Welcome Spring

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Song of Solomon 2: 11,12

It was a beautiful first day of spring in our area.

We have a few signs of spring around the yard....

Spring flowers are starting to pop out of the ground.

Trees are budding.

When I took this picture the sky was looking like it might rain, but it passed us by.

My favorite sign of spring is the robins singing in the morning!

HAPPY SPRING

~Cheryl~ 

 

Aprons

I love wearing aprons. I remember my mom and her aprons when I was little, they carried in vegetables from the garden, baby chicks to come in and get warmed up, kept her clothes clean as she cooked and did house work.  An apron makes me feel connected to the past.

Wikipedia says an apron is a functional accessory that layers over ones outfit to protect ones clothes and skin from incidental stains and marks. To me they are so much more.

My aprons get a lot of use and get pretty stained and worn looking, so after winning a new apron from My Mother's Apron Strings, I decided it was time to make a couple of new aprons.  This way they can be changed out each day and stay nicer looking longer.  Found a cute board to hang them on, I enjoy walking by and seeing them just hanging there.

   

The apron with cherries on it has seen better days, but just can't bring myself to give it up yet!  The pattern I used is quick, easy and fun to make.  

While waiting for my Girl Scout Cookies I made some Chocolate Peppermint Cookies you can find the recipe here.

No longer have to wait for the once a year Thin Mint Cookies, I'm not sure if that is a good thing:)

Would love to hear if you have a favorite apron.

~Cheryl~

Instant Pot Lemon Curd

I have been enjoying my Instant Pot.  The first foods that I cooked were roasts and chicken breasts, we have enjoyed how they have turned out.  This winter have made soups, chili, swiss steak with potatoes, and spaghetti sauce.    

Have also made yogurt twice and haven't come up with a consistency that I am happy with.  My first batch you could drink it (worked great in smoothies) and the second batch was a little thicker, it all tastes fine, but still working on it.

Last week I made Lemon Curd.

Very tasty, I could eat it by the spoonful.  Adding it to my yogurt along with some blueberries and sliced almonds.  Now that I have seen how easy it is to make in the Instant Pot, need to find some recipes for Lemon Curd.

Instant Pot Lemon Curd

• 3 Tbs butter room temperature
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest (personal preference)
• 3 1-cup Mason Jars

1.  Mix the butter and sugar in a bowl for about 2 minutes.
2. Slowly add the egg and yolk and mix for for 1 minute.
3. Add the lemon juice and mix to combine. The mixture will look curdled, but it will smooth out as it cooks.
   
4. Pour mixture into three one-cup Mason jars and place the lids, turning until the lid just catches. I use three jars so it doesn’t leak out the jars during cooking.
5. Place 1~ 1/2 cups of water in the Pressure Cooker and place a trivet inside.
6. Place Mason jars on top of trivet.
7. Lock on lid and close the Pressure Valve.
8. Cook on high heat for 10 minutes.
9. When Beep is heard, allow a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release.
10. Remove jars from Pressure Cooker and carefully open.
11. Add in the Lemon Zest and stir into the curd, until smooth.
12. Place lids on Curd and tighten just until the lid catches.
13. Allow to cool for 25 minutes and then place in the refrigerator overnight.
14. Curd will thicken as it cools.

 

Enjoying experimenting with new recipes for the Instant Pot, also loving how the food tastes and how fast it is finished.

~Cheryl~

 

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

We enjoyed some unseasonably warm weather at the beginning of this week, in the upper 60's. Started some of my spring cleaning, it was so nice to hang out the bedding and curtains.

This morning we woke up to snow and ice, winter has returned.  

Perfect weather for something warm and gooey...

Cinnamon Roll Muffins
 

1/2 cup brown sugar

 1 teaspoon baking soda

  1/2 teaspoon salt

  1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  1 large egg

  1 cup buttermilk

  3 cups flour 

Filling

  2 tablespoons butter, softened

  2/3 cup brown sugar

  3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze

  1 cup powdered sugar

  4-6 tablespoons heavy cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by spraying with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Combine brown sugar, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until combined. Add butter milk and whisk until smooth and combined.
3. Add in flour and stir until dough comes together and starts to somewhat form it's own ball. Dough will be thick. Do not over mix. Stop once the flour is combined into the dough.
4. Sprinkle additional 1/3 cup (or less) flour on the counter top. Knead for 2 minutes. You may have to sprinkle some flour on top of the dough and your hands to help prevent sticking.
5. Roll out into a large rectangle (about 12" x 24"). Spread softened butter over the dough. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon together, for the filling, and sprinkle over the butter and gently pat down.
6. Start at the long side and roll up into a tight log.  Cut dough into 12 pieces and place each slice into a muffin cup.
7. Bake for 15 minutes (I took mine out at 14 minutes). Do not let them brown or over cook. The center might look slightly wet, the muffins should be puffy and have risen up, and be a light golden color.
8. Let cool for a few minutes before glazing. To make the glaze combine powdered sugar and heavy cream, and mix with a fork to combine. 
9. Warm up any leftovers in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

  ~Cheryl~

Fabric Basket & A Flower

Had fun working on a fabric basket this afternoon.  I had seen them here.  The basket is bigger than I had thought it would be, will be great for storing things in my sewing area. Made a mistake on cutting my slits in the basket, but it still works :0)

I plan on making one to send to a friend, glad I did mine first.  The next one will go much easier.

They are also reversible.  

I think they will be cute to use for storage around the house. Plan on making myself a few!

My DH gave me some flowers for Valentines Day and the bouquet had a lily in it. The buds have been opening one at a time and are so pretty. 

We have been having beautiful weather here the last few days into the 60's. 

Saturday I washed a couple of quilts and was able to hang them outside, they smell so nice.

 

Looking forward to Spring! 

~Cheryl~

Valentines Day & Chocolate

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate...

Have to have some chocolate goodies for Valentines Day.

For our grandson who has been here for a couple of days chocolate cake is a must.

He headed home today and took what was left of the cake home to share (hopefully) with his brother.

For my hubby and our son I made a chocolate pie last night for our weekly  supper with the kids. For our daughter who doesn't east sweets I got her some black berries.

 

 

 Our son took some of the pie home with him last night, left a couple small pieces for his dad!

Today for my sweet hubby I make chocolate eclairs for tonight.  I had seen My Mother's Apron Strings post on her eclairs and just new that is what I needed to make for him.

Although, I found out that if you make them by just dropping them from a spoon onto the pan they are then called Cream Puffs, so I guess he is getting Cream Puffs!! Either way he will be very happy with them.  You can go to Susan's blog for the recipe.  Instead of the chocolate filling I made a vanilla cream filling.

Wishing you all a,

 HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !

~Cheryl~

Hearts

Making cookies for Valentines Day.

I enjoy making and decorating cut out cookies for the holidays.

Only hearts for this batch of cookies!
Valentines Day is almost here!

Cooling, then the fun begins!

~Ready for family and friends for Valentines Day~ 

White Cutout Cookies

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cream of tartar

3 cups flour

2 tbsp milk

Cream the shortening and sugar.  Add well beaten eggs, salt, and vanilla, beat together.

Sift baking soda and cream of tartar with flour. Add alternately with milk.

Chill dough for about one hour.

Roll to 1/4 inch and cut with cookie cutters.

Lightly grease cookie sheets.

Bake at 375 F for 8-9 minutes

When cool frost and decorate

~Cheryl~