So Long Winter...Welcome Spring

 I really feel blessed to live in an area where the four seasons are so unique and beautiful.

 Having said that, I must admit that it is time for winter to exit...

 and spring to arrive!

 So, welcome Spring!

 Easter is just around the corner and the decorating has begun.  So many treasures from years past that contain priceless memories.

I wish you all a Happy Spring!

Herb Scissors

 Whether it is parsley, sage, rosemary, or thyme you can breeze through the snipping process with these scissors!  

I have had other herb "cutters" but these are my favorite, hands down!

 Just snip the herbs you need quickly, neatly and right where you want them with these scissors!

As you can see, there are five blades and they are sharp!

The blade cover also serves as a useful cleaning tool.  Simply insert the notched end of the cover between the blades and push any remaining herbs off the scissors...how clever and it works!

The scissors are dishwasher safe but  I do not put mine in.

This particular brand is RSVP International and I would encourage you to spend $11.00 and make snipping herbs fun! 

I would love to hear what you think of these little snippers! 

Leprechaun Hunters

This past Sunday was a beautiful sunny day, apparently perfect for hunting Leprechaun's!

First came a text that two young girls were on their way to our house and then came the knock on the door...two sweet little girls asking permission to wander in the woods down by the creek to track Leprechaun's.  

 

Seems that Lucy googled Leprechaun's and she was prepared...knew what the footprints looked like, etc.  I just love the creativity of children and their love of the out-of-doors!

 

I asked the girls if I could snap a couple of pictures and then gave them a little treat bag for energy.  The contents you ask...Lucky Charms snack bars and a few Hershey kisses.  Thankfully I had these on hand!

 

Off they went, happy as could be, to hunt the mighty Leprechaun!

 

On their return, they had a container with ice pieces that contained a black suspicious substance???  Let your mind wander!

 

Ben and I sure enjoyed the Sunday afternoon entertainment! 

Salmon With Fresh Fruit

 Ben and I have been trying to eat healthy and fish seems to be a frequent dinner guest.

Salmon and Talapia fillets are favorite choices and this particular recipe is delicious, quick, and easy!

 Salmon Marinade:

4-5 tablespoons sliced almonds (I have also used chopped pecans)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/4 cup honey

Mix the above ingredients and pour into a Zip-Lock bag (remembering to save the boxtops for education)

Place salmon fillet in the bag and marinate at least an hour in the fridge.

Remove fillet  and place on a foil lined cookie sheet pan.  Pour half the marinade over the fillet and put into a preheated 425 degree oven for 5 minutes. Remove pan from oven and baste salmon with remainder of marinade, return to oven for an additional 5 minutes.

Serve with fresh mango, strawberries, chopped parsley, fresh dill and a little balsamic vinegar.

Do enjoy~    

Granola Bars

For some reason, unknown to me, I have never found a recipe for granola bars that appealed to me...until recently, that is!

The recipe came from Stone Gable and it is a keeper, although not low in calories!

Granola Bars:

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup whipped cream cheese

1  1/2 teaspoon Madagascar Vanilla

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1  1/2 cups rolled oats

1  1/4 cups Rice Krispies

1 cup assorted dried fruit (I used cherries, cranberries, blueberries & mango)

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup Heath Bar bits

Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg and honey and beat well.  Add vanilla and whipped cream cheese and beat until well mixed.

In a separate bowl stir together the flour, cinnamon, salt, rolled oats and Rice Krispies. Now, stir into the butter mixture.

Add dried fruit, chocolate chips, almonds and pecan.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray or line pan with parchment paper.

Pour the granola mixture into prepared pan and press with a silcone spatula firmly.  

Finally, sprinkle the Heath Bits over the top.

Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Cut into bars while still warm.

I packaged the bars first in saran wrap and then cut pieces of waxed paper to wrap around the middle of the bars.  I finished by tying with bakers twine.

These bars were made for the Team Issy Bake Sale at Trinity Lutheran Church.  https://www.facebook.com/TeamIssy

Please consider visiting the above link to find out about Issy!  Donations for Issy's treatment can be made on the  http://elberta-alert.org/        page.     

Sinful Chex Mix

 This Chex Mix is over the top delicious!

The calories are no doubt over the top as well, but when you feel like splurging this is your go-to recipe!

Sinful Chex Mix

8 cups Chocolate Chex cereal

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

6 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup mini Peanut Butter Cups

1 cup mini marshmallows, if desired

1/2 cup caramel bits

1 tablespoon heavy cream

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1 tablespoon Fleur de Sel

In a large glass bowl, measure the cereal and set aside.

Line a large cookie sheet with waxed paper

In a two cup glass bowl, place brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Microwave for one minute remove and stir.  Place back in microwave for an additional minute, remove and stir until melted and smooth.  Stir in baking soda until dissolved.  Pour caramel mixture over the cereal and stir gently but thoroughly until evenly coated.  Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring after each minute.  Spread on prepared cookie sheet and cool for 10 minutes.  Break into bite sized pieces.

Make sure the Chex mix is cool to the touch.  Spread the peanut butter cups and marshmallows (if desired) over the entire surface.

Microwave the caramel bits and cream for a minute or until the bits can be stirred smooth.  Use a spoon or fork to drizzle this mixture over the entire surface.

Microwave the milk chocolate chips, at 20 second intervals, stirring frequently until smooth.  Drizzle this over the Chex mixture.

Finally, melt the white chocolate chips in 20 second intervals, stirring frequently until smooth.  Drizzle over the entire Chex mix surface.  

Working quickly, sprinkle the entire surface with Fleur de Sel.

Do enjoy this sweet/salty snack!