Rabbit Invasion

Two new little babies have come to live at Muddle Manor.

They came into existence last night

and today they have moved right in and made themselves comfortable

sunning themselves on the patio

seeing what's going on outside that window

posing in front of the view of angel's trumpets dripping off the tree.

Yes, I think they'll fit right in.

Have a great day!

Hugs and kisses,

Enjoying the Day

This balmy spring weather has had me out in the yard, playing in the dirt.

I love to see things start their growing and blooming.

Can you see my sewing machine through the

window?

This is looking into my sewing room. I enjoy watching

the birds who visit the feeder and water outside my

window, and it's really nice to have the windows open

right now and listen to their beautiful songs.

I ordered some native plum bushes last year and they seem

to be doing well. We had a lot of these when I was a child and they are a great childhood memory. I only hope these will bear many plums and that they will be as good as those

I remember!

Sweet little violets. These come up and multiply every

year.

The corn has poked its head up in the garden, along with some onions, and tomato plants are starting to settle in as well.

Star jasmine growing in an old bird cage.

The fragrance of this one is heavenly!

This time of year is one of the few times that it's actually pleasant here just to sit outside and enjoy the new growth. (Mosquitos have not yet come out in force to feast on us, and it's not hot yet either.)

Hope you're having a good today and doing something you enjoy!

Hugs and kisses,

Fish on the Table, Cinnamon Rolls, Too!

I made this little table runner last night for our son and sweet daughter-in-law. They are big fans of tropical fish, the ocean...

and pool - the billiard type, that is. So I think this will please them. I hope so!

But, tell the truth, doesn't it look better with this big pile of cinnamon rolls resting atop it?

Or how about if we just take one?

This is a really good recipe for cinnamon rolls if you like them tender and sweet, and the fact that the first part of the process takes place in the bread machine sure makes it a lot easier. Here's the recipe:

CRESCENT, CINNAMON AND KOLACHE ROLLS FOR BREAD MACHINE
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup mashed potatoes (not instant)
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
5 cups flour
1 tablespoon yeast
Put eggs, milk, potatoes and butter in bread machine pan. Then add sugar, salt, flour and yeast on top. Set to dough cycle.
When done in machine, punch down and put in a large buttered bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
After refrigeration:
KOLACHES: Cut in about 30 pieces, let rest an hour. Roll into balls and put on cookie sheet. Flatten and brush with butter. Let rise for half hour. Press down gently in the center and fill with pie filling of your choice. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
CINNAMON ROLLS: Cut in half. Let rest an hour. Roll each half into rectangle about 1/2 inch thck. Spread with melted butter, then with brown sugar and cinnamon to taste. Roll up the long end and cut in pieces about 1 1/2 inches thick. Place on buttered cookie sheet, cover and let rise until double (about 30 minutes). Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.
CRESCENT ROLLS: Cut into about 30 pieces. let rest for an hour. Roll into triangle pieces and roll up, wide side first. Place on buttered cookie sheet. Let rise until double. Brush on egg yolk. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

I made a little survey of the front yard enjoying the evidences of spring growing so happily.

And then,

I made the horrible mistake of looking into the side yard where we had to tear it all up to do plumbing work. Yuck! I have to remind myself to be patient (not one of my favorite things to do). The ground has to dry out before we can begin to move the mounds of dirt (mud) still left, level it out and plant grass.

So, I brought some of the pretty things inside.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think of these things.

There are a lot of things in this world that are true, but they are not pure or honest or just. There are things that are true, but not lovely or of a good report and certainly not with any virtue. It's up to us where we let our mind linger.

I choose to think on good things - flowers and quilts and fabric, my chickens, my dog, my comfortable home, my wonderful family and friends, and most of all Jesus, and the goodness of God.

Hope you have a day full of the things you love most!

Hugs and kisses,

Sewing Room Quilt Finished!

It is a gloomy, rainy day, but I couldn't wait to show you that I have FINALLY finished the little quilt I started for my sewing room so long ago.

I've washed and dried it and it's on the bed, all nice and wrinkly

The mistakes on it are pretty glaring to me, but I like it anyway.

It is chock-full of so many of my favorite things, and that was the whole idea.

I wanted something that I would enjoy seeing every day, and I think this quilt will do it. It makes me smile.

Hope you're having a day full of creativity and fun!

Hugs and kisses,

Yippee! I Love Goodies in the Mail!

Yesterday I got the sweetest package in the mail. Susan of Homespun Quilts had a giveaway last week to mark her one year blogging anniversary. I was so blessed to be the winner of that giveaway, and oh boy, did I ever get some goodies!

Look at this little sweetie.

And better still, look what was inside that little sweetie. :) You know I love chocolate.

But the main event....

Was this beautiful mini-quilt panel that Susan had embroidered with her own design of a set of

babushka dolls, also called matrioshka or matryoshka dolls.

Aren't they gorgeous! I am so impressed with her design and her fine stitching. This is definitely going up on the wall in my sewing room. Thank you so much, Susan.

Spring has left the Houston area today. We are back in winter mode. Of course our winter is not nearly as harsh as many of you deal with in your location, so I won't complain. And we are getting a lot of rain, which we really need. Our little vegetable garden is planted now and this rain will help it grow, which is for sure a good thing!

Hope your day is just what you had in mind!

Hugs and kisses,

Last Night

New, slightly ugly tablecloth?

No......

Look again. Underneath that batting.......

is the quilt I am making for the bed in my sewing room. I worked on it for quite a while last night.

It sort of grew and grew, front and back. Now it's all ready to pin together, put together and start quilting.

Soon.

We're supposed to be getting a bit of a cool front in today. We've already had a spot of showers, and the plants are loving it.

Though it looks pretty pathetic right now, the grass is even starting to grow again to cover up all those bare expanses in the back. Thank God!



Hope you have a day full of good things!

Hugs and kisses,