New Season-New Look

This photo came from another blog.  It has three things I love: pale pink peonies, tea cups and vintage jewelry.
Don't worry, we didn't get another cat.  But doesn't this picture make you wish she was yours?

IF we ever got a camper, I would want one just like this.

We're having a pretty quiet weekend here.  Dan is pretty much glued to the TV for the NCAA tournament.  I've been reading my book for book club, The Whistling Season, and liking it very much.  It's a story about a one room schoolhouse out west.  We meet this Wed and I'm halfway through which means 150 pages yet.  I also made lasagna for dinner tonight and am doing some spring cleaning inside the house.  In about a month, the inside of the house will be severely neglected so I'm trying to de-clutter, get rid of any winter decor and just lighten things up a bit.  It's very windy here today and we haven't had much sunshine all weekend.  I'd say 80% of the snow is gone and what remains is pretty ugly.  This shall pass!  Have a wonderful week~Laurie

Happy Spring!!!!!

Yay....it's officially spring!  We had a spring potluck at work and many dressed in spring attire too.  I was going to wear sandals but the fresh dusting of snow on our sidewalk this morning changed my mind and I went with white jeans and a springy top instead.  I made potato salad.  My first graders were happy to wear their spring headbands with bees and flowers attached with pipe cleaners.  One asked me why we still have snow if it's spring to which I replied, "because we live in Mn."  We had misty rain all morning and then the afternoon was full of sunshine.  Sounds like tomorrow will be very nice too.  Shari's birthday is on the first day of spring so it's always easy for me to remember when the vernal equinox will occur.

We are just getting ready to watch David's team (Eden Prairie) play online. If they win, they'll be in the state tournament and we'll get to watch him on TV next week!  Go Eden Prairie!!!!

First Robin 2009

About 30 mn after my last post,  Dan and I spotted the first robin or two just across the road.  We ran into Ashby for dinner at Murphy's Pub.  We enjoyed a pint of green beer and I was impressed that Dan actually wore a green shirt to work today, one of my favorite springy plaid shirts.   Green looks nice on him.  Hope you enjoyed another spring like day!

Just a warning-

I looked back in my nature journal, which goes back 9  years, and most Aprils had snow, quite a few inches of snow.  But then three days later it would be 80 degrees-only in Mn!  Maybe we'll get lucky this year and miss the late snow.  We've had enough.

One more thing-

I think I saw a great blue heron on the way to Ashby, but I can't say for sure as it was a ways off.  Jan, have you seen one yet?  I miss comparing bird notes with you at school.  

Spring Birds 2009!!!

Red Wing Blackbird

It's that time of year to post some of the spring birds as I see them return to this area.  Something fun to do while I wait for the ground to dry up enough to do something outside.  This morning, I spotted this bird on the way to work.  It's my official first spring bird.  I have yet to see a robin although many people are work have reported seeing them.  The Canada geese are going off in pairs I see.   There is usually a pair at the end of Sandy Road by the marsh but not yet.   Happy bird-watching!!

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Darlene sent this recipe for chocolate cake in a mug.  Maybe you have seen it before. You make it in the microwave and it's very good.   I tried it the other night and added walnuts to mine.  I was going to make it earlier but waited until we had ice cream in the house.  I only cooked mine for 2 minutes and it was ready.  I used a big mug.

You can find the recipe right here.

Good Luck at the BB

Brooks Brothers shoes made in Italy,   Price ticket on the shoe $288.00!!! Seriously? I think I could stand to wear these for a couple of hours, definitely not working shoes.

Cute little Old Navy Sock Monkey for $1.

Nike shirt with matching pants in Joey's size!

Lands End Turtle dress $2

Blue polka dot dress $1 (It had a big rip)

Faux fur trim long sweater $1.50.   Kind of fun  and Tracy Porter-ish, her website has definitely influenced me, have you checked it out in my side bar yet?

Front and back of a flower jumper, Gracie's size.

This is not even half of what I bought while "working" today.  Not bad for a grand total of $21.  

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Happy Saturday everyone!  I thought I'd get a quick post out before I head to the Bargain Bazaar to work the 10-2 shift with Shirley and Jean.  We always have a lot of fun working together so I'm looking forward to that.  Last night, I enjoyed watching Mama Mia at a friend's house for a girl's night.   It was a lot of fun and the movie was very good.  I loved the daughter's character.  She also plays the daughter in Big Love if you watch that.  She can really sing.

LOVE this little lampshade.  I think I need another little project to do inside.  My herbs are planted and I am waiting for them to sprout.  The coriander seeds have to be planted outside so I only have the parsley and basil going.  Hopefully, we'll get the warmth and sunshine soon.  It's warmer today but still so windy you hardly notice.  I really hate the wind.

Downtown Crows

This was published in the Strip this week.  Every spring the crows descend in the Loring Park area and I thought this was a cool picture.  I think it's very close to where Dan's apartment used to be.  Did you know that crows can be taught to speak and that they are very smart birds with amazing memories?  If you ever read "The Tarantula in My Purse" by Jean Craighead George you will see crows in a new light.  It was one of my favorite read alouds for 4th grade.  A collection of short animal stories-the kids loved them.

Gotta run or I'll be late for "work."  Maybe I can find another treasure for a give away on the blog.  That was kind of fun!  Have a great weekend!

Blizzard Warning-No School

We are in a Blizzard Warning and school was cancelled for the day.  No snow or anything else yet, just very dreary-perhaps the calm before the storm?  So, I'm doing a quick little post as Dan will soon have the computer line for the day as he's working from home.  It's always nice to have him here on my snow days.  I plan to do a little baking (biscotti), a little cleaning and organizing in the pantry/bathroom (yes, it's strange-kind of an oxymoron)  and plan to plant my herbs today too.  That's all for now-be careful out there!

Inspiration Photo's

New Cleaning Product

Nancy introduced me to this Watkins all purpose Lemon spray  available at Target for $3.99.  They have quite a few other products in the same price range.  It smells nice, is earth/animal friendly and even says on the front that it is stress friendly!  Plus, like Nancy says, it looks nice on your counter.  It has a nice old fashioned look about it.  They have some products in lavender too.  Get ready for your spring cleaning!

Seeds

The seeds on my window sill are waiting...maybe on my possible snow day this Tuesday.  The weather is not looking nice and they are using the B word for the Fergus area and north. A couple of years ago I had good luck with lettuce in containers and that's what I plan to do again this year.  Herb plants are expensive at the nurseries, so this year I hope to have enough for myself and to share.  I've never planted herbs from seed but I think it should be easy. Today it was so warm on the south side of our house.  I  can't wait to decorate the deck with furniture and plants again.

Tater-Tot Hot dish

All lined up

Piled on top

Tonight I am making tater-tot hot dish for supper.  I just brown hamburger with onion, mix corn, green beans, pepper and celery soup with a little milk- pour over the hamburger and top with the tater tots.  Bake for one hour at 350.  Tonight I added a layer of cheddar cheese above the sauce.  We love this dish and haven't had it all winter so it's about time.  The leftovers are great too.    Darlene & Ann always lines their taters up just so in nice little rows.  I just throw mine on top in a jumble.  What method do you use?  Probably the way your mom did it I bet.

Guacamole!

I had guacamole dip at a friend's house a while back and it was so yummy.  She told me how to make it and I have made it a few times since then, just today in fact.  Why have I not been making this before????  I can't wait to make it this summer and enjoy it with a Corona!  Do you make your own?

Dreams of Spring!!

I bought basil seeds today!  I've been thinking about herbs and using them as a filler in many of my pots and window boxes, pretty and edible.  I have a little spring fever even though we have close to 3 feet of snow out there that shows no intention of melting soon.  So, in the next week or so I will plant the basil and a couple other herbs and enjoy watching them grow inside.

This week, we have mini courses on Thursday afternoon and I will be teaching a class on terrariums.  Thank you, Kris, for all the candle jars-they will be recycled for this project.  In the past I have done, beaded bookmarks and paper airplanes so this is a new class for me. Two years ago we made them for Mother's Day in 4th grade and they really turned out nice.

We went to a surprise birthday party at the Fergus bowling alley today.  I didn't even know there was a bowling alley in Fergus!  It was a good time and they had great pizza.  I bowled two games and was very excited to break 100 both times, 104 & 111 if you really want to know.

Afterwards, we stopped at Target and I enjoyed strolling through Target's patio/gardening section.   The only spring item I purchased was the basil seed.  19 days until it's officially spring!