Spring time flowers

Most of  you know how much I love my flowers and probably understand why I haven't been getting many cards made because of all the outside work.  I thought I would share some of my flowers with you today and tell you about some wonderful friends.

 The gals that I get together with (had pictures a couple weeks ago)  blessed me with this beautiful bench and hydrangea as an memorial of my brother.  I am thrilled and I cherish both gifts.

Thank you again Bette, Gretchen, Judy, Darlene and Diane.  You are great friends!!!

 

2014 Spring Flowers

My first ever dark peony

Blue and White Iris

Pink Lupine

Peach Iris

Siberian Iris with Hosta

Snow on the Mountain

 (at least that is what Mom called it)

Tree Peony

Yellow Iris

 

 

Pie Recipes

Kelsey - Kara

My beautiful granddaughters, Kara and Kelsey came down from Michigan last week to do their annual cleaning of the pond house.  About 4 years ago I wasn't able to do it and they came to help me out.  At that time they said this would be their yearly job. :)
I had posted pictures of my rhubarb pie I made on Facebook and Kelsey messaged me and said that she thought a pie was a great idea on the day they were here.  I also fixed their very, very favorite thing...Joan's Taco Salad.  They both were happy campers and had lemon pie as soon as they arrived (breakfast they said).  If I have to say so myself, it was delicious.

I have always struggled with meringue, getting it to be fluffy and high.  I found a new recipe in my
Southern Living Magazine and as you can see it was a huge success.  The picture indicates that there wasn't much lemon filling, but there was.  I used Grandma' Lemon Meringue Pie recipe from allrecipes.com

This is the Meringue recipe:
4 large egg whites (room temperature)
1 1/2 teaspoon cream tartar
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoon Cold water
1 1/2 Tablespoon Cornstarch
2/3 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Whisk 3 Tablespoon cold water into cornstarch in a 1 quart sauce pan.  Whisk in 2/3 cup boiling water.  Cook over medium heat until thick. (about 1 minute)  Remove from heat and  completely cool. (about 30 minutes)

Beat 4 egg whites and cream tarter at medium then high speed with a heavy duty mixer, using whisk attachments until foamy.  Gradually add the cup of sugar and beat until glossy and has stiff peaks.
Beat in vanilla and salt.

Spread over cooled pie making sure you seal all the edges so the meringue doesn't get weepy. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.  If you can stand it, completely cool.  If you like cold pie, you can refrigerate.  Enjoy.


I have been asked about what recipe I use to make pie crust. 

Here is the link to the pie crust recipe.  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/pie-crust-recipe.html#!   I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOUR IS ALMOST 2 CUPS FOR 6 OUNCES, NOT 1 CUP AS HE STATES.  MAKES A  MUCH BETTER PIE CRUST.  I DO WEIGH IT TO GET THE SIX OUNCES.

There is a video too and it is what I do except I use Martha Stewarts saran wrap instead of a plastic bag.  Easier for me.  I also just add 1/4 cup cold ice water as I don't have a spray bottle and keep forgetting to buy one.

Several of you wanted the following recipe.

 Rhubarb Cream Pie Recipe.

I prebake my pie bottom shell for about 10 to 13 minutes using pie weights on top of  parchment paper to keep the middle from forming a bubble.  Dried beans can also be used on top of parchment paper.

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 T flour
1/2 t nutmeg
2 well beaten eggs
1 T butter
3 cups cut rhubarb
pinch of salt

Blend sugar, flour and nutmeg together.  Add eggs and butter and beat with a fork until smooth.
Pour over Rhubarb and Mix well.   Add to a prebaked pie crust.
Add top crust and then spread a thin layer of milk or cream over top.
Bake 450 oven for 10 minutes and then reduce to 350 oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

And the winner is~~~

You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Gail is the winner.  
 

Congratulations Gail!!!!!

 

 Thanks to those of you who joined us for last week's challenge

I will be sending Gail a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.
 

 You can see Gail's pretty card by clicking here!   She used a pretty sunflower die for her focal point and on top of black card stock, it is stunning.   If you haven't left Gail a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

10 

Timestamp: 2014-05-29 10:54:16 UTC

Challenge #15

 

This is the way the card is folded which allows it to stand up and then fold flat to mail.  it fits in an A2 envelope.

 

This is the back of the card to show you it is cut out and stands above the card.  I hope this makes sense.

 

I am sorry this is so late getting posted, but I have not had a minute to do so.

I will post last weeks winner tomorrow and hopefully will have time to comment on each of the gorgeous entries today.  Spring time is always such a busy time, but with our unseasonable cold weather I am really behind.  How about you???

I fell in love with these Beeline stamps when I was in Florida. (I think Terri is going to order them for her shop)  Each time I saw them, I would look at them again and on my last visit I decide I had to have them.  The owner of the store (The Owl and the Pussy Cat) made me a small template and Judy Studer helped me figure it out.  She is so good at those kind of things.  I can think of so many times I would love to just stick one of these in the mail to someone that I have thought of that day.  Darlene is teaching me to use a swivel knife to cut things out and it is so much faster.  I still need practice, but I am really loving it.  It is so great to have good friends!!

Here is how we did it:

• Start with a paper 7 1/2 inches long x 4 1/4 inches wide
• Stamp sentiment at bottom of cardstock (about 1/8 inch from bottom)
• Stamp image right above sentiment
• Measure 2 1/2 inches from bottom of cardstock 
• Score from Each Side in to as far as the image and stop
• Cut out image above score lines
• Score at 5 inches, 5 3/4 inches and 6 1/2 inches
• Fold 5 inch as a mountain, 5 3/4 as a valley and 6 1/2 inches as a mountain
• Glue bottom of tab on inside of bottom front.

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

You can make 3 cards this week

Below is what you need to do for this week's challenge

• Cut out part of an image so it is standing above card.  Does not have to be a person or a stand up card.  Use your imagination.
• Use card stock for color
• add a sentiment
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Touch Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.joanstouch.com

You will have until next Monday, June 2 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.

A winner will be chosen from a random drawing for week #15 and the winner of the challenge will be announced June 3
 

 

A Day To Remember

 

 

 

 

We are so thankful for our freedom and those who have fought the battles to keep  us that way.

Remember your love ones this Memorial Day!!!

 

 

 

 

What is left after the tree had to be trimmed.

 

One of many trailer loads of branches.

 

 

 

Drained pond :(

 

We have two huge projects we are working on and boy our age is showing. We have a yard full of huge tree limbs and branches that we are cleaning up. We had a tree trimmer come in and cut the stuck branches out of the tree before someone got hurt and he cut everything up in smaller pieces. Now to clear the brush and load up the wood to take to Michigan to our daughter. 

  And, we had to drain our pond (long story). Jon has worked 3 full days on it and now is ready to pull out the lilies and put back the fallen stones. We promised ourselves we would take off on the motorcycle for some fun this long weekend. But, that doesn't look like it is going to happen. I am also planting lots of flowers. We do not have trouble falling to sleep at night.