Happy Mail!

I love the digital age.  I really do.  I love e-mail, digital cameras, the internet.  Love it.

But there is just something about getting a package in the mail....

I have been waiting for some delicious yarns that I ordered a few weeks ago.  Being one of those instant gratification girls (*gasp*, alas it is true!), I really wish Scottie could just beam my purchases to me.  But, since we are living in the 21st century and not some time in the far future, that just doesn't happen.  *sigh*

So every day, I check my mailbox.  And check it.  Oh yes, and I check it again!  Then today....

I have a parcel box key in my mailbox!  Woohoo!!!  I snatch that key up like it is solid gold and I can't get the parcel box open fast enough to discover....

NOTHING.  Zip. Nada.  My poor little heart drops to my toes.  What kind of cruel joke has my mailman pulled on me?  Did he put the key in my box by mistake?  Did he forget to put my package in the parcel box?  Am I on Candid Camera???

So, heart in my shoes and chin dragging on the ground, I crawl back in my car and head for home.  (No, I don't drive to my mailbox that is half a block from my house.  I was stopping on the way home from work.  I'm not THAT lazy... well, not quite...)

I get home and hubby is standing on the front steps.  I mumble a disheartened hello as I head through the door and into the kitchen to drop off my lunch bag and hang up my coat.  I turn toward the counter and there are... TWO!  Count them, one, two! packages on my cupboard!!!  Hubby had also checked the mail and brought the packages home for me!  *Mwah*

(Unfortunately he is not accustomed to finding parcel box keys in our mailbox and, instead of dropping the key in the drop off box, he put it back in the mailbox for the mailman.  Guess we need to have a wee little chat about that...)

Well, I tore into...er, I mean... I carefully opened the packages (haha!) and lo and behold, my heart sang at the yumminess revealed to me on this dark, rainy afternoon! 

My yarns are now snuggled next to me on my couch where I continue to admire them as I plan their futures.  Aaaaah, the creative possibilities that await me... :D

Thank you, Tamara, of Godiva Yarns 

for these gorgeous fibers!

And Karla, of The Gingko Leaf, for this

delicious first order!



The Flavours of Spring...

As much as I love to eat, I seriously do not like to cook.  Seriously.  However, spring brings out a bit of kitchen love in me - the outdoor kitchen, that is!  Aaaah, there is nothing quite like BBQ season.  And I take it to the max.  Seriously.

I will BBQ just about anything, from traditional hamuburgers and chicken to pizza, garlic bread, and French fries.  Yep, you heard it right.  French fries!

But the thing I love most about these BBQ dinners are the fresh, seasonal veggies.  Absolutely nothing beats produce straight from the garden... well, the local garden market that is!  (Alas, I do not possess a green thumb...)  The fresh produce isn't quite ready yet, but it is getting closer.  And I am always looking for new - and simple - ways to prepare and serve these seasonal goodies.

So, you can imagine how excited I was when one of my co-workers, Mrs. P, shared a homemade salad dressing with me!  Ooh-la-la, it is soooooooo yummy!  And, being of a generous nature, I am going to share it with you!

Homemade Mustard Dressing

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1-3 tsp prepared mustard (to your taste preference)

Freshly ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a jar and let "blend" for about 30 minutes before using.  Refrigerate any leftover dressing.  When using it from the fridge, allow to sit for 20-30 minutes before using.

Salad:

Broccoli spears (I like mine small)

Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered

Finely diced onion (to your taste preference)

Slivered almonds (optional bit of protein)

Add the dressing just before serving and enjoy!

There's an old saying...

... here in New Brunswick. 

"If you don't like the weather, just wait ten minutes."

Well, I was more than happy with the weather on Friday and Saturday, as seen below:

Sun, warm breeze, peeking toes, sandals....

And then, today:

*sigh*  Thank goodness for coffee, yarn, and yes, socks.....

Spring!

What is it about spring that makes my heart sing?  Here are a few things....

1.  So soft, so spring-timey handspun wool from Godiva Yarns
2.  Bare toes and fun nail polish peeking out (looks like I might need a pedi...)
3.  Freshly washed fabrics dancing on the line, just itching to be stitched up into bonnets, buntings, and more
4.  Sweet crocus poking their lovely purple faces through the snow and brown grasses
5.  Pink!  Aaaah, how I love pink... *giggle*

Yes, Spring makes my heart sing!