Short Absence, Pussywillow Tree

I've been busy.  Besides typical stuff, I'm working hard preparing for a professional certification, which I'll be soon testing for.  I'm hoping to be posting more soon.  Until then, an up close and personal view of a picture I took this weekend, a pussy-willow tree.  Reminds me of my childhood, although I can't pinpoint a specific memory.

“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

John 4:48

Have a wonder-filled week!

Chocolate Orange Mousse

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my faithful readers!  Have you ever had a Chocolate Orange?  You know, the candy?  So, I've only had it twice, but YUM!  Here's what I whipped up for my family for a Valentine's dessert.  This would be great to serve dinner guests!

Chocolate Orange Mousse

1 bag semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup whole milk
Zest of 2 clementines plus juice of 1/2 clementine (to equal 1Tbsp of zest/juice)
1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

Melt chocolate chips and milk in a warm double boiler.  Stir frequently until chocolate is completely melted.  Cool completely, then completely stir the zest/juice in.  Whip up the cream until stiff peaks form.  Set aside about 1/2 cup cream.  Fold the cream into the chocolate mixture until completely blended.  Put into dessert dish(es) and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.  Serve with a small dollop of the reserved whipped cream.
Serves 8

Sugar Free Valentines

Valentine's Day is a fun day for kids, giving cards and treats to friends and receiving the same in return.  But who says the treats have to be filled with sugar?

This year we did glow bracelets.  I chose to make expressions like "You light up my life!" and "You make my heart glow!"  I found a similar idea on Pinterest.  To make the hearts 'pop' we used pop-up glue dots.

We turned it into family craft time, which the kids love.  It puts more meaning into the message.

I've been under the weather this weekend, so I haven't accomplished anything that I had planned other than these.  What have you been up to this weekend?

Piano and Sheet Music

My grandfather passed away last summer, but a few years ago, when they were downsizing, he and my grandmother decided to pass the piano on to future generations.  Grandpa was a magnificent piano player, you could tell he had played almost all of his life, and he loved to sit down and play.  His love for music became a legacy that lived on.  His two sons both became professional pianists and currently teach music in different capacities at the university level.

My kids are now opening up to playing, and I'm excited that they will have that opportunity.

The bench is FULL of sheet music, some dating back before The Great Depression.  A lot of it is show tunes, but there's certainly a variety.  I decided that I'd like to display it, but I also want to preserve it, since I'm not sure if it's of value.  So for now I've tied up a small stack of the music and placed it on the piano, until I figure out what to do with the rest.

What would you do with the sheet music?