Doctor, Doctor, give me the news!

I received a call today from Doc Peters, a retired pathologist from Mercy Hospital, where we worked for many years. His news.....the dahlias are waking up for the season! It's time to order any tubers I may want.

He has over 2000 tubers. You should see his dahlia garden mid summer. It's fabulous.

So, I'll take about a dozen off his hands (of the 2000)  . He  says, Barb, I think you'd like Collector, and St. Charles, Hilltop or how about Western Spanish Dancer. I just call them the little white one with long fingers or the tall one that's red.   He understands my simple mind.

So, I will pick them up today and probably start them in the house this year as it's definitely early.

I'm so pleased he remembers me every year!  Thanks, Doc!~

Pot Pie

Remember my previous post, stating how the fashion world digs pot pie? Well, I searched for easy recipes and thought Ina Garten's sounded perfect. I added a few spices to mine and was quite pleased with the result. Nice and creamy, added pearl onions, which is a must for me.
The sauce was a little runny....next time should be a tad thicker.

I think they look yummy too? What do you think?

How Lucky Am I?

I had what has  become a weekly morning coffee with a dear friend, Lynne.  Lynne has an iPad as do I.  Only issue is a few weeks ago she pretty much just played games on it and read books.  I volunteered to give her a few tutorials on it.  Wow, how her eyes have been opened.  She has her email set up, she's gotten some neat apps, she now keeps her calendar, makes lists and surfs the web.  She is oh so savvy!  We have really enjoyed our "coffee" mornings together.

Today while visiting, of course, our conversations go every which way.....we got onto silver.  She brought out a bag of silver ware she was going to give away!  Yikes!  It belonged to her first husband's grandmother!  I proclaimed, WHAT!  Fast forward..... look what came home to Mama!

I can't wait to polish it up and put it in some cute display containers.  I'll surely put it to good use and honor Grandma Gordon!

Thanks Lynne...you are a dear!

Chicago Was Great.

Visited with Jackie and Joffrey.

Went shopping for polish sausage, perogi's and dill pickle soup.  Yum, Yum!  How does one decide which polish sausage to buy when there are 95 varieties and the butchers all speak polish?

We live this Shop and Save!  Great store!

Jacob has three soccer games in Schaumburg.  Dah....they were outside and it was only 30 degrees.
Jackie and I opted for this:

What's not too love about Anthropologie!  Love that store.
Sorry Jake!  maybe when its warmer.

We then meandered over to Oak Park for dinner - Five Guys!

I had an opportunity to meet Penny, my blogging friend, from At Home in English Valley.  What a lovely lady.  We enjoyed coffee and conversation for a few hours at Panera Bread Saturday morning.  I hope we are able to meet again.  She is so creative and has a very warm heart!

Have a good week.  I'm a little pooped.  Catch up later.
Babs

Chicagoland

That's where I am heading for the weekend!  Yippee!

Chat after the weekend!
Babs

I'll Do It My Way Then!

Rain, snow, ice, thunder, lightning, sleet, 25 degrees, we had it all this week.  And as I mentioned earlier, the first day of spring was last Sunday.  Therefore I had to take things into my own hands.

I snipped some forsythia branches and forced them inside over the past week.  Look how pretty and how spring-like.

Richard cut some pussy willows off the tree that had tiny little buds.  (Mind you he had to stand on a tall ladder with the long handled branch snippers - what a guy).  You can see them in the vase of green poms.
I took a whole lot of branches over to Mother's and she said they are really popping.

So there you have it....or there I have it.  Spring! at least on the inside.  It makes me Happy!!!!
Til next time.
Babs

Not Too Bad!

My first attempt at Corn Beef and Cabbage....at least I don't recall making one before.  Granted it wasn't St. Patty's Day but got it on sale a few days after the fact.

I oven roasted potatoes, carrots and onions.  Just a little olive oil, salt and pepper.  Wonderful!
I'd do it again - definitely.
Til next time -
Babs

I Don't Get It????

If Sunday was the first day of Spring, why is there a Winter Storm Advisory out for our area beginning this evening????

We could have either a blizzard tonight or ice storm.  Ugh!!!!!  What about my hyacinths that are peeking out from the ground.....their little heads are going to be ruined.  I hate this!

TTFN.  I let you know what happens!

Babs

Oh So Proud

This is a picture of my nephew Erik who just returned from Indianapolis.  He participated in  the National Concert Band Festival.  Erik is a percussionist.  He is awesome!  We had the pleasure of attending a concert of his when we were in Florida last month.  Erik is the third person on the left (2nd in the back).

I'm very proud of you Erik!

The Hot New Trend

According to the NY Times, Fashion and Style Section, a fashion favorite that appears at party's is none other than Chicken Pot Pie.  You know I am all about fashion!  Thus, I'm in search for the perfect pot pie recipe.

The pot pie criteria is that it has to have a homemade crust, served in individual ramekins, and a must in my book is pearl onions among other things as an ingredient.

I've been perusing many sites looking for interesting recipes.  The main contender right now is Ina Garten's recipe.  I am open to ideas.  So if you have a favorite, please send my way.  I will keep you updated on my
fashionable progress.

Have a good week!

Christmas in March???

Well that's what if felt like anyway.  My new blogger friend Penny sent me a package and wow, it was so fun to open and unwrap.  She had so many treats in there for me.

I'm so thrilled with all Penny's crafting creations.  But not only that, she is just a gem of a lady.  We have some much in common and it's been so fun getting to know her.  Blogging is a great way to get to know people.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all of you.
TTFN.
Babs

Have A Good Week

Talk with you soon!   Babs

Just a Little Sewing Fun

I have made one of these drip/dishmats before but came acrossed another pattern which was very similar.
I wanted something fun to do so just used some fabrics in my stash pile.
I think it turned out nice.  It's perfect to use for catching drips on dishes that come out of the dishwasher or for dishes and pans that are washed by hand.  And yes, I wash by hand a lot.  No need to run the dishwasher for a few dishes.

TTFN - Babs

Pay It Forward 2011

It's a challenge.  Really something we should incorporate into our daily lives anyway.  It's about doing something good for someone else.  Not to be repaid.  Not to receive anything back.  Not to receive attention or credit.

 Unselfish love, simple as that.  

I am making this challenge to all who read my blog but

the first five people

who comment on this blog post will receive a handmade gift from me.  

In return, you must FIRST write a blog post explaining Pay It Forward 2011.Then.... send out a handmade gift to the first 5 visitors who leave a comment.

Your handmade gift does not need to be send out today or tomorrow but at a gentle pace.

Spread the good word of good deeds for others....perfect time during this Lenten season.  Do good for others!

 

I read this post from Susie-From My Home to Yours.

This is such a sweet way to connect with friends or meet new ones, by sharing things we create with our hearts.

 Babs

Easy Recipe

-

Chicken Stir-Fry....an easy meal.
Cut chicken breasts or pork into bite size pieces - heat oil(EVO) in electric wok or large pan on stove.  Stir fry until meat is no longer pink (5-7 minutes).  Remove meat from pan.  Add another bit of oil and stir fry veggies (broccoli, carrots, red pepper, onion, mushrooms).  Stir fry about 5 minutes (tender crisp).  Add meat back into pan.  Add pea pods. Pour sauce over and bring to a boil and stir until sauce thickens.  Serve over brown rice.

Sauce:
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup light karo syrup
2 T. corn starch
1 1/4 cup water
Mix corn starch and water together well.  Add soy sauce and karo syrup.  stir.  pour over veggies and meat.
Optional:  add crushed red pepper flakes for a nice spark.
Note:  I also add a bit of sesame oil to veggies while stir frying.
Yum, Yum.

Babs

Tulips

Perked my spirits right up, thank you Dawn, for the special delivery!
Babs

Bloomers

I had a baby shower to attend and saw these adorable bloomers on Martha Stewart.  One of my favorite fabric designers, Heather Ross, was on the show and shared her pattern for these from her book, Weekend Sewing.

This was a shower for a baby boy so I picked out some cute, cute fabric.

Aren't they adorable?  I love the owls.
TTFN.
Babs

Trying to Get A Little Spring in the Air!

I've been tidying up a bit around the house.  Here is my attempt at getting a little spring action going on in the house.

Next week I will perk things up with fresh tulips.
Babs

Prego - not as in spaghetti sauce

I am so excited that my niece Jackie is having a baby.  The first great niece of the family.
Here is a picture of mama at 25 weeks.

 She looks adorable.
Auntie Babs.

Lesson in Contrast

One week ago:  80 degrees and perfect.....flipflops and tshirts.

 Yesterday:  24 degrees and cold.....boots, scarf, gloves, heavy coat.

What's wrong with this picture?  Ugh!
TTFN - Babs