A Few Little Things

Life has been kind of busy lately...

Driving through my neighborhood, I stumbled upon this adorable statue in a neighbors side yard.

I had to do a little trespassing to get these pictures, I wonder if anyone else ever sees it

or has ever felt the excitement I did when I stumbled upon it!

I am making grand progress on the knitted blanket I am making 

for youngest son Michael for Christmas.

I am certain it will be done in time for the holiday and he will be here for an entire week for Christmas.

I promised my mother I would make one for her too.

I am using a kit from 

Sierra Yarn

The kit included the pattern, yarn and circular needle, the color is Andean Solid.

The yarn is worsted weight, 60% Baby Alpaca and 40% Pima Cotton.

This blanket is knitted with a double strand of yarn, it feels like a cloud and I love working with it.

My needle broke at the halfway point and they were kind enough to send me another.

I love a company that has good customer service.

My KC Chiefs won their game this past Sunday...here's Patrick bringing the ball into the endzone.

I wear my #15 Jersey proudly and the hubs and I talked alot about seeing them play at the stadium.

They are playing at noon this Sunday,

 I am going to make a lot of "picky" foods to eat during the game...like tailgating but at home.

I made this Pasta Salad 

and these Deviled Eggs as a goodbye to summer.

Once or twice during the winter I make these foods to celebrate the fact that summer is coming. 

We'll have a "car picnic" at the inlet and dream of the warmer days coming.

If you're interested in the Pasta Salad recipe, it can be found here.

In the recipe they call for chicken to be added but I never do, but I bet it would be delicious with chicken.
I you are interested in making a really good pasta Salad with Dill,

I have made and written about this salad here and here.

I also put together this amazing 

Hot Cheesy, Bacon Dip for potato chips.

The ingredient line up is as follows...

- eight slices of cooked bacon, chopped -

- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese -

- 1/2 chopped green onions -

- 8 ozs sour cream -

- 1 cup of mayonnaise -

Blend all ingredients, transfer to a pie dish, my store did not have any so I used square.

Spread mixture into your pie plate or something similar in size.

I topped mine with bacon pieces and slices of green onion.

Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Serve with Ruffled potato chips, they stand up to the dip...I made 2 for my friends who are going to 

The Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool Festival in NY this weekend.

Happy Rhinebeck Weekend...I wish I was there with you.

This dip is incredible...always a hit at any gathering.

We rarely see Sailboats at the inlet...one afternoon we saw 2.

The mums on my front porch still look rather fabulous...

and the Rhododendron below is in full bloom at my moms house here in New Jersey.

I am not familiar with a Rhododendron that blooms more than once a year.

I will look into it and keep you posted for those that may be interested.

It's a really beautiful pink.
And many thanks to Karen who gifted me some of these mums, they are still so pretty.

The highlight of my week thus far

was seeing my 2 great nieces cheer at their Pep Rally for School.

Saturday is their first competition this season 

and I may be more excited than they are. 

I'll be there, front and center...I love them so much.

While out for drives, the hubs and I have been seeing so many homes decorated for Halloween.

They really do it up around here in New Jersey.

I have been taking my time, photographing all the homes...so many pictures and will share then here soon.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Where's My Mojo??

 Let me begin by saying that it is freezing in New Jersey.

We have had a couple beautiful days and we have been able to take full advantage of those days.

Looking at the 

Spring - Summer Bucket List we have already crossed 3 things off... 

The Troll Trek, Peeps In The Village in Peddlers Village, and The Cherry Blossom Festival

all three were beautiful, magnificent day trips.

Day Trips are my favorites.

So....why do I feel like I am losing my mojo?

I thought about it, went back through some pictures and decided that I have it, I just wasn't feeling it.

Mojo by definition - a magic charm, magic power...but for me it is the way I feel,

my excitement, my desire to be happy and positive.

So I am making a deliberate effort to find joy in the little things I am doing,

and organize my mornings and days a little better to be sure I include the things that are important.

Here's a little recap...things that might help you find your mojo, if it's missing.

- bring blooming flowers inside -
Bringing blooms from my outside gardens into our home.

They will brighten your space, fill your home with a lovely spring fragrance, and give you mojo.

- I harvested my herbs -

but forgot to take a before picture, they have been growing really well in the new pot I purchased.

I need to make something with the Basil or dry or freeze it.

I had use for all the Dill and Scallions...I made Pasta Salad.

Pasta Salad

I used my freshly harvested herbs, the dill and scallions...

and added a red pepper and a shallot.

This was so good and cooking, when I have the time, really makes me happy.

Here's the recipe card for the Pasta Salad, in case you would like to try it.

I do not add chicken to mine.

You can see the recipe card is well loved, I have made this so many times.

- I ate a Peeps -

I don't really like Peeps but I just had to buy these at the Peeps display in Peddlers Village.

Rice Krispies Treats Peeps

I like Rice Krispies Treats, I have never seen these before and I just had to try them...

they were o.k., not horrible, I made my dental appointment immediately after eating it...hehehe

Perhaps they are new for this Easter.

- looking up -

It always makes me smile when I find something random like this.

Up in a tree, where you are definitely not expecting to see it. 

- keeping up with my Bucket List Calendar -

This Bucket List Calendar is so much fun, I am using it only for the fun stuff, 

No Dr. appointments, testing, blood work, nothing medical.

I may buy more stickers for the Bucket List calendar, 

the activities we enjoy are not all well represented with stickers. 

- take a fun picture -

- buy eggs and flowers from a little roadside stand, it just feels great -

to support those small farmers.

I have also been knitting, a bit but I don't have any pictures to share.

I started adult coloring again.

I am trying to clean up the pictures on my computer, both those in folders and those on my wallpaper.

I want to start watercolor painting but I am so afraid of doing terribly.

I have all my supplies. 

Do you have specific things you do when you feel your mojo is slipping away??

What do you do?

I have more on this topic for tomorrow!

Rural Thursday Blog Hop

Today, let's talk food!!

If you follow my blog, you know I Don't Love To Cook!

But I Love to Bake!

However when either of my boys come home,

I really enjoy cooking for them.
Mike and Alisa were coming Saturday,
the cooking and baking began on Friday.

First, there was Pasta Salad

Here are all the ingredients.
There were big plans to take step by step pictures,
But I forgot and now you don't even get to see the finished product.
It was made with fresh dill and it was yummy!

There is no picture of the yummy potato salad either,
when this girl gets going...well, truthfully, I forgot!

I made these cute little Bruschetta cups,
with sour cream in the bowl,

there were plenty of extras to refill the flip flop.

I made veggies in dip, in cute little bread bowls.

Cheese and Crackers
I didn't make the crackers  ;))

Deviled Eggs with Bacon
I sprinkled them with fresh bacon crisp crumbles,
just before I served them.

And Shrimp Cocktail, Mike's favorite!
No photo!!

The local corn on the cob, was sweet and delicious!

We made hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill.

I baked cupcakes for desert but again, no pictures!

The hubs took this picture of the inside of the frig.
The pasta salad is behind the cheese & crackers,
the potato salad is to the left of that,
just so you know I really made them.

The frig is usually filled with dogie bags
from our favorite restaurants!!
It's always shocking to see it filled with real food.


Sharing with Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Nancy at A Rural Journal
and
Lisa at Two Bears Farm
Why not hop in and hop around!

Finding Inspiration

 I go to Pinterest when I need to be inspired.

It is a great way to find new recipes and crafts that often peak my interest.

I don't necessarily do or make the ideas I pin on a particular day, 

but I often turn bake to Pinterest when remembering the things I have pinned. 

I like to see what other people are doing or making and it motivates me to be creative.

It is also the perfect way to find ideas to cozy up your home.

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Warm Potato Salad with Bacon

Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

I make this without the chicken but it is 

delicious either way!

Zuppa Toscanna

I have made this soup so many times, 

this is just how I make it,

except I use sweet sausage.
 

Loaded Tater Tots Appetizer

Pastina

Small Batch Crispy Bread

Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

These Best Instant Noodle Jars can be found here. 

Extra Special Sweet Potatoes

Quick & Easy Parmesan Dressing

There are 2 good recipes for creamy Italian Meatball Soup,

Creamy Italian Meatball Soup

Creamy Italian Meatball Soup

These are for sale on Etsy

Things to do with bits of leftover yarn.

How to knit a Farmhouse Kitchen Dishcloth

Knit a Giant Bag to hold your Knitting Items

Decorating with Candles

My interest in watercolor painting continues to grow...

How to paint Lilacs

Painting pretty flowers with watercolors, 

most pins did not include instructions.

I am saving these in my Pinterest for inspiration,

I don't think I will need instructions to replicate these.

I love this kitchen...

I love this green color...

I could bring this color into my gray and blue living room,

using it in the accents to perk up the space.!