A Lovely Sponge! 😋

I know this was yesterday, but I do love sponge cake and I just started making them.

This was my first attempt, for my DH's birthday last month. 

I totally wasn't paying attention to the recipe and didn't use self rising flour or baking powder. 

Can you tell?! It came out of the oven the same size as it went in!

It wasn't terrible, but it definitely could have been better.

I

Then I made this one last week for a weekend getaway with friends.

Ah, so much better! Next time I think I'll make a regular one instead of chocolate. 

Has anyone ever made a lemon sponge?

While we were with our friends, three of us decided we needed tea, and it was wonderful.

 

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant hapus! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

A Happy St. David's Day to you! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. To celebrate the day, people can wear a daffodil and/or a leek; the national emblems of Wales. 

"While preaching to a crowd in the village of Llanddewi Brefi, David is thought to have performed his most famous miracle: some of the crowd were finding it difficult to hear the sermon, when a white dove landed on David’s shoulder. As it did, the ground on which he stood is said to have risen up to form a mighty hill, making it possible for the gathering crowd to finally see and hear him. The dove became St. David’s emblem, often appearing in his portraits and on stained-glass windows depicting him. Today, a church stands on the crest of the special hill."

This is my display this year, with a newly acquired stitched daffodil cloth that I bought from Needleworkers Delight on a sale they had on their display items. It's so beautiful!

I made Welsh cakes today, and they turned out okay. I used a different recipe from the one I usually use and it made a smaller batch. I think my original recipe tastes better though.

And tonight? Cream of Leek Soup and Welsh Rarebit.

I just finished stitching this sweet little daffodil and painted the frame since it was too dark before.

An oldie, but a goodie, the series I have yet to fully finish!

I thought with the crazy weather we've been having that our daffodils might actually bloom in time, but nope. I have seen them in other yards, but ours just isn't warm enough I guess!

Today I'll be heading to Havre de Grace, which happens to be the twin city of Mumbles, Wales, where my cousin lives!

Happy Heart Day 🥰

Did you get to see all the love yesterday at Jo's Secret Stitching Sweetheart blog hop?! So many lovely pieces to see.

This is the stitching I shared. I made this for my DH, the "rocket scientist" for Valentine's Day. Very appropriate for him!

My Valentine display this year.

Roses, baked goods, and stitching, you can't go wrong.

I picked up this Bee my Valentine Box from Kupcakes & Co. They always make wonderful desserts and what we've had so far has been delicious.

That evening, we went to Father Leo's Valentine Dinner. This time it was at our church, which was much closer than last year's.

It was a lovely evening, we had friends join us this year so that was nice. I especially like the couples blessing, a mini vow renewal.

This time we were able to get the book we wanted before they sold out. Dining with the Saints is a brand new one, we got it as an early release. I got that one for Gman2, I thought he would appreciate it being in youth ministry. Hopefully he'll make us something... soon! 

On Wednesday, it was a lovely 66° so I sat outside with company.

And had a February finish, in February, amazing!

A Christmas to Remember🎄

Mid December brought us to see the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC, as well as all the state trees.

And of course a view of the Washington Monument.

The tree looked lovely, but sadly no model trains around it.

Some of the state trees, not sure if you can see what states I've shown.

The Menorah was there too.

The newly engaged couple!

Just missing Gman2, two sisters, and a brother-in-law.

My Fisher Price Christmas collection.

The short story of our Christmas tree this year - "someone" left it a little too late to get a tree. I went to my Dad's to get the tall one, thinking it was fatter than it was. A little upset, but ok, it is what it is. Gman2 brought the shorter, fatter tree from his church (that they just finished using) to borrow. Then I added the two little ones we had. Wah-la, a mini Christmas forest! And I decided the lights were enough this year and added a couple of angels.

My village this year. I tried to cover the stereo equipment, but hope to do better next year.

Freezing temperatures, rain, and high winds knocked our power out on Friday morning, the 23rd, just before I was about to make cookies and a yule log for our afters!

Luckily, we have a gas stove to cook on and three gas fireplaces. We lit the two on the main level and crossed our fingers that the pipes wouldn't freeze and burst.

I slept on the sofa in the great room, Nathan slept in the keeping room with the other fire, and DH and Gman2 braved it and slept in their beds. Brrrr!

At least the little village tree was lit, thankful for batteries.

Christmas Eve came and still no power, but with notification that it would be back by 11PM on Christmas DAY.

Gman2 and Nathan went to Paul's Mom's house to sleep that night, while Gman1, C, and kitty Finn came to spend the night with us in the cold. Did I mention that with no power, the pump wasn't working for our well water?! They were going to sleep in the basement, with the other fire going.

Our tradition of watching Christmas Vacation was saved with Gman2's phone and my charged ipad! 

We all went to my mil's house in the morning (luckily only four miles away) to shower and enjoy a warm breakfast. Father Christmas did find our house, even without the tree lights on! So we all headed back there to open presents.

Being warm and then braved the chill!

We headed back to my mil's for dinner, except DH had to go back to our house to cook the steaks since her grill wasn't working. While having dinner, our power was restored and we could head home to a warm house, running water, lots of laundry, and no burst pipes!

Boxing Day was spent with Opa and Addie. We went to Oma's Chapel that evening to remember her.

Our afters this year. Although the Roses and Quality Street were a little disappointing - plastic tins and not very much in them! The Roses weren't wrapped like they used to be, but at least the QS was.

Dad made a Christmas sponge cake this year.

My Momma painted these sets years ago when she was still able to use her hands. They are both treasured pieces.

The Mill Hill Snowman I gave my Dad for Christmas.

Dear Karen and I decided to make 12 days of Advent for each other and these are the goodies I received. Not all cross stitch, but other treats as well. I know you can't see it since everything is on top of it, but a pretty project bag is under there too.

She packaged hers beautifully to me and I tried to make it look like she had packages spilling out of a mailbox.

Such fun and I hope we do it again next year!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, whatever you celebrated!

And for the New Year?

You'll never get bored when you try something new. There's really no limit to what you can do. ~ Dr Seuss

Birthday Fun 🥳

Because strawberry picking on Wednesday looked like it was going to be slim picking, we went to Old Ellicott City for the afternoon instead. My favourite go to place! And I was "allowed" to shop in any, and all, of the stores I wanted to with no complaining. At least none that I heard?!

Walking around town, who knew an eggplant was art?

But it did make for a fun photo!

Well who wouldn't want a Ranch Dressing, Buffalo Wing, Bacon, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Maple Syrup, Mustard, Enchilada, Sweet Corn, Coffee, or Cucumber Soda?! 😨

But the different flavoured popcorn was good!

I found this tin the antique shop, in excellent condition and it was calling for me to take it home.

I also found this treasure, a mini sewing box. Did I read that correctly, it was only $7??? 

Too cute, look at how small it is.

I chose to have dinner at The Mint, our local Indian restaurant.

Memories of my surprise party there for my 50th.

Gman1 and his gf C, made me a creamsicle cake that I requested.

It was delicious! And goes well with the flowers from Cori.

It was a great day, even beautiful weather that was sunny and cool with no humidity... ahh!