Fond Memories

homemade, Recipe, Reflections

Hello and Welcome!

It seems like each time I get together with all of my daughters they will begin reminiscing about their childhood(s). Fun or funny things that happened, favorite teachers, holidays with family, and many more topics have all been discussed as fond memories.

I am first struck by the fact that my little girls are now grown women reminiscing about childhood. (Where did the time go?) I am then delighted and most of all grateful that they have so many fond memories, and that they have each other to share them with.

Last Sunday when we had a (pre) Easter family dinner. I made a special treat knowing it would evoke memories for the girls.

Jell-O Pinwheels (click for recipe) they are a fun and yummy treat.

When the girls were in grade school it was common practice for each student to bring a special treat to share with the class on their birthday. (I’m not sure if this is done nowadays.) It was important to send a few extras so the student could take them to the office to share them with anyone working in the office that day, or perhaps take one to the counselor or another teacher that they were fond of. I always liked to send a homemade treat – cookies, cupcakes or brownies. At some point I began making Jell-O pinwheels for them to take. Apparently they were a big hit, because when I pulled them out of the refrigerator on Sunday the girls immediately began sharing memories of when I made them for their birthday treat. 🙂

Twenty-some years ago, when I was making those simple Jell-O pinwheels, I never realized that I was also creating memories that would last a lifetime.

What’s your favorite way to eat Jell-O? Do you have a Jell-O recipe you’d like to share?

A New Craft

Crafts, Reflections, Tie-Dye

Hello and welcome!

I started a new (to me) craft this month – it’s Tie-Dye. Here in the U.S. tie-dye clothing is most associated with the 1960’s and the hippie era, however according to this article tie-dye was first used in the 6th century in Asia and first used in the U.S. in the 1920’s. Tie-dye methods have evolved over the years, so if you remember making tie-dye t-shirts by putting rubber bands on a shirt a soaking it in a bucket of dye that is not what I did.

I bought a kit that came with five bottles of different colored dyes and enough dye to fill each bottle twice. Form that kit I was able to create the 8 t-shirts below plus one more that I made just because I didn’t want to waste any of the dye.

For design ideas and inspiration, I watched videos on this website.

I then clothed my whole family in tie-dye. There is one for each of my (4) daughters, one for each of my (2) grandkids, one for my husband and one for me.

It was lots of fun experimenting with different techniques of folding and applying the dye then waiting to see the results. I see more of this in my future. 🙂

Granddaughter Addy wearing her “beautiful new shirt” as she called it.

Have you ever done tie-dye?

Have you ever worn tie-dyed clothing?

Thanks for visiting.

Spring Has Sprung

Flowers, Reflections, spring

According to the calendar spring officially arrived today and the weather today was very spring-like. So, what’s a girl to do to celebrate the arrival of her favorite season? For this girl the answer is get her hands in the dirt.

Here in Michigan the ground is still partially frozen and the part that is not frozen is mud, so getting into the garden is out of the question. However, several weeks ago I planted some Johhny Jump Up seeds in small peat pots. (Johnny Jump Ups are also known as wild pansy.) My husband has been nurturing the little seedlings – making sure they have enough water and light.

Today I decided to transplant some of them into pots.

We’re hopeful that they are hardy enough to survive the cool/cold (early)spring temperatures, but I didn’t plant them all so if we lose some, I can replace them.

I also set out our bulb pots. These are some pots that I had planted daffodils and tulips in last year. When the foliage died back and the soil dried up we stored the pots, with the soil and bulbs still in them, in the barn for the winter. When my husband brought them out of the barn last week some of the bulbs were already beginning to sprout.

I set the pots in place beside the deck and will let nature takes it course.

I can’t wait to see spring flowers.🌷

Have you seen any spring flowers?

Have you or will you be planting any flowers?

Spreading Their Wings

Chicks, Reflections

We moved the chicks to their new dwelling on Monday. Having raised chicks several times over the last 10 years we knew it was time for the upgrade, or stage two as we’ve called it in the past. Being in the stock tank is fine when they are very young, but eventually, within a couple of weeks, they begin getting curious and more active. We see them craning their necks – wondering what is up and out there. They also begin using their wings to fly up and sit on top of their feed or water dishes. Past experience has taught us that before long they will fly up to the top rim of the stock tank, and from there the sky is the limit (or they could get into some serious trouble anyway). These chicks are just too young to be out exploring the world on their own – that will come in due time.

Chicks 2018

For stage two we set up this hutch where we can still keep them contained, but they have a view of the outside world. The lid assures that they can’t fly out, and we put a roost inside because even at this age they like to roost. Since the weather is still too chilly for these chicks to be comfortable outside, we covered it with a large piece of canvas and set up the heat lamp inside. This provides sufficient heat to keep these young ones alive and well.

White Jersey Giant and Black Jersey Giant Chicks 2022

The chicks first huddled together under the heat lamp.

Wing feathers grow in first then tail feathers begin to come in next

Before long they began to explore.

The roosting instinct begins early
Curious about the outside world

The chicks are now content in their new digs where they will spend the next few weeks while their feathers grow in and the weather warms up.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Spring! 🙂