WE NEED SOME SPRING FLOWERS

Seems like everyone is ready for spring but there is lots of snow here yet. Can't wait to see our backyard come to life when the snow finally melts. Here are some spring photos from other years that I hope everyone will enjoy and hope that they brighten your day.

This is our Flowering Crab tree. Isn't it gorgeous?

This Spurge is so pretty and smells wonderful.

Bleeding Hearts. They are so graceful.

Don't you just love the smell of Lilies of the Valley?

The flowers on Lungwart are so dainty and I love the speckled leaves.

This little guy is so cute on my wooden tulip.

WHAT'S ALL THE TALK ABOUT?

Seems like many bloggers are talking about salt dough crafting and how much fun it is and how it is addicting. Well I thought I would find out for myself. Here's what I came up with and yes it is fun and is addicting. Colleen at And Baby Makes Five has a tutorial on these. Go to http://and babymakesfive-colleen.blogspot.com The possibilities are endless on what you can make with this dough.

REMINDS ME OF FAT SNICKERDOODLES

Here's an old time recipe I found in my Taste of Home Low-Fat Country Cooking cookbook that is really good. I left out the raisins, so it reminds me of fat snickerdoodles. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BREAKFAST BUNS

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 tablesp. baking powder
3 tablesp. margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup skim milk
1 cup raisins, optional
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, 1/2 cup sugar
and baking powder; cut in margarine. Combine eggs,
vanilla and milk; add to dry ingredients and stir
just until moistened. Add raisins. Drop by tablespoon-
fuls onto a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking
spray. Combine the cinnamon and remaining sugar;
sprinkle over buns. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25
minutes or until light golden brown. Serve warm.
Makes 13-16 buns

BUNNY AND EGGS

This cute bunny and eggs can be used as bowl fillers or hung on a twig tree.These make really great gifts.

Foggy Outside And Sunny Inside

It sure is foggy outside, but inside is bright and sunny. My husband, Jeff, gave me these Calla lilies for Valentine's Day. They are so bright and pretty. The bunny is a McCalls pattern I made for myself a few years ago. Hope this brightens your day for you.

THERE'S A NEW BUNNY IN TOWN

I have gotten in the bunny creating mood and here is what I came up with. She measures about 12" tall and she can either sit or hang. Since I created her I decided to name her Becky Bunny. Becky is coffee stained with a hint of cinnamon and as you can see she loves carrots.

MY RECYCLED FLOWER GARDEN

My husband and I love to go rummaging at yard sales, estate sales, goodwills, etc. to find things that we can use in our flower gardens to give them that special look. Here's what we found last year. An old window and wood boxes made the perfect windowbox. An old coffee pot worked great to plant flowers in. An old painted green chair worked great to sit the old metal tub on that we planted flowers in. The finishing touch was some old plates we found. These work well in many of our gardens.

WHEN CAN I POT UP SOME PLANTS?

Well it snowed some more again. It will be a long time before I can pot up any plants in my potting room.

BEST EVER CHICKEN POT PIE

1 can (10 3/4oz.) condensed chicken broth
1 1/3 cups of water
4 med. carrots, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 med. red potatoes, scrubbed and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup frozen green beans
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 refridgerated unbaked piecrust (for 9-inch pie)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken, turkey or beef
If using beef, use beef broth instead

Use your favorite seasoning on the following.
Combine broth, 1 cup water, carrots, potatoes,
peas and beans in a medium saucepan. Bring to
a boil, reduce heat and simmer over low heat
at least 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 400
degrees. Whisk remaining 1/3 cup water into the
flour until smooth and stir into vegetable
mixture. Increase heat to medium-high and
bring to a boil. Spread out piecrust on
floured surface.Measure and roll, if neces-
sary to fit 1-inch larger than top of a 2-
quart shallow baking dish. Stir chicken into
vegetable mixture and transfer to the baking
dish. Place crust over filling, trim and flute
edge. Cut five slits in top. Bake until fill-
ing is bubbly and crust is browned, about 40
minutes. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mugrugs or Mini Wallhangings

I finished these cute little mugrugs up yesterday.

They work great to put your coffee mug or soup mug on. They can also be used as a mini wallhanging.

Hearts, Hearts, Everywhere Hearts

Here are some stuffed hearts that I just finished. They can be used as ornaments, bowl fillers, or pincushions.

Happy Weekend!

Hello to all my followers. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Becky

Good morning to my followers. I came across the following peach bread recipe awhile ago and tried it. It is very good so I would like to share it with you. Let me know what you think.
Becky

PEACH COBBLER BREAD

1/3 c. butter or marg. softened    
1 c. sugar                                     
2 eggs                                          
1/3 c. water                                 
1 tsp. vanilla extract                     
1/8 tsp. almond extract                
1 c. diced, well drained canned peaches
1 2/3 flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 pecans (optional)

Topping: 2 tblsp. chopped pecans and 2 tblsp. brown sugar

In bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Beat in
water and extracts. Stir in peaches. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking
powder. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in pecans. Pour in greased
9 x 5 x 3" loaf pan. Combine topping and sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350
degrees for 50 - 55 min. Cool 10 min. and remove from pan. (1 loaf)

Happy New Year!

I have started working on my new craft blog so be patient as I am slowly learning how to do this. I will be posting my latest creations, garden photos and favorite recipes so check back often.

So many flowers

My roses

Some favorite flowers

Backyard Favorites

Favorite Backyard Flower Photos

Heart bowl fillers

These stuffed hearts are perfect for a bowl or can be used as ornaments or pincushions.

Its a new year so it is time for Valentine crafts.

These heart make a great shelf peg hanger.