Thursday, March 27, 2008

Urrrrhhhh?


...said in her best Scooby Doo voice.....


Huh?! What?! She runs back into the house, checks the calendar....Yup, it is March 27th... What is this outside? Three inches of new snow.... Helllllooooo.... the daffodils don't know what to do with themselves....She resigns herself back to the kitchen and makes a strong cup of coffee...takes off the flip flops and rummages through the closet for those darn winter boots.....


Monday, March 24, 2008

Blowing Bubbles

Do you remember a time in your life when blowing bubbles was amazingly fun? Do you remember trying to control how hard you blew through the wand so as to make an endless stream of bubbles? Well, I got to be reminded of the art of bubble blowing over the Easter weekend. Maycie and I played bubbles and had a ball! There is something incredibly calming and mesmerizing about watching the bubbles float through the air. Maycie was completely enthralled by them. I am in awe of that little girl. I love to watch her face as her little mind processes each and every thing she comes in contact with. Oh to be 14 months old and have a lifetime ahead to learn and grow!

Monday, March 17, 2008

March Recipe

Artichoke Spinach Dip

(2) 8 oz. bricks of cream cheese room temperature
1 cup shredded Parmesan or Asiago or any other dry hard cheese you choose
1 can artichoke bottoms (not marinated)
1 cup mayonnaise
½ tsp. garlic
1 box frozen chopped spinach thawed, and pressed so all moisture is gone

Combine cream cheese, ¾ cup of cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, and spinach. Mix thoroughly. Roughly chop the artichoke bottoms and fold in. Spoon dip into a oven ready dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until bubbly. If you would like (which I do) you can broil it for a couple of minutes at the end to crisp the top a bit.

This dip is best served with either pita chips or crustini. You can also make great substitutions or additions to this recipe. Try omitting the artichokes (or leave them in..) and adding itty bitty bay shrimp, or lump crab. If you use seafood, add ½ tsp. Old Bay Seasoning!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Cleansing Rain

It was such a rainy day yesterday, and by mid afternoon the sun was sinking in the west and was peaking through the clouds, glistening on the rain drenched trees. The day’s rain made the birds, who had newly arrived, chirp anxiously. They busily set about hopping from branch to branch shaking drips of water everywhere they went.

I love Spring. I love how it feels, a renewal of spirit, mind, and soul. I love a good cleansing rain, and the way it feels on my nose and cheeks, not to mention my heart. There are times throughout the year when I long for a good Spring rain, not just for its cool cleansing feel, but in the metaphorical sense as well. Today was my Spring rain ~ in all senses…

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Magdalena

"You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry

Maggie, from the time she fit in the palm of my hand up to and including now, has captured my puppy lovin' heart.

She and Scooter, her friend, confidant, playmate and rival for my attention, accompanied my son and I up to my parents' house for a birthday weekend. She was exhausted by the time we got home from playing ball, being cute, and otherwise being mischevious. A five hour ride in the kennel WITH Scooter was more than any princess should have to endure...ahhhh to be a dog...

Muah!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Bead Sisters!

As many of you probably know, my dear friend Marika and I both have a shop on Etsy. Marika's shop is Lilikoidesign and mine is Lilikoidesigner. We both get emails often wondering if our shops are the same ~ and alas, we are not. I tell everyone who asks that we are "bead sisters" but that our shops are separate and distinct.

This weekend Marika and I were able to meet in Denver and go to a bead show! This is a picture of us at the show - - we closed the place down! I look like I closed the place down, and Marika looks fresh as a spring daisy!



We saw so many cool things and bought just about as many! Look for new items in both of our shops from the adventure!