Lavender cookies...

I've been wanting to try these Lavender Cookies 

for a long,  long time...

The perfect accompaniment is a cup of tea...

I picked this teapot up at a thrift store many years ago...

 It is English china... I love it so...

 I like to use my "Tea Rose" 

Pfaltzgraff to serve on...

So here are my cookies...

I was not disappointed...

They are so good!

You can see the little pieces
of lavender flowers in the cookies...

I have two small lavender plants...
I planted this one last year...

This is a different variety...
I planted this one this year...
It seems more robust than the older one.
I've read that if you cut it way back in the Spring,
 it'll flower more freely.
 I will try that next Spring.

So,  here is the recipe for the Lavender Cookies...

5/8 Cup butter
1/2 Cup sugar
1 egg
1 Tablespoon Lavender flowers,  chopped
1 1/2 Cup All purpose Flour

1/4 Cup sugar,  for sprinkling on top of cookies

350 degree oven 15 minutes or so

Beat butter,  1/2 cup of sugar 'til creamy.  Add egg.  Mix 'til fluffy.  Add Lavender flowers and flour.   Mix 'til incorporated.  Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Bake 'til lightly brown.  Enjoy!

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean  

Banana Jam...

I made some Banana Jam the other day...

I gave it all away to my family, 

and the little boys who live across the street.

They all love it!

It is very easy to make.

It is bananas,  sugar and lemon or lime juice.

The recipe is as follows.

Ingredients:

2 cups of mashed bananas (about 5 small)
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons of lime or lemon juice
(This recipe makes about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of jam)

Instructions:

1.  Fill the water bath canner with water and bring to a boil.
2.  Wash the jars, rings,  and lids.
3.  Fill the jars with very hot water to sterilize.
4.  Put all ingredients in a pan and stir occasionally.
5.  Let the jam boil for 5 minutes.  Keep lowering the heat as it thickens,  so that it doesn't scorch.
6.  Ladle the jam into the jam jars.  Leave 1/8 inch head space (clear space) at the top.
7.  Wipe the rim of the jar to make sure it's clean.
8.  Put the lids and rings on.
9.  Using the jar lifter,  lower the jars into the boiling water and process for 10  minutes.
10.  Remove from the water bath canner using the jar lifter and allow to cool completely on a towel on the counter.  

Note:  If you don't want to water bath the jars,  you can refrigerate them and just use it within a few weeks.

This is delicious!  Especially good with peanut butter on a sandwich!  Try it,  you'll like it!

'Til next time,   Love ya,  Jean

Hummingbird Moth...

I saw this Hummingbird Moth 

in my garden today.

I had a hard time getting a picture of it,  

it flew around so fast.

This is the moth that grows 

from a tomato horn worm.

I feel lucky to see this little beauty in my garden.  I'm sure they must help with pollination of crops,  they move around so much! Just thought I'd share!

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean

Keep those wasps away...

This absolutely works!

It's a paper bag hung in an area where you don't want the little buggers!  It is filled with plastic grocery bags,  the top  is stapled together and a piece of twine is added for a hanger.  Here's how it works:

The wasps see it and think it's another nest and avoid the area.  So simple!

And a great solution.  I've been using these for 4 years now and have not had one single little nest anywhere on the deck roof.  Amazing!  So simple--so good!  

If you are bothered with wasps,  try this!  It really works!

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean

Meet Jamie...

I have reverted to my childhood!

I saw this doll on the internet 

and I just had to have her!

Her name is Jamie!

She is part of a collection called

"Maru and Friends".

I love her and I think she is so beautiful.

She is 20" tall and the perfect size

 to make and design clothes for.

I will probably have to make my own 

patterns for the clothes.  

I have not found many patterns 

for clothes that will fit her.

Actually,  that's part of the fun for me!

I love doing this.

So,  let me show you more of her.

Jamie is well balanced
and stands on her own.

I love her beautiful jacket
and the cute T shirt underneath.

These boots are to die for!

I love her beautiful hair!

She will be warm this winter!

I love her eyes,  she even has eyelashes!
And if you look closely,
she even has some faint little freckles.
So precious!
I am in love!
She brightens my day
just by looking at her.

Let the fun begin!
I will keep you updated
on the progress of her wardrobe.
Do any of you out there
have some dolls that you play with,
or is it just me?

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean