Change in the air

I can feel it, spring is on the way. Just when I thought winter was going to last forever and we would never again see a day without rain. We have had four days of wonderful fresh sunshiney, springyness. We have been for a walk everyday, breathing in the freshness and feeling the warmth on our backs. We picked some more jasmine to replace our wilting posy from last week, and these too...

I just love all the sweet smelling pretty things that pop up out of the ground at this time of the year. I'm so glad I got around to putting some daffodil bulbs in the ground, they are all starting to shoot up now. And I've just noticed there are little green buds on our plum tree, yay for plum trees - aye Liam! His favourite spot last summer was under the fruiting plum tree!

Liam February last year

I'm looking outside at my overgrown garden as things are starting to sprout and venture out into the warming weather and I'm thinking it's time to do some work. There are garden beds to weed and seeds to plant and things to trim and lawns to mow. I think the carrot seeds and sweet peas I planted just before the big storms came have well and truly washed away. I'm making a mental list of all the things I want to plant in my vege patch. We'd like to plant some more fruit trees too, and I think I've found a good spot for a magnolia. I'm hoping Aaron is feeling as enthusiastic as me, we might just get out there this weekend if the weather stays fine.

This warmer weather seems to have put me in spring cleaning mode too, I've been wiping blinds, scrubbing bath toys, sorting out filing cabinets, cleaning out cupboards and getting rid of lots of things. It feels great!

In between bouts of cleaning I've been baking too. More from that cookie book. Of course.

These are the new ones being enjoyed at the moment. Coconut lime cookies. They are very tasty.

And here is the recipe if you'd like to try them. I really don't want to return that book to the library!

:: Coconut Lime Cookies ::

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

Finely grated zest of 1 lime

1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 tsp almond essence

1 cup desiccated coconut

Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the eggs, beating until blended. Add the lime zest and juice, and vanilla and almond essences. Mix in the flour and salt and 3/4 cup of coconut to form a stiff dough. Divide the dough in half and form into 2 logs 5cm in diameter. Wrap each log in glad wrap or a plastic bag and flatten slightly to form oblongs. Refrigerate for at least 30 mins. Preheat oven to 190 c. Slice the dough 1cm thick and place on greased baking trays. Sprinkle with the remaining coconut and cook for about 10-12 mins until golden.

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And a very happy birthday to my mum for yesterday. Sending love and hugs and kisses to you from us!