time for strawberries

It is that glorious time again, time for strawberries!  Their deep red jumps out of the large clumps of thick green green leaves and delicate white flowers.

Two cousins crouch down to find the perfect berries to fill their cardboard baskets.

They search for hours, undistracted by anything but the promise of more sweet berries to fill their mouths and baskets.

Her little fingers are red-stained from all the eating that occurred while picking.

Sweet memories made anongst the strawberry fields fill my mind with such gladness!

basking in the roses

Today was cloudy and cooler.  The skies were full of rain heavy clouds looming near.  This type of morning always seems to make the roses flourish.  They stand tall on their stems, pleased with the rain and a break from the scorching sun.  They smell sweeter on a dreary morning too.  Perhaps that sweet scent is sweeter because it offers a glimpse of something so beautiful on an otherwise dull day.  She helped make her own bouquet out of our clippings this morning.  

The blooms on her her flowers were robust and delicate, unfolding happily in their vase.  She was delighted to carry her pink bouquet around the yard spilling the water all over herself as she navigated the uneven earth.  These are the springtime mornings I will long for come July.  

I love the way these beautiful blooms become the artwork we cherish in our homes at this time of year.  Each bouquet takes on it's own shape, color, texture and scent, attracting us with all our senses.

Easter time

Momma's little fool...

Oh boy, this momma had a little fun this April Fool's Day.  At the suggestion of a fun little activity calendar, I decided to make "cupcakes" for dinner.  My kids were so excited when they saw a single cupcake stand filled with yummy cupcakes for dinner.  They kept asking, "We get to eat these for dinner?"  Little did they know that they were actually meatloaf cupcakes topped with mashed potato icing and a cherry tomato on top.  They were absolutely disgusted with me when they took a first bite.  Needless to say, they weren't too happy but it was a fun little tease for April Fool's Day!

I used this recipe to make the meatloaf cupcakes.  They were actually quite tasty after everyone got over the fact that they weren't traditional cupcakes. 

Egg Nest Cookies

These are a fun and super simple little treat for Easter or any springtime occasion.  I made my batch with my 2-year-old and it was incredibly easy with good results.  We used Martha Stewart's Almond Coconut Macaroon recipe and then added M&M chocolate eggs to the center once the cookies were cool.

Almond Coconut Macaroons

via Martha Stewart

(we added M&M chocolate eggs to the center)

Makes 8 bird nests

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg white

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

(we used sweetened because our store didn't carry unsweetened)

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of coarse salt

Whisk together the egg whites and sugar and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Make 8 mounds and be sure to press down a little bit in the center of each to form a nest for your eggs.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Cool.  Add chocolate eggs or jellybeans.

ladylike

This morning I dressed her up for spring pictures at preschool which are exceptionally cute at this age.  Last fall, she refused to participate in picture day at preschool.  As she sat on the front step waiting for our carpool, I reminded her that she should always sit with her knees together when she has a dress on.  She took that advice very seriously and focused for about 10 minutes on sitting properly with her little knees tucked up tightly together. We will see how the spring pictures go this time around...

palms

These palms waved high and wild by my children make me so happy. I remember waving them the same way as a child not really knowing the true meaning of having them present on one special Sunday each year.  Yearly traditions and rituals that my children now participate in add such special depth and meaning to my life.