Leaping Toward Early Spring

As you know, we have an extra day this month since it’s a leap year. I guess that means that we will need to wait an additional 24 hours for spring to arrive! Since I have grown weary of our winter décor, I have been gradually taking care of snowmen and penguins. I am not quite ready to decorate for Easter yet, so am just sticking to things related to early spring. I have added a few touches of green, realistic bunnies and birds. Since I feel that this rabbit fits the bill, I made him leap up on the mantel! 

In a few weeks, I will exchange the berries for

faux dogwood blossoms. 

A candle, sign and a vintage piece of china balance the mantel.

In a couple of weeks, I will add more seasonal Easter pieces and springtime florals. Until then, I am leaping toward spring. 🐇

Tuesday Tablescape

Today's table was partially inspired by some singing birds I heard one recent sunrise. Delighted by the promise of spring, I realized that we will (hopefully) be leaving winter behind before too much longer. That being said, we have some snow in our forecast for tonight so we are not out of woods yet! Thinking of chirping birds made this seem the ideal day to highlight this beautiful quilted table topper that a friend made for me. I am delighted with it! The lively cobalt birds that she stitched on each corner complement the batik fabric trim very well.

I pulled out my cobalt glasses, vase and butterscotch-colored dishes.

Pussy willow branches seemed like an appropriate centerpiece since they, too, are a sign of early spring. Although the real deal is not out yet, I had these dried stems in my stash. 

How about you? Are you ready for singing birds and other signs of springtime?

Cheesy Cauliflower

My mother gave me this recipe several months ago and I finally got around to trying it. If you're a cauliflower fan, I think you will enjoy it, too!

Cheesy Cauliflower 

1 large head cauliflower

2 T. butter

minced garlic

3 T. flour

2 cups milk

2 ounces softened cream cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

salt 

freshly ground pepper

Clean cauliflower, removing the core and large stems. Separate the florets and cut into small pieces. In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the cauliflower for about 5 minutes. Thoroughly drain and allow to dry. Pat dry with paper towel, if necessary. Set aside.

In a large pan, melt butter and cook the minced garlic for a few minutes. Add flour and stir until it’s lightly golden. Slowly stir in the milk and bring to a low simmer. Whisk in the cream cheese until it melts and add salt to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar.

Place cauliflower in a 9 by 13 glass pan. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and then stir to combine. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar on top and add freshly ground pepper. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes until cauliflower is tender.

You can click here for the recipe.

Say cheese! 🧀

Three Products I Like...

Today I am sharing three product endorsements. It's quite likely that you have already tried them since they all have been available for a long time. Even though they're not new to the market, I always like when others tell me about goods that they enjoy using. 

Just about a year ago, I bought a Bed Buddy after having friends recommend the product line. Advertised as a "hot and cold pack", the flexible fabric tube is filled with natural grains intended to be applied to achy joints and/or sore spots. Pop it in the microwave for a quick "warm up" and you can enjoy the comfort of moist heat. Stick the Bed Buddy in your freezer for eight hours and it will produce a cold pack. Naturally, you should follow frequency and duration recommendations listed on the packaging. If you suffer from chronic pain, you may be interested in investigating. I bought ours at Bed Bath and Beyond (don't forget your coupon!) and I recommend it to others.

I have been using Steripods for several years after my mother first introduced me to them. Clip one of these toothbrush plastic pods over your manual or electric toothbrush bristles to guard against airborne germs and dirt. They are good for home use, of course, but particularly helpful for travel. When you open the packaging, you will smell the "active vapors" (Listerine-like) inside the protector pod and that's intended to keep your toothbrush head fresh. Steripods are sold in a double pack and made of BPA-free plastic. The manufacturer suggests replacing them every three months. I really like this product and, ironically, it may also be purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond...with your coupon.

Quite by happenchance, I discovered Dial's "Power Berries" bar soap last summer and I like it so well that I have been repurchasing it ever since. This pretty glycerin soap not only works effectively, but smells wonderful! You can get it wherever Dial products are carried. 

Happy Monday to you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We hope your heart is happy today!

Can you tell that treats were involved in our photo session?!

Enjoy your weekend! ❤

Tuesday Tablescape

Today's table is in honor of approaching Valentine's Day. Didn't we just celebrate Christmas and usher in a new year? Time is flying!

 Black, white and red are the table colors with a centerpiece of faux winter branches. A red Valentine heart wreath adds a pop of color.

A little table scatter adds some sparkle and dimension!

Are you ready for Valentine's Day?

National Bird Feeding Month

February is the official month to recognize feeding wild birds. We have always had feeders and suet cakes in our yard during the cold months. My husband and I welcome the nuthatches, finches, black-capped chickadees, sparrows, cardinals, woodpeckers (several species) and more each day. Right now the blue birds are also frequenting our bird-feeding station, which is such a treat to see. I will say that we are not as enthusiastic about the pesky squirrels who raid the seed and cakes. 😒Interest in birds was fostered in me growing up as we had fun feeding and identifying our feathered friends. My family had guide books for reference where we would also mark and date appropriate pages when a less common species would wing its way into our forested backyard. 

Our dogs have become "birders" who occasionally keep an eye on things from inside!

She is very interested in the feeder.

She likes watching birds and deer!

I previously shared this recipe for homemade seed cakes. You can click here to see that post and pictures.

Birdseed "Tweets"

1 envelope of gelatin mix

1/2 cup warm water

3 T corn syrup

3/4 cup flour

 4 cups birdseed

spray oil 

Bundt pan or "open" (on both top and bottom) cookie cutters to form cakes.

In a large bowl, whisk together an envelope of gelatin mix and 1/2 cup warm water. Slowly add in corn syrup and flour, making certain there are no lumps. Stir in birdseed, a bit at a time, until all is well coated and everything is fully incorporated. If using a Bundt pan, spray before pressing in the birdseed mixture. If using cookie cutters, lightly spray before spooning in and then firmly pressing in the mixture. Insert a small piece of a drinking straw if using cookie cutters so that you will have a place to insert your twine or ribbon later. 

Birdseed cakes take at least 24 hours to fully dry. I placed mine in the refrigerator for a full day. The surface should be so hard that you are unable to leave any indentation on the cake before gently removing from pans.

Hang your wreath or ornaments with twine or ribbon. 

Look here to print the recipe.

This idea, which was also featured in a previous post, is a quick and efficient way to fill your feeders. Click here to revisit that post.

As I write this, big fluffy flakes are covering the landscape. We had some sleet earlier and the snow is supposed to continue all night. Schools were closed today and I would anticipate the same to be true tomorrow. A quick glance out the window confirms that there are visitors at the feeders. It's a good day for feeding and watching the birds! 

Orchids Galore!

Once a year, Missouri Botanical Garden hosts a beautiful orchid show. Hundreds from their collection are on display offering vibrant bursts of color. It's a perfect treat...especially on a dreary winter day! 

Warriors, decorated with dried natural elements, are nestled throughout the landscape. 

Paths meander through the display allowing visitors to come face-to-face with numerous colors, sizes and species of delicate orchids.

As if not to be out done by the "professional" orchids of MO Botanical, one of mine opened yesterday morning! 

If you would like to take advantage of this show, plan to visit MO Botanical Garden this month or next. The orchid show opened Saturday and runs through March 22. The cost is $5 in addition to the cost of a general garden admission.