Stuart, Florida Holiday Home Tour

Last week I went on a home tour of 5 homes in Stuart, Florida. I am sharing a few photos of special things that caught my eye, like this lovely sitting room in a guest house (the home was stunning, but I think I could live quite comfortably in the guest house) The intracoastal view was so stunning:

This was a view from another home's sitting area:

And their 45" pendant lights over the stairwell:

I fell in love with this unique mirror in their dining room:

And something we could never have up north in snow country is a "window backsplash". Imagine the great natural lighting on these counters!!

I want this top cupboard in my own kitchen - and I love the cupboard handles!

Another home was the epitome of eclecticism. This was a fabulous window treatment in the piano room

It was a fun way to peek into some homes and get some fresh ideas!

Anthropologie had a sale....and a recipe

I just bought this butter dish:

and she is sweet as a candy dish for homemade peanut butter cups, too:

Peanut Butter Cups
(I used a plastic candy mold for these)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 T butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
dash salt
1 lb milk chocolate buttons
Mix first 4 ingredients well. Melt chocolate and coat sides and bottom of each individual candy cup mold. Refrigerate to set. Place a teaspoon of peanut butter mixture into each cup and cover with more melted chocolate. Refrigerate again. Wrap and enjoy!

The "Sport" Tree

This is my husband's special Christmas tree:

It's a wall tree that represents all of his favorite sports and teams:

Yankees, Syracuse University orangemen, golfing, baseball, basketball, bowling

and it even represents our daughters, who were cheerleaders!

This year the tree is in our bedroom with twinkling lights.

Holiday Mantel

I am joining Artie for Vignette Fridays...hop on over to see what other participants are sharing.This is my mantel, in silver and gold.

We have had well over 40" of snow in the past 6 days and it has me in the Christmas mood!

Hope you are enjoying decorating your home!

A Christmas Crate and recipe

I am joining Thrifty Thursday to share this economical project I made today on our "snow day"...and yes, it is still snowing - 42" so far since Saturday:

I spray painted a clementine crate black:

I draped it with fabric and filled it with homemade herbal vinegar, peanut butter cups, chocolate peppermint bark, dried herbs from my garden, cranapple jelly, a snack dish and cannister and a scented candle.

A festive bow, greens and snowman is tucked in the corner:Here's the recipe for the jelly:

Freezer Cranapple Jelly

4 c cranapple drink
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 pkg powdered fruit pectin
5 cups sugar

In a large pan combine drink, juice and pectin and bring to a full boil.
Stir in sugar and boil for one minute.
Remove from heat and pour into 7-one cup containers.
(Refrigerate for 3 weeks or freeze for 3 months)

Still snowing...

It hasn't stopped snowing since Saturday, over 100 hours and over 3 feet of snow!

The best part - we had a "snow day" today from school - YIPPEEE!

I have spent the day making jelly and candy (recipes to follow soon) and putting gift baskets together for friends.

It's just beginning...

After a week of this....

I came home to this...

There is something about the south that is more appealing to me than ever!

I'm Playin' Hooky...

It's cold in NY!! I'm off to Florida for a week !

CSN winner

Congrats to Acorn Hollow from New Hampshire, she is the winner of the $45.00 gift card to purchase something special at CSN!
I will be sending you the details soon!

The 4 Wise Men

This is a funny story: About 8 years ago, when I was teaching high school, a special education student, Yomil, gave me this small gift. He spent his own money on it at the Dollar General store and wrapped it in tissue paper. When I opened it, he exclaimed "Look Mrs P, it's the baby Jesus and the 4 Wise Men"!!!

Each Christmas I pull it out and call my friend Joni to tell her that the "4 Wise Men" are on display again!