Deer Speaks

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This is the hottest thing off the press at my house. My friend has learned to speak. We’ve been communicating nearly two years but she finally spoke this morning!

See, here she is asking for the apple that I promised the other day, remember that?


I do keep my promises and here’s some apple she generously shared with her family this morning.


Our sunrise this morning.


It’s truly a beautiful spring day although hubby’s having a hard time believing it’s spring. As he states…the summers up here are like winters in FL. He’s beginning to wonder if he’ll ever get to experience summer, let alone spring.

Our Home Taking Shape

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I took a little drive out to the lot to observe/get my nose into what all the fuss is about.

And I like what I saw very much


The walkout basement as she stands


After I arrived the builder informed me that the concrete truck was due to arrive any min. Sure enough, I spied it rounding the bend.


Pouring the footer for the garage – A nifty little sleeve for the concrete


Meanwhile the crew finished work on the last frame for the basement


Up goes the frame


I’m watching you guys


Very Close


It was hard to pull myself away but I left with dreams of home.


One day…one day, we will be Home Sweet Home

Springtime Attire Or Not

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Sha spring is coming and little dresses are waiting to be worn. I purchased this little dress weeks and weeks ago to wear to Hubby’s daughter’s graduation.


The weather sure needs to start cooperating though or I’ll have to find something else.

I was in need of some black heels to go with my little black dress and today I found the perfect comfy pair that I can’t wait to wear.

These little numbers are so comfortable – not too high but high enough…


Oh the places we have to go…


Hubby and I enjoyed a nice weekend filled with so many blessings. We shopped, had a couple fun dates and celebrated a wonderful Easter together.

We’re off to a brand new week with so much to look forward to.


A Little Moonshine and Daylight Splendor

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I had the desire to check in on the moon last evening after the sun bedded down. The goal was to check on it a bit earlier than the previous evening.

I applied a few different settings and here’s what we came up with.


It was so pretty observing the moon rise just over the treetops.


I believe this particular shot was the twilight setting as I remember the flash going off with it. For all the other shots I didn’t use the flash.


Who knows what setting this was on but one thing for sure…I’m not a tripod. Sheesh, that camera can be so sensitive.


One more shot


Morning broke with birdies singing while I soaked in the beauty of the day.

Caught him taking flight


While he sings his little tune way up there on his perch


Some trees have yet to blossom while others burst with colorful energy.


My friends were making their little morning rounds.

I’m a little bashful this morning, ya mind?


She radiates self-assurance


We must be going now


HEY! Back off or I’ll kick.

Okay, the crazy lady can take a hint…but I thought we were really good pals? Perhaps I’ll share some of my apple with you? How does that sound?


Apple, did somebody say APPLE?


I talk to the deer as if they completely understand what I’m saying. I read their expressions just like I know what they’re thinking. So I admit, I talk to the animals and we bond beautifully.

Many blessings ‘til we meet again.

Moon Watching

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The hour was 8:30, the day was last evening, when I got up to pull the curtains and noticed the sky illuminated by the light of the moon.

I was so awestruck that I started snapping a pictures.


My mission of pulling the curtains shifted to a little moon surveillance


And scrutiny


With a dash of assessment


And it breaks down to the fact that I couldn’t get enough.


Then the clouds rolled away and the illumination vanished.


And that’s a wrap of my beautiful moonlit evening.

In The Backyard

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It’s a perfect spring day and I took advantage of it by spending some time in the backyard. I spent some time looking up…

Looking up while passing under the pine


Looking up while passing under this tree with all kinds of life.


Looking up at the bird feeders

Filled and ready for customers


And another


We mustn’t forget the squirrels


The customers arrived while I patiently waited for them


I also spent some time looking out. Yes, looking out into the brush, as I could see my friends hangin’ out, rather watching the crazy lady.

My buddy on the left is not quite sure what to think and I see you over there on the far right.


He felt so much better after I warmed up to him


She looks so sweet and innocent


And they look curious as ever


Hey, I see you!


I certainly enjoy my surroundings and I’m thankful for the simple little things.

Happy Spring!

The Majesty Of Spring

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How majestic is spring? It has a way of piercing my heart with utter joy and causes me to do double takes every time I get the chance. It was yesterday morning when I noticed these blossoms outside our window.


This was taken yesterday when we had a tiny glimpse of blue skies scattered with white fluffy clouds. I believe this blue sky only lasted 20 minutes or less as we had lots of clouds and rain yesterday. We’re getting more April showers today as well. Yea for the rain, bring on the flowers and blossoms!

So after I flung open all the curtains, I had to have a deeper look for myself so I continued to soak in all these little clusters for a very long time.

Here’s a little close up view


And another


Happy Spring – It’s here at last!

Hooked On Exterior Paint Color

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It’s Hooked On Friday’s. So do check out Julia’s Hooked On Friday’s party this week! There’s lots of fun stuff going on over there as always!

Choices, oh the choices we have. The next choice up for our home is the exterior paint color. Luckily the website has this little design studio where you can pick a home similar to what you have and then choose the colors for the roof, trim, front door and home.

Hubby wanted me to pick my top three colors and mull over them a few days so this is what I came up with. I picked my top three but I also picked two more just in case he didn’t like what I had in mind.

The company does not offer the candle light yellow that I was aiming for, so the next best thing is this Adobe Cream. It’s as close to yellow as I’m going to get with the colors they offer.


I truly want a red front door and this cranberry color is as close as I could get to red in this program.

The next choice is this Colonial Ivory. Not as creamy and bright as the one above so I make this choice #2 I would keep the red front door with the Colonial Ivory as well.


Next up is Monterey Sand. This is way off from my yellow preference but a nice light sand color. So this color comes in as Choice #3. And my red front door will still apply with this color.


To switch things up a bit, just in case hubby didn’t like any of my choices above, I took it a step further picking out my next two favorite colors. Next up is this interesting Coastal Sage. I really believe this color could grow on me. With the Coastal Sage, you will notice I changed the front door to match the white trim.


And last I picked Mystic Blue. This is another color I’m quite fond of as I have big plans of painting hubby’s office in this color. The front door would also go with the white here as well.


Hubby is giving me the liberty of picking out the color of the home but I definitely want him to like it too. And he contends that if I’m happy with it then he’s happy. He’s likes both the Adobe Cream and the Mystic Blue but I think he would go with any of these. Do you have a favorite?

The next step is to look at all the samples and make a decision. The builder is dropping all of these samples in the mail today and we should have the decision made by sometime next week.

Hope you’re enjoying your Friday and don’t forget to check out Hooked On Friday’s!

Home Progress

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Progress, yes progress is a good thing! Our home is finally in queue to resume building after our long cold winter. Since the builder wasn’t able to get the footer and basement poured before our first winter freeze, the lot sat untouched. Finally we are going to start seeing changes in the weeks and months to come.

The mason poured the footer yesterday and they have hopes to have the foundation poured this afternoon or sometime this week.

Hubby and I had another meeting with the builder this afternoon and things seem to be clicking off really well. We met down at the lot with the mason and builder and here’s the way she looks today.


We have hopes for this project to be finished by summer so hold on and join the ride as I plan to post the progress here.

Hubby took me to one of our favorite places for lunch and I stole this little picture of him.


I enjoy these times with him so much and working together with him on our home is such a joy.

Birdbath Finale

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I did end up giving it the antiquing medium and achieved what I wanted. I waited for it to dry and added the polyurethane. If you’re reading this and it doesn’t make sense, see post below for more information. Here are a few photos to show her off.


This was taken early evening when the sun wasn’t so bright.


Another thing I did was enjoy a nice 3 hour lunch with my girlfriend Michele. We went to one of our favorite Italian restaurants and chilled and had the best visit.

I arrived a little before my date so I took a few pictures while I waited. This was a fun way to help me keep occupied while hubby’s away.


I’m getting ready to run to the grocery as that will give me a little something to occupy my time this evening and I have plans for a movie later on this evening. Hubby will be back to our little nest tomorrow and there’s one happy lady looking forward to his return.

It’s A Birdbath

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Or a serving table, or an indoor/outdoor side table. This piece stands 23 ½” tall from the top of the lip to the floor.

I still need to apply the polyurethane this afternoon and I’m still thinking about adding the antiquing medium. Time will tell by this afternoon what I decide. Other than that it’s pretty much finished.

If you’re interested in making one for yourself, here are the instructions and a list of Materials you need for this project.

Materials:

1 large 18 ¼” terra cotta saucer
2 large 12” terra cotta pots
Aleene’s Patio & Garden Outdoor Adhesive
gloss varnish polyurethane
Apple Butter Brown #819 antiquing medium
Acrylic paints – I used Americana Acrylic Paint (it was on sale yesterday for 77 cents per bottle)
Paint brushes
Sponges – Used these for sponge painting
Paint sponges – I will use this to apply the polyurethane

Steps:

(First I took the pots to the tub and gave them all a good rinse and wipe down)

1. You’ll be assembling the birdbath/table upside down. Begin by turning the 18 ¼” saucer lip side down.


2. Glue the 12″ pot upside down on the center of the 18 ¼” saucer, lip side down.


3. Glue the 12″ pot right side up to the end of the other 12” pot, end to end.


4. Allow glue to set for recommended time (I don’t) as I get too impatient to paint.

5. Give the entire piece an undercoat with the desired paint color you will be using.

6. Allow to dry 1 hour before adding the final coat

7. Paint on antiquing medium and wipe off the desired amount

8. Seal the entire project with high gloss polyurethane

9. Allow to dry 24 hours

Tips: If using for a table/serving tray. Use a doily or napkin on the tray when serving unwrapped cookies or cakes. Enjoy.

Craft Project

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I did, I did, I started my craft project! But not without a little effort as I went to Lowe’s 3x’s and visited two craft stores to secure the materials. After purchasing my pots at Lowes, I found the terra cotta pots 40% off at another craft store, so I had to return my pots. Then after I got home and ready to dig in…the glue I purchased was solid as a rock and no good, so I had to once again make a trip back to Lowe’s to return the glue and get one that was up for the job. It was worth all the effort and I’m already hard at work. Any guesses regarding what I’m concocting? Hint: It’s springtime…

Materials:

1 large 18 ¼” terra cotta pot
2 large 12” terra cotta pots
Glue – Not seen in the picture
Painters caulk
Caulk gun
High gloss polyurethane
Antiquing medium, apple butter brown
Acrylic paints
Paint brushes
Sponges
Paint sponges

To be continued…

Assuming

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Sometimes assuming can really pay off and other times well, not so much. Remember those Banana Cranberry Spice Muffins we made a while back? Well, I was thinking and assuming I could change it up a bit by exchanging the bananas and cranberries with pumpkin. Pumpkin happens to be another thing I love and the last time I had a real pumpkin muffin (back in September) was at Panera Bread Company. And I still haven’t been able to get the thoughts of yummy pumpkin muffins out of my head. Anyone want to take a guess how many calories are in a Pumpkin Muffin at PB Company? Try 530 calories and 20 fat grams – Ouch! Up against these yummy pumpkin muffins at 155 calories – This is a no brainer!

So I picked up this dandy can of pumpkin and popped the top yesterday afternoon and couldn’t wait to give it a try.


I followed the Banana Cranberry Spice Muffin recipe but added 1 cup of pumpkin in exchange for the banana and cranberries.

This little muffin is just what the Dr. ordered! I finished him with my coffee this morning and I’m so happy that I’ve found a nice little healthy way to have the things I enjoy. It pays to assume sometimes.


Pumpkin Spice Muffins – Serves 12

Ingredients:

1 cup Fiber One original bran cereal

1 egg

¾ cup fat free (skim) milk

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 cup pumpkin

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon salt

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray bottoms only of 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray, or use non-stick baking cups. Place cereal in resealable food storage plastic bag; seal bag and crush with rolling pin or meat mallet (or crush in food processor).

In medium bowl, beat egg milk and oil with fork or wire whisk until well mixed; beat in pumpkin. Stir in cereal; let stand 5 minutes.

Stir in remaining ingredients. Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups.

Goodness to go


Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from pan to cooling rack. Serve warm.

High Altitude (3500 – 6500 FT): No change

Nutrition

1 Muffin: Calories 155 (Calories from Fat 40) Total Fat 4.5g (Saturated Fat 0g); Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 200mg; Total Carbohydrate 32g (Dietary Fiber 3g) Protein 3g

%Daily Value: Vitamin A 4%; Vitamin C 2%; Calcium 10%; Iron 10%

Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

Carbohydrate Choices: 2

Weight Watcher Points: 3

Note: I baked these guys for 20 minutes. They came out so nice and moist and when trying them while they are piping hot, they seem just a bit under baked. I tend to like things out of the oven a little on the early side as they continue to finish “baking” while they’re cooling. I made these yesterday and they were perfect today so I will not be baking these any longer next time around. Also, the nutritional information is carried over from the banana cranberry muffins. However I did change the calories for this recipe. This recipe will actually be a few less calories than the banana muffins. Here’s my math for anyone that may be interested. A cup of pumpkin is 80 calories and a cup of (mashed) banana is approx 200 + calories. I did not use the ½ cup of cranberries that total 190 calories. So the best I can come up with is…drum roll please – these guys are a whole 25 calories less than the banana cranberry spice muffins that yield 180 calories! YEA and I LOVE THEM! The WW points are still 3 points though. Actually the banana muffins are more like 3 ½ points each so I’m thrilled these guys are down to an even 3 points. Thank you God for pumpkin, I love it.


Monday Musings

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For Today – Searching for a craft idea, I think I found the perfect one! More on this later or (if it comes to pass).

Outside My Window – This is a picture taken from just outside my front door this morning – I’m in love with the pretty blue sky!


We’re on the ground floor and have to go upstairs and cross the little bridge to get to our vehicles.

We had a trace of snow yesterday and I have spring fever like I’ve never had before! It was just yesterday that I was telling Hubby that I couldn’t wait to run around in my little dresses and bare feet – Will that day ever get here?

From the Kitchen – I could eat some sort of pasta every single day of my life and never tire of it! This is a nice shrimp pasta with peppers, snap peas, baby corn, carrots, soy sauce and some hot pepper sauce (for a nice kick) and a pinch of brown sugar. I love the spicy hot and sweet flavor of this dish. That was my favorite meal this weekend and I can’t stop thinking about it.


I’m going – To miss Hubby while he’s away on business this week. He wishes he could have me by his side but my ticket would cost an arm and a leg, so I’m staying home. I think I’m going to do my craft later this week while he’s out of town. I’ve already started a list of things I need to get started.

Here’s to a wonderful week!

A Boston Snippet

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Planning, yes planning is something that I evidently overlooked prior to our Boston trip. The thing is I didn’t bring a coat with me, only a ¾ length sleeve sweater. The excuse is the weather was warming up a tad and I didn’t think I needed a coat. What was I thinking? Some of the things I plan on doing in Boston certainly involved a coat this week so I decided that I would once again do some indoor shopping. In the end I had a wonderful time and the best part was that I got to spend the evenings with hubby.

While shopping, I found some things that I covet. If I covet when I see things at the store instead of at a friend’s house, is it wrong?

When I observe Rachel Ray cook pasta with her oblong pot, I think to myself “I need one too”. This would be the perfect set as there’s a nice oblong pot in that beautiful set! I would love that green on the bottom left.


I really want one of these one day, even if it’s just a small one.


Loved this colorful display of ceramic eggs and really like that bowl too.


This bedding is so spring


Detail on the pillows


Huge sign advertising the pots


And here they are on the shelf. I really liked the chipped and brawny look of these.


Loved this canister set


After a day chalk full of shopping dinner was ever on my mind and I was hoping for seafood one of the evenings. As a matter of fact, Hubby and I were talking about seafood on our way to Boston and I was pleasantly pleased to learn that that’s where the guys made reservations that evening!

Hubby had lobster and I had blackened mahi mahi. They were both so delicious!

Hubby’s lobster looking so yummy!


Hubby digging in!

Random dinner shot. This group came from Texas, New York, Boston and Maryland.


Just the two of us


It was such an enjoyable trip and I feel lucky to be able to travel with hubby whenever possible. Next time I need to plan a little better though.