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Bring in a Bit of Spring

March 8, 2011 by Shanna Hatfield

As the days start to get longer and warmer, it is natural our thoughts turn to spring. You can hurry it along indoors by bringing in some fun decorating elements. So even if your neck of the woods is still buried in snow, you can enjoy warmer thoughts with a few easy ideas.

Dogwood branches, especially pink, are a sure sign of spring. Purchase a few silk branches and artfully arrange them (interpret as stuff however you like) in a tall white vase. Set this in an entry, on a counter or anywhere you want to add an airy feel of spring.

Grass is definitely a symbol of spring. Those first green shoots poking their head above ground are always a welcome sight at our house. Create your own green oasis using bunches of fake grass. You can leave stems long and drape out of vase or use short pieces to cover a piece of styrofoam (whatever pattern you choose – could be oval, rectangle, square). Cover the outside and top completely with the grass and then tie a cheery ribbon around it. Set on a footed tray (a cake plate would be ideal) and enjoy.

Decorate with flower blossoms. Every time I go to the craft store, I am amazed at the new items available using floral blossoms. Choose a bright color like hot pink, citrus, apple green or robin’s egg blue or a few new throw pillows. Tack on a few flower petals in coordinating colors for both a unique and fun accent in your home. You can also use magnetic blossoms to brighten up a variety of areas in your home. Attach to a bathroom mirror, hang a metal tray covered in blossoms, leave a few on your fridge door.

Color is a must for spring. Think of colors that make you smile. Is it a sunny yellow, bright fuchsia or a gorgeous green? Find ways to easily incorporate those colors into your home decor through pillows, table runners or centerpieces.

Have fun with your decorating and remember the only limitation is your imagination!

Happy Entertaining!

from She Who Can’t Wait for Spring

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Annie Oakley

March 7, 2011 by Shanna Hatfield

The other evening as I sat flipping through my new spring shoes catalog, marking pages and studying styles (exhausting work I assure you), what did Captain Cavedweller do but interrupt my shoe-shopping frenzy.

“You should go to this,” he said, throwing  a page out of the newspaper into my lap.

“The dog show or the criminal trial?” I asked, not particularly excited at the prospect of either.

Releasing a long-suffering sigh, he reached over and tapped at an article. “This, you should go to this.”

“This,” so it turns out, is a gun class for women.

Huh?

While Hubby enjoys shooting and belongs to a gun club, it’s not really my cup of tea. Or my cup of anything. The one and only time he took me out shooting, I turned my head and squeezed my eyes shut every time I pulled the trigger.

Armed weapon + frightened shooter + closed eyes = potential disaster.

Not only that, but I’d like to retain what little bit of hearing I still have left.

“Why on earth would I want to go to this class?” I asked Captain Cavedweller, who sat pretending to ignore my looks of question and disbelief.

“It would be fun,” he said. “And no guys are allowed. Just girls. I really think you should go.”

“But why?” I whined.

“Because,” he stated, continuing to flip through the newspaper.

“That isn’t a reason,” I said. “Why should I go?”

“Because I want you to,” he said with a smile that most generally makes my heart melt in little puddles.

The light bulb finally went off  – he wanted me to take the class so I would go shooting with him. Now it made perfect sense.

I finally agreed I would take the class, but only if I could find someone to go with me. I emailed Most Wonderful Mother-in-Law who was more than happy to agree to take the class.

When I told Hubby, he smiled and handed me these…

A pair of pink-framed safety glasses.  Goodness gracious,  it’s a done deal, now.

I’ll let you know how it turns out. Wish me luck!

She Who Will Never Be the Next Annie Oakley

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Hubby | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Banana Pudding

March 4, 2011 by Shanna Hatfield

Banana Pudding

Hubby likes bananas. As in if we don’t have any, he goes a little bananas. Other than meat, they are the one thing he thinks he must have on a daily basis.

The other day, I was feeling particulary generous and offered to make him banana pudding. After his comment that he didn’t think we had any instant in the pantry, I was less inclined, but forged ahead anyway. I’m glad I did because the pudding was really good – smooth and creamy with just the right amount of banana flavoring.

The recipe is easy, so make it and enjoy!

The ingredients - all simple and good.

Blend dry ingredients in a heavy-duty saucepan. If you don't have a heavy pan, cook this via the double boiler method. It will take longer, but you won't run the risk of scorching your pudding.

So, I forgot to take a photo of the milk being added to the dry ingredients and then cooking until it starts to thicken. Once that happens, add about 1 cup of the milk mixture, stirring in just a bit at a time, to your beaten eggs.

Pour egg mixture back into the pan and stir continuously.

When it has thickened, add in the banana flavoring and remove from heat.

Slice a banana and line dessert bowls with Nilla wafers and banana slices. Pour pudding on top.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it down on top of the pudding to keep a film from forming. (say that fast three times in a row!) Refrigerate for at least an hour.

 

You can serve plain or...

add some whipped cream or...

dip bananas in chocolate and add to pudding with a few more Nilla wafers.

Banana Pudding

1/3  cup sugar
2     tablespoons cornstarch
1/8  teaspoon salt
2  cups milk
2  large eggs, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons banana flavoring

1 banana

Nilla wafers

Slice banana. Line dessert cups or bowls with Nilla wafers and banana slices, set aside. Lightly beat eggs in a small bowl. Set aside.

In 2-quart heavy saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.

Gradually stir about one cup of the hot mixture into eggs, a few spoonfuls at a time,  then stir back into hot mixture in saucepan. (Note, if you mix the eggs and the milk mixture together all at once, you’ll end up with eggy lumps that will not be the most palatable thing you’ve ever tried to swallow.)

Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in flavoring.

Pour pudding into dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled. Store covered in refrigerator. When ready to serve, garnish with whipped cream, banana slices (dipped in chocolate if you want some added deliciousness) and a few Nilla wafers.

Enjoy!

She Who Doesn’t Always Have Instant Pudding

Posted in Comfort Food, Desserts, Recipes | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

Maizy

March 3, 2011 by Shanna Hatfield

A few weeks ago, the Heinous Cat was having one of his usual meltdowns in the backyard. While I tend to ignore them, Hubby went to see what particular blade of grass or tree leaf had set his world off kilter this time.

Only it wasn’t  a thing throwing him into a tailspin. It was a her.

This her, as a matter of fact.

The Heinous Cat didn’t like her trying to horn in on the sweet deal he’s got going with Captain Cavedweller. He spluttered, hissed, and fussed.  He slapped and whined then begged us to make her go away. So she left, indignant and half-terrified of the crazed ball of fur chasing her out of the yard.

In the days that followed her first visit, she’d pop by occasionally, clean out the Heinous Cat’s food bowl and go on her merry way.

We’ve had our share of stray cats wander through our place through the years. Some stay for a day or two, some take up permanent residence. I am convinced there is a sign in the driveway, visible only to felines that states, “Complimentary Room and Board, just purr and look cute for a free ride.”

So far, it seems to be working.

The Heinous Cat tried to convince us of her evil intentions to take over the place, boot us out of the house and run an illegal catnip ring. We didn’t believe him. Apparently, she didn’t either.

“Why do you keep this joker around,” she asked.

So she decided to stay and prove him wrong. Knowing we couldn’t keep calling her the yellow cat, I dubbed her Maizy.

And she is delightful – friendly, sweet, and warm… a complete opposite of the Heinous Cat.  Her one goal in life, or so it seems, is to be readily available should anyone decide to come outside and pet her.

And if no one comes outside, that is okay, too.

Her nose pressed to the kitchen window glass is good enough for her.

Never having been a huge cat fan, Maizy may change my opinion.

She Who Has Gone Soft for A Feline

Posted in Hubby, Musings | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

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