12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 7

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? I do!

I made this heart pin with some vintage clip art, scissors, an adhesive pin back and a liquid medium that dries to look "like glass."

When this clear liquid medium dries, it makes any paper image sturdy enough to wear! I think it is the coolest thing ever.

I make pins in batches (like for Valentine's Day) and in the middle of the process, my brain is always whirling with ideas of what to do with this glass-like medium next (perhaps it's the fumes?)

Are you inspired?

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 6

Yes, sweet treats are a big part of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day around here. I've had an assortment of cake decorating stencils in my baking stash for a while now and decided this was the year to show them off.

I am so happy that a simple box cake (Betty Crocker "white" cake mix) and a tub of dark chocolate frosting can be elevated to this with just powdered sugar and a stencil!

I made this cake in the evening, and the next day, my father, brother and 3 of his kids ended up staying for dinner (I had made soup!). Suddenly 7 people were sitting around our dining room table, all eyeing this cake. That is what I love about baking - there is always someone willing to dig in.

And the hot pink glass cake plate? I bought 3 in varying sizes last year (at a bookstore, no less! You never know where you'll find something fabulous.) and love them more than I can say. Wait till this Summer when I float a peony on top!

Day 6: Bake cupcakes or a cake with box cake mix and a tub of frosting. Decorate with pink sprinkles, red hots or white chocolate chips. You'll be surprised how fast they'll disappear!

12 Days of Valentine's Day: Day 5

Wouldn't you like to find this in your mailbox?

My Mom has a collection of Valentines sent to her mother between 1910-1912. They have simple inscriptions and are charming little pieces of love.

I was able to scan them into my computer, and then return them to my Mom so that she could frame them. The best of both worlds. We have the antiques safely under glass, but the freedom to reproduce them as we like.

If you like the idea of vintage valentines, stop in a large bookstore this week and look for this Valentine Postcard book. It is full of reproduction valentine postcards that are ready to detach and mail!

Day 5: Make a list of who would love to receive a Valentine in the mail this year, then have fun selecting just the right ones.

Flowers Flowers Flowers

Today is Day 4 of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day and that means flowers!

I am a fan of making little bouquets. They can add interest to a quiet corner, brighten a nightstand or even be a sweet surprise in the powder room.

This year I am putting together a collection of bouquets for the kitchen.

I'll top a white tablecloth with this Valentine-theme paper runner and gather red & white "jam jar bouquets" in the center.

Sure, I guess I could wait to see if I get flowers on Valentine's Day...but why chance it?

Day 4: Find a way to bring flowers into your life this week. You'll love them every time you see them.

Love your jewelry

Today is the American Heart Association's Go Red Day, a movement that encourages women to wear the color red to promote heart health.

So today, in addition to my red sweater, I will be wearing this necklace. A beauty I designed with an antiqued chain, wooden beads and a gorgeous "I ski in the Alps"-style heart.

Feel like making a heart necklace of crystals? Check out my simple instructions here.

Day 3: Dig through your jewelry box and wear one of your heart-inspired treasures.

Twelve Days of Valentines Day: Day Two

I'm "Blue For You!"

Remember, everything that represents Valentine's Day doesn't have to be pink. I found this beautiful stencil at a scrap booking store, chose a Folk Art fabric paint that complimented my kitchen (#4422 Azure Blue) and went to town with a foam stencil brush. I will let this air dry for 24 hours and then "heat set" it with a pressing cloth and hot iron. Voila!

I love the Swedish influence in the design and can't wait to see this (once humble)dishtowel draped by my kitchen sink. Love it!

Day 2: Highlight beautiful colors in your heart-shaped world.

12 Days of Valentines Day: Day 1

Today we begin celebrating The 12 Days of Valentine's Day! I want this to be a fun time for you. Talk with your friends and family about this celebration. When they realize that this is a mix & match series of fun moments, they may jump on board and start celebrating too!

The 12 Days of Valentine's Day is about expressing love and friendship to those around you.

Here are some suggestions that might help you celebrate:

Gestures can be as big or small as you like
Recipients can be anyone you know - friends, neighbors, family
Wearing red & pink "counts" as celebrating

Celebrating this way should make YOU (and everyone around you) feel good and light-hearted.

I will give you an idea here each day, but it is just to get you in the mood.

Would you believe that this gorgeous cake is from...IKEA!? I found it in the freezer section of the IKEA grocery department (read: buy it and keep it in the freezer until you are ready to celebrate). It is called "I love you gateau" - light sponge cake, vanilla custard, raspberry fruit filling covered with a delicious marzipan fondant. This delightful cake comes with a powdered sugar heart dusted on top! Love it.

Day 1: Plan on having a fancy dessert one night this week.

A Night at The Met

This Saturday I am doing the coolest thing.

I am going to the The Met in New York City...sort of. The latest in modern entertainment is a series of events called "The Met: Live in HD."

Matinee performances are streamed live from The Met to movie theaters across the country (follow link above to see if it is playing near you).

Opera in real time. Is that cool or what?

Apparently it is filmed so that it seems like you are actually in the audience and movie viewers get so enthralled in the performance that they applaud as if the can be heard, cute eh?

So this Saturday, I am "going to The Met" to see Simon Boccanegra, starring tenor Plácido Domingo.

I've never been so excited to go to the movies! Join me?

Collecting Chelsea

How does a collection begin? Often it starts when someone shows you something that they know "you will love."

My Mom has known about the "Chelsea" pattern for years...seeing it now and then at antique shows or estate sales. Chelsea is a delicate white china with a raised blue-lavender decoration, often enhanced with a touch of lustre (an iridescent glaze).

One day we were at an antique show, and she saw the plate above and together we agreed that I had to have it. (You remember that I have a shelf in my laundry room filled with objects that are lavender.)

Well ever since, my Mom has been finding me these gorgeous pieces for my collection and I love them! Now when I am "out and about" I always keep my eyes open for Chelsea. It is so much more fun to go antiquing when you are searching for a speciafic pattern or style.

Design Note:
I want you to notice the lavender hounds tooth "fabric" that my dishes are displayed on. That is actually 3 sheets of scrapbook paper (!) under a glass shelf. Any glass-covered tray or table can be transformed with paper. Love it!

Special Occasions

Isn't this fantastic? I had never seen such lifelike mannequins before. When I saw this display in a gown shop in Atlanta, I thought these were real people!

She looks a little sultry for a bride, but imagine this dress in any other color and she would steal the show.

I think the company that is manufacturing these mannequins is definitely onto something.

Clothes can come alive when displayed properly. And isn't that how we all imagine ourselves when shopping for a new party dress...At a special occasion, laughing, drinking and being truly alive?

May your life be filled with special occasions (and the dresses to wear to them!) xo Anne

I Want Candy

A few years ago, my husband went on a business trip to Luxembourg. When he and his colleagues were talking about what to bring their wives back from the trip, he mentioned that I had asked for some candy.

The rest of the trip, the guys kept pointing out fancy chocolate shops to him. "Here's one" they'd say, "This one looks good." But he never bought any.

Finally near the end of the trip, they happened into a grocery store - pay dirt! He loaded up on the candy you see here.

"Really?" they asked, "That's what she wants?" He didn't know quite how to explain that it was the color and foreign language on the packaging that I was after, not the actual candy.

I hadn't met his team, so he tried to explain that I love packaging and wanted to photograph the candy wrappers, design a magazine cover around it and turn it into a DELIGHT tote. You get it, right?

Sisters

I love love love the sunset silhouettes of my nieces on the shore of Lake Michigan.

This is two sets of sisters. What I think is facinating, is that their body language is so similar, you can easily to pair them up!

For me, it is moments like this that make me grateful to be a photographer.

Orchid Fever

This "grotto" is actually inside a 4,000 square foot greenhouse run by the American Orchid Society in Delray Beach, Florida.

Can you see the dots of raspberry and white throughout the picture? Those are orchid blooms (on their spikes)hanging among the fern and foliage around a waterfall.

I am going to buy an orchid today. I need a touch of color in the house and I can always count on an orchid in the Wintertime. Though I am linking you to the orchid care page, I will also tell you a watering trick my friend taught me last year.

"Once a week, set 3 ice cubes on the moss and allow them to melt." That is all the watering I did, and my orchid loved it.

Do you have orchid fever?

A Visit to Poilane

When I first enrolled in Patricia Wells' cooking class in Paris, I poured over her web page and memorized the sample itinerary. I was so excited that I tried to bide my time by studying "all things French" until class began 18 months later (With only 7 students per class, registration is sometimes a year and a half out).

As the trip approached, my friends and family would ask questions about what I thought we would do in class and where I thought we would go. Every time I got to the part where I said I thought we would be touring Poilane Bakery, I got choked up. My eyes would water and I would smile and stall while I tried to compose myself. "A bakery?" they would ask. "Are you talking about a bakery?" Because they could not fathom why I would be tearing up. I am a "happy cryer," you see, and my emotions hit "tilt" every time I thought of the history of Poilane and the fact that I would get a behind the scenes look.

Poilane Bakery on rue du Cherche-Midi has been carving the now famous "P" on each Poilane Loaf (see above) for Parisians since 1932. I had heard about this bakery, the "P", the ovens, even eaten the bread, for years, yet in my prior trips to Paris, I had never actually made it inside the store front.

Well, it was simply the best field trip I have ever been on. I loved visiting the store, touring the original (and still operating) basement bakery, meeting the bakers and having tea & cookies under a chandelier made of bread. I have been writing all about my experience in my upcoming book (Paris: Delight in the City of Light) and I just had to share a bit of it with you today.

The Poilane website is interesting because it bridges old baking traditions with modern ideas. Click the "Bread & Games" tab and download a pdf to build your own paper Poilane (a mini-replica of the store)! Now that fills my criteria for something that is both beautiful and interesting.

Brownies & Stickers

How lucky am I? My dear friend, Angie, invited me to go sticker shopping and then surprised me by making "Chocolate Bar" brownies for our post-shopping snack. Is this a friend or what?

We had coffee and brownies in her dining room and part of the fun was choosing my plate. She has a collection of antique plates on a shelf that rims the dining room and on special occasions she lets each guest chose their plate.

We reviewed our purchases (I got lots of stickers for my calendar; She got some gorgeous papers for scrapbooking), planned a field trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Brownies & Stickers might not sound like a prescription, but it was just what the doctor ordered.

Escape

Escape into a good book, that is. This month my "escape" is into the stack of books I have been wanting to read. At the moment, I am reading a nonfiction title about a group of friends that support each other in their quest to be "writers" (The Wednesday Sisters), a novel set in New York City in the 1940's about a woman's struggle between marriage vs career (Lucia, Lucia) and a character-filled saga of life and love in a small Irish village (Echos). I can't recommend any quite yet, as I am still in the throws of all three plots, but I can say this, I am enjoying myself immensely.

Take some time to let your mind "escape" this Winter, you'll be glad you did.

Lilly Pulitzer Perfume

When Lilly Pulitzer introduced a line of fragrances last year, I instantly thought bull's eye! I had been searching for a light fragrance that said Vacation and if any brand can master that mood, it's Lilly.

With brightly colored glass bottles (love the printed ribbon "scarf") and names like Wink, Squeeze and Beachy, they have created the perfect addition to any pink & green occasion.

I gave gift sets of Wink & Beachy for Christmas (Santa brought me Squeeze!), and although it is dark and cold now, I know that once Springtime hits everyone is going to love wearing them.

Sometimes the right thing to do is wink.

Humble Pie

Apple, blueberry or cherry? That will be the big question this weekend because Saturday (January 23rd) is National Pie Day.

The American Pie Council has a web page listing the events, contests and recipes in honor of the occasion. If you are the mood to bake Saturday morning, my favorite apple pie recipe (called "Trick or Pie" on Halloween) is easy and delicious. Or stop by the bakery department of the grocery store and take your pick.

Then when your family says "What's the occasion?", you can tell them all about it.

Sundays with Jane

PBS' Masterpiece Theater is putting a little romance into our long Winter nights. The Sunday night schedule for the next few weeks is filled with matchmaking, honor, tea, dancing, mothers, etiquette and pretending to read books by the fire. Are you in?

Emma (a new adaptation): January 24, 31 and February 7th

Northanger Abbey: February 14th

Persuasion: February 21st

I love to fill my weekends with friends, adventures and a bit of housekeeping, but by Sunday night I am ready to sit down and relax. I am looking forward to spending some snowy nights with Jane Austen. Won't you join me?

Tea from A to Z

I was invited to a Chinese Tea Tasting at Goldfish Tea, an independent tea house in town.

Five of us sat on seats at a wooden tea bar (imported from China) and listened intently to the who/what/when/where and why of tea.

The star of the show was camillus sinensis, the plant from which all tea is made. Over the course of an hour, we steeped a white tea called "Silver Needle" (quite grassy and clean), an oolong tea called "Ginseng Oolong" (with a sweet aftertaste that surprised me) and a black tea called "Keemun A" (that I would have liked with milk, but that's another story).

Our guide knew tea from A to Z and took great care in explaining everything from how the leaves are rolled & dried to the proper way to store our tea collection.

I really had a nice time and left with a pouch of Ginseng Oolong, a bamboo tea scoop and some new friends. The next time you are presented an opportunity to learn from an expert, I say do it. It just might be a moment of delight.

Color of the Year: 2010

Today is dedicated to the "Color of the Year" for 2010: Turquoise!

Every year, Pantone (known as the world's "color authority") announces the color of the year - it's affect on mood, use in fashion and interior design and where you can expect to see this color within the next twelve months.

After two weeks of "breathing space" (meaning that the Christmas decorations are all put away and I have yet to introduce any color or pattern in my base decor of neutrals), I am ready to enhance the house with color, texture and flowers again.

In deference to Pantone, I will try to incorporate some turquoise in the house. Dishtowels? Pillows?

I wish I had made a poster of this photo from last Summer. This image of "Sand Patterns" would look gorgeous over my white couch!

Go to the Coast

I love that items and elements from "life on the shore" are becoming popular touches in interior design. Keep your eye out and I think you will notice this more and more.

Framed shell images, heavy white "coral" pieces for display on a bookshelf, even shells themselves to fill a vase or arrange on a table.

My weakness is shell-covered boxes - I practically have a collection by now and I think that they are gorgeous! I'll photograph one soon to show you.

The next time you are looking for something to add interest to your living room...go to the coast.

Techno-update

New features for 2010...

I've added the "Share this on Facebook" and "Tweet This" feature to my blog (in the sidebar on the right).


Now when the mood hits, you can connect your friends to whatever I am talking about with a click of the mouse. Voila!

Knot Typical

This is knot your typical resort store...unless you are on the coast of Maine, near Bar Harbor.

When Angie & I were tooling around Northeast Harbor trying to get our bearings (thank you, Garmin), we drove past this amazing marine store. I thought the ropes in the window were just beautiful and all week I kept telling her:

"The ropes...I've got to get a picture of the ropes."

We finally made it back there in the daylight and this is the result. It is exactly what I had in mind...the colors, the textures, the giant spools.

To me, this photo represents the love of boating, and all I can say is "Ahoy!"

Vanilla Atomizer

Who wouldn't like having a vanilla atomizer in the kitchen?

In the morning, I like to flavor nonfat plain (or FAGE nonfat plain Greek) yogurt with vanilla and a touch of sugar. For me, this means fewer calories and better flavor. The trick was always pouring in the right amount of vanilla for a single serving.

That is when I dreamed up today's suggestion. Fill a brand new MISTO sprayer (intended for olive oil) with vanilla! After giving it a quick pump, you can waft a fine mist of vanilla over whatever you are making. It works like a dream, smells heavenly and allows you to add just enough vanilla to a recipe.

Making granola? Mist vanilla over the mixture of nuts and oats.
Making a smoothie? Mist vanilla into the blender.

Today's photo is to remind you to pick up some apples at the grocery store. Breakfast is a chopped apple mixed with non-fat "vanilla" yogurt and a touch of honey.

Vanilla atomizers...my contribution to modern cooking.

Fondue Night

Last night, the Junior League of Birmingham hosted a social event to help members to mix and mingle.

It was a cold January night, but my friend Corinne and I bundled up and headed out for a night of fondue at The Melting Pot.

I absolutely loved it. A room full of new and old friends, glorious cheese fondue and (my favorite) this flaming "turtle" chocolate fondue with caramel and pecans.

Our table of seven talked and talked - about movies, books, travel and our personal projects for the year. As I sat there, I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to be a part of this outstanding organization.

I had a room full of smart, fun-loving volunteers and all the time in the world to talk to them - fantastic.

12 Days of Valentines Day

People all over the world are thinking about the 12 Days of Valentine's Day already.

I know this because they are Googling "12 Days of Valentine's Day" and coming to my site! In 2008 and 2009, I gave hints, tips and suggestions for making the 12 days leading up to Valentine's Day special for friends and family.

This is my philosophy:

The "12 Days of Valentine's Day" are about expressing joy and love for the great people in your life - spouse, parents, neighbors, teachers, friends, family.

It celebrates the fact that it is fun and inexpensive to eat heart-shaped food and wear pink. Seriously.

I can't possibly fit all the "celebrating" I want to do in one day, so the Twelve Days of Valentine's Day are perfect. It all starts on February 3rd.

In the meantime, look back at my suggestions from prior years and starting thinking about how you would like to celebrate the 12 Days of Valentine's Day. Make strawberry muffins? Put on the pink pillowcases? The tiniest gesture counts when it is done with love. And people love to talk about it, so spread the word.

And while you're at it, pick up some pink sprinkles. I know you'll use them.

A Restorative Cup of Tea

I love having a cup of tea in the afternoon. I've read many Rosemunde Pilcher novels (The Shell Seekers is my favorite) so I always think of having a "restorative cup of tea." I don't know anyone who wouldn't appreciate being restored at 3 o'clock.

The moment of delight you see above is from a lovely hotel in town. The mother of the "Garden Club Girls" and I went to lunch with the girls after a field trip to see a giant gingerbread house. We used cloth napkins, drank from tea cups and were very grown-up in this fancy dining room.

We thought that the tiny jar of Bonne Maman Honey was darling and all had fun dipping our spoons in. Believe me, I was restored.

Puzzling

I use the word "puzzling" not as adjective (meaning confusing) but as a verb (the act of putting small pieces together to make a really cute picture).

This week we have been puzzling.

I put up a card table in the family room and things are taking shape. This puzzle is a Joan Steiner "Can You Find It" puzzle of a kitchen. Small everyday items are used to look like a dollhouse-sized kitchen. Can you see the black stove? It is made from an old Walkman. And the brown turkey on the counter? It is actually an acorn. I think this style of puzzle is so fun and interesting.

My favorite puzzle of all time is of a general store! Ceaco Can You Find? - Trump's General Store

I have heard quite a bit lately about how puzzles are "good for your brain." While everyone is touting health and wellness this January, I am doing my part by suggesting you get yourself a puzzle and have fun watching it all come together.

Jewelry Management

I have seen the future and it requires jewelry management.

I make all of my own jewelry and for a while it seemed my motto was "365 days/365 necklaces." And why not? I can make each piece to be exactly what I need. But when you travel like I do, jewelry transport can be an issue.

I have created the perfect system and it is time to share it with you.

First you will need a Snapware Craft Organizer Box. (Also available in Target in the laundry section) Each unit has several levels that snap together - but the fun thing is you can snap multiple sets together to create a jewelry tower (perfect for car trip). Or if you are flying, one unit will pack in a suitcase nicely.

Next is the containers inside - I use Lookers hinged vinyl cases (shown in green) to keep necklaces safe and untangled. I have found some at a Michael's craft store (in the gift wrap section) and at The Container Store.

Squares of bubble wrap are perfect to cushion bracelets and watches. You can even buy pretty colored bubble wrap at the post office if you are so inclined - just cut to the size you need.

The best and most unusual item I organize with is the round lidded plastic box that protects a roll of electrical tape (Home Depot!). They are perfect for my earrings, pins and pendants.

So there you have it...Anne Reeves' guide to jewelry management. Helping you to stay super cute, wherever you are.

Winter Pearls

Tomorrow I am posting about "jewelry management" - modern tips and tricks to keep your jewelry neat and organized.

As a result, I am in the mood to design jewelry and I've decided to spotlight this darling necklace.

Love it, right? It is made of wool balls and I wear it in the winter as you would wear a strand of pearls.

White blouse, pretty cardigan and this beauty at the neck. I only wear it when I feel chatty, because e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e wants to talk about it.

Watch the sidebar for 2 similar necklaces to be offered in the ANA limited edition store. I'll say what I always say...Love it!

Crazy or Happy?

Crazy or happy? Sometimes the distinction is blurred.

I have lots of recipe cards in different styles & designs. I love them and think they are so pretty. I find that when a friend wants a copy of one of my recipes, I actually select which card to use based on the recipe or ingredients.

The taupe & brown card (second one down in the middle) I use for recipes with coffee, Kahlua or maple. My holiday print recipe cards are on the top right - perfect for rum balls or sugar cookies. And I always write my salad recipes on the pretty "garden" one in the top center.

Now if you didn't know me and I just blurted out that I match the recipes I give out with the designs on my recipe cards, I sound a little cuckoo. But if you think about it, maybe I am just happy using beautiful papers. Happy that you want one of my recipes. Happy that a pretty little piece of me will live on in your recipe box.

Crazy or happy? It's really how you look at it.

Cranford

I absolutely loved Cranford, a British mini-series about a small village in the English countryside in the 1840's. It has fabulous characters (Judi Dench as Matty Jenkyns), great acting - love, humor, honor and a cow in knit pajamas. What more could you want?

When I first saw Cranford last year, I was happily watching the end of Disc 2 (via Netflix) and promotional advertisements about other PBS series started to roll. What? Disc 3, I want Disc 3! I truly didn't want the story to end, in fact I double checked online to make sure I wasn't missing Disc 3 somehow.

Great news! Return to Cranford (with the original cast) will be broadcast on PBS Masterpiece Theater starting January 10th (Part 1) and January 17 (Part 2) at 9pm!

Now, I realize that many of you have not seen Cranford yet (gasp), but you can watch it online (for free!) at Masterpiece Theater only through January 10th. Isn't that wonderful? So no matter where you are, you can watch this charming series online and be ready to watch the sequel with me on the 10th.

No pressure, but suddenly this is what you could do Tues/Weds/Thurs night this week. There are 3 episodes to catch up with - each lasts 2 hours. Make a cup of tea and enjoy!

Calendar Girl

It's the first Monday of the year and I am getting organized. Today is the day that I look at my calendar with a "bird's eye view."

I make notes in the margin of each month of the things I would like to attend. For example, I have never been to Chicago's Christkindlmarket (an outdoor holiday market filled with handcrafted German ornaments, food and holiday cheer) that is open from Thanksgiving to Christmas. If I note it on the calendar now, I am much more likely to plan for it in my schedule.

Another big deal is the Blue Angels! Every other year they fly in the air show at the National Cherry Festival over the 4th of July. This the year and I have to make sure that I am there!

After the big events are noted, I fill in birthdays (candle stickers) and anniversaries (wedding cakes) by month. This moment of quiet planning makes my year go more smoothly. I love my Blackberry, but I really am a calendar girl.

Meditation Garden

I have been lucky enough to visit the spectacular Morikami Japanese Gardens several times and my favorite part (other than their famous bento box lunch) is photographing the meditation garden.

Look at the concentric circles in the gravel - beautiful and interesting!

Although often seen as a joke in movies, I think there would be something calming about combing the sand and arranging the elements in a desktop zen garden.

I have been thinking about re-planting my terrarium...maybe I'll add an area of sand this year.

The Possibilities Are Endless

Today is all about possibilities. January 1st - the beginning of a new year.

What will my "Moments of Delight" blog posts be like this year? Which flowers will take my breath away? What recipes will I create and share?

Is it silly to say that I can't wait to see my own photos?

I write this blog to share my photography, creative ideas and simple pleasures that put a spotlight on the beauty of every day life.

If you could do me one favor, it would be to suggest my blog to others. The more readers I have, the more people that I can bring delight to.

When I founded Subscribe To Delight (a gift subscription service), my goal was to bring delight to a million women, one package at a time. Think how amazing it would be to bring delight to 1 million women, one blog post at a time!

You can "forward this post", become a Facebook Fan, whatever you can do to spread the word, would be wonderful!

Thanks and Happy New Year!

H.N.Y.

This is a reproduction of a vintage snowflake decoration (love of the past) that was created and sold recently (living in the present) shown to you via the most modern method of all...the internet (surely our future).

So I in honor of these modern times, I am texting you my wishes for a bright and prosperous new year.

HNY!

A Delightful Year

2010 is going to be a delightful year!

I am excited about my gift subscription company, "Subscribe To Delight" and I know that there will be lots of women running to the mailbox each month to see what I have sent!

What is "Subscribe To Delight?"

Each month, subscribers receive a surprise in the mail that I think is beautiful and interesting. The gift-wrapped package includes a narrative that explains what it is, why I chose it and how it can bring DELIGHT. The narrative adds to the experience and gives some talking points to explain delight to others. The purpose of SUBSCRIBE TO DELIGHT is to give the subscribers a “lift” and to let them know that someone is thinking of them. My goal is to add some fun and anticipation into our subscribers lives. Do you know a woman that would love a subscription to DELIGHT?

Have you read the write up in Country Living magazine?

Book Club Books

This is the type of bookshelf I am drawn to...packed with knitting projects, recipes and decorating ideas.

But tonight I must focus! My book club is meeting tonight (first at a cozy restaurant for dinner & conversation) then on to a bookstore to chose our books for the next six months.

Each member is expected to come with suggestions of books for us to read and why. We'll pool all of the titles and then vote for the ones that sound the best to us. I have been polling my friends and have a few suggestions up my sleeve.

Have you started using Shelfari yet? It is a free online "book shelf" that lets you keep track of books you've read, are reading and want to read. I love it because I can never remember the titles/authors of books once I have read them and it keeps my literary history all in one place. Try it!

Christmas Tea

Every year we have a small Family Tea with our mothers, aunts and their children. It brings the ladies together for a cup of tea and conversation and lets the cousins play together for a few hours.

This is my year to host and while many of you are nibbling on the remains of the cookies tray, I am beginning to bake!

See my strand of Christmas lights? I bought this copper cookie cutter years ago and was so happy when I found silver sugar to replicate the metal base of the bulb! This season, I saw Christmas light bulb cookies touted as a great hostess gift in House Beautiful and Oprah magazine. Don't you love how they look?

I hope you find a cookie on the cookie tray to "light up" your afternoon.

Baked French Toast

If your holidays are anything like mine, there is still a lot of celebrating to do. I thought that a simple (but gorgeous) breakfast dish just might come in handy this week. As long as you have pecans in the house, everything else you need should be on hand.

I bake this recipe in an Emile Henry oval baking dish (approx 1 qt: oval 11 x 7 x 2) and it serves 6 generously. When it comes out of the oven, invert it onto a large platter to reveal the sticky sweet pecan detail on top. Yum!

Baked French Toast

1/4 cup brown sugar
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
Enough pecan halves to cover bottom of a baking dish (1 cup?)
4 eggs
3/4 c. milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
10 slices of white bread

Melt brown sugar, butter and maple syrup together in a saucepan over low heat. Pour into baking dish and spread evenly. Arrange pecans (top side down) so that they cover the entire bottom of the pan. Arrange 2 layers of bread in the pan, tearing pieces to fit. Whisk eggs, milk and vanilla together. Gently pour egg mixture over bread. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.

Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Invert onto a platter and serve with a pitcher of maple syrup.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas

May you have a
delightful holiday
filled with family
and friends.

Love, Anne

Family Tree

Over the years, I have loved giving you ideas for Christmas ornaments that you can make yourself. There have been:

• medallions of newspaper
• butterflies coated in glitter
• angels with bubble wrap wings

all custom-made for my "family tree."

The focal point of this tree are the ornaments I've made from family photographs.

Yesterday, a reader asked to see the whole tree and I felt silly that I hadn't shown you before! Of course you need to see how they all work together.

Here is my delightful family tree filled with wedding photos, baby pictures and lots of love.

Map Wrap

My use of maps as wrapping paper is driven purely by its visual impact (rather than environmental) but nevertheless, "being green" is relevant and this counts!

Stacks of old AAA maps from our travel adventures have given us the most beautiful packages. I even think that they look best without any ribbons at all. Isn't it neat how all maps "relate" to each other in color, scale and print? Fabulous.

Back in 2007 (when I first used maps as wrapping paper) I used an adhesive crystal to denote a spot that was meaningful to the recipient. My family & friends just loved it - touches like that are so simple, but they have an emotional impact.

Then I switched gears last year and played up my love of sewing by wrapping packages in sewing patterns! So pretty and unexpected.

What inventive wrapping will 2010 bring? Time will tell.

O Christmas Tree

"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They're green when summer days are bright;—
They're green when winter snow is white.
O, Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!"

I had an amazing Sunday afternoon with my nieces and nephews (age 11-18). It was "cookie day" and they came to spend the day baking with us.

Our big family tradition is to bake together and we had a wonderful time rolling, baking and decorating dozens of Nama's Sugar Cookies.

This gorgeous tannenbaum stole the show with its string of lights and gold sugar star.

Toffee Time

I have wanted to make toffee for years - I even own 2 candy thermometers - but I had never tried it until this weekend.

I think I had combined everything in my mind that I had seen and read about candy making and psyched myself out. Here is a list of what I was worrying about and if it was relevant to toffee making.

• use a copper pot (nope)
• swirl, don't stir (nope)
• brush the sides of the pan with water while cooking (nope)
• temperature is everything (yes)
• don't let it foam/boil over the top (yes, but you are stirring so not a concern)
• keep ice water on hand (yes, safety first)

Despite my mental list above, I had hung onto a "making toffee" article from Southern Living (since 2004!) in the hopes of figuring it out one day.

That day came when my friend Alison (who goes on my "Sugar Secrets" field trip with me every year) said she was up for the challenge. I waved the article (loaded with gorgeous toffee shots) and proclaimed that it was our inspiration page.

The link (from the original article) shows the "Hawaiian Toffee" version made with macadamia nuts. We used the same recipe, but with pecans (and no coconut).

I have since received another toffee recipe from a friend and it uses salted nuts and different chocolate. I think that recipe (similar in all other ingredients & proportions) will be a notch better. For your first go around, try this recipe, but skip the toasting and use salted nuts.

Viva La Toffee!

3-D Christmas Card

I received an I loved it! note from a friend who came to dinner last week.

She described the trees, the colors and the little holiday touches everywhere. She particularly loved our marshmallow village at the front door.

She said that being in our house was like "walking around inside a Christmas card."

I can't think of a nicer compliment!

So tonight, when you are sitting by the tree with a warm drink in hand, take a deep breath and spend a few moments pretending that you are inside a Christmas card. It feels wonderful.

Christmas Stockings

I gave myself permission to combine whatever materials I wanted to make stockings for the family room.

I got creative and layered elements that I love.

I started with aqua and white cotton dishtowels - I love everything that happens in the kitchen, so I sewed the foundation of the stocking from them.

Quilted white fabric was the perfect "applique" to add some puff to the basic shape.

My favorite part is the fringe I made from a map of northern Michigan!

On Christmas morning, I hope mine is brimming with candy, lipsticks and pretty note papers! What do you hope to find in your Christmas stocking?

Cookie Cutter Spotlight

I thought that you might like to see...

My ever-growing cookie cutter collection has a "spotlight" in today's Detroit Newspaper "Cookie Cutter Collection has sentimental value"

Clear & Sparkling

There are so many ways to indulge at the holidays, I am finding that more & more of my guests are opting for sparkling water as their beverage.

Fantastic! As a girl that kept Perrier in her dorm fridge, I am all for it. And when it looks this pretty, who wouldn't be?

My secret is to put 1 Tablespoon of cranberry juice concentrate in the bottom of a glass, fill with Cap10 sparkling water and top with a lemon slice.

Don't stir it and the cranberry juice concentrate will not mix with the water. It will just make a raspberry-colored tinge on the bottom of the glass and look very festive!

A pretty Tracy Porter glass doesn't hurt either.

Your conversation and your beverage will be clear & sparkling. Cheers!

Gingerbread House

This year I wanted to highlight the softer side of gingerbread and decorate in all shades of white, biscuit and tan.

It turned out pretty, don't you think?

I used oyster crackers as the siding (love it!) and the window shutters are vanilla wafer cookies. I wanted a simple pine nut walkway (to replicate stones) and made a snow-covered thatched roof by using Frosted Mini-Wheats.

A dried orange-rind star in the eaves is the perfect natural holiday touch.

Get yourself one of those pre-made gingerbread kits (make sure that it includes pre-baked walls and pre-mixed icing. This kit even had "tabbed" walls to secure into the gingerbread base for more stability - fabulous!)

Construction and decorating takes less than an hour and you'll be left with a mini-masterpiece.

Cookie Exchange

I love a good cookie exchange. A chance to bake some cookies, bring them to a party and leave with a smattering of everyone's very best baking.

A few years ago the cookie exchanges around here got out of control - the only ticket in one was to agree to bake (wait for it) eight dozen cookies. Good grief, as if we aren't frantic enough this time of year. But things have settled down again and I just attended a cookie exchange (2 dozen) at a Junior League meeting.

What I noticed was how happy the women were as they selected a cookie from each plate. I could see the wheels turning: tea, neighbors, mothers, hospitality, chocolate! All of these lovely thoughts swirling around in their heads, triggered by the bounty before them. Everybody feels better when they have something sweet to offer.

Bon Appetit!

Electric Enthusiasm

A quick drive-thru McDonald's for a hot chocolate and I was ready for a light tour!

We have friends that are new in town and we have invited them to go on a drive next Saturday to "look at the lights." It is such a fun way to get in the holiday spirit and we had a few spectacular spots in mind. But in order to determine our route, we went on a pre-tour this weekend to find the best displays.

I find it very relaxing to have Bing Crosby on the radio, warm drink in hand, driving around "Ohhhing and Ahhhing" at electric enthusiasm.

I love this time of year. Is your enthusiasm electric?

Holiday Entertaining

I love love love to have people over for dinner - especially around the holidays.

I start with a pretty tablecloth (Xochi), add special dishes (my grandmother's pattern "Jewel" by Spode) and use lots of votives for candlelight. Every time I walked into the kitchen and saw this table, it made me happy.

Wouldn't you want to have a Christmas dinner here?

Now for my secret recipe. This simple chicken recipe makes a fancy dish perfect "for company" and has been my go-to main dish for many years.

This recipe is my gift to you. Make it and you will never again worry about having friends and family over for dinner - I guarantee.

Delightful Chicken

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 cups bread crumbs with Italian seasoning
1 can evaporated milk (classic, not 2% or fat free)
1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dip a chicken breast in evaporated milk, dredge in bread crumbs and then roll the chicken breast up (starting from the thicker end) to make a "hump." Place each rolled breast (resting the weight of the chicken on the tip to keep it from unrolling, also could be described as laying it "seam side down" if that makes more sense) in a shallow baking pan. Drizzle a generous tablespoon of melted butter over each mound of chicken. Bake for 1 hour (until internal temperature reaches 165 F).

Serve with homemade or store bought cranberry relish, chutney or sauce.
Yum!

Cozy Nights

Michigan had a sudden cold snap and as I drove to my "Euchre Night" last night, the car thermometer read 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrrrr......

Normally at our card parties, the hostess sets up tables and provides the cards and beverages, but doesn't need to worry about food. Then the players descend on her house with appetizers and dessert bites at 6:30.

So when we all tromped up the front walk in the biting cold, it was such a surprise to find that our hostess had made a big pot of chili to warm us up.

Nothing could have tasted better to us than homemade chili topped with cheese, sour cream & hot sauce. I am telling you this because I believe her gesture exemplifies what it means to be a good hostess. Considering the event, the guests and the circumstances to make everyone feel at home. It was a cozy evening of cards by the fire and I loved every minute of it.

Are you hosting an event this season?

Christmas Crackers

Feeling British? Why not decorate your holiday table with some English Crackers?

Boxed sets of English Crackers are all over the stores right now and make a great party favor. I think there is something so fun about pulling the ends, hearing the snap and shaking little trinkets out. What's not to like?

But I also wanted you to show you my version. Inspired by an old issue of Country Living magazine (British Edition) that features a trio of handmade English Crackers on the cover. I have thought about doing this project for years and years until I finally walked into the powder room last week and unrolled 3 complete rolls of toilet paper in order to get the empty tubes I needed. Seriously.

It was a piece of cake after that. Simply center the tube on a doubled piece of tissue paper, roll it up and place a piece of tape on the seam. Wrap a smaller piece of decorative paper (the same length as the tube) over the tissue layer and tape. Tie a pretty piece of ribbon on each end to gather the tissue and close the tube.

I didn't fill the tubes with candy & treasures (before tissue paper step), because I could see from the papers and ribbons that they would be too gorgeous to snap! I used pink tissue paper and a vintage-style map of Paris.

Make your own English Crackers...it's a snap!

Sweets for the Sweet

You know how I love candy. So you'd expect nothing less than for me to have a candy-themed tree, right?

In 2002, the Martha Stewart for Kmart collection featured gumdrop people as Christmas ornaments. I bought one (or more!) of the pink girls, orange boys, red girls with hats, snowmen and angels. They are just darling and some of my favorite ornaments.

I have a wooden "gumball" garland, old-fashioned candy sticks and bows made from candy dots on paper. I keep my eye out for sweet treats to enhance my collection, but really nothing could make me happier than the adorable gumdrop people that I already have.

Thanks, Martha.

Christmas Candy

Beautiful and Interesting - that is what makes for fun Christmas candy! I made my own variation on traditional bark simply by selecting a different kind of candy cane.

There are so many beautiful candy cane collections available, I wanted to think of a way to use them! The colors of the "Sweet Tart" variety won me over, although there is a "sweet & sour" aspect to the candy that I question. I think next time I will choose a gorgeous color palette, but will make sure that the flavor really compliments white chocolate, like strawberry.

All in all, I think this candy is so pretty and tart or not, I can't keep my husband away from it!

Pink Poinsettias

Now this is an ornament! When I saw a pack of soft pink balls at Michael's, I knew I had to dress them up into something wonderful!

Enter: glittered pink poinsettia floral picks and a few spools of wired ribbon. As I carried my bounty around the store, I got approving glances from all the ladies.

I set to work in my kitchen one night and ended up with a row drying (the glue gun glue had to set) on my oven door- it was quite a sight!

Love it!

Holiday Tea

Day in and day out, my tea of choice is English Breakfast. But when the holidays come around, I can't resist buying the entire collection of Celestial Seasonings' Holiday Teas.

When I offer someone a cup of tea, there is always a lot of interest in trying something special this time of year and who could resist choosing between:

Candy Cane Lane
Gingerbread Spice
Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride
Sugar Plum Spice
or (my favorite) Nutcracker Sweet.

I am giving you the heads up that this collection is not stocked in all stores and is available in limited quantities, so buy it if you see it. I am happy to say that the online store works well too and since this year I could not find Nutcracker Sweet (black tea with a hint of vanilla) on the shelf, I'll be ordering online too!

Who do you have tea with?