Laduree--French Macaron

I have been thinking about my time in Paris last year...sigh....and of all the wonderful things Paris has to offer...... the macaron being one of them. Thinking this would be a wonderful project for me I thought I would make a batch and see how they turned out.

I googled and googled for recipes and I came up with several. 

One being Martha Stewart and then I stumbled across this blog with "the" recipe. 

I do believe I will give this one a try because I adore the name for her blog. 

And someone who would purchase them with her hubby and go to 

the Eiffel Tower to eat them together is a girl after my own heart. 

Her suggestion to pray they turn out is something I will definitely do!

http://abitofbeesknees.blogspot.com/2014/01/laduree-french-macaron-recipe.html

Soda--Classic Brands

I love this collection of soda bottles!

How creative!

Bug Barf being my favorite

...hey come on....

I'm the mother of 5 sons!

Squirrel-Crazy Little Guy

I was looking out my patio door and contemplating the huge amount of work that needed to be done this year.
Then this cute little squirrel climbed into my planter box right outside the door and was trying very hard to get to my tomato plants....that were inside the house. 

Since pawing at the glass didn't accomplish anything it decided to crawl back down the screen the proceeds to stare at me thru the window. 

Such a cutie!

Vintage Cloisanne Compacts

Kindle DIL has given me some of the prettiest vintage things over the years 

Not many people see them because I keep these compacts in my bedroom.

Here they are for you to enjoy!

Do you think they might send me a new puff if ask for one!?!

Hibiscus Tea ~ Flor de Jamaica

On my last trip to visit friends in Indiana I was treated to some delicious tea. 

It can be served hot or cold but no matter how it's served it was incredibly delicious. 

It was a deep dark red color and tasted of

......well I don't know....

like something I have never had before and can hardly wait to have again. 

Vintage Wood Wagon

Friend Chris found this gem when she and Mike were going through an old building on their farm. 

I am all colors of the rainbow jealous! but in the same breath so excited for her. 

I can't wait to see what she does with it! 

Northrup King & Co. Vintage Sweet Pea Seeds

Yet another fun gift from Kindle DIL.

 A sealed package of Sweet Pea seeds....

dated 1935!

Louie

I wanted to share a precious picture that friend Susie sent me of her "grand-dog".

You're so cute Louie!

Hellmann's Mayonaise

I found this clipping in one of my mother's cookbooks a while back and I wanted to share it with you. She always dated things and for years I didn't "get it" but then I started dating recipes as well. It's fun to look back and remember people you knew way back when, I promise there will be times when you look at the date and say to yourself.....No Way can it be that long ago I got this recipe from, Celine, Linda, Rae, or Heather,  or sister Judy or....from my mom.
I love all the recipes I have gotten over the years from family and friends....who are actually one in the same for me. 
I have never made this potato salad recipe but I think that I will now have to try it this summer.

Neutrogena Overnight Lip Treatment Update

Thank you Susie for letting me know you couldn't find Neutrogena Overnight Lip Treatment, that I mentioned in a previous post, in stores near her.

I contacted Neutrogena customer service and it has indeed been discontinued . 

Rats!

I am going to try the lip balm below and I'll let you know if this works as well as the lip treatment.

Fingers crossed!

Vintage Quilt Pieces

My theory is always let people work for you when it's their area of expertise. 

My DIL is an expert when it comes to finding amazing items when she is out thrifting. 

Take a look at her current score.....

Also she usually gives them to me at cost. Nice girl...right?

I probably had that look of 

Oh please...Oh please can I have them.

Neutrogena Overnight Lip Treatment

I have a small container of Neutrogena Overnight Lip Therapy which I love

In the winter when alot of us get dry or cracked lips it's a perfect solution.

however.........

I also have a continual problem with "raggy cuticles". If you have experienced this you know it not only looks bad and I bet you hate it as much as I do. I have tried Vaseline, a cuticle product and lotion. They worked, but they never seemed to resolve the problem. So one night, in absolute frustration, I put the lip treatment on my cuticles and what a shock in the morning. They were better and after using it for a couple weeks....just at night...my "raggy cuticles" are a thing of the past. 

 Amazing

Wonderful

Whew......I'm so grateful I found a solution!

~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Robins~~Welcome Back

In my neck of the woods I can't think of many people that don't let you know when they have seen their first robin for the year. It's a red letter day for us. Who cares about the first day of spring! It's all about the robin for me so I have to let all of you know that I saw that lovely bird today!

There is now hope that warm weather is right around the corner.

However robins start singing at the top of their little lungs around 4 am for about an hour. Regardless.....I'm still thrilled they are back.

Land O Lakes Butter

I have brands that I love and won't use anything else. 

Land O Lakes Butter is one of them.

I won't lie...I have tried other brands over the years and always go back to my favorite. 

I never gave much thought to checking out "ingredients" for recipes. 

Think about it.... who would have better recipes with butter in it than Land O Lakes!

Check this one out..... it is absolutely delicious!

Chicken with Tiny Biscuits. 
Oh Yum!

http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/3346/chicken-with-tiny-biscuits

AND total prep time in 20 minutes!

Cashmere

Confession..........I love scarves. 

I know there are millions of you out there like me.

No matter what store I'm in I have to look at the scarves despite the fact that I don't need any more 

I always want more.

If they carry Cashmere scarves I  gravitate toward them. I have to go and run my hands over them and soak in the beautiful colors and feel. 

Some day I will throw caution to the wind and buy one......

No, you're right I won't, but I will continue to dream of being wrapped in Cashmere one day.

This is where it starts. Cutest ears (and eyes) ever!

One of each please

Sigh...........

Double sigh.........