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Hello Spring!

spring fever quote

Ahhh, yes, hello Spring!
We’ve been seeing hints of your arrival for the past month, but this week especially we knew you were near.

This morning we woke up to beautiful warm sunshine, and it was the perfect start to springtime. All winter I was jealous of the snow in the north. But now? The north can have their snow. I’m happy to take Spring. :)

This little southern town is simply wreathed in dogwoods and Bradford pear trees and azaleas.  It is the most beautiful time of the year here, and I always anticipate all the lovely blossoms everywhere.

There are little bursts of sunshine all over the house, and little touches that say,
“I’m happy spring is here!”

// In the kitchen //

Tulips in silver pitchers – I do the same thing every year, just cheap grocery store tulips in a an elegant thrifted pitcher. I love it so.

spring in the kitchen

 

// Dining Room //

First blooming Dogwood branches! They are my very very favorite springtime blossoms.
I just cannot get enough of them! They are dainty and soft, they are elegant and beautiful, they are unique and dazzling.

spring world

lovely spring

 
// Living Room //

Springtime mantel. It’s done very simply this year, with an oversized chalkboard with my favorite quote at present. It’s something I saw online, and I wish I could remember where, but I knew it must be in our home. Truly, the Gospel is all I have. Without it, I am nothing, and have nothing.

the gospel is all I have

spring mantel with fresh blossoms

 

//  first bouquet //

Zoe is a little flower girl, always bringing in little weeds blooms and blossoms she finds. Then she carefully arranges them in vases and bottles of her choice. I love this about her. I found these two sitting right here on the patio table.

Zoe's first bouquet

 
// gardening //

Perhaps it’s more rightly called, “hopes of gardening” because there is no garden at present.
But, husband buys lots of tomato plants anyway. :)
And I am excited right along with him.
This post has me dreaming and planning… at least in my mind.

young tomatoes

 

// new discoveries //

On one of the first 80 degree days we had, we abandoned the house and spend the whole afternoon outside. It was glorious! Fresh sunshine does wonders for a human soul!

This little guy discovered the water hose, and I spent at least an hour just giggling at him. He was being such a little BOY, turning the hose on his sisters and hearing them shriek, and then he’d had to stop and LAUGH and laugh to himself at how much fun it all was.
Oh goodness, he just melts me in a puddle!

my darling son

hello spring!

spring beauties

// twirl //

There is something about little girls, sunshine, and twirly skirts that speak of innocence and delight, of how the world was meant to be.

One night after supper, when the evenings were getting longer and daylight stayed close to bedtime, Zoe and Olivia were running about the yard. They had chosen matching dresses earlier in the day “Because we want people to think we’re twins!!”. I looked out the window to see them laughing and twirling, arms stretched out wide, spinning until they tumbled, and then back up again, doing it all over.

I was mesmerized. It was so carefree, so uninhibited.
It was living fully in the moment, simply delighted with sunshine and each other and skirts that spin wide.

It was worship.
I want to live like that.

spring twirlers innocent happiness

 

Happy Spring, my friends!

Let yourself be loved of God today, and twirl.
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Posted on

Strawberry Day

strawberry bowl

 

There are few things as old-fashioned and exciting as going to a field, harvesting something (even if you’ve never planted it), and reaping the bounty.

Such was a day last week. It is Strawberry Season in the south, and it is a favorite thing of mine! I called up a few friends and asked if they wanted to make a party out of it. :) Everything is more fun with friends, right?

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I felt like Mother Hen, clucking over my chicks, making sure they didn’t wander too far in the fields, ensuring they were picking only the RED berries, not the pink ones, and please don’t  eat the whole bucket I just picked! But was it ever fun. I felt like a kid again, even though I had three of my own!

There is something that feels so wonderfully old-fashioned about putting up your own goods, whether by canning or by freezing. And these strawberries weren’t even organic, and goodness how much sugar goes into making jam!!

But it was a great day, and I hope my children remember the good times like this. I love to see their wonder over God’s creation, over the earth that He created, their amazement at how things grow… See these things, and worship the Creator, my children.

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Even Hudson quickly learned which ones were ripe and tasty.

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It was 80 degrees, and “soooo hot!!” that they had to take a break in the shade (eating strawberries, of course).

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Such precious little kidders.

Then we returned home with roughly 25 pounds of strawberries, ready to make into jams and things for the winter. And of course, several bowls set out for fresh eating and cereals and shakes and all sorts of wonderful foods.

The girls were eager helpers. There is sadness for me in that they are growing up so fast, but excitement to see them learn responsibility and housekeeping things as their mother and grandmothers for generations before them.

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[never mind that food on his tray. it’s only a conglomeration of strawberries, eggs, and mixed vegetables. it’s called raidthefrig! or,  i look at it as developing the palette :)]

Whoever knew that a grapefruit spoon is the best way to hull the strawberries? And it’s safer for kids than a knife (*she learned from experience*). I forget who passed on this wondrous information to me..

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Fresh Jam.

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We couldn’t wait for dinner that night. Of course, strawberry shortcake had to be made.

I tried a  new recipe, and we declared it a favorite immediately. It’s very soft and fluffy, just how I like it.

Strawberry Shortcake

[adapted slightly from tastykitchen.com]

FOR THE CAKE:

  • 1-½ cup Flour
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • ¾ teaspoons Salt
  • 2-½ teaspoons Baking Powder
  • ¼ cups Butter, Melted
  • ¾ cups Milk
  • 1 Egg
  • ¼ cups Sugar, to sprinkle upon the top of the cake before baking

FOR THE STRAWBERRIES:

  • 2 pounds Fresh Strawberries
  • ½ cups Sugar

Wash the strawberries, and hull them. Then slice them and put them into a bowl and sprinkle 1/2 cup of sugar over top.  Stir together and put strawberries in the fridge so the sugar can make a juice for the strawberries.

Heat oven to 375 F.  In a mixing bowl, mix all of the cake ingredients (except the last 1/4 cup of sugar) thoroughly with a fork.  Beat vigorously for 30 seconds.

Pour into a greased 9 x 9 baking dish.  Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup sugar if desired. (yes please!) Bake for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.

To serve: cut cake into squares, or into circles (picture below) and slice in half. Layer with cake, berries, and whipped cream. Or, if you’re like my husband, put it in a bowl and cover with milk. :)

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strawberry shortcake

Happy lovely spring day!

~ clarita