Thursday, February 17, 2011

Patience

"Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience."    ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

With a little patience we will soon be enjoying the warmth of spring everyday!

A little bit of a frustrating day AND working on taxes ~ who could ask for more fun?

I had hoped to post a nice recipe for you all yesterday....blueberry lemon scones "delightful" (you have to sing it when you say it...deeeeliiightfulllll).  I had pictures ready and the post written when I remembered the recipe was in my pantry cupboard.....which has two tables, a sofa and a daybed stacked in front of it.  Our floors are still being refinished and now we have decided, since all the furniture is out of the room, to repaint the walls and trim.  (I keep thinking of you Janet!!!)  Next week is a new week and I'll share all with you then.

During my frustration this morning.  I received an email from a sweet friend that cheered me.  Then I decided to go poking around the yard and found one little snow drop blooming (there she is above)!  It made me think about how the little things like friends and flowers bring us the greatest happiness.   I am always amazed at how God is always there, showing me the way.


So no more frustration...I'm going to have a "Cake" Party!


Have a deeeeliiightfulllll day.
Jenn:)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Primitive Gatherings for February

A sunny bright Tuesday we have today.  I noticed that the birds were singing this morning and the snow is disappearing.  It must mean spring is on its way!

Two new spring creations listed on The Primitive Gatherings site today.
Wishing you a happy Tuesday.


Hugs ~ Jenn

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine!


Wishing you a Valentine's Day filled with love and happiness.

Valentine hugs

Jenn

Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday Inspirations...Spare Time


"The bad news is time flies....
the good news is you're the pilot."


Here we go again...

Friday comes fast, Monday even faster.  Why does winter go by so slow???

   

We will be moving ALL the furniture out of our living room and dining room this weekend so that our floors can be refinished ~ FINALLY.  (a big woohoo!)

Any new decorating projects on your list??  

Wishing you all a happy weekend.






Images courtesy of: COUNTRY LIVING, VITA RANUNKLER, ETSY: BIRDIE1, MY HOME IDEAS

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Love One Pot Meals!

Anytime I can make dinner easy it's always a happy day.



This is my simple version of Chicken and Rice.  It's perfect for a cold day when you don't have much time for making dinner.  Get your Wednesday cookin' on and have a great day!


Chicken and Rice with Tomatoes
2 pounds Chicken Breast, cut into 6 pieces
Kosher Salt & Pepper
2 TBSP Olive Oil, Extra Virgin if you have it
1 Medium Sweet Onion, chopped fine
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 1/2 Cups Long-grain White Rice
1 (14.5 ounce) Can Diced Tomatoes, drained, reserve 1/2 Cup of the liquid
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
2 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley


Sprinkle chicken liberally on both sides with salt and pepper.  Heat oil until shimmering in a dutch oven over high heat.  Add chicken, skin side down, and cook until browned.  Turn chicken over and cook again another 6 minutes.  Transfer to a plate and set aside.


Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan, return to burner, and reduce the heat to medium.  Add onion and saute, stirring frequently, until soft, about 3 minutes.  Add the garlic and saute about 1 minute.  Stir in the tomatoes with the reserve liquid, the wine, and the water, scraping the browned bits off the pot bottom with a wooden spoon.  Bring to a boil.  Add rice and reduce the heat to low.  Simmer 10 minutes.  Add the chicken breast pieces back into the pot and stir gently until rice is thoroughly mixed.  Cover and simmer until both the rice and chicken are tender, about 15 - 20 minutes longer.  Stir in the parsley, salt & pepper to taste, cover and allow to rest 5 minutes.  Serve immediately.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Right Now

     more of this:
@midnight....snow looking like twinkle lights in the sky.

     dreaming about this:
there's a reason they call them  forget-me-nots.


     can't wait for this:
coming in March...preorder here

 

I'm craving a little spring today....how about you??

Sending hopeful hugs :)

Friday, February 4, 2011

Little Somethings


Wherever you go, go with all your heart.  
~Confucius

 


I've got a few pretty Valentine inspirations for you today.  This time of year is usually when spring fever starts kicking in for me.  We get some teasingly warm days...38 degrees and sunny today!  The snow melts and I start peeking under the leaves for any tiny sign of life.

Valentines day is a special day for me.  11 years ago on Valentine's day I found out I was pregnant with my daughter after 6 long years of waiting for her.  I was so sick but didn't care.  It was the best day ever.  Do you have any special Valentine's day memories?

Thanks also for all your kind comments about baby rabbit valentine that was sold on Early Work Mercantile.  I REALLY love rabbits...just in case you didn't know ;)

Wishing you all a happy weekend.

Jenn xo


catnip valentines for kitty

forced branches into blooms


pretty primroses in cut-out paper bags



Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Valentine Offerings at Early Work Mercantile

Valentine Bunny is Sold

Since I've had to cancel my Valentine update because of crazy things in January, I've posted the pieces that I did finish on Early Work Mercantile this month.

If anything catches your eye, stop on by for more information.  Everything ships within 24 hours of payment. 


Happy hugs ~ Jenn :)