Sabbatical

I know I have had a long absence from my blog....I have experienced some health issues and my attention has been devoted to getting well and focusing on the most important thing in my life which is my family.
Please forgive my little sabbatical...I'm not sure when I will be back on a regular basis. But I will continue to look in on all of my blog friends.
May God bless you with his gracious love....


Denise

Sorry it has been so long since I've been here....

I've been a busy busy bee.

My mom has been busy with her garden

the strawberries are ripening as fast

as she can pick them. She has already

sold about 50 quarts and we haven't

even done our first market yet.

I've been busy trying to make a few things,

go through my antiques that have been

in storage and get all of our props

together for our booth.

I'm truly looking forward

to doing this market with

my mom....we are going to

have such a great time.

Have a wonderful week and please

forgive my possible absence this week...

but  I promise pictures after the market!

Family Market

A friend of mine suggested that I try

presenting some "stuff" at our local

farmer's market which also features

artist and creative wares.

After some consideration...

I thought what have I got to lose.

So I am putting myself out there...

I haven't done any kind of market or show
since I closed my shop 4 years ago.

I've been busy collecting and planting garden goodies

in the unexpected....like hen & chicks in these

sweet vintage baby shoes.

I will also have various other items

like altered planting pots, mini terrariums,

pillows and so much more.

Not only am I going to feature some of my "stuff"

but my parents are going to sell

produce from their huge...I mean HUGE

organic garden....so it's become a

family affair!

It's going to be a FABULOUS summer

and I can hardly wait!

Sweet Treat

Strawberry season is approaching...

and I decided to kick it off by

making one of my husband's favorite

strawberry desserts. 

Strawberry-Kiwi Tarts 

This recipe is directed for making a 9" tart, however, I make small individual tarts for my family. They all want to have their own.

Crust:
1-15oz Box of Refrigerated Pie Crust. soften as directed on box

Filling:
1-1/2 Cups Vanilla Low-Fat Yogurt
1 Container (8oz) Reduced-Fat Sour Cream
1 Box (4oz Serving Size) Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade

Topping:
1 Cup Halved Fresh Strawberries
2 Kiwi, Peeled, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade

Heat Oven to 450 degrees. Make pie crust as directed on box for one-crust baked shell using 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom or 9-inch glass pie plate. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

In medium bowl, mix all filling ingredients with wire whisk until well blended. Pour into cooled baking shell. Arrange strawberries and kiwifruit on filling.

In small microwaveable bowl, microwave marmalade on high 5 - 10 seconds or until melted. Brush over fruit. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set before serving. Store in refrigerator.

Enjoy!

I am usually not a person who is envious...

that is until now....

My husband and I watched the movie "It's Complicated"

over the weekend...and well the

envy began when I saw Meryl Streep's

character in her cook's garden.

At the time I was truly mesmerized

by it's awe inspiring layout...

it's contents and well it was

unbelievably gorgeous.

Evidently my infatuation was quite

noticeable because my husband and I

visited some greenhouses this week

and he sweetly asked me if I

would like to have a garden...

I asked him whatever made you

think of that...he said..'You should

have seen the look on your face

when you saw the garden in "It's Complicated"...

He already had given thought to

where it could go and how

we could make it work...

sigh...he is wonderful.

Needless to say I will

settle for an extensive herb garden...

but next year who knows.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

May your day be filled

with joy and your heart

filled with love.

Happy May Day!

I had such fun yesterday!

After I put my son on the bus for

school I decided to go visit

the coffee chicks (my friends).

Standing in my kitchen I was admiring all  

of the lovely flowers in my yard.

As the day's agenda rolled around in my head

I realized that it was going to be May Day.

So I decided to make some small

May Day gifts for my friends

using things that I had...

paper, stickers, flowers from my garden.

I always have a great time with

my friends but it was heartwarming

to see the joy on their faces

with such a small token of friendship.

Happy May Day to all of you

and have a wonderful weekend!