"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Making me smile today is my latest find: a new piece of

transferware for my growing collection !!!

A lovely teacup, perhaps ??!?!?!?

Or, as Jack blurted out when he saw it,

"A new bowl for my popcorn !" ???

Actually it's a chamber pot !!!

Jack was more than weirded-out to know this.

I think he'll be looking at it with a bit of disgust from now on !!!

I'm just happy to have scored another

hard-to-find piece for my collection !!!

Happy Monday !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

I'm tired of winter . . . no more snow, freezing temperatures, heavy clothes, and flannel sheets !!

I'M READY FOR SPRING !!!!

This is what I want to see:

. . . warm weather, flowers blooming . . .


. . . green leaves, green grass . . .

. . . and the pinks, blues, greens, and yellows of the season !


Spring's not here quite yet . . . but I do have these hopeful little lovelies peaking out of the ground:

And that makes me smile !!!

Happy Monday !!!

(Pictures from Country Living, Country Home, & Home Companion)

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Remember this guy . . . . the acrobatic squirrel that takes over my bird feeder ??!?!?!???

I know homeowners everywhere deal with the same situation . . . we buy special feeders that squirrels supposedly can't get into, we set up a separate area for the squirrel feeder, and we grease the pole of the bird feeder and watch those suckers slide their way down . . . !!! Here's a new solution a patient told me about !!! (The drunk squirrel video is kinda funny, too !)

Go get the colander . . . . and have a Happy Monday !!!

Done & Done

I did it !! I did it !! I did it !!!

I finished the sweater !!!!!

5 long months and 3 start-overs later . . . and here she is:

And here's me in the sweater . . . it actually fits just right !!

And, the ultimate compliment . . . .

. . . Marty lounging on the sweater !!

If the cat likes it, it must be a success !!!!!

Yay me !!! (I'm just a bit excited . . . can you tell ?!?!!)

Now . . . what to knit next ?!?!?!??

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

I can't pick just one thing that's making me smile today . . . the whole day made me smile, for so many reasons !

I took a much-needed half-day off of work today . . . all of these 6-day work weeks do take their toll !! So I took the morning off, and had the chance to relax and putz and just BE in my house. I slept in, played with the boys, did some laundry and dishes, read magazines while I ate a leisurely breakfast, and baked some of these yummies:

(peanut butter sandwich cookie recipe from the

March issue of Cottage Living)

Then I went in to work for the afternoon . . . only to get another break when my parents - who are celebrating their 35th anniversary today ! - came by for a quick visit and coffee !!! Now that's the kind of work day I can handle . . . a 4-hour work day !!!

And now that we've "sprung ahead" with daylight savings and all, coming home while the sun is still shining is a huge bonus . . . such a mood-lifter !!!

Kind of a random post today . . . but so many things to smile about !!

Happy Monday !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Today was such a beautiful day . . . a small taste of springtime, which I hope is just around the corner !!! What a relief to drive with the windows down and walk around with your coat unbuttoned, the sunshine warming everything up . . . a great way to start the week ! Unfortunately, a winter storm is on its way to us . . . love this Rochester weather !!!

Anyhow, I thought I'd share one of my new favorite recipes. These lovely, bright colors remind me of warmer days, farm markets and fresh veggies, and the spring and summer seasons that lay ahead.

Cowboy Caviar

1 can shoe peg corn (I use regular corn)

1 can black-eyed peas

1 can black beans

1 c. chopped celery

1 4oz. jar of pimentos, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 c. olive oil

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. apple cider vinegar

Combine oil, sugar, and vinegar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Drain and rinse corn, beans, and peas, and combine all ingredients in a large container. Cover with marinade and refigerate overnight. Drain and serve with Tostitos Scoops chips.

Love this recipe !!! I'm not a fan of beans, really, but the marinade makes it just right . . . the perfect amount of sweetness and tang ! I doctor the recipe a little, though, adding some red peppers occasionally, and using canola oil instead of olive oil . . . I experienced some congealing with the olive oil the first time I made this ! Easy and tasty !!

Happy Monday !!!