Pantry Cake Bunny and Laundry Swap Goodies

Hello and happy spring to all my blogging friends. After many days of cold and rainy weather, the sun has finally shown it's face here in Maine. I'm full of hope for the blessings that spring promises! New life, warmth and sunshine and brighter days ahead.

In my last post I mentioned that I was making a pantry cake in the tin bunny mold that I found at a thrift shop. He's been finished but I just haven't had time to post, so today I'm going to do that.
Here he is in all his glory, resting on a bed of grass.

I know it doesn't look like a traditional pantry cake, but I so wanted to make one using that mold and he'll last for years to come!


I've been adjusting to working outside the home and it's been quite a challenge learning to balance everything again. I'm not even close to finding that balance yet, as I feel like I am running constantly now to get things done at home that normally would have been done while the kids were at school. I'm hoping that I find that balance quickly. By the time I climb into bed at 8:00, it doesn't take me long before I've drifted off to dream land only to feel like I'm waking up way too early in the morning. I admire all of you women who successfully balance work, home and family. Maybe some day I'll get there too.

On Friday after I got out of work, I picked up my mail on the way to the grocery store and was so excited to find the swap that Tammy sent me for Char's Laundry room swap. I had to wait much longer than I wanted to, before I was able to get home and open this wonderful treasure trove of prim laundry goods.

I have to say before I show you all the wonderful goodies Tammy made for me, that I so enjoyed having her as a swap partner. Not only did we have fun e-mailing each other, we got to know each other and I feel like I've made a wonderful new friend. With that being said, look at all the cute things Tammy made for me.

I can't decide which of these I want to hang here on the washboard, the clothespin bag or the prim britches. Which one would you hang there?



She sent this cute laundry advertising sign that's currently hanging on the left cupboard door.


Isn't this the cutest little 1800's doll ever! I added her to the top of the cabinet in front of a box that I made quite a while ago using a Lyon & Co Clothes Peg label. Check out the old Regal Hair Life bottle. I have two of them (the other is tucked behind this one) and they are original old bottles with the original real paper label wrap.


I love these redwork stitcheries she made and especially love that she signed and dated them on the back.



She put together this sweet little bag of Fresh Laundry Fixin's that actually smells like fresh laundry!! I'll probably be putting that into a small wood bowl and setting it in there somewhere.


And here is the cutest little card she sent to go with it. I had so much fun opening this little box of treasures and I just thank you Tammy, so much for everything!!
Thanks so much for visiting me here today! Have a blessed day! Hugs~ Birgit

Vintage Tin Bunny Mold, Tutorial And A New Job

I was thrift shopping the other day and found this wonderful tin bunny mold.




I immediately snatched my new found treasure up with an idea of the first thing I would use it for... an Easter Bunny Pantry Cake! I got out all the fixin's I needed to make my bunny cake and it's in the oven now as I type and it smells oh so yummy!



I can't wait to see the finished project. I hope it comes out as good as I'm expecting it to. Here's the recipe if you want to give it a try with one of your tin molds. You can find old tin molds at most thrift stores.
4 TBSP used coffee grounds (or more, depending on how dark you want it)
1 Cup salt
2 Cups flour
3 TBSP cinnamon, plus extra for rubbing on cake
2 TBSP ground cloves
1 Cup water (more or less to give it a damp but not runny consistency)
A few drops of scented oil (optional~ I used cinnamon oil)
Mix all your ingredients toether making sure it's not too sticky. Spray your mold with cooking spray. Press your dough into the mold, making sure to fill in all the crevices. Cook on a low heat setting in your oven for several hours. I used a 170 degree oven. About 2 hours into the baking process, I removed it from the mold and rubbed more spices on it and then let it continue baking without the mold.




When it comes out you can rub more spices on it.

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Here's a couple of pictures of some spring decorating. Not much as I don't normally do too much for spring, but I thought I'd share what I do have.




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I'm also going to be starting a new part time job tomorrow outside the home. I'm so excited and blessed to have gotten this job as jobs are very hard to get right now with so much unemployment. I'll be working at Pinetree Garden Seeds here in New Gloucester.

Between the tough economy and our medical bills from my surgery and our kitties, things have been pretty tight around here. I pray that this will help a little on paying down our unexpected bills. If you love to garden, vegetables, herbs or flowers, you can get a free copy of their catalog here


As for our kitty, Adventure, she still is not doing well. Upon another visit to the vet's office yesterday, she now has a bladder infection and something that they cannot diagnose there. They have recommended we see a specialist and have her bone marrow checked. Of course this brings dollar signs in my head, but she is my daughter's baby and such a part of the family. It puts me in a tough situation to make a decision so we're praying for a miracle. I know she's just a kitty but what would you do?? We would certainly covet your prayers that The Lord would meet all our needs during this trying time.

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs & blessings to you~ Birgit

New England Flower Show

This past weekend, my husband Daryl and I, went to our first indoor flower show. We really didn't know what to expect but we were hoping to get some good ideas for our flower gardens and waterfall pond that we started to build last summer. We weren't disappointed.

I took many pictures of almost every display there, in between the throng of people gathered to look at the most relaxing, whimsical and unique garden displays I've ever seen. I hope you enjoy browsing through our neck of the woods and gardens.


Here in New England, much of our forests and woods are filled with evergreen trees. I guess I've always kind of taken them for granted and never seen much beauty in the 60-80 year old farmers pines on our property. To me they are humungous, pitch dripping, pine dropping trees that offer very little that is appealing to the eyes. The flower show helped me see them in a different light and showed me ways that I could use them in our natural landscaping.


Of course these pine trees aren't as enormous as the ones on our property, but still it gave me a better appreciation of the natural beauty that surrounds our home.




My most favorite displays were the ones that included water features. I love the relaxing sound of running water. We have a river that flows through our property and I so love to go outside after a good rainstorm and hear that rushing water flowing through the river.






Love the waterfalls too!










How would you like to camp here for the weekend?


Want to roast some s'mores over an open fire?



Doesn't this look peaceful and comfy?


I don't know why, but I was drawn to the stacks of stones that were in some of the displays. Do you think they really balanced them or do you think they were glued together? I wanted to touch one and see, but was afraid I'd knock down their work.


Now, what's a flower show without flowers?














Check out this seaside escape!


Picnic anyone? This entire table and benches are giant slabs of stone.


How do you like this foot bridge?


This is a small cottage room with an attached greenhouse room. I would love to build one of these! Wouldn't it be fun to prim it up and have it just to decorate?


Well, thanks for strolling through the New England Flower Show with me. Hugs & blessings to you ~ Birgit

Waiting, Hoping, Wishing and Praying for Spring

Winters here in Maine can be very long and cumbersome. The temperatures start getting cold in October and lasts well into April. We typically start getting snow in November and it lasts well into late March or early April. This year has been no different.

We've been hit with many a snow storm this winter and still recently have been getting new snow fall, freezing rain and freezing cold temperatures. We woke this morning to a balmy 7 degrees. For those of you who feel the effects of winter depression, you can understand the need for bright sunshine and warmer temperatures.

I am one of those who suffer from winter depression and believe me, it's not fun. That is the reason it's been two weeks since my last post. There are days that I can't seem to get motivated to do much, days when I'm cold inside and out and just want to sit wrapped in a blanket reading, days when I feel so alone and that nobody really cares so why bother. I have been waiting, hoping, wishing and praying for the temperatures to warm up and melt some snow and lift my spirits.

While we're still buried in snow, I have noticed that the edges of the garden closest to the house are showing signs of spring. The snow has melted about 2 feet from the house exposing the mulch beneath. This gives me hope that spring is truly around the corner. To honor the onset of spring and lift my spirits, I've decided to share some pictures of our gardens. I added one of them as the background on my computer so that I can look at the green grass and be reminded that it's not much longer before I can get outside in my gardens and start enjoying the warmer weather for real. So here you go, some spring pictures for you and me to enjoy.















May you find comfort in the arms of God, who loves you! ~Blessings ~ Birgit
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselvs are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us." 2 Cor. 1:3-7

Becoming Crazy and A Selling Blog

Well, I'm jumping on the bandwagon with those who have started a selling blog. I'm going to be using this blog to post only my hand made items. With the economy the way it is, this is an economical way of getting and keeping my name out there. I've only got a few things listed right now, but have been working feverishly to make more.

One of the reasons that prompted me to start a new selling blog was that I was invited to join a wonderful group of crafty ladies called Crazy Ladies Primitives! I am completely honored and thrilled that they asked me to join their group. I do hope you'll stop in for a visit at my new blog, The Primitive Country Bug Mercantile. Have a great week! Blessings~ Birgit