My Little Hen

egg colors

I found this color chart floating around from 2006. I think it a Martha Stewart original.

One thing I like about Easter is the egg dyeing. Easter bunny or not, it's a spring ritual and a perfect way to get the family creative juices sparked. 

Here's another of my favorite easter projects from Quince and Quire. Really very cute and on my to-do list.

Lastly, this old photo of my brothers and I on Easter Sunday. I think my brothers have such cool hair cuts. 

How about you? Are you getting geared up for Easter? My friend Marie-Helene asked me what I'm making for Easter dinner. More on that another time. We had lots of ideas.

easter eggs

Apartment Therapy included me in their round up of easter egg decorating.
It's always great when they link to my blog. Here's a link to my natural egg dyeing.

Popular easter posts from My Little Hen

More Egg Beauty

Egg Beauty

Easter Colors

Egg Carton Easter Baskets (guest post on Simple Kids)

Wash those hands

photo credit: hand in hand 

March came in like a lion. Stomach bugs for the whole family, the domino effect.

This post inspired me today- partly because it's about soap, great design, and good causes. Read more about this clean, clever idea here. Great photos too. 

snowdrops

We brought a little of late winter inside this weekend. First sign of spring.

 

Green

We move from red to green in the holiday mode thanks to the crafts department at Martha Stewart. It is still winter but one can start the plan for spring.
Gardens, flowerboxes, fresh rooms (yes open the windows), trips. And you?

Hot off the press

My friend Blake made this for her son Grayson this morning and sent it to everyone. Isn't it the best? Last night I made a nice rich chocolate sauce from Cooking Fun for G to have with her chocolate milk. Make a big old jar for your loved ones. Drizzle on ice cream, make a glass of chocolate milk after school, eat a spoonful whenever. Delight in the little joys of the holiday...you don't have to make heart cards to show your love.

Follow this link to my recipe. It's part of a Paula Deen's Real Women of Philadelphia blog spot (no chocolate milk for Paula) web interview...

Quick thinking valentines

Valentine's day is fast approaching. I went back to review some ideas from my books Crafting Fun and Homemade Fun.Thought you might just enjoy these for fun and inspiration. One of the titles for the project is "Quick Thinking valentine's" because don't we always need to make the last minute effort tonight with our kids to pull together the valentine's for all the friends at school?

Valentine projects from my books:

1 Valentine Ice Pictures (click on that 1 to get the link.

Quick Thinking Valentine's ( as featured on Crafty Crow!)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Busy workday meal

I've been away so much doing other work, writing new books, keeping myself and my family moving ahead in life. I miss my blog but I have to confess I am one of the 99%. I work for a living. Now that my family is growing up a little more and I'm past the intensive childcare mode, we are breezing into teenage life and all the glories and angst that accompanies that era in a family.

I am often bone tired when I get home and can't always muster up the energy to cook a good meal. Being a believer in homemade, I don't like to buy frozen food that often. This morning, having a little extra time and all ingredients on hand, I made a standby Shepherds Pie recipe with a twist. I didn't have enough baking potatoes so I added the last lonely yam to the mix and got a delicious result. The color is also pretty. As I prepared this dish I started thinking about my grandmother, a farm girl, and her waste not want not attitude. In honor of farm women who worked so much harder than I ever will I plowed the potatoes with the fork and made tractor paths with the mashed potatoes.Creativity is a funny thing. It pops up in the most unexpected places.

Hooray, a home cooked meal will be ready for this evening.

Bird in tree

My husband gave me a pair of binoculars for Christmas. When we kayak I always ask for the little "binos" so I can scout out the birds. Now I have a great pair of "binos" and hope to bird watch this winter into spring. It's amazing how differently things look when we can see clearly.

January 22 already! Happy 2012...