The temperatures are warming up, the skies are blue and the sun is shining.  I love, love, love springtime.  The grass is growing and flowers are starting to bloom; momma cows are bellowing for their calves who are running and kicking up their heels across the pasture.

As I was walking down to the barn this morning, I saw my first frog of the season also.

I assume it was a “she” given her big old belly, likely full of eggs.  I picked her up and took her down by the creek (safer than in the driveway).  On my way back up the hill, I noticed lizards out sunning on the rocks.  What an absolutely beautiful scene with the creek trickling by, birds chirping, cows mooing, and my horses nickering at me to hurry up!  All I could do was take a deep breath of the fresh air and thank our God above for His beautiful creation, and the promise of life that each spring brings.  As written in Song of Solomon 2:11-12, “See, The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.”  Yes, springtime brings with it a sense that all will be well again.  Our God is so very good!

Soon Mother’s Day will be upon us… this year is flying by!  Today’s project is another one to prompt some planning in that regard.  So, let’s get on with it!

Springtime Means Mom-Time with Floral Essence and Strong & Beautiful

Let’s get INKY!!

Card Recipe:

Let’s make it!

Card Front:

Colors and Measurements:

Card Base: Blackberry Bliss cut at 4 1/4″ x 11″.   Score at 5 1/2″ and fold in half.

Mat 1:  Perennial Essence DSP 4″ x 4″

Mat 2:  Blackberry Bliss CS 3″x 3″

Mat 3: Petal Pink CS 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″

Flowers: Scraps of Blackberry Bliss

 

Card Inside:

Petal Pink cut at 5 3/8″ x 4″

Directions:

• Using the Ornate Borders Edgelits, place the die on the right front edge of the card base and run through a Big Shot, creating the floral border.
• Adhere the Perennial Essence DSP mat to the card front centering it vertically and evenly from the left edge of the card.
•  Using a strip of Whisper White CS and the lace Edgelit from Ornate Borders, run through Big Shot and adhere “lace” to card front between the DSP and floral-cut border.
• Stamp the front sentiment from stamp set “Strong and Beautiful” in Blackberry Bliss ink to the Petal Pink Mat 3.
• Center and adhere to Blackberry Bliss Mat 2.
• Adhere sentiment stack to the center of the DSP.
• Cut 2 flowers using the Small Bloom Punch and place where you like on card front, finishing each with a small pearl center.
• Stamp the inside sentiment, also from “Strong And Beautiful”, on the inside Petal Pink panel and adhere to the inside of the card, making sure that it extends underneath the floral-cut border.

A quick and easy card that looks quite elegant with the die-cut border and lace!

Take some time today to be thankful for all that you have.  Spring is here and God is Good.  I believe the virus troubles amongst us will soon be behind us…let’s keep looking UP!

And last but not least, I do believe I promised my most requested recipe over the last 30-some years.  It came from my sister-in-law; where she got it, I have no idea but it’s been a staple recipe in my household for many years.

It’s unassuming name is “Spaghetti Salad”; however, a doctor I formerly worked for gave it the name “Death Breath Salad” – referencing the large amount of garlic in it.  It’s probably not first-date fare for that reason, but if you make it to a second date and you both like garlic…it’s appropriate for every date thereafter!!!

Spaghetti Salad:

3/4 cup vegetable oil

5-6 whole cloves of garlic

12 oz. angel hair spaghetti noodles

2 packages dry-mix Ranch Dressing Mix

2 tomatoes, chopped

2 bunches green onions, chopped

1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, cubed

Directions:

Place vegetable oil and garlic cloves in blender and blend until fully combined.

Boil noodles x 4 minutes, removing from heat and immediately running under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Place chopped tomatoes, green onions, and cheese in a large bowl and mix into spaghetti noodles.

Empty both packets of dry Ranch Dressing Mix over top of all.

Pour garlic-oil mixture over all and combine well.  It really requires getting your hands in there to mix it really well.

Cover and refrigerate a couple hours before eating to allow flavors to blend.

This salad is intended to be eaten cold, however, my husband prefers to heat it, allowing the cheese to melt.  Any which way, if you like garlic, you can’t go wrong with this mixture!

Product List

Strong & Beautiful Cling Stamp Set [148732] $25.00	Ornate Borders Dies [152724] $34.00	Small Bloom Punch [152316] $0.00
Perennial Essence Designer Series Paper [149100] $11.50	Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [133675] $8.75	Petal Pink 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [146985] $8.75
Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin’ Pad [147092] $7.50	Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] $5.00

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