Blooming now in my yard...

 

As you can see my Confederate Jasmine is in bloom now on our arbor.  I cut it back a lot last year because it was so huge.

 

It should cover the entire arbor by the end of summer.

 

I moved these stones over here on Friday. 

 

This is Candy Tuft that I planted about 10 years ago.  It only blooms in the Spring.

 

On the right is our Yoshino Cherry tree and beside it is a Dwarf Magnolia.

Spring is my favorite time of year in the garden. 

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

New salt & pepper shakers and a recipe...

 

I got these cute little salt and pepper shakers at Target yesterday.  I'm going to have to go get another set to use when I put the extra leaves in my table.  Just $5.00 too.

 

I decided to add the recipe from my Menu post yesterday.

Enjoy!

Chicken Mushroom Fettuccine

1 package (16 oz.) fettuccine

1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 boneless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

1/2 c. milk (I use heavy cream)

1 1/3 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Cook ffettuccine according to directions.  Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute mushrooms and garlic in butter for 2-3 minutes.  Add chicken and saute 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked.  Add milk or cream and heat through.  Drain ffettuccine, add to skillet.  Sprinkle with cheese and toss to coat. 

The recipe says it serves 6 but Mr. Bird nest loves it and I would make more if I were having company.

The best part is that it doesn't take a lot of ingredients, is easy to make and will get great reviews.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

The blackboard finished...

 

I went to have blood work done this morning and by the time I got to Rick's wood shop, he had been there and cut the backing for my blackboard.  What a great kid!  I threw it in the trunk and came home to sand it and get two coats of chalk board paint on it.

 

This afternoon I went to another Dr. appointment and when I got home, I put the board together and hung it on the wall.

 

This is what we're having for dinner tonight, if I'm not too tired from all the running around.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

A frame built from wood on my Grandfather's farm...

 

This frame was built from barn wood that was in the horse barn on my grandfather's, then my father's farm. 

We got my mother a picture of a country auction one year and one of the great guys who used to work for my Dad built this frame.

I never thought the frame did the picture justice and I painted it several times (different colors) and finally took the picture to a professional framer and it hangs above our bed.

When Rick (my son the contractor) was here on Sunday for dinner I asked him what he thought I should do with it.  It's been sitting in the garage for about 4 years and I was afraid Mr. Bird Nest might throw it away.

 

Rick suggested I remove all the layers of paint and take it back to it's original state.  Easy for him to say. 

I started the project in my workroom (the kitchen counter) and then yesterday turned out to be such a great day, I took it outside.

I painted on stripper, scraped and repeated that over and over.  You didn't think I'd wait 30 minutes like they told you on the directions, did you?

Then I sanded and sanded.  Barn wood is really rough and if it's not sanded it can collect a lot of dirt and dust.

 

This is the finished, sanded frame.  I'm glad not all the whitewash came off. 

This morning I'm going over to Rick's wood shop to pick up the backing he's cutting for me.

Know what I'm going to do with it?  Yep, it's going to be a blackboard in my kitchen.  I think I'll like looking at it every day.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

My little angel....

 

Chloe and I spent part of our day together yesterday shopping.  I guess all that fun just tuckered her out.  She slept for two hours and her Momma and brother had to wake her up when they got here to pick her up.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Dinner Guests...

 

Noelle (DIL) was working in Pediatrics yesterday so our son Rick brought Nicholas and Chloe over for dinner.  I made home spaghetti sauce and meatballs which is always a hit.  We had salad, fresh bread and brownies.

 

As you can see, Friday night Nicholas lost his other front tooth.  It was fun (well funny to us) to listen to him try to talk.   

Noelle had a doctor appointment this morning so Chloe "The Snacker" spent the night.  She had ice cream for dessert, then Goldfish, then grapes and finally popcorn.  Not to worry, she ate two meatballs with dinner.

Chloe and I are off to a big sale at Old Time Pottery this morning.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen