A WALK THRU OUR GARDEN

 Its a fine day here in Maine.  We have our spring flowers continuing to pop up bringing us some lovely color.  I cut some lilacs to put in a vase so I can enjoy their aroma for a few days.  I love the scent of lilacs.

Let's take a photo journey today......

I'll start with the lilacs I cut for myself.  They smell so darn nice.

The Creeping Phlox always does so well in spring.

Beside our back patio we have lilacs in bloom.  The early spring tulips and daffodils are already snug in their beds till next year.

Our Paper White Birch are my favorite trees here.  This section of the garden also has more lilac bushes.

In one of our personal veggie beds someone has transplanted some pretty colorful flowers to enjoy.

A few geraniums are still in bloom.

Another gardener is taking a chance by transplanting tomatoes already.  We often get frosty nights right up until Memorial Day and even into the month of June sometimes.

  

From our back patio we also enjoy the view of the river with its waterfall.  

We can also view the bridge that connects our town to the one next door.

All in all, it was a nice stroll thru the garden today.

LADY GERTRUDE AND LADY JANIS ARE FINISHED.

Lady Gertrude and Lady Janis are ready for their new homes.  

       This is Lady Gertrude for Kathy D. 14" by 16"

         Lady Janis is for Peggy L.  another 14" by 16" size.

Now I will be able to figure out what project to finish next.  It could be the teacups, the dragons, or something else.  My mind is always designing new projects to keep me busy.

Enjoy the beautiful spring weather.

My Teacup Embroidered Blocks

 I checked thru my WIP container to see what I still had there.  Lo and behold, there were 13 embroidered teacup and teapot blocks I made over 10 years ago.  They are too pretty to sit unseen, so I will make something with them in the near future.  Possibly a couple of wall hangings.  They are all 10 1/2 inches square.

                      These are blocks numbered 1-3. 

                                               Numbered 4-6

                                            Numbered 7-9

                                       Numbered 10-12

                 Here's the last one.  Doesn't that look like a face?

The dark marks could be eyelashes.  I may make this one into a single project with a smiling face with pretty red lips.  It's a thought right now.

I have added these to my latest projects to finish.  I have time to think about what I should do with them.  

I have a few ideas in my head.  I will come up with something.

Enjoy your springlike day.

Lady Nanette is finished

 I finished another Victorian Lady.

                  This is Lady Nanette for Nan, a neighbor.

I finished it yesterday.  She measures 16.5" square.  I still have another couple to finish up for neighbors.  I may be working on one of them today.  

I thought I would go through my WIP (work in progress) container.  To be honest, it's been a while since I checked it.  I found several embroidered teacups and tea pot blocks I made over 10 years ago and just put away.  There are 13 of them in all, measuring 10 1/2 inches each.  Originally I was going to make a bed quilt with them but I don't make large projects any longer and they are too pretty to sit in a box.  I may make some wall hangings with them.  Maybe a couple with 6 ladies in each.  I could hang them on my wall or my front door.

Many years ago I did some Redwork projects and then into embroidery.  I don't believe I ever kept any of them.  They were mostly for quilt forum swaps.   I am glad now that I still have these.  I am a tea drinker and I like cute teacups and pots.   These would look good on my wall. 

I have so many projects in mind I hope to live to a hundred so I can do them all.

Enjoy your day my friends.

EZ MAC N CHEESE WITH CHEEZ-ITS

 This recipe comes from my friend Judy.  Its originally a 9 x 13" casserole, but I tweaked it to 9 x 9" for my needs.

                         EZ MAC N CHEESE

You will need:  9" by 9" Casserole Dish    350* F pre-heated Oven for 25 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Cups Elbow Macaroni, cooked, drained, and set aside 

10 slices American Cheese 

6 Oz. Shredded Cheddar Cheese, white or yellow

2 Tablespoons of pats of butter

1 Egg

3/4 Cup Milk

1/2 teas. Dry Mustard, 1/4 teas. each Salt and Pepper, or to taste

Topping:

1/4 Cup crushed Cheez-It Crackers

3 Tablespoons melted Butter

You can used white or yellow cheeses, as desired.  I used white.

Spray a 9 by 9" Casserole dish or baking pan

(Line with foil, if you want to keep the pan super clean though it's not necessary).

Pour the cooked Elbow Pasta into the casserole dish evenly.

Lay 10 slices of American cheese of your choice, evenly over the top.

Add the shredded Cheddar, evenly, on top of that.

Dab over the top the pats of butter, in smaller pieces

Mix Together:   Milk, Egg, and seasonings.  Whisk well.

Pour this over the casserole dish.  

If you are using a topping, spread it over the top now.

(To Test the crumbs, I covered only half this casserole with the Cheez-it Mix)

Bake in a pre-heated 350*F oven for 25 mins.  Edges should be bubbling.  It's done.  Allow it to set 5 mins. before serving.

I served my dish half and half to try.  The crumbs got a 'thumbs up" from my two neighbors and me.

                                     Try it. You may like it.

FINISHED 4 VICTORIAN LADIES

 I finished 4 Victorian Lady wall hangings for friends.  The suggestion is to hang on their bathroom door to denote it's a Ladies Room.  They are...

                     Lady Aimee for Sandi H.  Measures 15" by 15"

                           Lady Annabella to a good friend

Lady Bathsheba to Sharon M. 15" x 16"

Lady Penelope for Sandy P.  14" x 15"

I have 2 more promised to neighbors that are in the works, Lady Gertrude and Lady Janis.

A couple more are left and then I can work on the ones for my family.

Rain is expected today and it's a good thing.  Keeps our forests safe from forest fires.  We get ample rain each April and into May as well.  In our area we can expect a frosty night or more before June 10th.  One never knows what to expect.  After that the gardeners in my building will be planting and enjoying fresh veggies.

Stay safe my friend.

LADY ANNABELLA WH IS FINISHED

 I FINISHED LADY ANNABELLA THIS MORNING AT CRAFT MORNING, 

I ENJOY MAKING THESE WALLHANGINGS.  I HAVE SEVERAL MORE TO FINISH.

I FIND THAT A MORNING AT CRAFTS IS ENOUGH TIME TO HEM THE BINDING AND SEW ON THE LABEL.  ITS A GOOD CRAFT JOB FOR MY THURSDAYS.

ENJOY YOUR DAY.