Happy Monday to You All:)

I hope you all had a lovely Sunday. It was Mother's Day for us here in the U.S. My husband, daughter, son and I had a really nice time having lunch and relaxing around the house together.
Since Monday is my first workday of the week, it gives me a good feeling. You know, a sense of new beginnings. It's funny, I tend to do the same routines daily and weekly, but something about Monday says, 'See things with new eyes, and look for ways to take care of your responsibilities with new fun twists'. So today, at my sister's suggestion, instead of walking on my treadmill I headed out to our local park. Sorry, I forgot to carry my phone with me so no park pics. They will be forthcoming in the future. It felt so good to be out looking at the squirrels and smelling the Spring! I hope you are getting to enjoy Springtime wherever you are:)
Thanks to Elizabeth at http://frenchvillagelife.blogspot.com/ and Joyful at http://snapthatpenny.blogspot.com/ for following along. Also, thank you for all your comments!
All the best,
Jeannette

A Cookie Recipe to Share With You

Hello there:)
The cookie tin has been empty for a day or so, and my husband and son love to come home to find goodies in it. So, today seemed a good day to bake. I baked oatmeal coconut scotchies. They are moist in the center with the slightest crunch around the edges. If you have a hankerin', please give them a try. The recipe is a basic one that I had, but have tweaked over time. One reason I go back to this recipe is that I get a lot of cookies for the cost and it's easy to make.

Oatmeal Coconut Scotchies
Heat oven to 350 degrees
2 eggs
2 tablespoons Molasses
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup softened butter (I usually forget to leave the butter out to soften, so I zap it in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds, even if some of it is melted it won't matter)
2 cups of sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

In a small bowl mix together eggs, molasses and vanilla extract. In large bowl, put in all the rest of the ingredients. Now add the egg/molasses/vanilla mixture to the large bowl. Mix well.
Drop by teaspoonfuls on un-greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8-10 min.
I like to cool them on a rack as I find that helps them stay moist in the center.

The house smells so good right now!
All the best,
Jeannette

P.S. I tried to post this yesterday, but Blogger wouldn't accept my pictures:)

A Cleaning '2 for 1'

Hello there:)
I just love when I can get two things done for the effort of one. It's kind of like a house cleaning coupon:) So, today I de-scaled the tea kettle with 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water. Once the boil came down, I let the vinegar solution sit for a bit in the kettle to cool and then poured it all over my kitchen sink and faucet. I used to use bleach and a powder solvent to clean the kitchen sink. Then one day, quite by accident, I found out that vinegar and water clean it just as well and are much easier to use. (I got tired of the bleach spots on my t-shirts, does anyone else out there know what I mean?...) Another thing I found out is a clean kitchen sink greatly contributes to my happiness. Thus, my happy face sponge. You see, I am not a naturally organized homemaker. I've read Marla Cilley's, Sink Reflections in the past and her recommendation to keep the kitchen sink clean has stuck with me. If you need any practical tips on how to keep your home 'company ready' then she may be the gal for you.
Well, it's off to finish up dinner.
All the best,
Jeannette

A Visit to Keys Creek Lavender Farm

Thanks so much to all of you who read my posting yesterday and graced me with your comments. I was so excited to see you all that I just about came out of my desk chair while cheering! Really, you all gave me a great welcome and I am so thankful! I have tried to take your advice, but I am not so sure that I have the correct button up that will allow followers. Any help is appreciated:)

I went with friends last Saturday to Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center, Ca. This place is so beautiful and the people there are so friendly that I thought I must share these pics with you. They are open seasonally in May and June. It was such a beautiful day to be in Valley Center, which is in San Diego County, California. We could smell the lavender in the air as we walked around the fields. We ate lavender scones and sat outside and felt the breeze. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better day:) Great company and a great environment does a gal good. The pics are of the farm and its brochure. The butterfly is a tea bag tray that I purchased at the gift shop. I love a bag of PG Tips tea in the afternoon and this little tray is going to be a treat to use.

Well, it's Wednesday, so I'm going to finish up dinner and it's off to Bible study group.
All the best,
Jeannette

Hello there:)

Well, this is my first post and I must say I am happy to be here. I've been an avid blog reader for about a year and a half now. I have learned so much helpful information and found so much encouragement in my blog reading. I decided why not see if there is something I can contribute or some way that maybe I can be encouraging? You know, the pay it forward sort of thing. Please be patient with me as I figure out this blog thing. I am not very tech savvy, but I am willing to learn:) My name is Jeannette and I live in Southern California. I am a homemaker. I also help my husband with his pool service business. I keep very busy and I generally love every minute of it! I came home full-time last November. It has been an adjustment, but a welcome one. I look forward to many more postings:) All the best, Jeannette