The Secret

The Secret

We have a secret, just we three,

The robin, and I, and the sweet cherry-tree;

The bird told the tree, and the tree told me,

And nobody knows it but just us three.

But of course the robin knows it best,

Because she built the--I shan't tell the rest;

And laid the four little--something in it--

I'm afraid I shall tell it every minute.

But if the tree and the robin don't peep,

I'll try my best the secret to keep;

Though I know when the little birds fly about

Then the whole secret will be out.

by Anonymous

   Really? I thought it was written by Aileen Fisher, a prolific children's writer. 

    Anyway, if you have three minutes to watch a wonderful time-lapse video of robins raising a family that Dawn at The Feathered Nest has shared, you'll love it. It is only a bit over three minutes long and what a *Sweet Spring Story* it is! 

    The sun is shining so I'm not going to allow difficulties with formatting this morning trouble me. Much. 

Have you ever noticed that spring peepers stop singing every night at about the same time? They are singing their little hearts out when, all of a sudden, and without fading out slowly, they simply stop. Around here it's 10:30 pm. Odd... It's hard to get to sleep when they stop like that. [Edited to Add: You can listen to them at *this site*; you may be surprised to learn what a spring peeper is. You may be surprised because I've mixed apples and oranges today as is my usual habit.]

Noticed anything unusual lately?

Snack Mat Tutorial

Don't get too excited. There are marvelous ones all over the internet. This is how I did mine.

This is totally incorrect. The next time, I will place the raw edge of the trim on the front side, sew and fold over to the back side. I'll show this step correctly done at the end.

Now that was rather fun for a lazy, rainy afternoon. Here is another idea.

The blue colors are more true in the early part of the mosaic. The purples not so much.

And, finally, *here* is a sweet set of snack mats, mug rugs, whatever you prefer to call them.  (I don't know if I'd ever have the patience or focus to make a set. I like trying all different kinds.)

Still pouring this morning so I'm going to do some much-needed housework. How about you?

Cocoa Cookies

 ~Cookies and Milk~

These cookies have that great crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside texture. They don't require baking chips or unusual ingredients; a definite plus around here.

Here's the recipe for those who like to copy and paste. The printable version is below.

Cocoa  Cookies

Ingredients:

- 2 cups plus 2 TBS of flour unbleached, unbromated flour (King Arthur's is great or whatever you have)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2½ sticks salted butter (melted)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 TBS pure vanilla extract
- Sugar for rolling cookies and sprinkling on after baking

Method:

- Sift together all dry ingredients
- Melt butter then add to a mixing bowl along with sugar, eggs, and vanilla
- Incorporate well on medium speed
- Add dry ingredients slowly and beat slowly until well incorporated...cookie dough will be soft
- Using a cookie scoop (mine holds 2 TBS), create cookies, gently roll in sugar, and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes
- Allow to cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack for cooling

Printable Recipe

~Farmer Boy Plate~

This is the sweetest little plate that I served John's cookies on. We purchased them to hang in the living room. A spring planting scene is depicted.

~Pondering a Plate Rack~

Here's a closer look. I think that I've decided to hang them beside the kitchen sink window on a plate rack—otherwise, I'm going to get so tired of holding them up there. ☺

They're labeled "Pastoral by Taylor Smith & Taylor U.S.A." A Homer Laughlin piece, I believe. Apparently, they were made to give away with Quaker Oats purchases. They are very sweet and charming and meaningful around here as John was a farmer boy. 

 ~Crunchy on the Outside-Chewy on the Inside~

And there's my lonely little snack mat. I planned to make a set of four. Right. Perhaps I'll try my new method on them and share with you when I get it sorted around.

What were the last cookies you made? Oh, have you ever made a snack mat?

Making Hay While the Sun Shines

One never knows if the weather man/woman is to be believed. Lately, they seem to be in a rut saying one word: rain.

Yesterday, was our second day of sunshine in a string of rainy days and so yard chores began in earnest while we had the chance.

~the first mowing~

~the forsythia jungle before~

~ and after-trimmed down to the nubs~

What I've not shown is the azalea bush trimmed down. Notice who is doing all the work? Such a nice guy. He's been promised cookies. He works cheap these days. 

And, right on schedule, the rain has returned for the next four days. Those weather people have made me a believer. The grass is so green that it looks oddly fluorescent.

How many times has the lawn been mowed in your corner? 

Mostly Lilacs~Mosaic Monday

This is the most simple looking mosaic I've done in a while and it took me two hours. (You may wish to stay away from that program I mentioned last week. Just sayin'... ☺ )

~FotoFlexor and Photoshop Photo Merge~

Once I started to play, it was a challenge to stop.

~Good Old Photoscape~

A "Monet" is a happy mistake because the colors blend perfectly with the photos being used. Then I can practice pattern as I might in making a quilt.

~Good Old Photoscape~

Back to that challenging collage maker just for a new font and the transparent background.

~Good Old Photoscape~

Doing a little something with the last of the azaleas. I was so pleased to find a few on the bush and not on the ground, especially after a week of rain.

Linking to Mary at Little Red House. Thanks, Mary, for hosting such a fun event week after week.

A wonderful week to you...

Moonbeams

~Moonbeams through Kitchen Window~

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place, what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority, the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! ~Psalm 8:3–9

Blessings in this new May week...