Monday, April 30, 2012

May Day Poem and May Baskets

May Day
Let us take our baskets early
To the meadows green.
While the wild flowers still are pearly
Where the dewdrops sheen.
Fill them full of blossoms rosy,
Violets and gay
Cowslips, every pretty posy
Welcoming the May.
Then our lovely loads we'll carry
Down the village street,
On each door with laughter merry,
Hang a basket sweet.
Hey-a-day-day!
It is spring now,
Lazy folks awake!
See the pretty things we bring now
For the May Day's sake!

Old fashion May Baskets ready to be delivered tomorrow! 
Two slices of  "Mommy's Banana Bread" fill the inside.
The above poem is printed and attached to side.  Lilacs and pussy willows
help to decorate along with doilies, stickers, ribbon and Easter grass!
They can be filled with candy too! 

Eight lucky people will be receiving these baskets on May 1st.
Will you be one of them? 

Be creative...I used leftover scrapbook paper, old buttons for the sides
to cover staples, pretty stickers and a lot of thought! 
Resurrect the making and giving of May Baskets and start a tradition of your own!


The Two Sisters Spring/Summer Collection


Linens made in USA for the beach house
and summer settings!

Pink and Black to wear and entertain!

Delicious pillows, mini paintings from a
Cape Cod artist!

Colorful necklaces and wraps for cocktail
parties & cool summer evenings!

Scrumptious home made hot fudge and
 all natural preserves!
The season's latest color combinations...
All part of the Two Sisters Spring/Summer
offerings! 

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Mayflower!

The Mayflower is in bloom!  It usually blooms around Mother's Day
but since Mother Nature is far ahead of herself this year the Mayflower
and lots of her friends are displaying their glory earlier than usual.
Go to your local nursery and pick up one of these gems.  The fragrance
alone is enough to give you happy thoughts!  The scent fills the air.  So we suggest
planting near a walk or not far from a door!  You won't want to miss this!
Every time I say the name "Mayflower" it makes me think of the Pilgrim's journey!

Two Sisters Create Herb Project at Bemis Farms Nursery

Here's Nancy with Tina Bemis at the conclusion of the
"Thyme to Eat" project.
We stacked 13 culinary herbs on these tiered pots. We will enjoy
them all summer and bring it indoors to harvest fresh herbs all winter.
Nancy and I suggest you check out
Bemis Farms Nursery
29 North Brookfield Road
Spencer, MA 01562
Check out their website www.BemisFarmsNursery.com
or call 508.885.4247 for other classes offered this spring.
Bring a friend, have some fun and leave the mess behind!!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Cheese Lasagna - Page 135

Want a recipe that will make you feel like you're eating in Boston's North End
or on Atwell's Avenue in Providence?  This is the lasagna for you!
With family gatherings, graduations and other celebrations soon to be at hand,
this recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  Homemade sauce, fresh
parsley, basil and mozzarella cheese are hints of freshness in this popular dish.
Give it a try...you'll be glad you did! 

When spring is a distant memory...

Remember the loveliness of spring and its gifts!
Plant hyacinths...
Plant daffodils, tulips, crocuses...
They'll add sunshine to your life!
So in the autumn, when you see bulb catalogs...don't put them aside.
Start reading, planning and ordering!  Fall will be here in due time and
the promise of spring shortly thereafter!

Friday, April 13, 2012

We Invite You To Join Our Site!

Please sign on as a follower of Two Sisters Cook Book and More! It's fun entertaining and delicious!  We welcome you in advance!

Mr. Fur

Mr. Fur finds some shelter in one of the raised beds
in the kitchen garden. 

Friday, April 6, 2012

"Welcome"

Don't forget to create a nice greeting for your guests!
This "welcome" is at the entry to the porch.

Mommy's Banana Bread - Page 160

What do you do with 3 leftover bananas?  Here is the answer!
Made this for our aunts, uncles and cousins who will be
arriving over the weekend.

Armenia Easter Eggs "Naturally" Page 8

A large pot filled with water and onion skins that I've saved for the
last few months are shown here with eggs slowly boiling.
The color of the eggs are ocher, a moderate to deep brownish orange!
An Easter family tradition special and fun to make.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Standby for an Easter luncheon menu that will keep guests coming back!

Appetizers
Armenian Easter Eggs "Naturally" - Page 8
Maple Sweetened Goat Cheese - Page 15
Pineapple Cheese Ball - Page 16

Soup & Vegetables
Peter Rabbit's Carrot Soup - Page 41
Mustard Vinaigrette - Page 64 (over asparagus)
Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Mash - Page 82

Main
Easter Ham with Mustard Glaze - Page 110
or
Peach Glazed Smoked Ham - Page 111
Apricots and Bows - Page 113

Desserts
Peter Rabbit's Carrot Cake - Page 180
Pineapple Upside Down Cake - Page 185
Buttermilk Pie - Page 193
Meringue Nests with Blackberries - Page 203
Lemon-Butter Easter Egg Cookies with Royal Icing - Page 229

Easy as 1, 2, 3 - Spring Chocolate Nests

The finished nest wrapped in cellophane or on a platter as part of your dessert selection is certain to captivate your guests young or old!
Combine it...
Melt it...                        
Shape it...
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk          2 - (5-ounce) an thin chow mein noodles 
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips 
Line 2 baking sheets with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.  Scrape milk into saucepan.  Add chocolate chips.  Cook and stir until blended and smooth.  Place noodles in a bowl.  Pour chocolate sauce over noodles.  Stir until coated.  Drop generous 1/2 cupfuls onto prepared sheets.  Lightly spray fingertips with cooking spray.  Pres a well into nests making a depression in the center to hold candies.  Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set.  Peel off foil.  Fill with candies or Jordan Almonds.  Yield: 8 - 10 depending on size - fewer if larger nests are made!                                                                    
Mixing chow mein noodles with melted chocolate chips and condensed milk.
 
Nests are ready for hardening in the refrigerator.

Spring Chocolate Nests
Page 247
Other NESTS...
Jemima's Chocolate Nests - Page 246
Edible Springtime Nests - Page 246
 All ready for the Easter Bunny to deliver!