Garden Life

I am taking things slower in this season of life. I don't rush anymore. I enjoy the seasons when they get here. I had these garden items on my buffet for a week or so, and I kept walking by them and had been thinking they would make a great photo.  

I paused to enjoy my creation with a little mug of tea, and I believe this is Benjamin Bunny.

Oh, and yes, here is Peter! Into mischief, no doubt. 

Tranquility, let us find some of that. 

Where do you find this tranquility? Well, it is in the garden waiting for you. 

Eluding life in the garden is a peaceful habit. 

In Victory,

Sherry

The Enchantment of Peter Rabbit

There is something really enchanting about watercolors, especially the watercolors in children's books. None has ever captured my heart more than Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit. 

When I found this tea set, it was one of my most favorite finds ever.

Charming to the core and childish in embellishment, but oversized cups that you could even serve soup. It was made for the Peter Rabbit fans to enjoy.  

An African violet to brighten my tea tray. 

I laid these tulips here in between seasons, and it looked so pretty I just decided to take a picture of them there.

Many of my photos may take on a nursery theme this year; we have added a new junior member to the family, and I often think of her when I take my photos. This is an original Victorian wicker baby stroller that has been restored. It was restored for me by my parents when I was a teen. It has been in storage for years, but I decided it was time to get it out and use it. I thought it would be a great way to celebrate starting something new.

In Victory,

Sherry

Spring Bulbs

It is spring!! Normally I am like a racehorse out of the gate for spring planting, but not this year. It is going to be a late spring, and our region of the states has had every flu and cold that has been circulating this winter,  and I am just now recovering from some of that. But taking it slow has its advantages.

For one, I can stop and enjoy the crocus when they bloom and not be so busy I miss it.

My hyacinths bloomed at different times, and I got to slow down and enjoy the pink blossom! 

I have also had time to enjoy and add to my Peter Rabbit collection.

Many lovely things to enjoy for spring! Take time to enjoy the small things. 

I am joining Pink Sunday at Classical Homemaking.

In Victory,

Sherry

Strawberry Pie in Winter

 

This week it occurred to me that I could make strawberry pie in the middle of winter. Now that may sound really silly. Why not go buy strawberries right? Well, they are not in season, and I really like to buy food that is in season. Then I remembered that I had a good amount of strawberries in the freezer from the garden. The strawberries make great pie from the freezer. This is the recipe: The Easiest Pie

My new Peter Rabbit plate inspired me. Two of my favorite things on one plate: Peter Rabbit and strawberries.

Here is the recipe for the graham cracker crust:

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup of graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup granulated white sugar

5 tablespoons butter, melted

Mix all well and spoon into pie plate pressing in with back of spoon. 

Chill for 10 minutes and then pour in desired filling. 

Makes one 9" pie. 

*Note: I have used a 6" pie plate pictured here. I just halved the recipe.

Do you eat seasonally?

In Victory,

Sherry

My Favorite Way to Roast a Whole Chicken

I have tried roasting a whole chicken many different ways, but until I tried doing it like Jill Winger from The Prairie Homestead Cookbook. I could not get a chicken roasted to perfection. She has a technique of roasting it with the lid on in a dutch oven and then roasting it without the lid. 

I won't give away her recipe, but I did find a lady who shows you the technique of roasting and flipping on this Youtube channel. I am not associated with The Prairie Homestead Cookbook, but it is one of my favorite cookbooks. 

The recipe roasts the chicken to perfection every time! It is very tender and moist. We are dining with Peter Rabbit here and having the roast chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and sautéed apples with cinnamon. 

Why so much comfort food? Because it is snowing again and, it is a wintery wonderland outside.

In Victory,

Sherry

Peter Rabbit Collection

I finally realized I have collected enough Peter Rabbit that I could display it for spring. 

Some of these things I have had since childhood, like the original stories. 

Some of these have been gifts to my infant children. The Bunnykins plate set and the Royal Albert set 

were gifts from a dear aunt.

In the last few years, I have found a few pieces of china at discount stores.

I particularly like this pattern with the little drawings and watercolors by Beatrix Potter.

I am not sure where the gloves came from, but the corsage was my grandmother's, most likely worn at Easter years ago.

The Bunnykins bowl with high sides is meant for a toddler to learn to eat from. 

My grandmother also had many flowers growing around her house that bloomed in spring. 

This bouquet reminds me of grandmother's lovely flowers that my aunt and I were always picking and bringing in to put in a vase.

In Victory,

Sherry

Peter Rabbit Joins Me for Tea

Peter Rabbit has joined me for tea today. It has been a brutal winter with the flu going around, and it was time to put something cheerful on my tea tray.

Nothing could be better for a cold than a cup of something nice and hot with a story from childhood. 

I have an entire cabinet of Peter Rabbit dishes that I have collected over the years. I will keep arranging the cabinet till I get it presentable, and then I will post my collection. Much colder weather is moving in now, and no crocuses are not up yet, but soon!

In Victory,

Sherry

Peter Rabbit Tea in the Garden

 

Indulge me again as I use the Peter Rabbit tea set. The old garden rose is still in bloom and has been gorgeous for several weeks, so I took advantage of the setting.

There is so much to love about late spring.

Joining:

Home Matters at Days Filled with Joy

In Victory,

Sherry