Strawberry Season

There are strawberries everywhere. I made these chocolate covered jewels to take to some friends for dinner last night...accompanied by ice cream. What a tasty treat and as easy as pie.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

8 washed and dried strawberries

1 ounce semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 Tbsp cream

dash of almond extract

Combine chocolate and cream in a microwave proof dish. Microwave at 50% for about a minute. Watch closely so it doesn't burn. Remove from microwave and stir in almond extract. Let cool for about a minute. Dip strawberries in chocolate and place on parchment or wax paper to cool and harden. Ready to eat in about 10 minutes. Yum!!!

More Spring

Hi! I was wondering what I might blog about today and my eyes lighted on these cheerful little egg bunnies I made quite a few years ago. There is really nothing like having fun little handmade things around your house. I hope you find time in your day to make something with your hands today...maybe it will be a quilt, a new garden or lunch. Whatever it is, remember to delight in the act of creating.

Signs of Spring

I was out for a walk this morning and decided the flowers around my yard needed to find themselves in a spring photo montage. Enjoy!

Another fun thing I've been doing is making a doll from a pattern from a book dated 1938. Go here to see the full story.

Elizabeth Berg

Well, hello there. It is spring and I am finally back to blogging. The daffodils are covering the hillside near my home and the redbuds have just started drawing their purple lines through the forests. This is all fine and dandy, but one of the best things that has happened is I've found a new great author, Elizabeth Berg. I discovered a shelf of her books in my local library. The first book I read was "The Art of Mending" then went to "A Year of Pleasures." She seems to speak so well about emotions in tough situations and how the characters work their way through them with grace. I'm happy to say, that she is a prolific writer so I will have many fine hours of reading. You can go to her website here.

The Ocean

A few weeks ago John and I sold one of our businesses and people kept asking us what we had done to celebrate. Our answer was generally a blank stare. So, I woke up on a Saturday and said "Let's go to the beach." It is a ways away, but there is nothing like the beach, so we went. Maybe the sound of the surf or maybe looking out into the vast expanse of water, I always feel renewed.

Good Bye Java Java

After much thought and some anguish, we have closed Java Java, one of the most beautiful coffee shops in Charlottesville. We met many great people, both customers and staff. A lot of intersting things happened there...books were written, tests were studied for, friends were met and great coffee, tea and conversation were served up. Here are some pictures and a fond farewell.

Looking Forward to Warm Weather

It is really cold today, but tomorrow is supposed to be nearly 60 degrees. I can't wait. I thought I'd post this image of these beautiful birds to remind everyone that warmer weather is ahead.