Lovely and Yummy Opportunities

Good morning! I have had a busy few days still preparing things for Easter. Boy - won't you all be glad to hear me stop saying (or should I say typing) that. In my daily rounds of looking through all of your wonderful blogs and being inspired I've found some great things going on. Following the success of ArtsyMama's Tea Party, Shabby in the City has decided to host a Potluck tomorrow. Get out your favorite recipes native to your area and join in the fun! Now if only I can figure out something good to represent CT...

Next up is a Softie Swap hosted by Little Lovelies. Claire says you don't need to be a sewing expert to participate so I decided to throw caution to the wind and sign up. God help my partner! Sign ups for this swap end April 8.

I'm also still hunting for treasures for my partner in the Sweet Goodness Spring Fling Swap. I've found some fun stuff that I hope she loves.

I've finally manged to get an AOL screen name so that I can comment on the wonderful AOL journals out there. I was having the hardest time acquiring a screen name but Heidi gave me a little extra push! You didn't have to do that, Heidi - I would have gotten it straightened out eventually (maybe...)! Check out Heidi's sweet signs. I can attest that she does wonderful work!

I also want to say thank you to everyone who left me wonderful comments or sent me kind messages regarding my little collages. I really appreciate it and am open to trades!

Take care all.

Photo Overload

Warning - there are a lot of photos in this post! Okay, so you probably already figured that out since I put the photos first but I digress. I have been working like a mad woman on some collages. I'm making them as little treats for my family as an Easter surprise. The first few photos are some of the results. I've also been working on designing some bracelets. No photos of those yet, can't seem to get good ones. Hubby, if you are reading this, a new digital camera sure would be swell! I'm hoping to get some jewelry designs built up so I can open an Etsy shop in the next couple of weeks. I may have bitten off more then I can chew with my nutty work schedule so time will tell. I have bags under my eyes from the late nights but things are always crazy for me this time of year. Christmas time and April/May - major sleep deprivation times for me. The university I work for has three commencement ceremonies and guess who does a bulk of the planning!? We also have an awesome event coming up, Bob and Lee Woodruff are going to be speaking and signing their new book in a few weeks. I am so excited to meet them. They are both so inspiring. I just started their new book In An Instant and already can tell you that it is a great read. I've been fortunate to meet some really interesting people and I seldom get starstruck but I am just so excited for Bob and Lee's visit.

The next photo is an adorable little bunny dish that is on loan from my friend Judy. It is too cute. I am going to fill it with something fun. She also gave me the chocolate chick in the photo. I love the colors and think it is too cute to eat. I'm going to display if for now. People, for me not to have devoured this thing already is a feat in itself. I am a MAJOR chocoholic (as I type with a mouthful of peanut M&Ms).

The next photo is of a cute little salt and pepper shaker set my mother gave me a few years back. Just darling! Again, too cute to use but oh so perfect for displaying.

Lastly I got some great treats from Carol over at Boxwood Cottage. This fabulous egg (oh don't look at that yucky brick fireplace in the background. I keep begging Hubby to let me paint it white - I'm close to getting my way - I think). She also included an adorable chick pressie and some yummy candy. Thanks Carol!

Well off I go. Time to make dinner and I have lots more little Easter crafts to work on! Hope everyone had a delectably marvelous day.

Easter Dinner

Good afternoon all! I hope everyone is enjoying a take it easy Sunday before the crazy week starts up again. I myself was up at 5:30 a.m. to go to the local flea market. Hubby and I quickly realized something was amiss when we pulled into an empty field! We then noticed the sign that said the opening has been delayed until April 15. I was so mad! I am so not a morning person and I wasted a perfectly good sleep late Sunday for nothing! Oh well, I guess I'll just be all the more ready to go on the 15th! In other breaking news, I have finally figured out Easter Sunday Dinner. We are going to have Carrot Vichyssoise, Turkey Brined in Grapefruit and Orange Juice with Brown Sugar (I discovered brining last year and it was a big hit!), Paula Deen's Squash Casserole, and Sweet Potatoes. For the all important dessert we are having Ricotta Pie, Chocolate Bread Pudding with Spiced Cream, Chocolate Dipped Fruit, and Susie Q's Bunny Cupcakes for the kids.

The Carrot Vichyssoise is simply heavenly and I wanted to share the recipe with you (courtesy of my good friend Judy).

Carrot Vichyssoise (makes 12 servings)

3T Butter
1 1/2 lbs. Carrots peeled and sliced
2 Leeks (white part only) sliced
1 3/4 lbs. Boiled Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
1t Minced Fresh Thyme or 1/2t dried
7 cups Chicken Stock or Canned Broth
1/2 cup Dry Vermouth
2 cups Whipping Cream
Salt and White Pepper
Fresh Lemon Juice
Minced Fresh Thyme

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add carrots and leeks and cook until leeks are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Mix in potatoes and 1t thyme. Add stock and vermouth. Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes. Puree soup in batches in food processor. Return to saucepan. Add cream. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until warmed through. Garnish with minced fresh thyme and serve.

Enjoy!