Advent By Candlelight Table

We had such a lovely night.  My mom and I hosted a mother/daughter table at our church's Advent By Candlelight last night and it was a big success.  I know because our table was the last one still seated and talking long after others had started to pack up and go home.  And I swear the coffee was decaffeinated!

Our theme was "A Vintage Christmas" and we used some darling bon bon bedecked paper goods (that said Merry Christmas on them!) to highlight our pink and green table.   Our vision all came together when we gave our table scape some height by filling two glass hurricanes with my collection of vintage ornaments.  Pink and green and gold, oh my.  And when the overhead lights were turned off and all of the tables were lit by candlelight, it looked even more old-fashioned.

When we were planning our table, my mom wanted me to bake my chocolate cake "cottage" with butter cream snowdrifts as our dessert.  Of all the cakes that I make, this is her favorite and she knew that it would be the perfect centerpiece.  She was right.  Everyone wanted to know where I found the cake pan and loved the little touches, like the fact that I made the sidewalk coming from the front door look "shoveled."  Ha!  

The pan is the "Gingerbread House" from Nordic Ware and I just love it.  It bakes perfectly every time (I like Betty Crocker Super Moist cake mix in "Chocolate Fudge" and homemade butter cream frosting) and unmolds like a dream as long as you use "spray with flour" (like Baker's Joy) and wait exactly 10 minutes after you take it out of the oven before you try to unmold it.

Come on, you know you want one.  I also use this pan as a Housewarming Cake - people love it!

Preparing for Advent By Candlelight

Tonight is Advent By Candlelight at my church and the preparations have begun!   Over 400 women will participate in this quiet evening that celebrates the beginning of advent. 

There will be a church service (a sanctuary filled with women singing!), followed by a chance to walk around and admire the different table decorations and then an hour or so for tea and dessert.  My mom and I are hosting a table this year and spent last night setting up our table with vintage ornaments, pastel place settings and lots of candlelight.  I will show you tomorrow - it looks beautiful! Remember our "Marshmallow Snowstorm" table that we designed a few years ago?

Today is filled with baking tonight's dessert (a chocolate cake with homemade butter cream frosting) and...driving my final draft of my book to the printer! The epitome of a modern woman's life - baking, business and blogging.    

Walking Through Fields

I literally pulled off the road when I saw this fence cutting through the landscape.  Doesn't it look beautiful?  I knew that if I stood right in line with the posts going into the distance, it would have a photo that would spark the imagination.

Did it work?  Have I gotten you thinking?  When I see this photograph, my mind ping pongs between scenes from Anne of Green Gables (remember how she would walk to Diana's house?).  It also makes me want to go on more picnics!  

I'm putting that on the calendar for 2013 - I am going to write "picnic" in now blank margin of June.   

Sea Glass Goddess

My friend Corinne is a Sea Glass Goddess.  The bounty you see here (carefully divided by size and color and stored in an empty organic egg carton) was found by her, one piece at a time on the shores of Oahu, Hawaii.

Sea glass makes her happy.  The quiet beach walks.  The thrill of finding a glint of color in the froth of waves and sand.  She has been making jewelry for almost a year now from these tiny treasures and her inner artist is coming out.  Her pieces of clean, beautiful jewelry speak for themselves.  And after giving her lovely necklaces and bracelets as gifts to family and friends (believe me, I am spoiled!), she is beginning to sell them.

If you love the sea, you might just need a piece of classic jewelry made by a sea glass goddess.  

Christmas Cottage

Someone is a genius!  Look at this sequin-bedecked design that uses a rectangular gem as the front door.  I just love it!

This Christmas Cottage was stitched by my sister-in-law's mother onto a Christmas stocking (from a pattern) at least thirty years ago and it is still as cute as the day it was made.  

I saw it and instantly wanted to create a house like this of my own on a small pillow.  Have I? Not by a long shot.  Writing and publishing this new book of mine has taken up every extra minute these last few months, but any day now I will be able to announce that it is for sale (in time for the holidays!) and then I can get down to some serious crafting and baking.

I will get out my felt, sequins and thread and embellish something with my own little Christmas Cottage.  Maybe I should stitch this design onto a guest towel.  Or an ornament?  What do you think?  Pillow, hand towel or ornament?

Christmas Cookie Dough

Today I make 4 batches of my grandmother's (Nama's) sugar cookie dough.  Two batches with go in a freezer bag (wrapped in wax paper first) and into the freezer until I have more time to bake. And two batches will become holiday shapes like trees, stars,bells and sweaters. After baking and cooling, I will freeze them too.  The day I am ready to decorate them, it will take just an hour or so on the counter and they will be room temperature and ready to frost.

I do a lot of baking this time of year (and know a lot of cookie eaters!) so this is the best way for me to get ahead.  All of my Thanksgiving side dishes will be made on Wednesday.  Today, we bake!


Nama's Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder

Cream butter in mixing bowl. Beat in sugar, egg, milk & vanilla. Add flour, salt & baking powder. Mix well. Divide dough in half and wrap in waxed paper. Chill in refrigerator at least one hour. Use plenty of flour on board, rolling pin & cookie cutters to prevent sticking. Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Bake at 375* on an ungreased cookie sheet for 5-8 minutes.

Nama's Cookie Frosting
Mix 2 Tablespoons of hot water to 1 cup powdered sugar. Mix with knife. Tint with a drop or two of liquid food coloring. Note: Using hot water makes the frosting shiny. Add hot water as needed to perfect consistency.

Anne's Holiday Coffee

I have been experimenting with different ingredients to make the perfect hot coffee drink and I have formulated a winner!  This coffee drink has a touch of alcohol for flavor, not kick.  You can easily have a cup and feel like you are indulging in a holiday treat, without the negatives of many of the high octane and whipping cream-filled holiday drinks.

Holiday Coffee

Brew 4 cups of decaf coffee.  While the coffee is brewing, mix together 1/2 cup of Fat Free Half & Half, 1/2 cup of 2% milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1 block of unsweetened Bakers chocolate.  Microwave this milk mixture a minute or two until the liquid is hot and the chocolate melts when stirred.  Add 2 Tablespoons of Jim Beam Bourbon and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.  Pour the hot decaf coffee into the milk mixture and serve in pretty coffee cups.  Top with a puff of real cream Reddi-whip, if you wish.

This hot coffee drink is perfect to share with friends and family gathered for the holidays.  

(Note: The photo above is a coffee from a restaurant in Paris.  I drank my Holiday Coffee last night before I had a chance to get a good picture!) 

The cover of "Finding Delight: Ideas and Inspiration to Enhance Everyday Life" by Anne Reeves

Tah-dah! Today I can unveil the cover of my new book, Finding Delight: Ideas and Inspiration to Enhance Everyday Life!  It is in the final stages of production and will be available for gift giving this holiday season.

Finding Delight is a 135-page soft cover modern coffee table book dedicated to the joy of finding delight in everyday life. With a full-color photograph on every page, topics include: "Living A Life of Layers," "Visual Vitamins" and "The Power of Cute."   

I believe that the best life is a varied life.  When hobbies and travel collide with friendship and collecting.  Where sugar rules and stories matter. I've been writing about Finding Delight for years and I have woven my methods and mantra into these pages. As you read, pay attention to the pages that capture your imagination. Notice how happy you can feel, simply by thinking, by remembering.  I find delight all over my life...at different times of day, in different cities and settings, with people that I love and in strangers that I meet. This is delight.

If you would like to receive my e-Newsletter to get more information and to stay in touch, sign up in the sidebar in my blog. 

Holiday Cards as Art

Sometimes a little art is just the touch your kitchen needs during the holidays.  I have always loved this painting by Monet called, The Magpie.  When I received it as a Christmas card last year, I saved it with the thought that I would frame it someday and hang it by the telephone in my kitchen.  

Last month I found the perfect piece of scrapbook paper (red with aqua polka dots), and today I cut the paper to size and taped the Christmas card to it.  Once it was behind glass in the frame, it looked like it has been professionally framed with a mat. Magnifique!

Do you have a few Christmas cards from years past that were so beautiful you had to keep them?  Maybe you should chose one, find some coordinating scrapbook paper and frame it for your kitchen.  If you haven't saved any, keep your eye out for something beautiful in your mailbox this holiday season.

I am hoping to receive lots of warm holiday messages written in Caspari cards this year.  They have a beautiful selection of elegant cards, and I particularly love this one called, Snow Tree with Fence.    

Easy Ornament Storage

Have I got an easy holiday storage idea for you!  Turn the compartmentalized plastic containers that they sell apples in at Costco, into safe storage for delicate Christmas ornaments.  

You can see that I also use the empty plastic egg cartons (2 dozen) for my smaller vintage ornaments.  I love this method and I wanted to share it with you.  

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so get to it!  

Quiet November

It is November. Take time to enjoy the quiet.  The depth and detail of this room in the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg looks like a painting in this light.

I chose this photograph to represent the quiet of being at home.  I am working at my desk in a quiet house, putting the finishing touches on my book.    

Turkey Cake Pan by Nordic Ware

This is just a friendly reminder to order your cornbread turkey pan by Nordic Ware now, so that you can get it in time for Thanksgiving.  The moment that I saw this pan debut on The Martha Show, I had to have it.  It works incredibly well with not quite 2 pouches of Marie Callender's Corn Bread Mix.  Once it is baked, you level off each side of the turkey with a large bread knife and frost the two sides together so he'll stand and be 3-D.  I use a few toothpicks inserted on an angle to stabilize the seam and then I prop my turkey in a pie plate full of whole cranberries to help him stand up. 

I have also used one side of the mold to make a molded cranberry relish.  I served it on a bed of ruffled green leaf lettuce.  This was a pretty and festive dish to display on a large holiday buffet.

Come on, you know you want one.

Presidential Election Day

It is a very exciting day!  Today we vote.  I found this photo of mine that depicts "Michigan" in a stone mural that I saw in Washington, D.C.  

This installation is on the ground, so you can walk around on the 50 states and perhaps even map your route home.  This is my bird's eye view of my favorite place.  I thought it was a fitting photograph for an election day.

If you happen to live in Michigan, you can go to www.publius.org and see a preview of your ballot.  It is very helpful in preparing to head to the polls.

Have a wonderful day.

Antiquing for Ornaments

I surreptitiously took this photo at an antique show this weekend.  I knew the vendor wouldn't mind since I am trying to inspire you to collect and appreciate vintage ornaments.  Aren't they beautiful?

I have quite a collection myself, remember my vintage ornament tree?  And since my mom and I are using vintage ornaments in our Advent By Candlelight tablescape, I am about to find out exactly how many I have!  

She is coming over on Wednesday and we are going to pour over all of the ornaments and choose which ones to display in our two glass hurricanes.  We are concentrating on pinks, greens, gold and silver.  I can't wait to show you.

But I am a little nervous to actually get them all out.  You know how you are a collector, you pick up a few items here and there over the year, but until it is all on display in one place, you are never quite sure what you have?  I have a feeling that I have a lot more vintage ornaments then I think I have!  Blame the rummage sales, I tell you.  I had a lot of luck lately and I promise to do them justice in some lovely holiday displays this year.

Violets

In the no man's land of decorating between Halloween and December 1st, I like to buy and display violets.  I can put a grouping of five on a large tray in the family room or a just one in a pretty planter on the front table.  The hearty blooms add just enough color and warmth in the dim light of November.

Violet plants are inexpensive, come in beautiful shades of pink, wine and purple and have leaves that seem appropriate in the cold weather (a delicate plant just won't do).  I can easily move them upstairs when I start my Christmas decorating and best of all, they require very little care.

Have you given any thought to violets lately?  They just might warm up that table in the den. 

Happy Halloween

Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween!

Darling Diorama

I never get tired of looking at miniatures and I thought it would be fun to show you a photo of one of the many diorama scenes that were once on display in the (now closed) La Samaritaine Department store in Paris.  I certainly hope someone saved the diorama series for a museum when the store closed - it is a handcrafted treasure.   

In this scene, a middle aged couple seems perfectly happy to read the morning paper in silence.  I can almost hear the rustle of the newspaper as Papa turns the page.  I love the heavy green velvet drapes and various framed paintings designed to give the room an air of opulence.  And have you ever seen framed wallpaper panels in a dollhouse?  This proves that a room can never be too small for good design.

Las Vegas: Pool Paradise

I am not a big fan of the typical Las Vegas activities.  However, when someone says Las Vegas in March to a girl in snowy Michigan, there is lots of appeal.  When Dan was sent to a work conference for a week at the MGM Grand earlier this year, I tagged along for fun.  We had dinner together each night and during the day I did some writing and explored many of the French patisseries in the area.  You can see all of my posts from this trip by clicking Las Vegas under the City Series section in the sidebar of my blog.

But in terms of the casino, I have to be honest, the smoke, fake strawberry air freshener and noise of the public areas was a lot to take.  I am lucky that I found sanctuary on the pool deck, which was deserted from early morning until about 11 am.

This gorgeous setting was where I spent my mornings reading, writing and blogging.  Neat, eh?  It was warm and quiet.  Not a soul around except for some lap swimmers in one of the other four pools.

When people asked me how my trip was, I say that I loved my time in Las Vegas, but probably not for the reason they think.  Sometimes you have to tweak things to make them right for you.

Flower Arrangement for the Stars

I have been taking "floral portraits" of my flower arrangements for years.  No background.  No distraction.  A photograph of the beauty of the composition.  This particular arrangement was for a friend's birthday and let two Paul McCartney roses and a sprig of oregano float inside a pale green hydrangea.  The vase is a one-of-a-kind vessel I decorated with crystals in grey and pink.

If I lived in Hollywood, California and made bouquets for the stars this is the type of arrangement that I'd want to be known for.  Pocket-size beauty.  A little piece of floral delight. 

Wouldn't receiving this arrangement make you feel like a movie star?

Fall Cookie Cutters

Look what I'm planning!  The cutest Fall cookie ever!  Okay, a moose doesn't really represent Autumn, but if I am going to make gingerbread dough for squirrels, I want to get a few gingerbread moose out of the deal.

If you don't know by now, I collect cookie cutters.  They tug at my "love of baking" heartstrings and I simply can't resist getting a new one when I'm in a shop.  My next challenge is finding a cute way to display and protect them. 

The sweet pine tree on the left is my latest aquisition.  I see thick shortbread trees made with pale green cookie dough, with a chocolate chip for the trunk.

Do you collect cookie cutters?

Spice Puzzle

Wouldn't this make a great puzzle?  Last week I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to organize the cupboard next to my stove top.

Halfway through, the array of spices, salts and herbs was so overwhelming it almost looked pretty.  So I grabbed my camera and took this photo to show you.  This is real life - a combination of high hopes, wrong turns and a lot of spice.  

I was looking through my stack of Everyday Food magazines (December issues) to find a one-cookie-dough-many-ways recipe.  What I found was an advertisement by McCormick that said if you have any spices that were packaged in Baltimore, Maryland, they were at least 15 years old.  Yikes!  And the issue I was reading was from the 2006 issue, so add another 6 years to the past its prime calculation.  I had to know if any of my spices were 20 years old.

Yep.  I found 5 bottles from my wedding shower days!  I now know with certainty that I don't use: Allspice, Marjoram, Chervil or Savory.  Ha!  I pitched a few other bottles that seemed old and now I have more room on the behind the door adhesive spice rack for flavorings I do actually use and the rest of the containers are arranged by type in the cupboard. Victory.

Do you have any vintage spices?

Hot Chocolate on a Stick

I was in shopping in Houston at a shop called British Isles when I found this product called Hot Chocolate Sticks.  I chose dark chocolate and the salesgirl told me that hot chocolate on a stick was a very popular seller lately.  She said that once her customers try them, they always come back for more.

When you take a block of Belgian chocolate and swirl it in a cup of hot milk until melted, how could you go wrong?  You can't; it was delicious.  I had been saving my hot chocolate stick for a chilly day and on a damp and rainy day last week it really hit the spot.

I think these sticks would be perfect kept in a jar and you could pull them out as a treat during book club or a knit night.  Hot Chocolate on a Stick, why didn't I think of that?   

Custom Timepiece

I don't scrapbook.  I make and sew and glue and play with everything under the sun, including paper, but in terms to "official" scrapbooking with papers and embellishments enhancing a photo album, it is not one of my hobbies.  That said, I love scrapbook stores.  I never know what I am going to find or how I am going to use it, but that is half the fun!

I have made little works of art by covering matchboxes with scrapbook paper and stickers, used scalloped paper as a doily and made my own cute clips using clothespins.  But this may be my favorite project of all.  A clock!  

I bought a sheet of Bo Bunny scrapbook paper that looked like a clock face and I   glued it to the front of a clock kit from the craft store.  It is as light as air and made of paper - but it is a real clock!  Now I have a custom timepiece hanging in my office that is just my style, beautiful and interesting.

Pink Geraniums Leaves

How can it be?  Every time I look outside and see my pot of geraniums I am amazed.  The leaves are "turning" bright pink.  And I mean really bright pink.  I've never seen anything like it.  

I chose this variety (which now I really wish I had saved the label marker!) because of the pretty bright pink geranium bloom and 2-tone green leaf.  You can see how the leaves have been all Summer in this photo.  But would you ever expect, and have you ever seen, the leaves turn pink in the Fall?

It is an unexpected bonus in a plant that has bloomed for me for months.  Thanks, Mother Nature!

Brain Overload

My brain is overloaded.  I love it, of course, but I can hardly think straight.  I am about to finish my third book and I am deep into editing in an effort to keep my thoughts, photos and the feel of the book consistent.  I chose this photo because it is dreamy and beautiful, just like my book.   

First let me say that the contents are g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s.  I absolutely love it. The title is "Finding Delight - Ideas and Inspiration to Enhance Everyday Life."   And I am spending 8 hours a day reading, proofing and reorganizing my work so that reads and relays well.  

It will be available for sale in mid-November, in time for the holiday season, so stay tuned here.  I can't wait to show you!

Charleston: Historic Ironwork

Have you ever discovered something on a trip and then returned home to realize that it was only the tip of the iceberg?  In my walks around the city of Charleston, I noticed this beautiful iron gate with a gilded harp.  What an entrance.  The intricate ironwork of Christopher Werner is what made me stop and take notice, and upon reading about Hibernian Hall from home, I wish I could have known to go inside.  Flamboyant ballroom? Double Stairhall?

How I could I not know about Charleston's historic ironwork?  If I would have known, I would have done some research before I arrived.  I really enjoyed my time there - I was able to wander the city for the better part of a week a few years ago when my husband was in town for work.

I explored the beautiful shops on King Street, wandered an indie craft show and had my first bubble tea with made with tapioca pearls.  It was a lovely city to explore and I wanted to see more.  I would love to tour the gardens of Charleston one day.  Or be able to walk the streets when it is decorated for Christmas!  Have you ever been to Charleston?

The Last of the Garden

*Sigh* This may be the last bouquet of the season.  Isn't is gorgeous?  We have had a few frosty mornings and I went out to save the last few buds before the cold sets in.

For this bouquet, I took one of my hand painted glass jars (green polka dots!) and centered one reddish green hydrangea blossom and leaf over the opening.  This way I can use the hydrangea as a "frog" (a flower arranging tool that stabilizes an arrangement), and tuck the yellow and peach roses through the hydrangea petals and into the water.  It makes an arrangement of very few flowers look full and lush, don't you agree?  And the roses aren't going to slip or droop.  I added a sprig of ginger mint (green and cream variegated leaf) near the top for added dimension.

I love it!  And I'm not ready to give up on the roses, I still see buds coming!  If only Jack Frost can hold off a little longer...  

Make Your Own Snocaps

I was in the cake and candy supply store (Heinrichs in Centerline) when I thought of making homemade Snocaps or chocolate nonpareils.  I know it sounds a little crazy, but the ones at the movies are so small and I thought that they would make a beautiful candy to have in a dish at the holidays.  You know, when there is snow on the ground.

Anyhoo, I was talking to a saleswoman about how I would go about it when another saleswoman came by and blurted out, "Okay, here's what you do..."

She had tried this technique last Christmas (with a mixture of red, green and white nonpareils) and it was as if she had been waiting all year for someone to ask about it.

Her enthusiasm was warranted.  I just made them and they are fantastic!  Each piece of candy is a little bigger than a nickel.  They are the perfect size - big enough to look special and homemade, but not so big that you don't want to eat 2 or 3.

Okay, this is how you do it.

Homemade Snocap Nonpareils
Buy a pound or so of bulk Merckens Dark Chocolate Buttons for candy making and a container of white nonpareils at a cake and candy supply store.  Take a cookie sheet with sides and line it with parchment paper.  Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Lay out the chocolate buttons in rows and columns.  Turn off the oven and place the cookie sheet inside.  In about 5 minutes (watch carefully) the buttons will soften and become shiny, but still retain their shape.  Remove cookie sheet from the oven and set on hot pads.  With a spoon, sprinkle white nonpareils over the softened chocolate buttons until they are completely covered.  Set cookie sheet on a refrigerator shelf for a few minutes to help the candy set.  When buttons are hard, remove from refrigerator.  Remove each piece of candy, shake off any excess nonpareils and place in a storage container until you are ready to serve.  When all of the candies have been removed, pick up edges of parchment paper and ease extra nonpareils back into the nonpareil container to use for the next batch.  Put the parchment paper back on the cookie sheet, turn the oven back on and repeat steps.  Enjoy!

Caramel Chocolate dipped Apple

I was wrong, completely.  I had seen these overloaded apples in stores for years and thought that they were more of a culinary gimmick than a treat.  That is until I tried one!  Someone brought one to us from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company and with knife in hand, we stood at the counter eating it until every last bit was gone.  Yum!

I thought that caramel, 2 kinds of chocolate and pecans would be overkill for a simple apple, but she can take it!  If you are looking for a sweet hostess gift to bring a friend this Fall, consider getting her an overloaded apple.  She will either know instantly how smart you are or learn quickly, like I did. Happy Fall! 

Apple Peeler Corer Slicer

Hands down, this is my favorite seasonal kitchen gadget, an apple peeler corer slicer.

I was working a shift at our church's rummage sale and happened to find these 2 great pieces - a super cute kiwi green Pyrex bowl (remember my blog post about starting a Pyrex collection?) and a never-been-used apple peeler corer slicer.  I bought both of these beauties for $7 total.  The universe is telling me it's time to make my famous apple pie!

I bought my first apple peeler corer slicer at least 15 years ago at a Pampered Chef party.  I loved it and used it many times a year, to make quick and easy apple pies.  You basically jam an apple onto the spear end and then crank the lever as the apple spins past a peeler and spiral slicer.  It works like a dream and gives you apples ready for pies/tarts/muffins in no time at all.

My sister-in-law in Texas thought that this machine was right up my alley and gave me one for Christmas a few years ago.  I tucked it away in the basement and when my first machine grew tired and dull, I happily pitched it and pulled out the one in my basement.  

It feels good, after today's shopping success, to know that I have a perfect (and practically free) lady-in-waiting ready for the next swap out.  But honestly, I would pay full price for it any day of the week.  It is a fantastic tool that saves your hands a lot of work and it very fun to operate with kids around - everybody gets a turn at the crank! 

Don't you think it's time to make an apple pie!

Russian Tea

When I was growing up, one of my mother's friends often made me a cup of Russian Tea.  It was delicious, warming and made me feel very worldly and grown up.  As an adult, I have run into this homemade concoction every once in a while, but everyone calls it Friendship Tea.  I think that is because the ingredients can be assembled and given in a jar as a gift.  

I want to share this simple recipe with you and encourage you to mix up a batch.  It is a combination of dry ingredients that you can keep in a jar in the pantry almost indefinitely and make yourself a cup whenever you are in the mood to read Anna Karenina.  Speaking of which, have you seen the movie trailers for the movie, Anna Karenina, starring Keira Knightley set to debut this November? I can't wait!

I also love this hot drink because it have Vitamin C and a bit of caffeine (or not, depending on the instant tea you use) for a lift on a cold afternoon.

Russian Tea

1 cup of Tang (instant orange drink)
1 cup of instant Lemonade Mix
1/2 c of instant Tea (decaf or regular)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix all of the ingredients together.  To serve, place 1 Tablespoon in a cup and fill with hot water, stir and enjoy.  You may use more or less of the mix, according to taste.  

When I have one on hand, I add a slice of real orange to the mug.  It looks so pretty!  This mug is by Emma Bridgewater and is in the pattern called, "Black Toast."

It's So You

"And I have to have one of these, because it is so you."

The woman talking was a new customer at an art show.  I had never met her before and I hadn't explained anything in my booth to her, yet she seemed to feel very connected to me.  Did she read my blog?  Did she own my books?  Sometimes when you are an artist and you "put yourself out there," it's impossible to know the relationship you have with someone in their mind.

It was the end of the show and she was buying an armful of my petite flower arrangements in my hand-painted jam jar vases.  

And then she selected one of the vases that showcased an ANA Pineapple Sage DELIGHT jam label (shown above).  I had decided to design my own jam labels as if I had a jam company, had eaten all of the jam and was now repurposing the jar.  It amused me to no end and it was indeed my favorite vase.  But how did she know that it was so "me?"  A fun and flattering mystery.

What makes something in your house so "you?"

Palmolive Fresh Infusions Dishwashing Liquid

"What's that, Madge? I'm soaking in it?!"

Ha! I couldn't get that old Palmolive ad out of my head when I saw their new line of gorgeous dishwashing liquid called "Fresh Infusions" by Palmolive.  I saw this display at Target and bought one of each.

I am halfway through the Lime Basil (green) and I love the scent and am really impressed by how long the bubbles last.  I am that girl that likes to have a sudsy sink in the kitchen.  In the morning, I'll add a squirt of dishwashing liquid to one section of the kitchen sink and fill it with hot water, just for the heck of it.  It makes the kitchen smell good and I have a ready spot to put any dirty dish or spoon throughout the day.  Well, in this unofficial test kitchen, the bubbles smell heavenly and last a really long time.

The other choices are Lemon Thyme (yellow) and Ginger White Tea (Pink).  I hope that they come out with a special collection for the holidays.  I'd like: Gingerbread or Rosemary - what about you?

Shipshewana: Lemon Meringue Pie is a Show Stopper

I was on board the minute Barb mentioned Lemon Meringue pie.  Long before she started describing the 12-inch high meringue peaks and the gorgeous lemon filling.  I love lemons and I was ready for something sweet.

Would you believe me if I told you that I ate half of my "to go" piece before we got back to the car?  You see earlier in the day we had a nice homemade lunch at the Blue Gate Restaurant, and Barb showed us their famous lemon meringue pie in the bakery case next door on our way out.  I was a goner.

After a full day of wandering in and out of the shops in Shipshewana, we  did eventually stop back at the Blue Gate Bakery for a slice.  And Barb bought a whole pie to take back to her family - it is magnificent in person.  

Shipshewana: Native American Feather Lollipops

Sometimes my blog posts just fall into my lap.  I mean really, as a candy lover, could I make up anything more interesting to show you?  Not a chance.

I was in Aunt Millie's Candy Shop in the Davis Mercantile (same building as the Lolly's Fabrics) in Shipshewana when I saw him.  A beautiful statue of a Native American man wearing a full headdress of feather lollipops.  It was as beautiful as it was unexpected.  I was so taken with the overall effect of the display that I didn't buy a handful of feathers.  

What was I thinking?  They would look so beautiful grouped on a Thanksgiving buffet. Or as a treat for kids who didn't want pumpkin pie?  I did include a link (click "feather lollipops" above) where you can buy an entire box of them online.  Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  If you want to split a box, let me know!

Shipshewana: Amish Cow or Gossip Girl?

Amish cows are fabulous.  Can you see the brown beauty that started walking toward me when we pulled off the road?  She "moo-ed" so much it sounded like she was trying to chit-chat and I'm sure she thought I could stay and gossip over the fence.  But alas, my friends were waiting in the car, so I took a few photographs of her picturesque farm and went on my way.

I had spotted this dairy farm on the way into Shipshewana and put it on our "must photograph" list for the day.  On weekends, Amish shops are only open on Saturday and they close promptly at five o'clock, so we needed to prioritize shops over cows.  Luckily the weather held and after a wonderful day wandering Shipshewana, I was able to capture the cows in the long shadows of afternoon sunlight.

Photos like this are the souvenirs that I treasure.  

Shipshewana: Quilt Country

I knew that I was in the right place when I saw a wooden quilt, displayed as art, on a barn.  Isn't it fantastic?  I was in Amish country in northern Indiana with my friends last weekend and was on the hunt for fabric.  I was also looking forward to seeing some hand-crafted Amish quilts.

In my pre-trip prep, my mom told me that she had an Amish quilt! Who knew?  When she described it, I knew exactly which one she was talking about (she had been to Shipshewana with my Dad about 20 years ago) and I look forward to getting back up to the cottage soon to take a closer look at it. 

We had to fit all things Amish into one day (stores are closed on Sunday) and although I didn't get to a quilt shop, I did get to look at some wonderful fabric stores.  I bought 2 companion patterns of cotton quilting fabric at A Little Bit of Lolly's, both are by Lakehouse and have French pastries on a dreamy vintage pink background.  

This is a close up of the fabric scraps for sale at Lolly's. I thought that this would make a great puzzle!

Fall Field Trip

One of the many wonderful things about of volunteering with the Junior League is that you can make lifelong friends.  Many of my closest friendships are living proof of that, as the girls that I hang out with most, were in my membership class 15 years ago!

Today I am taking Angie and Tricia with me on a weekend getaway to visit Barb, one of our dear Junior League friends that has moved away.  Barb now lives in northern Indiana and has been tempting us with stories of Amish country for a while now in hopes that we would come see her.

Our theme is "I wanna go to Shipshewana" or "Girls Gone Amish," depending on who you ask.  We are going to talk and laugh and drive around the area poking our head in shops, looking for quilts and who knows what.  I promise to take a lot of pictures and fill you in on what we find.

Bling Vase

Can you hear the angels singing?  

This project turned out exactly as I wanted it to.  I had a million inexpensive flat back "gems" and I arranged lots of different patterns or crests on my kitchen counter to see which combinations I liked best.  I thought that the amber and gray "brooch" was my favorite, but this one is giving it a run for its money.  

To make this project yourself, you will need an empty jam jar (this is "upcycling" at its best), some Gem-Tac glue, a bag of flat backed gems and your imagination.

It's a little bit preppy and a lot cute.  All it needed were a few pink roses (Paul McCartney) and a sprig of chocolate mint.  Magnifique!

Loving Lemon in London

Do you ever really know when you are making a lasting memory?  Of course, I was on my first trip to England, so just about everything was exciting.  But it is funny how this moment stands out among the other highlights.  

We had checked into our hotel, The Mayfair, and decided to try and diminish our jet lag by going on a walk around the area to get some fresh air.  It was damp and gray and I was happy for the short trench coat and scarf I had brought along.  

After wandering around for quite a while, we noticed a Marks & Spencer Simply Food on Piccadilly Road, very close to an entrance to Green Park.  We bought some yogurt and water and walked over to the park and found these chairs.

When you select chairs to sit in, an attendant comes over and charges a small rental fee.  That was okay with me - the chairs were very comfortable and it gave me a spot to savour my Lemon Curd (!) yogurt.   

I liked this yogurt so much that I took a photo of the label so that I could find it again.  

I never found it again.  Not on the trip and not back in America.  Why can't we have lemon curd yogurt?  It was light and tart and fabulous.  If you are in England, do me a favor and have one for me. 

So this is a fond memory from my first trip to England:  Sitting on striped chairs in Green Park eating Lemon Curd yogurt.

Sometimes you never know what will bring you delight.  

Embellishing Soap

I have started making things again, so get ready to see some fun new projects!  This idea came to me, clear as a bell, while I was watching TV late one night.  Embellishing soap.

I know that this was a popular craft project back in the 1970's, but I couldn't find any reference to it online.  So I am bringing it back!  Attaching paper images (scrap or scrap art) to small hotel soaps using clear nail polish (a strong top coat).  It is super easy and when the right shade and size of soap is paired with the right image, the look is not crafty, just fabulous.

You will need a collection of really thin paper images - something you would decoupage with (see some here).  I used the butterfly page from a value pack called "Romantic Scrap Art Paper" by Artifacts Inc (click the link to see their entire collection for sale online).  My value pack was from Micheal's Craft a few years ago - check their decoupage section in store.

I also think that a lot of the charm is in the small size soap.  It becomes just a touch of botanical by the sink.  And I think everyone has a few extra hotel soaps tucked away.

I chose a moth/butterfly that I thought looked pretty against the pale mustard soap, brushed a little clear nail polish on the back of the moth like glue, and then placed it on the soap.  Then I gently brushed the entire top surface of the moth and soap with clear top coat nail polish to seal it.  Be sure to leave the sides and bottom of the soap uncoated so that they will still suds.

These are the ones I have made so far.  I think John Derian would be proud, don't you?