A walk around the yard

I know we're a bit behind everyone else, but Spring is really here!

Here's the proof:







There are even flowers in the creek...

Apple trees in blossom (my view from the kitchen window - almost makes dishes tolerable)...

Love this "bridal veil" something or other....

The hens & chickens are looking good, too.

The ferns & peonies will be coming out of hiding soon!


Can't wait to see this little patch in a month or so!

I love this time of year!

Spring Rainbow

Saturday afternoon we were amazed to discover this beautiful rainbow.

This is the view from the end of our driveway.

I didn't grab the camera in time to catch the 2nd rainbow that appeared right in front of our eyes. This was the 2nd double rainbow that has appeared as we stood watching. Last October was the first (I did get a picture of the Fall double rainbows - here).

Lovely weekend

Nothing beats a weekend lounging around the house...

...snuggling with a kitten...

(Cooper and Pearl have definitely bonded. I think they're whispering secrets here.)

She is a little snuggle bug...

...at least she is, when she isn't busy being an attack kitten, saving us all from Rob's feet.

I must admit I'm pretty smitten...

Can you guess where she sleeps? As if we needed to share our bed with one more!

Speaking of our bed, apparently it makes the best hiding place...

"Did you see me, Momma?"

What a lovely weekend...

Cows

On the way home after work today, we drove by a cow pasture.

This was the excited conversation in the car:

Cooper: "Mommy, LOOK, that cow is climbing over that other cow!!"

Me: "Oh really, I missed it." (I am driving after all)

Cooper: "I didn't know cows played "Over & Under"! "

Brady: "Silly cows."

Cooper: "I can't wait to tell Daddy we saw cows playing today."

Salmon Success

A few simple and delicious smoked salmon creations that were so satisfying that I can't resist sharing...

This is my favorite, mostly because of the capers. The version the boys ate skipped the capers.

Start with this crusty Italian toast.

Mix 1/2 package of cream cheese with about 2 teaspoons of dill until it looks about like this:Spread cream cheese on toasts. Then top with salmon & capers. I used a smoked, cajun salmon for these. This is the salmon I've been buying:

Very similar and even more successful with the boys, was this smoked salmon "pizza"....

Start by rolling out and baking one roll of crescent dough (I like to bake it on parchment paper so I can easily move it onto a cutting board). Using the same cream cheese/dill mixture as above (1/2 package of cream cheese was just enough for one package of crescent dough), spread cream cheese over slightly warm, baked crescent dough. Top with smoked salmon and cooked, semi-cooled peas.

By the time I thought of taking a picture, there was only one lonely piece left. It didn't last much longer after this.

Grocery items (for both):
1 package Italian toast (Panetini brand)

1 package of cream cheese (1/2 package each recipe)

4 teaspoons dill weed (2 each recipe)

Two 4 oz packages of smoked salmon
1 jar capers

1 package of crescent dough

1/4 to 1/2 bag of frozen peas

New family member

On Friday, we welcomed this precious little girl kitten to our family.

She has made herself right at home and already seems very happy here. We're definitely ALL tickled with her and her sweet antics.

She is very curious.....

and playful....

and snuggly....and sleepy.
She's our new baby....
that we still have to name.

A new game

Cooper tried Chess for the first time today. (This neat set of games was a gift from my parents a few years ago. Because of all the little pieces, I had it stored away until this weekend).
Can you see the concentration?!

Aaah, I think he sees a move!

Yes!

Did you notice the Christmas lights on the couch? They were in the boys room around the window until today! Cooper still tried to convince me that they should stay up ("it won't be too long until Christmas again").