Dinner for Two

As I was strolling through the locally grown section in our grocery store, I was happy to come upon some freshly harvested morel mushrooms. Hubby is a connoisseur of wild mushrooms, and in fact, spends many hours in our surrounding forests looking for these hidden treasures.



So I thought I'd surprise him with a special dinner...just for two.

The menu included grilled Painted Hills New York Steak with sauteed wild morel mushrooms and organic cabbage salad.

Cold watermelon for dessert.

Feels Like Summer

As the last of the lilacs began to fade over the warm holiday weekend, we worked hard getting things done in the yard. Although not officially, I believe summer has arrived. With that, we are all the more eager to finish a few things in the yard so that we may enjoy many, many, many lazy days this summer.

While Mike's Dad was out visiting from Wisconsin over the long weekend, father and son put in all 20 posts for our soon-to-be picket fence. Both are engineers, and I can assure you that we will have the straightest, the strongest, and the most beautiful fence one could ever ask for.

The Flower Farm

My Mom and I stopped in at the Flower Farm today. I hadn't been by since the daffodils were blooming so I was excited to see what they'd have. We weren't disappointed as there was a variety of Peony in full bloom.

They're so beautiful.

Porch Lights

Our porch lights are up! These beautiful schoolhouse lights came from Rejuvenation, which is the fabulous store in which we purchased all of our reproduction items.



We went with the old brass finish to match the exterior door hardware from Emtek and I have to say that it really does make the porch feel complete. It's a nice finishing touch after a year of using those temporary plastic fixtures from the hardware store.

This was our last big order from Rejuvenation and it feels pretty wonderful. We've come a long way since the summer of 2006 when we bought the place.

Odds and Ends

Last week I picked up a few things here and there. As I unloaded my car when I got home, I realized that my odds and ends from here and there went quite well together.



I just love the way wicker evokes that feeling of a lazy summer day. I especially love the warm hues that un-painted wicker can offer. I also found this wonderful old cardboard box to hide treasures in. Isn't the pattern lovely?



Look at those sweet little buttons.

What I got:

Wicker picnic basket for a summer afternoon trip to the lake: $3
Round wicker basket to keep my collection of ribbons in: $8
Wicker chair (love the intricate pattern on the seat back): $36
Cute little patterned box for secret treasures: $12


All odds and ends were found at antique stores.

A Little Alpaca Love

I drive past a field of Alpacas every time I go into town. As I drive by, I always think to myself how much I love, love, love seeing them. So yesterday, I decided to stop and say hello.

They were happy to see me.


They made me laugh.


They had beautiful deep brown eyes.


Some folks will tell you that they're apt to spit, but not him, he just wanted...


...a kiss.

A Blossoming Valley

The valley is in full blossom. Everywhere you look, you see cherry blossoms, pear blossoms, peach blossoms and apple blossoms.

It's an exciting time of the year here in orchard country. The earth has been stirring from its winter slumber for weeks now, slowly awakening into the bright-eyed and bushy tailed blossoms that is spring. The sense of renewal is palpable.

There's also a tantalizing anticipation for summer to come and an eagerness to watch all the various trees go from delicate spring blossoms, to voluptuous summer fruits. And the fruit is sweet.

Last summer I remember stopping in at the Organic Grower's Association down the road to see if I could buy a few peaches. I asked him if they were super sweet and juicy and he got out his knife and sliced me a taste. They were. They only sold them by the case so of course, I bought the case.

We ate fresh organic peaches morning, noon and night. We'd even have them for dessert. You'd think one would tire of the same fruit day in and day out for weeks on end but we never did. I made a couple of peach pies with them but other than that, they were eaten as they came, plucked fresh from the tree they grew on.

Happy glorious spring and summer to come...