Spring Flowers and an Applesauce Spice Loaf

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope you had

a wonderful weekend! 

Mine was busy, with visiting my daughter,

Heather, pet-sitting for my daughter, Jennie, 

shopping for groceries, and in between,

baking and doing some potting up of 

my favorite flowers - pansies. 

Oh, and I gave my two dogs, Whitey Bear and Kai

a bath! Then I had to vacuum and mop because

I had white fur everywhere! 

Here they are all clean and always in motion. 

They are starting to shed, which means 

daily brushing (and vacuuming).

I brush handfuls of fur off them and 

I share the fur with the nesting birds:)

Here is one of my little house-guests, Peanut.

Isn't she sweet?

Don't let that sweet face fool you. 

She is the undisputed alpha-dog!  

And here is Weenie Baby, contemplating 

a prison break :) 

Actually, the weather was beautiful all weekend

and I left the gate open to the back yard

so they could run free. 

(The back yard is fenced)

Of course, they didn't choose that option, and

instead, I had an entourage wherever I went! 

So, I played with my pansies on the deck,

while the dogs sun-bathed (and barked at every noise). 

I saw this flat from across the parking lot

of the nursery and had to have it. 

The colors just glowed! 

I replaced the primroses in my lanterns 

with some of these. 

This little guy was a hitchhiker. 

I let him go in the wild blackberry patch. 

You can never have too many pansies :)

Most of these were planted last fall. 

We have mild winters here in Western Washington State. 

(Mostly)

It was a beautiful weekend - temperatures

in the 70's, with a slight breeze that sent

the wind-chimes singing and brought

the scent of flowers floating by. 

The soft and gentle cooing of doves 

and buzzing of fat bumblebees and hummingbirds made

me count my blessings. 

My curious Pansies want to say hello! 

I love these kitten-faced beauties. 

Sweet little violets. 

A tangerine whisker face. 

Johnny Jump up. 

Yellow pansies and fragrant narcissus. 

Pansies and Mt. Rainier. 

Pansies, Lemon Cyprus, and boxwood. 

Pansies on the tables, too. 

Pansies, pansies everywhere! 

Say Hello! 

A bouquet of garden flowers and an Applesauce Spice Loaf

for my daughter, Heather. 

A little brooch to hold the ribbon. 

Of course, I baked two.....

Here's the recipe:

Applesauce Spice Loaf

Preheat 325 degrees. 

Grease a 9x5x3" loaf pan.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp each: baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, & cloves

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup applesauce

1 cup walnuts, chopped fine

Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl - set aside.

In medium bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. 

Stir into flour mixture, 1/2 at a time, alternating with applesauce. 

Stir in walnuts. Pour into greased loaf pan. 

Bake in 325 degree oven 60-70 minutes or until toothpick

inserted in center comes out clean. 

Enjoy! 

Lilies and roses from my daughter, Jennie. 

Today we have much cooler temperatures and a little rain,

so I am glad that I was able to enjoy the sunshine. 

'Every day cannot be a feast of lanterns'

- Chinese Proverb -

xoxo

Thank you, Dear Friends for your kind and lovely visits. 

'A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.

Before him I may think aloud.'

- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

xoxo

Today I am linking with:

Cooking and Crafting with J&J



&

The Art of Homemaking Mondays