April Showers Bring May Flowers...

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

...that is the theme of 

my office tree this month.

To see how I made the little paper bunting,

go to my previous post here.

I made these little sprinkling cans

a previous year 

using paper cups and  Christmas icicles...

as well as fan-folded art paper 

umbrellas with pipe cleaner handles.

 I try to keep it fresh and interesting,

but it's sometimes a challenge to continually

come up with something new,

not that anyone but me 

is keeping track. 

So I've pulled some things from storage

then added something new this year--

that being the bunting. 

Our patients seem the 

enjoy the tree in our waiting room.

Returning patients

have commented to me that

they look forward to

seeing how the tree will be decorated

the next time they come in.

To see how I've decorated this tree
for other months of the year click here 
or click the Tree of the Month tab 
under my header at the top of this page.

Hope all is well with you this Spring

season.

Warm Hugs,

         BettyJean

It's Morel Mushroom Time!!

online photo

It was steak and mushroom

night tonight.

I arrived home from work to 

find my sweet Mr. frying up a mess

of morels, Yum!

He's trying a different batter recipe

tonight and deep frying them in hot oil. 

He had a little batter left over

so he even fried up a few pickles.

Then went out to put the steaks on the grill.

Upon returning and removing the

mushrooms and thermometer

from the pan of oil,

this is what he found.....

It was clear we would be having

steak without  mushrooms tonight.

Bummer!

We can't take the chance

that someone may ingest even the smallest

remnant of glass.

We'll have to wait for this delicacy

until after another mushroom hunt.

How do you enjoy morels?

I'd love to hear how  You prepare them.

Warm Hugs,

BettyJean

My Paper Flag Bunting for Spring

I think it's safe to say now that

Spring has "finally" Sprung!!

Outside temperatures have been rising 

and I love hearing the birds chirping and singing

when I go out in the morning

in contrast to the dark sleepy silent winter mornings

of the last several months.

...and we've had a few of those 

"April Showers"  recently.

I was inspired to try my hand at

making a flag bunting.  I see them everywhere now.

There are so many online for any number of

occasions.

So here goes....

 First I cut flags from art paper.

I chose the square shape rather than triangles.

Packets like this make choosing

coordinating or complementary patterns easy.

I wanted to put words on my flags

and  wanted something 

to make the words stand out.

I thought of plain white square labels.

But then thought paper doilies would be reeaally cute.

Thinking 4 inch doilies may be too big

for my little flags. I began searching online

to see where I could purchase doilies smaller

than 4 inches in diameter.

Then I thought why not just use an image

of a doily.

So I found an image online and added my text.

I edited out the black background to save on ink.

After printing I cut out each doilie with a 

decorative (pinking type) scissor

then just glued the doilies onto my flags.

I had some dollarstore clothesline 

on hand from a previous project.

Folded the flag over the clothesline

and taped into place.

and....Voila!

Happy Spring to you all.

To see where I hung this bunting,
click here.


You can find me at these parties:

The Inspiration Board Creative Party

Warm Hugs,

BettyJean

Happy Easter

Wishing all my 

lovely Followers and their families

a Blessed Easter holiday weekend.

Warmest Easter Hugs,

BettyJean

I Catered a Desserts Bar

With the help of 

my daughter and my husband

(and a couple of recipes found on Pinterest)

my first catering event 

was a huge success!

Here's what was on the menu...

(click on the photo for a larger view)

Sharing at Jann's Daily Cup
and
Ivy & Elephants

Betty

Salmon Patties 2 Ways

To make my Salmon patties...

From a sleeve of saltine soup crackers,

crunch 10 individual cracker squares into a mixing bowl.

Add 1 egg

Add a little finely chopped onion--approx 1 - 2 teaspoonsful

depending on how much you like onion
I feel it really does need at least a little onion so as not to 

taste too bland.

Fork beat the above 'til blended.

Then, again with your fork, 

stir in 1 can ready-to-eat Salmon

which you've drained and flaked with a fork 

and have removed or mashed

 any of the soft precooked bones.

If too dry to stick together 

you could add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of milk.

Shape into patties

I always shape by hand,

but my husband likes to use the press

so they're all uniform.

Press just enough that the pattie sticks together.

Smashing and squeezing it too much

will make a hard compact pattie.

Likewise you don't want to smash the patties down

with your spatula while cooking.

You want the patties to be as light as possible,

they might actually rise slightly as they cook in the pan.

Pour a circle of olive oil into the pan 

as it is heating and spread it out,

use just enough oil to keep the patties from sticking.
Oops, I may have a little too much here
as I was trying to snap the photo as I
was pouring.  
You really don't want to "deep fry" the patties, LOL. 

Cook covered on medium - med high heat.
I don't actually time them but since the
salmon is already cooked and ready to serve,
all  you really need to do is heat through enough
to cook the egg. So it seems like they
are done in a jiffy.

Turn once when the undersides are golden brown.

Hint: I find if they are not browned enough
they will stick and break apart
making it very difficult to turn.

When they are ready to turn they will 
slide very easily onto the spatula
unless of course your pan is too hot 
causing them to burn.

We love these served on hamburger buns
(I actually prefer Flat Rounds)

with lettuce and tomato;

and the "gotta have" for this is a

dollop of Dill Weed Veggie Dip spread on the bun.  

Salmon and dill is a great combination!!

Of course the classic way to serve is 

with creamed peas.

If you prefer, this recipe works well 

to bake in a loaf pan.

When you're short on time,

the patties work perfectly.

Enjoy!

Click here for another recipe......Fish Wrap

Warm Hug,

BettyJean

Fish Wrap Recipe

With the Lenten Season upon us

I thought it an appropriate time to

share a family favorite recipe 

 for my

Fish Wrap

Use your favorite fish.

My family loves these breaded cod fillets

found at our local super center Wal-Mart.

So first arrange these on a baking sheet

and pop into the oven.  
Bake according to package directions.

During the last minute of baking time for the fish,

heat both sides of a flour tortilla on your pancake griddle.

When fish fillets have finished baking,

arrange on the tortilla... 

I like to use 1 and 1/2 fillets for each tortilla.

Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese

Next a generous handful of 

shredded lettuce,

Thinly sliced tomato and cucumber

Drizzle with Ranch Dressing

Another sprinkle of shredded cheddar

  

Fold it over and Enjoy!

A easy and tasty lunch 
or goes well with soup for a light Friday night dinner.

Click here for another recipe...Salmon Patties 2 Ways

Warmest Hugs,

BettyJean