Gardening: A purple spring

I love to garden and designed them. But I just realized that after the daffodils and tulips fade, my garden is solely filled with purple flowers!!! A major faux pas for a gardener. There
should be a variety of color. Pinks, yellow, white, I would even take a red flower and I hate red flowers in my garden.

Look: purple

purple
More purple


Come on peonies, bring on pink.

Speaking of problems, I left this pot out over the winter. Ummm, looks pretty bad.


Now, the last problem I will address today. How do you grow plants when the dogs climb in the flower bed to protect the property from walkers who are innocently walking by the yard?




I am off to the nursery to add color!!!!

Sewing: A "Cynthia" Pulitzer skirt

Okay, it really isn't "Cynthia" Pulitzer. But I decided to make my daughter a cute skirt for this summer. I loved this fabric.



Take a closer look.


I did not hem it because I think she will want it shorter. Also, when you sew a pattern, make sure you line up the front and back.



This skirt is lined and has a zipper. But over all, it took about one and one-half hour to make. Total cost $13 and that included the pattern. I hope she likes it.



Okay, let's draw the prize from last Friday's giveaway. First, look at my fabulous pot from yard sales this weekend. $2. And it matches my office.



Back to the drawing:

Congrats to Heather. She has a very cute blog. Y'all should go check it out.


Okay, I am off to sew something else cute. I am on a roll!!!!

Baking; Easy Orange Rolls

During the holidays, Southern Living had these beautiful rolls in their magazine.

Courtesy of Southern Living

I decided to try them. Yes, it is dark outside!!! I was trying to beat everyone up.

Ingredients needed:



Preheat oven to 375°. Take 1⁄2 (8-oz.) package softened cream cheese, 1⁄4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, and 11⁄2 tsp. orange zest



Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.



Unroll 1 can refrigerated French bread dough onto a lightly floured surface.



Spread cream cheese mixture over dough, leaving a 1⁄4-inch border. Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar.



Gently roll up dough, starting at 1 long side.



Cut into 11 (11⁄4-inch) slices.


Place slices in a lightly greased 8-inch round cake pan. Brush top of dough with 1 Tbsp. melted butter. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden.


Stir together 1⁄2 cup powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp. orange juice in a small bowl and drizzle on top.



Now it would be great if I had continued to take pictures but guess what, I forgot to take a picture. I guess, I was hungry.

Courtesy of Southern Living

I liked them and think you could make some great variations; Cream cheese, sugar and pecans, butter, sugar and cinnamon for an easy classic cinnamon roll and maybe even change the orange to lemon.

I am going to try to put strawberry jam in the french bread, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces, brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar this weekend. I will let you know how it turns out.

Organiation: Goal Setting #2

Last week we started learning about Goal Setting. So how do you go about setting a goal? Where do you start?

For the next couple of days, be intentional. What are you drawn to? I started with Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Try to answer the following questions:

1. What interests you?

2. What are you drawn to?

3. What brings you joy?

4. If you could buy three things, what would you buy?

5. At a library or book store, what are you reading?

6. Who do you admire and why?

Next week, we will work on how to identify the goals in your life.


This sign hangs at the flying club that we belong to.... it doesn't seem like positive reinforcement for one of my goals.

Reminder: Leave a comment on this post to win a fabulous planter and my spring tea towels.

Cooking: Menu Planning Week ending May 1st

This weeks menu plan:


Sunday: Pork Roast with Mustard Roasted Potatoes
Monday: BLT
Tuesday: Bibb Salad with Blue Cheese dressing
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Calzone
Friday: Chicken Quesadillas
Saturday: Roasted Shrimp with Cheese Grits
Peanut Butter and Jam Bars for hubby's work

Grocery List Necessary:

Red Potatoes
Strawberry Jam
Peanuts
Cheddar Cheese
Flour Tortillas
Bread
Bibb Lettuce
Blue Cheese
Mozzerella Cheese

Already have:

Pork Roast
Bacon
Tomatoes
Pizza Crust
Roasted Chicken
Shrimp
Cheddar Cheese
Grits


I will make the pork in the oven with the peanut butter and jelly bars. The bacon will go in the oven once the peanut butter bars are finished. I will shred all the cheeses, make the dressing and wash and save the lettuce.

Everything else is pretty much done or needs to be done closer to the day it is used.

Confession: I love to iron

Okay, I know that is weird but I have always loved to iron. I use to iron my children's jeans.

I bought this iron last year when my older iron died and this is one serious iron. With a big tank and longer cord, I can iron for an hour or more without having to refill the tank.

I try to do all my ironing on Sunday, it takes about an hour. I go from a big pile of laundry to nicely pressed clothes hanging in the closet. I think it is the sense of accomplishment that I like.

Gardening: Planting some new beds and a giveaway.

I don't think you all realize how hard it is to plant a garden around here.

Look at all my helpers.


Playing in and around the beds.

Okay, now all three are in the action.


Eating the grass, or plants.

Playing some more.


Checking to see what mom is doing.


Guarding the garden



Enough of my helpers and back to the garden. Look at the basil.



I need to deadhead the chives.

Peppers:

Here is the tomatoes and the green tomato ladders. I found them at Gardener's Supply, they are attractive and look good year after year.



After my beehive compost post, Gardener's Supply has decided to help with a give-away on my little blog. In an effort to encourage gardening, whether you have a spot to plant a tomato plant or not, they are giving one of my readers their Revolution planter. This planter hangs and grows your tomatoes in an upside down planter. I would love to know how the planter works for you and will include your opinion and your tomato pictures if you win.


In addition, Gardener's Supply has a fantastic kitchen-garden plan. It allows you to easily plan a garden and demonstrates the step by step guide to successfully garden your first or 100th garden.

In addition, I am donating two of my spring tea towels:


All you have to do is leave a message from now until midnight on Monday night on this post. I will draw your name at random.

Sewing: Spring Tea Towels.

I decided to play around and make a couple of tea towels that might brighten up the kitchen.

First, I hemmed and embroidered on the towel.



Then, I sewed a little ribbon to make a stem for the flower.







Added some cute ribbon on the edge.



Still not enough, I decided to add some rick rack and a pom-pom flower.

Spring has Sprung!!!


Look how cute!!!



I gave some to my Peeps!!!

See, smiling.


Mary, you need to be smiling!!! You just got a tea towel.

Tomorrow, I am planning a give-away and some of these cute tea towels may be included. Get excited.