Hello Sunshine

A Posey for You

Please let me introduce you to Frenchie (even Nana's can have a doll of their own). Frenchie came into my life several years ago at a craft fair in North Carolina.  She is hand sewn from fabrics that are tea-stained so as to appear vintage.  I let her wear some of my vintage jewelry sometimes.  Today, she sparkles with one of my grandmother's heart-shaped rhinestone pendants.  Be sure to note the lovely embroidery on her dress and her special hair.  A conditioning treatment is probably in order!I 

She is holding the first bloom to open this spring on our gardenia bush.  It is huge...the biggest blossom we have ever grown....and it is for YOU.  Isn't the fragrance fabulous?
Have a lovely weekend.  Hugs, Marcy

bits and bobs

An English couple we are friends with use the expression" bits and bobs," where we would say "a little of this and that."  I l0ve the expression, it stirs a little intrigue, and so I say it whenever it fits.
Well, this post is just "bits and bobs" of things around here today (a perfect spring day) .  I sneaked a little time to surf  blogs and discovered a delightful new one..... http://www.thevintagemoth.blogspot.com
Needing to wrap a special birthday present purchased at Selby Gardens last weekend, this blog gave me a great idea for how to wrap my butterfly-themed gift by making some vintage-looking paper.  I printed and then joined two sheets of  beautiful "free" clip-art  from "the moth" and wrapped the present.  Then I used some bits and bobs I had in the studio to add a little bling.  Viola!  Isn't this a charmer!  As I was poking around in my stuff (there's a LOT) a beautiful butterfly card I have never been able to throw away got repurposed.....a big word these days, right? Some beautiful rice paper from my extensive collection (so labeled one day by dear husband) was glued inside for the message.

Check out my  new red bird feeder...the squirrels LOVE it! Foiled again by what our English friends refer to as "rats."

The amaryllis bulbs I featured in a previous post are now in their bloomin' glory.

To part on a thoughtful note, here are some quotes I found written on an old envelope stuffed in a book from the library .......

Samuel Clemmons(Mark Twain), "I'm an old man.  I've had a lot of troubles, most of which never happened!"

Fear is just a shadow of futures which may or may not be.  Non- existent circumstances, borrowed trouble frequently.

Fear is living in the wreckage of the future.

There are no free rides.

Breathe!         (no sources given for above quotes)

Enjoy today;-)  Hugs, Marcy

A Special Sunday

 Today, Easter Sunday, was indeed a very special Sunday.  Won't you come along for a glimpse of nature's poetry! 
Our whole gang packed up for an afternoon at Selby Gardens in Sarasota.  The weather was paradise, lovely breeze off the Gulf mixed with lots of happy sunshine. We took a picnic lunch and found a "settling in" spot the appropriate distance (considering we had three grandchildren present) from a wonderful live string quartet performance. I offered a surprise, my "famous" deviled eggs, to get things started. 

Selby and Ethan climbed over this giant old banyan tree.

After lunch we listened to the music and toured the lush gardens, fascinated as always by the huge banyan trees, specimen orchids and ferns, statues aged with time and the koi pond.

Papa Clint (our own family miracle - ably wheeling around the gardens after a devastating spinal cord injury four years ago) takes baby Sage for a spin.
Sage and I make up the youngest and oldest girls in the family.

 

Selby strikes a pose. 

A stroll around the succulent garden and a pitcher plant (true opposites in nature) in the greenhouse were especially interesting.

 

Ah, Easter Sunday, a happy day of big thoughts.I hope I have touched  you with some sunshine today.  Hugs, Marcy

dancing in the rain

I must share this with you.....

Cokie Roberts, an ABC News correspondent whom I have enjoyed and admired for many years, has a new New York Times best-selling book, "Ladies of Liberty." A very special quote in this book must be shared: "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain."  Lots of food for thought and action here, right?

Today, I am dancing in the rain.  I will pot some amaryllis bulbs that are screaming for soil and water. By first painting some of my old sap buckets fresh spring colors, these bloomers will have a special place to reside.

Then, I am going to try out the new watercolor pencils I bought  yesterday at a local art symposium.  The Faber-Castell representative gave a demo using these pencils that got me almost jumping up and down.  Lots of creative techniques, FREE samples of art supplies and meeting some new "art" friends made for a great day.

This afternoon dear husband and I will pick up Sage from the mothers-morning-out program and bring her back here for lunch and a swim.  Our pool feels like a spa.  Had to turn the solar heater off yesterday when the water temp reached 95 degrees! 

Don't forget to do some dancing in the rain! (Let me know what you are doing???)  Hugs, Marcy

Have you tried making HUMMUS?

Yesterday, while searching the pantry for something for lunch, a can of chick peas that has been around for a while called out to me....make some homemade hummus.  I got on the web and found a recipe using several  ingredients that I have not previously used in making hummus.  After a trip to the backyard herb garden, I set up the blender and in just a few minutes I had the best hummus ever!!

Store bought hummus is very good.  When Publix has a hummus "BOGO" I enjoy trying different flavors - roasted garlic, roasted red pepper, eggplant etc. and they are all delicious.......but the recipe below gets 5 stars from me. I served it with cracker "scoops", celery and carrot sticks.

Here's the recipe.  Let me know what you think.  Do you have an even better idea??  Comments please!
Bon Appetite!  Marcy

HUMMUS

1 can chick peas drained and rinsed

1/4 to 1/2 cup tahini (be sure to stir up the oil on top )

1/4 to 1/2 cup plain yogurt

3-4 leaves fresh mint

juice of one lemon (fresh)

2 cloves garlic mashed with 1/2 t. salt

Mix all in blender for several minutes.  It will get very smooth.  If it is too thick add one or two tablespoons cold water to help it blend. Spread on plate.  Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, black olives and capers if you like. Sprinkle paprika (around rim) and drizzle with olive oil.

Note:  I liked it with the maximum quantity of each ingredient listed in recipe and one additional clove of garlic.  Sweet, smokey Hungarian paprika is wonderful on this and on deviled eggs.  I found it at a specialty food store.