Creating a little joy and light

Pray for the sun to come out again. And I don't just mean the weather, for the feeling that a sun shiny day brings, of happiness, and security and well-being. I know that spring in Cleveland means snow, but a person can dream right? And we are living in an uncertain time, of not being sure about whether things will and can stay the same. My daughter and I spent a few dollars creating a little sunshine, she chose a 4.00 t shirt, and for me, a new lampshade to put on my grandma's lamp. The old one was unbelieveable, dirty, dingy and coming apart. The lamp light was obscurred by the dirt, I am so amazed at the difference!

This time of year there is a certain hesitancy, it is too soon in spring to expect to wear short sleeves, and we are too sick of our winter coats, so we take chances with being caught being overly and under dressed. We also don't know when the real estate market will turn around, when the time we spend with a buyer will reap any reward. It is hard to know if we can live it up today, and still have something for tomorrow. We pray alot for a chance to work and to make a living. Today our pastor challenged our congregation to give sacrifically; tithe, or give 1 percent more, until it becomes easier. The bible tells us God challenges us to do this, and we in turn will be blessed. I am willing to try, but it feels like a trust issue. Am I willing to give up wondering how we can do this in this economy? I will be examining our budget to see. We could all use some blessings, right? Stay tuned!

I read alot of blogs weekly, I have some that are just great sources of ideas and inspiration. Penny at SewTakeAHike is one of my first and favorites. Check out her great tutorial using old t shirts and a sewing machine to create beautiful fabric roses. Here Beautiful roses, and recyling to boot! How great is that? Hope the sun is shining wherever you are as you read this. till next time...

Cleveland Seeing Green

What a glorious day, St. Paddy's was this year, 60's and sunshine, and a real day for celebrating! My hubby's family is intertwined with the history of the parade; his dad was Grand Marshal in 1977, and his oldest brother has been a director over the years, and now director emeritus. Cleveland has a huge Irish population, and because of the large families, tradition is guaranteed! Here are a few pics of my daughter and friend, they got curbside seats thanks to arriving extra early. My hubby and I sold shamrock cookies, to help out a friends' wholesale bakery. I gave deep discounts to large families. The sidewalks were jam packed with green, some outfits bordered on outrageous, but all in all contributed to the joy of being outside

after a very long winter.

Seeing green also applies to the hope that springs eternal, that soon, the sun and rain will cooperate to bring forth a miracle in my yard. Here is the view from Monday, and here are pics of the garden in it's glory, last May and early June.

Rain, Mud, Chocolate?

From too much snow, to too much rain, this has been a long winter! I know that the time change just made things a little bit more challenging. What is the antidote to the blues? Why chocolate of course! While some might give it up for lent, this writer chose to give up over-eating, and you can't eat too much chocolate right? Here is one of my favorite bar cookies, so easy, so rich! I still have the original magazine article it came from, tucked into my mom's recipe notebooks. There is a funny pic of a young 50's mom, beaming with pride as this recipe won a Better Homes and Garden award.



Crisp Toffee Bars almost like old fashioned toffee candy – rich, crunchy and delicious!

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sifted flour
1 6ounce pkg (1cup) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts optional

Thoroughly cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add flour, mix well. Stir in half of the chocolate chips and all of the walnuts. Press mixture into ungreased 15 ½ x 10 ½ inch jelly roll pan. Bake in moderate oven, (350 degrees), 25 minutes or until browned. While still warm, sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top, let melt, and spread across, then cut into bars or squares. Cool before removing from pan. Makes about 5 dozen.

1st appeared in Sept 1959 Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. Mrs. David Murray Syracuse NY

How about you, what do you reach for when the going gets tough, or too wet as it has been in Cleveland? Post your favorite easy chocolate recipe, or post a link! I would love to share and try a few new ones...