Friday, March 15, 2013

Mrs. Mike

Mrs. Mike, the Story of Katherine Mary Flannigan
by Benedict and Nancy Mars Freedman







From the back of the book: 

Set in the Canadian wilderness in the early 1900s. Considered by some a young adult classic, Mrs. Mike has been published in several editions and is read worldwide. The work combines the landscape and hardships of the Great Canadian North with a love story between Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Mike Flannigan and a young Katherine Mary O'Fallon, newly arrived from Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Mike, based on the life of Katherine Mary O'Fallon Flannigan, documents the young couple's trials, sorrows, and growth.

 There were mixed reviews from the book club on this one. Several of the ladies thought that it was a little rambling and didn't really like it to much. But I really liked it. In fact, I would read it again. I learned a lot about the Mounties and all that their job included. (amazing) Plus, I don't know that much about the Great Canadian North, so I found it very interesting. I thought this was a good read and well worth recommending.

I will be joining Art At Home for Literary Fridays



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Finished!


Just popping in to show off one of my projects that I actually finished! 
WOO HOO!
I love that feeling.

 I think that the last of the cool (cool enough for this anyway) 
weather is over.
 I'm glad that I got it finished in time to wear it once or twice.
A fun, easy and quick little scarf.

  • Cast on 42 on size 5's
  • just knit till it is the length you desire
  • stitch the ends together 
  • I added a picot stitch edge on both sides. 

Finished!


Saturday, March 9, 2013

Top-O-The-Mornin' To Ya!



This fun little table was all inspired by this darling Leprechaun hat.  One of the girls
where I work has had it on her desk for the last month or so. She is totally Irish. 
ANYWAY!
I asked if I could borrow it and she said " yes... wait! What are you going to do with it?" 
I explained and she relented with an odd look. 

 I'm glad she did. Because this was fun and cheep. 
The only thing I bought were the little plastic hats and the 
shamrocks that are scattered about. One dollar each at the 
dollar store.





I will be making corned beef for dinner next Sunday...



What about you? 

I'm joining 
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday
A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
The Home Girl for Festive Friday



Friday, March 8, 2013

The Dressmaker




The Dressmaker
by Kate Alcott


If you love anything that involves the Titanic, you will love this!


From the back of the book:

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she’s had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be her personal maid on the Titanic. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men—a kind sailor and an enigmatic Chicago businessman—who offer differing views of what lies ahead for her in America. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes, and amidst the chaos, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat.

The survivors are rescued and taken to New York, but when rumors begin to circulate about the choices they made, Tess is forced to confront a serious question.  Did Lady Duff Gordon save herself at the expense of others? Torn between loyalty to Lucile and her growing suspicion that the media’s charges might be true, Tess must decide whether to stay quiet and keep her fiery mentor’s good will or face what might be true and forever change her future.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with unexpected twists and turns. Let me know if you have read or decide to read this selection.  I would love to know what you thought


I'm joining Riki Jill for : 


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Starbuck's Cinnamon Chocolate Bread


SO! 
One morning I was in Starbucks and saw this incredible chocolate bread. Normally I am not terribly smitten or tempted by the baked goods at Starbucks (frankly they are usually overpriced and stale)... but this looked so amazing I had to try it. BOY! Did it deliver.  So much so that I googled it and found the recipe.


Now, I have made 2 batches and I have to tell you.... You MUST follow the recipe exactly and the dutch processed cocoa is key ( I finally found mine at Sprouts). The first batch I made with regular unsweetened baking cocoa and the bread was just okay. Not the bread that I had at Starbucks. The second time I had found the right cocoa and the finished product was perfect. 

Without further adue... I give you....
Starbuck's Cinnamon Chocolate Bread


Ingredients (makes two loaves):
Chocolate Batter –
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 5 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 ¼ cup dutch processed cocoa
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla
Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 F. Grab two 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pans and line with parchment paper.
Step 2 – To mix the batter you’ll start with the butter and sugar. Mix these in an electric mixer until light and creamy, around 5 minutes. Then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until each is fully incorporated. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to get them fully mixed in.



Step 3 – Grab another bowl and sift together flour, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, water and vanilla. With your mixer on a low speed, begin adding the contents of each bowl to the butter mixture, alternating between the two until your mixture is fully blended, but not overly whipped. Then split your batter between the two pans. If your batter is slightly uneven, you can lightly shake the pan to even out the tops.


Cocoa Spice Topping –
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp dutch processed cocoa
  • Pinch of ground ginger
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  • ¼ cup sparkle sugar (for decorating)
Step 4 –  For the topping combine the sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, ginger and cloves. Then evenly layer the decorating sugar over your batter, followed by the spice mixture.
Step 5 – Bake for 45-50 minutes.




Thursday, February 28, 2013

Fresh-Cut Friday






Oh! Hello there!
Welcome to the 31st Fresh-Cut Friday. 
Let's get started.

 This is just a simple hodgepodge of flowers. 
I love to buy myself flowers.... but I have to say that when others bring you flowers it 
means so much more.
 My friend brought me these sweet daffodils. I think that I will start taking flowers to people when they invite us to dinner or what not. I love that custom.
 These are so fragrant!
 These are some little daisies that I pulled out of another arrangment that was finished.
 I was looking at some past photos... I am surprised at how often I reach for an old 
mason jar for a little bouquet.

So, now it is your turn. I can't wait to see your arrangements. Anything involving your flowers is a perfect addition. And sense this is only a monthly link party,  please feel to use past posts. 

Have fun now!

I will be linking to these parties:
Show and Tell Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Sweet Home






Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Flowers!



Shall we have Fresh-Cut Friday this week?


Oh! Yes! My friends! I think we shall!


Please join in, won't you? 
Share any pretty flowers that you might have. It can be an old post, it can be an arrangement, 
or it can be from (or in) your garden. Really the only caviat is that you should use fresh flowers. 
I will have the linky tool up at about 7pm Phoenix time and it will remain available till Monday night. 
See you then!



Tuesday, February 26, 2013

2 Cookies and A Cappuccino






Hey There!
How you all doin'?

Just a little self indulgent this evening.... 
I haven't really been taking care of things around the house like I should. 
I find that by the time I get home from work I am exhausted. And of course we spend a lot
of my free time with mom and helping her with all of her life adjustments. Oh well! Such is 
life!

When I do have a couple of minutes I find that it is so easy to pick up a 
book or my knitting or crochet. It doesn't take to much thought and I find that 
I just fall in to them. I had never used these tiny needles before. (size 5) They are so light and easy to carry. I'm having fun just doing plan knitting and this yarn is wonderful to. You don't even have to think or count.... just knit!  It's almost like therapy.  I picked the pretty yarn up at JoAnn's a week ago. It's called Serenity Garden Yarn. Its from the Deborah Norville collection. 

Ya... that's all for now.


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Love and Thank You!




Hi everyone! 
I'm still here. 
Life has changed and we are finding a new normal.


I just wanted to send out some love and big thank yous for all the sweet thoughts and prayers.
You guys are amazing.
I wish I could hug each and everyone of you. 
 

We are wading thru tons of documents and of course photos. 
These are a couple of my favorites. 


 This is my dad and my aunt...probably late 1930's. 
Isn't it just the cutest picture?! 
Cracks! me! up!

 
And of course dad as a sailor. Isn't he so cute! 

Spending lots of time helping mom start life over again. 
It's a hard thing to do after 53 years of marriage...

Talk to you soon!