Paris in Town: Lemon Meringue Tart

My aunt and I went on a shopping jaunt to Sur La Table and Swoozies at "Downtown at the Gardens" with the thought that we would stop somewhere for a coffee afterwards.

We certainly chose the right place. We sat at a table in the shade and shared this beautiful Lemon Meringue Tart with our cappuccinos at Paris in Town.  

Waiting for Eden: A Gardener Thinks of Spring

Did you know that you only need to tend one rose bush to be considered a rosarian?  Not that I would advocate stopping at just one.  The more the merrier in my garden.  And since roses require special care:

• do not allow water to hit the leaves (as with a sprinkler system) - water from the ground with a soaker hose
• plant roses with enough space to allow plenty of air circulation
• be vigilant in removing yellow or dead leaves
• spray with a recommended fungicide and treatment to prevent black spot/bugs
• love them with all of your heart

I know that all that work seems like a pain in the neck, but I assure you that the bounty outweighs any burden.  I can cut a bouquet any time I want to and I love it.

This particular beauty is an Eden Climber.  A soft white climbing rose with a pink center that I know you will love.

Any day now, the garden catalogs will start arriving in the mail.  As you dream of this year's improvements (I personally want to add Bellflower, Zinnias and more Peonies to my garden) consider adding an Eden Climber.

Wafer Paper bedecked Cookies: One Giant Leap for Mankind

This is Day One in my experiment with edible wafer paper.  Have you heard of such a thing? It is individual images printed on potato starch sheets with food-coloring like dye.  FancyFlours.com has a wonderful selection of edible wafer papers (click their link in their website's sidebar to choose: there are seed packet images, butterflies, bunnies and more. Your head will spin with delight!) that you can buy and use to adorn your baked goods.  It is simple to cut out the images and adhere them to royal white icing-frosted cookies with light corn syrup.  When I am back in town, I will experiment even more.

This is my first attempt and I have a few improvements to make in my process, but boy-oh-boy am I happy with my first try! These images look like wallpaper!  I was so pleased with them, I wrapped 4 of the cookies in bubble wrap and flew them to Florida with me to show my parents.  They couldn't believe how professional they looked. "Too pretty to eat!" was the consensus.  I can't wait to make more and show you my progress. 

Waterlogue: An Artist's Dream App

Would you believe that this is a computer-generated watercolor of one of my photographs? I am giddy as I think of all the possibilities.  I just purchased the $5 iPad app called "Waterlogue," because I have never seen any computer-effect that looks as fluid and convincing. My original photo is below.

The app is so easy to use - I simply uploaded/opened a photo from my iPad in Waterlogue and selected the "natural" effect. A minute later I had this original watercolor to share with you! Since the image can be saved "to your camera roll," it is a JPEG and therefore able to be sent to an online photo printer to make enlargements.  I want to make a few watercolors from my trip to England and then have them printed in 8x10.  I can frame them and hang these original pieces of art as if I water colored them myself - it is nothing short of revolutionary.  

Yes, real watercolors are incredible and I will still "paint for fun" in the garden, but my skills are far from stellar. I love being able to enjoy an "image" as I captured it with my camera...but in the whisper soft medium of watercolor paint.  Waterlogue, you are my hero!

Bird's Eye View: Pelicans do a Fly By

What luck! I was trying to focus my zoom camera lens on a yacht being chased by a helicopter (my imagination said it was a big drug bust; it's more likely that I was watching a photo shoot for Yachting World magazine), when a group of pelicans flew right by the condo balcony! I have tried for years to get a good picture of them flying past and today was the day. This is my bird's eye view.

Seed Packet Card Cases: Whimsical Up-cycling

I know, I say seed packet card cases as if that is a known commodity, right? 

It is just a little something that makes sense to me.  Seed packets are beautiful, and every once in a while I up-cycle them into business card cases for my purse. People respond very positively to them. They look surprised and delighted when I pull out a business card. This is how I get to "look at what I love" on a daily basis.

I save the Botanical Interests seed packets when I am planting each Spring. I carefully open each packet from the top and then cover the paper packet in plastic tape to make it more durable and waterproof. I measure two pieces of vinyl to sew and to create a flap closure. I sew the vinyl flap to the top of the open seed packet. 

I found that the perfect clasp is a circle of adhesive Velcro at the tip of the triangle, where it meets the seed packet. It is a humble craft, but the results are darling! 

This is the intersection of beautiful and interesting. This is delight.


#gardenlover #gardening #DIY #makersgonnamake #momentsofdelight #creativelife 

Inspired by the Sea

Ahhh...this is "Southern Living!"  I am lucky to have escaped the cold and I can concentrate on my photography and writing in this glorious place.  I bought a new camera last summer and I'm determined to become a Power User" - this is my first chance to try out some of the different settings and I love how this particular picture came out.  

I also bought a glass drill bit and before I flew down here, Dan and I drilled a whole bunch of sea glass (a combination of glass found on the beaches of Hawaii by my friend and a bunch found here in Florida by my dad - so neat!)

My grand plan is to make a collection of beach glass jewelry and offer a few special pieces in my Etsy store. (By the way, my Etsy store is in "vacation mode" (not available for shopping) until I  return from my trip and have a chance to upload my new designs.) Until then, I will design and create some signature pieces made up of sea glass and creativity. 

How can I not be inspired by a view like this?

2 Minute Bird Feeder

It may not be glamorous to have an empty toilet paper tube in the tree outside my office window, but boy do the birds love it!

I simply save the empty toilet paper and paper toweling tubes and every once in a while I make 2-minute bird feeders.  I slather the tubes with peanut butter and roll them in bird seed.  The tubes slip onto the branches easily and the birds practically line up like it's a Starbucks drive thru!

It looks like you can see the bird's tongue in this picture!  Anne Reeves, nature photographer, signing off...

City Series: Dallas: Ted Cantrell's Art at Ginger Fox Gallery

I stopped in my tracks when I saw Ted Cantrell's heart piece in the window of the Ginger Fox Gallery in the Bishop Arts district of Dallas.  His skillful use of pencils and rulers brings back memories of my grade school crushes. I love when people highlight the beauty of everyday objects.  Happy Valentine's Day, Ted!

Slipcover a Canvas Tote

Sometimes I see fabric and I simply must use it - immediately.  I haven't had this fabric in the house even 24 hours yet and it has already become a super cute tote bag.

One of my more genius discoveries is that I can take a standard-issue $5 tote bag from the craft store and slipcover it to make a knockout accessory.  

I loved this navy print called Alentejo Floral (you can buy it here at Hobby Lobby), but it requires just the right project to show it off.  It certainly is too bold for many household items, but as a tote with a classic outfit, it can really be admired.

The most basic instructions are: I make a sleeve that is a little too big for the tote. I place right sides together and sew down both sides and across the bottom.  Then I turn it right side out and (folding over the fabric to make a smooth edge) I sew the top of the sleeve all the way around the top of the tote, folding and overlapping at each end of the bag to make a pleat.  Then, at the bottom side of each end, I fold up the bottom corner and tack the flap up.  I sometimes sew buttons at the place where I tacked the flap and at the top of each pleat - that way it looks like it is really slipcovered that that the cover is "removeable." So cute!

Marine Vinyl Clutch & Seed Packet Card Case

To me, this orange vinyl clutch looks like a mod summer accessory that Hermes would design. I love how sleek and expensive it looks - straight seams and minimal stitching is the key.  

Yesterday I showed you my fold-over clutch with contrasting top zipper (love them!) but do you remember the royal blue clutch that started it all last year?  I carry it all the time and it still looks as good as the day I made it.  Marine vinyl is a fabulous material to work with!

I had some orange material left over, so I made myself a little case that I can clip to my belt loop when I just want to run to the grocery store.  It holds my iPhone and a Botanical Interests seed packet case that I use to hold my ID, Visa and $20.

I know, I say seed packet case as if that is a known commodity, right?  It is just a little something that makes sense to me.  Botanical Interests seed packets are beautiful, why wouldn't you up-cycle them into something for your purse?  

I cover them in plastic tape and then sew on triangular vinyl flaps that I made. The perfect clasp is a circle of adhesive Velcro. They are where beautiful and interesting meet.

#diy #sewingproject #makersgonnamake #creativelife #momentsofdelight #seedpackets #gardenlove 

DIY Marine Vinyl Clutches

Marine vinyl, where have you been all my life?  I have been on an almost obsessive sewing binge, making myself accessories out of marine vinyl. This glorious, sturdy and wipe-off-able material is available in large rolls at JoAnn Fabrics.  I usually buy a yard and then make accessories until I run out.

By choosing a zipper in a contrasting color, you can really bring a bit of life to a classic silhouette. 

The Detroit News spotlights my book, Moments of Delight by Anne Reeves

Columnist Nancy Szerlag wrote a lovely review of my book, Moments of Delight, today in the Detroit News. I am proud to share it with you here:

"“Moments of Delight,” a photo journal celebrating the beauty of everyday life through the eyes of Michigan author and photographer Anne Reeves, might well be called “Moments of Sunshine.” While not a gardening book, its pages are filled with sumptuous flowers — especially David Austin roses and Peonies.

The dead of winter is a perfect time to collect and even test a recipe or two made of vegetables or fruits you are thinking of growing. Knowing how you plan to use them makes choosing and growing edibles easier and a lot more fun anticipating the harvest. Anne includes several mouthwatering recipes, such as blueberry chutney, along with tempting photos.

“Have you been to the library lately?” asks Anne. If you need to get out of Dodge, but can’t afford the price a stagecoach ride, you can travel anywhere for free in a library.

Available on Amazon for $35, “Moments of Delight” would make a fabulous valentine gift for that special love or bud in your life. You can see more of Anne’s “moments” at www.anadesigns.blogspot.com."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140207/LIFESTYLE01/302070016#ixzz2sguA3zwL

Visual Vitamins: An Inspiration Board Brings Delight

I am loving my latest inspiration board because the images remind me of my friends. I see this every time I walk into my office and the exposure to it is so good for me. 

In this collage, everything looks beautiful together and blends with the pages I've torn from House Beautiful. You'd think one person chose all of these images to work together, but no. 

The bright purple and pink postcards of Paris are from Sue.  The John Derian giraffe card is one I bought when I was in New York with Kerry.  A scene from Monet's Garden was mailed to me by Melissa.  Most of the magnets are from Angie.  There's a Happy New Year card of Big Ben from Renate. And two postcards of northern Michigan I got when I was out galavanting with my mom.

This board is good for me - a Visual Vitamin representing both what I love and who I love.  Are you taking your visual vitamins?

The Power of Cute: A True Story that Proves my Theory

I can prove my theory about "The Power of Cute."  I believe that things that can be cute, should be cute.  I know from experience that people respond to beautiful colors, pretty pictures, unexpected touches.  

The power of cute is when you add a touch that people notice and appreciate, even value more because of the effort you made.  Cute is free.  It is the difference between making cookies in the shape of a watering can, instead of a circle.  The cookie cutters cost the same, the effort to make a cookie is the same, but one harnesses the power of cute; the other does not.

Okay, my story...

Because I make Delight Totes (day bags that feature my magazine covers), I have the artwork I created for many gorgeous magazine covers. Here are some displayed on the wall in my studio.

I decided that the Delight covers would make awesome luggage tags.  I printed them to fit inside small laminated pouches and included only my name and phone number on the other side.  They turned out really...cute.

When Dan and I were leaving on our trip to Dallas last month, we had 4 suitcases and 2 carry on bags.  I put my new Delight luggage tags on in a hurry and when I pointed to a bag and asked Dan, does that one "have a tag" he said yes.  When we got to the airport, I noticed that it did indeed have a tag, it was just an ugly old red plastic one that he had written on with a Sharpie pen to update the phone etc.  Not cute, but it was accurate and would do the job.

We checked our 4 black non-descript bags: 3 with a Delight tag, 1 with an old tag.  The polar vortex snowstorm was in full steam that day and we couldn't fly out.  Some flights did make it out (it was -14 degrees), but it took us three trips to the airport to finally get on a flight (that actually took off) for Dallas.

When we got to baggage claim in Dallas, we were looking for our 4 bags that had been "in the system" for 4 days without us.  The computer said that they had made it to Dallas days before we did.
Baggage claim had at least 300 bags in rows and sections waiting to be claimed.  It was a mess.  We walked up and down each row and couldn't find any of them.  Alarmed, Dan went to the luggage claim woman and showed her our claim checks and the "arrived in Dallas" printout.  She looked at the name on the paperwork and said, "I know where they are!" and rushed into the little glass office.

She returned rolling the first of 3 bags.  The only bags she had pulled aside and kept in her office were our 3 bags, tagged with Delight.  We thanked her, but said their was still one missing.  She was surprised and helped us look bag-by-bag through the other 300 pieces of luggage.  We finally found the 4th bag (tagged with the plain tag) among the masses of bags. We were relieved, but I couldn't get over the fact that the Power of Cute had given three of our bags such special attention.

Same black bags.  Same flight.  Same "priority yellow sticker."  The only difference was my pretty luggage tags.  They somehow sent a message to this women that I cared about my bags and the contents.  They "stood out" to her and she treated them accordingly. 

That is the Power of Cute. 

Reading and Restoring on GoodReads.com

Reading and Thinking are two of my favorite ways to spend my time on cold winter days (usually baking is happening at the same time - see the Orange Curd with Shortbread Dipping Stick earlier this month.)

I want to recommend a website (and "app" if you use them) called GoodReads.com. It is an online bookshelf where you can keep track of books you've read (I can never remember the author's name, this website helps!), books you want to read (where else can you keep track of friend's suggestions) and find books that your friends are reading.

The app version lets you scan barcodes, so when I am browsing in a bookstore, I can "scan" any book I want to read later and it stores it in my "want to read" section.  I just love it.

You can find your friends (if you want) and follow authors (pick me!) - it's fun.

Two of my favorite books that I have read lately are:

Sugar Queen by Sarah Allen Addison (a quirky, half-magical story of a woman gaining the confidence to live her own life. It also revolves around a controlling mother, the love of candy bars and a new-found appreciation for helping your friends)

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (a fascinating story of a woman's power to help her customers - she's a florist- by sending "meaning or intent" through the combination of flowers in the arrangement. It is also filled with love (maternal and romantic), the foster system (where she was raised) and scrappy determination to learn.  This is the book that made me want to drive to California "to fix some things."  

The 12 Days of Valentine's Day starts today!

When's the last time you knew you were going to have fun for 12 days straight?  

I know, we don't often look at things that way, and that is precisely the beauty of celebrating the "12 Days of Valentine's Day".  It's a time when you do little things to show love for family, friends and while you're at it, yourself. Wear pink one day, make a cake, put out red placemats - everything counts when you are celebrating the fact that you love a lot of people. 

There is no set schedule; Nor is there a "number" relationship, meaning you don't have to sneak 10 Hershey kisses into a loved one's pocket just because it is Day 10 (but what a great idea!).  Nope, you just do what feels right (and fits into your schedule) on any particular day leading up to Valentine's Day.  When someone compliments your pink scarf, just smile and say that its in honor of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day.  If your neighbor questions your sudden gift of 6 muffins, cite your inspiration, The 12 Days of Valentine's Day.  Have fun with it.

Remember, this is a gift of the heart, so any gesture, no matter how small, will be appreciated.

#12daysofvalentinesday #valentinesday #valentine #celebratevalentinesday #celebrate

Orange Curd with Shortbread Dipping Sticks

I have decided to promote a tangy orange recipe today.  It is cold and gray in Michigan and I can't wait until March for citrus (because that is when every issue of every magazine we love seems to trumpet oranges, lemons and limes), I want it now!  

Somehow the idea of Orange Curd with Shortbread Dipping Sticks came to my mind.  I could actually see it in my mind and thought it would look beautiful and taste refreshing. I was right. It's rich and bright and fun.  It definitely livens up the umpteenth cup of tea we've all had by February.  This photo above of my success looks pretty close to my imagination. Yum.

Orange Curd

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup orange juice
pinch of salt

For fun, I added a splash of Vahine's Orange Blossom Essence. 
I had purchased a beautiful blue bottle of it in Paris and couldn't resist. Magnifique!

I am keeping the Orange Curd in the refrigerator in my Pillivuyt jam pot (featuring blueberries) that I bought on my first trip to a brick and mortar Dean & Deluca store.  That is my kind of souvenir.  It's the same with the Vahine essence. Items all over my kitchen remind me of my travels.

I made my Shortbread Sticks with Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa shortbread recipe.  I used a knife to cut the dough into rows of clothes pin-size sticks and baked them on parchment lined cookie sheets for 15-20 minutes (watch them so that they don't brown too quickly.)

Allow them to cool and then dip away!

Tiny Garden Furniture Enhances a Terrarium

It is the dollhouse-lover in me that has me buying "fairy garden" furniture for my terrarium.  It looks adorable, don't you think?  I believe this link takes you to the same collection that I shopped from, though all of the pieces are not shown.  The price point is right, that's for sure.  I can't see spending a lot on a bit of whimsy, but $10-12 total? I'm in.  

I bought a garden bench, round table and an arbor for the plants to grow in and around.  I think it looks adorable and I always think that someday I'll glance over and see a tiny newspaper folded up on the bench, or a magazine left behind.

I love having a terrarium - the scale, the plants, ease of care.  It is winter, after all, and it feels good to see plants thriving and tiny green leaves sprouting.  It is always springtime in my little greenhouse.

Ribbon and Faux Pearl Necklace

I have been working on the computer a lot lately.  (I'll tell you what I've been up to soon - it's exciting!)  Since I have been writing and thinking so much, I find that the perfect way to relax is to make jewelry.

I am particularly fond of this ribbon necklace that I made from narrow taupe and brown ribbon woven back and forth between faux champagne pearls and hung from a metal chain.  It is interesting and beautiful; sophisticated yet simple. 

I have listed in for sale in my Etsy store, but it may not be there long.  Have you seen my "ANA customs stamp?"  I use it to signify that something has been stamped with my approval...literally a stamp from my territory.

Do you know what the cursive "I.K.I" stands for?  It means: "I'm Keeping It!" That is how I know when a design is ready to sell, when I find myself wanting to keep it!

Smart Snacks: Dick and Jane Baking Company host President Abraham Lincoln at Elementary School

It's not every day that you get to hear President Abraham Lincoln speak- I couldn't miss my chance!  My brother, Dick and his wife, Jane have an educational snack business named the Dick and Jane Baking Company.  

Their all natural nut free snacks are vanilla shortbread cookies and have "an education in every bite."  Each cookie has an imprint of one of the U.S. States and Capitals, U.S. Presidents or a vocabulary word with a drawing and the name written in English and Spanish.  They are distributed in individual serving snack bags in lunch programs all over the country.

Jane is a first grade teacher in Michigan (you can see Dick and Jane at a photo shoot in her classroom below), so they brought President Abraham Lincoln to visit her school and speak at an assembly.  Isn't that cool?

The kids loved it and I have never seen fourth grade boys be so enraptured during a presentation. It was terrific.  Dick and Jane Baking Company have become available in retail grocery stores in select markets across the country. If you are interested, you can fill out a "Help Dick and Jane" form online on the bottom of their webpage and tell retailers where you shop and that you are interested in the product.  You can also follow them on Facebook.

They were just featured on our local news and I am taking this opportunity to brag a bit and show them off. Here is a link for you to WATCH them in a television segment.

And of course, here I am with Abe.  What a great guy!  His knowledge of the life of Abraham Lincoln is unbelievable and his ability to speak to groups of children and relay historic information was impressive.  I am a big fan.   

Chocolate Dipped Apricots

On the coldest of winter days in Michigan (-8 degrees, without wind chill, this morning!), we often find ourselves planning an escape to a warmer climate.  I walked through the family room this morning and noticed how the aqua blue in this map matched my turquoise throw on the couch.  I knew this would be a pretty vignette to showcase the sweet treat I made yesterday - chocolate-dipped apricots.

Eating a varied diet and fueling ourselves with nutrient rich food is important to me. I think eating a dried apricot or two a day can only make us all healthier. And you know how I feel about chocolate.

I have wanted to explore making chocolate-dipped fruits for a while now and having put it off, I feel quite dumb now that I know how easy it is.  

I mixed equal parts (about a 1/4 cup each) of milk chocolate chips and semisweet chocolate chips in a glass bowl. I microwaved the chocolate in intervals of 30 seconds, stirring in between sessions.  When the chocolate was smooth and blended, I dipped (and spread with a spoon) each dried Mariani Apricot.  Then I placed each chocolate-dipped apricot on a wax paper covered plate and set it in the refrigerator.  3 ingredients (all available at Target), a microwave and a refrigerator are all you need to make this sweet treat.

If you are having friends over for Book Club or Cards, make them a plate of Chocolate-dipped Apricots for a healthy and delicious treat on a cold winter day.

City Series: Dallas: Rise No.1 Souffle

My friend, Carol, was full of good ideas for how to spend our day together in Dallas.  When we were standing in a recreation of the Bush Oval Office, she mentioned that she hoped we'd have time to get souffles later that afternoon. I always have time for a souffle!

We walked into Rise No.1 on a quiet afternoon intending to catch up over a coffee and dessert souffle.  We ended up ordering a light meal, which became the culinary highlight of my trip to Dallas.

It started when the waitress mentioned their Rise No.1's famous "Marshmallow Soup."  Carol urged me to be hungry because she thought I would really like this creamy tomato and carrot soup with 3 perfect goat cheese souffles floating on top.  

When it came, I was struck by how much they really do look like marshmallows.  The soup was creamy, but not rich and had a depth of flavor that still has me puzzling, how did they do it?  I am the salt police and often find dishes to be heavy handed.  No, this soup was perfect - probably the best I have had in the cream category.  Rise No.1's Marshmallow Soup comes with a tiny pitcher of pesto oil to drizzle on top.  I tried it, but found the spongy goat cheese souffles were just the right complement to the soup - it didn't need anything else. It was magnifique. 

We rounded out our meal with a small "Rise No.1 Salad" (baby greens, roasted pecans, matchstick-cut Granny Smith apples and blue cheese - optional) dressed with a Pecan Vinaigrette in which I detected notes of vanilla.  I ate every bite.

Near the entrance (and within view of our table) was a beautiful display of French dishtowels for sale.  Aren't they lovely?  My favorite thing about French dishtowels is the imaginative and happy color combinations.  Orange, aqua and plum.  Red and bright pink.  Taupe, apricot and purple.  If I hadn't "organized" my dish towel collection lately and seen for myself just how many I have (forty? I might actually have 40), I would have bought myself one on the spot. They were gorgeous.

The restaurant has a very French-feeling sink area just outside the restrooms that is surprisingly beautiful.  The dim lighting, lavender-scented soap and basket of French linens to dry your hands gives a charming farmhouse feel to the area.  Never underestimate the power of a linen hand towel to make an impression.

Yes, we had dessert too.  Carol had a Tarte au Fruit (apple) and I sat cross-legged in the middle of this Chocolate Souffle, complete with chocolate sauce to pour inside.  Yum yum yum.

Linger is a good word to sum up our afternoon at Rise No.1 souffle and wine bar in Dallas, Texas.  Carol and I talked and talked and talked.  It was wonderful to reconnect - how can it be 5 years since we first met in a cooking class in Paris?  We picked up right where we left off and it was so much fun.  I must get back to Dallas...and quick!

City Series: Dallas: Dallas Arboretum

In January, garden lovers must take what they can get. With my hometown buried under a foot of snow, a quiet and empty landscape isn't all that bad...and I love flowering kale.

When Carol and I were at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, I asked her opinion whether I should try visiting the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, even though it was January.  She loved the idea and thought we should add it to our plans that day - how fun!

The fact that the gardens are situated on a lake makes the view so interesting and added color and texture to an otherwise muted palette.

We photographed the sculptures and wandered the paths around a large section of the property.  The sun came out for a while and the fresh air felt wonderful.  The arboretum is huge and I can only imagine how beautiful it looks when the grass is green and azaleas are in bloom.  I must come back!

On our way back to the entrance, we stopped to shop at the gift shop.  It had everything from wind chimes and garden art to Texas candies and stationary. There was a lot to look at and we both found a few things that we had to have.

Though I would wait a little while for Mother Nature to work her magic, I highly recommend adding an afternoon visit to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden to any Dallas itinerary.  

City Series: Dallas: Bush Center: Cafe 43

What a way to spend the day!  Carol and I had a leisurely lunch at Cafe 43 (George W. Bush was the 43rd President!), the museum restaurant at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.

I ordered an entree salad of tiger shrimp, quinoa, arugula and feta with a roasted lemon vinaigrette.  They had me at "roasted lemon." It sounded delicious and it married the flavors of the sweet shrimp and peppery arugula perfectly.

We had a lovely table by the window and enjoyed catching up in the bright and friendly restaurant.  As we were leaving, Carol bought some of Laura Bush's famous "Cowboy Cookies" for us to snack on.

Do you remember the famous "bake off" in Family Circle magazine between Mrs. Bush's Cowboy Cookies and Tipper Gores' Ginger Snaps during the 2000 Presidential campaign?  I do! I thought it was a really cute idea and think that Mrs. Bush's cookies could have won by name alone.  The cookie recipe is printed on the Cafe 43 card and was published with slight modification here in The Washington Post.

After lunch, we looked through the museum gift shop and I passed up my chance to get a really neat souvenir.  Then I drove back the next day to buy it. Have you ever done that?

The souvenir was a Christmas ornament with a photo of a cardinal painted by George W. Bush.  I kept thinking about it afterwards and not knowing if they had an online store, I took a sudden detour when I saw "SMU" on a highway exit.  I made my way back to the little parking lot, walked to the gift shop and got my ornament.    When I left, I showed the parking attendant my new treasure and he too thought it was worth the trip back.  He also told me to "say Hi" to Michigan for him.  Done! 

City Series:Dallas: George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Some experiences are a little too big for a blog...do you know what I mean?  I have been mulling this over for a week now and will do my best to give you a concise and meaningful description of my visit to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.  

First of all, I loved every minute of my visit. I was invited to tour the museum and have lunch at Cafe 43 by my friend, Carol, who I met back in 2009 in the Patricia Wells' cooking class in Paris.  We have stayed in touch and I have been trying to get to Dallas to see her for ages.

We met here on the plaza, went through security and then started to make our way through the museum.  In the area called Freedom Hall, you can see beautiful gifts given to the Bushes by American citizens and Foreign Heads of State during his presidency.  A giant IMAx-style 360 video plays along the second story of Freedom Hall.  Vistas of the American Plains, citizens living out their lives in our great country moves into images of the U.S. Presidents.  It is mesmerizing.

This museum is beautiful - full of photos, artifacts, video and hand-written notes commemorating George W. Bush's Presidency. I remember watching the dedication ceremony on the news (the five living Presidents of the United States were there!) and I was so happy to be able to visit less than a year after it opened.  

We had about an hour and a half to walk through the museum before our lunch reservation and we paused to take pictures and read the signs and documentation whenever something caught our eye.

Any interested visitor could spend hours reading and reflecting on the quotes and images related to George W. Bush's presidency.  It was hard to pick and choose which exhibits I should give more attention to.  That is until I rounded the corner and saw the actual twisted steel beams from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on display.  I caught my breathe, tried to articulate how I felt and started crying.  Yes, old friend that I haven't seen in 5 years, I am crying in the middle of the day in the middle of a museum.

Thankfully, Carol understood my feelings completely and suggested that we sit and watch the video presentation for a while, Kleenex in hand.  It was just the time I needed to compose myself.  The beams are huge and ruined and the fact that they were there effected me in a way that I hadn't expected.

The museum was fairly busy, but not so crowded that we didn't have a chance to take photographs without strangers walking into the frame.  Look at my pristine photo of the Oval Office as it was decorated during the Bush Presidency.  

Carol asked if I wanted to have my photo taken behind the desk.  A line was forming for those that were interested and we both decided that it would be a fun memento from our day.

Afterwards, we went out into the beautiful Texas sunshine (did I mention that the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and Library are on the grounds of Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas?) and walked around the Texas Rose Garden.

There are no roses blooming in January, of course, but we noticed some of the native grasses and plantings and were happy to spend a little time out in the fresh air. 

This was my first visit to a Presidential museum and I highly recommend that you visit this magnificent tribute.  Tomorrow I will tell you all about lunch at Cafe 43.