My Birthday Book

No, it's not my birthday.
When I did celebrate my big 60th birthday; I planned,
made the food, invited the women in my life, shared
how special they were to me, and gave them
this gift of a small book with quotes and
words that meant something to me.
The charm tied to the outside of the book had the
words that I had chosen for that year.

I am not a scrapbook person, but I tried to decorate each page.
It was so fun to share something that I enjoy with
my friends in this little book.
***
Here are a few of the quotes:

You were intended not only to work,
but to rest, laugh, play, and have
proper leisure and enjoyment.
~Grenville Kleiser

If you listen real carefully when the breeze blows,
you can hear God whispering.
~The Family Circus (comics)

The teapot is on; the cups are waiting;
favorite chairs anticipating; no matter
what I have to do; my friend there's
always time for you.
~Anonymous

Friendship - Who would have guessed?

Saturday I had the lovely opportunity to meet Isabel of Maison Douce
at the Portland Antique Show. Check out Isabel's blog to see
great pictures of her booth.

In June Annie from In My Dreams and Jone from Deo Writer
came by for a cup of tea and cookie in my backyard.
Who would have guessed we would be making friends this way, online no less!
When we are young, we make friends at school, at the swimming pool, out in the neighborhood.
When we are parents, we make friends with other parents.
When we work, we make friends at work.
But finding friends just out in the airwaves is truly amazing.
I have met some very special friends this way and it is always so fun to finally meet face to face.
Each day I meet new friends that leave comments here for me to read, or I visit their blog and say to myself "what a nice person, I like what they are doing and would like to meet them". I look forward to meeting more of you face to face as we travel and embrace life.
Friendships are special.
They come in many forms.
Some for a moment and some for a lifetime.
I treasure each one as life moves along.
Thanks for friendship.

Dry it Outside

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/line-dry-laundry.html

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Orton-POV/Right-To-Dry/D/80000/P/1:300:3040:300230

There is a movement afoot, though quiet in it's stance.
More people are beginning to hang their laundry out to dry.
I am trying, though not always successful at getting it done.
It reminds me of times long ago when I use to
help my mother hang the laundry out to dry.
The sheets smelled oh so fresh and some of
my clothes were stiff like boards.
Planet Green gives tips for softening the stiff laundry from the line.
I have found, as they mention, putting it in the dryer just for a minute or two at the end of the drying time helps.
The Vermont Country Store was featured on Sunday Morning television show recently.
You can watch the segment on Right to Dry, which I have bookmarked above.
There is also a fun poem on this link, called The Clothesline.
It is a good clean movement.
One we should all consider, even if it is only occasionally done.
Your sheets will thank you for that fresh, clean smell and less wear and tear.
I can almost hear that snap as we shake the laundry out to dry.
Plus we save the cost of running the dryer and help the environment too.
OK, you are saying, but I don't have time or I don't have a line.
Check out the sights above for suggestions and enjoy line dried laundry.

Lemons

The picture is from Lemons, A Country Garden Cookbook
by Christopher Idone
****

I love lemons.
Lemons are always a part of each tea party I prepare.
Lemons are also a part of my everyday cooking.
Recently I bought a large bag of lemons and
then didn't use them as I normally would do.
Now I am thinking about lemon recipes to
use the lemons.
Friends have told me you can freeze lemon curd;
so there are two batches now in my freezer.
I wonder how long they will be there, yummm!
Then there were Lemon Verbena Cookies and
Lemon Chicken.
By now I decided I better refer to my favorite lemon cookbook
mentioned above. There are beautiful lemon pictures in the cookbook too. The best lemon recipes from Limoncello to Lemon Pizza are in the book.
Today I will make the Lemon Bars and share the recipe with you.
***
Lemon Bars
Crust:
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
38 tablespoons (3-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter,
cut into bits
Filling:
6 large eggs
3 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Confectioners' sugar for dusting
**
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, and salt. With a pastry blender cut the butter into the mixture until it is the consistency of cornmeal. Press dough into a baking sheet 17-inches by 12-inches by 1-inch. Bake for 15 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs until blended and beat in the sugar. Add the zest and gradually fold in the lemon juice. Sift the flour and baking powder into the egg mixture and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture over the crust and bake for 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut into squares and dust with confectioners' sugar. Makes 4 dozen squares.
Enjoy!

Monday Linen Days

Aprons are part of my linen collection.
Love the hand painted cluster of grapes
and delicate crocheted edge.

This apron looks comfy and would do the job
of protecting the clothes. Now isn't that
what aprons were designed to do.

Marmalady's apron and pattern were taken
from this apron. It is very comfortable, no ties to bind.
****
from The Apron Book by EllynAnne Geisel
A Lovely Apron
by Phyllis Reedy Young
Once upon a time
An apron or two
Hung out on the line
Twirling in the breeze
Under a sunny sky,
Flapping dry.
(Can't you just picture that)
***
Aprons have a feeling of nostalgia, but are making a come back.
They just make sense when working in the kitchen. They protect from unwanted splatters on clothes. Aprons have been used for many things including wiping away a tear, carrying produce collected from the garden, or dusting off the furniture as you go to answer the door.

Tea at a Castle

Picture taken at the Hearst Castle in California.
Tea is waiting to be served at the castle, won't you join me.
****
In Tea the host is simplicity and the guest elegance.
If all is done in sincerity it is better
than a thousand graces.
~Matsudaria Naritada

Simple Things

Christina at Soul Aperature is celebrating with Simple Things this week. Simple things mean alot. I am reading Gifts from the Sea once more today and reminded of our desire to live simply.
Here are a few of the Simple Things that bring me Delight ~
Singing Happy Birthday
Butterflies flitting on the flowers
A red tomato on the vine
Warm water running over my head in the shower
A warm cup of my favorite tea
Passion fruit macaron
One piece of my favorite chocolate
Someone calling to say they were thinking of me
A warm fire on a cold night
A bird's song
Giving of a gift for no reason at all
The first daffodil of the spring
Twinkling lights
Fireworks
Touching soft, silkened fabrics, wood, or ceramics
A pretty cup
You