Buzz at the Honey Nest

Seashell Basket for Metamophosis Monday

2010-10-25T00:33:00.000-04:00

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch forMetamorphosis Monday Please go by and see all the great metamorphosis projects others in blog land have to share. Susans' blog is great and she always has something great to share.

This week I am sharing a basket I found at the GW for $1.00, it is the usual basket you might find at any GW store, I kept coming back to it, so I decided it needed to come home with me.

I went to my local dollar tree and purchased sea grass and a flower stem.

I already had the Styrofoam and seashells. I really liked the color of the basket, it just needed some cleaning with a damp cloth and to be filled with something, So I began .

placing the styrofoam and placing the grass and flowers. The shells I used are one I have collected on past trips to the beach. Using my hot glue gun I placed them on skewers covered in green florist tape and then broke off to desire length, placing them in the stryofoam.

The large shell in the back on the left is actually a large crab shell from our favorite seafood restaurant here in town. It was just to pretty to throw out, so I washed it and I think it works great.
I am pleased with how it turned out, now I just need to find the perfect spot for it.
Thanks for stopping by and please check out the other great Met Monday projects.

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

2010-10-14T18:35:00.000-04:00

I am participating in Foodie Friday hosted by Michael at Designs by Gollum. I have not posted in such a long time but decided to share my favorite fall weather recipe. Beef stroganoff which is very simple but so delicious.
You need:
2 lbs boneless beef stew
8 oz. package of sliced mushrooms
1 medium onion chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can beef broth
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1 16 oz. package of egg noodles
1 container of chive and onion cream cheese spread
1/2 cup sour cream
Place meat, mushrooms, onion and garlic in slow cooker. Add broth, paprika, and salt. Cover with lid.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours)

Cook noodles as directed on package just before serving.
While noodles are cooking add cream cheese spread and sour cream to meat mixture in slow cooker, stir until well blended. Drain pasta, place in serving bowl. Add meat mixture; mix lightly and serve.

Add a crusty roll and you have a great meal. My husband always says it looks like a mess but it does taste
good, even he will tell you how good it is. Enjoy. Patricia

Busy as a Honey Bee

2010-06-04T07:36:00.000-04:00

I have been away from blogging for sometime, I have had alot of new happenings in my family and at work.
My son and his fiance are getting married in October, having a baby in January 2011, and work is sending me to Washington, DC for a End of Life Conference in August which will involve much teaching to other Hospice Nurses after the training. So blogging has taken a back seat to all the other things in my life.
I have enjoyed getting to know some of you and reading your blogs. I just am not able to continue at this time. Thanks to all who have come by and those who became followers. I will continue to read your blogs when I get a chance. Please pray for my family and for me, that God will give me the strenght to do everything I need to do in the coming months. I am very excited that I am going to be a grandmother for the first time. I will try to post a picture when he or she comes. Thanks again, Have a great weekend. Patricia

Fertilizer Friday

2010-04-30T06:07:00.000-04:00

I am joining Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday. Today I am sharing a memorial garden I started last year for our sweet girl Jazzy Rachel she was a 6 yr old pit bull who died after complications from a emergency surgery. We loved her more than words can say, so to always keep her memory alive I have a small garden in her memory. My daughter said that Jazzy's' favorite color was pink so all the flower are pink or pink tone. I have a pink bubblegum petunia, pink verbenas, pink vincas and pink snapdragons. Most of her toys and blankets were Winnie-the-pooh something my daughter started when she brought her home at 2 weeks old. That is why we have a Winnie-the-pooh statue in her garden.

Jennifer and Jazzy

Hope you enjoy the pictures. I will share more as the garden blooms. Thanks for joining me today and please go over and visit Glenda to see her gorgeous flowers as well as the other bloggers joining her for Fertilizer Friday. Have a great weekend. Patricia

Fertilizer Friday

2010-04-22T18:15:00.000-04:00

I am joining Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday the day gardeners around blog land show off their gorgeous flowers. My tulips did not do as well as last year, I think we had too much rain and snow this winter.

There were not as many blooms as last year and the blooms only lasted about 2 days.

I have been busy getting my other flowerbeds going,

I have some perennials in my front bed that are doing well.

The silver lace plant is a Avalanche Sandwort and I planted

King Edward Yarrow a lacy foliage with yellow blooms.

I also have white assylums along the front of my beds. It

doesn't really look like much now but with love and attention

and fertilizer I sure it will come together.

(I know I shouldn't leave the tags out but I seem to lose them

and forget what I planted, Someday I am going to get organized : )

My azalea bush is looking pretty, fertilizer has really helped it grow.

Well thats all I have for today, be sure to visit Tootsie and see her beautiful

flowers as well as other gardeners. Have a great weekend.

Patricia

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T09:01:00.000-04:00

Wishing you all a Happy Easter. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and for your sweet comments. I enjoy reading them, checking out your blogs and appreciate your kind words.

God Bless You all.

Easter bunnies for Table Top Tuesday

2010-03-29T16:55:00.002-04:00

I have been away from the computer for a week now, I just celebrated my wedding anniversary 32 years with a trip to the beautiful North Carolina mountains. This was a stream running beside our cabin. These are just some of the mountains we saw just stepping out onto the porch of our cabin. Just beautiful and so relaxing. It was just what we needed.

While away my son became engaged and is planning a wedding in October 10-10-10 the perfect '10" is what they are telling me.
Michael and Jamie Lynn

I don't think they realize all the planning that goes into a wedding. I will do my best to help but I can feel major stress about to happen.
I need some fun that is not stressful, so I am joining Marty @ A Stroll Thur Life for Table Top Tuesday. I am sharing some of my Easter decorations today. This is what I have sitting on my Dining room table today.

All my bunnies have gathered on my table for Easter. My Easter bunny tassel has joined the party, he keeps hopping around my house trying to find the perfect spot, he wants to be the center of attention : )

Below is my one of my end tables decorated for Easter. I just love the pink bunny rabbit.

I found him at Big Lots for $1.50 He reminds me of a milk chocolate bunny only pink. I did have eggs in the basket but 4-legged children have gotten them out and I keep finding them in strange places like under my bed. I did explain to them that we hide eggs on Sunday, I guess they decided to start early LOL.

Please visit Marty and others who are participating in Table

top Tuesday, you are sure to find some amazing vignettes.

Thanks for stopping by today, Have a great week.

Patricia

Easter decorating for Table Top Tuesday

2010-03-15T15:39:00.003-04:00

I am joining the party with Marty at A Stroll Thur Life for Table Top Tuesday. Just a little Easter decorating in my kitchen. I have a very small home with a very small kitchen so I use every available space. This is on top of my microwave. I had planned to do some yard work this weekend but it was rainy and dreary so I decided to stay in and made this :

A Easter bunny tassel, I think he is cute : )
He is joined at this party with a cute egg tray and matching Salt and Pepper shakers that I picked up last year at K-mart for 75% off after Easter.

Tulips always say Spring so I added a vase (yes they are faux) I will use some of tulips from my yard when they begin to bloom.

Thanks for stopping by. Please go over to Marty's and see all the great Table tops that she and others are sharing this week.

Tulips for Fertilizer Friday

2010-03-11T18:09:00.000-05:00

I am joining Tootsie at Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday. Please be sure to go by and visit her and the others who will be participating in Fertilizer Friday. Today I am sharing my tulips that are coming up in my gardens. I can't believe how they have grown. Seems there are more bulbs coming up this year than I had last year. My tulips are red and yellow. I love that color combination. The picture below is from last year.

This is what I have coming up this year.

Yes I know I need to take down my Valentine garden flag but it is so cute. I plan to do some yard work this weekend so maybe I will replace it with a St Patrick's Day flag or a Easter flag. Both would work. Thanks for stopping by. Have a Great Weekend. Patricia

I wish for Spring

2010-02-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

After receiving 8 inches of snow this past weekend I am wishing for SPRING
I was looking through my pictures over the past weekend and found this pictures from last spring
and decided to participate with our most wonderful hostess Tootsie at Tootsie Time for
Fertilizer Friday
These are pictures from spring of 2009, my first attempt at Tulips, I was very proud of myself that I could get them to grow. Please visit Tootsie at Tootsie Time, her flowers and garden beds are to die for, and she always has great advice for us want to be Tootsies'. Thanks for stopping by. Patricia

Coconut Poke Cake

2010-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

I am participating in Foodie Friday hosted by Michael at Designs by Gollum, check our her blog for more delicious recipes

This week I am sharing with you a recipe for Coconut Poke Cake, so simple but so good.

You will need:
1 package white cake mix
1 (14 oz.) can cream of coconut
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (16 oz.) container of frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (8 oz.) package of flaked coconut

Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions. I made my cake in a 9x13 baking dish.
Remove cake from the oven. While still hot, using a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cake.
Mix cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk together. Pour over the top of the still hot cake.

Can you see in the picture below how I poked holes

in the cake and poured the liquid miixture over the

hot cake.

Let the cake cool completely then frost with the whipped topping and top with the flaked coconut.

Keep cake refrigerated.

The picture is dark but it makes a very pretty cake that is so good and moist.

Hope you will give it a try. I think it would be pretty at Easter using colored cocont.

Thanks for stopping today. Patricia

A new leash on life-my 4-legged girls for Metamorphosis Monday

2010-01-04T01:00:00.000-05:00

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

I would like to introduce you to my girls-Tipsy and Chelsea. Their lives have taken on a metamorphosis of sorts.
26 years ago when we moved into our neighborhood, our neighbors were mostly retired older people. It was a very quiet neighborhood. Unfortunately most have passed away and their homes sold to realtors who find it necessary to rent out these homes. Some of our current neighbors are not good neighbors or nice people. This is where the metamorphosis occurs. A nice young couple moved into the house beside of us. They were friendly, seem like good neighbors we were excited, but the young man began borrowing money from my husband, using reasons like his son was sick and he didn't have money for medicine, his wifes' car was broke down and he didn't have the money for repairs. You get the idea. After moving in the young man got a puppy (Tipsy) a very cute and sweet girl ( and yes she is a pit bull) . He would let her run loose in the neighborhood. She would get into trouble, chasing cats, going into other neighbors yards, chewing on things that did not belong to her, normal puppy things. Having a pitbull ourselves we knew how people would react to her. It was January and cold outside. Our pitbull Jazzy would stand at the door and whine for Tipsy when she was out running loose. We began letting her in to keep her out of trouble and to let her spend the night. Jazzy had a new friend and we were trying to protect her. During this time we found out that the young man was in to drugs and was constantly trying to borrow money from my husband. My husband finally said enough is enough. The young man was told that he could not borrow any more money. Afraid that he would sell Tipsy for money because he really had a problem and had become desperate, my husband told him that he did not need to pay him back any money if he would give Tipsy to us. Bill paid in full. He agreed. Tipsy became ours. She went to the Vet, she was checked out and received her shots. She is one of the best buys I ever got.
The young man unfortunately is in prison. His wife and child moved away and the house now sits empty.
Chelseas' story is similar, neighbors behind us had Chelsea as a puppy, decided she was too much trouble
and offered her to our neighbor who had the drug problem. I think they have drug problems too but have never borrowed from us or caused us any problems. They are relatively quiet. Chelsea began running loose, afraid that she would get hit by a car we took her in. They now are both happy and heathy. We love them dearly and would never ever change taking them in.
Just a note- Jazzy our 6 year old pitbull became ill during this time, had surgery and died several days later from a blood clot is what they think (Thats all I can write about that now)

There first snow in 2009 they really enjoyed playing together in the snow.
That is my metamorphosis, taking something that could have been bad and turning it into a happy ending.
Please join Susan for more amazing metamorphosis stories.

Southern Praline Pecan Cake for Food Friday

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

I am joining Michael at Designs by Golllum for Food Friday.

This is cake is so easy and so good, I don't even know where I found the recipe but It has become a favorite. You use a can of coconut pecan frosting in the batter. The cake is so moist, it is unbelievable.

Ingredients:

1 package of butter pecan cake mix

1 container of coconut pecan frosting
1 extra container of coconut pecan frosting for glaze, if you want a glaze on your cake.

4 eggs

3/4 cups vegetable oil

1 cup water

1 cup chopped pecans (divided)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 or 10 inch bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine the cake mix, frosting, eggs, oil, water and 1/2 cup of pecans. Mix until well combined.

I use a electric mixer to make it easier but on a low speed.

Sprinke the remaining nuts in the prepared bundt pan then pour in the cake batter.

Bake at 350* for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

You can serve it plain, but sometimes I buy an extra can of frosting, heat it in a saucepan until it becomes almost like a glaze, and drizzle over the cake, either way it is delicious. Also try it with Butter pecan ice cream. So Good !!! : )

Merry Christmas and a Gingerbread Village

2009-12-17T16:23:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all !!!

I have been very busy with work and just life in general, I have not devoted as much time to my blog as I would have like or had planned. I am getting ready for Christmas like everyone else in blogland. So I don't have much to share. I have taken pictures of a few of my Christmas decorations to share.

My Gingerbread Village. I bought most of the items 1/2 price last year after Christmas.

A blanket of snow and a few gumdrops complete the scene. I also keep my Christmas candy in decorative jars on the side, you can't see them but there's Snicker bars and Peanut butter cups mini size of course. Must watch our weight during the holidays LOL :)
Wishing all Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and may the New Year bring you much Health, Happiness and lots of LOVE and FUN.

Seashell Curtain Tiebacks

2009-11-08T15:50:00.000-05:00

I am joining Susan at betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for Metamorphosis Monday and Cheri at http://itssoverycheri.blogspot.com/ for Its So Very Creative Monday. I love the beach and my living room is decorated beachy country style. I have seashells just lying around waiting to be used. I have made several things for my living room with shells, A wreath and a flower arrangement but decided my windows need something beachy. So I came up with tiebacks, Really simple to do, All you need for the project are seashells that are similar in size and color, rope or ribbon, I used rope type that I purchased at Hobby Lobby, a drill and drill bits- a small one and a larger one, also a old phone book to place the shells on when you drill.

These 2 shells look pretty, think I will use them

Drill a small hole on each side of the shell, using the small drill bit, then using the larger drill bit make the holes bigger so your rope can be inserted. Sorry the picture is not to good, but you get the idea.

Insert rope into a hole and bring over and insert into the other hole, place around your curtains and tie the ends together, adjust, instant tiebacks. I have hooks that I slip my tiebacks on. I think they look good.
BUT...

After making my tiebacks, I began searching the internet and found these:

I think I can make mind look prettier, I will be making a trip to Hobby Lobby this week in search of tassels.
I will let you know how they turned out. Thanks for stopping by. Patricia

Semi-Homemade Banana Bread

2009-11-06T01:00:00.000-05:00

I am participating in Food Friday hosted by Michael at http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/
I love this time of the year, especially Pumpkin and Banana Breads, but I work fulltime and just can not find the time to bake from scratch. So I bake Semi-homemade. I love watching Sandra Lee on Food TV. She takes package foods and turns them into even better food .
This is not really new because I have been doing this for all my married years. A girl must learn to improvise.

I use a store brand brand bread and turn it into a even better banana bread.

I Follow the directions on the box and prepare the mix. I have found that if I prepare the bread according to the directions and then add my extra ingredients the bread turns out bettter.

After preparing the batter I add 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, 3-4 bad bananas (bananas no one will eat), but I just can't bring myself to throw them away, so I stick them in the freezer. They actually have more favorite when they are frozen and then thawed. I cut them up into small pieces to make mixing easier. 1/2 cup to 1 cup of nuts. I am using pecans today but walnuts work great.
Mix all together and place in a greased loaf pan, Bake according to package directions.

I watch mind just to make sure it doesn't burn,sometimes adding extra ingredients causes it to bake faster.
So while we are waiting for the bread to bake, lets make some honey butter. Taste great on the bread.

You need l stick of butter, softened. you can use margarine but I find butter just taste better when you are making favored butters. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of honey. I like to taste the butter so I only use 1/4 cup of honey. You just have to use your own judgement.
Mix together the softened butter and honey. I use my mixer because its easier but I have done it by hand.
You want a smooth consistency.
Place in a container and it will keep in your refrigerator for weeks, but with the bread it probably won't last that long.

Doesn't the bread look good, Wish you could smell it. It smells Wonderful !!!!

Taste great especially with the honey butter.
Try your hand at baking this Banana Bread. You will love it and so will your family.
I actually made mini-loave size last year and gave to my co-workers for Christmas with the honey butter. Everyone loved it and wanted the recipe.I didn't share. Every girl needs a secret.
Thanks for stopping by, Patricia

Deck The Tree with...

2009-10-28T13:12:00.000-04:00

Has anyone ever heard of a Halloween Tree, We have a tree in the front lobby where I work and it is decked out for Halloween with Pumpkins, Fall leaves, and Scrawcrows, and orange lights. It's Cute.
It is decorated for each season. It puts you in the holiday spirit as you walk in the door. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

A New Journey

2009-10-26T13:56:00.000-04:00

Hello,Thanks for stopping by. This is a new journey for me. I have enjoyed reading numerous blogs this last year and decided I wanted to be a part of the fun. I also started a new job in September as Hospice/Palliative Care Nurse; the picture shows the slogan for our unit,
"No One Walks The Path Alone"
I think this same saying could and should be applied to our own life. We should never feel alone in life, but I know that there are alot of people who do and that makes me sad. We all need a friend. So if I can ever listen or offer a kind word to anyone I am more that happy too, In Hospice we do alot of listening. People usually have much to say when the end is near.
As I step out into blogland I know that I'm not alone, there are many bloggers out there who are willing to help guide along the way. I look forward to meeting you here.
Thanks again for stopping by. Patricia