Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Longwood Gardens on a Spring Day
We recently had a great time at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. It was nice to walk through the inside Conservatory and see all the lovely flowers. The Orchid display is over now but starting April 1 will be Spring Blooms and then the Easter Display with wonderful Easter Lilies, tulips and more!
Come along on our Spring Fling and check out Kellie's party!
Check out their website for more info. They have a great area for children to play as well. The Terrace Restaurant serves great food. The café is perfect for quick eating or the dining room for more formal dining.
All nature sings and round him rings the music of the sphere.
If you are in the northeast why not take a drive to see this magnificent place. It's about 30 min from Philadelphia. Once the outdoor gardens are in bloom there is more to see! The gardens are continually being replenished to keep all the blossoms fresh. In May it was a treat to see all the tulips, flowering trees, dogwoods, lilacs, wisteria, delphinium, columbine and foxgloves.
Happy Spring! (in spite of the cold) Jennifer aka Gigi
Let them Eat Cake Spring Fling
Here are some of my favorite cakes.
Check out Kellie's Spring Fling to find out what's new in spring!
Have a blessed Spring! Jennifer aka Gigi
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Moonset in Laguna
Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Easter Menu & EZ Crafts Spring Fling
After many years of marriage we seem to have our ‘go to meals’ for the holidays. Our family loves a traditional Ham Dinner with Pineapple Stuffing and Baked Rigatoni & Cheese. An Italian tradition is Pepperoni Bread. I usually use the frozen bread (of course thawed) so that makes for one shortcut. I make everything up a day in advance so on Easter I can spend time with my family!
Last year I made Sweet Kat's Easter Egg Wreath & Rachael Ray's Italian Cheesecake Ricotta Pie. Check out these recipes below. Everyone loved them! My German grandmother gave me her Easter Cake Mold to me, so I love to make an Easter cake too.
Check out This Blessed Nest's Spring Fling for all things Spring!Easter Dinner
Ham
Pepperoni Bread
Pineapple Stuffing
Rigatoni mac & cheese
Easter Egg Wreath Bread
Ricotta Pie
Pepperoni Bread -Let frozen dough thaw and rise.
Knead and roll thin with dusted flour.
Melt 4 T. butter. Spread on top of bread.
Layer sliced pepperoni and Am cheese on top.
Roll like jelly roll.
Brush mixture on top- 1 egg, 2 t. parsley, water, pepper and parmesan cheese.
Place on greased cookie sheet.
Bake 350 degrees for 30 – 40 min.
Pineapple Stuffing
Cream 1 c. sugar and ½ c. butter
Add 3 eggs.
In a separate bowl 4 c. bread cubes and pour ½ c. milk & toss.
Combine the bread mixture in the butter mixture.
Mix all together then pineapple last.
1-20 oz. can crushed pineapple and juice.
Pour in 13 x 9 pan.
Bake 350 50 - 60 min.
Rigatoni Macaroni and Cheese
1 box Rigatoni-cooked
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 pt. sour cream
1 pt. mayonnaise
Mix all together then add 1 Quart of Milk.
Pour into 13 x 9 pan. (A larger pan makes for easier mixing)
Sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika.
Bake uncovered 350 45 min – 1 hour
Rachael Ray's Italian Ricotta Pie
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds ricotta cheese
- 9 large eggs
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- Grated peel and juice from 1 orange
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar, for sprinkling
- Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 10-inch springform pan and place it on a baking sheet.
Using an electric mixer, combine the ricotta, eggs, granulated sugar, orange peel and juice, cream and vanilla. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1½ hours. Turn off the oven and let the cake rest inside for 30 minutes. Let cool, then sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.
Italian Easter Egg Wreath from Sweet Kat’s Kitchen recipe here
I have been making these blown eggs for a long time. Put a pin hole at each end of a raw egg & blow out egg. Let dry. Glue lace around the egg & glue pearls in the shape of a cross. So simple!
What are your holiday traditions? Do you hide Easter Eggs and have an Easter Basket? Growing up we always had an orchid corsage to wear to church. Isn’t it sad that most don’t do that anymore? How about a bonnet & white gloves? I had such a wonderful childhood & it is so great to see our children passing on our family traditions. He is Risen! Alleluia!