Snapshots: Part 8

Snapshots of life in the Spring around here at "A Life Lived Simply."

Miss Oakley resting on her bed of our throw blankets and her blankets.

Since Doc Hannah okayed Miss Oakley eating people food, here is a pic of the food she gets to eat.

I am so far behind on my weeding of my flower beds. They are a mess.

However, I am slowly making progress.

It is sad when you can't see the pretty flowers because of the weeds in front of them.

A small victory, but lots more work to be done.

All the work is worth when you see these beauties; a bearded Iris on the left and a Siberian on the right.

Some wildflowers and blackberry brambles.

I love when I can bring in fresh flowers from outside in.

Wildflowers make me happy. The white flowers are new arrivals. I have never seen them before.

I have been working on a DYI project for a while.

I will put up a post about it and reveal the finished product in a few weeks.

DH has kept himself busy by replacing parts on my car...

and learning how to build transmissions.

I have been trying out new recipes; like oven roasted asparagus and sauteed mushrooms. Both of them were Yummy!

Although we usually don't celebrate Cinco De Mayo, we decided it was a good excuse for eaitng Mexican inspired food. So I made "Everything But The Kitchen Sink Nachos".

To go with our nachos, I decided to make "Agua Fresca" which I saw being made on "Pati's Mexican Table." You can find the recipe here. 

It was refreshing and something different.

You can't go wrong with watermelon and cantaloupe.

Our Cinco De Mayo meal.

Miss Copper was stalking me as I was taking pictures.

I got a pic of the elusive Miss Bashful. She had just finished bathing herself.Both of them have been naughty. I found a dead bunny in the garden shed where they sleep at night. DH had to remove the poor thing.

Our garden beds are still a work in progress. Our lettuce and radishes are up. The onions I set out rotted in all the rain we have had, but I am NOT going to complain.

Our peas are up and so is volunteer lettuce. I still have cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and bell peppers to set out.

Springtime at our simple home is just beautiful.

We have been blessed with a lot of rain which has made everything lush and green.

I love our simple life out in the country.

Snapshots: Part 7

Even with all that has been going on with our family and things breaking around here, I managed to snap a few pictures of life around our home. 

Before I came down with bronchitis, I did a lot of baking. I made these cupcakes for one DH's birthday celebrations.

I placed them on a cake stand on top of a sparkly, snowflake doily I made out of wrapping paper. I topped the cupcakes with snowflake sprinkles.

The icing was white, light blue, and a darker blue. They were a hit. I couldn't help but think they would look good at any "Frozen" themed party.

I also made something new for breakfast. I made a Dutch Baby Pancake. I go the recipe from the "Cook's Country Cookbook" I got for Christmas.

I served the Dutch Baby powder sugar dusted on top, warmed syrup (maple and strawberry), and homemade whipped cream. We had red grapes and fresh pineapple as a side.

Isn't that a nice looking plate? It was all yummy!

We spent a lot of time while we were sick cuddled up in the bed with Miss Oakley watching tv. At one point, she decided she would become the self-appointed remote keeper.

After a month of trying to take off to our beautiful mountains, we finally made it. We drove up to the ski resort areas to see some snow. On our way back, we stopped to see a waterfall we passed by a thousand times, but didn't know it was there. It is right off the side of the road. It was a nice day trip for us!

Living life simply and enjoying the simple pleasures that come with it! 

Snapshots: Part 6

Life around here lately:  

Miss Copper surviving the land.

DH went to a tree farm in our lovely NC mountains to cut down our tree.

It is DD's job to put the angel on the tree. This tree was one of the prettiest ones we have ever had.

Wrapping presents is ...

...a messy endeavor,

...but I love the outcome.

We have had a few cold days and this is how Miss Oakley spent most of them.

DH and I spent those cold days snuggling under our warm fleece blankets catching up on "The Game Of Thrones."

I spent a lot of time during the holiday season baking.

I loved how these cupcakes turned.

I enjoy fixing big Sunday morning breakfasts for my loved ones. For this one, we had livermush sandwiches, potato pancakes, and fresh pineapple.

I got to do one of my favorite activities to make a Christmas present for my MIL ~ color!

One of my favorite ways to destress during the holiday season.

A Christmas ornament from our sweet step-niece and her husband that live in Alaska. Now we will always have a part of them in our home for the holidays.

Taking down the Christmas decorations is an even a bigger messy endeavor than wrapping presents.

Fixed a hot chocolate bar to celebrate New Year's Eve.

My hot chocolate concoction.

It snowed about 6 inches on January 7th.

We don't mind the snow as a matter of fact, we love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe this snowflake that is part of a project I am working on helped to inspire the snow.

It was a heavy one.

Miss Oakley is on strict kennel rest to help heal up her two herniated discs in her back. She has been an excellent patient so far.

Miss Oakley had a birthday on Jan. 9th. I went to Pet Smart to get her some special treats. 

My snowflake project. It is part of the decorating I did for winter and Valentine's Day.

Living a simple life and simply loving it!