Oh Spring...Where are you?

As you can see the sunrise on Sunday morning was absolutely beautiful and we were hopeful the day would be spring-like...keyword: hopeful!

Shortly after taking the above photo, the sky became rather ominous, and our hopes were dashed!

Then came the huge snowflakes and we decided spring wasn't going to appear, at least not for Sunday, April 3, 2011.

It was pretty to look out the window...but April is just too late for this!

The trees were heavy with snow and then the thunder and lightning arrived...crazy, isn't it?
There is a saying in Michigan: wait five minutes and the weather will change...how true!

By evening the snow had pretty much melted away and we do need the moisture...Lake Michigan water levels are low...20" lower than normal according to the newspaper.

Early Morning Deer Sighting

Feeding the deer is no longer legal in our neck of the woods so we are not seeing as many deer as in years past.
We used to feed them corn in a large barrel during the winter months and had a tree near the feeding station that was illuminated with clear Christmas lights...it was so much fun to watch the herd gather in the evening and eat their fill and drain our pocketbooks in the process! A group of 15-30 deer per evening can consume a lot of corn!

When I spotted these deer and grabbed the camera it occurred to me that the pictures would not be great due to the early morning fog but I hope you can see them just the same.

There were actually five deer and if you look closely you will probably be able to see four of them...two are standing and between them there are two lying down. The fifth deer is just inside the woods directly behind the deer to the right.

Please look almost in the center of this picture and you can see one of the deer walking away from where I was standing!

Living in the woods never ceases to amaze me!!!

And by the way, this was taken two mornings ago and check the amount of snow...BUT, today it is melting and I have washed some windows and taken the Christmas lights off the ornamental cherry tree!!!

Frosty Morning

Ben gave me a heads up that I should take my camera (on my way to church) to snap a few ""frosty" pictures by the Bridge...so glad he did!

Thankfully this particular photo shoot didn't take long because it was really cold and the fingers were getting a little chilly to say the least.

The car thermometer read 8 degrees and that surely doesn't feel like spring...but according to our local weatherman the next few days will be up around the mid-forties!

The past several mornings have been quite frosty and I must say that it is beautiful near the Betsie River with the sun just rising.

You can detect the water in this photo that was taken in someone's driveway. The Betsie River dumps into Betsie Lake which then joins Lake Michigan...truly a beautiful area to call home!!!

Puff Pastry Delights

When I saw this recipe in a Sandra Lee magazine I immediately filed it away in the memory bank, knowing full well that one day it would be just the right token for someone!

As you know, Sandra Lee likes the semi-homemade way of doing recipes!
She surely came up with a great idea for these little pastries, they are delicious!

Don't worry, Sandra would never have you make your own puff pastry...Pepperidge Farm to the rescue!!!

These little gems are perfect for delivering to someone who is "hurting" or wouldn't they be perfect for a brunch or Easter gathering??? Oh the possibilities, they are endless!

Ben & I saved a couple for ourselves and dolled them up with whipped cream (which we don't need), a blackberry for added color, and a sprinkling of powdered sugar!

Puff Pastry Delights:

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 - 2 bananas, nicely ripened
3 - 4 tablespoons orange or apricot marmalade
3 -4 tablespoons, chopped pistachio's (roasted)
Fresh mint
Whipped cream, if desired
Blackberries, raspberries...for garnish if desired

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the thawed pastry sheet into 9 squares
Place the squares on a baking sheet (I used my silpat)
Very lightly score the tops of pastry with a sharp knife
Bake 10-13 minutes, or until golden
Allow to cool

Combine mascarpone & cream cheese together, slowly adding the powdered sugar.
Cut bananas in slices that will look nice on top of pastries and set aside, briefly.
Carefully spread the cheese mixture on top of pastries and top with banana slices.
Top the bananas with marmalade and sprinkle with pistachio's.
Garnish with mint and whatever suits your fancy!!!

Enjoy!

Pineapple Strawberry Smoothies

For some unknown reason I have been making smoothies lately and this particular one is a keeper!
The little mat is a paper piecing project that I made and it seemed to be calling to me for a photo-op!

Don't you just love the pink and white paper straws? So many fun items on the market these days!

Pineapple-Strawberry-Banana Smoothies:

6 oz. carton pineapple yogurt
6 oz. carton strawberry yogurt
1/2 cup milk (start with that amount & you may need to add more)
1 cup strawberries, cut in 1/4's and frozen
1 cup pineapple, cut in chunks and frozen
1 large banana, cut in chunks and frozen

Place yogurt's, milk, and about half the fruit in a blender and process until smooth. Add more milk if necessary and the remainder of the fruit, processing until smooth.

Top with a little whipped cream and fruit, along with a cute straw and you have a treat!

This made four generous glasses.

Is It Spring Yet?

Spring officially arrived on Sunday, March 20th and there was very little snow on the ground...just a couple days later a winter storm arrived with vengeance, dumping up to a foot of snow in our surrounding area!

The birds were confused just like we humans...but thankfully there were a few bittersweet berries on the vines that our feathered little friends could dine on.

The Mourning Doves pictured above look to be taking a nap during the storm...they spent most of the day in the ornamental cherry tree which is in a protected area right next to our house.

Hopefully, the weather will improve soon and we can get out our rakes, get the flower beds ready for planting and enjoy packing away our winter gear for another year!

Shamrock Smoothies!

To say that these Shamrock Smoothies are delicious is not an exaggeration by any stretch...scrumptious perhaps would be appropriate in describing them.

I jazzed up the original recipe that was in a Midwest Living magazine.
Preparing the smoothies doesn't take long and believe me you will be so pleased that you made them...refreshing to say the least!

Shamrock Smoothies:

1 banana, sliced in 1" chunks
6 Kiwi, peeled and quartered
Place the above prepared fruit on a parchment lined cookie sheet and freeze for approximately 4 hours.

In a blender, combine:
1 cup green grapes, seedless
6 oz. Key Lime yogurt (Yoplait)
1 cup orange juice
3 Tbsp. honey
4 -5 Tbsp. Rum, if desired
1/2 of the frozen fruit
Blend well and then continue adding the remainder of the fruit, blending well after each addition.

I added a few drops of green food coloring and that brightened the mixture beautifully!

Pour into desired vessels and top with whipped cream and a slice of Kiwi or fresh mint and you have a St. Patrick's Day treat!

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