pictures

              shop                               facebook                                blog

Saturday, December 24, 2016

blue Christmas

The article I put together for the December issue of Romantic Homes magazine was a bit foreshadowing. At the time I thought it was simply a cute theme for an alternative holiday color scheme...

 
Holiday Blues

 
From vintage ornaments...

 
to charming sugared figurines...


 
to ephemera...


 
and all the other adorable winter decorations!

 
Well it turns out my holiday turned blue too.
I don't ever get very personal on my blog, but this has been a really difficult season so far. I am trying to maintain a grateful heart and look to the New Year for what the future holds. I appreciate all the prayers. Please keep my family in your prayers as well. Prayers are the most powerful gift of all!
Sending love and hugs to all of you!!!
Merry Christmas...  
PS. I am really grateful for having creative outlets like my monthly article in Romantic Homes magazine and this blog. I can escape the real world and get lost in a world filled with inspiration. Thanks so much for supporting me...and the magazine!
 

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

holly jolly

Look what I saw tucked into
Flea Market Décor magazine...

 
The background on the editorial page is an image from
my Christmas collection of holly Ironstone.

 
What fun to see!
I love my cracked, chipped and crazed treasures.
It's nice to see them in print for all to enjoy.
Here are more images of my holiday collection
of vintage holly china.
 

 
I rarely find pieces to add to my stash
but I am thrilled when I do!




 
I love holly for Christmas.


 
I hope you enjoyed a peek at my collection.
 
 

Thursday, December 1, 2016

ho-ho-ho

Have you recovered from the excitement...and the food...of the Thanksgiving weekend? Well...tis the season to eat eat eat! If you are anything like me, I can hardly get over one holiday before the next one arrives. Due to the long to-do lists, my baking duties seem to drop in priority every year. However, your emails have lit a fire under me and I'm getting out my recipe box. A number of people requested the chocolate chip cookie recipe for the cookies featured in the November issue of Romantic Homes magazine.

 
See the tiny little plate of cookies
awaiting Santa's arrival...
 
 
My mom gets the credit!
It's her awesome recipe...

 
Ingredients
 
¾ cup of butter
¾ of brown sugar
¾ cup of white sugar
1 t vanilla
2 eggs
2 ½ cups flour
1 t baking soda
½ t salt
12 ounces chocolate chips
  
 
Directions:

1.       Using an electric mixer, cream ¾ cup of butter, ¾ of brown sugar, ¾ cup of white sugar, and one teaspoon of vanilla.
2.       Continue mixing and add two eggs (one at a time)
3.       Beat until smooth
4.       In a separate bowl combine 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 t of baking soda and ¼ t of salt
5.       Add the dry mixture slowly into the mixing bowl to incorporate
6.       Once incorporated add  12 ounces of chocolate chips and stir
7.       Drop by rounded spoonful onto a lightly greased cookie sheet
8.       Bake at 350 degrees for 8 10 minutes
9.       Allow cookies to stand on the cookie sheet for one minute then remove to a clean surface to cool. 


There are few things better than a house filled with the aroma of fresh baked cookies! Whether you are baking for friends, family, Santa...or yourself...this recipe will be sure to please!
Thanks Mom!