Spring in the Solarium

As many of you are aware, I find cobalt and yellow a pleasing combination and I always find it very striking this time of year.

I raided my cabinet and pulled out my bunny which I display each spring. He was a gift from my parents at least 15 years ago and I still really enjoy decorating with him!

This "birdhouse" corner of the solarium is the perfect place to read a book. Just outside the window sits our fountain which we should be able to open when the weather is safe in a few weeks.

The solarium has been "dressed" for the season for a bit now and I am so happy that the outside is looking more and more springlike with each passing day! 

 

Tuesday Tablescape

I am excited to share this Easter tablescape with you today. It is inspired by an early birthday present that my sister recently dropped off so that I could use it now.

Take a look at the individual place settings. Each has its own Easter-related laser cut word which is designed to perch across a plate. These "plate words" definitely add a lot to the table!

I apologize that none of the following pictures appear in proper orientation. I spent a lot of time trying to correct the issue, but could not rotate and save them. This set that I received includes the words blessed, Easter, risen and faith.

Before leaving the dining room, I will share some of the seasonal decor I have had out for about a month now.

At least I was able to share my new plate words...even if you have to turn your screen sideways to view the pictures! 😉

A New Plant Stand

I have always enjoyed growing houseplants. As a young girl, I had them hanging in my bedroom. Suspended from macrame creations (referred to as "cool" in the 1970s and known as "boho" style today!), I routinely tended to airplane plants, asparagus fern, pothos and the like. The interest has remained for me and is something I also loved sharing with my students when I was in the classroom. The plant unit was one of my favorites to teach my first graders. I certainly would not say that I have a green thumb, but I am blessed to have a solarium and kitchen with the perfect sunny exposure to help plants to thrive. My husband states that I am always propogating something! In fact, I am currently rooting an African violet leaf, an airplane plant baby and two different varieties of succulents. Most of our plants thrive in the solarium, but some prefer the kitchen window. This old plant stand (which I stained myself at least 20 years ago) was always crowded with orchids, a Christmas cactus and jade plants. You will observe the plant nursery on the windowsill! 

You can imagine my happiness when I received a new plant stand for Valentine's Day. It was on back order for over a month,  but was well worth the wait since it is the perfect size for this spot. It arrived last Friday and when I discovered that UPS had delivered it, I ripped open the box and immediately assembled it.

The simple black base goes well with most any decor and I think the lipped galvanized tray is not only attractive, but a smart idea for a plant stand.

My plants are happy to be spread out a bit more and I think the stand looks significantly better!

I hope your day was a good one!

Top o' the Day!

 Top o' the day to everyone! 
Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Soda Bread

A friend shared this recipe with me a few years ago and since we are just days away from St. Patrick's Day, it seems timely. It is simple to put together and will go well with your corned beef dinner. ☘

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups all purpose flour

3 T sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

4 T butter

1 cup milk

2 T apple cider vingear

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the butter to the dry ingredients and cut in with a pastry cutter. In a small bowl, add together the milk and vinegar. Stir into the flour mixture. Knead the dough a few times (you may need to add a bit more flour) and form into a round ball. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Brush with melted butter when warm. 

For a printable copy, click here.

 Happy baking!

Tuesday Tablescape

Today's table is in honor of Dr. Seuss since it's his birthday! Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by his pseudonym of Dr. Seuss, was born on this date in 1904 so he would be 117 years old. 

Having written more than 60 books over his lifetime, children have loved reading his creations for years. I pulled a few of his books from my collection to use as the centerpiece and added a small "Cat in the Hat" gift bag and some metallic table scatter.

The Cat in the Hat Comes Back and Horton Hears a Who! are from my childhood, so have been read and loved for many years. While I was teaching, I was part of the committee that organized and implemented an annual reading night for all of our families to attend and it was done in honor of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America. We offered guest readers, read-a-louds, literature-related crafts and games and unique reading experiences. After retiring, I have loved being able to continue to volunteer working the event...up until Covid prevented the possibility of our having it the past two years. 

The table is set and all ready for you!

Just finding a place is all you must do. 

Then you can eat your food and slurp up your drink

And the meal will be over faster than you can think.

But when you're finished,  please don't forget to say...

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Let's read your books today!

National Peanut Butter Lover's Day!

Happy National Peanut Butter Lover's Day! Raise your hand if you identify with this group. I, for one, do! In fact, I begin most days with this staple as a part of my breakfast since it's a good source of protein and allows me to feel full until lunchtime. 

Although many credit George Washington Carver with the invention of peanut butter, it was actually a Canadian chemist named Marcellus Gilmore Edson in the 1880s who first invented peanut butter paste. About a decade later, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented the process for making peanut butter and then roughly a decade later than that, Dr. Ambrose Straub (of St. Louis) patented machinery to produce peanut butter. I have read that this food was originally intended to assist those who had difficulties in chewing solid food. As a sidebar, it is important to note that Carver did a lot of research on peanuts and if you are not aware, we have the privilege of having the George Washington Carver National Monument in our state. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit there a few years ago and if you would like to read about that trip, you can click here. Before you plan an outing there, please educate yourself on its operating schedule because I believe that the museum and visitor center remain closed due to Covid precautions. 

Peanut butter is very versatile and can be used as an added ingredient in a variety of sweet treats and one favorite comes to mind. My mother makes the best peanut butter fudge and in honor of National Peanut Butter Lover's Day, I am going to rerun the recipe which appeared in the blog during the fall of 2016. Hmmm....this reminds me that I have not had any of this peanut butter fudge in ages and ages. 

                

Wonderful Peanut Butter Fudge

Use an 8 inch by 8 inch pan

1/2 cup butter

2 1/4 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3 1/2 cups confectioner sugar

Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and milk and boil for 2 minutes, stirring the entire time. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until blended. Pour over confectioner sugar, which has been placed in a large bowl. Beat until smooth. Chill until firm. Cut into 16 pieces with a plastic knife. Keep in an airtight container.

If you would like a printable copy, click here.

Have a wonderful day!