The Mint Needle

Orthodox Easter is this Sunday which means it truly is a Good Friday for us. Every year I take a million pictures of our Easter eggs and I just had to share our beauties! Thanks to my sister for getting us the lovely & ornate egg wraps. My girls said that we should keep them forever!......And if it were up to me, we would:) Every year after coloring our eggs, the dye stays out for hours. The girls tie-dye their white under clothes and a couple shirts along with hairbands & hand towels. When we no-longer have 'our' whites available....we go to daddy's reserve of white tank tops:) Gotta love my husband! Happy Trails till next time:)  

For the love of all things blue....... What's more perfect for Spring than a blue handbag? What do you think? Something bright & colorful to update your accessories. Sure...why not? So let's get started! Making your own patterns could be a little tricky. But, I think you'll have fun with this one. I start all my patterns by sketching on plain, old tissue paper. At that price, mistakes are always okay. I folded the tissue paper in half twice and measured 8 1/4 inches out at the top, 5.5 inches out at the bottom, & 9inches for depth. (I fold it half twice in case it tears.) I connected them with soft arches to create the sides. When cut and unfolded, I was left with a wide bag pattern with a raised point in the center. This allows me to create pleats that will leave a soft, continuous arch. I cut my material & pinned the pleats in place.  I didn't want to sew them because I used a corduroy fabric. (Folds loo...

Now, I know this isn't the season for granny smith apple recipes, but I had to share this one. This tasty & moist apple cake is packed with flavor! The recipe is going to take you on a whirlwind just by the measurements used. But..... I pass it onto you, the way I received it....... so here we go!!! Apple Cake Take 8 (small) granny smith apples, peel and grate. It's easier if you peel all of them first and let them soak in lemon water before grating so they don't turn dark. Add 7 espresso size cups of sugar to your grated apples. Mix together & set aside until the apples let out their juice (about a 1/2 hour) Then add 7 espresso cups of flour 1 espresso cup of vegetable oil 1 cup of raisins 1 teaspoon of baking soda & 1 cup of grated or chopped walnuts (Add the zest of 1 lemon if desired) Mix it all together:) I used non-stick spray on a 9x13 pan Bake at 325 until golden brown & your toothpick com...

Today, I became inspired by my daughter's preschool Easter party, I just had to post...... The room was packed with pastels......bunny ears, cotton tails, jelly beans, & foam crafts. The kids were full of smiles! Two things that let us know Easter's almost here! Malted milk chocolate eggs &......... blue peeps of course......:) Hope everyone's getting their baskets ready;)

Succulents are amazing plants. We know they hold water in their leaves, stems, & roots for a long period of time & have the ability to withstand heat & droughts. Our most common are the 'hen & chick' plants, aloe vera, & cactus.  But today, I wanted to show you two succulents that found retreat in our home that are a must have. They are beautiful and we call them our 'green waterfalls'. I love the way they look and bring warmth to a mess below.....;) String of Pearls String of Bananas <>   </> These two delights have a place right above our kitchen sink where they get plenty of light & steam. There have been many days when I've checked the soil & it's been completely dried out. (But the plants still look amazing.)  They both have the ability to flower but I haven't gotten to enjoy it yet. I was told that the string of bananas have a cinnamon smell when they bloom. I can't ...

Today I'm going to spread my joy & inspiration:)  Light It's magic. Fearless The ability to move ahead without looking back. Loyalty A new friend. Outlook Remember to see it from her perspective. Humble To be it, is a genuine thing. Friendship & Cooperation Sisterhood at its best:) Painting Nature Taking what surrounds us & adding our own mark. Purity For the things we cannot see but can feel. To Build To have an idea & learn to grasp it. Happiness & Strength enough said....... Hoping it's an inspiring day to all! Happy Trails:)

One of the greatest things about having little girls is that a part of me gets to stay young. From watching them play school to house & dress-up, everyday is a new adventure. I wanted to share with you a great project for spring. It inspired our girls to pretend they were fairies under a ribbon of flowers.  Be it for a party or bedroom, this super long fairy garland is a sure try for anyone. I think that you will really enjoy this fast, simple, & inexpensive project. You will need 5 pieces of 9x12 felt, ribbon (uncut), pipe cleaners, wire cutters, a marker, & a good pair of shears. I used classic rainbow felt that was made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Hip, hip, hooray! And at less than a dollar a piece, who can beat that? Divide your 9x12 felt into 2 inch sections. Then from those, take 2 and cut them in half again, like the picture below.  These 4 pieces will cre...