Beautiful Butterflies

As we get closer to spring and think about all things with a little magic for St. Patrick’s Day, today I thought I would share DIY decorations and crafts featuring butterflies!

Metallic paper butterflies

Woven craft stick butterfly

Butterfly garden stakes

Butterfly window card

Knit a butterfly blanket

Paper lanterns covered in butterflies

Butterfly and white grape vine wreath

Felt finger butterflies

Butterfly quilt and pillow

Heart of butterflies canvas

Detailed butterflies and flowers greeting card

“Big Dreams” butterfly window

Paper butterfly mobile

Butterfly decorated candle holder

Metallic soda can butterfly pin

Nature inspired butterfly (finger puppet)

Crochet butterflies

Quilled butterflies

Tulle and clothespin butterflies

Butterfly bouquet

Butterfly pretzels

What fun butterfly craft and decoration project ideas do you have?

Bringing Nature Indoors

Earth Day was on Monday, and while it’s a celebration and call to action for the world we share and live on, the fact is we do spend a lot of time indoors.  So today I thought I’d share some ways to bring some of nature into our homes, or celebrate nature in our homes.

Go Natural:

Hanging geometric planter

Floral pickup truck planter

Chic twig planter

Hanging, hooked plant holder

Wood hanger with 3 planters

Buttoned plant sling

Plant stand

Wood plant stand

Polka-dotted tiered planter

Chandelier planter

Faceted gem flower pots

Miniature shell-potted succulents

Drawer planters

8 glass bottle vase in a wood frame

Succulent book ends

Nature Inspired:

Cactus pillow

Lily of the valley pillow

Hanging planter string art

Hello daisy card

Spring sensory bottle

Flower wreath

Beautiful day spring wall sign

How are you celebrating and decorating with spring?

A For Asparagus

Something that I enjoy but struggle with cooking is Asparagus.  So as I was looking around for some different recipes I could try (and learning I probably overcook it all the time), I though I’d share them here today.

Asparagus and cheese frittata

Spring tonic quiche

Asparagus strata with sourdough

Creamy risotto with asparagus and peas

Polenta wedges with asparagus and mushrooms

Shaved asparagus salad

Asparagus panzanella

Steamed asparagus

Asparagus mimosas

Asparagus with creamy mustard sauce

Roasted asparagus, lemon and dill

Roasted asparagus with capers and lemons

Asparagus with lemon butter

Roasted sesame asparagus

Steamed asparagus with brown butter and hazelnuts

Asparagus and crab salad

Asparagus and Gruyere tart

Chicken and asparagus rolls

Roasted asparagus with Parmesan

Asparagus greens with farro

Gemelli with asparagus and sausage

Roasted asparagus orange salad

Gingered vegetable tofu stir fry

Chickpea and asparagus salad

Braised vegetable medley

Roasted asparagus, fish and bay leaves

Chicken and asparagus skillet supper

Penne with asparagus and cherry tomatoes

Asparagus soup

Wild mushroom and asparagus risotto

Primavera with prosciutto, asparagus and carrots

What are your favorite ways to cook and eat asparagus?

Eggcited for Easter

Are you ready for Easter tomorrow? Here are some last minute fun activities, crafts and cards you can create today or use to entertain the kids tomorrow.

Cards:

Carrot celebration card

Bright Easter card

Lavender Easter bunny card

Punched Easter bunny card

Crafts:

Egg-painted crate

Bright place setting

Happy Easter chicky goodie bag

Bright Easter tree with chalkboard eggs

Easter carrot centerpiece

Bright Easter mossy bunny

Yarn egg banner

Carrot burlap wall art

Egg wreaths

Pounded grass place mats

Paper Easter baskets

Egg creatures

Slipcover Easter basket

Bunny finger puppets

Easter candy jar

Mini bunny bunting

Paper Easter wreath

Peeps, bunny bunting and door hangers

Egg terrariums

Paint chip Easter garland

Puzzle piece lamb

Styrofoam cup spring hats

Egg bugs

Quilled duck

Paint stick bunnies

Window suncatchers

Cute egg crafts

Scrapbook pages

Games:

Tic tac toe

Egg games

Glowing Easter egg hunt

Kool eggs

How are you celebrating Easter?

Feasts for Easter

Sunday is Easter so today I’ve got lots of recipes for you to try for something new this year!

Bread and Breakfast:

Easter dove bread

Hot cross buns

Easter bread wreath

Spring sweet bread

Italian Easter cheese bread

Amish dinner rolls

Cinnamon bun bites

Yeasted cheese and sour cherry coffee cake

Nutty honey mini rolls

Uber berry muffins

Easter bread bunny brioche

Fritatta with asparagus, tomato and fontina

Oven browns

Dinner:

Easter pie

Salt crusted leg of lamb

Spice rubbed lamb chop with green beans

Roasted ham with cider glaze

Brandy peppercorn honey glazed ham

Baked ham with brown sugar mustard glaze

Orange baked ham

Ham with five spice cherry sauce

Pork loin with parsnips and pears

Beef tenderloin with Parmesan herb stuffing

Brisket with ginger, orange peel and tomato

Greek potatoes with lemon vinaigrette

Marmalade glazed carrots with candied pecans

Feta and dill stuffed artichokes

Carrot and lentil salad

Artichoke flatbread

Risotto with yogurt and peas

Mushroom, barley and roasted asparagus salad

Dessert:

Easter cookie wreaths

Italian Easter cookies

Ricotta pie

Golden mini egg cakes

Chocolate swirl babka

Rhubarb strawberry tart

Triple citrus bundt cake

Lemon ginger bundt cake

Meringue frosted cake with raspberry filling

Lemon ginger mousse and pistachio tuiles

Egg shaped meringue nests

Marshmallow Easter critters

Nesting baby bluebird cupcakes

Chick and egg cupcakes

Lemon macaroon chicks

Cadbury egg desserts

Southern banana pudding

Carrot cake

Mini pineapple cakes

What are you planning on cooking?

Celebrating St. Patrick’s

Next week we’re celebrating St. Patrick’s day again and so today I’ve got recipes to make this St. Patrick’s day special.

Breads:

Irish American soda bread

Limerick soda bread

Pistachio chocolate chip pound cake

Gluten free Irish soda bread muffins

Four leaf clover rolls

Currant orange Irish soda bread

Scones

Dinner:

Irish blue cheese fondue

Colcannon

Smokey cheese potato soup

Beef, mushroom and onion tart

Pan roasted Brussels sprouts

Mustard herb beef stew

Braised greens

Garlicky steamed mussels and littleneck clams with pesto toasts

Wild rice stuffed cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage

Vegetable shepherds pie

Beef potpies with cheddar stout crust

Irish potato cakes

Corned beef and cabbage rolls

Guinness and onion soup with Irish cheddar croutons

Dessert:

Irish cream cupcakes

St. Pats green cupcakes

Chocolate stout cake

Green velvet layer cake

Pistachio cookies

Pistachio shortbread

Lime squares with pistachio graham cracker crust

Lime poke cake

Rum raisin rice pudding

Mint shakes

What are you making for this St. Patrick’s Day?

More for Mom

Tomorrow in the US we’re celebrating Mother’s Day!  If you haven’t gotten a gift yet, or need something fun to do with mom tomorrow, here are some fun ideas!

Gifts and Crafts

Create a canvas of spring flowers

Bejeweled mirror

Polka dot mug

Circles of love t-shirt

Sharpie doodled mug

Mommy and me wood photo plaque

Mother’s day shadow box

Baby girl bracelet

Baby boy bracelet

Mason jar spa

DIY family trees

Iron on tote bag

Say it with flowers

Monogrammed napkin

Even more crafts

Cards:

Felt flower card

Thumbprint card with mommy and me rainbow loom bracelets

Floral card

Glitter flower card

Tissue flower card

Clip art card

Even more cards

What are you gifting the mom in your life this Mother’s Day?

Easter Egg-citement

Easter is tomorrow so in a continuation of last week’s post today I’ve got some fun egg themed ideas and more for your Easter fun!

Fun:

Marbleized plastic eggs

Yarn egg banner

Yarn wrapped wreath

More marbleized egg ideas

Eggshell votives

Egg creatures

Egg games

Wax resistant dyeing

Embossed and glittered egg ideas

Surprise eggs

Masking Easter eggs with stickers and shapes

Stenciled chick Easter egg

Easter baskets and bags

No-dye eggs

Food:

Golden mini egg cakes

Chocolate egg

Easter egg puzzle cookies

Easter egg truffles

Hummingbird cupcakes

What fun are you planning for this Easter?

Ready for Spring

Spring officially arrived yesterday, but in NJ we’ve still got snow.  So I thought we could talk about some fun indoor gardening ideas instead.

Macrame paracord plant

Painted, galvanized succulent garden

Mini fairy garden terrarium

Spring container planting

Tiered plant stand

Miniature plant garden with olive

Buttoned plant sling

Plant watering system

Eggshell flowerpots

Table terrarium project

Wardian cases

Blooming houseplants

Easy houseplants

What ways will you use plants to brighten your home?

Say Yes to Strawberries

Today we’re celebrating the yummy strawberry!

Breads, Bars and Cookies:

Pecan bread

Triple berry cinnamon swirl bread

Strawberry shortbread

Strawberry rhubarb bars

Strawberry muffins

Strawberry scones

Oatmeal bars

Pies and Cakes

Berries and cream cake

Hand pies

Old-fashioned pie

Strawberry filled angle food cake

Strawberry torte

Strawberry shortcakes

Strawberry-chocolate turnovers

Strawberry souffle

Chiffon pie

Sweets and Treats

Syrup and puree

Strawberry jam

Coconut smoothie

Ice cream

Strawberry butter

Strawberry-ginger caipirosca

Strawberry-kiwi jam

What are your favorite things to make with strawberries?