A Random Act of Kindness

What a beautiful weekend. Hard to believe it's not even March yet, feels so much like spring. We could still be in for a nasty surprise but let's hope not. The dogs couldn't believe their luck because they got several long walks. A path I like to take goes through a small woodlot and someone put up a couple bird feeders. Since I can't have a feeder at my home, (due to bird-dogs) I thought I could take some seed and make a contribution to the wild ones in my community.

Don't worry, Lindor got her walk in also. Sometimes I like to take them one at a time so they can enjoy the route.

There is a lovely little brook babbling along and when we approached the feeder area, I was thrilled to see a pair of my favourite cardinals.

I just had my little point and shoot but if you look very closely you can see the speck of red in the branches.

Once I filled up the feeder, we went down the trail aways and stopped to look back. The cardinals swooped down, a Blue Jay and of course the brave Chickadees. Hopefully the birds enjoyed the snack and it will get them through these last days of winter.

Happy Valentine's Day

It is too cold to walk the dogs today. Minus 23 C this morning so it's a good opportunity to do a quick blog post. Busy working on cards for a Swap later this winter but that's a secret so I'll show you the baking that we made yesterday to donate to a Local Rescue. Nothing too elaborate but hopefully, it helped raise some funds for Save Me Rescue.

I always like to take the items packaged. I'm not big on open containers etc. Plus, they look much cuter in their packaging especially for Valentines Day.

We did some Funfetti cookies and some chocolate peanut butter Haystacks. They were a little chewy but good flavour and quick and easy to make.

Thinking of You

I've been fairly productive lately and once I get going on an idea, I usually make a bunch.
I saw this idea on Pinterest and since I had both of the dies decided to make up a few. I originally did them in this colour combo...

but when my friend Robin, did one with the red birds, I had to copy it since the Cardinal is my favourite bird.

Either way, I think they are both lovely cards and I've been trying to add a little interest on the inside of my cards lately so a little bird diecut was perfect...

Little Red Wagon - Birthday Card

I've been making a few birthday cards lately because I got an awesome die set from My Favourite Things.
I love the Dienamics Blueprints 26, it makes the design and creation of cards much faster.

Here is one of my latest creations and I'm hooking up to Little Red Wagon this week...

Next time I'm going to emboss the balloons to add a bit of depth to them. And I'm trying to add more interest to the inside of this card so it made sense to finish the sentiment...

This is the die set that I used....

Lemon Poppyseed Streusel Muffins

One can hardly call these muffins. They are more like delicious soft cakes in a muffin cup. The crunchy, buttery streusel topping takes them over the top. My favourite Rescue loves these muffins so I always try to take a batch when I drop off cards.

Sour Cream Poppyseed Streusel Muffins

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp. grated orange or lemon rind
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
1 large egg
1 8 oz. container of sour cream (light works too)

Streusel
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp of white sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 tsp. poppyseeds

To make muffins, mix together dry ingredients then add to wet. Do not overmix.
To make streusel, stir together ingredients until crumbly.

Line muffin pan with cups. Fill 3/4 full and sprinkle with streusel topping.

Bake at 375F for 18 min.

I made 12 HUGE muffins, but realistically 18 smaller would be easy to do.

Sympathy Card

I'm always adding to my sympathy collection. I love the yellow and blue colour combination of this card. The butterflies were an excellent find at Michaels in the clearance bin. I'm a big fan of dies so you can cut the sentiment in the coordinating colours. A few more to add to the stockpile.

Baby Cards

I love my Sizzix Circle Flip-its. All you have to do is pick up some cute coordinating papers, a stamp or two and Voila! instant card. These fit into an A2 envelope and I always do a blank white section to write your own message. I always try to have a boy and a girl card on hand because you never know.

Love this 6x6 paper pad.