Cheers to the Weekend!

It may not be summer, but the 70+ degree temps certainly warrant a little something to cool you off.  How about a Riesling & Strawberry Slushy, found over at With Style & Grace?  Have a great weekend, and cheers!

Daffodils already?

Something you don't often see in Connecticut on March 22nd... daffodils!  But with several days of 70+ degree temperatures, they are all bursting from the ground.  This week has been a little piece of spring heaven!  Thank you, Mother Nature, for going off the deep end!

First Day of Spring

First Day of Spring.  Yay!  That's all.  Hope you got to draw on the sidewalk, or something equally as fun.

Pretzels, Kisses and Green!

My week of St. Patrick's Day over-the-topness continues.... and I'm not even Irish!  This time it's "Leprechaun Treats" as my daughter called them.  This has been all over the blogosphere and Pinterest, and now I've done them too.  They are super easy and taste delicious!  Perfect combo of salty and sweet.

Ingredients:
Pretzel Snaps
Hershey's Kisses and/or Hugs
Green M&Ms

~ Preheat oven to 200 degrees
~ Arrange pretzels on cookie sheet
~ Top each pretzel with a Kiss or Hug
~ "Bake" for 4-6 minutes, depending on your oven
~ Remove from oven and top with 1 M&M
~ Press M&M into melted chocolate
~ Place in fridge or freezer for 5 minutes to set
~Try to stop yourself from chowing down... just try

This can be adapted for Christmas (red and green M&Ms) or Valentines' Day (red and pink M&Ms.)  Fun!

Rainbow Fruit Kabobs

Another cute snack I found on Pinterest.  I saw some photos in which people added Marshmallows on one end of the kabob to make "clouds".  You can use any variety of colorful fruits.  I simply chose what I knew my children would not snub.  Hope everyone enjoys these tomorrow!

St. Patrick's Day Gold at the End of the Rainbow

I was inspired by a photo on Pinterest from Maple Memories, and so I did it!  And look at how cute they are, awh!  "Gold at the End of the Rainbow Treats".  Rainbow Twizzlers (yes, they come in a package) and gold foil covered chocolate coins.  You can substitute Rolos or any other gold foil covered candy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Good Green Luck

Wishing you lots of luck, on St. Patrick's Day and always!

 One of the first "harvests" from our vegetable garden.

An amazing sculpture by Chrissie Desopo.

Windswept marsh in Branford, CT.

An oldie, but goodie, at the Simsbury Fly-In.

Flowers for St. Patrick's Day?

Why not?  Aren't the colors nice?  This was sent to me by a friend last year.  I wish I could remember the name of the Florist in Charleston.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Ok, I'm no food stylist, but they were fun and tasted great!  Scrambled green eggs (just add a little green or blue food coloring) and ham (or bacon) in honor of Dr Suess' birthday.  Seuss, who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel, would've turned 108 today.

Some other really cute ideas from Sunflower Storytime:

Deviled Green Eggs and Ham.

Cat in the Hat "Hats", made with Oreos, red Gummy Savers, and white frosting.  We're making these for dessert tonight.

Sweet Valentine

He really hit it out of the park this year....  And photos just do not capture how truly beautiful those flowers are.  Arranged by my favorite florist in the whole world, Azalea Floral Design.

Making Valentines

Mostly on each other....

Happy Valentine's Day!

From Les Très Riches Heures de Mrs Mole, found here.

Merry Christmas!

From my house to yours!

Thank you, Azalea Floral Design, for the beautiful flowers!

Glass Garland

Found on Tiny White Daises.

Handprint Christmas Tree

Found on The Other White House.

Holiday Card Tree

Found here.

Still Hanging

Day 3.... West Mountain Road, between Nimrod Road and Sachem's Trail.  Lots of snow melt, but the Oak tree still stands, or ah, hangs.

October Snow Storm

The surprise snowstorm last Saturday left much of the state of Connecticut, including the town of Simsbury, in the dark.  We are fortunate to be "refugeeing" from the cold and darkness with family elsewhere in the state.  These photos were taken on Sunday, the morning after the storm.

Farms Village Road.

West Mountain Road, north of Tootin Hills Road.

West Mountain Road, between Nimrod Road and Sachem's Trail.

 West Mountain Road, between Nimrod Road and Sachem's Trail, slightly further south.

West Mountain Road, between Sachem's Trail and Quorn Hunt Road.

West Mountain Road between Quorn Hunt Road and Lostbrook Road.

 Bushy Hill Road, south of Canton Road.

Happy Halloween

One cold jack-o-lantern.  He looks a little angry about it too.

The Work of Local Artist, Catherine M. Elliot

You might have seen it displayed in various places around town.  If not, here's a small sample of the beautiful, Impressionistic style work of local artist, Catherine M. Elliott.  Her use of color and light is just amazing.  Her recent works and some limited addition prints are all available on her website, www.catherinemelliott.com.

Fresh Hay West Simsbury.  A beautiful rendition of a familiar sight.

 Peaceful Spring.  Ahhhhh.