Mosaic Monday ~April Blooms and a Crunchy Treat

Trying something new for Mosaic Monday

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The temps are saying spring, and so are the rains I guess! We are well above normal for rain this year and thats saying a lot since I live in the Pacific Northwest! But we got out and poked around the yard anyways. The ground is literally sloshy! Randy is adding dirt to the beds and freshening up a bit. The pineapple fountain needs a good scrubbing too! It's made of some kind of composite material though, not concrete so it does it does wash off much easier.


Jigs supervised...he is General Jigme the mud inspector


The Fairies are moving back in and have a lot of clean up to do themselves. Just look at those weeds! I'm sure they'll have it spic and span in no time though.


There are new signs of life all over the yard this week. Including clematis flower buds. It will be a while before they open but I was so happy to see these babies!


The pink flowering currant is always a sign to me that spring's getting underway. I seem to have lost over half of the bush, but the branches that are alive and blooming are still pretty.


The daffies and tulips that I planted very late (like late winter instead of fall) are starting to bloom. At least the daffodils are. The tulips will be a little later. So if you ever run out of time in the fall, don't fret...there's still hope!


I stopped by the nursery one day on my way home...I couldn't resist any longer. There still isn't much to choose from since we could still have frost, but I did manage to pick up a thing or two.


How could I resist this unique ranunculus. I think they are so pretty with their stripes.


The little English daisies were too cheery to leave at the nursery


I do have one tulip blooming now. It,s always my first to open


This peony was gorgeous last year, so I was happy to see it coming back so vigorously


The primroses are really pretty this year and I'm loving how naturally my new camera captures reds!


This one has multiplied a few times


And this one is sharing space with the little blue wind anemones


So it seems I have been seeing a strange and new food item popping up a lot lately on foodie blogs, shows and websites...Kale Chips. It had my curiosity piqued, so when I got Kale in my weekly veggie box I decided to give it a try. Really it couldn't be any easier. Kale with stem removed, toss with olive oil and whatever seasonings you like - I used salt and italian seasonings. Bake at 350° til crispy. Eat! Watch this video of a local gardening celebrity (Cisco) and his chef friend for how tos. Cisco is a goofy character and has a Saturday morning gardening show.




I've seen the suggestion to dip the chips in vinegar so used a roasted garlic vinegar I have. YUM!


Randy wasn't crazy about the texture so didn't eat more than the one I gave him to try. So I ate the rest. I guess there are a lot worse things I could eat than a bunch of kale!

I'm participating in Mosaic Monday over at Little Red House . There are always some beautiful photos so go check out.

Mosaic Monday ~Hello Spring!

First day of Spring and I couldn't be happier! For the past few months I've been having to make due when it comes to sunshine. My suns have been working overtime to make up for our weather deficiency.


We have been wet! But it was all smiles and happiness this weekend. Okay...maybe it wasn't so sunny today, the official start of spring. But Saturday was nice :-) And I took advantage. Spring is here! and I have a new camera!! This the first picture snapped...Me right after I got home Friday and Randy had the camera ready to greet me. Don't I look happy?


I dropped my last camera on the kitchen floor in the fall and have been sick about it since. We got a decent deal on a new Canon T2i and I'm thrilled with it. Keep your fingers crossed this one stays on the counter!


My little point and shoot Canon has been good to me during these past months, but I love taking photos in my garden and in the kitchen and once you've stepped up a level its hard going back mostly because the fine detail and contrast isn't the same. So I enjoyed some time on Saturday snapping a few shots with the new camera of what we've got blooming right now in the garden. But first...a peek at the blue skies!


Poor Mr. Jigs looks like he's in jail.


But never fear, he got to enjoy a little sunshine too! Here he is guarding the yard for us.


Due to the rain and cool weather the spring bulbs seemed to have stalled, but I'm sure they will be coming along soon. Store bought primroses and ranunculus are filling the void.


I do have a few bulbs blooming though...like these crocus


And the tiny Tete-a-Tete daffodils under the camellia


This 'Wanda' primrose is looking pretty too.



And the pulmonaria is starting to bloom


But what's really shining at the moment are the hellebores



Most of mine are unnamed seedlings I received at plant exchanges.



They are all beautiful to me though!


I love the daintiness and detail


And the various shades of pink and purple



Here's a for sure sign for us that spring is in the air...the lovey doveys are hanging around. They are usually very skittish and fly away when we go outside, but this time of the year they are a lot more calm and seem to do a lot of fluffing and nestling around on the ground. Here they are getting cozy on the fence.


We spent the day washing the car and grilling..other signs that spring is here. I did shish kabobs and Bacon wrapped jalapeno "thingies" from The Pioneer Woman's blog. Check them out here. She baked hers...I grilled mine. They were a hit with me and Randy.




I'm joining in for Mosaic Monday over at Little Red House.

Also I want to remind everyone about my Great Cooking Magazine Challenge. The linky is up and will be for a month, so go cook something and join in!

Before I close I'd like to share that I was recently contacted by Chris at HSN about their upcoming event, HSN's Cooks Spring Weekend Event presented by Bon Appetit. Check it out HERE. Looks like there will be some pretty cool products and chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Emerial, Jacques Torres, etc...and I'd imagine some good recipes shared. The dates are March 26-27. Here's a little video promoting it.

Flashback Friday ~The Fair

Around this time of the year I start getting excited for the upcoming Western Washington Fair in Puyallup, WA. So how about a flashback to last year's fair.


Love to look at the animals, especially cows that stick out their tongue at me


The scones are a MUST have...warm and buttery and filled with raspberry jam MMMMMMMM.


I usually pass up the rides


And the games


And head straight for the Home Arts exhibits


And lets be honest...the food is a big draw


And this is one exhibit I always look forward to. The Farmer's Granges compete with these colorful displays featuring Washington produce


And my visit would not be complete with a tour of the floral exhibit


I always look forward to the display by a local, but nationally known dahlia dealer, Connells. The tuber business is now "retired" so I'm not so sure they will have a display this year. Keeping my fingers crossed though..they are still doing cut flowers so maybe!



So back to the present :-) Here are a couple of things blooming in my yard this week. Randy insisted on taking my pic in front of our monster lily to show how tall it is! Jack in the Bean Stalk high!


I'm so excited to show you my Blue Satin Rose of Sharon that's finally blooming. Its taken a couple of years for it to do anything. It REALLY is this color!


And finally....I don't often share crafts on my blog because, well, I am just not THAT crafty, but I did crochet a little baby sleeping bag/cocoon & hat with bear ears for a friend at work that's having a baby in a couple of weeks that I wanted to share. Jigs was none too amused! On a real baby the little bag can fit under his arms. Its a cute way to keep baby from kicking their blanky off!


Here's a close up of the hat.


If you have a flashback of any kind that you'd like to share please add your link below!



I'm joining in this week for Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time
Check it out HERE


And for my scone and corndog I'm joining Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Check it out HERE. She's got the sweetest picnic happening over there!