Tales from the outside

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One month ago… rose bushes coming out of winter, serviceberry trees and chanticleer pear tree in bloom.

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A friend helped us with a trouble spot by transplanting some hostas.

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Looks like this now…

Transplanted hostasRose bushes gone wild

And what is up with our phlox? One side is great, while the other side is practically dead. I’ve been told that it has to do with water. The full bunch is sort of landlocked and has tons of water. Not so good for the serviceberry, but it’s acclimated, I think.

Phlox in front

And, from the backyard, a flower from our containers…

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…and a garden project. Amazing what a little patina finish can do on a terra cotta pot. I would write more about the backyard, except that the rabbits have eaten a bunch of the hostas. It looks quite sad.

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Reaching around the world

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This blogging thing is amazing… while the world is pretty big, the internet community brings us just one step closer.

Hello to the locals in Washington DC, Kansas, Cary, IL, Rochester (NY and MN), Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Bakersfield, CA, Kenmore, Lynnwood, and Tacoma, WA, San Antonio, TX, Mountain View (not sure if this is a town or area in CA), Denver, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Indiana and Vancouver (US and Canada).

Hello to you nice people from around the world! Belgium, Great Britain, Montreal, Beijing, Egypt, India and Philippines.

Interesting searches leading people here: bacon and toast, muy delicioso, orange peel man.

Girls Night Out #2

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There’s so much to write about! I’ve been busy with the end-of-the-year gifts for the teachers. Stay tuned in a few blogs for a snazzy tutorial that uses envelopes. But about Girls’ Night Out… the weekend after the Craft Social I went to my friend’s house for a some more socializing and a manicure. My hostess friend is someone I’ve known since middle school (we called it junior high, back then) and another friend from high school was also there. I hadn’t seen her since we graduated!

Since I haven’t been drinking much wine lately, I totally forgot to bring a bottle to share, but I did bring these little appetizers.

Good helper assembling appetizers

Quite easy to make… cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella cheese (cubed) and you favorite balsamic vinegar and olive oil mixture to dress (after you assemble). Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, or mix that with your dressing, and you’re good. A pint of cherry tomatoes (halved) will get you about 48 pieces, and 8 oz. of cheese will do the same. You don’t need much dressing, maybe a few tablespoons of oil and vinegar. We have some yummy black cherry balsamic from a store called “Olive & Well“. Such a nice foodie place!

Black Cherry Balsamic VinegarYummy caprese salad on a skewer

And here’s my “mani”… I don’t get them often. Wouldn’t that be nice, though?

Overdue manicure

Summer sewing…

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I’ve been trying to be good about not buying so much fabric “just because”. It’s SO hard when you see something cute and visualize a finished product! These are recent purchases… For a baby boy: I had the sea creatures, and was trying to find something to coordinate with it. Not sure if the stripes are too turquoise-y.

Sea Life

This one was the “it’s too cute to pass up, but not sure what to do yet” purchase. Although, I’m sad that I bought a small amount and when I went back to the store a few days later, the bolt was gone.

Trees

For a relative: I thought she might like a purse organizer out of this one.

Psychedelic Dots

Something for a little girl: I haven’t ventured into making clothes, but I thought a little half apron, like the ones I made at Christmas, might be nice.

Spring Flowers

I also bought some red, white and blue fabric that isn’t pictured because it’s in the wash… more next time.

5 minute chocolate cake

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Had to share this recipe I received from a relative in NJ. I call her Aunt Carol, and she’s my dad’s cousin.

I tried it the other day and added a pinch of salt (always good in baking) and I sprayed the inside of my mug with Pam. I also will try 2-1/2 minutes for my microwave… I think I overcooked it. Last thing, be sure to eat it while it’s still slightly warm. Totally cooled off… not as tasty. (The pictures are from the original e-mail posting.)

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.microwave chocolate cake mixture
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Out of the mugMicrowave chocolate cake a la mode

And for those of you who like CUPCAKES… Martha Stewart’s Cupcake book should be out this week if it’s not already. Check out her radio blog! There’s a terrific XM radio personality contest and the cupcakes are fantastic. (Big fan of Peter Walsh!)

Slowly but surely: T-Shirt Quilt

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T-shirt quilt layoutThere I am with graph paper and pencil in hand as I’m trying to figure out where to place the squares. Stayed up a little last night and drew out a layout. Seriously, when was the last time I used graph paper? Probably when I was wearing one of those shirts from college. Hooters… haven’t been there in YEARS. Anyhow, this didn’t take too long.

I moved some shirts around, and I think it’ll be really nice when it’s all said and done. I decided to still use borders and sashing (Unlike the “toocool quilts“, which are still really interesting, I needed a little order), but the shirts won’t all be square. So, I’ll be sewing columns instead of rows. (Like this might mean anything to non-sewers?) Next steps: have to figure out sashing color, and trim all shirts to the “correct” size.

As I was totally engaged in this activity, Ollie was playing Mario Kart. He was also very engaged.

Asleep

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