April's Monthly Musings: 2023

 It's the last Thursday of the month and time for Monthly Musing with Holly and Patty. This month we're talking all about spring! Does it feel like spring has really arrived where you live? 


1. My favorite spring fashion piece seems to change a bit from year to year; while flip flops are always my absolute favorite it's been a bit chilly for them most days this spring.  This year my most worm and used fashion piece is my jean jacket. 





2. I don't change up my scents from year to year... but I LOVE smelling lilacs and other fresh flower blooms as they slowly start making an appearance. 

3. Once spring weather hits we grill a lot of meat and seafood and I love to have cold salads to serve with them. It makes dinnertime so easy!  Here are a few of our favorite cold salads:

WW 4 point pasta salad


New England style broccoli salad


Classic macaroni and tuna salad


BBQ macaroni salad


BBQ bacon potato salad


4. Spring desserts make me think of fruit!  I have a few to share... like these mango scones with fresh lime glaze. 


These strawberry white chocolate cookies



This no bake strawberry chocolate dream cake



Or this no bake lemon cheesecake with fresh blueberry compote




5. Since Ian's birthday is in spring we almost always have some sort of chocolate/ peanut butter dessert to celebrate!  We invite all his grandparents over and it's usually our first party of the season.  

2017 we had THIS peanut butter brownie trifle 

2018 he asked for THIS chocolate/ peanut butter/ coffee flavored cake

2020 we made him a chocolate cake with a peanut butter filling, coffee flavored frosting, and PB cups.


2021 he requested a peanut butter pie-- we used an Oreo crust and topped it with hot fudge and mini PB cups
2022 we went back to a trifle cake with peanut butter and fudge


This year was a 3 layer chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, chocolate ganache and PB cups.

6. I don't do a whole lot of spring cleaning since I try to clean all areas of the house throughout the whole year but I do like to wash all the windows each spring and this year I am so excited to use my window cleaning set. 
7. No, I do not plant gardens-- though I do have flower gardens all around the house, I make sure to use plants that come back year after year so I only have to do minimal weeding and care. 

8. While I hate that the spring rain keeps us cooped up inside I can't hate the rain itself since it brings so much greenery and plant life with it. Plus those extra rains make for some really beautiful water-side hikes with roaring streams.



9. I'm not sure I could pick one favorite spring flower but some of my favorites are tulips, lilacs, forsythia bushes. 





10. My husband and I are planning to travel to Acadia next month. 

Linking up with: Thinking Out Loud, Spread the Kindness, Fine/Whatever, 











Comments

  1. Maria RineerApril 27, 2023 at 5:39 AM

    I love the peanut butter cup theme that you had for so many birthday desserts. I stopped and stared at the screen for a few moments when I got to the peanut butter pie picture. That looks amazing. I agree with you on many items- except for your flip flop answer. I think I wore flip flops just one time last summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 27, 2023 at 3:17 PM

      You can never go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter! I even wear flip flops for the whole week at Disney/ Universal. As long as the weather is nice I will live in them and even bring my hiking shoes with me so swap out at the trail and then back again when we get back to the car.

      Delete
  2. Amy from www.coffeeandcocktailsatthecasa.comApril 27, 2023 at 5:43 AM

    All the food pictures! Yum! I am anxious to switch to more of my warm weather foods, too. I live in flip flops! I think you look so good in your dresses and jean jackets outfits! So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  3. NatashaApril 27, 2023 at 6:04 AM

    Okay, I need to make those mango-lime scones with Sam. They sound delicious! In fact, ALL your spring desserts sound delicious right now :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. HollyApril 27, 2023 at 8:00 AM

    You and Alec always make the best desserts- yum! Love that pic of the lilac bush- that screams spring to me! Yes to a denim jacket too- such a great investment for springtime in New England! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dara @ Not In JerseyApril 27, 2023 at 8:12 AM

    I'm with Ian on loving all things chocolate with peanut butter! Yum!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 27, 2023 at 3:18 PM

      Me too! I always look forward to see what he picks.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousApril 27, 2023 at 8:13 AM

    Denim jackets are the best and I love yours! All your food pictures look so delicious and mouth watering. Happy spring!
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kim CarberryApril 27, 2023 at 8:33 AM

    We have a day or so which feels like spring and then it will feel like winter again for the next couple of days. Mother nature needs to sort herself out! I can't wait to start wearing lighter clothes, I'm sat here today in a winter jumper.
    Those desserts look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 27, 2023 at 3:20 PM

      That's kind of how our weather has been too! I just want nice weather and lighter clothes (without feeling like I'm freezing in them).

      Delete
  8. Julie's Creative LifestyleApril 27, 2023 at 9:34 AM

    Joanne, I love those pasta salads and the desserts. I love wearing a jean jacket but it's still so cold here. I can't wait to wear my jacket. Enjoy the end of the week Joanne.

    ReplyDelete
  9. MichelleApril 27, 2023 at 10:31 AM

    At our house, Spring arrived with some days near 80 degrees, the azaleas bloomed, and then we got a freeze. Grrr. Oh, and now I’m ready to come eat at your house. Everything looks so delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 27, 2023 at 3:21 PM

      We had one really HOT week in April with temps around 90 and then it's been in the 50's pretty much ever since.

      Delete
  10. Good Better Best FoodApril 27, 2023 at 12:01 PM

    Oh your desserts!!!! Plus you always have the Best nature photos. Thanks for linking up with us.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tamar SBApril 27, 2023 at 9:57 PM

    I can never come here hungry!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Veronica LeeApril 28, 2023 at 10:41 AM

    Those desserts look divine! Yummm!
    Love all the looks you styled with the denim jacket.

    Hugs and blessings, Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  13. DawnApril 29, 2023 at 10:10 PM

    What wonderful spring salads. They all look delicious. I hope you all have a wonderful trip.
    Blessings, Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  14. JayneApril 30, 2023 at 4:12 AM

    I love your spring wear, especially the second outfit. I'm not sure if it is a jumpsuit or a two piece but I love the colour. Really suits you. And yay to flip-flops! I live in mine.
    Those food snaps have made me soooooo hungry. I'm going to have to try the BBQ Bacon Potato Salad, yum! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 30, 2023 at 1:20 PM

      Thank you! That is a jumpsuit and I just love how soft and comfy the material is too.

      Delete
  15. Jennifer WhiteApril 30, 2023 at 10:06 AM

    I love lilacs too. Our bushes are blooming...I always forget we have them until I walk outside and smell them. It's one of the best parts of spring. I can't wait to read about your Acadia trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 30, 2023 at 1:20 PM

      Our lilac bushes never seem to bloom but luckily we have a few on our daily walk to the mailbox that I get to enjoy.

      Delete
  16. BinduMay 1, 2023 at 5:42 PM

    The lilacs are not blooming here as well

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 2, 2023 at 5:09 AM

      They smell so lovely! I've always wanted to plant a whole row of them in our side yard but never have.

      Delete
  17. AnonymousMay 2, 2023 at 8:33 AM

    It's been cooler for spring here and I am enjoying every bit of it. Soon enough it will be hot. I haven't hiked much but I have been exercising. The scent of honeysuckles is one I enjoy. Loving the variety of your outfits with the jean jacket!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lindsay's Sweet WorldMay 2, 2023 at 12:26 PM

    I love cold salads so much, but the rest of my fam won't touch them, so I never make them. Such a bummer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 2, 2023 at 3:17 PM

      My husband and oldest son enjoy them but the younger two boys would never even try them.

      Delete
  19. LyshaMay 2, 2023 at 3:31 PM

    So many cute outfits!! All the food has me hungry :-)

    ReplyDelete

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