London lovelies....

A friend and former colleague of mine shared these lovely shots from London. These were taken last year outside her favorite store, Daylesford Organic. It looks like my kind of place. I covet the green metal table and chairs. Thanks, Lynn for transporting me to Spring even if for a moment!

photos courtesy of Lynn Carlson Popat

All "tied" up until Monday

It's a lazy Sunday and Miss B has a little cold so, I'm all "tied" up until Monday. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend.

all photos courtesy of Grandma's house

Scenes from the family room

Hi all. Well, once again the Northeast, Miss B and I are snowed in. It's coming on 4:00PM and we're still in our PJs. We've basically spent the entire day in the family room coloring, reading, watching TV and playing on the "puter". So, the blog for the day is "scenes from the family room" because we've been planted here for hours.

Greens, creams and lots of texture...

a corner of our family room ~ shutter screen for interest

a nook of our bookcase shelf ~ another miniature chair and fishing glass float with rope netting

side sitting area

this photo (source unknown) is not from our home ~ however, we do have these pillows scattered on our couches and chairs

wall basket - more texture

one of my favorite things~ a child sized chair for Miss B upholstered in coordinating fabric

Blogging about boots? Huh?

I'm going to blog about boots! Yes, you heard it right...boots! I think all the snow has finally gotten to me.

We'll certainly need boots tomorrow but these are too pretty to slush out in the snow.

boots as part of our Christmas decor ~ filled with fresh evergreen, holly, red berries and placed outside the front door

Grandma's green boots also filled with fresh evergreen, holly and red berries

from Grandma's kitchen table ~ a boot of daisies. Think Spring!

Pretty in pink! Pink polka dotted rain boot vase ~ whimsy-girl.blogspot.com

Cute! Boot umbrella stand ~ ZGallerie.com

Blogging on a snow day

It's 10:00PM and I just got the official call from Miss B's school that tomorrow will be a snow day. No surprise here. So, look who will be blogging with Mommy tomorrow? She's a natural...

Our Guardian-garden angel

Tomorrow could very well be another snow day here in the Northeast. If so, I might not have time to do a blog post with Miss B home - so I'm adding one now.

My rusty lady was one of the final things I packed on my last move. At my prior home, she stood tucked in the woods. Just her, the trees and the random deer. I could watch her from my office window and did so often throughout the work day. She gave me some peace - even on a hectic day. She's now planted in the garden of our current home. Each morning, Miss B and I hit the stair landing and peer out through the window to see how she did overnight. She's become a part of our morning routine. At times, Miss B even says "good night" to her.

She's a part of our family and we include her in all the celebrations. For Miss B's "Cowgirl" party in October, she plans on holding a lasso. And of course she'll wear a cowgirl hat and a bandana around her neck.

holding pink balloons for Miss B's "Pink Party"

a bride for Maryrose & John's wedding

still standing after a snow storm (hang in there...Spring is almost here)

Below is where our Guardian-garden angel lives...

Chairs, chairs and chairs (Part 1)

Little chairs everywhere. They are all over our home. Tucked here and there. My obsession started years ago when my mother gave me one. They come in all different shapes, sizes, textures and colors. Most are inexpensive. Our entire Christmas tree is decorated with little chair ornaments (more on that in December). I don't quite know why I am drawn to them. Maybe its enjoying the "little things in life". Here is a sampling of photos taken this morning. They'll be more...we have hundreds!

green bench on front hallway table

floral ruffled chair flanking fireplace

girlie pink & green chairs

pewter chair collection ~ most are place card holders

in the kitchen

Decor by numbers

I love the look of numbers scattered in decor. They catch my eye - striking, bold and unexpected.

Our front door

Cottage Living

Pottery Barn

Let the sun shine in!

Glass-backed kitchen cabinets. All that light and a view... good incentives to keep your cabinets clutter-free.

source: unknown

Dreaming of a summer home...

It's the end of February and I'm pretty much over the winter. I found photographer, Brian Vanden Brink's website and started dreaming about summer homes. Light, airy, white, casual - ahhhh. Counting the days...

all photographs by Brian vanden Brink ~ here

Grayce's Cake... "De-lish"

It's Friday and it's been a looooong week. We're so used to being off for snow days and holidays that a somewhat "normal" week feels like it will never end. But here we are - finally Friday. I'm still reading Tara Frey's book, "Blogging for Bliss". A wonderful resource from which I am learning. So, until I learn more about the blog world I decided to do a simple post of a SIMPLE recipe. It's got to be "simple" for me to make it.

Years ago, my mother received this cake recipe from a sweet elderly lady named Grayce Fuller. Sadly, Grayce has passed but I often think how she would enjoy the fact that this recipe has become a staple in our family. She lives on and of course the recipe is aptly named "Grayce's Cake". Enjoy.

Miss B "helping" Grandma make a Grayce's Cake

Grayce’s Cake

(Grayce Fuller)

Duncan Hines “Butter Recipe Golden”~ prepare cake mix according to directions.

Pour into un-greased 9X13 inch pan.

Mix:

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

¾ cup sugar

15 oz. whole milk ricotta

Pour on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Let cool, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Enjoy anytime ~ for breakfast, after lunch or dinner

Birthday party invitations of past...

To say that I have a thing for party invitations is an understatement. All party planning begins with them. They must be "themey", fun, reusable and cute. Here are some photos of birthday party invitations of past. Hope you enjoy.

Miss B turns "5" this October - already in the works is a "Cowgirl" themed party. Ideas for her invitation popping in my head ~ denim, bandanas, wheat.

Miss B's 1st birthday ~ A Pink Party.

How else could we celebrate Miss B's very first birthday?! Pink, pink and pink! Food and decor ALL pink. Attire "pink" (even the boys wore pink). For the invitation I used a paint sample strip from my local hardware store to list all details. The small paint can was purchased from The Container Store. It was wrapped in pink paper and simply labeled "pink". I used pink tulle and tied on the paint brush. My favorite extra detail - the dipped paint tip on the brush.

Within the "pink" paint can were pink M&Ms.

Miss B's 2nd birthday party ~ An ice cream party.

I scream, you scream, we ALL scream for ice cream! Chenille ice cream cones were purchased from Etsy. I LOVE that all the little girls could re-use them to play in their kitchens. Party details were simply tied on.

Miss B's 3rd birthday party ~ A Candy Party.

A candy-shaped tube - everyone brought their tube (invitation) to the party to fill with candy from the party's candy bar. 20 girls wired on sugar ~ wow! Crazy and LOUD! ;-)

Miss B's 4th birthday party ~ A Tea Party.

I usually don't do "just paper" invitations. As luck would have it our local fireman's fair got a brand new ride. TEA CUPS! I grabbed my camera and Miss B and starting clicking away.

Miss B posing with her tea party hat. Wad of gum in her cheeks for bribery (bad mommy!)

Happy Valentine's Day

Spending Valentine's Day with my sweet little girl. She's making bead necklaces while I learn how to blog. I'll buy Tara Frey's book, "Blogging for Bliss" later today. Wishing everyone a happy Valentine's ~ hope you are surrounded by loved ones.

Kiss & love hanging hearts ~ BlueberryPark on Etsy

Turquoise & orange

Certain color combinations seem to "call" me.

Pink & brown and now, turquoise & orange...

Shutters

604 River Road

Fair Haven, New Jersey 07704

Saturday at Shutters ~ nesting

Adorable display at Shutters

Shutters

604 River Road

Fair Haven, New Jersey 07704

Love is in the air

Cupcakes are made and Valentine cards have been scribbled out.

Such a sweet holiday.

credit: XOXO drawstring bags by MinnieMiller at Etsy

A quick welcome to my new blog...

Welcome to my new blog created during "Snowmageddon"

Feb. 11, 2010