Happy St. Patrick's Day

When I saw this recipe in the February/March 2011 Cook's Country I knew I had to make it.  My husband enjoys mint chocolate chip ice cream so I thought this cake would be perfect for our anniversary.  Bob had planned to take me out to dinner yesterday so I made it today.

Strawberry Clip

I had some fun last week with a friend making some strawberry hairclips from here:  Sew Homegrown Strawberry-shortclip.  They turned out berry cute.   I am hoping to do some sewing and organizing in my "free" time this week (the bookshelf in the background needs attention).  We also need to get back to working on the laundry room.  Since today is my anniversary (15 years!!!) I think we're going out to dinner instead of working on our house project.

Johnsonville House Party

It was a busy day with a basketball tournament, some consignment shopping and a Johnsonville Sausage House Party with 39 people...I guess 40 if you count the baby.  A house full of people and wonderful food.  With the helping hands of a couple of friends we were able to enjoy Italian Sausage Rigatoni.  We started the evening with some Johnsonville Snack Sausage and Spicy Sausage Queso.   I was too busy talking and cutting cake to take pictures of our yummy desserts.

I turned my quilt block from last weekend into a pillow for my friend who is anticipating the arrival of a daughter in a couple weeks.  Fortunately, I found the perfect pink for the backing and ruffle in the attic.  I also made some fun bibs.

Laundry Room Paint

The dh has been working to upgrade the software on our household computers this week.  I'm thrilled I'll be able to use the recipe software he bought me a couple of years ago for my birthday.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to paint the laundry room this weekend.  Here's the blue I've chosen.  The green is for the bathroom. 

February Reading

I received this as a Christmas present and didn't know anything about it (I'm out of touch with what book clubs were reading last year).  I put it on my list to read in February and I actually finished this a couple of weeks ago (amazing considering it is 444 pages).  I found myself hoping I'd be stuck in traffic or have to wait for dance class to finish so I could read a few more pages.  There were a few things I didn't appreciate about this novel and therefore will not allow my daughter (12) to read it.  I was disappointed in the ending, but this book made me laugh out loud and cry.  It is fiction and therefore the things I do not like about this book are merely my opinion.  There are thousands of reviews on Amazon and I can agree with both the favorable and the negative.

Firetruck Print Baby Quilt

Our friends were blessed with a new baby a couple of weeks ago.  This is his present made from my stash of firetruck fabric.  There's a bigger version of this in the works for a special fireman in the family.