Happy Easter everyone! Here’s what is blooming in my yard today. I hope you have similar brightness in your day!

Front yard:

Back yard:

Well, Jan and Elizabeth, you are mostly correct! Yesterday’s photos were the reflection of the range hood light in the bottom of the aluminum roasting pan that was going to act as a bain marie for making this delectable dessert:

I give you Chocoflan!

Try not to drool too much. Take a closer look why don’t you?

This recipe from Rick Bayless is absolutely to die for. Chocolate cake and flan, what could be better? It’s a bit complicated because of making the Cajeta but worth every minute. Once you make the cajeta it will keep for about a month, so we’ve made this twice. I think twice is enough until next year!

Cajeta is just a caramel sauce. You might be able to use a store bought one in its place. When Rick ordered his unpasteurized milk to make cheese several weeks ago he also ordered the fresh goat’s milk to make the cajeta. It’s really only a matter of cooking the milk slowly for a few hours until it caramelizes.

The cake itself is magic. First the cajeta gets spread on the bottom of the cake pan. Next comes the chocolate cake batter, then the flan mixture gets carefully poured on top.

During the cooking process, the two layers exchange places and the flan ends up on the bottom (or if you will, the top once the cake is turned out of the pan). Like I said: magic! Since the flan mixture filters through the cake layer, it infuses the cake with gooey moisture. Sheer heaven, trust me.

I’ll bet you had no idea that the answer was going to end up being connected with a dessert recipe!

And, oh yes, of course the last photo was of the rain against the sliding glass door in our living room. Thanks to those who played along!

P.S. There is chocoflan left is anybody wants to stop by for a taste!

As I sit here this morning in the dark gloom listening to the rain coming down outside I am thinking of what to do on another rather boring day inside with the menagerie. How many pieces of paper can I print out on the printer to keep Sam occupied? He loves to watch the paper come out!

where does that paper come from?

The dogs are disgusted too. Just look at the expression on Bella’s face.

mom, make it stop raining!

My neighbor has invited me to go and see baby lambs this morning but right now I am thinking that isn’t such a great idea to stand in a wet mucky pen in the pouring rain not even being able to take photos. What a wimp I am! And, I do need to run out to the grocery store, yet another thing not to look forward to on a rainy day. But, it will give the dogs an outing and maybe it will help to relieve the boredom a bit.

So, I thought I’d see if anyone can guess what these images are. Hint—can probably be found in most households. I know, not much of a hint but I don’t want to give too much away! (Hubby Rick you are not allowed to guess because you might be able to figure it out!)

And yet another strange photo from the other night. This one is easy.

I know, I know. I’m strange. I see patterns and odd things and I grab the camera. I can’t seem to help myself!

I can put up with a few days of rain and gray gloom if my prize at the end of the week is temperatures in the mid 70’s with SUNSHINE. I think I feel a Mia weekend coming on! Oh yeah ...

Spring is definitely arriving in my front yard. The maple trees are the brave ones—they are always first. Their furry buds look so pretty lit golden by the late afternoon sun.

Up close and personal they look entirely different, like some exotic flower.

The forsythia hedge is not going to be left behind. Its buds are expectantly waiting to burst open in their full cheery yellow glory.

Small bushes are starting to unfurl their first new leaves.

And since I don’t have any crocus, I had to go outside of my own yard and into those of my neighbors. This pretty grouping is from Luke’s yard.

And these are from Luke’s next-door neighbor. He has a nice cheery row planted against his stone wall.

Even though our temperature is not anything to brag about this weekend (23 degrees right now, heading to low 40’s by midday) I know that warmer weather is on its way. At least today it’s sunny and not rainy like it has been this past week. We’ll be thankful for seat heaters when we take Mia out for a spin today!

Post amended to include two more photos at the end!

This beauty is now blooming in my sun room. It was gifted to me three years ago by my neighbor, Aileen. Somehow I’ve managed to coax it into re-blooming for me two years in a row. I really didn’t think it was going to bloom this year!

I tried several different angles, lenses, and views against the greenish-yellow of the walls. If I used the flash it made the walls look white, which I did not want. I shot most of these raw on shutter priority. I had to boost the exposure in iPhoto, but other than that they are like they came from the camera. I used my big telephoto lens, my normal lens and the LensBaby for the close-ups. I think I took about 50 photos and scrapped around 35 of them. These are the ones I think came out best for what I was going for.

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