Happy Easter

Today's Good Friday, Easter is almost here, and I've been trying to think of a new post to share with you. But, the one I did last year really says what Easter means to me.
So, I hope you don't mind if I share that post again.

Saturday, April 7, 2012 

Without the Cross

Last week I was shopping in a local decorating outlet, checking out their new Spring accessories. 
For several weeks, I've been looking for a cross to display, but hadn't seen one that was just the right size and style.

Then, I saw this one. It was perfect, just what I'd been looking for; so I picked it up and went to check out with the sales associate.

We chatted for a couple of minutes, and I told her I was so happy to find the cross because, I wanted to display it for Easter. 

She smiled and said that she really liked the significance of the cross, because, "Without the cross, there'd be no Easter." 

Her words rang so true and put things back into perspective for me. Yes, it's fun decorating with bunnies and baskets for Easter, but...if Christ hadn't died on the cross, we'd have no Easter to celebrate.

Wishing you all a joyous Easter. 

Hugs, 
Babs

Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs

Hi, everyone!
Are y'all planning on having deviled eggs for Easter?
We'll be having Easter dinner at my aunt's house, and I'm going to make two kinds of deviled eggs...traditional, and some with pimento cheese.

I've really been craving these, and since Easter is still a few days away, I decided to make a couple...just for a snack. :)

Here's how I make mine...

I won't tell you how to boil the eggs...I know y'all know how to do that.
After the eggs are boiled, cooled and peeled, put the yolks in a bowl, mash and add a pinch of salt, and enough mayonnaise til it looks "right"...(like you're making them the traditional way).

Then add your favorite homemade pimento cheese to the egg/mayonnaise mixture...about 1 heaping Tablespoon  of pimento cheese per whole egg...or if you're like me, maybe a little more. 

Mix the egg yolk mixture and pimento cheese together, and fill the egg white halves.

For a little kick, you could add a little minced jalapeno...to your taste. 

Here's a tip: 
When you make traditional deviled eggs, does it seem like you never have enough of the egg yolk mixture to fill the halves so they're nice and high?

Just boil an extra egg, peel and mash the whole boiled egg (white and yolk) really well, mixing with the other yolks. 
When the mayonnaise and mustard, etc. are added, you'll never see the white, and you'll have plenty of filling.

For those of you who don't make homemade pimento cheese, 
let me recommend my favorite "store bought" brand...
    Palmetto Cheese. 
I'm not being compensated for mentioning it. I just like to pass along a great product when I find one...and this is as close to home made as I've ever found. 
Yum!

What are y'all planning for Easter?  Church? Dinner at your house?
However you spend it, Hubby and I wish you a very 
Happy Easter. 

Hugs,
Babs

Please visit these great parties ~

The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sunday

The Dedicated House ~ Make it Pretty Monday

A Stroll Thru Life ~ Table Top Tuesday

Coastal Charm ~ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Cuisine Kathleen ~ Let's Dish ~ Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday

Ivy and Elephants ~ What's It Wednesday

StoneGable ~ Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits ~ Thursday

Between Naps On The Porch ~ Tablescape Thursday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday

My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop

Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home Friday

The Thrifty Groove ~ Thrifty Things Friday

Pink Plates

It's all Hubby's fault! :)

We stopped by a yard sale a couple of weeks ago, and Hubby saw these pink plates and talked me into buying them.

There were only two plates, and I kept telling him I didn't have much to go with them.

But he kept saying, "They'll go with your green cabbage plates." So, I thought...maybe I could use them. They were pretty, and the price was right.

So, pink plates, green, yellow and white other "stuff" equals...

Easter Hutch.  

Oh, and there were pink mugs too, but most had chips. I managed to find two without...

...and a ceramic Easter egg...also from the yard sale. Couldn't leave that since it goes with the pink plates and cups.

 I found the green compote at a new consignment shop, last month...no marking on it.

More chicks! I've had these for a couple of years.

Instead of putting eggs in the egg cups, I "planted" them with these cute hyacinth tea lights.

 I know you're supposed to light the wick, and then blow it out, but 

I didn't have the heart to light them.

Now, the hutch is ready for Easter...thanks to Hubby. :)

I almost forgot to show you a closer look at the eggs I found at Michael's. 

Love their vintage look.

They're metal and open to hide candy or toys...

Hope y'all are having a great weekend. 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, and stay warm.

Babs

Please visit these great parties ~

The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sunday

The Dedicated House ~ Make it Pretty Monday

A Stroll Thru Life ~ Table Top Tuesday

Coastal Charm ~ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Cuisine Kathleen ~ Let's Dish ~ Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday

Ivy and Elephants ~ What's It Wednesday

StoneGable ~ Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits ~ Thursday

Between Naps On The Porch ~ Tablescape Thursday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday

My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop

Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home Friday

The Thrifty Groove ~ Thrifty Things Friday

Chicks in the Powder Room

Happy Spring everyone! 
Hasn't this weather been crazy? Our temps have been up and down, and just about the time I'm ready to  plant my outdoor containers, we get a freeze warning for tonight. Go figure!

I ran out and covered the hostas which have started emerging, and then back in the house to work on some more Easter/Spring touches around the house.

 I know it may look funny to put chicks and a bucket of eggs in the powder room, but my powder room really needed some cheering up...poor thing. 
I'm sure you recognize these little chicks from my Shabby Spring Tray post, and I like them with the pail, so I moved them downstairs...definitely getting my money's worth with these chickies.
I found the little pail at Marshall's. I think it was in the beach decor section, but I like it for holding eggs...for now. 

Earlier today, I stopped by the grand opening of a little gift shop near me, and picked up a real topiary. You got it... a real one.

I've seen Angel Vine and thought they were pretty, but never bought one. The shop owner told me they're "not very forgiving", but since my African Violet is thriving....thanks to everyone's advice on growing it...I felt lucky and bought the Angel Vine.

Here's my African Violet...I took the photo this afternoon, and I'm thrilled that it's doing so well. Thanks y'all!

Wish me luck with my Angel Vine, and Happy Spring!
Hope y'all have a great weekend,
Babs

Linking with ~
A Delightsome Life ~ Home and Garden Thursday
Stone Gable ~ Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits~ Thursday

Easter Basket and Blue Willow

I bought this Easter basket last year. You might remember it from this post, where I used it with my Blue Willow on the hutch.

This year, I'm using the basket and the Blue Willow again, but in a slightly different way.

I did a vignette on the entry chest...LOL, what else is new? 

Anyway, I tucked a couple of pieces of Blue Willow in the basket, among the eggs and flowers...

...and added a few more eggs.

The bowl is a pudding bowl, and the lid is from a sugar bowl.

Beside the basket is a Booths Real Old Willow plate, and a cabbage leaf plate to add more green. I can never have too much green. :)
Well, that's all the Easter decorating I've done. I can't believe Easter is just around the corner. I'd better get busy.
I'll be by to visit y'all to get lots of inspiration...I need it. :)
Hugs and have a great week,
Babs

Linking to these great parties ~ 

The Dedicated House ~ Make It Pretty Monday 
A Stroll Thru Life ~ Table Top Tuesday
Coastal Charm ~ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants ~ What's It Wednesday
Stone Gable ~ Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits ~ Thursday
My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop

Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home
The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sunday

Blarney and Corned Beef Sandwiches

Hi Everyone,

Hope y'all are having a great Friday, and looking forward to the weekend and St.Patrick's Day.

Come on in the kitchen. I'm making corned beef sandwiches.  

Are you hungry?

The pub sign on the hutch is from a party we had a couple of years ago. I got out the green and gold necklaces to wear...

...so, grab a necklace or two, and I'll make you a corned beef sandwich. Let me show you what they look like...

...I made these the other day for lunch, and took a quick pic of them to show you.

They're easy to make using deli corned beef, cheese, cabbage, and a little onion . 

I used Swiss cheese on these, but a nice Irish cheddar would also be good.

This time I sauteed the cabbage instead of making slaw. 

Here's the "recipe". I hesitate to use that word since I rarely have a recipe for a lot of dishes...I just cook. :)

So,here's how I made them....

Thinly slice cabbage and a little green onion, saute them in a little butter, and season with sea salt. 

Add a couple of tablespoons of water, or Guinness :) . 

Put a lid on the pan and steam it for about 5 minutes, or until the cabbage and onion is tender. 

Take the lid off the pan, and continue cooking until the liquid has evaporated. 

While that's cooking, I make a Thousand Island Dressing.

Mix about a half  cup mayonnaise and a slightly less amount of catsup. Add a teaspoon of sweet pickle relish, and mix. 

When the cabbage is done, assemble the sandwich...

I used seedless rye and spread the Thousand Island Dressing on the bread. Put one slice of cheese on each piece of bread. Stack on the corned beef, and top with the cooked cabbage and the other slice of bread and cheese.

Grill on a griddle with butter, or on a panini press, and enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Glad y'all stopped by.

Hugs, 

Babs

Linking to these great parties ~

My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop
Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday
The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home 
The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sunday

A Day for the Irish

Hi, everyone. 

It's time for the 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl at Cuisine Kathleen! 

Wanting to join in the fun for St. Patrick's Day, I set up a little breakfast table by the fireplace.

I did a thrifty setting by re-purposing two Leprechaun hats that were on pots of shamrocks last year... 

...white faux tulips are in a flower pot...painted green...

...and then I tucked white napkins underneath the hats, and topped them with a few gold coins.

Nestled under the tulips, Mamma and Baby sheep are wearing shamrock "collars" especially for the day.

                                      

Here's another quick table setting, because the Fitzpatricks called  :) and are stopping by later, so I thought I'd invite them to stay for supper.

I grabbed the green plaid cloth from the breakfast tablescape, and found my Friendly Village plates. I like to think the little house on the plates looks like an Irish cottage.

Then for a centerpiece, I grabbed a basket and filled it with...potatoes, cabbage and a big bunch of parsley.

Last, I put a few more gold coins, filled with chocolate, in a shamrock dish. I'll send these home with the Fitzpatricks. 

You know I'm kidding about the Fitzpatricks coming for supper, don't you?  :)  Just a little Leprechaun humor. 

Here's wishing you all a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.

Hugs,

Babs

Linking to these parties ~

Cuisine Kathleen ~ Let's Dish 
Between Naps on the Porch ~ Tablescape Thursday

A Little Bit of Green

Hi, everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. 
 I didn't find anything new for St. Patrick's Day, when I was shopping, so I spent the weekend shopping the house for green things to decorate with. 
Here are a few bits of green around my house.

 I framed a vintage post card and...

...pulled a few things together in a corner of the living room, by the book case.

Pillows with roses, green plaid, and dogs. How Irish is that?

On my bedside table there's a Belleek shamrock vase with a few Lenten Roses from the yard. Oh, and did you notice the a green leather inlay on the top... and no, my bedside table isn't always this uncluttered. Usually, it's piled high with books and things.

In the family room...a little picture of St. Patrick, given to me by Sara @ Hyacinths For The Soul. 
Actually, I just stuck the picture on top of my son's high school senior photo. Sorry Son, it's only for a few days. :) 

On the side table by the sofa, I put a Celtic design candle holder with a green candle, and added a green plant and...

...a framed collection of old Irish coins...which hides the phone.

Well, that's about all the decorating I've done for now, except a little St. Patrick's Day breakfast tablescape which I'll show you next time.
Hugs and have a great week,
Babs
                                                ~~~~~~
Let's visit these parties and see what fun things they're creating.

The Dedicated House ~ Make It Pretty Monday 
A Stroll Thru Life ~ Table Top Tuesday
Coastal Charm ~ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants ~ What's It Wednesday

Shabby Spring Tray

Hi, everyone. 
The weather was gorgeous today, and I went shopping! Yay! 
I found some great new things, but I spent so much time running errands and shopping, that I didn't have time to get them ready to show you. I'm sorry...
...but, instead, let me show you the shabby tray I got a couple of weeks ago.
I love trayscapes because they're lots of fun to make, and you don't have to clean and rearrange the whole house to get a fresh, new look.
Here's the tray I found...

It's really large, and just right for loading with things to set the table.

It has neat handles, and just a bit of distressing here and there. I loaded it with spring plaid place mats and...

...some Spode Copeland plates that I've had forever...

 ...and little cabbage cups and saucers.

Hubby made me a shabby shamrock to use for a trivet...

...and chicken feeder. :)  
I got the little chubby chicks at Hobby Lobby...love their vintage look.

Are y'all ready for St. Patrick's Day? 
I'm still working on a tablescape, and looking forward to joining Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen for her St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl on March 13th.

Hope you have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Babs

Let's go party with....

My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop
Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday
The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home 
The Tablescaper ~ Seasonal Sunday