Hello Monday! Spring is almost here ♥

 

Hello Lovely Friends! 💚

I hope you all had a wonderful week last week and weekend.  I had made my friend Eileen's Irish Bread last Monday and spent the week nibbling on it because it's that good. There's a cup of sour cream in it so it's not as dry as traditional Irish bread (which is probably why I like it : ).  

Eileen and I worked together years ago and she used to bring this Irish Bread into the office every St. Patrick's Day.  I fell in love with it.  She graciously shared the recipe with me which she got from her Irish mother in law.  Eileen retired so we don't work together anymore.  I think of her every time I make it. 

  It's a perfect little tea bread for an afternoon treat : ) 

I'm still gently easing into daylight savings time.  It's been a slow process. I am enjoying eating dinner when it's still light out though.  John and I go for a walk every night after supper and lately we've been able to see the sun setting.  A few of my neighbors leave white twinkle lights up all year which I LOVE and makes twilight time even more special.  If only it were just a bit warmer....but I know that will come.  This week is the official start of spring which means I survived the dark days of winter.  

There IS light in my days ahead ✨

Yesterday Rob, John, and I went for a spur of the moment breakfast out. If there's one thing about me, it's the fact that I love a Sunday breakfast out.  Heaven!  I went for the red, white, and blue waffle this time.  It was called that because it was covered with strawberries, blueberries, and whip cream.  I ate the whole thing and have no regrets what-so-eva!! 

After breakfast we took a little ride to the beach.  Another thing about me is I love the ocean.  I don't like to swim in it, but I love to look at it, walk beside it, admire it, smell it, and make a thousand wishing on it.  And that's what we did.  This beach is about 10 minutes from our house.  It's so nice to drive over in the winter because there is on one there.  Look how lovely.  We walk and feel like we have the whole beach to ourselves. In the summer people are packed in like sardines! : ) 

The walk felt good to digest breakfast, but then it was on to the next meal because it was St Patrick's Day! I am trying to carry on my mother's traditions and every St. Patrick's day she made a boiled dinner, so that's what I did.  My Dad helped me cut up the vegetables and we tried to recreate what she would do.   I think we did pretty well : )   

And now it's on to then next holiday.  Only two week until Easter!  

The spring décor and bunnies are so bright and cheery after the long winter.  

This week will include work days, paperwork, endless laundry, finalizing Easter plans, and trying out a few new recipes I pinned online.  At night we'll watch old tv shows, read, drink tea, work on an ongoing puzzle, and go to bed early. Nothing exciting, just the ordinary....exactly the way I like it.  

Have a wonderful day friends! And happy Spring! It's almost here  ♥

(don't tell my allergies : )

Love you! Byeeee! xo 

Monday chit-chat...♥ (with that strawberry salad dressing I promised you!)

Hello Friends! ♥

Another Monday is here and it's the start of a new week.  How was your weekend? Mine went by so fast!  Yesterday is literally a blur to me, but that could be because I'm still sleepy due to the time change.  It's a bear, isn't it?  And not just that, for some reason I thought it was good idea to stay up until midnight and watch the Oscars last night!  For that, I have no regrets. Well, nothing a little caffeine can't fix! : )  Although I wish Austin Butler won for Elvis, I enjoyed the show very much! 

♥

Hot coffee and Irish bread is what's for breakfast today.  I make my friend Eileen's recipe every year.  I'm telling you, it's the best.  You must try it! It's the sour cream that makes it so good! 

IRISH BREAD 

1 cup raisins

3 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

2 eggs

  

  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Grease a 10 inch round baking pan. 

 

Soak raisins in a small bowl of boiled water and put aside for about 5 minutes.  Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together. Mix in the caraway seeds.  Drain raisins and add to the flour mixture. 

  

In a separate bowl mix the melted butter, sugar, sour cream, and eggs.  Blend alternately with flour mixture until everything is combined into a smooth, creamy batter. 

  

Pour batter into pan and sprinkle the top generously with sugar.

 

Bake for one hour.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes then turn onto rack to cool.

 Enjoy! 

I made this one on Saturday and it's just about gone! : ) 

♥

It's gotten cold here again and we are expecting snow tomorrow. They are predicting up to 6 inches in my area.  I'm not mad at that because we've had hardly any this winter.  This could be the grand finale of winter, as it's supposed to be 50 degrees on Friday!  Nothing makes sense anymore..

It's no wonder I need coffee all the time! LOL 

♥

Oh! Remember last week I mentioned making a strawberry salad dressing with these yummy strawberries? 

Well, I did it.  And it was good!! 

Could this give me the incentive to eat more salads?

 

Definitely! : ) 

It was sweet and fresh and I'm sure I'll be making it again this spring and summer.  It was delicious! 

I wish I had had some oranges or avocados to add to this salad. I think it would have made it even better. 

Here's the recipe if you are interested:

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

1/3 cup orange juice

1/4 cup red onion

1 1/12 tablespoons honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon poppy seeds (*I left these out because I didn't have any:) 

Blend all ingredients in the blender until smooth.  Stir in poppy seeds at the end, if you are using them! 

♥

Well, that's all the chit-chat I have today.  I must get back to work.  It's almost time to pick John up at school and before I know it, it will be dinner time.  I have some meat thawing for a beef stir fry that I'll serve with rolls and the rest of the strawberry salad.  My plan for this evening is curling up with my book and waiting for the snow.   

Have a great day everyone! 

 Stay cozy! xoxoxo

A Little Friday Catch Up ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥

How has your week been? I've been quiet on here this past week because I was not feeling great.  As much as I love the change of seasons, for me the beginning of Spring always comes with a cold and/or allergies!  I'm not sure which I had or maybe both. I'm happy to say I'm feeling better now and am planning a full disinfecting of the house this weekend : ) 

Tis that time of year again! 

By the way....Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♥

We had a quiet night and it was lovely.  I made a ham dinner with potatoes and brussels sprouts.  It was delicious.  For dessert I made my friend Eileen's Irish bread.  I make it every year because it's so good, and honestly the best Irish bread I've ever had. The secret ingredient is sour cream, so it's not dry like most soda breads.  I've been having it for breakfast all week! I just love it with a cup of coffee. 

I'll link the recipe here if you want to give it a try.  

Every time I make it I always say "why do I only make this for St. Patrick's day?"  

I should make it more often ♥

 

Winter has been holding on by a thread, but is just about to let go.  We had one last burst of snow last week (which was pretty) but I think that might be it for the season.  I don't want jinx myself, but today we may reach 70 degrees.  No jacket required!  I'm very excited about that.  I can see little green shoots coming up from the dirt out front and lately I've been waking up to the sound of birds chirping outside my bedroom window.  They are also happy Spring is here.  Very happy! It's a party out there : ) 

My weekend plans (other than disinfecting!!) include this book I just picked up at the library.  Have you read it? I've heard great things and I'm dying to start it.  I've been in a reading slump lately and I'm hoping this book will get me out of it.  It's been a while since I lost myself in a book.  Isn't that the best feeling?! 

On Friday's during lent our tradition is having breakfast for dinner.  John and Rob aren't crazy about seafood (I know, right?!) so breakfast it is. Tonight I'm planning veggie omelets, toast, and fruit salad.  We'll eat early and settle in for a movie.  This past week John convinced me to watch The Godfather movies.  I had never seen them!!!  Downright sinful in my family!  I really enjoyed 1 and 2 (I think 2 a little more) and tonight we are going to round out the trilogy with the 3rd one.  I've heard it's not as good, but I have to see it through and decided for myself.  I'll report back later : ) 

And that's about as exciting as it gets around here!  

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy.  Remember it's the little things that count! 

xoox 

The New Normal...how's everyone doing?

Hello Friends! 

Today I wanted to check in with everyone and see how you all are doing.  I hope you all are home, safe, and feeling good.  We are feeling OK.  Yes a bit stressed (like everyone else) but trying to stay positive.  We are trying to keep as normal of a routine as possible. I don't watch the news as much as I used to because I found watching it was just making me more anxious.  I check in a few times a day to get updates, otherwise I'm not listening.  

I am grateful to be able to work from home.  It's taken a few days to get organized and accept the situation, but ...we are all in this together, we are all working together, and we will make it through this!  

And so... if I have to be self quarantined I'm grateful it's at home with my family.  John is home from school until at least April 7th and we are hearing it might be longer.  We have officially entered the world of "online learning".  It's new for us but we are getting used to it. I keep telling John this is a time his kids will be reading about in the history books someday.  

Here is our homeschooling situation we set up in the basement.  It's not bad.  Organization is the key, right?  He's been great about doing his daily assignments so they don't pile up.  Also, it's familiar and normal for him, and right now familiar and normal is comforting.

My grocery shopping experience on Friday was insane.  I have not stocked up on things. I buy weekly.  Maybe that's just me hoping for the best. Also me not having a place to store large quantities of things.  I felt like I was being swallowed up by all the crazy shoppers pushing me around the store.  

It was madness. 

And before you ask, YES the toilet paper isle was empty.  Luckily I wasn't desperate, but some people were, and they were not happy.  It was very disconcerting.  

So did I grab a few extra things? Yes I did.  

Important things like ice cream and carbs.  

I have my priorities! 

That whole ordeal had me a bit shaken, but then all things were put into perspective when  I got home and saw this...

Daffodils are sprouting.  Spring is coming.  Life continues.  I was so happy : )

And so this is our new normal for a while and it's ok.  We are doing our part to stop this horrible thing that's happening in our world right now.  For my own personal health I have decided that when possible (if the weather allows) to get myself out for a walk, maintaining social distancing of course, daily.  

I did this yesterday and it felt SO GOOD! 

Play games, watch movies, let yourself eat snacks and enjoy them.  Go for walks if you can.  Fresh air does wonders.  Take naps. Read.  Stay safe & healthy.  

Also, laughter helps.  The next day my husband texted me this photo.

We have struck gold! : )

Hang in there everyone!  I'm thinking of you all!! xoxo

PS - HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!!!!  Did you think I forget? 

I've made two of these Irish Breads this week.  Here is the recipe if you would like to make it

  (click me).  

Last weekend I made this video of me sharing the recipe. 

Enjoy! 

Irish bread ♥

Happy March Everyone!  As I type this we are in the middle of a huge storm.  I see on the news that some areas north of me are getting snow.  Luckily all I'm seeing is rain and wind, but wow - this storm is raging!  What a way to welcome March!

 

Well, they say in like lion out like a lamb.  Light the candles, turn on the kettle. 

 

This is the lion! ♥

 

 

The river in the back of our house is so high! And I wish you could see the trees! It looks like they are dancing!  Either way, I'm glad I'm cozy inside. 

 

I took the day off from work today because John had a half day.  We had intended to go out after school but because the weather is so bad we decided to stay home. We are both in our jammies and have been lounging and watching movies all day.  It's been heaven! When Rob gets home I'll make pancakes for dinner and then we are going downstairs for (another : ) movie with Nana & Grampy. 

I haven't had a day like this in a LONG time.  It's been nice!

 

 

 

 

 

This morning while he was at school I did a little baking.

 

It's March and that means one thing....Irish Bread! 

 

 

 

 

 

All of my Valentines have been neatly stored away and little touches of St. Patrick's Day have been scattered around. 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm aware that Easter is early this year, but I'm not about to let a holiday pass me by! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every March I make my friend Eileen's Irish bread.  It's literally the best Irish bread I've ever had.  If you are remembering the Irish bread of your childhood that is dry and tasteless - well, this is not it. This is more like a moist cake!  It has a cup of sour cream in it which makes all the difference!   

 

 

 

 

Once a year I break out the caraway seeds!

 

I've had the same jar for I don't even want to tell you how long!  Seriously, what else do you put Caraway seeds in? 

 

Only Irish bread! ♥

 

 

 

 

 

I've posted it before, but here's the recipe if you want to give it a go:

 

 

1 cup raisins

3 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

2 eggs

  

  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Grease a 10 inch round baking pan. 

 

Soak raisins in a small bowl of boiled water and put aside for about 5 minutes.  Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together. Mix in the caraway seeds.  Drain raisins and add to the flour mixture. 

  

In a separate bowl mix the melted butter, sugar, sour cream, and eggs.  Blend alternately with flour mixture until everything is combined into a smooth, creamy batter. 

  

Pour batter into pan and sprinkle the top generously with sugar.

 

Bake for one hour.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes then turn onto rack to cool.

  

 

 

 

 

YUM!

 

 

 

 

So good with coffee or tea! 

 

I like to spread cream cheese on mine.  John likes a little butter on his. 

 

Rob (who is 100% Italian by the way :) loves this bread just as is! 

 It's so moist you really don't need anything!

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Friday my friends!  I hope March is treating you well so far!

 

Bake up something yummy this weekend and stay cozy! If you need us we'll be hiding under the blankets until the storm passes.

 

The lamb will be here before we know it!

 

♥

 

 

It's March, it's freezing, time for Irish bread ♥

Good Morning and happy Monday! Another weekend gone way too fast.  I can hardly believe it's March already. 

 

I had a very restful weekend and am happily feeling much better.  Whew!  It's a good thing because I am so over being sick!  I still have a slight sniffle and I will probably be coughing until June, but overall I am on the mend. 

 

I am so grateful for my parents who took John overnight on Friday so I could go to bed early and get as much sleep as possible. I came home from work, took some cold medicine, and Rob served me  big bowl of pasta (feed a cold? for me yes! : ) which I ate on the couch with my feet up.  It was the best I felt all week.  And then, glorious sleeeeep ♥

 

By the time Sunday rolled around I was starting to feel (and sound) like myself again.  The real problem here is that somehow within the last few days the temperature outside has dropped to what feels like FREEZING!  Wasn't I just sitting out on my deck on a 65 degree day? Yes I was.  Well today we are in the twenties! What?  It feels like January out there.  That little burst of Spring temperatures last week was a teaser because for mass yesterday morning out came the winter coats and scarfs.  The wind was pretty fierce too.  This is not helping anyone.  I'm hoping it won't last.  They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.  I'm crossing my fingers for the lamb part. 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, life goes on and since it is March and since I am a creature habit - it's time to make Irish Bread!

 

I make this bread every March for St. Patrick's day. I got the recipe from my friend and coworker, Eileen (who got it from her Irish mother in law). It's the best Irish soda bread I've ever had.  It has sour cream in it which makes it very moist.  It's delicious. My Dad loves this bread. I'm going to bring him some today ♥

Here's how to make it:

 

1 cup raisins

3 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

2 eggs

  

  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Grease a 10 inch round baking pan. 

 

Soak raisins in a small bowl of boiled water and put aside for about 5 minutes.  Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together. Mix in the caraway seeds.  Drain raisins and add to the flour mixture. 

  

In a separate bowl mix the melted butter, sugar, sour cream, and eggs.  Blend alternately with flour mixture until everything is combined into a smooth, creamy batter. 

  

Pour batter into pan and sprinkle the top generously with sugar.

 

Bake for one hour.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes then turn onto rack to cool.

  

Irish bread can sometimes have a bad reputation for being dry, but not this one! You can put butter or cream cheese on it, but it's also fine just as is.  It's perfect to go with your morning coffee or afternoon tea ♥

 

 

John likes to slather his with cream cheese!

 

 

 

My taste tester....He gave it a thumbs up! Yay!

 

 

The appearance of Irish bread in the kitchen is always our first sign that Spring is on it's way.  Little by little I'll be bringing out my Spring and Easter decorations.  I wanted so badly to set up my bunny village this weekend but I just didn't feel up to it. It's at the top of my list for next weekend.  When reaching in the bottom cabinet of my hutch to get a candle I did spy this little guy who I couldn't resist taking out and putting on the counter....

 

 

 

Is he not the cutest?  I got him last Easter with a mini rose plant in it.  After the plant died I used him as a votive candle holder.  He still had a lilac scented candle in him from last Spring. 

 

Which I immediately lit.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just the smell of that lilac made my heart sing! Sweet, sweet Spring in the air.

 

Also the fact that I could actually smell it was also nice.  I can breathe again.

 

Yup, definitely getting better!~

 

 

 

 

 

Happy new week to all my friends!

 

 

Thank you for kind words last week when I was feeling under the weather.  I wish I could share this bread with all of you! ♥

 

xoxo

A few days of photos.... ♥

 

Hi Everyone!

 

 Here are a few photos from the weekend and the ones for my photo challenge....♥

 

 

 

 

Day 4 is Clock: I think I've posted this before but this is the clock that hangs in my bedroom.  I got it a few years ago at The Christmas Tree Shop and paid under $10 for it.  It's so pretty and I'm in love with the ticking sounds...tick, tick, tick.... 

 

 

 

 

Day 5 is Flowers: Ah, flowers! When I took this picture yesterday morning I was sitting on the couch having coffee admiring this lovely African Violet that I have managed not to kill.  It's so nice to have some color in the house.  This time of year is so drab.  These blooms are a promise of Spring~

 

 

 

 

Day 6 is Clouds although I took this photo a day late because there were NO clouds in the sky that day.  Not a one.  I was able to snap this picture of today's wispy clouds this morning on our way out the door. 

 

 

 

 

Day 7 is Outfit of the Day.  It's a shame day 7 wasn't on a better day for me because today was not a cute day.  Monday is my day off which means its my cooking, cleaning, errand running day.  This is my typical Monday outfit (unless I'm home all day in my pj's :). 

 

Not that I'm complaining.  Monday is also my most comfortable day.

 

 I ♥ it!

 

 

 

 

 

In other news.... It snowed Friday.  Just a dusting, but very, very cold here.  At this point I'm so baffled.  Wasn't it only last Monday I was walking on the beach in a light jacket?  Mother Nature is clearly as confused.  I heard we might reach 70 degrees on Wednesday.  Um...Ok.

That's New England weather for you!

 

 

 

 

My little guy has been busy drawing.  Saturday morning he spread out all these pictures on the floor so I could pick out my favorites.  Too many to pick from!

Do you see any familiar faces??? 

 

Yes, that is Charlie Brown on the left. He's one of his favorites to draw.  Darth Vader is next to him.

 I think he's copied probably every cartoon character ever drawn!

 

 

 

 

After that we went to music.  While John was having his drum lesson I took a walk around to kill some time.  Music shops are cool places.  I am always amazed at peoples talents...mostly because I can't carry a tune in a paper bag. Sad but true!

 

 

 

 

Since it's March I made Irish Bread today!!!  I always make my friend Eileen's recipe. It's the best one I've ever had.  I posted the recipe for it last year.  It has a cup of sour cream in it which makes it super moist. You bake it in a 10 inch round baking pan.  I split it and took half to my parent's house this afternoon.  I have a feeling I'll be making another one by week's end. 

 

  

 

 

I decorate all my letters with Susan Branch stickers.  I've had a stockpile of them since the late 90's! 

I very rarely send anything through the mail without one.  Friday was my day to catch up on letter writing. So much better than emails ~

 

 

 

 

Did you all watch the Downton finale last night? It was Ah-mazing!!!!!  I am so sad to see this show end, however I don't think I've even been as satisfied with a series ending EVER than I was with the Downton finale.  It was so well done and I cried tears of joy.  It will take a while to get over this one. I still can't believe it's really over (I know Dad....it's only a show....:).  

 

And that's my week so far.  What have you been up to?