Monday, May 30, 2016

Happy Memorial Day...



Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the US to remember those who died serving in the armed forces.  Americans often gather for celebrations, picnics or to plant flowers on the graves of loved ones. 

It is somewhat the beginning of the summer in the northeast.  Fashion says we can wear "white shoes", our winter clothes are packed away, and plans for the summer begin!

I set the table for a Memorial Day brunch for the two of us:


Fruit, muffins, eggs and bacon will be served....


...and the rest of the day will be spent planting flowers and cleaning out the landscaping.


The red enamel dishes and bowls and the star flatware are from Pottery Barn, Courtly Checked enamel dishes are MacKenzie-Childs, the stars and stripes dishes are from the Christmas Tree Shop and the placemats are from Ikea.


Enjoy the holiday!


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Friday, May 27, 2016

A quick treat....

Here's a quick and easy treat to add to your dessert tray:


Dip some pretzels in melted chocolate and toss on some sprinkles:


Couldn't get any easier - and they taste delish!

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Husbands.....

We have a privacy hedge behind our patio and the gardener planted a bunch of Phlox a few years ago.


A few plants have been replaced and they are finally beginning to spread.  This winter one plant died, so I sent my husband to the garden center for one pale LAVENDER phlox plant....


...and later in the day I spotted this:


This is the story of my life!


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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Growing herbs....

Last fall I planted my scrawny looking oregano from a pot into the ground...


..boy, the other day I was surprised to see this:


As you probably know, I do not have a green thumb, but I think anyone can grow herbs...


The trick is that they do not like "wet feet".

Today I picked up 4 more potted herbs, basil, chives and 2 types of parsley...


...and this year they are all going in the ground - no more pots!!


There is nothing as good as fresh herbs at your fingertips!!

Friday, May 20, 2016

A quick sweet treat....

Here's a quick idea for a sweet treat or a little gift:

All you need is an "Oreo cookie candy mold", some chocolate, and a few cookies!


I decided to use chocolate chip cookies, rather than Oreos.  I filled the cups with a little melted white chocolate, pressed a chocolate chip cookie into the chocolate, topped it with a little more chocolate, and pressed a candy on the top:


These are very rich, so you don't need to give more than a few - and you should most likely keep one for yourself - someone needs to be the taste tester....just in case!!


They can be wrapped in a cute cello bag, plastic wrap or even a decorative popcorn box:


A little bow tops off the gift!


And if you don't know what to do with any leftover chocolate (I know, silly thought!), you can make a chocolate pizza:


Just pour melted chocolate into a baking pan, sprinkle some candies and peanuts or any other leftover treats  (again, silly thought), and then drizzle more chocolate on top.


Decorate a pizza box for a fun presentation!

Now I am off to be a taste tester.....


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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Southern Charm...and I want a "dressing cocktail"...


One of my favorite shows is Southern Charm!  I admit, I am a reality TV junkie!

When Patricia Altschul's son, producer Whitney Sudler-Smith, decided to create a reality TV show about life in Charleston, he urged his mother to participate. In Southern Charm, Patricia plays "the resident madcap grande dame", according to Architectural Digest. She is a "straight shooter with a serious pedigree and a ton of clout to throw around...famous for her no-nonsense advice, wicked tongue, and appreciation for a high quality cocktail," says blogger and TV critic Christine Lo.   

She provides snarky comments about the misdeeds of younger cast members, saying things we only think about!



 She purchased the historic Isaac Jenkins Mikell House, an imposing 1854 Greek Revival residence noted for its pedimented portico with six large columns having capitals ornamented with rams’ heads.  The house was formerly the Charleston Free Library and served as a public library until the early 1960s when it reverted to a private residence.  Altschul was said to have paid $4.8 million for the house.   The New York Post noted that it has "a picturesque piazza and 18th-century French toilets."


After a year-long renovation, the Preservation Society of Charleston gave Altschul a Carolopolis Award for her effort, stating that, "The preservation work completed at the Jenkins Mikell house is an excellent example of a sensitive approach to maintaining the integrity of one of Charleston’s finest pre Civil War residences."



When I was in Charleston in March, I found her home.  I stalked it for a while, peeking through the thick hedges :


I found some open areas and was able to poke my camera through:  


But no sightings of Patricia!


I was tempted to scale the fence...


...but had no extra time to spend at the local Police dept...


So, I politely went on my way!


I absolutely LOVE that Patricia summons her butler, as she is preparing to dress for an evening out, requesting a 
"DRESSING COCKTAIL"

and she says

 “NOW EVERY DAY AT FIVE O’CLOCK, I REQUIRE A PERFECT MARTINI.” — PATRICIA ALTSCHUL 



I am off to get dressed and I think I will have a dressing cocktail!
To see more of her home, go HERE

Thursday, May 12, 2016

An updated lantern.....



I bought this lantern a few months ago and considered creating a flower arrangement on the top....



...but then a friend talked me into painting it...


...and now it sits on my front porch with a Luminara candle inside...


...and every night the candle glows for 5 hours!

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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Nurse Ratchett, Cape Cod, and a walk down memory lane....

My BFF lives on Cape Cod and recently fell down and broke her foot.  I spent the last week with her, before and after her surgery, playing Nurse Ratchett!



During her surgery, I drove down "memory lane",  reminiscing about the year I lived on the Cape.  I taught at this middle school...


...and I worked weekends at Captain Parker's Pub, tending bar...


....I lived in this sweet cottage in Hyannisport....


...and picked up my mail daily at this quaint post office..


...passing Keyes Beach on Sea Street daily...


...with the Kennedy Compound within view:


I dreamt about living in this house....


...which has a fabulous view overlooking the sea:


But life took a different turn and I ended up in Syracuse, NY!!

A few days later, while my patient was resting, I went to Falmouth for a few hours and stopped at one of my favorite second hand shops...


...ate at the Pickle Jar...


...where they have the best fried pickles...


...walked the beach...


...and enjoyed the view of Martha's Vineyard in the distance...


...stopped at another 2nd hand shop...


...and chuckled at the "local's" bumper sticker


A few days later I got Denise out for a drive....


...to East Sandwich Beach...


...and during the week I read this book...



...and decided I want to spend more time by the sea!!

BTW, the patient is recovering and feeling well!