Spring Has Sprung

 Photos by spbm

“Instructions for living a life. 

Pay attention. 

Be astonished. 

Tell about it.” 

~Mary Oliver

 Spring has sprung.

 Vegetable Tart made with fresh veggies - I think I could eat this every day.

I could not believe how good the corn on the cob was. Seems really early in the season

to be so sweet and delicious.

This tart is made with puff pastry, ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese, topped with yellow and zucchini squash, fresh corn off the cob, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and black olives, with a little olive oil drizzled over the top, and then topped with fresh basil after it comes out of the oven. 

So many things you can put on this tart. 

Trees and Strawberry Jam

I did quite a bit of walking today, more than I have done since my surgery last August. I better get used to it, my car quit this week and it's quite a chunk to get it fixed. Since it is going to cost more to fix it than it is worth, not to eager to have it fixed. Not sure what I am going to do, had to cancel all of my appointments for the month and David's. Not sure how I will get to the pharmacy to get our meds, but I must believe the universe is working out the details. Fortunately, the grocery store is within walking distance, just a bit of a hassle if I need several items or heavy items, but can manage. 

The trees were so pretty today, even if they are still bare. Something about trees that comfort me. I couldn't help myself, had to snap a picture. And then there were these two friendly geese that paid no attention to me at all. 

 Strawberries are arriving and they are really juicy and sweet this year. I made one batch of freezer jam. I love that stuff. It is good on just about anything and taste just like fresh strawberries. I have made only freezer jam for several years now, got hooked after making it the first time. And, it is easier and quicker to make.

Made one of my favorite summer desserts, meringue topped with whipped cream and berries, drizzled with some homemade dark chocolate syrup. I could eat this every day. I sometimes use other berries and kiwi, didn't have either, so just strawberries today. 

Well, it's time to treat David's feet and take my meds. Hoping for a good nights sleep tonight. 

Shine like

the whole

universe

is yours.

Rumi

rain...a lot of green

This is been the strangest spring and summer I can remember, the second day of June and my thermometer reads 59 degrees. I'm starting to wonder if I will ever get all of my yard work completed this summer... and still the pond needs some TLC. With all the rain we've had, everything is a beautiful green, but if the rain continues, I'll be swimming to get to the car.

My babies were here last week, made me a very happy camper for a few days. Had so much fun with them, going to the Science Museum, picking dandelion bouquets, etc. My little Ada inherited her love for flowers from me. She gets so excited over every single bloom she sees. No one has told her that some of them are weeds, so to her, every bloom is a beautiful masterpiece displayed by nature. She's amazing - so real, honest and pure.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer thus far.

Have a great week!

Quote:

“For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 All photos by SPBM

happy new week

Will winter ever end? I'm not so sure since last week was cold, snowy, even had some sleet. Really waiting to get two or three nice days in a row. It's hard to believe we're into May and still having such cold weather.

photos by spbm

I mean really...what is up with this?

Photos by spbm

So, I found a couple more treasures to keep for myself last week. One was a set of glasses made from wine bottles. I just love the colors. For a while now I've been wanting some of these, but really did not want to try and make them myself. I was surprised when I found these...and got a deal on them. Can't beat that.

Photos by spbm

Now, if someone can tell me why I bought a whole watermelon??? What was I thinking? I love watermelon, but David, being diabetic, is limited to how much he can have and I can only eat so much. Anyways, it was much better than I expected it to be for this time of year. And, if you have never tried watermelon with ginger on it, do. I had a friend from Kenya tell me that they sprinkle ginger juice on their watermelon. I don't have the patience to grate enough ginger to get enough juice, so I just add grated ginger on ours. We LOVE it! I try to get ginger in our diets as often as possible, this is a great way to do that. Unless you LOVE ginger as much as I do, you may not want to add quite as much grated ginger. But do give it a try, I think you'll really enjoy this twist on watermelon.

photo by spbm

Wishing everyone a beautiful week ahead.
xoxo

crazy weather

photo by spbm

What is up with this crazy weather??? Seriously, it was in the low thirties today, and another rainy day. Rain almost every day this month. Sun is supposed to shine tomorrow, then rain again on Thursday and Friday. Just so different from the past couple of years when April temps felt much warmer.

 
photo by spbm

It feels like this far too often...

People wait
all week for Friday,
all year for summer,
all life for happiness.
Raimonda.B

signs of spring

Finally, it appears spring is now a resident and not a visitor. Can't tell you how ready I am for this, the warmth on the skin and sunny days are a welcome sight. I walked to the store yesterday and the air was still a bit chilly to my liking, but not complaining, really I'm not. I am ready to plant a few flowers and get my fishpond cleaned and running. Plant a few tomatoes, clean my herb garden, and maybe find some new farmer's markets this summer and buy some fresh fruits and veggies and put in the freezer this year

.
I stopped by Hobby Lobby yesterday to pick up some glue for my journal and saw this sweet sofa. I just love the upholstery.

And then...there was this book full of inspiration.

I am going to use this curtain as inspiration to make a shower curtian.

 

Photo by spbm

Joy of Spring

(my favorite drink: pomegranate juice and club soda)

I am already waiting for Spring. I am tired of the cold, snow, and dreary days that linger longer than I would like. I know, I know, I should just enjoy the moment. Winter was at one time, my favorite season. I am craving warmer and sunnier these days.

The birds

brought seeds

and flowers and bits

of brightly colored

string and placed them in

her hair while she slept so

that she would remember

the wild joy of

spring

when she

finally

awoke.

~Brian Andreas

This prose made me desire the warmth even more, and reading it gave me the feeling of lightness, whatever that means. :)

Spring in the making

Just a few pics from my yard since Spring arrived. Things are starting to bloom, and everything is the most amazing green, that it takes my breath away to look at all the beauty. Spring seemed to take its time getting here this year, but well worth the wait.









I found this bike at the dumpster.:) I had been wanting an old bike to put in my yard for vines to grow on. Even at the Goodwill, the ones I have found were more than I wanted to pay for this purpose. Even though I was not crazy about the colors of this one, I figure, that in time it will look all rusty and old...just the way I like.