Spring Fever

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

- Mark Twain

$1 Yarn

I picked up some yarn at the dollar store, really it was only $1 a skein. Now I'm browsing thru my pattern file to find something cute to crochet.

Granola Yum

It's been years since I've made homemade granola. When my family was young and I was home with a half-dozen little kids, I used to make most of their snacks from scratch. It was just easier than piling them all in the car to go to the grocery store. So here is an easy granola recipe made with items you have on hand.

Preheat oven to 350*

In a large bowl stir together:
  6 cups rolled oats (not instant or quick-cooking)
  1 cup bran (I use bran cereal)
  2 cups total of nuts and/or seeds - walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, peanuts,  sunflower seeds, sesame seeds,etc. (you get the idea)
  1 cup dried coconut (optional)

Add in:
  1 cup honey or pure maple syrup, more or less to taste
  1/4 tsp salt
  1 teaspoon cinnamon
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix well, then pour onto 10x15" sheet pan sprayed with cooking spray. Spread out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove from oven when browned, being careful not to let it burn.

Cool, then stir in 1 cup total of any mix-ins you would like:  raisins, banana chips, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, M&M's, peanut butter chips, etc.

Put in sealed container and store in refrigerator.

Spring! Freshen Up

Fresh Flowers

A Spring doormat

My husband found 6 of these chairs and a dropleaf table at a local antique store. Solid oak with beautiful detail.

but the fabric was worn and tired.

We had them recovered in a modern floral for the armchairs and a coordinating stripe on the side chairs. The whole set looks fresh in my breakfast nook.

(sorry for the dark photo, but it shows the fabric color well)

Then I found this fun outdoor fabric marked down from $24/yd to $6/yd! I bought some foam, made a pattern from some left over gift wrap, and whipped up 8 new cushions for my outdoor chairs. They make the inexpensive chairs look almost new.

Here they are nearly finished.

And on the chairs. Nice to add a little color.

Let Your Light Shine!

It's up and it's fabulous! I think it really dresses up the dining room.