This week in our house:

We created some delicious goodies to celebrate National Chocolate Chip day. If you want to create magic squares for your bunch then visit our blog annies home and the post Great Time To Make Up Something Yummy:

The week continued on and the rain did as well. With all the rain I started to wonder when planting season would start. I found a great way to plant our  plants without digging in the ground. Using buckets was the answer. To find out more about this inventive way to have a garden check out the post Plant That Garden In A Bucket

If not now soon there will be fruit stands in our area selling strawberries. Strawberries appear early and are one of my favorite fruits. I shared a yummy recipe that included strawberries. Strawberry Salsa recipe can be found at the blog post Strawberry Time and a bit of strawberry

If the rain gets to be too much for you then I have an idea for you. How about having your friends over for a game night?? Whether you play on the porch out of the rain or in the house a game night and snacks to go along with it is a great idea. Read the post Rain Rain go Away we all want to play to find some great ideas and recipes.

The biggest news and one I share with pride is that She hit the ball. Yes, Many of you may remember Princess , and she is now playing ball. Well, last night she hit the ball and I am so very proud of her

That is what has been happening in my neck of the woods. How is your life going?? If you are not busy start living, share and let everyone know how splendid your life is. Join in at Five on Friday

Big News in Summer Ball

SHE HIT THE BALL!!!! Yes, she did and she was so very proud of it. This is her year between t-ball and softball. If you are not ball alert this is the year that you have 5 balls to strike on before you have to hit off the tee Last game she did not do real well, this game she did great!!! SHE HIT THE BALL

Rain, Rain Go Away We all Want To Play

This time of year should find us out chasing lightning bugs, having picnics, or enjoying watching the starts on these late spring nights. The problem is the weather is not cooperating. The rain in this area forces most outside activities to cancel leaving us looking for indoor things to do. Once again the age old game night is perfect in any weather or season. It's a great way to meet new people, have fun with you friends or spend time with family. The best part is if you have the plan of playing board games no one will expect any special decorations. 

Snacks are always a must. While it does take a bit of talent to eat and play but then who doesn't like a snack. Finger foods is the way to go. Whether ones that work well at room temperature or in a slow cooker work best. 

The checkerboard  snack platter is not only cute but easy to make. A plain checkerboard can be found at the dollar store near you. It serves as a great place for serving treats. Use different colored cheeses or other treat to represent the opposing checkers. 

This easy recipe is completed by popping some yummy popcorn and adding in your favorite snacks. M&M's, pretzels or whatever small snack is your favorite. Oh so yummy. and ready for all to share. 

Take some time , think about what you and your guests would consider the perfect snack. Then go ahead, laugh at the rainy day, and have a wonderful get together.

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Ride Your Bike To School or Work Today

Many communities are inviting others to get involved with biking to work and school for the day. I remember a time when biking to school was something that was as natural as going to school. Everyone rode their bike to school The bike stand was filled with bikes instead of just a few. Biking to school is great for you and your health.

Strawberry Time and a bit of Strawberry Salsa

Growing up in a family of farmers from everyone from uncles and aunts, grandparents and so many others working the fields I grew up knowing what hard work was. My father and mother lived in town but often was found in the fields, barns and surroundings helping so many others. Planting the crops and waiting for them to produce is something that a kid looks forward to. One of the first plants to produce in early spring is strawberries. Strawberries are so delicious and can be used in so many different recipes. 

My childhood home, yes in town, had a yard filled with so many plants. My daddy had a strawberry patch he was very proud of. When the weather was right and the berries started to bloom it was warned to not go near the patch. When the time came right daddy would bring some in for the family to share. Now, I do not know a lot about strawberries but this little trivia that should help us all learn a bit more .

Strawberry Trivia Facts

1. Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring.

2. Strawberries are the only fruit with the seeds on the outside.

3. Strawberries are actually a member of the rose family.

4. Strawberries are low fat, low calorie; high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and potassium.

5. In medieval times, strawberries were served at important functions to bring peace & prosperity

As I mentioned strawberries can be used in many ways. From eating them fresh from the strawberry patch as I did as a kid to using them in a great assortment of recipes. Strawberry salsa is a great way to share the berries with many and perfect for a warm spring night. I hope you Enjoy!!!!

1 cup finely chopped strawberries
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled avocado
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeno pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar

Gently mix all  in a medium sized bowl. Serve immediately.  You can make this a couple of hours before serving, but if you let sit too long, it will develop a liquid base.

Serve with cinnamon tortilla chips, or over top of grilled chicken, pork, or fish for a sweet and savory addition to your meal.

Plant that Garden In a Bucket

Great idea for those that love to garden but do not have a lot of space.

For those that live in a home without a yard or an apartment or really any compartment size living area and would love to have a garden. There is a way that this can be done. Bucket gardening is the answer and can be done without a lot of space and is economical as well. 

Any container or bucket will do. They come in many sizes, shapes and colors. The one thing that you must be sure of is that the bucket has never hosted toxic material in it. In other words do not use old paint buckets, buckets that have held building suppies, or any buckets that have held cleaning materials. 

To prepare the bucket use a drill or nail to punch holes in the bottom of the bucket. This will allow for drainage. Another great way to do this is to line the bucket or container with rocks so the bottom few inches allow the bucket to drain.. 

Fill the bucket with soil it is best to use a good blended potting soil that is rich in nutrients. Plant your selected plants in your bucket.

These plants will grow nicely in a bucket container

TOMATOES: Cherry, patio or bush varieties work the best. Place your tomato plant in the center of
the bucket and stake it. Drive a four foot pole several inches into the soil about 3” away from the
stem. Tie the plant loosely to the pole with some type of cloth. One tomato plant per bucket!!!

CUCUMBERS/MELONS/SQUASH: Plant the seeds or plants in the front of your bucket and train
them to grow over the side onto your porch, steps, deck or windowsill.

PEPPERS: Place these bush-like plants on either side of the tomato plant.

POLE BEANS: Plant seeds to the rear of the bucket and train the vines to grow up a string tied to the
edge of the bucket.

To just repeat some of the reasons to consider gardening in buckets or container are:

• the containers are easy to move to allow more sun 
• If you live in an area where soil may be contaminated container gardens make it worry free. Containers are a great way to allow your garden to thrive without having to be planted in soil. Apartment dwellers do not have to worry either as soil can be replaced with potting soil. 
• Consider the fact that if you do not have horizontal space you may have been blessed with vertical space. Get creative with your garden and consider places that others may not

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originally shared here on my blog annies home april 24

Great Time To Make Up Something Yummy

National Chocolate Chip Day

When: Always on May 15th

National Chocolate Chip Day celebrates and enjoys sweet, tasty chocolate chips. Chocolate chips are a great invention, and certainly deserve a little recognition. After all, where would chocolate chip cookies, cakes and muffins be without the chocolate chip!?

Chocolate chips are popular in cooking and baking, for a wide variety of breads, cakes, and cookies. There is an almost endless number of recipes. They are also used in decorating. Have you ever had chocolate chip pancakes? How about chocolate chips in trail mix? If you've never had these, then you're leading a sheltered life.

Rare is the leftover chocolate chip. If you don't use the whole bag, you and/or your kids will likely eat them as a snack before they make it to the storage container. 


So often you will find chocolate chips in cookies. This recipe shows that chocolate chips can be used in other great recipes as well They are not just for baking cookies

Marble Squares

Makes 24 squares
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients
• 8 ounce package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.

Butter and flour a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 baking dish.

Combine cream cheese and sugar until well blended. Add egg and mix well. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine margarine, water, and 1/2 cup of the chocolate pieces. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the flour and sugar. Add eggs, sour cream, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.

Pour batter into your prepared pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture over batter. Cut through batter with a knife for marble effect. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup chocolate pieces.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool and then cut into squares.

recipe source here


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Stealing Sunday

Doodley-Do Meme
Stolen from: i take surveys

Doodley-Do Meme

Stolen from: i take surveys

Do you keep notes, drawings or letters that people give you? 

sometimes I do if made by someone like my children or someone I cherish

How many true best friends are present in your life? 

never quite sure about this answer would have to say my children as well as my husband as best friends

Do you currently have a significant other? 

yes been with me for the past 30 years

Would you be able to stand being in the same room as someone you hate? 

there are times that we have to act like adults that does not mean that there won't be eye rolling or whispers occuring

Do you depend on people at all, in any way?

how far does depend go?? I depend on my husband to stay faithful

Have you ever lost a close friend? 

yes I have very sad

Has anybody ever held a grudge against you for a dumb reason? 

its up to them for their reasoning, but yes there have been and still are

Have you ever stayed up late talking to someone you like on the phone or online? 

yes I have

Have you ever felt backstabbed by a close friend? 

yes, so sad how some people treat friendship

Have you ever regretted ignoring anybody? 

yes for later learning something awful had happened or finding out they were really in my corner

Has a friend of yours ever confessed their love to you? 

my boyfriend who has  been my husband for 30 years

Have you written or drawn anything for somebody else? 

write all the time and in the past year have created literary pieces. Food is what I create for everyone now there is not very much talent

Do you tend to hide your emotions from certain people? How do you hide them? 

yes, some individuals are terribly mean, others I simply do not want them to worry about me and yet there are those that I have to look strong and keep going

Do your friends know how to make you smile in tough times?

they try awfully hard whether it works or not is still rough but I do acknowledge them

Could you picture yourself on a reality TV show?

oh my goodness I hope not they are all pretty rough in one way or another

 Are you better at drawing or coloring?

coloring I have lots of practice with my grand-kids

Do you prefer meat or seafood?

I have enjoyed the seafood I have tried and I am a meat lover. I think I would try something new of either

Have you ever read the Bill of Rights / Declaration of Independence? 

yes, in high school had to memorize and recite

Would you rather become a police officer or a firefighter? 

how do I answer this one nephew is police officer and the grand-kids admire their dad as a firefighter. I think I would say police officer