Betty Crocker Fajita Quesadillas

The Front Porch

     All my life I've wanted a front porch. Whenever I go anywhere I always notice a full length or wrap around porch and wish I had one to sit on, decorate, entertain in, etc.
     What's funny about this is I have a front porch now. It's not a wrap around or full length but it's enough for the two rickety white rocking chairs that I have there now and the old wicker table and probably some really pretty planters to dress it up. So why haven't I taken the time to dress her up? Probably because I don't get out here much as it is. I think I'm going to have to do something about that- stay tuned.
     Back to 'the front porch'- like the lilacs of the previous post, the front porch is more than an entrance to a  house, it's a feeling, it's memories, it's the sound of birds chirping, the wind blowing the leaves, seeing a rabbit run across the road (that literally just happened as I was typing this), the smell of fresh air and grass, moments of inner reflection or planning the next 'whatever'. You could quite possibly change your life just by sitting on the front porch. Okay, that's sounds a bit cliche but I'm okay with that.
     I love the time I spend here, it's more than just a porch, it's a 'place'.

Betty Crocker Silver White Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ok, so I have to disclose all the truths about this cake. I don't like white cake and I typically hate most frosting's and I especially don't like my cake cold which was the case here. The hubby loves white cake and white frosting- especially the gritty kind of frosting. I made this cake for his birthday, and conveniently for the blog too. He loves his cake cold, so I had put it in the frig, which to me makes it taste dry. I've left it out on the counter and will give it another try later today and hopefully the moisture will be there.  If it were up to me all cake would be DEVILS FOOD! (Excuse the pic, I didn't get a good one before we cut it and the frosting wasn't cooperating)

The smell of spring

The smell of lilacs in the spring, to me, is more than a fragrance, it's a moment. Because in the measurement of time it feels like they only bloom for a moment and then they're gone again. Some years back I began to try to extend that moment by cutting them and bringing them in the house. OHHHH, the smell! Not to mention they are the most gorgeous shade of purple. There's nothing like fresh cut lilacs in the house.

Betty Crocker Quiche Lorraine

Betty Crocker Pineapple Upside-down Cake

Betty Crocker Chicken Marsala

Betty Crocker Chicken Marsala

This was a fairly easy dish to make. Only a few non-staple ingredients and came out quite tasty. The chicken was tender and flavorful as was the mushrooms. I feel like there should have been more sauce so next time I’ll add more liquid so that the noodles can get some of the goodness too! 

Jarri liked it. I didn’t bother offering to the husband but did make a non-mushroom version for him. Just used chicken broth for the sauce. 

The recipe called for Marsala or a dry wine. I actually used a pinot grigio and I liked it.

Bon Appetit!