A Lovely Way to Add a Touch of Spring to Your Home

A cheerful Wednesday to you, lovely friends! 

Spring isn't quite in full swing around here just yet...

the temps are still on a roller coaster, and it seems like spring is taking her sweet time this year.

However, just because it may not feel like springtime outside on a daily basis quite yet,

that doesn't mean that I can't have a little spring in my home. 

Today I have a lovely, simple recipe that I made up just the other night. 

You see, we have become obsessed with essential oils here in our home. 

My mom has been collecting them for about a year now, and we just love them.

She diffuses a blend every day and changes it up throughout the week for a bit of fun. 

They sure make our home smell delightful and they also have calming and relaxation effects, too.

Last October I shared a similar recipe to the one I'm sharing today. The Warm Autumn Room Spray recipe that I posted was just that...a room spray with a warm, spicy scent, which was perfect for Autumn, Thanksgiving, Christmas and going through Winter. However, I like to make this special for each season, and I don't necessarily want a scent that is warm, spicy and reminds me of trying to get warm and cozy when it's 100 degrees outside. I like citrus, fruity, floral, and lighter scents for the warmer months. So, behold...a lovely spring and summer scented room spray. 

I rummaged through my mom's large collection of little essential oil bottles and

chose orange and jasmine, simply because they smelled so very good to me! 

Surprisingly, when I mixed them together, they smelled just like the 

honeysuckle that we have growing wild and free on our back fence. 

I LOVE that scent and was pleasantly surprised to find that the combination of those

two oils gave me that. 

I love just spritzing a bit of this spray all over the house whenever I walk through. 

It smells so good, you'll want to just cover the entire house with it!

I hope you will make up a bottle of this magical potion!

Wild and Free Honeysuckle Room Spray

Equal parts water and witch hazel

25 drops orange essential oil

10 drops jasmine essential oil

Combine all together in a spray bottle, shake to mix well, and then enjoy the lovely, almost-honeysuckle scent that will fill your home.

Delighting in the Simple Things

There is joy in the simple pleasures. That's for sure. 

Today I would love to share some of the simple things I love with you....

Books. Old-fashioned, real, physical books. Ones whose pages you can turn. When you can feel the book in your hands, smell the bookish scent (yes!!), and write in it, if you wish. I'm a firm believer in real books, not the electronic, modern variety. I don't have a Kindle, a Nook, or any other electronic reader. I don't want one. At one point, I thought I did, though. But I'm so glad I didn't get one; I love the feel of a book in my hands and to actually turn the page is what I love. I am also addicted to the scent of books, especially old ones. And there are few things more lovely to behold than a stack of books on the bedside table, or bookshelves crammed with more books than they can hold.

A "digital book" can't be infused with smells,

can't press flowers in between its pages.

It can't contain spilt tears or coffee stains.

No, only a real book can do those things. 

Teacups. Mugs. Teapots.

These things have my heart. One and all. Over the past several years, I have enjoyed beginning and adding to my collection. I've decided that I like mugs for everyday use. And I like to save teacups for special occasions, as well as use for decoration. Picking up a mug filled with a steaming hot drink is practically perfect in every way. Using a dainty teacup takes me back to the olden days. I love the way it seems to automatically transport you to another era. Teacups are a means of time travel, I'm sure.

Conversation. Real life, in person, face to face conversation. There's nothing like it. We live in a culture in the middle of a communication crisis (read more here). I'm not a big fan of social media and all that has come of the modern technological age that we are consumed by. Yes, there are some things that are good about it, but there's a lot of bad stuff too, and it certainly shouldn't take the place of the real-life connections we were created to need. We need to, daily, enjoy heart to heart, face to face conversation. 

Find joy in the ordinary.

Breathing in fresh air and taking in nature. People don't seem to be outdoors as much as they used to be. Maybe it's because I grew up with a mother who is always outside, enjoying the breeze, taking in some sunlight, listening to the creatures that live out there, but I just really don't understand those who just stay cooped up indoors all day by choice. When I was little, my sister and I, along with our friends, practically lived outdoors. We'd make up silly little games to play, have picnics, run through the sprinkler in the summertime and play in the snow in the wintertime. It was just something we did. But I've noticed people don't do that as much anymore, even kids. I need the fresh air and I crave being in nature. It's good for me...physically, mentally and emotionally. I love being in nature, admiring all of earth's beauty and soaking up her goodness. Studies even show that time outdoors each day is overall good for a person. I'd have to agree.

Music. If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for music. I listen to it constantly, and that's not an exaggeration. I'm an old soul, I guess you could say. I love CDs, physical music you can hold. I have an iPod but have never used iTunes or downloaded digital music once. As I've mentioned before, I'm not impressed by all this "progress" our modern, technological culture has made. Some of the old things do just fine.

Find the beauty in everyday.

Cooking and baking. I love having my hands covered in flour, mixing and folding to make a loaf of homemade bread. The scent of onions and garlic sauteing in olive oil is the scent of heaven. Cooking and baking are healthy habits, I think. Much is gained whilst doing them. Peace, happiness, joy, learning skills, a sense of magic, a touch of the old days and of simple living, a bit of bliss, and a contented heart and spirit, just to name a few.

Writing. I love to write. No, I need to write. Writing has been my thing since I was in elementary school. I didn't know how much I loved it, or that I needed it until I began blogging over five years ago. Since then, it's become one of my greatest joys and pleasures. It's been a journey, and I'm so thankful it's led me to here. Writing is an adventure, and it's one worth embarking on.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

·John Keats·

Knitting, sewing and other crafting endeavors. I began knitting about the same time I began blogging. It wasn't until just last year that I realized how much I love it. To see something as simple as yarn get turned into something beautiful is magical. Sewing is something I've found great pleasure in since I was about 7 or 8 years old. I love sitting down with a few pieces of fabric and some thread, only to end up a bit later with something new. A new creation. Again, magical.

There is beauty in simplicity.

So, friends, I hope you see that there is such joy in simple pleasures. I'd love to hear some of the simple things you love, so please share in the comments ♥

May your day be filled with beautiful blessings found in simple pleasures...

For the Love of Tea

Would you like an adventure now,

 or shall we have our tea first?

~Alice in Wonderland~ 

Joyful greetings to you, lovely friends!

Today's post was especially fun for me to put together. 

I gathered up some of my favorite photos that I've taken of my teacup, teapot and mug collection. 

This is just a small part of all my lovely treasures, and sometime I do wish to share a series of posts about them all. But for now, this is just a wee little taste. 

I hope you will grab your most favorite teacup or mug, 

pour a nice, hot cuppa tea, sit in a cozy chair, 

and join me for a little chat about all things tea.

Are you ready? Good...  

Tea is to the body as 

music is to the soul.

~Earlene Grey~

Though I have admired all things tea since I was a little girl, 

I didn't officially begin my collection until 2015. 

Since then, my collection has grown by leaps and bounds.

I have found my lovely teacup, teapot, and mug family members in many places...

antique shops, yard sales, rummage sales,

gift shops, and more.

Whenever my family and I go on holiday, 

I always try to come back with some little tea treasure...

a handcrafted mug from Vermont,

an Irish shamrock mug from Co. Clare in Ireland, and

Cath Kidston teacups and saucers from Co. Kildare in Ireland.

It's no secret that I love flowers...

whether they are real or simply a pattern on a teacup,

they bring such delight to my heart. 

Floral patterns are among my very favorite. 

However, I have begun branching out and adding other designs to my collection.

For my birthday last year, my family got me a pair of teacups, saucers, dessert plates and a serving platter that beautifully display an Irish thatched roof cottage. You can see a picture of it above. Even before I went to Ireland, I was drawn to the beauty and old-fashionedness of a thatched cottage. 

I also love designs that show any bit of nature and creation, such as birds or butterflies, and even strawberries, or display the beauty of the seasons or holidays. I love having a special teacup to use at a specific time of year or to celebrate a holiday. It just makes it all the more special.

I like to party, and by party, I mean

sit at home and drink tea.

Teacups are truly a thing of beauty for me. 

The same is true of teapot and coffee mugs. 

They speak of simplicity, home, beauty, calm, peace,

loveliness, stillness, comfort, coziness, and charm. 

When you hold a teacup in your hands it is like taking a step back in time. 

Each and every cup, pot or mug has a story to tell. 

Whether it is an antique teacup, a pot from a rummage sale,

or a mug from a faraway land you visited,

they all have stories that are brewed deep within them.

I especially love to ponder think about where that teacup has been. 

Who owned it before me? What did it mean to them? 

 Every time you steep a teabag, you are creating a new story for that cup to hold. 

These little, simple things evoke a sense of wonder if we allow them.

A person without imagination is like

a teabag without water.

~Alan Fletcher~

One of the most anticipated events of the year for me is the annual Teacup and Mug Exchange

hosted by the lovely Stephanie of The Enchanting Rose blog. 

I have participated four times before, and unfortunately last year I had to miss both of her lovely events due to being out of town. This Spring, I am so excited to be able to participate again, as it is always so much fun. 

You get to put together a package with either a teacup or mug for another special lady. 

Getting to pick out that special star of the show is just one bit of the fun...

you also choose favorite teas or coffees, treats, homemade lovelies such as coasters, doilies, bookmarks, mug cozies, and more, as well as whatever other tea time lovelies or other goodies you want to include. You may even swap both a mug AND a teacup, should you fancy that. 

{{I do!!}}

Each time I have participated I have been so surprised by the lovely items that the different ladies have sent me. They are always so generous and every time I'm amazed at the unique items they find! I often sit there wondering where on earth they find some of those things! Such creativity!!

Well, friends, the teapot is empty and this party must come to an end. 

We must do this again, though...and soon, too! 

I had so much fun getting to share a bit of my collection with you today...

I'd love to hear about your own tea collection, so feel free to share in the comments.

By the way, this is my 100th post! Thank you so much for following along and for being such lovely friends! Here's to 100 more, eh?!?!

And if you are interested, the sign-ups for Stephanie's Tea Cup and Mug Exchange are going on right NOW. Simply click the photo below and you will be taken to her blog where you can learn all about it. She is simply a delightful, gracious host, and I know you will have such fun and be greatly blessed by this event. 

May your day be a beauty...

Beauty on St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day, lovely friends!

In celebration of Ireland and St. Patrick, I thought it would be most suitable to share some photographs from my two trips to the beautiful Emerald Isle, along with some favorite quotes about the gorgeous country of Ireland. 

So, pour a cup of tea, settle in, get comfy and let's celebrate Ireland together...

{{ driving down the winding roads of the foggy Wicklow Mountains }}

May green be the grass you walk on,

may blue be the skies above you,

may pure be the joys that surround you,

may true be the hearts that love you.

·An Old Irish Blessing·

{{  Cahir Castle in Tipperary...a delightful spot }}

They say the clouds are lower in Ireland...

I say Ireland is closer to heaven.

·Michael Varls·

{{ a double rainbow we were mesmerized by whilst driving down the motorway }}

Don't miss all the beautiful colors of the rainbow

looking for that pot of gold.

·An Irish Saying·

{{ somewhere between Killarney and Dingle in County Kerry }}

A light heart lives long.

·An Irish Proverb·

{{ the majestic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare }}

A kind word never broke anyone's mouth.

·An Irish Proverb·

{{ the ever so magical and mystical Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland }}

Your feet will bring you where your heart is.

·An Irish Proverb·

{{ looking out on the Irish Sea in Dublin...so blue, marvellous and breathtakingly beautiful }}

May the blessing of light be upon you: light on the outside and light on the inside.
With God’s sunlight shining on you, may your heart glow with warmth like a turf fire that welcomes friends and strangers alike.
May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes like a candle in the window, welcoming the weary traveller.
May the blessing of God’s soft rain be on you, falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul with the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming.
May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you, carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean, sparkling after in the sunlight.
May the blessing of God’s earth be on you and, as you walk the roads, may you always have a kind word for those you meet.
May you understand the strength and power of God in a thunderstorm in winter, the quiet beauty of creation, and the calm of a summer sunset.
And may you come to realize that, insignificant as you may seem in this great universe, you are an important part of God’s plan.
May He watch over you and keep you safe from harm.
·Celtic Thunder, An Irish Blessing·

{{ I got this teacup in a set for my birthday last year. It was made in Arklow, Ireland. }}

{{ my mug and handmade lamb which I got whilst in Ireland }}

A wee fact:

The Irish drink more tea per head

than any other nation in the world.

Just to note: I can attest to that fact. Just spending a little over a month in Ireland it was very obvious that they love their tea...a lot!

{{ wandering secret nature paths in the hills of Wicklow one chilly June morning }}

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind always be at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

·An Irish Blessing·

Happy St. Paddy's Day, dear ones!

Minty Fudge Chocolate Cake

 When Irish eyes are smiling,

sure 'tis like a morn in spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter

 you can hear the angels sing.

When Irish hearts are happy

all the world seems bright and gay,

And when Irish eyes are smiling, 

sure, they steal your heart away.

  

Irish greetings to you, dear friends!

St. Patrick's Day is just a couple days away, 

and I love celebrating this day in a sweet and special way.

A few weeks ago, my mom, sister and I saw The High Kings in concert. My dad was going to go with us, but his work has been crazy busy lately, so unfortunately, he couldn't make it. But oh, was it fun! As the Irish folks would say, we had the craic! I don't think I've ever clapped my hands so much in all my life. Over the last few weeks, I've been reminiscing about our two trips across the Pond to Ireland. Certain things have a nostalgic feel for me and always take me back to the winding roads, green hills, fields of sheep, and countless rainbows of the Emerald Isle. One of those things is music. There are songs that immediately take me back to Ireland every time I hear them. I am taken back to Killarney and the countryside, to the rugged hills of Connemara,  to the beautiful Irish Sea at Howth Head, to our foggy drive through the steep hills in Dingle, and to the small towns and villages that will forever hold a special place in my heart. 

For the last couple of years, we have made a traditional Irish dessert for St. Paddy's Day, but this year, I decided to make a cake that we had several years ago. And most of all, we loved it! It's not Irish in any way, but it does give a slight nod to the land o' green with little specks of green throughout the cake. 

Mint and fudgy chocolate are two flavors that are a match made in heaven! Add in a cloud of whipped cream, and it gets even better. The green sprinkles in the cake batter add a little bit of whimsy, which I think is perfect for a day celebrating St. Patrick and Ireland...as it truly is a magical place.

This recipe is easy peasy, lemon squeezy. I used a box cake mix to make it a quick and easy dessert to put together. Plus, I haven't been able to find a good white cake recipe that is made from scratch. All the ones I've tried are incredibly dense, so if you have a recipe for a light, fluffy, white cake, send it my way! {{smiles}}

Minty Fudge Chocolate Cake

1 box white cake mix, with pudding in the mix

(any ingredients listed on the cake box: egg whites, water, oil)

3/4 tsp. peppermint extract

1/3 cup green jimmies (sprinkles)

1 jar hot fudge (Smucker's is my favorite) 

prepared whipped cream (Cool Whip or heavy cream whipped with sweetener)

chopped Andes mints

Prepare the white cake mix according to the directions on the box. Then gently fold in the peppermint extract and sprinkles. Pour into a prepared 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350*F for about 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Cool completely!!

Gently spread the hot fudge over the cooled cake. Be very careful and gentle; don't use pressure or force.

Using a spoon, spread the whipped cream over the fudge. Sprinkle the chopped Andes mints over the top. 

Chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Slice into pieces, and enjoy!

Store in the fridge.

May your joys be as deep as the ocean,

Your troubles as light as its foam,

And may you find sweet peace of mind

Wherever you may roam.

·An Irish Blessing·

May your day be a beauty!

Sláinte!

Rainy Day Stew

Rain, rain, and some more rain. That's what our February days have been made of. 

These last few weeks, we've seen so much rain. The waterways, streams, and even the river are rising and our ground is sopping wet. I'm a lover of rainy days, though I also do love the sunshine and am craving some right about now. Rainy days invite me to slow down just a bit and savour more deeply the things that I love, one of which is cooking. On those days when the sky is grey, the clouds are heavy and the sound of rain can be heard, I love spending an afternoon in the kitchen. Chopping, sauteing and stirring. I love dishes that cook low and slow, all afternoon into the evening. The house smells divine and makes our house a home. This stew is one of those recipes. Home comforts at their finest, my friends. 

Rainy Day Stew

1/3 cup flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 beef roast, trimmed and cubed

1/2 onion, diced

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

6 ounces tomato paste

5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

4 cups vegetable broth

2 small cartons fresh mushrooms, quartered

Combine the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning in a large baggie. Toss the meat around until all covered in the flour mixture. 

In a Dutch oven, drizzle a bit of olive oil, and heat over medium. Cook the meat in batches and brown on all sides. I was able to do mine in two batches, but yours may be more or less depending on how much meat you have.

Remove the meat from the Dutch oven once browned and place on a plate.

Drizzle a bit more olive oil in the pan, and add the onion and garlic; saute until the onions are translucent and tender. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Combine well.

Return the meat to the Dutch oven and add the potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and vegetable broth. 

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for at least 2 hours.

(You may need to add some water or more vegetable broth to the stew as it cooks. Make sure the meat and veggies are always covered with liquid. If the liquid is too thin after the cooking time, you can thicken it up by whisking together a slurry of cornstarch and water and adding it to the stew. Stir in to combine and simmer for a few minutes after.)

Enjoy! 

Chocolate-Covered-Strawberry Icebox Cake

Seeing as yesterday was Valentine's Day, I began pondering last week what kind of special dessert I wanted to make for the day. Something festive and perhaps red and definitely tasty. I also knew that I wanted something with not much sugar and no dairy. Ah, our favorite icebox cake, it was!

Last Spring I made a similar recipe to this one and we all loved it so much. (Everyone except my dad, as he does not like anything even slightly healthy, nor does he eat homecooking. Yes, you read that right!) When I made it on Tuesday afternoon, I made a few revisions and added vegan dark chocolate chips, because, well, it was going to be Valentine's Day. Oh my, was it heavenly! It really tasted just like a chocolate covered strawberry.

You can add blueberries to this cake if you want a patriotic dessert for Memorial Day or the 4th of July. And you can easily leave off the chocolate, which is how I would normally make it. But I do love to make holidays special and sweet. While this recipe is good anytime of year, I must say that this is one recipe you'll want to tuck away for those hot summer days when you don't want to turn on the oven. 

Enough rambling, let's get on with the recipe, shall we?

Chocolate-Covered-Strawberry Icebox Cake

honey graham crackers

3 cans of coconut cream (not coconut milk and not reduced fat) 

about 2 tbsp. honey

washed and sliced fresh strawberries

1 bag dark chocolate chips, melted (optional)

The night before: 

Put the cans of coconut cream in the fridge overnight. This step is crucial to making whipped cream so you cannot forget this step. 

To make:

Open the cans of coconut cream and carefully drain off the excess liquid. You can save this for another use if you wish. Scoop out the thickened cream into a mixing bowl, and begin beating with your hand mixer until fluffy. Drizzle in about two tablespoons of honey, and continue to beat until incorporated and smooth.

In a 9x13 inch baking pan, place a single layer of graham crackers. Gently spread an even layer of the whipped cream over the crackers. Using an offset spatula makes this step a lot easier and less messy, but a knife works fine too. Then, scatter a layer of strawberries over the cream and finally drizzle with the melted chocolate (if using). Repeat with another layer of crackers, cream, berries and chocolate. Repeat one final time, finishing with a nice, thick drizzle of chocolate. 

(If you are not using chocolate, simply sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs on the top.)

Set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, though overnight is best.  

The next day, simply cut and enjoy! 

Notes:

~You can add blueberries for a patriotic dessert.

~You can leave off the chocolate.

~You can use other flavors of graham crackers.

~You can easily make a chocolate whipped cream by adding a bit of cacao powder, along with the honey.

~Be creative and come up with your own flavor combinations!