~leaving you with a touch of early spring

Longing for time to stand still in the days ahead...

as time is treasured with those

 we don't sit with often

we don't squeeze before daytime ends

and meals are not shared

as often as our heart desires

***

Enjoy your week ahead

while I am enjoying my time with family.

I hope to return and share

wonderful memories

and even a few captured through my lens.

Spring is close by~

'For behold, the winter is past,

The rain is over

and gone.

'The flowers have

already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived for pruning

the vines,

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

'The fig tree has ripened its figs,

And the vines in blossom have given forth

their fragrance.

Song 2:11-13 (NASB)

 

~Unexpected Inspiration

Let's hear it ~ I have finally quit pinning

and completed a project!

My Inspiration was gained from this source

on Pinterest.

Source: bhg.com via Karen on Pinterest

I love the old antique umbrella,

but I did not go on the hunt for one with a wooden handle.

The one I found for $5.84 from Dollar General

gives the same effect.

I added tulips, morning glories and hydrangeas.

Most of the items I already had on hand.

The eggs were wired and added for a touch of fun!

Just never know what unexpected welcome

you might get at our front door.

But, one thing for certain I love to make

 our guests feel welcome.

Joining the others for

Inspiration Friday.

Etoufee = a-two-faye

This past weekend our strange February weather resumed to normal.

The old folks might say we had a "cool-snap".

Have you ever heard those words?

Anyhow, perfect time to have a warm bowl of

Shrimp Etoufee

This is such a quick dish to prepare.

Definitely not to be labeled healthy,

 due to the number of cans to be opened.

But very tasty and (heavy).

Quick was what I needed, because the

 three hungry guys needed something "substantial" and fast.

I served the etoufee with garlic bread. 

The serving dish to the left of the bowl was for the bread.

My picture taking had to be fast too,

because they were not waiting around long for me to

change settings on the camera and do any staging.  :)

Shrimp Etoufee

(easy recipe to half)

2 cans  cream of celery soup

2 cans cream of mushroom

2 cans Rotel (I use mild)

1/4-1/2 cup green onion chopped

1 stick butter (unsalted)

2 tsp. garlic

1&1/2 lbs. shrimp (pre-cooked & frozen)

Optional: I added a tsp. of liquid shrimp/crab boil

not necessary because I have prepared with or without

Saute green onion in butter.

Open and place contents of cans in large pot.

Add sauted onions & butter.

Heat until bubbly and add thawed & de-tailed shrimp.

(I run warm water over my shrimp and pull tails off.)

Let simmer on low or place in crock pot on low for about

an 30-60 minutes. (be careful will stick easily)

Serve over rice. 

Hope you enjoy!

~Karen

adding a little SPRING to the step~

The beautiful spring came;

and when Nature resumes her loveliness,

the human soul is apt to revive also.

Harriet Ann Jacobs

the color yellow just does me some good

we've not had much of a cold winter,

but the days have been long & dreary

the body don't seem to do well with those

I've noticed the wonderful forsythia bushes blooming

and adding such brightness to the landscape.

I added some sunny yellow blooms to our foyer table.

Just seems to add some cheer and life.

The lemons add just the touch to

brighten the top of the frig.

Don't take much just a half-dozen lemons

and some stems of forsythia to add

a little spring to the step. :)
~Karen

Linking to:

   

 

Tea Time Anyone?

I've always been an "iced sweet tea" kinda girl.

But, I've matured with age.

Afternoon Tea Anyone?

My mother-in-law told me about the

Blueberry flavored and so...

this afternoon, I enjoyed

a cup of Celestial Blueberry Flavored Tea.

It was so delicious and I encourage you to try it.

(No compensation for sharing this product with you.)

Tea should be taken in solitude.  ~ C.S. Lewis