
Springtime in Connecticut is slow but it is definitely in the air! I love seeing what people post on Instagram all over the country seeing what it looks like in the springtime! California is looking so green right now! Both Mary Ann and Cindy are enjoying a California spring as we share our Sunday favorites again! Thank you for coming back each week to read about them, you have no idea how much that means! What are your favorites, dear readers? What should I share next week?
1. We spruced up the side door for spring for less than $40!
This week I’m sharing how I spruced up our side door for less than $40. This door leads to our tiny pantry and then down to the basement. So we use it a lot. I don’t think prior owners paid much attention to this door and they certainly did not utilize the 24 square feet of a landing as you open the door for a pantry. But that’s the thing about me, I may not have the best or the biggest house on the block, but we make every space count. Remember this door last fall and winter?
Stacked rocks collected in Montauk
We still haven’t turned on the water to the hose bibs yet, so I just washed everything with my spray bottle of Thieves. It smells so good! Then I planted some tulips and pansies using all my existing containers. Spring plants will only take us through Mid May so I don’t want to spend too much. It took about 20 minutes and $40 and it makes me smile every time I see it!
2. Spring Granola?
PrintOrange Citrus Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 4–6 drops orange vitality essential oil (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 3 dried orange slices, cut into small pieces (Trader Joe’s)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, pumpkin seeds, nuts, and toss to combine
- In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, melt the coconut oil
- Add the honey and salt to the coconut oil and whisk to combine and add to the dry ingredients. Add the orange vitality essential oils if using at this time and once everything is combined, pour onto a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, turning every 15 minutes with a spatula. If you want granola clusters, crowd the granola together on the sheet pan and it will stick together. This also prevents the granola from burning.
- Add the dried orange slices after removing the granola from the oven and toss to combine.
Adding a little granola to a cup of yogurt with some fresh fruit has been my go-to lunch since the pandemic began over a year ago. I’ve made every granola you can think of for each season, so now that it’s spring, it makes perfect sense to make orange citrus granola. It’s very similar to the lavender granola I made last year about this time. But since I love anything citrus, I’m kind of obsessed with it!
3. Tan-Luxe
We have had one warm(ish) day and I’m already thinking about self-tanning. Have you heard of Tan-Lux Illuminating Self-Tan Drops? They have one for Face and Body. I chose light-medium and added the drops to my favorite moisturizer, the lavender lotion from Young Living.4. Retro Igloo Cooler
Who remembers the Little Playmate Igloo Coolers? I’m a bit nostalgic for an Igloo Playmate Cooler. My kids would use these every summer for Junior Guards. They were required because it was the only seagull-proof cooler! When I saw these retro colors, it made me wish we would be celebrating Easter together this year. I would use them as Easter Baskets.5. A Stripe Shirt
I love stripes, especially in the spring. I saw this one on a sponsored Old Navy Instagram post and stopped in and found it the same day at my local store. I love it and it’s $!5.Make sure to pop over and check to see what Mary Ann and Cindy found this week for their five favorites.
Classic Casual Home
Cindy Hattersley Design
Oh my goodness! Thank you for that link for the playmate cooler & I’m going to get one for my university kid for Easter or Road trip whichever time it arrives by.
Love your outside door anchored by black interests. The stacks of rocks will be duplicated in my potting area for interest.
Happy Spring,
Diney on Camano Island
I was in Old Navy a few days ago, saw that striped t shirt on my way out and bought it immediately. Agree with you – it’s great!
Playmate coolers are the best! I’m going to order one … I lost track on mine in one of our moves. I’m also ordering those self-tanning drops … seems like a quick and easy method. With sunny weather here in California it’s time to address my pale limbs! 🙂 xo