Strawberry Tart Day

 

 Today was the perfect day to bake one of my favorite tarts. I love this as a strawberry tart, but also with fresh currants picked from the garden. This really is too good not to share. 

 

Strawberry Tart

 

1 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

pinch of salt

1 stick butter

1 c. sugar, plus 2 tbsp.

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

fresh strawberries for topping

juice of half a lemon

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix dry ingredients and set aside.  Cream butter and 1c. sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Incorporate flour mixture. Mix. Pour batter into greased pan. Chill for 20 minutes.  Arrange strawberries on top of the dough. Pour lemon juice over top. Sprinkle with remaining sugar and cinnamon. Bake 45 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful, West Virginia hills. You are my home.

 

I love the hostas as most of my garden is shade.

 

 

Emmylou dresses to match the flowers! She is my little fashionista!

 

 

 

 

Recycled boots make an excellent planter!

 

 

Look, I still have daffodils!I can never seem to have enough of them. I moved these around amongst the miniature hostas--a cute combo! I hate to say good-bye to daffodil season. These sweet ones are the last to grace the garden.

 

 

 

 

"I am still devoted to the garden. But though an old man. I am but a young gardener."

--Thomas Jefferson

 

Happy Baking and Gardening to you!

 

Thanks for visiting,

 

Erin 

 

 

April Showers Bring Morels and Flowers!

 

Hello Everyone!

 

The weather has been perfect here with lots of scattered showers and sunshine! Yesterday I found 65 morels, a personal record! They are so good battered or cooked in an omelet. Almost every afternoon, I slip out the door to go mushroom hunting.  I am grateful my husband works from our home, which allows me the freedom to enjoy a quick treasure hunt in the woods!

 

 

Thomas could eat the whole plate if we let him! He loves morels!

The hostas help fill in the garden beds. Most of the early vaieties are up. I will begin spraying them with Deer Away soon. I mix up eggs, milk, olive oil, water, and dishwashing liquid.  Our dog, Wolfgang, helps keep the deer out of my hostas!

Spiraea Prunifolia

Spiraea Prunifolia

 

 

 

Wolfgang keeps a tight eye on all the activities. He looks forward to feeding the horses and chickens everyday! Such a sweet guy to have around! Just look at those kind and patient eyes! This boy aims to please!

 

 

"Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees."

--John Muir

Jack-In-The Pulpit

 

Lamium

 

 

Simba Kitty is eager for our Florida family to return to the mountains!! She can't wait to be an indoor summer kitty once again!! Until then, she rests in the garden.

Yellow Corydalis Lutea

 

 

Snowflake Leucojum Vernum

 

 

I picked these from patches of tulips from years past that still emerge every year. It seems they perform better planted from new bulbs every Fall.

 

 

I have a few daffodils still blooming. I will miss them when they are gone. Please forgive me if I have bored you to tears with them in the last few posts. I really love their beauty!

 

Now, it is off to entertain some sweet girls waiting for me to go play outside with them!! Tough job isn't it? I might just find a showel! Or, maybe a morel!!

 

Happy Gardening!!

 

Thanks for visiting,

Erin

 

Easter Fun

 

Hello Everyone!

 

I hope you had a wonderful Easter filled with all the joys of the season.  We enjoyed egg hunts, duckling swimming,family time, good food, and spending time outside in the garden. The day was beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made strawberry sponge cake! It was a hit--there is none left!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning and Cupcake are such sweet friends. Nothing says Spring like ducklings hugging!!

 

The trout lilies, trilliums, dogwoods, red buds, and morels are out here! West Virginia really shows off in Spring! I hope to share more photos soon!

Have a wonderful week!!

 

Thanks for visiting,

 

Erin