Cherry blossoms - friend or foe?

I took this picture a couple of weeks ago, the day after my car was 100% covered in weeping cherry blossoms.  See how the front bumper near the license plate is covered? That's what my whole car looked like. I wish I'd taken a picture then. My husband's new black truck was also covered. He was none too happy, let me tell you!! We've had the tree for years but must be every other year when the blossoms fall, it isn't raining. They just puddle in the driveway like piles of snow. The rain makes them stick like glue. Good think he really likes this tree, otherwise the chainsaw may have made a presence.  I had so many compliments on how I decorated my car.  He drives 40 miles to work on a highway and expected the flowers to fly off before he got there - didn't happen. Our rain must be pretty strong glue.  He got a lot of compliments on his big truck too, from all his buddies.  Again, he was none too happy! I thought it was rather pretty.

Pasque Flower

My first Pasque flower.  I bought it last spring and was excited to see it survive the winter.  It brought much needed color to my garden early this spring. I can't wait for it to spread a little so I can divide it.  While researching a little about this flower, I discovered another name for it is Easter Flower.  Pasque being an old French word for Easter.  Interesting little tidbit.  Meanwhile, the hellibore I purchased at the same time last year did not bloom this year. I was very disappointed.  It has some healthy new growth on it, but no flowers.  Maybe next year.

Peaches and cream bread

This is a recipe for peach bread that I make every year for Easter.
Peaches and Cream Bread
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
2 pkgs. yeast
2/3 cup water
6 TBS margarine
1 egg
1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
2 TBS confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 16oz can peaches, well drained and cut up
1 egg white

In large bowl, combine sugar, yeast, & 1 cup flour.  In saucepan, heat water & margarine until very warm. Margarine does not have to melt completely.
Gradually beat liquid into dry ingredients. Beat in egg and 3/4 cup flour to make a thick batter. Stir in 1 1/4 cups flour to make a soft dough.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface & knead until smooth & elastic, working in more flour while kneading. Shape dough into a ball and place in greased bowl, turning dough over so top is greased. Cover bowl and let rise for 1 hour.
Meanwhile prepare filling. Mix cream cheese until smooth, mix in confectioners sugar and almond extract until smooth. Sitr in peaches; cover and refrigerate.
When dough is ready, punch down and let rest 15 minutes. Cut dough in half. With floured rolling pin, roll half the dough into 12" x 8" rectangle. Spread half the filling in a 3" wide strip lengthwise down the center. Cut dough on both sides of filling crosswise into 1" strips.

 

Cottage decor giveaway at A Delightsome Life blog

A Delightsome Life blog is giving away some very pretty cottage decor items to celebrate their blog anniversary. http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/2011/05/delightsome-life-cottage-charm-giveaway.html