Welcome "Spring"

This nest is one of my favorite "Spring" decorations. The vibrant colors and the butterfly brighten my kitchen counter.

My mother had some flan pans that she used many times in her food preparations. She would make many different combinations with these pans. I have one of her pans and purchased one at Walmart. One boxed cake mix makes two flans(I hope I am using the right word for this pan). I always bake two of them and put one in the freezer for a time when I need a quick dessert. If you only own one of these pans, you can bake them one at a time.


I bake them in a preheated 350 degree oven for 18 -20 minutes, then I invert them onto whatever plate or pedestal plate that I wish. The shape of these cakes are so pretty and make it easy to fill with whatever filling you choose. Tonight I used a devil's chocolate cake, filled it with 2 small boxes of instant pistachio pudding, topped it with Cool Whip and some pastel flower decorettes. This combination is delicious, and tastes even better after sitting in the refrigerator for a day or two. Sometimes I use a yellow cake mix, with vanilla pudding, sliced fresh strawberries or peaches, and Cool Whip over the top. Sometimes I fill the center cavity with balls of ice cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

I like the way this cake looks when it is completed, even though it is a quick, easy and fun dessert to make. If guests stop in unexpectedly you can take the other cake out of the freezer and create an instant dessert.

The only flowers blooming at my house now are the ones on this tree. I am not sure of the name of this tree, but I do look forward to it blooming every Spring. I marvel how a tree with all brown branches turns into one of such beauty.




One of my good friends gave this precious little crystal bunny votive holder, along with a bag of jelly beans. I think it looks so cute filled with these little candies.

A few years ago my husband bought this bunny for me at a gift shop in Virginia. She sits on the table in my foyer and makes me smile every time I walk past her. The vintage bottle was a gift to me from my sister.


I close this post with one more picture of my flowering tree. All of the above pictures are reminders to me that Springtime has arrived and the special, meaningful Easter season is almost here. God is creating beauty all around us, after our long, cold Winter.

A Book Offering Useful Hints and Helpful Ideas

A few years ago, Gail Greco wrote a book titled, "New Secrets of Entertaining", tips from America's Best Innkeepers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and discovered many helpful and fun tips. Who better to learn from than America's best innkeepers? Under the heading of "coffee perks", I learned that, "Scents of cinnamon drift through the house when the coffee brews at Ash Mill Farm. One-quarter of a teaspoon of the spice is added to a ten-quart pot of coffee. This gives the coffee a nice flavor and cuts down on the bitterness. All of our guests think the coffee is a special blend. Add your own amount of cinnamon, according to taste." The Ash Mill Farm ----Another idea I have used, "For a pretty tea plate, dig up a violet from the yard and put it in a little crock(or a votive holder) on the plate with the tea treats. The plants survive nicely in the house for several days and can then be replanted in the garden." Sage Cottage ----From the Lanaux House, I was reminded of, "A warm, sparkling smile outshines any decor or cuisine." Just a few tips and reminders from a special book. Happy Tuesday!

A Lovely Birthday Brunch

I was totally surprised this weekend by an unexpected visit from my daughter, who lives in Texas. With the help of my other two daughters, they pulled it off, without me even having a clue. She walked into the brunch that my mother had planned for me. Here is one of my mom's signature dishes, a bowl of finely cut up fresh fruit. It looked so beautiful and tasted every bit as good.

This picture is a real treasure to me because it includes all of my daughters and granddaughters. It is a rare occasion when we are together. In this photo, I am still trying to grasp how this happened without me knowing it.

My dear mother, the true hostess. One cannot begin to count the number of meals she has hosted in her lifetime. And, like always, we all felt blessed to be invited to another one of her brunches.

My granddaughter helping me blow out my candles.


Pink tulips to coordinate with the soft pink walls of her home. The tablescape was so pretty.

Here I am with my two sisters, who are very good at keeping secrets too. Yes, in case you are wondering, I am the oldest in my family. What a very special 55th birthday I had! Unfortunately, my two sister-in-laws were out of town for the weekend, and could not be here to celebrate. Truly for me, this rare happening was the best thing I could have hoped for, on my birthday weekend.

Heartfelt Sentiments

After the surprise of yesterday's blog posting, and after getting over the fact that a picture like the one my daughter posted, existed and was shared with blogland, and after being blessed with an overwhelming amount of birthday wishes...I want to express to each and every one of you, my heartfelt thanks. Your kind and caring words and birthday wishes, were so special to me. I guess turning "55" isn't so bad after all. Thank you Jeane' for that meaningful tribute that you gave to me. As for me, my thoughts on this day, can best be summed up in a brief article I read recently. It is titled "Growing Older" by Dale Evans Rogers. It is sincerely the prayer of my heart as I face the next segment of my life. "Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself, that I am growing older, and will someday be old. Keep me, from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from the craving to try and straighten out everybody's affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details--give me wings to get to the point. I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of other's pains. Help me endure them with patience. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains. They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint--some of them are so hard to live with--but a sour old woman(or man) is one of the crowning works of the devil. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it; but thou knowest, Lord, I want a few friends in the end. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, Lord, the grace to tell them so." "Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty--they merely move it from their faces into their hearts." Author unknown -picture from "Country Living" magazine.

Just A Little Surprise!

I will probably be taken out of the will for this, but it's a risk I'm willing to take!

This is Jeane`, Judy's eldest daughter writing. Under normal circumstances I would never dare to even think of taking advantage of my knowledge of mom's blog password...but this month is not normal.

March commemorates 2 things...one, mom's year long anniversary of her foray into blogging AND on March 27th, the day she blessed the world with her presence just a few years ago! :)



I found these pictures from 1996, taken while on weekend vacation with her family. In it, she is attempting something she had never done before (at least to my knowledge!) and it captivated all her little nieces and nephews, as their facial expressions will attest to! It reminded me of her willingness, even if it takes a little time, to venture out and try something new. Like blogging.

I am so very proud of you, mom, and the way you pour your heart and God-given creative spirit into this art form you have delved into this past year. And yes, I do believe that the blogging that mom and so many of you, her treasured friends and fellow bloggers, create on a weekly basis are indeed artistic expressions to be admired!

This Friday, we will celebrate Mom's birthday! Again, I know she'll cringe initially upon reading this entry and may be embarrassed that I disclosed this information, as she is a rather private person and prefers the attention OFF herself. However, as her daughter, I felt led to do this. Feel free to leave a little birthday wish if you should so wish! We always receive "just a little something from Judy"...and now I'd like to give her just a little something from me (and perhaps you!).

Incidently, the picture below is very recent. It MIGHT (but only a slim chance) get me back into the will (in which I would inherit a mighty extensive tin collection!)...stay tuned. :)

Sunday Afternoon Fun

A cousin's rare get-together on the farm, Sunday afternoon.

Two girl cousins with the same name, became good friends.

• Don't worry...this little four wheeler goes real slow, did not leave the backyard, and Uncles were right there with them...but, the joy was obvious for these young guys."Recipe for Preserving Children
  1 large grassy field
  1/2 dozen children
  2 - 3 small dogs
  
  A pinch of brook or pebbles Mix children and dogs well together and put them in field, stirring constantly. Pour brook over pebbles; sprinkle field with flowers; spread under a deep blue sky and bake in the sun. When brown, remove and set to cool in a bathtub." Author unknown

The "Very Fashionable" Grandma's Apron

A month or so ago, I was having a lengthy talk with my sister-in-law. You see, we are now both empty nesters. We are at a point in our lives where we, like many of you, are looking for new direction, and new avenues of interest. She, my dear sister-in-law is one of the most talented, creative and skilled people that I know. Her mother is a seamstress, and passed the ability onto her daughter. For years she won awards in the local 4-H clubs, sewing beautiful outfits, modeling them in fashion shows, and receiving compliments every time she would wear them. The workmanship was always perfectly done. As her children were growing up, she made them clothing that resembled those purchased at expensive boutiques. As the children became teenagers, her sewing skills were put on the back burner. Soccer games, basketball games, transporting children, many parties of teenagers became the norm. Those years are past now. At this empty nest stage, I suggested that she should somehow, in some capacity, resume the sewing skills.

Both of us grew up with mothers and grandmas that wore aprons in the kitchen. Both of us love to bake, cook and have people to our homes for meals. I told her that she should create an apron that we would feel comfortable wearing for the evening, when having guests to our homes. Well...that conversation took place as I said, about a month or two ago. Last week I went to her home, only to discover that she had run with the idea...and did she ever run!! Look at these GORGEOUS aprons and matching tea towels that she created. I was speechless!! Who wouldn't want to wear one of these? The workmanship is so meticulously done, the colors are so perfectly coodinated, and the patterns that she chose(or in some cases made up on her own), are so very flattering! What would our Grandmas say if they saw these aprons? Oh, they would have been so very excited to wear something so beautiful.

I ordered these from her, and it just so happens that I am a black and white person. That is why I chose all of the black and white ones that she had made. She also made ten other ones that are equally as outstanding, in many different colors and patterns. Some vintage, some more contempory and some that resemble beautiful pastel sundresses. I cannot tell you how impressed and amazed I was when I visited her home last week and saw what she had produced in such a short amount of time. I will tell you now why I ordered the three aprons that I did. First of all, I wanted to be the one to give her the first order of aprons. I decided to use these for my three pay-it-forward gifts that I am committed to in this blogging world. These three aprons and the coodinating tea towels, will be sent out to the three women that I owe the pay-it-forward gifts to. She will be featuring these aprons in gift shops in our area, and I know for a fact that any women who gets one, will wear it proudly. "Aprons by Julia" came to be.