Tuesday, February 28, 2012

an oldfashioned wrap for my blueberry scones



I recently made blueberry scones
and thought to use my muffin tins lined with hand cut parchment squares.
I love the way they came out
and how easily they lifted from the pans and from the paper.


I hope you are having a wonderful week dear friends.
Regardless of life's ups and downs,
a little prayer
and
a cuppa tea {with a special treat} really soothes the soul, doesn't it?

"Bread and water can so easily be toast and tea."
but
Toast and tea can so easily become blueberry scones and a London Fog...

London Fog recipe

Thursday, February 23, 2012

family love from east to west


It was a year ago today that my son, Jason,
went to his interview in Austin, Texas.
He loves his job and loves living in a great city with amazing weather.
Knowing how I love "looking up,"
Jason sent me some beautiful photos taken on his commute to and from work.
We are so proud of him... but oh how we miss him.
Chris and I were able to visit Amanda during the first part of my February break.
We enjoyed some of our favorite things!
Of course
talking talking talking!
I'm not a big shopper, {and neither is Chris} but I wanted to stop at the Vera Bradley Outlet nearby.
Unbeknownst to us, there was 40% off sale going on... that is off of their outlet price!
... so we were very, very tempted...
Like crazy ladies, we waited an hour and a half
just to get inside the store.

Chris was thrilled :o) NOT!
but
He was a real honey bunch and got us coffees at Starbucks and
we talked even more
{I'm glad Starbucks found a nice mild blend...have you tried their "Blonde" coffees?}

I was able to take home the purse I wanted for such a great price!
 {It retails for $69, is on sale for $49 online and at the outlet it's $34 and with 40% off ... I paid only $20}
 We took home a few gifts too!

We also just love the Walkway Over the Hudson.
Amanda's dogs, Chino and Mr. Darcy love it too!


A stop at Adams Fairacre Farms is a must as well.
 I picked up amazing produce at amazing prices
and these sweet red tulips to bring a little springtime to my father's house.

On Monday, it was off to my father's in central New York.
We had a great visit and some heavy work to do.
Remember the days when people installed wall-to-wall carpeting over hardwood floors?
Look what was under my father's carpeting!
His home looks like new ~ even the air smells fresher!
{Chris always asks if he can help!}
We moved around a lot of furniture and emptied the china closet and buffet.
I found some sweet treasures that were most likely last handled when Dad moved over 30 yrs. ago.
When I picked up my mother's pie holder, I held it for a long time thinking that
it was last used when she was alive.
These sweet treasures had been stored away too long...
Dad was so happy to see some of these things,
Right now, the pretty red crystal candy dish has a little bluebird in it,
but some of his favorite candies will be in it soon!
The dessert tiered set and pie holder came home with me
He's happy that these things came out of their hiding place!

How has this week been going for you?
Are you enjoying amazing weather like Jason?
Or,
are you having deep winter weather?

Here, in the northeast... we are supposed to have a little snow tonight.
2 - 4 inches...then rain.
Still... a very easy winter... and I like it!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends
and always look up as do the others at Sky Watch Friday!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Climb Every Mountain!

My sister and brother-in-law
LOVE
The Adirondack Mountains.
Hiking up Mt. Marcy was their first date


Climbing Mt. Allen {above} is in their future.

 *
My brother-in-law climbs even when it's below zero.

* * * Brrrrrrrr  * * *


These are photos he took on two recent treks,
..Mt. Redfield and Mt. Cliff...

Their goal is to climb all 46 Adirondack Mts.
God bless them!
*

Barry's commentary on his recent climb...
"Revenge is mine, and then some! 
A few weeks ago ice on Cliff got the best of me, but yesterday was a new day.  The hike was 11 hours and 18 miles long.  We wore crampons the entire time. Snowshoes carried but not needed.
It was a zen hike for sure.
Redfield measures 4606 feet and is the 15th highest peak in NY.  Cliff measures 3960 feet and is 44th of the 46 highest peaks.  For me that was number 37 and 38.  Only 7 more to go to earn my 46er."
 
"...Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
 Isaiah 40:31


Thank you for sharing your amazing photographs, Barry!
It's great to enjoy your adventures from a warm and cozy location :o)

Happy weekend to all my friends and family who love nature


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

recipe for love ♥



 Fill bowl with Faith, Hope and Kindness
add 1 sifter of Powdered Persuasion
2 cups of Finest Devotion
3 heaping tablespoons of Passion
4 ounces of Sweet Nothings
1 cup of Lasting Hugs
 2 Soft Sighs

 Don't forget the Kisses

layer with
Lots of Laughter
a Pinch of Forgiveness when needed (no substitutions)

Sprinkle generously with Thoughtfulness (not optional)
 ~

stir Lovingly
and
Simmer Gently

Ready when Bubbling
Serves two


♥  Maria


“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
– I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

on a journey



You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence and the
pleasures of living with you
forever.

Psalm 16:11

Dear God, may you help us to end each day
by whispering an amen to You as we go to sleep
and to wake up each morning
with an halleluiah in our hearts.
Amen!



Photo of sky, trees and highway taken in on the road to New Hampshire.
Borrowed {stolen} from my daughter Amanda for Sky Watch Friday.
Quotes from Psalms and from the book
Moments of Peace in the Presence of God




Thursday, February 2, 2012

Picasa Picnik


We had a beautiful sunset the other night.
...the kind that makes me run back into the house for my camera...
to snap a few Sky Watch photos.

Tonight, I decided to add a little Picasa twist to one of the sunset photos.

{pencil sketch}

{focal black and white}

{boost}

{vignette in blue}

{original}
{that was fun!}

The northeast has been enjoying some beautiful days.
It reached 50 degrees {F} this week!
I love coming home from work, putting on my sneakers {instead of boots}and heading
outside for a glorious walk.

I keep thinking back to last winter with 7 foot snow mounds along the sides of my driveway.
Who knows how long we'll get to keep this weather trend!?!
I'll enjoy it while it lasts... for sure!

“People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.”
 Anton Chekhov

Enjoy this first weekend of Fbruary everyone!
Are you baking anything sweet?