April Random Finds

1.  This weekend I will attending my nieces wedding in NC.  My niece laughed at all her Aunt's wedding pictures because the style in the 80s was to wear bridal hats.  Well, we will all be sporting hats at her wedding this weekend - even her cousins will be joining in on the fun.  She will be quite surprised - but know that we love her.   Looking forward to a crazy fun weekend.  

  

2.  Spring has arrived in New Jersey and the first sign for me was the crocuses blooming.  

3.  Second sign of Spring is getting out in the garden.   I order my vegetable plants online from Alabama this week.  The large healthy plants will arrive the end of May ready for planting.  

4.  Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits and I eat it every day in my oatmeal.  Who knew the skins could be a form of art.  

5.  I'm taking an on-line photography class through Clickin Mom's on Creativity and Composition.  The class is very challenging.  We spent a week on cropping with the Golden Triangle.  Thought I nailed it with this capture until 10 women ripped it apart with their critiques.  Oh well.  

Well that it's for my Friday Finds and Random Five - stop by and check out Kim and Nancy's blogs.  

Leaving on a road trip to NC today.  Love a road trip.  

Margie

Linked to:  Boogie Board Cottage, Alderberry Hill, Dwellings, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken Chick, A Stroll thru Life, My uncommon Slice of Suburia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Live laugh Rowe, Farm House Porch, Domestic Super Hero, Jennifer Rizzo, Costal Charm, Cedar Hill Ranch, Lamberts Lately, Textured Tuesday, Friday Finds

Out Like a Lamb

1.  This week's find is light.  Light tortures me, can make me late for work, and put cooking dinner on hold.  When I see the perfect light I have to stop and grab my camera.  As I was leaving for work today I passed by this chair and had to take my coat off and take this picture.  Light also makes me happy.  

2.  Last weekend my kids came for a post St. Patrick's day dinner and I made my Irish Soda Bread.

3.  Just got a new dishwasher and this particular model came with a new pre-wash cycle.

4.  While walking in town this week, I stopped and asked these ladies if I could take their picture for a photography class - they were happy to act natural….or maybe they were just ignoring me.  

5.  Soooo Spring is finally arriving in North Jersey and the last bits of snow are melting.  We have been enjoying at least one or two nice days a week.  Looking forward to April.  

Well that it's for my Friday Finds and Random Five - stop by and check out Kim and Nancy's blogs.  
Enjoy your weekend!

Margie

Quiet Please

This week's Texture Tuesday theme is "quiet." This is my favorite quiet, kick-off your shoes kind of spot to relax, read and have a cup of tea. The light in the afternoon on a sunny day is heartwarming.  

Hope all my friends are having a good week. Sad to say but we are expecting snow tomorrow… hopefully the last storm of the year.  

Stop by Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday and enjoy the "quiet." Today I used KK_fully at 13% soft light - love the dreamy feeling it gave.  

Margie

Linked to:  Boogie Board Cottage, Alderberry Hill, Dwellings, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken Chick, A Stroll thru Life, My uncommon Slice of Suburia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Live laugh Rowe, Farm House Porch, Domestic Super Hero, Jennifer Rizzo, Costal Charm, Cedar Hill Ranch, Lamberts Lately, Textured Tuesday, Friday Finds, Quotography

Spring is Here?

1.  This week the snow melted enough to open the garden gate.  So I cleaned out a few rows and got my seed packs out for some early planting.  Photo textured with Kim Klassen's KK_fully.  

2.  Purchased a new bird house this year and put up a "for rent" sign hoping to attract some new tenants.

3.  Dog Sitting this week for my favorite Golden "CJ."  She loves to play with water bottles (supervised of course).  CJ is 11 months old and still a playful puppy.  

4.  While having lunch with my beautiful daughter this week, I couldn't take my eyes off the collar of her shirt.  She patiently posed for me while I captured the perfect shot for 78/365 of my Photography Challenge.    

4.  My favorite way to cook cod is over roasted vegetables.  Roast brussel sprouts and slice sweet potatoes at 450 for 20 minutes with S&P and Olive oil.  Push vegetable to center and place fish on top, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and lemon - roast for an additional 15 minutes.

Well I hope you like my Friday Finds and Random Five - stop by and check out Kim and Nancy's blogs.  

Looking forward to 60 degree temperatures tomorrow.  Hope you have good plans for this Spring Weekend.

Margie












Linked to:  Boogie Board Cottage, Alderberry Hill, Dwellings, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken Chick, A Stroll thru Life, My uncommon Slice of Suburia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Live laugh Rowe, Farm House Porch, Domestic Super Hero, Jennifer Rizzo, Costal Charm, Cedar Hill Ranch, Lamberts Lately, Textured Tuesday, Friday Finds, Quotography

Shamrock

This was created for my 76/365 photography challenge prompt.  It was a fun week with St. Patrick Day themed prompts such as Irish, Cheers and Shamrock.  Stop by my Flickr and see my progress.  

Today I'm sharing with Kim Klassen's Textured Tuesday by adding KK_rest as my texture at about 50% soft light.  It gave it just right right softness.  

Enjoy the rest of your week.  

Margie

Linked to:  Boogie Board Cottage, Alderberry Hill, Dwellings, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken Chick, A Stroll thru Life, My uncommon Slice of Suburia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Live laugh Rowe, Farm House Porch, Domestic Super Hero, Jennifer Rizzo, Costal Charm, Cedar Hill Ranch, Lamberts Lately, Textured Tuesday, Friday Finds, Quotography

It's a Good Day to be Irish

We will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day by toasting the Irish tonight at our favorite pub with friends.  Made my corned beef and soda bread yesterday - so we will be enjoying leftovers tonight before heading out.   

I'll sign off with my father's favorite Irish quote -  "May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you dead."  

Enjoy!  Margie

Linked to:  Boogie Board Cottage, Alderberry Hill, Dwellings, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken Chick, A Stroll thru Life, My uncommon Slice of Suburia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Live laugh Rowe, Farm House Porch, Domestic Super Hero, Jennifer Rizzo, Costal Charm, Cedar Hill Ranch, Lamberts Lately, Textured Tuesday, Friday Finds, Quotography

St. Patrick's Day

1.  Today I'd like to share a few of my past Irish recipes including Irish Soda Bread, Irish Cream Brûlée with Cream De Menthe Whipped Cream, Bailey's Irish Cream Cheese Cake, and Short Rib Guinness Pie.  Click on the links and I hope you try one or two of these recipes this weekend.  Who says the Irish can't cook.

2.  Can't believe the temperatures reached almost 60 degrees this week.  Even though today was zero with the wind chill, those warm days make me believe Spring is actually coming.  

3.  Nothing makes me think Spring like strawberries at the grocery store.  This week they were exceptionally perfect.  

4.  Warmer weather and daylight savings time gives me a chance to walk along the Avenue after the gym in the evening.  Caught this sunset in the windows of a shop the other night.

5.  With a name like Margaret Ann Frances O'Donnell O'Hara I will be celebrating this weekend with corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread and maybe a trip to the pub for a Guinness.

Sharing this week with Kim's Friday Finds and Nancy's Random Five Friday- stop by and visit other randoms and finds.  

Have a great weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Margie

Linked to:  Boogie Board Cottage, Alderberry Hill, Dwellings, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken Chick, A Stroll thru Life, My uncommon Slice of Suburia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Live laugh Rowe, Farm House Porch, Domestic Super Hero, Jennifer Rizzo, Costal Charm, Cedar Hill Ranch, Lamberts Lately, Textured Tuesday, Friday Finds, Quotography