Crystal Plans

My head is spinning with the upcoming events for the wedding of a special young woman, a good friend's daughter.

I am so pleased you asked, yes, I am hosting the Bridesmaids' Luncheon. It must be what I "do" ......and I certainly love it!


Nine invitations sent, and nine accepted.

The crystal chosen for the place settings is my "everyday"Sunday crystal, made by Mikasa. Nice crystal, with an affordable average price, thus I can use it weekly without regrets for Sunday dinners. But I still hand wash it (if you are wondering). I bought only eight ice tea glasses in this pattern two years ago, but nine are needed for the luncheon. Off to the store I scampered to purchase more. Since I had to place an order, I figured why not get four more to keep this little mishap from stirring itself again in the future.

High hopes of the order arriving in time for Friday's luncheon. It needs only be delivered to my door by 12:00. I can then give it a expeditious sudsy bath and slip it into place on the table before the first guest graces my doorway. A very good plan.

Spreading Little Bits of Sweetness

After arriving home from picking in the strawberry fields yet once again this morning, the girls fixed up a little tin pail of strawberries for an elderly shut-in couple.

We visited. Charlotte demonstrated her ballet steps. Photographs of sons and daughters-in-law were passed around to admire. Big hugs wrapped us in warm, old clasps as we were leaving.

You start out to spread goodness but come away smothered in a double dose of sweetness. The blessing boomerangs....I hope my daughters caught it!

Finish Line

Last minute fittings with my real live model. Goals for completing the dress were set a couple of weeks ago and the promising finish line looms just ahead. The last quarter mile to be completed this week involves, cutting buttonholes, sewing on the buttons, and tuck hemming.

Batiste is a fine and dainty fabric, calling it wrinkly is much too common a description. Let's suffice it to say I have an appointment with starch and the hot steam iron planned this week. Already I am smelling the starchy mist even as I hear the whoosh of the escaping steam.

However, I am sure I shall not be able to get it as stiff as the crinolines which are worn underneath. A very good thing for Charlotte's sake!

Floral Greeters

Bright pink geranium warmly greeting visitors at my front door.

Upon Rose turning 13

My daughter turned thirteen today. She mourned the fact; apparently leaving her childhood days behind does not appeal to her. But all the extra fanfare and planned celebratory festivities helped tremendously to encourage her to "forget all her troubles and smile". Her positive mindset about such things was restored.

Strawberry cake is traditional for Rose's birthday, but this year she surprisingly requested cheesecake. I love to bake cakes, however, cheesecakes are not my forte. A friend who makes some of the most amazingly good cheesecakes volunteered to bake one for Rose's birthday. It's chocolate swirl, even my not particularly partial to cheesecakes husband (probably the reason I do not make them), placed his stamp of approval on this cake.

Friends stopped by this afternoon to deliver birthday wishes and gifts. Due to shadowy clouds threatening to drop rain as they have been known to do frequently these days, we forsook having tea outside under the shade trees, and instead set the dining room table for an afternoon birthday tea.

Afternoon Tea Menu:
Cinnamon Rolls
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Assorted cheeses
Tea with cream and sugar


While at the beach last week after enjoying a splendid lunch served down by the river, the girls and I moseyed around some of the gift shops. These candlestick additions were gladly snatched up in the wink an eye. Little plastic cups containing miniature holes where you stick fresh flowers rest atop the candle holder, just add water and fresh flowers, of course.

May Strawberry Breakfast

Nothing shouts strawberries like the month of May. So to the fields we scampered early one morning. Then we came home to make breakfast.

The berries were rinsed thoroughly under running water. My eyes feasted on the visual beauty of the red fruit against the white colander. Something about bright red strawberries in white containers spells beauty and grace to me.

This cookbook has the most deliciously simple whole wheat pancake recipe. (do not let the "new" fool you, I have had this cookbook for quite some time). Maybe it is the added wheat germ that gives it an extra pleasing taste.



Truthfully the sweetness of the berries was enough to make this dish completely nourishing and delectable, but a drizzle of maple syrup brings it up a notch. I close my eyes, to enjoy every single drop of savor from the maple-topped berries.

A wonderful way to start a May morning, don't you think?

Sand in the Ears

Because Rose will be turning thirteen this week, the past weekend's venture was in response to her desire to take two good friends (sisters actually) and go away to the beach.

Gentle sea breezes were not on the agenda, however, the wind's velocity whipped us into all kinds of shape. But it definitely did not hamper the joy and delight we had while there with one another. As I walked down the beach, I took heart in the fact that I was receiving so many benefits from all the resistance. It was a wise choice I made to go at first against the wind so its powerful strength could help push me back to the cottage after the workout. The blue rockers on the porch hauntingly rocked all night, I felt as if we had visitors.

The water was cold. Nevertheless, the ocean's magic tempted the girls to run and play in the waves for several hours each day.




It seems Charlotte brought a bit of the beach home with her. She walked into the kitchen this morning and reported she had sand in her ears! I have always love wonderful times and things that linger, regardless of how or where those things might happen to turn up.

Sea Venture

"Is this like the sea?" asked Caleb

"The sea is salt," said Sarah. "It stretches out as far as you can see. It gleams like the sun on glass. There are waves."

Sarah, Plain and Tall
Patricia Maclachlan

Venturing to the sea tomorrow. I am scurrying around like a squirrel gathering nuts as he prepares for winter. However, I am digging out bathing suits and colorful beach towels.

Oh, how we will drink in the salty sea which stretches out as far as we can see as it gleams like sun on glass. Maybe we will even jump in the waves. They will be cold, I am sure.

The Playhouse

Ever since I was a little girl I have entertained lasting dreams of playhouses.

Therefore, it only seemed fitting that my daughters should have a little cedar house tucked under the corners of the trees, for moments and days of imagining and playing.


With sleeping lofts crammed with pillows, blankets and favorite things.




A step ladder for singing or resting, when not needed for climbing above, of course.

And a gently creaking swing on the front porch perfect to share with a sister.

My dreams have come full circle.

Roasting Peppers

Is it not true and taken for granted by most the fact that a large variety of fresh produce can be bought at the local grocery store every day of the year? It might even be an inconvenience if we can not find the right ingredients for a particular recipe we were hoping to make for our family's dinner. But I can remember when this was not always the case. Certain foods would not be expected to be found in bins or cooler shelves during the off season.

But is it not also true that nothing can beat the flavor of fresh food in season? I just picked my first tender spinach leaves, washed them three times, and tossed them into the salad bowl for supper. And my thoughtful friend brought me fresh eggs from the country. I sorely miss my laying hens. Not only for the rich, savory, golden eggs they gave me, but for the joy of watching their antics, and listening to their lively constant music throughout the day. If the city ordinances did not state otherwise, I would most definitely keep a backyard flock of hens, rhode island reds and barred rocks cackling and strutting, nourishing our souls as well as our bodies with the fruit of their labor.



I decided to make a frittatta for supper. A very simple meal. Firstly, I roasted a red pepper. To do this you must make sure you stay nearby...no wandering off or you may burn your pepper to a crisp. Set you pepper on a baking tray, broil on medium making sure you turn it often so it will cook evenly on all sides. As soon as one side is black, turn until all sides are blackened. After the pepper has roasted, immediately place it in a plastic bag and let it stand for 10-15 minutes. This will make the peeling come off beautifully. Discard the peeling and the seeds which slip out with ease.

Simple, but a meal fit for a king.

The" Wedding" Dress

Rose and Charlotte will be in the wedding of a friend's daughter on May 23. I was able to walk into the bridal shop and purchase a junior bridesmaid's dress for Rose with complete ease. However, Charlotte's flower girl dress is being smocked and sewn by yours truly. (What was I thinking???)!

She sees me working on it and innocently declares,"Oh, you're working on my wedding dress."

The cognizable thought that runs through my boggled mind is I probably should be working on it. If I start on it now, I might have it completed by the time she gets married.