Spring is Coming!

How do I know?

Because that first harbinger of spring appeared last weekend - the Home and Garden Show!

We love the Home and Garden Show, but it always costs us money. 

Three years ago we got our counter tops refinished.

Two years ago we got new floors.

Last year we got new pull-out drawers for the kitchen cabinets.

And, this year we went looking for bathroom renovations.  Many dealers are coming to give us estimates over the next few weeks, so no decision for a while.  

But the Home and Garden Show is about much more than just household upgrades.  It's about neat items that you didn't even know you needed.  Things that Abby's husband would call the products of the "hall of scams".  See for yourself.

Your mother - or perhaps your grandmother - had one of these in the 50's or early 60's.  Probably before the hand held mixer became popular.  It makes wonderful froth out of milk and the lightest, fluffiest scrambled eggs you have ever eaten.  I used Mother's until it wore out and fell apart.  Definitely, not a scam.  And, it came in designer colors, so I got the spring green that I am using as an accent in the kitchen.

 

Mitchell wanted another offset spreader - we only have two already - and the very best one comes from Pampered Chef.  Buying at the H&G Show was much easier than attending a party or ordering on line.  And, Lowe's was giving away basting brushes.  So, two more winners!

 

Had not intended to get anything plant-able, but these day lilies spoke to me.  I got a variety of pinks and whites:  one that is darker than Stargazer, a pure white, a medium pink, a double pink and one more - a total of 20 bulbs.  Will definitely have to re-think some of my planting plans to put these in a big swath.

The jury is still out on this item.  It's a dish that you "shred" garlic, ginger, chocolate, cheese or anything else you need to shred.  We've tried Parmesan and it works fine, altho a bit hard to clean.  Will have to try some of the other things.  The idea is that you keep all the juice.  Rachel Ray would approve, but am not sure if I do yet.

Hall of Scams?  This is the one questionable purchase.  While it clearly cleans jewelry beautifully, and I am sure it will work on windows and mirrors, the reason we bought it is that the salesman guaranteed that it can be used to clean fan blades and will leave a static resistant "coating" that will repel dust from the top of the fan blades.  If it really works ... it will be worth three times what we paid.  This remains to be tested.

The mystery item.  I can't tell you what this is because Mitchell plans to give one to our friend James, who reads this blog on occasion.  They try to out-do each other in sending Christmas presents that have mysterious uses, and this will definitely be in James' stocking in December.  But, it's neat and will be put to good use around here.  We got 20 of them.

  So, how about you?  Been to any good Home and Garden Shows yet?

Wednesday Workdays

Altho it's a lovely, sunny day it's still about 10 degrees too cold for comfortable outdoor work.  The mind is willing, but the body says, "What are you thinking??!!"

So, instead I'm enjoying the amaryllis that finally bloomed yesterday - a day too late for the flower party on Monday!

But how can you not love this baby?  

While red and orange are not high on my list of favorite colors, this rich orangy-red or reddish-orange is just gorgeous.  And, it looks wonderful with both my purple kitchen walls and the pale aqua walls in the rest of the house. 

Otherwise, it's that one-dish time of the year.  This weekend it was beef stew.  Nothing special here:  beef, onions, mushrooms, carrots, peas, tomatoes and a bit of roasted red pepper.  And a touch of red vermouth for extra flavor.  I even baked a loaf of bread.  OK, I pulled a frozen loaf out and baked it, but it was fresh and yummy.

Hope you are having a good week.

Flowers in the House

It's a challenge this time of year to get something from the garden.

But the hellebores seldom disappoint.

And, if I am lucky this beauty will be open before the day is out.

 

Life is good!

Be sure to stop by Jane's house and see who else is home today!

Friday This and That...

If you live, well, pretty much any where in the U.S., you already know that this has been a weather week for the books - heat, cold, rain, snow, and just the tiniest bit of near-hurricane winds.  My van got pushed on a four-lane street this morning, so I am hunkered down and not going out again today!

This was Thursday, after it had already visited 90% of the country.

Had a fun lunch yesterday with a bloggy friend - Allyson and her darling son Baby Blue.  We laughed and talked and, perhaps, drank a bit of wine.  There might have been cheesecake involved, too.  It's always so nice to learn that our blogworld friends are just as nice in person!

February is my least favorite month of the year.  I don't understand why it has to be 120 days long.  Just don't.  So, to help get into a better mood, i needed a fancy pedicure.

Mitchell will hate it.  Fortunately, I am living in socks right now, so he may never see it!

And, Sunday I am throwing the world's smallest Super Bowl Party ... for two.  Wings are in the fridge, along with avocados and the makings for more good stuff.  Chill the beer, Somebody, and we will be ready to go!

Happy Groundhog Day!  (I know, tomorrow.)