I Still Remember When Thirty Was Old

I haven't had much computer time lately for a number of reasons - asthma issues with my 6-year-old being the biggest one. As much as my family loves springtime, we always know there's bound to be a new growth/pollen complication or two. Before the problems arrived we did manage to have a lovely day for my birthday - we went to a park an hour north of us and spent the day exploring it's eerily impressive Indian burial mounds. This was followed by a self-guided tour of the Lottie Cooper, one of the only Lake Michigan shipwrecks (or any shipwreck, for that matter) that is on displayed on land. The day was topped off with a stop at the dollar store, where we stocked up on frog-catching nets, beachballs, and cute checkered tea towels. A fine day, indeed!

Are you familiar with that line above from Deanna Carter's song Strawberry Wine? I think about it every birthday...usually with both a smile and tear!

Today's Quote: Dr. Suess

"Be who youare and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

-Dr. Suess

Happy Birthday Susan Branch, Gladys Taber, & Mike!

Today is the birthday of three of my favorite people - Susan Branch, Gladys Taber, and my husband Mike. It was ironic enough when I heard my two favorite authors shared the birth date, but holy cow when I met Mike and found he was born April 12th as well!

Birthday presents should be special and personal, I think. The real test of birthday gift is that it suits the one person, and no one else. Just the right book is better than a diamond bracelet, if you like books. A piece of Mexican glass, or a vase that is right for gladioli, or a plain wooden bowl for salad - these are the kinds of gifts. And a birthday letter is fine.

- Gladys Taber, The Book of Stillmeadow

Puffy Springy Muffins

I made these puffy muffins this weekend for out-of-town guests, and if I had time today I'd make them again and eat them for dinner, on the couch like a lazy bum with some milk and a Madmen episode. That would be just heavenly.

The recipe is from the Pioneer Woman blog.

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
3 cups Flour
3 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg
1 cup Sugar
⅔ cups Shortening (Crisco)
2 whole Eggs
1 cup Milk
1-½ cup Sugar (divided)
3 teaspoons Cinnamon
2 sticks Butter
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups.
In a large bowl stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and shortening. Then add eggs and mix again. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Dip fully in butter to coat all sides, then coat again with cinnamon sugar mixture. MUST be eaten warm to fully appreciate.

The First of April

-The delicate and delicious fragrance of the freesias came in through the door and floated round Mrs. Wilkins's enraptured nostrils. Freesias in London were quite beyond her. Occasionally she went into a shop and asked what they cost, so as just to have an excuse for lifting up a bunch and smelling them, well knowing that it was something awful like a shilling for about three flowers. Here they were everywhere- bursting out of every corner and carpeting the rose-beds. Imagine it - having freesias to pick in armsful if you wanted to, and in your summer frock, and its being only the first of April!

From the book The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

The Season's First Picnic!

We're in for a warm spell here along the lake the next few days - 60s and 70s, which is downright balmy, actually, this being Wisconsin. I have the first picnic of the season planned for Saturday, and I'm going to follow an easy menu suggested in the June 2009 issue of Real Simple magazine. We'll be having goat cheese spread, pasta salad with asparagus and lemon, and oatmeal-raspberry bars. It'll be the first of many picnics this year, but one of the only times we won't have to deal with winged intruders!

Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Lemon

8 ounces (1/2 box) penne (they call for regular, I'm going to try it with whole grain)
1 pound asparagus (ends trimmed), cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup Parmesan pieces (1 ounce)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
kosher salt and black pepper

Cook the pasta according to the package directions and add the asparagus during the last 3 1/2 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and asparagus and rinse under cold water to cool. Transfer to a large bowl.
Add the Parmesan, oil, lemon juice and zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and toss to combine.

Boat on the sea, bird in my tree

I heard this Mason Jennings song yesterday, and it helped along my springish mood (although it mentions summer). If I knew how to put a youtube clip of him singing here I would - learning how is on my agenda for spring break!

Lemon Grove Avenue

If I have my way

I'm never gonna leave lemon grove avenue

Where the summer breeze

Blows through the windows in the afternoon

And all the stars come out at night
And there's a boat out on the sea

And there's a bird up in my tree

And there's a feeling in my heart I can't explain,

I'm coming home, I'm coming home, yeah

Yeah, I'm on my way, I'm on my way