Good Eats...

Hello!

Thought I'd pop in to say hello!

 Just had a delightful dinner with Mr. Darling and the kids tonight.

 I made a yummy Chicken & Broccoli Cobbler from the Quick Fixes Southern Living Cookbook...

And it was really delish. So, I had to share it with you too!

Chicken & Broccoli Cobbler

1/4 c melted butter

3 cups cubed sourdough bread

1/2 cup pre shredded Parmesan cheese

3 cups small broccoli florets

3 cups chopped cooked chicken

1/2 cup drained chopped roasted red bell pepper

1 (10oz.) Alfredo sauce

1/2 cup sour cream

2 Tbl. dry sherry

Garlic seasoning

*****

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle butter over bread cubes in a large bowl: sprinkle wit cheese, and toss well. Set aside.

2. Combine broccoli and next five ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon filling into a lightly greased 2 qt. baking dish or individual baking dishes: top with bread

 cubes then season just the tops with sprinkles of garlic seasoning.

3. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 30 minutes ( 20-25 min. for individual cobblers) or until bubbly and top is toasted.

P.S I didn't add the bell peppers since it is not a fave with Mr. Darling...

And I left out the sherry...Simply because I didn't have it...It was still tasty!

*****

Serve this with a lovely salad. Lately I have been really into making this salad... Spinach leaves with glazed walnuts topped with feta and raspberry walnut dressing...so good!

Then you can top that all off with some homemade healthy oatmeal cookies for dessert...

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about!

Hope all is well...I am off to finish some work on a dolly I started!!!

***

Linking Up to

 Homemaking Link Up

&

Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Blooming Botany....

Freckles and I have been working on our Botany studies this semester.Perfect time to study flowers is surely Springtime! We use The Young Explores Series Exploring Creation with Botany by Jeannie K. Fulbright, published through Apologia Educational Ministries. The book is wonderful and teaches God's creation in such a brilliant way. Last week and this week we have been studying the anatomy of flowers as Freckles dissected a flower to learn all the parts.

Then she had to put the flower back together by gluing it into her nature notebook.
 We went on talking about how animals and bees pollinate the flowers in depth.

(Our vintage bee pull...remember these when you were a kid?)

Today we continued the study on flowers and focused on Orchids and how amazing  they are.... If you have ever seen many different types of orchids or if you get a chance to see them..Look at them closer...The beauty and how spectacular they really are. Also see how they look like creatures. Our activity today was to make up our own orchids and to name them...

Freckles really enjoyed using her imagination,

 making different orchids and giving them names.

My favorite has to be the" Fiddleheadpolkadottisyladydeedee"

 I also made my version of that one.

Next week we will continue studies in pollination, making a butterfly garden then off to the study of fruits!Wishing you a happy week while your out there smelling the flowers and enjoying the beauty

 God has gifted you with!!

A Girl Day Out.....

The kids and I went up to visit my sister for the weekend hanging out for her birthday. We spent the weekend at the mall window shopping then went to visit my parents and gramma. Saturday we spent the day out...just the girls! My mom and gramma treated us to lunch at The Elephant Bar. It was really good food!


(Me & Shawny)

After lunch we went to the mall to shop for birthday outfits! Yep, not only my sister got to pick out an outfit for her b-day, but I too got to pick out an outfit for mine which is in a couple weeks! Early birthday gifts are always welcome! We had a fun time shopping and picking out clothes. Thanks mom and gramma!!! My sister got me a red tea cup and a couple cherry tea cups while we went thrifting later that day! I love them so! Even Freckles got to pick out a few new things to add to her wardrobe. The whole weekend was a barrel of laughs as we goofed around and even a bit of tears when we watched Finding Neverland.
 Well, I cried!

(My Mom, Freckles,Shawny)

(Me & Gramma)

Good times!

Mellow Yellow....

Today was just kind of one of those days...A mellow yellow day where it was sunny yet chilly out. We did our lessons, a bit of laundry, dusting, sweeping and vacuuming. My dear Freckles picked me a whole vase of cheer....Well, she made me a collage. Sweet isn't she? I ate left over black bean soup for lunch with a couple circus cookies. I found the black bean soup recipe in the Dec~Jan 2011 issue of Mary Janes Farm. There's a whole section on Soups For Supper. I already made the Tamato Tarragon Bisque and paired it with grilled cheesy sandwiches. It was delish. Next on my list is Cheddar & Potato then Butternut Squash Soup. Last week we were over a friend's for dinner...She made a really good Corn Chowder which I plan to make as well. I love soups really anytime of the year... Especially on the chilly nights. They are wholesome and MMM MMMM good for you too! Did I mention they are easy to throw together as well? Here's the recipe for Black Bean Soup. I know it looks scary in the picture, but trust me it is really tasty!

Black Bean Soup
Saute 1 diced onion, 1 cup diced carrot, 1 stalk diced celery, and 2 cloves minced garlic in 3T olive oil. Add 1 1/2  t ground cumin and 1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes; Cook for 3 minutes. Add 1 cup water, 2 cups chicken broth, and 2 cans (16oz.) organic black beans undrained; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Add 2 T fresh chopped cilantro, 1/4 t cinnamon, and 1/2 cup orange juice; cook for 10 minutes. Mash some of the beans in the pot. Stir in 2 t lemon juice and salt to taste. Serves 6.
Enjoy!

 
A bit more Spring cleaning and sorting through junk for our fundraiser garage sale is in order. Also getting ready for a visit to my mom's. The kids are going to be doing some TO DO stuff for some moola! That's always nice. Then we're off to celebrate my sisters birthday/ (SLASH) My birthday lunch for the girls and a wee bit of  shopping... Mama is gonna get us girls a little token for our birthday's! Woot!!! I am also putting out a few Springy things and thought I'd show ya this cute chubby chick I got from my mom's garage sale last Summer... Now to fill it with some goodies! Hope you all have a delightful day...Weather it be a good day or bad day or just one of those mellow yellow days...

Mug Shots....

I love mugs!
Every morning I use a different mug for my tea, coffee or cocoa.
Today I am sharing my mug shots....The ones I use during the week and which are my faves of course!

 
Hearts, Cherries, Polka Dots.......

Funky Floral, Strawberries and a Rooster!
And of course my Cookies Mug pictured in the first photo.
A mug for every day...

Linking to:
It's A Very Cherry World!
Ruby Tuesday
Table Top Tuesday
Tuesday Tea For Two

A Creative Family....

Ever since I can remember I loved art...drawing, painting, playing with papers, coloring and doodling. I was always a dreamer. I was the one in the class who would be doodling or looking out the window day dreaming of something else. For I just don't think that a school desk was where I was meant to be. Where did this creative spark come from? Certainly it was a gift from God...and I come from a line of creative family members. My Grandmother's on both sides were crafters. Both made lovely knitting and crochet projects. I have been told I had family in Europe who were in theatre, as well as my Maternal Grandmother whom is also a great cook.My Great Grandmother was a gifted seamstress and was known to make her own dresses...To this day I have her old Singer sewing machine which I did my first sewing projects from. My Paternal Grandmother pictured above was very gifted in painting...She had a whole craft room in her basement especially for her ceramics and crafts. My Mother is a gifted singer and writes beautiful poetry. Even my Father has been known to write poetry. I have seen my mom even draw very well, though she never did that much.

 
I don't know for sure if being creative comes from your blood line. I do know for sure it is a gift. Why is it that some people are artistically challenged? Surely those who are, are gifted in other things. That's what makes this world so bright and different. I have learned so much over the years...From drawing, painting,collage,doll making,sewing,crochet, poetry writing, cooking/baking and photography. I have tried  just about every craft there is. Some I enjoy more than others. The only missing one is am not so musical. I have been told I sing pretty...I am sure it's not American Idol material...I just can't play any instruments. With my Hubby being musical and I with other crafting abilities...our children have also shown creativity gifts..Our son is musical and writes...Our daughter loves to draw...and she shows so much more possibility. My Hubby's side of the family has several musicians and my Hubby's Mama is quite creative...
check out her shop! My kids are blessed to have creative people all around them!

I am thankful for the gift of creativity!

My new Bunting Bunny Print available here!


I thank God and my family for instilling in me the creative bug!
 Where do you think your creativity comes from?
Happy Creating!

Spring Is In The Air....

Source
The flowers seem to be blooming early this year... Not only are the blooms coming in but so are the allergies. Ugh! We just got over another bout of the flu/cold now the allergies are kicking in! Besides Fall....Spring is a favorite season of mine...The time where everything is freshening up...The green, the flowers... It just makes the world so colorful...

This picture was taken just before last Fall came. I love these roses.
 I am looking so forward to being able to pick them again.

 
This was captured today. The pink looks so pretty with
 the blue sky in the background. So pretty!

So, what's growing in your garden?
Make a wish!
Have a blooming day!

Where Women Create....

You won't find me in one of those books or the magazines of Where Women Create... For I don't have a space of my own to work in. I used to have spaces where I could set up a studio or even a corner...But now, I have to work out of bins and create at the kitchen table. And, believe me I am a messy crafter! This is truly a test or even a character issue of contentedness... Let alone tidiness... I miss having a spot where I can decorate and make a mess in.... perhaps another season I will have one again. For now I lug around all my supplies to the table and work. This weekend I really made a mess of the table while creating my collage pieces. Everything was out...even the kitchen sink.

I have had so much fun, that it really didn't matter if I had a room of my own. I even left the mess out past the weekend, which I will have to pick up before Wednesday Bible study.....
  Two prints are ready in
my shop
 With a third one in the works! 

So, I don't have a beautiful craft space to show you. But hey!
 The magic doesn't just happen in a special craft room...It can happen anywhere!
 Even my kitchen table, or yours.
Happy creating to you, wherever your spot may be!

Our Week At A Glance....

We are finally getting over the 3rd bout of the bug..... I am ready to get back on track. It is hard for me to even think about much at this time since the earthquake in Japan. There are several families from our Church Missions that are out there at this time....One family in particular are friends of ours. It took two days to get news that they were alive. My heart goes out to everyone and those who have lost their lives in this tragedy... On a lighter note. I have been working on some art stuff for my shop. There is lot's of paper and paint flying around as well as some dolls brewing.... Can't wait to get those out of my head.

 
Our school week was rather short due to the fact we were all sick. Towards the end of the week we picked back up in our studies. We even had a lovely time walking to the park with the kids and the dog. Your never too old to play ya know. Geesh... It's great to see that our kids still like to enjoy the park and play together....Being silly is always good medicine...that's our motto!

 
Over the weekend Maestro got his hair cut by a friend who is going to
The Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School. I think she did a pretty good job...
Maestro seemed to be just fine with it...That's all that counts. Good thing is he didn't lose an ear.

Freckles and I had a lovely Saturday having tea with
the girls for our Literary Tea get together. It was a delight...As always!

Look at our sweet Bluebell Knoll sitting like a pretty bird on the chair...So adorable!
Hope y'all set your clocks forward...We did...Just to be sure we
 made it to Church on time. That would stink if we got there and the service was already over.
Well, Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.