Flowers and planting

Another month gone by so fast it seems.   It was nice very warm and windy today.  A thunderstorm late in the evening to water a few plants I set out so far.  I found 8 packs of flowers at Roses dept store for $3.99 an 8 pack.

I purchased this planter, well actually two of them for the same price of the plants. 

Coleus which is so pretty in the summer and just as pretty as flowers with those colorful leaves

These zinnias are going around the lamp post I just pulled weeds from.

I have pots in the ground for other flowers that the critters seem to always get.

I have more to go in.  The mums I purchased last year are in this bed coming back.  I will leave them here.  The other two plants whose name escapes me have come back in the pots in ground also. 

I think I may put some Portulaca or maybe some petunias in the ground here at the rocks to hang over. 

Below pic just before the plantings. The bed in the distance is showing lavender growing.

It's time for some more plantings of Lavender. This one is thick and pretty now but I lost several old plants of it this year, so I need to start some more cuttings.  This stuff grows so fast. 

This little boxwood I have been shaping for a couple seasons.  I have another I am shaping in the pot also. 

I decided to go to Dollar Tree and get some artificial flowers to put in my pots outside.

They will be pretty until it gets too hot and then my seeds in pots will be up and I will just toss these. 

I rather have the harder plastic ones but can't find them at the moment.  

I thought this little arrangement was pretty.  I just took the picture so I could remember how to make it.

Back outdoors, my petunias are up that I leave in the ground year after year. Nothing gets them at the base of this boxwood. So here they stay. 

Hyacinths are coming up with them. The scent is strong in the evenings. 

Getting away from plants at the moment and sharing this cinnamon bread.  It's made with Greek yogurt, I guess you could use any kind.  I think raisins would be good in here too. The baking dish it's in I found at a thrift shop.  I should have cut back the parchment paper but no problem in the oven anyway.  I love baking in this paper.  I just lift the edges of paper right out of the dish. 

I found recipe online and it's a good one. Fast and easy. 

I used parchment as I stated and not a greased loaf pan. 

I also did not put the cinnamon in the batter.  I mixed cinnamon and sugar and sprinkled in between dough scooped in dish. 

I think next time I will use some rum flavoring.  This time no vanilla, I used butter extract. 

I didn't use a hand mixer either.  I mixed the sugar, egg, oil by hand.  

This is the thick dough going into the dish.  I did trim the parchment paper some with scissors before oven. 

Sprinkled cinnamon sugar between and on top of bread.

I am not going to lie; this is so tasty moist and delicious.  I have made this several times. I have used the dough recipe for blueberry bread and any other fruit one may like.

 I made this with frozen blueberries since baking this first loaf.  Frozen blue berries tossed in flour then added to mix. 

Warm with butter and a cup of coffee 

Well, that's it for today. 

Til next time

Betsy

Happy Sunday

Wow, March is zooming by.  We are having some stronger breezes today.  March winds.  Spring not long now.   

Still haven't taken care of my flower beds.  Been chilly most days and I just haven't gotten into the mood for it.  

I did watch the amazing docking this morning watching the Space X crew reach the ISS.  I am so amazed how far space travel has come. The pictures and videos from space are so clear to see.  

Anyway, back to outdoors.   We took a drive to Tappahannock Va. just to get out and have lunch last week.

Found a nice little lunch cafe for us called "To Do" cafe.  My flounder was delicious, and Steve enjoyed his shrimp and other seafood.

 Much more to choose from 

 
Later in the week we decided to do some shopping at a thrift store in Beaverdam Va. and in Montpelier Va. 

We went to two of her shops.  This one is in Beaverdam Va. 

I found some neat things to decorate with

These eggs that I may put on a lighted tree I have.

This sweet pillow cover

I think I may fashion it on a dowel rod to hang

Little wooden eggs for a dollar

Wooden beads

Made in Japan hanging.  It has an opening for flowers which is what I will use it for. 

I couldn't pass it up for $3.00

Outside later in the day.  I planted some carrots

The next day I baked some cinnamon bread from scratch

Made with greek yogurt. 

The flowers I got from Publix last week look so pretty today all opened.

That is it for today.

Have a great week.

Few pics of beach, food and flowers

A Saturday in February we took a ride to Colonial Beach because the weather was nice and a walk on the beach was even better.

The water was so still.  Looked like glass.

Here in the town with a right at the stop sign and we're there.

This past Friday I had lunch with my sister at Three Crosses Distilling Company near where she lives.

Delicious lunch

I love Reuban sandwiches but not in mood for a lot of bread so we both ordered Reuban in a bowl on mashed potatoes.  So good!

Here is the order off of the menu we had

So much food.  The corned beef was plentiful rolled like it was.  Melted cheese on top.  We had our thousand island dressing on the side. 

Flowers on our table

After that some shopping.  I purchased this adorable bar of soap along with some faux flowers

I have been in the mood for more soup lately, so I made this week tuna sandwich and roasted red pepper soup.  I didn't remove the skins after roasting I pureed with them on for extra flavor.  I roasted onions and a garlic clove along with them and then again, I pureed everything together. Addition of heavy cream made it taste even better with some butter. 

Fresh cauliflower steamed with a little onion and vegetable broth.  Chicken broth is good too.  I made it thicker this time.  If I had celery, I would have steamed that too and added to blender to cream everything together. Heavy cream addition after blending made it so good. 

I added some sharp cheese and bacon

Another bowl for husband

Make it as thick or as thin as you like it. 

 A puzzle my daughter in law Miranda gave me for Christmas

I must say this one was challenging

A round wooden puzzle and each piece was different. Some were even bird shapes and animal shapes.

I finished and now to figure out how to frame it or display it. 

Love this arrangement of flowers placed in Candelabra at the gift shop where I purchased the Bunny soap

Flowers I rec'd for anniversary on February 5th

have dried so pretty in the vase. 

The buds went from this

to this

and this

Sometimes I just place the buds in a basket or bowl and sprinkle some rose oil on them to scent

Bye for now