National Gardening Day was yesterday, April 14th – but you can celebrate whenever you have a chance! My Grandma Steinhauser loved gardening and she taught me so much. Not only about the planting and tending to the garden and flower beds, but how to really enjoy gardening. She loved to walk around her gardens and just look at her beautiful flowers and to tell us about them. So many happy memories. My sister remembers that Grandma would always hold our hands as she talked to us about her gardens.

This time of year is when we can start planning our gardens. No matter what space you have, there is somewhere you can do a bit of gardening and play in the dirt! My daughter had this little garden in her loft apartment. She started the plants from seeds and then she shared many of them later with me and I planted them in my garden.

A pot on your patio can be used to plant some of your favorites – including herbs, tomatoes or flowers. I loved having these herbs right outside by back door so I could just run out and clip a few while I was preparing a meal. I love walking through the plant nurseries and greenhouses this time of year – so many beautiful plants – and that wonderful smell of spring!

You can use a fence as a background for flowers, sunflowers are another of my favorites.

Borders can be so gorgeous. I really like these double knock-out roses that border our sidewalk in front of our house.

I had one little patch of yard that I had to get the push mower out for – so I tilled it up and turned it into an herb and flower garden.

Growing up we had huge gardens, but now I have a small garden- so I can have fun playing. I love being outside, the sunshine is good for our souls. And you get physical exercise when you dig, hoe, plant and weed.

You are never to young to enjoy playing in the dirt! My daughter gave our grandson, Berkley, his first little garden. I hope you enjoy your gardening adventures as much as he does.

So plant some seeds, plan your garden, buy some plants, visit a greenhouse, or just enjoy all the spring flowers and trees as you take a walk or a drive. Enjoy the Spring and Happy Gardening!

Traditional wooden toys are loved for their classic look and feel. They just never go out of style. I have always loved wooden toys, but I had never tried to make them. But now with a grandson, I am inspired to try new projects. I decided to make a simple vintage design for my first project.

My husband has a woodshop, so there were plenty of scraps of wood for me to choose from. Traditionally wooden toys are made from pine, maple, beech and cherry woods, but consider exotic woods too – like rosewood or zebrawood.

Safety is the number one concern when you are making toys. Consider the age of the child that will be playing with the toy and make certain that it will be safe for them. Make certain the wood is sanded smoothly, that there are no small or loose parts and that the finish is safe.

Kids explore their world using their mouth, so of course, this toy went right to Berkley’s mouth. On wooded toys you can skip the finish, which is often done on blocks. Food grade mineral oil or creams will also work as finishes. If you want to add paint, make certain it is a nontoxic paint and that it is Certified Toy Safe. Rust-Oleum has a line of water based paints, called Painter’s Touch, that is safe for toys and to be used in the nursery. Real Milk Paint is another option, just check to labels, as milk paint varies greatly from one brand to another.

Have fun creating wooded toys! You can handcraft toys for your loved ones that will never go out of style and that they will play with for years.

A Pinterest search will inspire you to get started on a new project. Here are some of the cute ones I found:

Christmas is such a special time of the year, and baking is a big part of the festivities! Adding Christmas sprinkles makes all cookies more special!

These are Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Sally’s Baking Blog. They are a cross between chocolate chip cookies and a funfetti cake. You actually use the dry cake batter mix in the dough.

Holiday sprinkles are added to the dough, along with the white chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips. After the holidays use the sprinkles that reflect the current holiday or special occasion. You could also use the birthday boy or girl’s favorite colors.

Look at that cookie – like Christmas on the cookie tray! I added a few more chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles to the top of the cookies right after I popped them out of the oven.

A plate of Christmas cookies for Santa – or you! Have fun making these festive Christmas cookies. A tasty treat to add to your holiday cookie trays.

For the recipe and complete instructions, click on the link below:

https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/recipe-round-2-cake-batter-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Merry Christmas!!!!