Easter decorations

Here is the house all decked out for Easter. This Easter will be different around here though...Kate won't be coming home since she was just here for Spring break two weeks ago. Our first year without the kids having an egg hunt, the first year the kids won't wake up to find that the Easter Bunny filled their baskets with goodies....where do the years go? I have to say that I've been feeling nostaligic for years past all week. Missing my kids being small. Missing buying Kate an easter dress. Missing Mom....However I realize that although this season of my life may be missing little ones all dressed up in their Easter best and running around searching for eggs....that this time in my life is still special and to be cherished. Soon enough there will be grandchildren to fill baskets for and little heads to place Easter bonnets upon...but for now, the blessings that this Easter will hold will be enough. One of the special things to cherish are my Easter Decorations. Many of these things were either gifts from my Mom or belonged to her. I love the whimsy and charm that is found in a bunny figurine; or eggs in baskets and Easter ornaments dangling sweetly from a wire Easter tree. All of these trinkets and adornments bring me joy. I hope they will for you too.

                                                  Have a wonderful and blessed Easter!

Bloom and grow

The wisteria plant in our backyard is in full bloom. Isn't it spectacular? I think it is just phenominal....and the frangrance?...sweet, sultry and intoxicating.

I love the way the flowers cascade and fall into perfect tail like blooms. I also love the pale shade of lavendar that darkens at the tips of each bloom. BEAUTIFUL.

It was this divine wisteria that inspired me to go to the nursery last week and fill my wagon with flowers and potting soil. (thanks to Kevin for letting me use his Christmas gift card to Home Depot) Here's a look at what I planted.

I love to garden. To me it's another creative outlet. I love to pick out the plants and flowers, and then arrange them in pots or in flower beds so they are pleasing to the eye. I love to put on my orange gardening gloves, grab my small shovel and get my hands into the soil. Someday...SOMEDAY I plan on planting an organic vegetable garden. To me, that will be the ultimate gardening experience. For now though, it's pots and flower beds...I especially love how this pot on my front porch turned out. These big urn/pots were here when we moved in. I put one on either side of the front door. The feeling of warmth and "home" starts before you enter someone's home. Is your porch clean and tidy and welcoming? If not, it is so easy to make it more appealing just by planting a pot with some flowers and puting out a nice mat in front of the door. I also like to hang a wreath on the front door.

"Won't you come in?"

Kyle

..picked up the camera today and grabbed a few quick shots of KYLE.

LOVE THIS KID.

Lily

When Kate was here I got a hold of her camera and down loaded these pics of Lily. She is only 10 weeks old here. Is this not the cutest, sweetest little girl!? I can see where Kate fell immediately in love with this puppy and made the choice to get her.

Sleep tight princess.

More pics of Lily

Here is Lily at approx. 12 weeks old. Her ears are starting to stick up. Is she not the cutest!!!!??

Recipe of the Week: Parmesan Meat Balls (gluten free)

Nothing like waiting until the eleventh hour to post the recipe of the week. It is 7:45 p.m. on Sunday night! However, as the devoted blogger that I am...I am posting yet another recipe for you! This week I'm posting a recipe near and dear to my heart. It is my Mom's recipe for Parmesan Meat Balls. When I was growing up for as long back as I can remember this was by far my FAVORITE dinner that Mom would make. In fact I would request it all the time. This is one of Kyle's very favorite meals as well. The only person in my house that does not like it, is Kate...as she hates mushrooms. I've made it before without mushrooms and it was good that way too...but as a big mushroom lover, I like it far better with the mushrooms. There is something about the combination of the parmesan cheese, the white wine and the mushrooms that make for one fabulous dish. My Mom always served the meatballs over white rice and this is the way I have always made it too. I suppose you could serve it over egg noodles as well though.

Here is what you will need:

1 lb. lean ground beef (I've made this with ground turkey and did not like the results)
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs (health food stores carry gfree crumbs or make your own with gfree bread)
1/2 cup. grated parmesan cheese
1 T. dried chopped onions (or dried onion flakes)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 c. milk
2 T. EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup white wine (I use a dry white wine like a chardonnay. Do not use cooking wine)
1 cup beef broth
1 4 oz can sliced mushrooms
salt and pepper to taste

Combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, milk, dried onion and salt and pepper with the ground beef. (I use my hands to combine just like meat loaf mix). Be sure all the ingrediants are incorporated well.

Next take a small to medium scoop and scoop out a ball of the meat and roll around in your hands until you form a ball. (I use my Pampered Chef medium scoop)

Place the balls onto wax paper as you complete them.

Distributing evenly, pour 2-3 T. of EVOO into a large pan with a tight fitting lid. Brown the balls on all sides.

Once browned, remove to a plate and set aside.

Next, sprinkle the flour into the pan drippings and wisk until the drippings are incorporated into the flour.

Then add the broth and wine and cook and whisk on medium heat until all the flour lumps are out. You may have to use a fork to press out all the lumps. Then, add the canned mushrooms WITH liquid. Stir until well incorporated. You should have a thick sauce.

Next, add the meatballs back to the pan, cover tightly and cook/simmer on LOW for 30 minutes. I like to take the lid off and stir the sauce and meatballs every 5-7 minutes while cooking.

While your meatballs are cooking, prepare white rice. I like to serve the meatballs on top of a bed of rice and usually serve with a green salad or green vegetable.

                                                                       ENJOY!!!!