Marching along

March really came in like a lion -  and so did spring today.  Brrr.  It is so cold.

We had one delightfully warm day last Friday and I took advantage of the temperatures (and absence of snow!) to prune the fruit trees and grapevines.  I have some little broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and cherry tomato plants starting under a grow light downstairs.  Steve and I ordered a Mantis tiller that arrived yesterday.  And, I took a garden soil sample to the county extension office yesterday.  We are READY for gardening season - but it is anyone’s guess when anything will get planted.  

We celebrated Tamara's birthday earlier this month.

 

Instead of a traditional cake, she requested a delicious variation of a recipe that Steve has often made called macaroon squares.  In this version, he used a lemon cake mix and raspberry jam and lemon chips (like chocolate chips) that we have only seen at the Amish stores.  Mmmmmmm.  Here is Melanie and Sadie at the celebration.  (Looks like Sadie wants some of that dessert).

Speaking of Amish, I was running low on some items that I typically buy from them so we took a little trip up to Clark, MO a couple of Saturdays back with Sarah, Steven, and Tamara.  We particularly like a store that sells bulk items.  Here are some of what I bought –

Check out these prices:

1 lb. dried pineapple                             2.50

1 lb. unsweetened banana chips           2.25

1 lb. slivered almonds                          5.00

1 lb. pecan meal                                   3.50

1 lb. pumpkin seeds                             3.85

1 lb. unsalted sunflower seeds             2.00

I use the nuts and seeds for my gluten-free granola.  I love the pineapple and bananas for a mid-morning snack.  Not sure what to do with the pecan meal but it sounds promising, doesn’t it?

We had a stake Relief Society training last Thursday and I decided we needed a photo of our presidency.  Here we are: (thanks, Sarah, for snapping the pic)

(l-r)  Lorie Hainsworth (secretary)

 Cindy Layton (president)

me(1st counselor)

Karen Ponder (2nd counselor)

Last Saturday, Steve and I found ourselves with a free afternoon!  We finally put together the Cracker Barrel rocking chair that we purchase through Elise way back in December.  I can’t say it was the easiest assembly but also not the hardest.  We got caught up when the pre-drilled holes did not line up they way they were supposed to. Arg.  But, here is the finished product.  Emily gave me some cute fabric and I will eventually make cushions.