This week a big moving van parked in front of our house and took stuff away. Usually this activity means a series of goodbyes and the seemingly endless process of unpacking and making a new house into a home. There is adventure in that but it can grow weary as time goes on. Lucky for me, however…this is just the first step in our plan to renovate this charming old house and the things removed will be returned to a beautiful new basement guest suite and playroom. What’s the point to this story? When you store your decor and holiday items in a basement, even when you plan carefully, you will over look a few bins… and figure out a few days later that what you want to use is sitting in a storage facility who knows where. So to that point, what do you do? You make do and discover the beauty of what you have at hand. In my case, a whole bunch of colored eggs, a few silk flowers, a bunny or two, and bag of vintage chocolate molds. Enjoy Easter at our house!

Eggs on the Mantel with Antique postcards. Simple but elegant

A Spring vignette on the dining room table.

The Candy jar filled with colorful eggs.

Just line up some capiz eggs on a French baguette board.

Even a Princess needs her rest after a long week. Alas, some of her favorites were packed up as well.

Show and share. Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Wow us. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Share your cup. Share your style. Home and garden. Thursday favorites. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Sunday at home. Share it. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Over the moonwelcome spring. 5 Things Friday. Count your blessings

This yummy Creampuff recipe was featured! Check out Amaze Me Monday @Dwellings: The Heart Of The Home

This week I shared the recipe for a delicious chocolate oatmeal pie…that disappeared in the matter of days by the way…and I really hope to have a bit of time to make these crackers.  They won’t last long either.  Now it’s time to Party!

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It seemed to be a pie kind of weekend. After the business of last week, it feels great to just relax and take the time to create something wonderful. It seems a bit early for really good fruit…so oatmeal it is. I always have a stash in the pantry. I prefer steel cut for my breakfast but rolled oats just work better in baked treats. This sticky, sweet concoction gets even better when you add chocolate…doesn’t everything? Once again, I need to give full credit to the ladies at Four and Twenty Blackbirds for the inspiration!

The Usual Cast Of Characters

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup heavy cream

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (we use 70%), chopped into 1/4-inch pieces

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 cup corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons cider vinegar

4 large eggs

The Steps to Glory

1 This recipe uses our All-Butter Crust for a 9-inch single-crust pie, partially pre-baked and cooled. Yes I made my own!

2 Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350° F.

3 Spread the oats on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4 Set aside to cool.

5 Reduce the oven temperature to 325° F.

6 To make the ganache layer, bring the heavy cream just to a boil over medium heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Remove from the heat and pour in the chocolate pieces.

7 Swirl the cream around to distribute and cover the chocolate; let sit for 5 minutes.

8 Whisk gently until smooth. Scrape the ganache into the cooled pie shell and spread evenly over the bottom.

9 Place the shell in the freezer to set the ganache while making the filling.

10 In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ginger, salt, and melted butter.

11 Add the corn syrup, vanilla, and cider vinegar and whisk to combine.

12 Add the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.

13 Stir in the cooled oats.

14 Place the ganache-coated pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet and pour in the filling.

15 Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 55 minutes, rotating 180° when the edges start to set, 30 to 35 minutes through baking.

16 The pie is finished when the edges are set and puffed slightly and the center is slightly firm to the touch but still has some give (like gelatin).

17 Allow to cool completely on a wire rack, 2 to 3 hours.

18 Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

19 The pie will keep refrigerated for 3 days or at room temperature for 2 days.

The Pie was Princess approved! She just hopes Spring is really in the air to stay.

show and share. Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Let’s talk vintage. Wonderful Wednesday. Wow us. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. beautifully made. Share your cup. Share your style. Home and garden. Thursday favorites. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Style showcase. Friday favorites. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Sunday at home. Share itsnickerdoodlehappiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Smell good Sunday. Over the moon

They loved my Creampuff recipe at The Make it Pretty party at The Dedicated House!

This week the Princess had to bring a sign of Spring to school. It just so happened that my Hero planted some early spring vegetables the previous afternoon, so she brought seeds and gardening tools. Spring always has me longing for flowers and vegetables…everywhere. I can just image this adorable flower bench on my porch.  Is it spring where you live? Or does Winter still have a firm grip? We are definitely halfway between the two.  

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Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

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Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

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What a glorious taste of Spring we had this week…and a wind storm to blow winter right back into us. I guess March is suppose to do that, all that “in like a Lion and out like a Lamb” stuff we learned in school. March has me dreaming of Spring flowers and lovely days outside with the possibility of snow in the back of my mind. How to decorate?…that is a good question. It’s a little early for lambs, bunnies and chicks in my opinion but a little late for full-on winter cozy. Thank goodness we have a full holiday right in the middle of the month. Time to get our St. Patrick’s Day decor on! Even if, like me, you have nary a drop of Irish blood in you!

A simple mantel display of green depression glass will easily transition to early Spring as the month draws to a more “lamb-like” close.

The Doric and Pansy found on these teacups is my most favorite depression glass pattern

Vintage St. Patrick’s Day postcards add a touch of whimsy to an old window frame

Shhhhhh…I have spotted a leprechaun caught in a glass jar…I hope he doesn’t escape.

Also spotted…our art loving lucky little Princess who loves magic and rainbows, just like a real leprechaun!

Show and share. Inspire me Monday.. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Wow us. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Share your cup. Share your style. Home and garden. Thursday favorites. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend.Create bake grow. Sunday at home. Share it. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemadewonderful Wednesday blog hop. Tuesday at our house. Beautifully made. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Over the moon.

Excited to be featured at The Blue Willow House. Check out the loveliness at the weekly Snickerdoodle link party

Did you know I lived in Japan for three years? In between shopping and eating great sushi, I enjoyed many cups of healthy green tea. The recipe I featured may not be the healthiest way to consume your daily recommended dose of green tea but it sure sounds delicious!

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming Alice – FB | G+ | Pin

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Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

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Does anyone else share my love for grain sacks? I’m sure my Midwest Grandparents would have found it unusual, to say the least, that I was decorating my home with something they, most likely, saw only in a barn. I don’t know why but I am drawn the nubby, primitive texture and the colors, and I can’t seem to get enough. Let me show you some of my favorite ways to use them in my home. Do you have a great idea? I’m always open to suggestions. Any other grain sack fanatics out there?

Slip a plain bench cushion inside a large grain sack for an easy and instant reupholstered look.

A grain sack turned into a tote…turned into a pillow brightens up a dark antique bench.

A grain sack and some burlap ribbon makes an unusual window treatment.

Remove the side seams of a grain sack and it makes a striking accent on a simple chair.

Our Princess is developing her own decorating style…Alas, no interest in grain sack accents but a pink unicorn is a must.

show and share inspire me Mondayinspire me Tuesday. The scoopTuesday at our housemake it pretty. Made by you. MetamorphosisYou’re The Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Wow us. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Share your cup. Share your style. Home and garden. Thursday favorites. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Sunday at home. Share it. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration MondayDI&DI. Amaze me. Over the moon