I LOVE the smell of lilacs! There isn't very many blooms yet but, wonder if with this weather won't get many.

My favorite bird is the Eastern Bluebird. We have 2 nest with eggs so far this year.
They lay eggs about 3 times a summer. The bluebirds stay year round.

For supper I am trying homemade pizza crust. It is from a web friend of mine and can be found on her blog:

My Little Corner of The World---- On my blog list.

and is under her January postings. (2009)
Her stuffed pepper casserole is VERY good.

Here is a recipe I got off of a new Food Network program this a.m.. Hoping to try them yet tonight or tom.. I thought it sounded VERY good.

Millionaire Shortbread

Shortbread:
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
2 sticks cold butter cubed
If using a food processor she pulsed it till it looked crumbly like small peas. Pat the mixture into 2 8" pans that have been buttered and floured. Bake 350 till golden brown.


Caramel Layer:
Heat in a saucepan
2 tablespoons butter
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
Takes about 15 - 20 minutes until it is amber in color and thickened.
Spoon onto the cooled shortbread and let it cool again.

Chocolate Topping:
Using 3/4 pound milk chocolate that has been melted--Spread over the top.
She suggested melting it over simmering water.
Store in airtight containers or keep in fridge.

My son found over 40 last night. His first time out this year. He has mowed today so he has now left for mushroom hunting again. Suppose to get down to the 20's again a couple of days this week with possible snow so it might hurt the mushrooms. We still have some that we dried last year that we fry up every once in awhile yet.

This was my Christmas present from my husband, son, daughter and her boyfriend. I LOVE IT!!!!!!! I also love the color. Daughters boyfriend found the color on-line somewhere. They were tried of me burning up a mixer every couple yrs. or so.

My husband and son LOVE chocolate chip cookies. My daughter does not like nuts in things--normally. In early winter I found this recipe listed on Vicki Franks site "Uncommon Artistic Endeavors". This is a batch that I made up today. I usually get over 8 dozen from the recipe. The guys really like these.

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/3 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
12 oz semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 375. Beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat on low until blended.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture and beat until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.
Drop by tablespoons of dough about 2" apart onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 9-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Yield: about 5 dozen