~Early Spring~

The snow that fell 2 weeks ago has melted.  The rain has now stopped.  Today the sun is shining, so it was time to check out the perennial gardens. 

AmaZing surprises!!!

In our front yard the lavender Crocuses in our lawn are enjoying the sunshine!

A Ritual of Spring!

A walk to our backyard brought more smiles!  The sole Daffodil in our back perennial garden already had a bud before the snowfall.  Yes, it's growing!

The sole Daffodil!

 Even the Hyacinths continue upward!

Flower buds growing larger!

The recent snowfall did not stop determined Spring!  Woohoo!

It's anticipated & totally Enjoyed!

Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread

It's March! Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day!  It's time to bake the Irish Soda Bread to enjoy this weekend!!!  This yummy bread is also called Spotted Dog.  Oh, it is so good!

Unsalted Butter, Raisins & Fat Free or Low Fat Buttermilk are 3 of the ingredients.  Enjoying a slice or two of this bread on St. Patrick's Day is a tradition in my family.  What a great bread!  If you have any extra slices, they can be frozen to enjoy another weekend.  There just may not be any extra slices.

Here's my history of me finding this recipe: 

I'll always remember the year I was "googling" for an Irish Soda Bread recipe that used 1 Cup of Buttermilk.  That's all I had in the fridge.  There was the recipe on the blog Charli and Me written by Carol.  Carol shared that this great recipe originally came from the Will O'Glenn Irish Bed and Breakfast in Michigan with Mrs. Biddy Gahan sharing it.  I'm always so happy that all of these kind folks passed it along!  I use unsalted & fat free/ low fat ingredients & it's so good!  Every year I bake this Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick's Day & also a couple of other times during the year.

***My hints:

• Melt & then cool the Butter before using.
• Before placing the sticky dough in the pie plate, rub a little Butter on your hands.
• Spray the pie plate with PAM. 

Ready to place in my oven!

Irish Soda Bread
Oven: 400°F, then lowered to 375°F.

Total baking time:  40- 45 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 Cups Raisins
1 Cup Boiling Water
**********
1 stick unsalted Butter 
2 and 1/2 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
5 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Cup Buttermilk, can be Fat Free or Low Fat 
PAM

Method:  

1.  Preheat oven to 400°F.
2.  Spray Pyrex pie plate with PAM.
3.  In a small bowl combine Raisins & boiling water.  Let sit while preparing dough.
4.  Melt butter.  Cool.
5.  In large mixing bowl combine Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder & Sugar. 
6.  Add melted Butter to dry ingredients.  Stir in.
7.  Add Buttermilk. Stir.
8.  Add drained Raisins.  Stir. 
9.  Shape the dough into a ball after placing in the pie plate.  Dough is sticky.
10.  Bake 15 Minutes at 400°F.
11.  Then, lower oven temperature to 375°F.  Bake 25- 30 Minutes longer.
12.  Remove bread from pie plate after using a cake tester or toothpick to test for "done".  
13.  Cool on rack.
14.  Wait at least 5 hours before cutting into slices.
15.  Enjoy!

Heat half of a slice in the microwave for a few seconds.  What an extra special treat!  Warm or room temperature, this is just so good!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!    

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!!

Today's the day

To say

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!!

Two days ago I stopped into the Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA.  I was on my way to the George Walter Vincent Smith Museum for a presentation, so I walked past the statues of Dr. Seuss & his friends.  The Lorax greets visitors as they walk onto the museum complex.

The Lorax

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, MA.  He grew up in Springfield & later wrote so many books for children using the name Dr. Seuss.  Seuss was his mother's maiden name.  The sculptor Lark Grey Dimond- Cates, Theodor Seuss Geisel's step- daughter, designed these large detailed bronze statues.  The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 & Thing 2 & Horton the Elephant are just a few.

Horton & more Dr. Seuss Friends!

While writing his stories he used his native Springfield, MA for inspiration.  No, Ted Geisel did not live on Mulberry Street.  His dad was Superintendent of Parks in Springfield & Forest Park is located in the city.  Often the phrase "If I ran the zoo..." would be voiced by Springfield residents.  You will recognize the title of another great story of his- If I Ran the Zoo.  Indian Motorcycles were manufactured in the city, so they have a place in his stories, too.

Green Eggs and Ham is my favorite Dr. Seuss story!  What's your fave story???

Enjoy!