Mistletoe

This fell from our tree a few days ago. It is odd to see huge clumps of this stuff in ones yard. Yep, another odd thing growing here in Florida. In the back corner of the photo you can see Pearl doing her squirrel patrol keeping our yard safe from fluffy tailed rats she circles the yard then looks at us checking to see if we are watching her do her job. Such a cute little potato. That is what Paige calls her when she speaks spanish to her. "Mí papa pequeña," which means "My little potato."

Pasta with Tomato and Peas

This has become one of our family favorites. I made it last night by request of Paige. The photo is not a great photo but the pasta was very yummy! I do not use all the herbs as listed in the recipe I use an italian salt mix I have used for years, so use what you have and please try this recipe. I find that you need to use more of the pasta water than listed in the recipe. You will be amazed how easy and quick this is to make. Enjoy!

Pasta with Tomato and Peas
Recipe Giada De Laurentiis

1 pound linguine
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup grated Romano

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 2 cups of the pasta water.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, carrots, salt, and pepper. Cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and 1/2 cup of the hot pasta water. Stir to melt the tomato paste and create a sauce, adding more pasta water if necessary. Stir in the oregano, thyme, and parsley. Gently fold in the cooked pasta, peas, and the cheeses, adding more reserved pasta water if necessary. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.

Gardenia

This gardenia is growing in my back yard. I still find it interesting what grows outside here. I am so use to these being house plants that you get from the florist and not planted outside. It is a great time of the year for plants here in Florida, not too hot and just enough rain to make a lot of plants happy.

Grass?

I saw these baskets in Winter Park this winter with Poinsettias in them and they were lovely. Now they have spring flowers and are still lovely. I had to snap some high quality photos and get out to the truck and investigate them a little closer. I was surprised to see that it is just grass planted on the outside of the basket. So cute and interesting. They look so soft and fluffy. They feel more like the grass we are use to up north and not the stiff hard grass here in Florida. I will have to try to make one of these.

Lucky boy!

No, not because he is dating my daughter, well yes that is part of it but it's because he got a Jeep. I think Paige was more excited than Preston. Paige was looking for the lighted mirror, "what no lighted mirror?" "Hey look" she said "the windows roll down by hand." Paige it's a Jeep, a real Jeep. "Look a place for my phone." Preston looks great in his Jeep he got on Valentines day. His parents must really love him. Sorry Paige, your parents don't love you that much you'll have to be 18 before you get any kind of car and we are thinking a tank might be the right one for you.

The perfect shade

It took over 4 years to find the perfect shade for this lamp. I found it at a thrift store when we lived in Nebraska. It was hard to find a shade for it that was the right color, shape, size and price. Finally at a store I love, Anthropologie had the one I wanted, and on clearance. Stacy re-wired the base today and now we have light.

Wet Felted Flowers

Here is another of the flowers that Leisa made, I think she made 6 or 7 flowers while she was here. We have improved the directions and found a few shorter ways to get the desired results. I think Leisa has a new addiction to return home with.

Sweet Potato Chips ~ Mmm!

My friend Leisa went back to Michigan today. While she was here on her extended holiday, we stopped at Dexter's more than once to enjoy the wonderful food they have. Sweet Potato chips were on the menu both times but the Corsican Salad (Marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, Greek olives, feta cheese and red onions served over baby greens with an olive oil lemon-parsley vinaigrette) is what we really stop in for.

A Sheri Berry Valentine

It's here, I know Sheri is very busy and was not sure she was going to make her Valentine this year. I am so glad it has arrived and she found the time in her 36 hour days to make them again. Sheri Seibold has been a friend of mine for years and years since 1987 when I was lucky enough to have her as a teacher in collage.







Quilters will be getting one of the first Sheri Berry - licensed products, a line of over 40 fabrics in cotton and flannel. The baby boy and girl-themed lines, named "Ethan Michael" and Emma Louise," will be shown by the manufacturer, Lyndhurst Studio/Northcott, at a quilting industry show in May. However, a chain of home decor stores in California called "Beverlys" has already placed an order for the flannels to be stocked in their 15 stores which carry fabric. If you don't live in California, the most likely place to find Sheri Berry fabrics in your area by mid summer is an independent quilting fabric store.

Felting addiction #2

I decided that we needed to learn how to wet felt flowers before Leisa left. See what we have done so far, they are drying in the sun here. Leisa has made three! I had to run to the airport and only had time yes terday to make one. We will be making more today. We also have re-written the directions and cut down the making time by 70% or more. It is always good to begin a new craft with a friend. It is fun AS WELL as entertaining.

Word of the Day ~ Dessert

des•sert | di'zert
Noun
the sweet course eaten at the end of a meal: My friend Leisa made us Nutella sandwiches for desert.*

*Note; Departure date changed, more sandwiches required.

Barkcloth

This is one of the finds from yesterday. The lovely ladies with the hats had some wonderful things. I still need to wash this one more time, Borax should get out the yellowing from age. I will make some curtains for our sun porch also known as Pearls room.

Flea Market ~ Webster

The sign says it all. Get it all here.


This time I went to Webster I took Leisa, she has never been to a flea market...Yes never. No she does not live under a rock, its just not high on her list of things to do. She was a great sport and I even think she had a great time.


This reminded me of Shelby. I thought she would think this was cool so I snapped a photo for her.


It is also fun to people watch. Some people you know you would like to grab a cup of coffee and chat with for awhile these ladies were fun and looked like they were having as much fun as we were. Great table cloths and bed coverings. I hope they are there next time I go.


Some people are just interesting to see.


I love to see old package designs. Beautiful, cleaver colorful and cute. Who would not want to pick this up and see what well made item is inside. No, not easy to mass produce and easy to display, like the clear plastic that encases everything and cuts you when you try to open it.

Melbourne

Paige had a crew team event in Melbourne today. Instead of sitting for 5 hours in a smelly gym with no fresh air Leisa, (My holiday friend) and I went to the ocean. The wind was strong and cool but the sun was hot. We made a quick wind screen and sat for hours watching the waves, the people and soaking up the sun. What a great day.

Lunch

Why go out to eat when you can make spinach salad with warm dressing from scratch right at home. Leisa tought me how to make this dressing and we have had it 3 times already. All for around 2.50 for both.

Breakfast

Nothing like a good cup of steel cut oats to start your morning out right and give you the energy to make it through a day at IKEA.

Break Time

I will be off of the computer for the next week or so. I have a guest arriving today for a week and like any good host I need to step away from the addictive blog world.

Home is where the Art is

I finished my triangle banner finally. Wow! that took longer than I thought it would. I enjoyed every minute of making it except for the 4 times I ripped out the border on the first one I made and the 3 times I re-beaded one of the circles. I wish you could see the colors in person the beads just don't translate well in photos and you can not get the true colors to come through on the computer screen. The colors are a little richer looking and the sheen on the silk is a lovely addition to the feel of the banner, you just cant see that in a photo.

I am waiting to see how all the banners from the Triangle Banner Swap hosted by The Amazing Sara turn out. I have been watching their progress and love all the different triangles being made. I will love to see them all finished and I have gotten so much inspiration from seeing all the creativity being shared on the blog.

Happy Birthday KC Tom

Your little friend here would like to wish you Happy Birthday. For those of you who dont know about KC Toms love of these fluffy little things, feel free to read his comment in the comment section of this post.

Here comes the sun

The sun is shinning here and it is about time. One thing that I love about Florida is the sunshine. It has been missing for a few days and it is back. The nice warm rays heating us up feels so good. We have had a cool spell and the heat from the sun is welcome... at least for now. (Did I say I love something about Florida? Wow!)

****also...for those of you who call from time to time the screen on my cell phone is broken and I can not see who called or get my messages so don't think I am not calling you back because I don't like you. I can't tell you called or get your messages.

Dotee Doll

I made my first Dotee Doll last night. Dot from Australia is the creator of these lovely little dolls that are taking over the world. They are small, simple and fun to make. Paige even made one. Here is the Dotee Doll tutorial if you would like to make one. They are very whimsical little dolls that seem to make people smile.

AIRSTREAM

The RV show has been on the top of Stacy's list for awhile, we finally made it there this weekend. I really don't see a need to go I already know what I want and it seems pointless to look at everything else when you should get the best designed camper out there, and besides that it is cute!


It is so inviting.


"Why did I let her go into that Airstream?"  "Now, I won't be able to get a manly camper."  "Yes dear, I know its cute."


"There is not enough room, where would I put my big screen TV?"


I knew he would like this one.  Look he gave me the thumbs up.  Not Cute!

Strawberry Shortcake

We went to a RV show this weekend and Stacy gave in and stopped at Parksdale Farm. The line was very long but moved very fast, I am glad that Heidi told me that because Stacy saw the line and wanted to leave. The ladies taking the orders make sure the line moved quickly by yelling: "Next in line." "Do you know what you want?" "Next in line." The strawberry shortcake was great but the kitsch of the place was even better. I wish I had gotten a photo of the 95 year old lady doing the books in the office using a pencil and a ledger, no computer here, this place was old school.

The line was this long when we got there and still this long when we left.



I know he is thinking.."Don't look at her and maybe she will put the camera down...I am not sitting on that Strawberry throne..I don't care what she says I am not going to be the Strawberry Prince...Why did I get her that camera? Why?"

I don't know why Stacy would not sit on the throne and wear a crown. He would not make eye contact with me when he saw the throne. Poor guy I ask so much of him.

Drink out of a bowl?

Crusty drink out of a bowl? Why would she do that when a nice fresh glass of water is placed on a night stand for her every night? Warning to all over night guests: Cover your water.


Such a Nice Kitty!

Not now, maybe later...

The pin is in two parts. One is hidden inside the other.

I bought this little pin for a friend a few weeks ago with the intentions of sending it to her for Christmas. It is made by textile artist, Sara Lechner who lives in Mank, Austria. I am having a hard time parting with it. I bought a frame for it and for the most part have the box ready to go but I can't seem to let it go. Maybe in a few days or weeks. Maybe I will just send a card...

Driving on water ~ Diving in water

Here are some interesting photos my sister in law Lisa took. They had an exciting day watching a truck getting pulled out of the lake by their house.


It took over 4 hours for them to remove the truck and 30 guys to stand around and watch. What else is their to do on a Sunday afternoon in Upper Wisconsin. Gosh I miss it.


We lived on a lake growing up and it was fun to see what people would do when the lake froze over. We had the guy who would ski behind a car. Then our neighbors Ice house would get hit once or twice a winter. You always had some drunk guys driving around and getting stuck in a snow drift on the ice. And two kids that drove their motorcycles across the lake to see their cousin. Hmmm who would that be?