'tis but a dusting

It was predicted yesterday that we could possibly get up to ten inches of snow. Figuring the snowfall would be the perfect way for me to plan and plot a blog entry I started snapping pictures out of the spare bedroom window every hour.

3:30pm

4:30pm

I'm sure you can imagine my astonishment, when not even ten minutes after I took this last photo, the snow abruptly stopped falling. So much for my snow documentation!

Well, I shouldn't say that. This is Maine, afterall. There will be more snow.

My apologies..

...for falling off the face of the earth. However, I have returned and am more focused on getting back into the swing of things here. Since Valentine's Day was over a long weekend this year, we decided to go away and do something fun. We chose Salem & Boston as our not too close, but not too far away destination. In Salem we saw these great ice sculptures!

Whoopie Pies

In between visiting with the chicks in their coop, reading, and snuggling with sweet Winslow Homer on my much-too-short visit with my Aunt Julie (of Dog Trot Farm), one morning we talked of whoopie pies.

One morning of whoopie pie talking turned into an afternoon of baking!

A whoopie pie is a bit like a cake sandwich. They are considered a New England phenomenon and also a Pennsylvania Amish tradition -- Amish legend says that when children or workmen would find these treats in their lunch boxes they would shout "Whoopie!" According to Wikipedia, anyway.

There are many varieties of these mouth-watering pies, but my favorite is the traditional chocolate!

Pie recipe from FINEST KIND: a collection of favorite island recipes

2 C. flour 1 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking soda 3/4 C. milk
1 tsp. salt 1/2 C. oil
1/2 C. cocoa 1 tsp. vanilla extract (but I use a little extra)
1 egg

Combine ingredients and drop on greased sheet (I use a sheet of parchment paper instead). Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Whoopie Pie Filling (from the Whoopie pie lady featured on the WCSH6 207 show):

6 T. fluff
4 T. vanilla
4 T. flour
4 T. milk
4 C. confectioners sugar
1.5 C. Crisco

Add all ingredients in bowl and beat until smooth. Then place a scoop of filling between two of the pies and ENJOY!!

Hey, who snuck a bite of pie?!

Oh, right. It was me!

I also made a loaf of banana bread, but we'll save that recipe for another day!

Cat Toys

Originally, I made 3 of the little mice, but the little white one has been stolen by Moose. He went running with it last night and I haven't found where he stashed it!

These were really just a fun little experiment that I did. The triangle is just a square that I knit with a checkerboard pattern that I sewed up with some catnip in it. The mice were done on dpn and were actually easy to make up a design for.

Homer T

I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me

I'm still here, though you don't see.

I'm right by your side each night and day

and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.

I'm everything you feel, see or hear.

My spirit is free, but I'll never depart

as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-

I'm the brightest star on a summer night.

I'll never be beyond your reach-

I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around

and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.

I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,

The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,

The first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,

and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,

you can talk to me through the Lord above you.

I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,

and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep

and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.

I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.

Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

Author Unknown.....

Easter Peeps

"Easter Peeps"

made with Adriafil Carezza yarn.

You can't eat him, or watch him puff up in the microwave, but he's pretty darned cute!

He looks a little like a stroke victim.. all lopsided, but for my first time using double pointed needles I think I did alright.

I'm working on doing a handful of these before Easter to give to family & friends. I don't have much time, now do I!?
The pattern for this cutie can be found here.

Moose

He's so handsome in this picture - had to share!