Times Are A Changing

Great Reasons To Get Enough Sleep

Learning and memory: It is a known fact that sleep helps the brain to learn and remember through a process called memory consolidation. Sleep helps individuals learn a task and do better on test.
Metabolism and weight: It may not be well known but chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
Safety: When the body does not receive enough sleep the tendency to fall asleep during the daytime is more which could result in falls, mistakes such as in medicine and traffic as well as road accidents.
Mood: Mood swings such as irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate are all results of sleep loss. One is unable to do the things that need to be done  when one is too tired.
Cardiovascular health: Hypertension, increased stress hormone levels and irregular heartbeat have all been linked to serious sleep disorders
Disease: When the body does  not get enough sleep the immune functions that protects our body do not do the job they are to do. It is also thought that getting enough rest and sleep may help fight cancer
.

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Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Easy-Peasy Peanut Butter Dog Treats (makes about 3 dozen)

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup smooth natural or organic peanut butter
1 cup hot water or 1 cup skim milk
Optional: 1 egg (Oscar loves eggs, so I put one in – plus it’s awesome for a shiny coat)

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Mix together the flour and baking powder in a big bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix together the peanut butter and hot water until smooth. Slowly add the dry mixture and mix well. Add a little more water or milk if the dough is too dry, or flour if it’s too wet.
Place onto your counter and roll to 1/4″ thickness.
Cut with a cookie cutter and place on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Let cool, and then let the begging begin!

recipe source here

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my favorite things saturday

1

Colon Cancer Awareness

 

 

March is Colon Cancer Awareness month. About 1 in 20 people in the U.S.  will develop colon cancer at some point in their life. Our family was rocked when my mother in law was diagnosed by colon cancer battled it and lived for 14  years in the end developing cancer again and passing. While genetics and aging are both  risk factors there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself from colon cancer.

 

The #1 thing you can do is get tested for colon cancer. Tests that can find polyps (growths) can be removed before they turn into cancer. The tests can also help find colon cancer cells earlier. The earlier found the more successful the treatment will be. The recommended age for testing is 50 your doctor can give  you more information on this.

 

Diets that are high in vegetable sources, fruits and whole grains have  also been  shown to be helpful in decreased in risk of colon cancer.  It is best to get fiber from food rather than supplements Eat less red meat (beef, pork, or lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats), which have been linked with an increased risk of colon cancer. Regular exercise helps to reduce risk of colon cancer. You can find out more information on eating right and getting exercise at cancer.org/foodandfitness.

 

Overeating and Smoking are two features that increase risk of getting and dying from colon cancer. Heavy drinking has also been lifestyle habits can also lower the risk for many other types of cancer.

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Hotel California Hit #1 in 1977

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key lime cake bars

1/4 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup whole milk

1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 eggs separated

A few small drops of white vinegar

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup fresh key lime juice

1 cup all purpose flour

Extra powdered sugar for dusting the top of the cake

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease an 8 x 8 brownie pan with butter.

Melt the butter and set aside.

In a small pot, combine the milk, condensed milk and granulated sugar until lukewarm.

Using a stand mixer, whip the egg whites and vinegar until stiff peaks form.

In a larger bowl, whisk the egg yolks and the confectioners sugar together until it turns a pale yellow color, about 3 minutes.

Add the melted butter and mix. Next add the lime juice and combine.

Add the milk mixture gradually whisking well each time.

Add the flour and mix well making sure there are no lumps.

Finally fold in the beaten egg whites in 3 stages making sure to get rid of most of the lumps but still try to keep it on the lighter side.

Once all of the egg whites have been mixed in, pour the batter into the prepared pan until about an inch from the top.

Place in the upper part of the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes. The top should be still slightly wobbly when done but you'll see small cracks appear around the edges of the cake. It will continue to firm up as it cools down.

Dust heavily with extra powdered sugar before slicing and serving.

 

The cake is best served at room temperature and will slice better when completely cool. Store in the fridge if you're not going to use it for some time.

 

recipe source here

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Cheerleading Week

These young ladies made a jr high and high school career in cheering on our beloved bulldogs. They were the ones that got us off our seats when we were down and helped us cheer on our teams when we were winning. These young ladies will graduate in just a short period of time. So proud of them as they all had a great personality out of the cheerleading world as well.

Frozen food Day

National Frozen Food Day is always on March 6th. Frozen foods are something that makes my personal life easier to live with. Whether it be summer time, winter or anytime in between my life seems to stay busy. Frozen food helps to serve my family  a nutritious delicious meal.

Frozen foods hit the grocery stores in the early 1930s after Mr. Birdseye himself invented this precious commodity. More than 50 years later, the frozen delights got their own special holiday. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan made the chilly announcement that March 6 is officially Frozen Food Day. He called upon all Americans to "observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities."

Thanks to the frozen food industry, you can (and should ) celebrate Frozen Food Day in true frozen food manner:

• Start your day with by popping a frozen breakfast into the microwave.
• For lunch, select among a wide array of frozen lunch treats.
• Take a trip to the grocery store to buy some frozen food, any will do.
• Dinner: If you are in a hurry, you're in luck. The selection of dinner entrees is seemingly endless.
• Snack time is the perfect time for ......ice cream! of "National Frozen Food Day":

Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 193, designated March 6, 1984, as ``Frozen Food Day'' and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation upon this occasion. In Proclamation #5157, President Ronald Reagan said: "Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 6, 1984, as Frozen Food Day, and I call upon the American people to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities." And, so this became a true National day of recognition and celebration.

National Cheese Doodle Day

National Cheese Doodle Day

It’s National Cheese Doodle Day! Cheese doodles are a snack food made with cornmeal that has been puffed, baked, and coated with cheddar cheese. Morrie Yohai invented the cheese doodle in the 1940s. After serving as a Marine in World War II, he returned to his home in the Bronx and took over the family business—a snack food company called Old London Foods.
During the 1960s, Wise Foods, Inc. acquired the company and cheese doodles became part of the potato chip division. Today, cheese doodles are one of Wise's strongest brands. The company produces over 15 million pounds of cheese doodles each year. That’s enough to fill 36 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
To celebrate National Cheese Doodle Day, pick up a bag of cheese doodles to share with friends!

Cheese doodles have been around since the 1940s and are known by several other names.

• cheese puffs
• cheese curls
• cheese balls
• cheesy puffs
• corn curls
• corn cheese

Cheese doodles come in many different shapes. They can be ball-shaped, curly, straight, or irregularly shaped. Some are even shaped as animals or other objects. Some cheese puffs are puffy while others are crunchy.
Common brands in the United States include Cheetos, Cheez Doodles and Chee-Wees. They are called by something else in other parts of the world.
During the 1960s, Wise Foods, Inc. began producig the cheesy snack. Today, cheese doodles are one of Wise's most popular item. The company produces over 15 million pounds of cheese doodles each year. That’s enough to fill 36 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Surely, there must be a serving or two out there for you.
To celebrate National Cheese Doodle Day, pick up a bag of cheese doodles to share with family, friends and co-workers.

tuna casserole

6 ounces egg noodles, cooked until al dente and drained
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 10 1/2-ounce can of cream of celery soup
1/2 cup milk
2 7-ounce cans tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup diced celery
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped scallions with some green tops
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds
Chopped parsley for garnish



Preheat oven to 425°. Lightly butter a 2-quart casserole and combine the cooked noodles with the salt and minced thyme.  Set aside. In a medium saucepan, mix together the milk and canned soup over medium heat until smooth, stirring constantly.  Gently fold in the tuna, celery, red bell pepper, scallions, mayonnaise and all but 2 tablespoons of the grated cheddar.  Stir until the cheese is melted. Add the cheese sauce to the casserole and mix thoroughly with the noodles.   Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese and the chopped almonds. Bake for about 20 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.  Garnish with parsley before serving.

Serves 6

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School Breakfast Week

It’s time to highlight and grow your breakfast program! National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) is March 3-7, 2014.
The NSBW 2014 theme is "Take Time for School Breakfast"
Whether it's traditional breakfast in the cafeteria, breakfast in the classroom, or grab and go, school breakfast can be a real timesaver for families during those busy weekday mornings. Use the 2014 NSBW theme to promote your school breakfast program by spreading the word to parents and students that school breakfast is convenient, healthy, and a real timesaver!


When I started school in early 1970s there was no school breakfast. Before long though it was offered and was setup as a system where there were days of hot breakfast and cold breakfast days. By the time I reached highschool it was setup grab n go style get what you wanted with several different choices.

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Celebrate National Pound Cake Day with Delicious Recipe

Strawberry Pound Cake Dessert

 

 

Ingredients:
For the pound cake:

• 1 cup of butter
• 6 eggs
• 3 cups of white sugar
• 3 cups of white flour
• 1 pint of heavy whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp of vanilla

For the whipped cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the strawberry glaze:

• 2 pounds (32 oz.) fresh strawberries, stems removed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon corn starch

Directions:
For the pound cake:
Preheat your oven to 350 °F; grease and flour a loaf pan (9″ X 5″ X 3″).
With an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy.
Add the flour one half cup at a time along with a little cream and keep on mixing until you have incorporated all of the flour. Mix in the vanilla.
Pour into your prepared loaf pan.Bake for 50 minutes or until the cake has risen, has a golden crust and when you check it with a toothpick, the pick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool standing upright in the pan for 15 minutes. Then turn the pan on its side and gently tip it to coax the cake out. Stand the cake back upright and let it cool completely.

For the whipped cream:
Whip cream until almost stiff.
Add sugar and vanilla, beating until cream holds peaks.

For the strawberry glaze:
Combine water, strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a large saucepan on high heat. Stir thoroughly while bringing it up to a boil.
After the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat to low, and allow to cook for up to ten minutes, occasionally stirring throughout. As the strawberries soften, use a wooden spoon to break them in pieces to release the flavors from the strawberries.
Whisk the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Pour into the simmering pan of strawberry juice. Increase heat to high, and continue to whisk the mixture until it thickens into a glaze (approximately 3-5 minutes).
Remove glaze from heat, and pour into separate bowl to cool down. Once the glaze has reached room temperature, place in refrigerator until it is chilled.

Assembly:
Cut or tear pound cake into small pieces.  Layer 1/3 each of the cake, then strawberry glaze, and then whipped topping in bowl.  Repeat two more times.  Top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with fresh strawberries.

recipe source  here

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Taco Surprise

1 16 oz. container sour cream 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese taco seasoning cooked hamburger, drained and seasoned Desired toppings: lettuce cheddar cheese tomatoes olives green onions tortilla chips   Take container of sour cream and mix together with cream cheese. Add taco seasoning to taste. Spread in bottom of casserole dish and refrigerate. After mixture has set up, layer cooked and seasoned hamburger, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, olives and green onions, as desired. Use tortilla chips to dip. shared at In and Out of the Kitchen

Mardi Gras and a recipe

Mardi Gras as we all know is a large party that is celebrated in grand style. It is also the day of Fat Tuesday which is the final day before the season of Lent which begins the next day  on Ash Wednesday. The Catholic Church does not hold status with the celebration but it is a custom with many Catholic countries to mark the day with parties and feasting on foods many of which will be left without during the fast of Lent.

Pre-lenten balls and parties were enjoyed by the French of New Orleans as early as the 1700s. Banned by the Spanish in the late 1700s, the celebrations weren't reinstated until 1823, 20 years after the United States assumed ownership. By 1827, the masked balls became legal and the first documented parade took place in the streets.
Mardi Gras, which means "Fat Tuesday," always takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday. Carnival season runs from January 6 -- Twelfth Night -- to Mardi Gras Day.
Red Beans and Rice

• 2 cans red kidney beans, (15 ounces each)
• 3 slices bacon
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 small bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions, with tops
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 jar (2 oz) chopped pimiento
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 pound Polish sausage, sliced, if desired

 

Fry bacon and crumble into kidney beans. Saute vegetables in the bacon drippings. Cook until vegetables are wilted. Add beans and remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve over rice.
Serves 4.

 

Happy Fat Tuesday

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Readers here know how fond I am of New Orleans. Each time I've been down there I have enjoyed the rich culture and fun traditions. It is sad to see how much has changed down there, but the spirit certainly remains the same.

I have long celebrated Mardi Gras Chicago style, which of course means fried chicken, red beans and rice, any form of king cake I can get my hands on.

 

 

This photo is from my Southern Heritage Celebrations. They have two different menus for MG, though this one features mainly desserts. Look at those wonderful cream puffs died green, yellow and purple.

 

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Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the final day of celebration and is traditionally viewed as a day of repentance before the season of Lent. It is a season of cleansing full of abstention and self sacrifice

 The concept behind this practice is found in 1 Corinthians 9:27

Originating during the middle ages Shrove Tuesday would see big feast and include food items such as meat, fats, eggs, milk and fish which are restricted during Lent. The feast in the early days was to eliminate the risk of food wasting and going bad. Pancakes became a tradition as a way to use as much milk, fats and eggs as possible before Ash Wednesday.

In England Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day where pancake day races take place. Eastern Europe celebrate carnival where  people in large masks parade around and play jokes. The  day is often filled with eating, drinking, fortune telling and practical jokes. In New Orleans and Rio de Janiero will see carnival style atmosphere where goers wear flamboyant and elaborate masks and costumes Rio will host a parade of multi colored feathers with dancers dressed in costumes of feathers all dancing the samba. New Orleans will host a parade with grand floats and giant effigies of eccentric characters.  Both will see a time of drinking, dancing, practical jokes an humorous street play.

Pancake recipe and to find more great recipes check here

• 225g / 8 oz plain flour or all-purpose flour
• Pinch salt
• 2 large, fresh eggs
• 600ml / 2½ cups milk
• 2 tsp melted butter plus extra melted butter for cooking

Preparation:

Makes 12 pancakes

• Sieve the flour into a large baking bowl, add the salt. Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the eggs. Beat well until smooth and lump free.
• Add half the milk and the 2 tsp of butter, beat well. Add the remaining milk and stir.
• Leave the batter to rest for 15 minutes.
• Lightly grease a pancake pan or frying pan with a little melted butter. Heat until very hot and add a ladleful of batter so it evenly and thinly coats the base of the pan. Cook until set and lightly golden.
• Using a spatula or if you are really brave try tossing the pancake in the air,  and cook on the other side for approx 30 seconds.
• Slip the pancake from the pan onto a warm plate. Cover the plate with a tea cloth and keep warm.. Continue as above until all the batter is used up.

To Serve

On Pancake Day, pancakes are traditionally eaten sprinkled with sugar and a squeeze of lemon. However, serve as you like with jam, Golden Syrup, honey, chocolate spread; whatever takes your fancy.

Old Man Winter

National Anthem Day

The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States of America. It was written by Francis Scott Key. National Anthem Day celebrates  this song, and the rich history behind its creation. The song officially became our national anthem on March 3, 1931.

     
Celebrate today by proudly flying the flag. Also listen to and sing the Star-Spangled Banner.

      Key wrote the song as he was detained as a prisoner of war during the war of 1812. As the bombardment of a small fort on the new America was taking place he watched to see if the flag of America was still flying over  Fort McHenry. The song The Star Spangled Banner was written on September 14 but was celebrated March 3rd the day that Congress made it the national Anthem;

Cold Cuts Day

Cold Cuts Day is the day upon which anything and everything related to cold cut meats are celebrated. Noboday really knows where the celebration of such an essential part of the human diet (and fridge essential stocks!) came from, but frankly, it’s as good an excuse as any to get down with the Joey from Friends philosophy on life and yell, “nobody touches my food”! Folks, prepare your pants, it’s time to eat!
Cold cuts come in many shapes and forms whether it’s leftover ham, turkey or chicken, deli sliced pastrami, salami, chorizo, sausage or corned beef. The key to truly celebrating National Cold Cuts Day in style is lashings and lashings of cold cuts, freshly baked bread, salad and a creative flurry in the kitchen. Whack any cold cut you can find on the bread, top it with salad and a drizzle of oil, and tuck in!

fresh hoagie rolls
sliced salami
sliced ham
sliced provolone cheese
softened butter
pepperoncini peppers (optional)
Olive Sauce (recipe follows)

Preheat George Foreman grill. Slice rolls lengthwise to open, leaving hinge. Layer salami, ham, and provolone inside rolls. Spread butter on first half. Grill in Foreman til golden brown. Spread butter on other half. Grill til cheese is melted. Open and top with peppers (if using) and spread with olive sauce. Serve immediately.

Olive Sauce

• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 black olives, sliced
• 2 T sliced green olives, sliced
• black pepper to taste
• splash vinegar to taste (optional)

1. In a small bowl, mix ingredients. Refrigerate til needed.

recipe source here

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Pulaski day

Casimir Pulaski day is celebrated in many school districts as a day out of school. But many of us do not know who he is so I thought I would share

Kazimierz Michał Wacław Wiktor Pułaski
 March 6, 1745^[1] – October 11, 1779) was a Polish nobleman, soldier and military commander who has been called "the father of the American cavalry"

Born in Warsaw and following in his father's footsteps he became interested in politics at an early age and soon became involved in the military and the revolutionary affairs in Poland (the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth). Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought against Russian domination of the Commonwealth. When this uprising failed, he was driven into exile. Following a recommendation by Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski emigrated to North America to help in the cause of the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself throughout the revolution, most notably when he saved the life of George Washington. Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army, created the Pulaski Cavalry Legion and reformed the American cavalry as a whole. At the Battle of Savannah, while leading a daring charge against British forces, he was gravely wounded, and died shortly thereafter.
He has been remembered as a hero who fought for independence and freedom both in Poland and in the United States. Numerous places and events are named in his honor, and he is commemorated by many works of art. Pulaski is one of only seven people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship. He never married, and had no descendants. Despite his fame, there have been uncertainties and controversies surrounding both his place and date of birth and burial until recently.

Happy Bonza Bottler Day

Bonza Bottler Day is celebrated once a month when the number of the month coincides  with the number of day of the month. I find this quite fun because while this is a new holiday to me I was born on a Bonza Buttle Day being born on the 9th day of the 9th month. It is an Australian birthed holiday as in Australia when they like something they exclaim "Bonza" which means super, great or fantastic. The word Bottler is slang for something excellent The first Bonza Buttler day was celebrated in 1985 in Greenville South Carolina.

Today is 3-3 take  some time and have some fun. Serve up 3 entrees, 3 drinks, 3 desserts;  3 games, 3 movies, or simply 3 hours of lots of fun with the family

       
Bonza Bottler Day Celebrations
 January 1
February 2
March 3
April 4
May 5
June 6
July 7
August 8
September 9
October 10
November 11
December 12   

Have a Great
Bonza Bottler Day! 

Thank you Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday Karen Karpenter

Happy Birthday Desi Arnaz

Early in the morning here where I live you will be able to find reruns of the I Love Lucy show. Over half a century after the show has been off the air there is a new generation watching the show. Today is the birthday of Desi Arnaz. Because of this I have decided to share a recipe that he would of taken pride in and enjoyed.

Desi Arnaz took pride in his Cuban heritage. This Cubano sandwich originated among cigar workers in Cuba and Florida.

 

 The sandwich calls for Cuban bread but it can be substituted with French or Italian bread. If the bread is a bit crusty on the outside and soft on the inside it would be closer to the traditional baguette.

 

Ham is found in the recipes and whether you use ham that you have prepared, baked and glazed or use a high quality honey ham the ingredient will be awesome

 

A Cuban Sandwich is traditionally pressed together with a press called a plancha. If you have a Panini press, use that. My family and I employed a George Foreman grill. If you have no press of any sort, use a griddle to heat your sandwiches, and warm a cast-iron skillet. You may press down on the top of the sandwiches with the bottom of the hot skillet.

 

 

 

For the Pork Roast (cook this the day before you want to make your sandwiches):

 

Ingredients:

 

1 small onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup key-lime juice
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound pork tenderloin
a small amount of additional extra-virgin olive oil for heating the pork

 

Instructions:

 

In a mortar and pestle push together the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin. Whisk them into the key-lime juice and set the mixture aside.

 

In a small saucepan heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil until it shimmers. Whisk in the citrus mixture, and remove the pan from the heat. Allow it to cool to room temperature.

 

Combine the pork and the marinade in a plastic bag, and allow the pork to marinate for 1 to 2 hours. About 15 minutes before you want to finish the marinating process, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

 

In an ovenproof skillet heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Remove the pork from the marinade (but save the marinade), and brown it as well as you can on all sides. (This won’t be easy because it has been marinated, but you should be able to get some color.)

 

Pour the marinade over the pork, and place the skillet in the preheated oven. Roast the pork for 20 minutes. Remove it from the oven, and put an aluminum-foil tent over it. Let it rest for 1/2 hour; then cool it to room temperature and chill it overnight so that it will be easy to slice the next day.

 

For the Sandwiches:

 

Ingredients:

 

enough Cuban bread for 8 sandwiches, cut into 8 pieces about 6-inches long each (I used long Italian rolls) and sliced in half lengthwise
butter as needed
yellow mustard to taste
1 pound roasted pork tenderloin (see above), cut into very thin slices, plus a little of its juice
thinly sliced dill pickles to taste
3/4 pound sliced ham (homemade or good quality)
1/2 pound thinly sliced Wisconsin or Vermont cheddar (for Lucy) or Swiss (for Desi) cheese

 

 

Butter both inside sides of the bread, and put mustard on one side. Drizzle a little of the pork juice on one side as well.

 

Assemble your sandwiches in this order from bottom to top: pickles, pork, ham, cheese. Put the two halves of the sandwiches together.

 

Heat your pan or grill. Place the sandwiches on it, and press down on them firmly with another surface (the top of your press or another hot pan). Heat until the sandwiches are depressed and the cheese is melted.

 

Serves 8 generously

Daffodils Make A Spring Bouqet

Daffodils are one of my favorite plants and do line my yard. They have been here longer than me as the previous owner planted them. They come up yearly as daffodils are perennial plants. Daffodils leaves arch with leaves that are either strap shaped or cylindrical. The beautiful flower part of the flower is cup shaped with six petals which can be flat, round, or trumpeted. Petals are usually yellow or white. While have seen the cups in shades of yellow, red, orange, green or pink.

I always look forward to the first daffodil as it is also the first sign of spring to me. Many around here call them easter lilies but in truth an easter lily is a bit different. But because daffodils appear around the first of spring before other plants and close to the season of Easter.

The Daffodils and Their Relatives
Daffy down Dilly came up in the cold from the brown mold,
although the March breezes blew keen in her face,
although the white snow lay on many a place

While waiting for the first spring flowers to arrive why not create a bouquet of flowers

One paper egg carton
12 pipe cleaners
24 gauge wire
Buttons
Acrylic paint in your choice of colors
Floral tape
Scissors
Paper clip
Varnish (optional)
Glue (I used wood glue, but regular white glue should do the trick.)

Find a paper egg carton.

Remove the egg carton cups using scissors.(I also cut a few of the triangular parts of the egg carton that are between the cups.)

Cut the egg carton cups into various flower shapes. (I fringed some, made some rounded and others were made into daffodil shapes.)

Paint the cups using acrylic paint. Let dry. Coat with glossy varnish. (This step is not mandatory, but if you want them to be glossy you will need to varnish them.)

Take the end of a paper clip and poke two holes into the back of one of the flowers.

Take 24 gauge wire and pipe cleaner and poke them through the bottom of one of the holes.

If you are going to add one of the triangles to the center instead of the button, weave the pipe cleaner through the other hole.

Glue the triangular shape to the middle of the flower and let dry.

If you are using a button for the center of the flower, place a button on the wire/pipe cleaner.

Forming a loop, bring wire/pipe cleaner through the other hole.

Take floral tape and begin wrapping just beneath the bottom of the flower. I hold the flower in my right hand (I am right-handed) and the tape in my left. I spin the flower with my left finger and thumb until the tape covers the length of the flower. This is a bit tricky at first, but after doing a few you will get the hang of it.

Presto! Your egg carton flower is done. Repeat 12 times and you and you’re on your way to creating some wonderful and whimsical DIY centerpieces!

craft source here 

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