Fresh Strawberry Pie!!

I saw this recipe in the Sunday paper and just had to make it today. It was super easy and quick to make. Don't it look yummy! It's for desert tonight. Can't wait to eat it. The recipe is below, if you would like to try it.

Fresh Strawberry Pie

1-1/3 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers(about 42)
2 tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
8 cups hulled strawberries, divided
2 tablespoons water
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Whipped Cream (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Combine wafer crumbs, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and butter; press into a 9-inch pie dish. Bake 10 minutes, or until set and barely beginning to brown. Cool.

2. Slice 2 cups of strawberries and combine with 2 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat while mashing strawberries. Cook about 2 minutes or until very juicy. Push mashed berries through a sieve with a spoon. Discard solids that remain. Measure juice and add water to equal 1 cup.

3. Combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in strawberry juice and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until thickened. Boil 1 minute or until translucent. Remove from heat and stir in remaining vanilla.

4. Place 1/3 of remaining berries in pie shell; drizzle with 1/3 of glaze. Repeat twice. Chill 2 hours or until set. Serve cold with shipped cream, if desired. Serves 8

Bug Commerical

I've always have had a fascination for bugs ever since I was a little girl. I know this commerical has been around since the super bowl, but I think it's so darn cute! I used to love to catch grasshoppers and put them in a coffee can. The neighborhood kids and I would have a contest to see who could collect the most. I know it sounds silly but, it's one of my favorite childhood memories along with catching June bugs and throwing them at each other to see if you could get them to stick to you.

Feels like Summer!

I am totally beat. I've been working in the yard planting flowers and pulling weeds the last 2 days and I'm still not done. Got a little sunburn today being outside all day. Here's a few pics from my gardens. Don't ya just love my rusty froggie! I got him last year at the Beaux Arts Fair.


Some Purple Wave Petunias. Love them. They always do good for me. Found these little mini hummingbird feeders just for your hanging baskets and potted plants at Lowe's today. Will see if the hummers can find them.











Rest of the pics are all around my backyard.

Primitive Folk Art Peahen Bird Make Do

Came up with something new last night. Here's my new Folk Art Peahen Make Do. Just listed her in my etsy shop. It was a very dreary day today. Thunderstorms and rain all day. Well at least I don't have to water my newly planted flowers. Hopefully it will be sunny tomorrow. We have a tornado watch until 10:00 tonight. It's your typical spring weather around here.

2 Kitties in a Crib

I just can't keep these babies out of the crib! That's Pepper and Bonsai. They are best buddies. I have 4 cats and these ones are the only ones who like to sleep in there. I try to keep a blanket covering the mattress. So when Cora comes over I take the blanket out so she don't have to sleep on a bunch of cat hair. Don't they look so darn cute! Makes it hard to yell at them to get out. LOL

Catnip Eyeballs Oh My!

Just a little post about these catnip toys I just had to get on etsy. I've bought other catnip toys, and my big rough and tough tabby Bonsai, destroys them within a hour. But these ones are the best yet, they passed the Bonsai test. I received them over a week ago and they are still in one piece and still play with them. So if you are looking for a unique catnip toy, stop over at Tessa's etsy shop and check them out. http://hannapt.etsy.com

Here are some pics of Bonsai and Pepper playing with them.

Primitive Napping Kitty Pincushion E PATTERN

I had several requests to make a pattern for my napping kitty pincushion. So today worked on that and another kitty pincushion. Both are listed in my etsy shop now. Didn't get around to that yard work again. Had to take my mom to a visitation for a neighbor of her whose husband died. Then cooked burgers and mushrooms on the grill. That was so yummy! It was another beautiful sunny 70º day!!

Also, the kitty pincushion pattern is listed on Pattern Mart if you wish to purchase it there. Will get it listed on my website in the morning.

Primitive Napping Kitty Pincushion

Finally have something new made! My mind has been a little blank lately with making all of those birds. I just listed this little creation in my etsy shop. It was a gorgeous day here today! I didn't get out like I wanted to today to do some yard work. I know tomorrow is going to be just as nice, so will get some yard work done then. Spent most of the day working on the kitty pincushion and some much needed laundry. So the day wasn't a total loss.

Happy May Day!

I'm always so happy when the month of May gets here! That means it's time to plant flowers! Around here everything is in bloom, all the trees and bushes are just beautiful. Captured a picture of an American Goldfinch today. They are such a pretty bright bird especially the the male. I always look forward to seeing them in the spring when they turn bright yellow. In the fall they are a very drab color. This morning it was another cloudy day like it has been all week. I was wondering if we were ever going to see the sun again. Sure enough it finally did come out later in the afternoon.