It’s starting to look a lot like spring in my little corner of Ohio. The grass is getting greener, things are blooming, and the honeybees are even out gathering up some pollen. It was 80`F here on Sunday and sunny, then of course back down in the 50′s on Monday and raining, but that’s Ohio weather for you!

I’ve been enjoying the sunshine today, and I took the camera along so I have some spring photos to share.

First up here’s our dog Emily soaking up the sun and watching to make sure no cats or other little critters get too close to her territory. She can’t stand to be inside once the temperatures go above freezing, if she’s inside she bugs me until I let her out so she can guard the yard.

This robin didn’t seem to care she was there. He posed, so I snapped his pic.

Then this guy was yelling at me from the top of the tree, so I snapped his pic too. I think it’s a blue jay, but I’m not sure?

The bees were busy in any blooms they could find. It was soothing to hear them buzzing!

The daffodils are blooming! I love daffodil blooms! They make me sooooo happy! Here are a couple of my faves. This white one is beautiful.

And I think these double ones are just crazy fun!

I love this time of year!

All images (c) L Gerlach all rights reserved.

The air has been crisp, and a little cooler here for about the last week. I’ve really been enjoying the fall like weather, I just wish we’d get a little rain! Everything here is looking brown and crispy! It does have me in the mood for fall! I’m ready for bonfires, and pumpkin pie.

I hope this weeks Artsy Blogger roundup gets you in the mood for fall too! Check out these links for some fun reading.

Beading Arts
Wool roving for a necklace? Cyndi’s tutorial is finished!

Creative Dreamer
Part b of the cutie Halloween pumpkin… and in next week’s link, the wrap up and pattern!

Cthulhu Fireworm Scarf – Free Crochet Pattern
A fast and easy crocheted scarf for the geek in your life.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Many artists and crafters find it helpful to set goals for their art but do so in different ways. How about you? Do you have any goals or methods for improving in your art?

Jack o Lantern Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls
A fun treat to make for those fall and Halloween parties.

I’m a really big rosemary fan. It’s one of my favorite herbs, I buy at least one rosemary plant every summer. Today I have a shortbread cookie infused with rosemary. I really love the citrusy woodsy flavor the rosemary adds to the shortbread, it’s a wonderful combination.

I got the basic recipe from a friend many years ago, and I’ve changed it a bit through the years and adapted it to my own taste.

I used the star cookie cutter to make these, since I made them last week for a 4th of July party, but you can make them any shape. They’re wonderful for Christmas cookies, since the rosemary gives them a wonderful scent and flavor for the holiday season.

Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large Tablespoon of chopped fresh or dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Blend the butter and sugar together until smooth. Add the vanilla, and the rosemary. Then slowly add the flour until the mixture forms a crumbly ball when you knead it.

Roll the mixture out on a floured board until it’s about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick, and cut into squares or use a cookie cutter to make shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 1o minutes, or until the top just starts to turn a light golden brown.

Remove the cookies from the baking sheet, and let them cool on a cooling rack.

Enjoy!

Cinco de Mayo is coming up this week. I’m planning on having at least one margarita to celebrate the occasion. From recipes to cocktails, and fun ideas for the kids, I have a roundup of Cinco de Mayo party ideas to share with you today.

• Why not let the kids have a good time with a Kid’s Fiesta Party?
• One of my favorite south of the border recipes is Beef and Bean Enchiladas.
• Looking for some Cinco De Mayo recipes? Baked Chipotle Chicken Flautas would be a wonderful addition.
• Fiesta Green Chile and Cheese Bread Puddings puts a fun twist on a traditional dish.
• Looking for some cocktail ideas? How about some Cinco de Mayo cocktail recipes featuring tequila.
• Mexican flag dip will add the perfect finishing touch.
• More ideas for your Mexican Fiesta.

Are you planning a party for Cinco de Mayo?

Do you celebrate Cinco De Mayo at your house? We don’t have a huge celebration here, but we do usually try to head out to our favorite Mexican restaurant, or make a few Mexican favorites here at home. I have a couple new recipes I think I might try for our Cinco De Mayo celebration this year, including this recipe from Mission Foods.

Baked Chipotle Chicken Flautas

Serving Size: 5

Ingredients:

• 2 cups diced cooked chicken breast meat
• 1 (10) ounce can of reduced-fat & sodium cream of chicken soup
• 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 (4) ounce can of diced green chile peppers, undrained
• 1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 10 Mission small flour tortillas
• 2 teaspoons canola oil mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of ground chipotle pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Mix all above ingredients (except flour tortillas, canola oil, and ground chipotle pepper) in a medium-sized saucepan. Heat over medium heat until hot. Remove from heat.
3. Place about 3 tablespoons of the chicken filling along the edge of a tortilla. Roll the tortilla up more tight than loose. Put a toothpick through the middle of the flauta to hold in place. Place on a sprayed large baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the canola oil and ground chipotle pepper.

Lightly brush the flautas with the oil mixture. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool. Remove toothpicks and slice each flauta on the diagonal. Transfer on your favorite fiesta platter, sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with low-fat sour cream and salsa.

I’m a fan of any recipe with cilantro in it. I think I’m a cilantro addict! I can’t wait until I’m snipping it fresh from the garden again in a few weeks.

Today I have a traditional Mexican dish with a cheesy twist to help you celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year. This unique recipe for individual Fiesta Green Chile and Cheese Bread Puddings is created by blending traditional Mexican spices with green chiles, California Monterey Jack and tangy sharp California Cheddar cheese.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always ready for a dish that features cheese!

The recipe is created using a muffin pan to create savory individually portioned bread puddings.  Add fresh guacamole, chips, salsa and a crisp green salad with jicama, or corn and California Cotija cheese to complete your Mexican feast. Can you say yum! Ole!

This recipe was provided courtesy of Real California Milk, you can visit their website for even more great recipes.

Fiesta Green Chile & Cheese Bread Puddings
Makes 12 servings

• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3/4 cup (21/2 ounces) loosely packed coarsely shredded California sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (11/2 ounces) loosely packed coarsely shredded California Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons canned diced green chiles
• 61/2 cups trimmed and cubed (3/4-inch) day-old French or Italian bread

Adjust rack to lower third of oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter 12
(23/4-inch, scant 1/2-cup capacity) muffin tin cups or ramekins.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and cream to blend thoroughly. Mix in the chili powder,salt, cumin and oregano, then mix in the cheeses and chiles. Add the bread; mix thoroughly.

Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin tin cups.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until a knife blade inserted into the centers comes out clean. Cool 5 to 10 minutes. Slide a knife blade around puddings to loosen them; lift out of molds with a small spatula.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

One of my favorite times of the year is strawberry season. I love strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake, strawberry smoothies, and everything else made from fresh strawberries, yum! This time of year the strawberries are loaded with flavor, and by the end of May will be ripening in my backyard garden.

Football star Drew Brees just returned from  a USO tour to visit with the troops. Besides being a famous personality, Drew Brees is a father and family man himself.  He’s teaming up with Walmart to ask families across the country to think about who they would invite if they could save enough money in their Easter shopping to be able to include one more person to dinner.

The best part, is in partnership with Walmart, Drew to share his favorite recipe for Strawberry Pie! What better way is there to stretch your budget and make a fabulous dessert at the same time.

Brees’ Family Strawberry Pie

Ingredients

• 1 Ready-made pie crust

First Layer of filling

• 1 Cup Coconut Milk
• 3 Eggs
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

Second Layer of Filling

• 3 Cups Fresh Strawberries, hulled

Third Layer of Filling

• 1 Cup Fresh Strawberries, smashed or pureed
• 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 3/4 Cup water

Directions

1. In medium saucepan, combine ingredients for first layer. Heat over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken, stirring constantly to avoid curdling. Spread evenly on bottom of pie crust. Allow to cool to room temperature. Arrange fresh whole strawberries, tops down, in even manner on top of first layer. Set aside.
2. In small saucepan, combine ingredients for third layer. Stir well and cook over medium heat until mixture thickens. Spoon evenly over strawberries and refrigerate for at least two hours to chill. Top with (dairy free) whip cream and serve.

Note: All ingredients can be bought at Walmart for unbeatably low prices.

Today I have some spring inspired bouquets and centerpieces for you to check out. When you think of flowers for spring, you immediately think pastels.

This spring, I want to challenge you to think outside the box, and take a look at these beautiful springtime bouquets and centerpieces from Minoo Hersini, Creative Director at Au Ciel Design Studio.

For me nothing says spring like green. These arrangements feature lively yellows, greens, whites and cream colors. Don’t be afraid to switch it up and be unique when you’re planning your spring bouquets!

One thing I love to include in my centerpieces is the unexpected, like fruits and vegetables, or herbs. Don’t forget you can add some of these elements into your spring or Easter arrangements.

Bringing in a little sunshine in a vase can definitely brighten a rainy spring day.

I could see several of these as fabulous Easter table centerpieces, for an Easter brunch.

Hopefully these lovely centerpieces will inspire you with ideas to create your own spring arrangements. You can check out more of Minoo Hersini’s spring decorating ideas at Au Ciel Design Studio.

I made this Easter egg table decoration a couple years ago. It was fairly simple to make, and very low cost. If you don’t mind a little painting, you can make a similar centerpiece for as low as a couple dollars.

I purchased paper mache eggs at a local craft store for a few cents each. The bowl came from a thrift store for less than a dollar. I always have craft paints and paint brushes on hand, so no added cost there.

You can create your own paper mache Easter egg centerpiece for under $5. Check your favorite local or online craft store for paper mache eggs.

Paint the eggs with acrylic paints and let them dry. Use a sponge to dapple a second color of paint over the top, you can even use the sponge to add a third color of paint to your eggs. Touch up your egg masterpieces, then display them in your favorite bowl or Easter basket.

Add some Easter grass under the eggs to add even more color to the display. It would make a fun display for an Easter party, or Easter dinner. You can make several, and use them for your table centerpieces, or to decorate a buffet table.

I absolutely love the Lenox Peeps Easter Collection! My favorite piece is this Lenox PEEPS Easter Basket. Aren’t those Bunny Peeps peeking over the edge sooo cute?
The basket would be fabulous as an Easter table centerpiece, along with this Lenox PEEPS Bunny and Chick Salt & Pepper Set.

Both the Lenox Peeps Basket and the Lenox Peeps Salt and Pepper set are hand painted, and constructed from Lenox fine china. Both also feature 24-carat gold rimming for an extra special touch.

Give your Easter party a whole Peeps theme. Use some Peeps for cupcake toppers, dip a few in chocolate, or make some Peep s’mores for your guests.