Thursday, May 25, 2017

I needed a break....


And I am sure you can imagine where I have been all week...


...and I won't be back for another week!

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

A sweet lilac story....

Many years ago, while I was teaching 7th grade English at our local middle school, I told one of my classes how much I loved lilacs.  The next morning a boy was dragging a black garbage bag down the school hallway.  He was stopped numerous times by teachers and the principal, asking him what was in the bag.  He told each one it was a present for his teacher.


He stopped at my classroom door and said "Mrs P, I have a gift for you."  Inside the garbage bag was a small lilac bush that he and his father dug up for me.  

Our home was new, with very little landscaping, so I was happy to receive such a thoughtful gift. He dragged the bag out to my car and he was quite proud of his gift!   Every spring I would think of this student as the lilacs bloomed and filled the air with the scent of spring!


When we moved to our new home, 7 years ago, we dug up a few sprouts from the large, 25 year old lilac bush to plant in the new yard.  Each spring the leaves would slowly appear, however it would never flower.  John said the bush was in shock - in shock??  But it continued to grow each year!


Imagine our surprise this year when we saw small blooms of purple peeking out from the green leaves!  They are small flowers, but that is how it all began - and the sweet memory of a 7th gr student lives on.....

...and I have LILACS!!

 Sharing with BNOTP and Imparting Grace
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Tuesday, May 16, 2017

A versatile odd piece of MacKenzie-Childs....

I bought this piece at the Mackenzie Childs warehouse sale last month.  It was very inexpensive (Only $13.00!!)  and I immediately knew that I could place a checked platter on top or use it as a candlestick.  It's original purpose was to be a "lamp base", but for some reason they were selling a variety of patterns of these.


Many years ago I purchased this yellow "Honeymoon" serving bowl.  It is one of my favorite MC dishes and perfect for a salad, chips, or even stew.  I used some "putty" to adhere this bowl to the lamp base.  It's not permanent, and can be removed quickly without leaving any marks on the pottery, but it holds it securely.


This piece also looks unique with a Courtly Check charger on top!


I have quickly set the table for an impromptu lunch.....


....layering my "Taylor" pieces...


...with one Courtly Checked piece, because a little "black and white" is needed everywhere!


 Taylor pieces are now only available at the Mackenzie-Childs Aurora store !

I am often asked if I have a favorite pattern from the Taylor series and each time my answer is different.  It depends on my mood, the food I am serving, the weather outside
BUT today,
 they are all my favorite!


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Thursday, May 11, 2017

George Washington lives here....

I have been calling my husband "George Washington" lately....


...let me explain....


...we have a flowering cherry tree that we planted when we first moved here.  The last 2 winters ended abruptly with very warm weather, and then winter came back with a vengeance and killed part of the tree...


...we hoped the tree would survive as it is so pretty in full bloom, however...


.. because the frost killed half of the tree, my husband decided to cut it back in hopes of saving it...


...and here is our poor, pathetic tree....

...and that is why I call him George!


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Sharing with Feathered Nest Friday

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Brunch with Fireball Pineapple Slices....


Today I had Mom over for brunch and tried a new recipe using Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey....


...and fresh pineapple...


 ...I soaked the pineapple in 1/4 cup of Fireball overnight and then next morning I rubbed it into brown sugar...


...patting the brown sugar all around the outside and in the core...


...I stood it upright in a small baking dish and baked it at 400' for about 20 minutes...


...the aroma was amazing...


...I laid it on its side and rolled it in the sweet, bubbly juice and let the pineapple absorb it


...and then sliced it!


Then I prepared the table for 2, and as you can see, it's another rainy day in NY!
I set the table with "pineapple" dishes... 


...for Mom and I...


..layering them with 2 patterns of Mackenzie-Childs enamelware and a green dish:



The pineapple was delicious!!


You must try this!


I also made a spinach quiche ...



...and served muffins...



I must say, it was delicious...and then we went off to see "The Beauty and The Beast"!
Sharing with "Inspire Me Tuesday"

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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Nooks and Crannies....


I have a few odd nooks and crannies in my home.  This one odd corner is in my guest room, which is located in the "west wing" of my home....OK, my home is small, however when I refer to this end of my home, which is actually due west, I feel somewhat regal and that is how I justify wearing my crown!

So, back to my nook and cranny....

This was a challenge to decorate when we moved into this home and it has slowly morphed into a gallery wall of paintings and prints from our travels to through the US , Canada,  Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Europe and Asia:


The small bookcase was in my family home growing up and it fits perfectly in this nook.  It also holds all of my favorite books....


...and every room needs a touch of black and white - RIGHT?!


Here's another odd corner in my hallway, also located in the "west wing":


This is an old smoking stand that I purchased at an auction.  An ashtray used to sit in the top and I imagine pipes or cigarettes used to sit in the drawer.  I painted it in white chalk paint to coordinate with the woodwork and placed a lamp on top, which just happened to fit in the ashtray holder.


A little bit of hand painting and fringe "dolled" it up a bit


It is a perfect fit for this odd shaped corner!

As unique as nooks and crannies can be, they can also be a challenge to decorate.

Have you had this challenge?

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